The journey back to Eldoria was relentless.
Ace and Amagi did not slow their pace, even after ensuring the freed slaves were safe beyond Caldryn's reach. The message Gorath had given them weighed heavier than exhaustion.
Eldoria was the true target.
When they arrived, the royal council was already assembled. Word from Valerion confirmed increased movement along Caldryn's western routes. Supply chains had shifted. Scouts had vanished.
The war was no longer speculation.
It was preparation.
Within hours, the Kings of Eldoria and Valerion met again—this time not to discuss alliance, but strategy.
"We cannot rely on armies alone," the King of Valerion said gravely. "Caldryn fights with traps and precision. We must respond with precision."
The King of Eldoria agreed. "Then we form something smaller. Stronger. Adaptive."
Thus, the decision was made.
A six‑member strike band.
Not an army.
Not knights bound by rigid command.
But warriors capable of acting independently, striking where needed, and dismantling threats before they reached open war.
The first two names were obvious.
Amagi.
Ace.
The third arrived shortly after—escorted through Eldoria's gates under heavy watch.
Gorath.
Some soldiers tensed at his presence, but Amagi raised a hand.
"He saved our mission."
Gorath stood tall, arms crossed. "I fight Caldryn. Not for crowns. For balance."
He was accepted.
The fourth member stepped forward from Valerion's side—a tall woman with calm silver eyes and a faint scar running across her cheek.
"I am Seris," she said simply.
Whispers followed her name.
A curse mage.
Her ability was rare—and feared.
She could rewind herself a few seconds in time.
Not the world.
Not others.
Only herself.
A fatal strike could be undone. A mistake corrected.
But there was a cost.
Every rewind shortened her lifespan.
Visible signs already marked her—thin white streaks in her hair despite her youth.
"I will not waste my seconds," she said quietly. "Use me when it matters."
The fifth member was introduced by Valerion's general—a long‑range specialist named Kael, whose fixed spell "Piercing Gale" allowed him to release compressed air shots with pinpoint accuracy.
The sixth was Eldoria's own tactician-warrior, Liora, master of battlefield analysis and illusion-based basic spells used for misdirection rather than destruction.
Together, the six stood in the center of the war chamber.
Strength.
Speed.
Counterattack.
Time.
Precision.
Strategy.
Amagi stepped forward.
"This band will not wait behind walls. We intercept Caldryn's movements. We sabotage supply lines. We eliminate commanders before they reach our borders."
Ace felt the weight of responsibility settle over him.
Months ago, he had been training to grow stronger.
Now he stood as one of six pillars holding back war.
Seris glanced at him briefly. "You're the one who fights with percentages."
Ace nodded.
"Good," she replied. "Then don't overextend. I cannot rewind you."
Gorath gave a low rumble of approval.
Outside, the sky darkened.
Scouts had confirmed movement near the western cliffs.
Caldryn had begun mobilizing.
The band of six gathered their equipment.
No banners.
No ceremony.
Just purpose.
As the gates of Eldoria opened once more, Ace looked ahead—not as a lone fighter, not as a student—
But as part of something greater.
If Caldryn wanted war,
They would first have to face
The Six.