Talks spread quickly among the higher-ups. The administrators waited anxiously for the return of the Ihes. Preparations had already been made—defenses strengthened, strategies carefully planned.
But something felt… off.
The Ihes had only been spotted a few times near the location where the portal led—the same place where Jelo, Atlas, and the others had fought. Aside from that, there had been no movement. No attacks. Nothing.
It didn't make sense.
Could it be that the Ihes knew they weren't strong enough to defeat humankind again?
Their decision to come to Earth in the first place was already confusing—especially after sending a peace treaty that was supposed to prevent them from ever returning. Now, their silence only deepened the mystery. Every theory raised more questions than it answered. Every answer felt incomplete. And yet decisions still had to be made—strategies still had to be formed—on the basis of nothing at all.
