We moved north together without exchanging many words. The environment changed as we advanced. The vegetation became denser, the air heavier, and that familiar sensation of demonic presence began to intensify. It wasn't something visible at first glance, but it was impossible to ignore.
Lyannis walked beside me, watching the map while adjusting the route.
"They're concentrating further ahead. Probably a gathering point."
"Or preparation," Elara said.
Scarlett let out a small sigh.
"So it's not just a large group."
"No," I replied. "It's a formation."
Rai'kanna looked toward the horizon.
"Good. Better that way."
Vespera remained silent, but her posture showed she was ready to act at any moment. Liriel walked with heightened attention, as if she were trying to sense something beyond the visible.
"Something's wrong," she said.
I stopped for a moment.
"What do you feel?"
"It's not just presence… it feels spread out."
Elara closed her eyes briefly.
"Traces of demonic energy… denser than before."
I looked around. This wasn't just a normal movement. Something bigger was taking shape.
"Then we won't wait for them to move," I said.
Lyannis nodded.
"If we advance a little more, we'll enter their area directly."
"That's the goal."
We continued.
It didn't take long before we found the first group. Unlike the previous ones, they were positioned. They weren't wandering. They were waiting.
"First line," Scarlett said quietly.
"And it's not small," Rai'kanna added.
I quickly scanned the area. Around eighty, maybe more. They weren't scattered. They were aligned.
"No splitting up now," I said. "We advance together."
Everyone nodded.
I took the first step.
They reacted instantly.
The impact was immediate.
I activated my sword and charged straight through the center. The resistance was greater than before, but still not enough. Every strike opened space, every movement created an advantage. Rai'kanna advanced beside me, maintaining constant pressure. Scarlett moved with precision, eliminating any attempt at flanking.
Liriel began casting support magic, keeping our energy stable. Elara created barriers at strategic points, preventing surprise attacks. Lyannis coordinated, adjusting our positioning as the flow of battle changed. Vespera appeared in blind spots, eliminating targets swiftly.
It was real teamwork.
And it worked.
The first line fell faster than they expected.
But it wasn't over.
As soon as the last one fell, the ground trembled slightly.
"More incoming," Lyannis said.
I looked ahead.
They were coming.
They were more numerous. More organized. And this time, there was something different at the center of the formation.
"Commander," Elara said.
I took a deep breath.
"Then now it really begins."
They advanced all at once.
There was no time for complex strategy. Only execution.
"Hold the line," I said.
I activated more energy through the sword. The flow intensified, surging through my body with greater force. I stepped forward and cut down the first group that tried to advance.
Rai'kanna held the right side firmly, never retreating. Scarlett kept the left side under control. Vespera moved through the gaps, preventing any unexpected advance.
Liriel raised her voice.
"I'm expanding the support."
The light around her intensified, covering a larger area. Elara reinforced the barriers.
Lyannis kept adjusting everything.
"They're trying to surround us!"
"They won't succeed," I replied.
I advanced.
The impact struck directly against the center of the formation. The resistance there was stronger, denser. The commander didn't move, only watched while the others advanced.
"He's waiting," Elara said.
"Then we'll go to him."
I forced my way through. Every strike was heavier, more precise. Numbers no longer mattered. The rhythm of the battle was under our control.
Rai'kanna approached.
"You're opening a path."
"Hold with me."
Scarlett appeared on the other side.
"I already cleared the flank."
"Then let's go straight through."
We advanced together.
The commander finally moved.
The energy around him was different. More concentrated, more stable. He wasn't like the others.
"Now this is more like it," Rai'kanna said.
I didn't answer.
I simply advanced.
The clash was stronger. He blocked the first attack, dodged the second, counterattacked on the third. But it wasn't enough.
Rai'kanna pressured him from the side, Scarlett closed the opening, and I finished it.
The strike pierced through.
The commander fell.
And with that… the rest stopped.
There was no retreat. No coordinated reaction. Only collapse.
We finished the remainder quickly.
Silence returned, but this time it was different. It wasn't merely the absence of sound. It was the end of something greater.
I took a deep breath while observing the battlefield.
"This was more organized."
Lyannis nodded.
"They were preparing."
Elara looked around.
"That confirms it."
"Confirms what?" Liriel asked.
"That this isn't random," I replied. "Someone is coordinating all of this."
Scarlett crossed her arms.
"The second general."
"Probably."
Rai'kanna looked at me.
"Then we're getting closer."
"Yes."
Vespera spoke for the first time.
"And this was only one part."
I nodded.
I looked toward the horizon once again.
That sensation was still there.
It wasn't over.
"Let's head back," I said.
"Already?" Scarlett asked.
"For now."
Lyannis closed the map.
"We have enough to report."
"Yes."
We started the return without rushing. My body wasn't tired, but my mind was already working on the next step.
This wasn't just a mission.
It was a warning.
And I understood it perfectly.
Before leaving the area, I looked one last time at the battlefield.
They were organizing themselves.
And that only meant one thing.
The next battle… would not be so simple.