Morning arrived without hurry.
I woke up before all of them again. Not because of a dream, but because my mind simply didn't want to rest too much. I stayed there for a few minutes staring at the ceiling, listening to their calm breathing around me.
It was strange how the room seemed peaceful while my head was not.
I got up slowly so I wouldn't wake anyone. I opened the window and let the cold air in. Vaillor looked ordinary. People starting their day, merchants opening their doors, guards changing shifts.
Nothing out of place.
But to me, everything felt out of place.
I went down to the kitchen and made coffee alone. While the water heated up, I watched the steam rise and disappear. Small things began to catch my attention like never before.
I was too alert.
Light footsteps on the stairs.
Elara appeared first.
"You woke up early again."
"I couldn't sleep much."
She walked over and picked up a cup.
"You're trying not to think, but you're thinking more than ever."
I didn't answer. Because she was right.
Soon Vespera came down, then Liriel, Rai'kanna, and Lyannis. Within minutes, the kitchen was full. The sound of them talking among themselves brought a good feeling, almost normal.
Almost.
We all sat at the table.
Vespera was watching me.
"You're different today."
"How?"
"Too quiet."
Liriel tilted her head.
"He's listening to everything."
I really was.
Every sound.
Every movement.
Every detail.
Rai'kanna spoke calmly.
"You're waiting for something to happen."
"Yes."
Lyannis rested her chin on her hand.
"That's what he wants."
I sighed.
"So what do I do? Pretend nothing is happening?"
Elara answered.
"No. You live normally even knowing something is going to happen."
That sounded impossible.
But maybe it was the only way.
We decided to go out. Not to the guild, not for any mission. Just to walk through the city. To move among people, hear random conversations, feel the routine.
The streets were full. Children running, vendors shouting offers, the smell of fresh bread in the air.
And for the first time, I realized something I had never stopped to think about.
All of this existed regardless of our battles.
The world didn't stop.
An elderly woman bumped into me by accident.
"Sorry, young man."
"No problem."
She smiled and moved on.
It was so simple.
So ordinary.
But it made me think.
If I failed… all of this would disappear.
Vespera pointed to a fruit stand.
"Let's buy something."
Her natural tone forced me to follow along.
We bought fruit, talked to the vendor, listened to bad jokes. Liriel complained about the price. Rai'kanna teased the vendor just to see his reaction. Lyannis laughed discreetly.
Elara watched me from the corner of her eye.
I was slowly coming back.
Not because the fear had disappeared.
But because I was learning to carry it.
We sat on a bench in the square to eat. The sun was pleasant. People passed by without even imagining who we were.
And that was good.
"You're breathing better now," Elara said.
"I am."
"See?"
We stayed there for a while without saying anything. Just existing.
When we returned to the mansion, I felt lighter. Still alert, still worried, but less suffocated.
In the middle of the afternoon, I took the new sword and went to the backyard to train alone. I needed to feel its weight in my hands.
Each strike cut through the air with absurd ease. It was as if the sword guided my movements. As if it knew exactly what to do before I did.
Rai'kanna appeared on the veranda.
"Do you trust it?"
"The sword?"
"Yes."
"For the first time in a long time, yes."
Lyannis came shortly after.
"It's not just a weapon. It's a symbol now."
I knew that.
It wasn't just power.
It was responsibility.
I kept training until the sun began to set. Sweat running down, arms tired, mind calmer.
When I stopped, I realized I hadn't thought about the fifth general during the entire training session.
And that was a silent victory.
That night, we had dinner together again. Light conversations, laughter, old stories. Vespera told an embarrassing episode from the past. Liriel pretended she wasn't interested, but she was listening to everything. Rai'kanna teased everyone. Lyannis kept the mood balanced. Elara just watched, satisfied.
Before going to sleep, I stood for a few seconds at the bedroom door.
I wasn't afraid to sleep this time.
I lay down.
I closed my eyes.
And I thought one last thing before drifting off.
He tried to enter my mind.
But the one who decided what stayed there… was still me.