The dawn was quiet — too quiet.
Veer stood at the edge of the forest, his sharp eyes fixed on the valley below. Mist curled along the grass like pale fingers, masking the shape of the land. But even without seeing, he knew: the warlord's fortress was waiting there. And beyond its walls, the true enemy had begun to stir.
Arya came up beside him, her cloak pulled tight against the cold. "You didn't sleep."
Veer shook his head slightly. "I couldn't."
She gave him a sideways glance, soft concern in her eyes. "You're carrying too much, Veer. You can trust us, you know."
"I do trust you," Veer murmured. "That's why I can't afford to fail."
Down in the camp, Jai was already assembling the weapons, his thick arms moving with mechanical strength. Mira gently applied herbal salves to Tanu's arm, murmuring quiet prayers under her breath. The team was ready — but Veer knew this next battle was more than steel and strength.
Inside him, Vakya pulsed.
"The enemy you face has no name," the voice whispered. "It is not a man, nor a beast, but a will — ancient, cruel, and formless."
Veer closed his eyes, drawing in a slow breath. The system's words had never steered him wrong, but this time, they felt heavier — like the weight of centuries pressing on his back.
Suddenly, Arya touched his arm. "Look."
Across the mist, faint shapes moved. Figures cloaked in dark armor, silent and swift. Scouts.
"They're hunting us," Arya muttered. "Just like the woman warned."
Veer nodded once. "We strike first."
Within moments, the camp came alive. Jai tightened the straps on his armor, Mira drew protective runes on everyone's foreheads, Tanu — though still young — gripped a small dagger with both hands, his face pale but determined.
Veer knelt before them all. "Listen carefully. This isn't just another fight. They know who we are now. We're no longer ghosts in the forest — we are threats."
Jai thumped his chest. "Then let them fear us."
Mira smiled softly. "The light always finds its way, Veer."
Veer looked down at Tanu, kneeling so they were eye to eye. "Stay close to Mira, alright?"
The boy nodded quickly, eyes wide. "I'll be brave, Veer."
Veer ruffled his hair and rose to his full height, drawing his sword. The blade shimmered faintly — not from magic, but from the sheer determination behind every strike he had made with it.
Vakya hummed inside him, its voice sharp. "Speak the command."
Veer's lips parted. Quietly, he murmured: "Illuminate."
The sword glowed, just faintly, just enough. Arya's eyes widened. "You can channel it now?"
Veer smiled faintly. "Not perfectly. But enough."
Together, they moved down into the mist.
The first scouts came fast — shadows in the fog, blades flashing. Veer met them head-on, his sword sparking as it clashed with theirs. Arya loosed arrow after arrow, each finding its mark. Jai roared as he slammed two attackers into the ground, while Mira raised barriers of light around Tanu, shielding him from stray blows.
But the enemy kept coming. More than scouts. More than soldiers.
They emerged like wraiths — men with no faces, eyes glowing red beneath blackened helmets. Their movements were unnatural, their strikes too precise. Veer felt his chest tighten.
Vakya whispered: "These are not men. These are the echoes of an old war."
A sudden blast of shadow struck Veer's barrier, sending him stumbling back. Arya screamed his name, but he pushed himself up, teeth clenched.
Across the battlefield, the largest figure stepped forward — a towering knight in rusted black armor, his greatsword dragging trenches into the earth as he walked. Veer's eyes narrowed. This was no ordinary foe.
The knight raised his blade, pointing it straight at Veer.
"You carry the words," the knight rumbled, his voice hollow. "Surrender them."
Veer tightened his grip on his sword. "Never."
With a thunderous roar, the knight charged. Veer met him halfway, their swords clashing with a shockwave that rattled the trees. Sparks flew, the ground trembled. Veer felt his arms strain under the sheer weight of the knight's blows.
Vakya whispered urgently. "Command the blade. Speak it."
Veer forced his breath steady. He reached deep, deeper than ever before. And then, under his breath, he spoke: "Divide."
Light burst from his sword, slicing through the knight's weapon like paper. The dark blade shattered. The knight staggered, a guttural growl escaping his helm.
But Veer didn't stop. He surged forward, striking again — once, twice, a third time — driving the giant back. With a final cry, Veer plunged his blade through the knight's chest.
The armored giant froze. For a heartbeat, all was still.
Then, with a shudder, the knight collapsed, his form crumbling into ash.
The remaining soldiers faltered, some turning to flee, others collapsing as if the magic animating them had died.
Veer dropped to one knee, panting. Arya ran to his side, grabbing his shoulder. "You're alright, you're alright…"
Jai thudded over, dragging two battered swords behind him. "That… was insane."
Mira helped Tanu forward, her face pale but proud. "You did it, Veer."
Veer looked around slowly, taking in the battlefield. They had won — but this was just the first ripple.
Vakya pulsed inside him once more. "The blade of shadows is broken. But the war has only begun."
Veer rose slowly, gripping his sword tight. He looked at his friends, his family, his growing army.
He knew what they were facing now. And he knew they couldn't turn back.
They would march forward. Together.
For the throne. For the kingdom. For the birth of a great king.