The flight back to Dumaguete was quiet, tense.
Glad spent hours on video calls—council members, international delegates, anyone who could help prepare.
"We need to unite like never before," she told them. "Every creature community. Every human ally. Everyone."
"Is it that serious?" Luningning asked.
"It's worse. This thing—the Unseen—it's older than the Eldest. Older than everything. It feeds on division. On fear. On isolation. Our movement threatens its existence."
"Then we threaten it more."
"Exactly. But it won't go quietly."
Preparations began immediately.
The community center expanded again—this time with defensive capabilities. International allies sent representatives, resources, knowledge. The Department mobilized every agent.
And through it all, Glad felt the weight of leadership heavier than ever.
"I'm scared," she admitted to Ariel one night. "Not of dying. Of failing everyone."
"You won't."
"How do you know?"
"Because I know you." He held her close. "And I know what you've built. This thing—the Unseen—it's never faced anything like us. Like what you've created."
"Created with help."
"Created with love. That's the point."
She leaned into him, drawing strength.
Tomorrow, they'd fight.
Tonight, they'd rest.
Together.