Night arrived sooner than expected. Not because time passed quickly, but because everything that day seemed to converge toward a single point. The sky darkened clearly, without clouds, and the lights of the castle gradually began to illuminate, reflecting off the golden surfaces and creating a constant glow that filled the surroundings.
I remained on the balcony for some time before returning inside. There was no longer any need to go out. Everything that needed to be seen had already been seen. Now, the focus was elsewhere.
When I entered the room, everyone was already there.
Elara was sitting near the window, observing the outside with a calm yet attentive gaze. Liriel was lying on her side, resting her head on one hand, as if she were relaxed, but her eyes showed otherwise. Vespera sat in silence with a straight posture, analyzing something only she seemed able to see. Scarlett was leaning against the wall, arms crossed, as steady as always. Rai'kanna stood closer to the door, looking in my direction.
Lyannis was the first to speak.
"So it's here."
"Yes."
There was no need for more words to understand what that meant.
Elara slowly stood up.
"Everything is ready."
"It is."
Liriel let out a light sigh.
"I still think this kind of situation is strange."
"Which part?" Scarlett asked.
"You simply accepting a fight against someone at that level as if it were... normal."
"It's not normal," Vespera replied. "But it's necessary."
Rai'kanna crossed her arms.
"And inevitable."
Lyannis added,
"Especially for someone like him."
Silence settled for a few seconds.
I walked to the center of the room and stopped there.
"It's not about accepting it or not," I said. "It's about doing what needs to be done."
Liriel looked at me.
"And you really don't see a problem with that?"
"I see risks. Not problems."
Scarlett gave a slight nod.
"That's the difference."
Elara stepped a little closer.
"Have you faced worse things before?"
I thought for a moment before answering.
"Not worse. Different."
Vespera tilted her head slightly.
"Explain."
"Before, I didn't know exactly the level of the enemy," I replied. "Now I do."
Rai'kanna agreed.
"That changes everything."
Lyannis crossed her arms.
"It changes the way you act."
Liriel gave a small smile.
"And increases the pressure."
"Pressure has always existed," Scarlett said. "Only the weight changes."
The room fell silent again.
But this time, it wasn't an empty silence.
It was preparation.
A few minutes later, a soft knock on the door interrupted the moment.
"Come in."
The door opened.
Kaelira entered.
Without a disguise this time.
Her presence was completely different when it wasn't hidden. More intense, clearer.
"I hope I'm not interrupting."
"You're not," I replied.
She looked at the group for a moment before focusing on me again.
"I came to see how you're doing."
"Normal."
She let out a slight smile.
"You really don't change."
"I don't see a reason to."
She took a few steps inside.
"My father is already preparing himself."
"I can imagine."
"He didn't show it before... but he's excited."
"I can imagine that too."
She crossed her arms.
"It's been a very long time since he fought like this."
Lyannis observed.
"That means he'll fight without restrictions."
"Yes," Kaelira replied.
Vespera nodded.
"Confirmed."
Scarlett looked directly at me.
"Then that's it."
Rai'kanna added,
"No room for mistakes."
Elara took a deep breath.
"Nor for hesitation."
Liriel looked away for a moment.
"And not for... turning back."
Silence returned.
Kaelira walked until she stopped a few steps away from me.
"You can still refuse."
"No."
She didn't seem surprised.
"I thought you'd say that."
"Because you already knew."
"Yes."
She remained silent for a few seconds before continuing.
"Then I'll only say one thing."
I waited.
"Don't fight trying to prove something."
"I'm not."
"Then why?"
"Because I need to."
She held my gaze.
"That's enough."
Lyannis gave a slight nod.
"Clear motivation."
Vespera added,
"No excessive emotional interference."
Scarlett nodded.
"That helps."
Rai'kanna crossed her arms.
"But it guarantees nothing."
"It doesn't need to guarantee anything," I replied. "It just needs to be done."
Kaelira let out a small sigh.
"You really are straightforward."
"It works."
She slightly turned her head.
"Maybe."
Elara stepped a little closer.
"And you?"
Kaelira looked at her.
"What about me?"
"How are you handling all of this?"
She took a little time before answering.
"I... want to see how far this goes."
Liriel raised an eyebrow.
"That's all?"
Kaelira thought for a moment.
"And I want it to end well."
"For whom?" Scarlett asked.
Kaelira looked at me.
"For whoever deserves it."
Silence returned once more.
But now there was something different.
Expectation.
After a few seconds, Kaelira stepped back.
"I won't take any more of your time."
No one replied.
She turned to leave, but stopped at the door.
"Takumi."
"Yes?"
"Be ready."
"I already am."
She nodded and left.
The door closed.
The room became silent again.
But this time, heavier.
Liriel slowly stood up.
"So... this is it."
"It is," I replied.
Elara walked to the window.
"Tomorrow everything changes."
"Yes."
Vespera maintained her posture.
"Inevitable sequence."
Scarlett looked directly at me.
"You know what to do."
"I do."
Rai'kanna added,
"And you'll do it."
"I will."
Lyannis approached.
"Then get some rest."
"I will."
There was nothing left to say.
One by one, they settled into place, and the atmosphere gradually returned to a calmer state.
I walked to the balcony one more time.
The sky was clear.
The stars were visible, steady.
I took a deep breath.
There was no anxiety.
There was no doubt.
Only clarity.
I went back inside.
I lay down.
I closed my eyes.
And for the first time since I arrived there...
I thought of nothing beyond what was essential.
The battle.
And its end.