"Neither should you," Seraphine replied. "But here we are anyway. Two demon lords preparing to face a hero who's killed twelve others like us, backed by warriors who'd rather die than show weakness, with a plan that's equal parts desperation and honor. It's almost poetic, in a tragic sort of way."
"Tragic is right," Satou agreed. "But maybe we'll surprise everyone. Maybe this insane plan actually works."
"Maybe," Seraphine said, though neither of them sounded convinced.
They left the war room together, and as they walked through the Fallen Spires, Satou could see the preparations happening everywhere. Warriors drilling. Mages practicing coordinated spells. Engineers setting up defensive barriers and traps.
Everyone working desperately to be ready for a battle they knew they probably couldn't win.
But trying anyway.
Because that's what you did when your home was threatened. You fought. Even when the odds were impossible. Even when survival seemed like a fantasy.
