The silence after the battle did not bring immediate relief. The village still carried tension in the air, as if everyone expected another attack at any moment. The villagers began to leave their shelters, observing what remained of the confrontation. Some helped the wounded, while others simply stared, trying to understand how they were still alive.
I walked a few steps forward, analyzing the scene. It was not a clean victory, but it was enough.
"The perimeter still isn't secure," said Lyannis, looking around.
"I agree," I replied.
Rai'kanna approached.
"They could come back."
"They could."
Scarlett crossed her arms.
"Then we won't give them time."
Elara was already reorganizing the barriers around the village.
"I can maintain a temporary defense."
"Do it," I said.
Liriel watched the villagers.
"There are injured people."
"Take care of them," I replied.
"Yes."
Vespera had already disappeared again, probably checking the surroundings.
Lyannis moved closer.
"If this attack was coordinated… then there may be more coming."
"There will be," I answered.
Rai'kanna looked at me.
"Then we stay."
"Yes. We're not leaving here now."
Scarlett gave a faint smile.
"Finally a fixed place to fight."
It didn't take long for the local guards to reorganize themselves. The village chief came toward me again, now with more firmness in his voice.
"Sir… what should we do?"
I looked directly at him.
"Evacuate those who can't fight. Organize those who can. No one stays exposed."
He nodded immediately.
"Yes."
Lyannis added,
"And distribute the defense points. Don't keep everything concentrated."
"Understood."
Elara reinforced the point.
"My barriers will help, but they're not permanent."
The village chief hurried off to give the orders.
I looked toward the horizon again.
The sensation returned.
Stronger.
"Vespera."
She appeared beside me without making a sound.
"Further north," she said. "Movement."
Rai'kanna was already preparing herself.
"How many?"
"More than before."
Scarlett let out a soft laugh.
"So it really isn't over."
Liriel returned after helping some of the wounded.
"They're coming again?"
"Yes."
Elara kept her focus.
"Then this time we need to hold them here."
Lyannis quickly opened the map.
"They're advancing directly. They're not trying to surround us."
"That means full pressure," I replied.
Rai'kanna looked at me.
"Then let's give them a wall."
I nodded.
"Defensive formation."
We positioned ourselves in front of the village, this time not advancing, but waiting. It was a change. This was not a hunt. It was defense.
The sound came before the sight.
Heavy footsteps.
Many of them.
And then they appeared.
A new horde. More organized. More aggressive. And at the center… another commander.
"This one is stronger," said Elara.
"I felt it," Liriel replied.
Scarlett lightly rotated her arm.
"Good."
I took a deep breath.
"No unnecessary advances. Hold the line."
They charged.
The impact was immediate and heavy. Unlike before, they came with everything from the start. There was no testing. It was direct force.
I activated the sword.
The first clash was powerful, but I held it. Rai'kanna kept the right side firm, Scarlett the left. Elara blocked heavier attacks with precision. Liriel sustained our energy. Lyannis coordinated every movement. Vespera eliminated critical points.
But the pressure kept increasing.
"They're not stopping!" Lyannis said.
"Because they're being forced to!" Elara answered.
I looked at the commander.
He didn't move. He simply maintained the pressure.
"Then let's break this."
I increased the sword's flow. Not to the maximum yet, but enough to open space.
"Rai'kanna!"
"I'm with you!"
We advanced a few steps, pushing the line forward. Scarlett followed, clearing the flank. Vespera opened a path through the middle.
"Now!" said Lyannis.
It was the moment.
I activated the blessing.
The energy changed instantly. My body responded with full intensity. The armor formed, covering every part of me with that golden presence.
Rai'kanna smiled.
"Then it's over for them."
"Yes."
Elara reinforced the barriers to the maximum.
Liriel amplified the support.
Scarlett opened the path.
Vespera eliminated those who tried to block it.
And I advanced.
The impact struck directly at the center. This time, there was not enough resistance. The formation began to break the instant I entered.
The commander tried to react.
But it was already too late.
I unleashed the strike.
The energy tore through everything ahead. The commander was hit directly, without any chance to defend himself. The entire line collapsed together with him.
The rest… fell one after another.
When the energy dissipated, there was nothing left advancing.
The field became empty once again.
I took a deep breath as the armor began to disappear.
Rai'kanna approached.
"That was heavier."
"Yes."
Scarlett looked around.
"But it ended faster."
Liriel relaxed her energy.
"The village is safe."
Elara slowly dissolved the barriers.
"For now."
Lyannis closed the map.
"They tested us twice."
Vespera looked toward the horizon.
"And they'll test us again."
I nodded.
"But now they know."
Rai'kanna crossed her arms.
"That they won't get through."
I looked at the village behind us.
The villagers were beginning to come out again, but this time there was something different.
Confidence.
They had seen it.
They knew.
I turned my gaze forward again.
"They're going to send something bigger."
Scarlett smiled faintly.
"Then we answer."
I took a deep breath.
The real battle had not started yet.
But now… they knew it would not be easy.