The air that night felt heavier than usual.
It wasn't just the silence of the mansion, nor the calm that followed days of intense combat. It was something different, something settling inside me like an uncomfortable certainty. Time was running out, and everyone there knew it, even if no one said it out loud.
I was sitting on the balcony, resting my arms on the railing, looking at the dark sky stretching over Vailor. The lights of the city in the distance gave a sense of tranquility that contrasted completely with what was to come.
Behind me, I could hear light footsteps.
I didn't need to turn around to know who it was.
"You're not going to give up, are you?"
Liriel's voice came softly, but it was filled with concern.
I took a deep breath before answering.
"No. I've already made my decision."
She walked over and stopped beside me, also looking toward the horizon.
"Even knowing it could be a trap?"
"Yes."
For a few seconds, neither of us said anything. The gentle wind passed between us, carrying the distant sounds of the city.
Then she sighed.
"You always choose the most dangerous path."
"I choose the path that protects the most people."
She turned her face slightly, looking at me.
"And who protects you?"
I didn't answer immediately.
Not because I didn't have an answer, but because I knew any answer would be incomplete.
Before I could say anything, another set of footsteps approached.
"He doesn't need to answer that," Scarlett said in her usual firm tone.
"We already know."
I looked back and saw all of them there.
Rai'kanna stood with her arms crossed, clearly bothered. Elara maintained a calm expression, but her eyes couldn't hide the tension. Lyannis and Vespera were quieter than usual.
"So you all came," I said.
Rai'kanna stepped forward.
"You thought we wouldn't?"
"That's not it—"
"That's exactly it," she interrupted.
"You thought you were just going to accept this duel and we'd stay here waiting?"
I let out a small sigh.
"I knew you wouldn't do that."
Scarlett crossed her arms.
"Good. Then listen carefully. We're not going to interfere... unless it becomes necessary."
"Scarlett..."
"No," she cut in.
"You said you want to fight alone. Fine. But we're not useless. If this turns into a trap, we're stepping in."
Rai'kanna nodded immediately.
"Without hesitation."
Elara continued in a calm voice.
"We'll observe from a distance. No interference... unless it becomes truly necessary."
Lyannis gave a small smile.
"We're not going to let you die for free."
Vespera, quieter as always, simply said:
"We'll be there."
I looked at all of them for a few seconds.
This wasn't something I could stop.
And deep down, I knew I didn't want to stop it either.
"So you've already decided everything," I said.
"Yes," Rai'kanna replied.
"And you've already decided your side as well."
I turned my gaze back to the horizon.
"Then it's settled."
Silence returned for a few moments, but this time it wasn't heavy.
It was firm.
It was a shared decision, even if it wasn't ideal.
"When are you leaving?" Elara asked.
"Tomorrow morning."
"Then we don't have much time," Scarlett said.
Rai'kanna let out a quiet sigh, looking away.
"Not much time..."
I understood what she meant.
They all did.
"Then let's use that time," Lyannis said, breaking the mood.
Vespera agreed with a small nod.
"No regrets."
I slowly stood up.
"Yes. No regrets."
We entered the mansion together.
The atmosphere inside felt warmer, more welcoming. The staff had already retired, leaving everything quiet.
We walked through the hallways without rushing, as if every step carried more weight than usual.
We stopped in the middle of the corridor for a moment.
No one said anything.
But everyone knew.
Rai'kanna was the first to approach, firmly taking my hand.
"You're coming back."
"I'm coming back," I replied.
Scarlett placed a hand on my shoulder.
"You don't have permission to lose."
"I know."
Liriel gently rested her head against my arm.
"Then don't lose."
Elara simply smiled faintly.
"I trust you."
Lyannis laughed softly.
"If you die, I'm going to be very annoyed."
Vespera, more direct, said:
"Come back."
I looked at each of them, engraving that moment into my memory.
"I'll come back."
We went upstairs together.
The night moved forward slowly, as if time itself had decided to slow down.
We talked very little, but there was no need to say much.
Their presence alone was enough.
Hours passed without me noticing.
At some point, exhaustion began to weigh on me, but my mind remained active.
I knew I needed to rest, but it was difficult to simply close my eyes knowing what was ahead.
Rai'kanna sat beside me in silence.
"You're thinking too much."
"Maybe."
"You always think too much before battles."
"It keeps me alive."
She gave a faint smile.
"Then keep thinking."
Scarlett, from the other side, commented:
"But don't think so much that you hesitate."
"I won't hesitate."
Liriel murmured:
"Then sleep."
I closed my eyes for a moment.
I took a deep breath.
The sound of their breathing around me, the warmth, their presence... all of it helped.
"Five days," I thought. "Now four."
Time was moving forward.
But for the first time since I accepted that challenge, I wasn't alone.
And that made all the difference.
Little by little, exhaustion won.
My mind slowed down, and sleep came.
The last thing I thought before falling asleep was simple.
"I will win."
And with that certainty, I finally closed my eyes, knowing that the next day would lead us directly to the beginning of the end.