The decision had already been made the moment I organized the vault. Staying longer in Vailor didn't make sense. What needed to be done there was already under control. The focus now returned to the demi-dragon lands.
I woke up early, even before movement in the mansion began. The city was still quiet, but not for long. It was always like that. Vailor woke up quickly, and with it came the demands, the distractions, the opportunities. But none of them were a priority at that moment.
I went downstairs and found Vespera near the door, as if she had already been waiting.
"Do you ever sleep?" I asked.
"I sleep enough," she replied quietly.
I nodded.
"We're leaving today."
"I know."
There was no more conversation. She simply opened the door, and the cold morning air entered. Soon after, the others began to appear. Scarlett came first, still adjusting her hair, with Rai'kanna right behind her, posture firm. Elara and Liriel appeared together, speaking quietly, and Lyannis came last, already holding some papers.
"You're leaving already?" Scarlett asked.
"Yes."
Rai'kanna crossed her arms.
"Without stopping by the guild?"
"No need."
Lyannis nodded.
"That makes sense. We already did what we needed here."
Elara looked directly at me.
"So we're returning to the demi-dragon kingdom."
"Exactly."
Liriel smiled faintly.
"The village."
"Yes."22
It didn't take long for us to leave. The carriage was already prepared, and the preparations were quick. There was no reason for delays. As soon as we departed, I felt that shift in rhythm once again. Vailor was left behind, along with the city's constant movement.
The road was familiar, but the feeling was different. It wasn't just a return trip.
It was movement with a clear purpose.
Scarlett was the first to break the silence.
"You stayed for a short time this time."
"There was no need to stay longer."
"Or you didn't want to," she completed with a faint smile.
I didn't answer immediately.
"Maybe both."
Rai'kanna rested her arm against the side of the carriage.
"You don't like staying in the same place for too long."
"That's not it."
"Then what is it?" she asked.
"Remaining where there's no need."
Lyannis looked up from the papers.
"And now there's a need there."
"Yes."
Elara kept her eyes fixed on the road.
"And there may also be danger."
"Probably."
Liriel took a deep breath.
"That presence we felt… wasn't isolated."
"No," I replied. "And it wasn't completely resolved."
Vespera spoke quietly.
"Then we go straight to the point."
"Yes."
The journey continued without interruptions. The terrain began to change as we advanced. The vegetation, the landscape, even the air felt different. It was something characteristic of the demi-dragon territory. Rougher, more intense.
When we finally approached the kingdom's borders, the presence of guards was already visible. They recognized us quickly, and there were no obstacles. The path to the central area was direct.
But before heading to the mansion, I decided to go to the castle.
Rai'kanna noticed immediately.
"You're going to talk to him."
"Yes."
She didn't question it.
We entered the castle without delay. The imposing structure still carried that natural weight. It wasn't only architecture.
It was presence.
The demi-dragon king was already aware of our arrival. When we entered the main hall, he was already standing there, watching us.
"You came back quickly," he said.
"There was no reason to delay."
He gave a faint smile.
"That's good."
Rai'kanna stepped forward.
"Father."
He nodded.
"You're well."
"I am."
His gaze returned to me.
"I assume you didn't return only out of routine."
"No."
He crossed his arms.
"Then speak."
I took a deep breath.
"Demonic movement. Organized groups. Commanders present."
The atmosphere became more serious.
"How many?"
"Hundreds."
He remained silent for a moment.
"Then it has begun."
"Yes."
Elara stepped forward.
"And it wasn't isolated."
Lyannis completed:
"It was coordinated."
The king nodded slowly.
"That confirms our suspicions."
Rai'kanna looked directly at him.
"They're going to advance."
"Yes," he replied. "And it won't take long."
Liriel lightly clenched her hands.
"So the village…"
"May be at risk," I completed.
The king looked directly at me.
"You're going there."
"Yes."
"Now."
"Yes."
He nodded.
"Then don't waste time."
Vespera had already turned around before the conversation even ended.
We left the castle immediately. There was no longer room for pause. The sense of urgency was clear now. It was no longer just a prediction.
It was reality.
We headed straight for the village. The road was shorter, but the tension made everything feel heavier. The silence returned, but this time it wasn't calm.
It was focused.
When we finally approached, something was different.
The movement.
The guards.
And… the sound.
I stopped before fully entering.
"Did you hear that?"
Scarlett narrowed her eyes.
"Yes."
Rai'kanna stepped forward.
"They're already here."
I looked toward the horizon.
A thin column of smoke was rising in the distance.
I took a deep breath.
"Then we arrived in time."
Or… almost.
Without saying anything else, I moved forward.
And this time… there was no room for error.