The council's last words still lingered in the tent, Luke's warning pressing heavily on the room. The reminder of ambushes, traps, and death unsettled many—yet the silence broke when Commander Alec straightened, his weathered face shadowed by the flicker of the lamp.
"Luke," he said, his voice carrying that quiet weight of experience. "You must understand something. No matter what doors we find, or what plans we craft… not everyone will return. To think we can end this without blood being spilt—without losing brothers and sisters—that is a dream, not war."
Luke stiffened, the words striking him deeper than he expected. Commander Alec's eyes moved across the table, catching each knight, each captain.
