The return was silent. The atmosphere was no longer the same as when we had first departed. The absence of immediate combat did not bring relief, only space to think. And the more I thought, the more I realized that something was changing permanently.
We walked across the same terrain that, hours earlier, had been the stage of destruction. Now, only deep scars in the ground, fallen trees, and air heavy with residual energy remained. Even so, the group stayed alert, as if expecting something to emerge at any moment.
Scarlett was the first to break the silence.
"That wasn't a fight."
I kept walking, not answering immediately.
"It was an execution," she finished.
"Yes," I replied.
Elara glanced at me from the side.
"You're dealing with it as if it were normal."
"Because, at the moment, it's what needs to be done."
Liriel frowned slightly.
"But that doesn't mean it's easy."
I didn't answer. I understood what she meant.
Lyannis walked a little farther behind, her hands behind her head.
"I've seen a lot of things... but that was on another level."
Vespera nodded slightly.
"The difference in power was obvious."
Rai'kanna remained silent for a few seconds before speaking.
"And that comes with a price."
I stopped for a moment.
The group stopped as well.
I looked ahead, observing the empty horizon.
"I know," I replied.
Scarlett crossed her arms.
"Do you really?"
I turned slightly toward her.
"The problem isn't what I can do," I continued. "It's what comes afterward."
Elara understood immediately.
"You think this is going to escalate."
"It already is."
Silence returned, but this time with a different weight. It was no longer just analysis.
It was acceptance.
We resumed moving shortly afterward, continuing toward the nearest support point. The pace was steady, neither rushed nor slow.
During the journey, I noticed something that hadn't been so clear before.
The group wasn't just accompanying me anymore.
They were watching me.
Not with distrust.
But with a different kind of attention.
As if they were trying to understand how far this would go.
After some time, we reached a higher area from which a large portion of the surrounding terrain was visible. I stopped there for a few seconds, evaluating.
Nothing.
No movement.
No presence.
Scarlett approached.
"They disappeared."
"Yes," I replied.
Elara crossed her arms.
"After three consecutive encounters... they simply stopped."
"It's not a retreat due to weakness," said Liriel.
"No," I added. "It's repositioning."
Lyannis let out a small sigh.
"So something bigger is coming."
"Probably."
Vespera kept her gaze fixed on the horizon.
"They're observing too."
Rai'kanna looked at me.
"Just like we are."
I nodded.
We remained there for a few moments, simply analyzing the emptiness ahead. It was strange. After so much action, the silence felt even more unsettling.
"Let's head back," I finally said.
The group nodded, and we resumed our journey.
When we reached the support point, some adventurers who had remained in the rear came to meet us. Their expressions were clear.
They already knew.
"You eliminated everything?" one of them asked.
"Yes," I replied.
"Without casualties?"
"Without casualties."
The man remained silent for a few seconds before nodding.
"That... changes a lot."
"Yes," I replied once again.
Scarlett headed directly toward her division, naturally beginning to reorganize the group. Elara and Liriel stayed nearby, speaking in lower tones, while Lyannis and Vespera were already examining maps and possible routes.
Rai'kanna remained by my side.
"You're quiet," she said.
"I'm thinking."
"About what?"
I looked at the horizon once more.
"About how far this goes."
She didn't answer immediately.
"Are you afraid?" she asked after a few seconds.
I thought for a moment.
"No."
"Then what is it?"
"Awareness."
Rai'kanna kept her eyes on me.
"Explain."
I took a deep breath.
"I'm getting stronger too quickly," I said. "And that doesn't happen without a reason."
She nodded slightly.
"You believe this is being... prepared?"
"Yes."
Silence returned between us.
"So you think the Second General..." she began.
"Will be different," I finished.
We remained silent for a few more seconds.
In the distance, the sky was beginning to change color, signaling the end of the day. The softer light highlighted the scars left across the terrain even more.
Scarlett returned after organizing everything.
"The groups are ready for any new movement."
Elara approached.
"But for now... there's nothing."
Liriel added,
"And that's what's most concerning."
Lyannis crossed her arms.
"Too much silence is never good."
Vespera nodded.
"It means preparation."
I looked at all of them.
"Then we do the same," I said.
Scarlett raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Preparation?"
"Yes."
Elara understood immediately.
"You want everyone ready, even without an attack."
"Exactly."
Liriel nodded.
"That prevents surprises."
Lyannis gave a small smile.
"Finally something balanced."
Vespera finished.
"Defense and rapid response."
Rai'kanna looked at me.
"And you?"
I thought for a moment.
"I stay on the front line."
Scarlett let out a small sigh.
"Of course you do."
But this time, there was no argument.
Night slowly began to fall, covering the field with a calm but deceptive darkness. Small campfires were lit, groups organized themselves for rest and watch duty, and activity gradually diminished.
Even so, no one truly relaxed.
I remained standing for a while longer, watching the horizon.
The feeling was still there.
That same feeling as before.
That all of this...
Was only the beginning.
And that the true burden...
Was still yet to come.
I took a deep breath.
And closed my eyes for a brief moment.
When I opened them again, my mind was already clear.
The next battle would not be like these.
And I needed to be ready.
Because this time...
It would not be only about strength.
It would be about limits.