As the echo of the Naje war horns shook the mountains, time froze in the valley. The hesitation within Kael's army had now turned into full-blown chaos. The grey river was conflicting within itself; some were dropping their weapons, while Kael's fanatical followers tried to stop them.
Moaito saw this opportunity. "Now!" he shouted to Sere and towards the cave behind them. "Get the villagers out of here! To the pass behind the hill! The Naje warriors will provide cover!"
Sere didn't hesitate. She dashed into the cave. "Follow me! Quickly!" Helping the elderly and children, she began leading them out through a hidden crevice at the back of the cave. Hope had given them new strength.
Meanwhile, the dance between Moaito and the "Shadow that Swallows Light" had taken a deadly turn. Every attack from the Shadow brought not only physical but also spiritual devastation. Her dark dagger seemed to aim not at Moaito's armor, but at piercing his will and memories. Moaito defended using Lumer and Umbra like a shield, struggling to maintain balance.
Kael watched the scene, furious. His plan had been flawless. Until that... that ordinary girl planted a seed of doubt in his army's heart with her pure intent and gave a signal to the Naje resistance.
"Coward!" Kael roared, advancing towards Moaito. "Fight instead of hiding!"
Just as Kael was about to attack Moaito from behind, an arrow shot down from the ridge and embedded itself right in front of him. It was a signal from Korvan, the elderly leader of the Naje resistance. Dozens of Naje warriors charged down the slopes, plunging into Kael's chaotic army. There was no more surprise or philosophical conflict. This was war.
As Sere pushed the last villager into the safe pass, she could hear the sounds of the battle she had left behind. She wasn't at ease. Leaving Moaito there alone with those two powerful enemies...
Just as she decided to turn back, something caught her attention. At the edge of the battle, in the shadow of a rock, stood a figure who wasn't attacking anyone, not fighting anyone. Lyrian.
The historian seemed to be scribbling something in an ancient notebook. His face held neither anger nor fear; only a deep, sorrowful interest.
Even though logic told her otherwise, her instincts drew her towards Lyrian. The villagers were safe... She had to understand what this man was doing.
Hiding behind a few rocks, she approached Lyrian. The man was quickly sketching and taking notes in his book: the combatants, Moaito's swords, the Shadow's dagger, Kael's rage...
"Why are you doing this?" Sere asked quietly.
Lyrian didn't startle. It was as if he had silently noticed her. He closed his book. "History is written by the winners, Sere. But I... I record events as they are. Regardless of who wins. The Void's victory or Balance's victory... both are a result of history. I am just... here to write the final page."
"The final page?" Sere repeated.
Lyrian looked at her, a strange glint in his eyes. "Kael is a tool of the Void. But I... am an observer. And sometimes, an observer can make a move the players never expected." He pulled from his pocket a stone that resembled the Threshold Stone, but its color was pale, almost transparent like glass. "My stone... sees not the past and future, but possibilities."
Sere's breath caught. "What... what kind of possibilities?"
Lyrian looked at the stone. "I saw that... this battle, no matter who wins, is not an end. It is only the beginning of a greater conflict. And this conflict... will not start at the 'Focus of Balance,' but somewhere far away, where no one expects." He fixed his eyes on Sere. "And you, little girl, will play a much larger role in that beginning. Perhaps even greater than Moaito's."
These words hit Sere like a shockwave. What did Lyrian mean?
At that moment, a powerful energy blast came from the center of the battle. Moaito and the Shadow had finally unleashed their full power. Light and darkness created a whirlwind in the valley.
Lyrian pocketed his stone. "Goodbye, Sere. Your journey... is just beginning." And he turned and drifted away into the depths of the forest, in the opposite direction of the battle. He disappeared like a shadow.
Sere stood there, stunned. Lyrian's words echoed in her head. Was there a threat as dangerous as Kael and the Shadow, but entirely different?
The sound of the battle brought her back to her senses. She had to return to Moaito. But now, in her mind, beyond the battle, lay a much larger and more frightening mystery.