No one truly slept.
We lay there in silence, each trapped in our own thoughts. I could feel their breathing around me, but rest wouldn't come. It was as if the body was still while the mind kept walking without pause.
When I opened my eyes, the sky was still dark.
I got up slowly and went to the window. The torches on the horizon were still there. Small points of light that shouldn't exist so close to our city.
They hadn't retreated.
They hadn't advanced either.
They were waiting.
I went down to the living room. A few minutes later, I heard footsteps behind me. Lyannis appeared first.
"You couldn't sleep."
"Neither could you."
She simply nodded.
Rai'kanna appeared soon after.
"I hate this."
"What?"
"Waiting."
Elara, Vespera, and Liriel came next. All already awake, already ready, even though we hadn't said anything.
We made coffee. No one commented on the taste. We drank more out of necessity than desire.
Then we went out.
The city was too silent for that hour. Some windows were open, people watching the street, but no one speaking loudly.
We climbed the walls again.
The captain of the guard was already waiting for us.
"They're still stopped."
I took the spyglass.
This time, I could see more clearly.
Tents set up.
Creatures walking between them.
And, in the center, a larger structure.
"He's there," I said.
The captain agreed.
"We sent scouts during the night. They didn't get close. Just confirmed the position."
Liriel watched attentively.
"He wants us to see everything."
"Yes," I replied. "He wants the city to spend the entire day looking at this."
We went down.
We returned to the mansion and started reviewing everything again. Equipment, items, routes. Not because it was necessary. But because keeping our hands busy helped the mind.
During the afternoon, a group of guards ran past the street.
Vespera went to the gate.
"What happened?"
"Messenger from the enemy camp," one of them replied.
I looked at the others.
"He's going to speak with me."
We went to the walls once more.
A lesser demon, unarmed, was standing outside, hands raised. The guards kept their distance.
"He brought a message," said the captain.
I went down to the gate but stopped before crossing.
"What is it?"
The demon spoke in a low voice.
"The fifth general wants to speak with you. Alone. At dawn."
"Why?"
"He said you would understand."
I remained silent for a few seconds.
"And if I don't go?"
"He will advance with the army."
I nodded.
"You may return."
The demon turned and walked back to the camp.
I went up again.
Rai'kanna stared at me.
"You're not going alone."
"I am."
"No way."
"If I don't go, he attacks the entire city."
Lyannis crossed her arms.
"This could be a trap."
"It could. But it could also be what he wanted from the beginning. To talk."
Elara took a deep breath.
"You go. We stay ready on the walls."
I nodded.
The rest of the day passed slowly.
No one felt like doing anything other than waiting.
In the late afternoon, the king sent for me.
I went to the castle with all of them.
He received us seriously, different from other days.
"I heard about the message."
"Yes."
"Are you going?"
"I am."
He remained silent for a few seconds.
"I cannot stop you. But I can prepare the city for whatever happens."
"That's all I need."
We returned at night.
We ate little.
We sat in the courtyard afterward.
The sky was clear. Many stars visible.
Vespera broke the silence.
"When you come back, we'll settle this once and for all."
"I know."
Liriel spoke softly.
"He doesn't just want to fight."
"No."
"He wants you to understand something."
I nodded.
Rai'kanna stared fixedly at the ground.
"I hate the idea of you going alone."
"Me too."
Lyannis raised her eyes.
"But you need to."
"Yes."
We stayed there until late.
When we went upstairs to sleep, the exhaustion finally weighed in.
I lay down and closed my eyes.
This time, sleep came quickly.
And, for the first time since they arrived, I didn't dream.
I woke up before the sun.
The air was cold.
I put on my armor slowly. Placed the sword at my waist.
When I went downstairs, they were all already ready.
No one said good morning.
We left together in silence.
The city was still dark when we reached the walls.
The main gate was opened just enough for me to pass.
The captain placed a hand on my shoulder.
"We'll close it again as soon as you leave."
I nodded.
I looked back one last time.
Elara, Vespera, Liriel, Rai'kanna, and Lyannis were lined up on the wall, watching me.
I stepped out.
The gate closed behind me with a heavy sound.
I walked alone along the road.
The enemy camp was ahead of me.
They did not move.
They did not attack.
They only watched.
And, in the center, a figure was already waiting for me, standing.
The fifth general.
He didn't look rushed.
He didn't look tense.
He looked… calm.
I kept walking.
Knowing that, when the sun finally rose completely, the two of us would be face to face.