The night was short.
Rest didn't come fully, but it was enough to organize both body and mind. The fatigue was still there, only now it didn't get in the way. It served as a reminder of what needed to change.
When the sun began to rise on the horizon, we were already on our feet.
The camp moved at a restrained pace. Soldiers preparing, adventurers adjusting equipment, messengers coming and going. The war didn't stop, but at that moment… everything felt quieter.
More focused.
I gathered the group a little away from the main movement. We needed clarity, without distractions.
Vespera was the first to speak. "Let's organize this in stages."
I nodded. "No improvisation."
Rai'kanna crossed her arms. "Since when do you not improvise?"
Lyannis gave a slight smile. "He improvises with method."
I ignored them and continued.
"The goal isn't just to win," I said. "It's to take away his control."
Liriel nodded. "Without that… nothing works."
Elara added. "The field is the biggest problem."
Scarlett looked at me. "So we start there."
"Yes."
I traced a simple drawing on the ground with the tip of my weapon, marking the field where we faced the general. I marked the points where he positioned himself, where the enemies appeared, and where we felt the most pressure.
"He dominates this entire area," I said. "But not uniformly."
Vespera stepped closer. "There are stronger points."
"Yes."
Elara analyzed. "Energy concentration."
Liriel added. "If we break those points… the field weakens."
Rai'kanna smiled. "Then we break them."
"Not at the same time," said Lyannis. "Or he adjusts."
"Exactly," I replied.
Scarlett crossed her arms. "So we split."
I looked at all of them.
"Yes. We split."
Silence fell for a moment.
Because that part was clear.
But also the most dangerous.
"Each of you will act on a different point," I continued. "Coordinated attacks, but at alternating times. No fixed pattern."
Vespera nodded. "Force him to redistribute control."
Elara added. "And create instability."
Liriel looked at me. "And you?"
"I stay in the center."
Rai'kanna let out a light laugh. "Of course you do."
"He'll focus on me," I said. "And that's what we want."
Scarlett frowned slightly. "You're going to hold that alone?"
"Not completely," I replied. "But I'll be the main focus."
Lyannis tilted her head. "That requires time."
"I know."
Vespera crossed her arms. "And precision."
"That too."
Elara looked directly at me. "And control."
I took a deep breath.
"Yes."
Silence returned.
But this time, it wasn't doubt.
It was calculation.
Rai'kanna was the first to break it. "So what's everyone's role?"
I pointed to the spots on the ground.
"Rai'kanna, you take the point closest to the front line. Direct pressure."
She smiled. "Finally."
"Liriel, support and interruption. You prevent him from stabilizing."
"Understood."
"Elara, reading and adjustment. If anything goes out of control… you fix it."
She nodded.
"Lyannis, mobility. You cover gaps and create distraction."
"Perfect."
"Vespera… overall coordination."
She simply confirmed with a slight nod.
Scarlett kept watching me.
"You stay with me," I said.
She didn't hesitate. "Of course."
"The role is simple," I continued. "We hold him."
Rai'kanna made a light remark. "Simple."
I ignored it.
"But there's more," I said.
Everyone looked.
This was the most important part.
I clenched my hand slightly, feeling the weight of the decision.
"It's still not enough."
Liriel understood first. "You're going to use it."
I nodded.
Scarlett tightened her grip slightly. "The armor."
"Yes."
Silence hit harder this time.
Rai'kanna smiled, but differently. "So finally."
Lyannis watched closely. "Can you maintain it now?"
"I can."
Elara analyzed. "But for how long?"
"Not long," I replied. "But enough."
Vespera added. "So that defines the final moment."
"Exactly."
Scarlett looked at me. "You'll use it when the field falls."
"Yes."
Liriel crossed her arms. "So everything depends on that."
"Not everything," I corrected. "But enough."
Rai'kanna tapped her weapon lightly on her shoulder. "Then we can't fail before that."
"No," said Vespera. "We can't."
The group fell silent for a few seconds.
It wasn't hesitation.
It was acceptance.
Lyannis was the first to smile. "I like this."
Elara took a deep breath. "It's risky."
Liriel added. "But it's possible."
Rai'kanna stepped forward. "Then let's do it."
Scarlett stayed by my side. "No mistakes."
Vespera concluded. "No mistakes."
I erased the drawing on the ground with my foot.
"So that's it," I said. "This is our best chance."
No one disagreed.
Because they all knew.
There was no better plan.
The war had already brought us this far.
And now…
There was no turning back.
I looked toward the horizon.
The field was still distant, but its presence was already slowly returning.
The pressure.
The presence.
The general.
I took a deep breath.
And felt something different.
It wasn't fear.
It wasn't doubt.
It was clarity.
"We've prepared enough," I thought.
I turned my gaze back to the group.
All ready.
All focused.
All aware of what was at stake.
"Then let's finish this," I said.
And in that moment…
The strategy stopped being just a plan.
It became a decision.
And the next time we stepped onto that field…
It wouldn't be to test.
It would be to win.