The advance began before the sun reached its highest point.
There was no announcement. No war cry. Just coordinated movement. Troops aligning, adventurers taking positions, the field gradually being filled with presence and intent.
This time, everything felt more organized.
Or perhaps…
More decisive.
I walked at the front of the group, feeling the weight of what was to come. It wasn't the first battle of the war, but it was the one that truly mattered.
Scarlett was at my side. Rai'kanna slightly ahead. Lyannis moved lightly, almost invisible. Liriel and Elara kept the magical flow stable. Vespera observed everything.
Each one in their role.
No need for reinforcement.
When the field finally opened before us, the sensation returned.
Stronger.
Clearer.
The general was there.
Standing.
Waiting.
But it wasn't just him.
The army was there too.
Demons spread out in an irregular formation, but not disorganized. Smaller creatures advancing on the front line, stronger units positioned behind.
And at the center…
Him.
I stopped for a moment.
Took a deep breath.
And then spoke.
"It's begun."
The movement was immediate.
Rai'kanna advanced first, breaking through the initial line with direct force. Her impact opened space among the smaller creatures, shattering the initial formation.
Lyannis vanished right after, appearing among the enemies like an unstable shadow. Fast, precise attacks, creating confusion.
Liriel raised her hand, releasing energy to contain lateral advances. It wasn't total destruction—it was control. Directing the flow of battle.
Elara followed, adjusting everything. Small corrections that prevented the line from breaking.
Vespera coordinated the surrounding groups, keeping the structure firm.
Scarlett stayed with me.
And I advanced.
Straight.
Without deviation.
The general didn't move until the last moment.
And then…
He came.
The impact was immediate.
Different from the first time.
This time, I was already prepared.
My blade met his—and held.
Barely.
But it held.
"So you came back," he said.
"Yes."
I didn't answer more than that.
There was no need.
Scarlett moved in from the side, forcing a different angle. He dodged, but this time the movement was slightly wider.
A small difference.
But enough.
"It's working," I thought.
Behind us, the battle grew.
The sounds of combat spread. Shouts, impacts, magic, metal. The entire field was in motion.
But the focus…
Was there.
Rai'kanna advanced with everything at one of the points. Her impact generated shockwaves that broke the enemy line.
Lyannis appeared and disappeared, creating instability.
Liriel maintained constant pressure, preventing the demons from reorganizing.
Elara adjusted the flow, avoiding unnecessary losses.
Vespera kept everything connected.
The plan was in motion.
And the effect was starting to show.
The general was still in control.
But not absolute.
I attacked again.
Changing rhythm.
Breaking sequence.
No pattern.
He dodged.
But this time…
With minimal delay.
Scarlett noticed.
"He's adjusting."
"Yes."
But not fast enough.
Rai'kanna struck one of the points with full force.
The impact reverberated across the field.
The pressure shifted.
Slightly.
But it shifted.
"Now!" Lyannis shouted as she appeared at another point.
She attacked with precision, breaking another control point.
Liriel followed, reinforcing the instability.
Elara adjusted.
Vespera coordinated.
And then…
The difference became clear.
The field weakened.
Not completely.
But enough.
The general advanced.
Faster.
More direct.
Trying to regain control.
I blocked.
But this time, the impact wasn't the same.
Still heavy.
But different.
Less absolute.
"It's working," Scarlett said.
"Keep going," I replied.
He increased the pressure.
But now…
It was divided.
Each point attacked forced him to redistribute.
Each movement we made broke the structure a little more.
The battle around us intensified.
The troops began to advance.
The demons retreated in some areas.
Others resisted.
But the line…
Was being pushed.
"Takumi!" Liriel shouted.
I glanced quickly.
She was holding off a strong assault, but not alone.
Elara was with her.
Lyannis appeared right after.
Rai'kanna advanced again.
Vespera adjusted everything.
Scarlett remained firm at my side.
And the general…
Changed again.
His aura increased.
Denser.
More aggressive.
The pressure returned with force.
But not like before.
Now…
It was unstable.
Irregular.
"He's forcing it," Scarlett said.
"Yes."
"That means…"
"He's losing control."
I attacked again.
With more force.
More precision.
Without hesitation.
The clash was more balanced.
For the first time…
Truly balanced.
He stepped back half a step.
Not by choice.
But by necessity.
Silence didn't come.
But the feeling…
Did.
Something had changed.
Behind me, the group continued.
Each fulfilling their role.
No mistakes.
No retreat.
The battle had reached its peak.
The entire field in conflict.
But the center…
Was different.
I took a deep breath.
And felt it.
The moment was approaching.
It wasn't the end yet.
But it was close.
Very close.
I looked at the general.
And this time…
I didn't see absolute control.
I saw effort.
I saw adjustment.
I saw limits.
And that…
Was everything I needed.
Because it meant one thing.
The war wasn't over yet.
But the advantage…
Was no longer his.