I woke up before the sun rose.
The silence of the mansion was profound, almost as if the world itself was holding its breath. I spent a few seconds staring at the ceiling, feeling the weight in my chest that didn't come from physical pain, but from something denser, something harder to ignore.
I knew exactly what it was.
It wasn't simple fear.
It was awareness.
I got up slowly, making no noise, and walked to the room's balcony. The morning air was cold and clean, different from the constant heat of the day. I rested my hands on the railing and watched the horizon. The first rays of light were beginning to appear, painting the sky in soft colors.
It was a calm moment, but inside me there was no calm at all.
"You're awake early," I heard Liriel's gentle voice behind me.
I didn't turn around immediately. I simply replied in a low tone.
"I couldn't sleep much."
She walked over and stopped beside me.
"You're thinking about the fight."
This time I looked at her. Her eyes were calm, but there was concern there, even if she tried to hide it.
"Not just that," I replied.
"I'm thinking about everything. About how everything led to this."
Little by little, the others also began to appear.
Elara crossed her arms as she leaned against a nearby wall, still wearing a serious expression. Lyannis came right behind her, quieter than usual. Vespera leaned against the doorway, silently observing. Scarlett approached without saying anything and stood beside me, while Rai'kanna was the last to arrive, stopping a little farther back with her eyes fixed on me.
For a moment, no one spoke.
We simply stood there, watching the sunrise.
"You don't have to do this alone," Lyannis said, breaking the silence.
I slowly shook my head.
"I do."
Scarlett sighed, as if she had already expected that answer.
"You always say that."
"Because it's the truth," I continued.
"If I don't accept this duel, this won't end. They'll keep advancing. More villages, more people... more deaths."
Elara looked away for a moment, clearly uncomfortable.
"And if it's a trap?"
"Then I'll fight anyway."
Rai'kanna stepped forward.
"You say that as if it's simple."
I looked at her.
"It's not simple. It never was."
Silence returned, but this time it was heavier.
There was no longer any way to pretend this was just another ordinary battle.
All of us knew that.
"You've changed," Vespera said bluntly.
I raised an eyebrow slightly.
"What do you mean?"
"Before, you thought about surviving. Now, you think about protecting everything."
I thought for a moment before answering.
"Maybe it's because now I have something worth protecting."
I looked at all of them.
I didn't need to say anything more.
Scarlett let out a faint smile.
"You've become a problem, you know that?"
"Why?"
"Because now nobody can stop you."
I let out a small sigh, almost laughing.
"Sometimes I can't even stop myself."
The sun was already climbing higher on the horizon, illuminating everything more intensely. The light touched their faces, creating a peaceful scene that completely contrasted with what was coming.
"I don't know how strong he is," I continued, returning to the main topic.
"But I know he wouldn't make this proposal if he didn't have absolute confidence."
Liriel nodded slightly.
"That means he's dangerous."
"Yes," I replied without hesitation.
"Much more dangerous than anyone I've faced so far."
Elara crossed her arms tighter.
"So you're going to face someone stronger than all the previous enemies... alone."
"Yes."
Lyannis closed her eyes for a moment, clearly trying to control what she was feeling.
"That's not fair."
"It's not about being fair," I replied.
"It's about ending this."
Rai'kanna stared at me for a few seconds before speaking.
"Do you think you'll win?"
I remained silent for a moment.
That was the most honest question of all.
"I don't know," I finally answered.
"But I know I have to try."
Scarlett looked directly at me.
"You're not going just because it's your duty."
I shook my head.
"No."
"Then why?"
I took a deep breath before answering.
"Because if I win... all of this ends faster."
The morning wind passed through us, lightly moving our clothes and hair.
It was a simple moment, but one filled with meaning.
"You carry too much by yourself," Liriel said.
"I know."
"But you don't have to carry everything."
I looked at her.
"I know that too."
Vespera gave a small smile.
"But you're going to do it anyway."
"I am."
Elara let out a quiet sigh.
"Stubborn."
"Realistic."
Lyannis smiled slightly for the first time.
"Idiot."
"That too."
Scarlett crossed her arms, looking toward the horizon.
"If you die, I'm going after him."
"You won't need to," I replied.
Rai'kanna stepped closer until she was standing directly in front of me.
"You better come back."
I held her gaze for a few seconds.
"I will."
She didn't answer, but nodded slightly.
The sun was fully visible now.
The day had officially begun.
I stood in silence for a few seconds, absorbing everything.
That moment.
Those people.
That temporary peace.
"Today I'm going to train," I finally said.
"I want to test my limits one more time."
Scarlett nodded.
"We're coming with you."
"No," I replied.
"This time I need to do it alone."
Elara frowned.
"Again with this."
"It's not the same thing," I explained.
"I need to understand how far I can go... without depending on anyone."
Liriel seemed to understand.
"Control."
"Exactly."
Rai'kanna crossed her arms.
"But we'll stay nearby."
"I know."
No one insisted any further.
They all already knew it would be pointless.
I stepped away from the balcony and walked toward the room's exit.
Before leaving, I stopped for a second and looked back.
They were still there.
Watching.
Trusting.
That was enough.
I left the mansion with steady steps.
The morning air still carried that light chill, but my body was already warming up.
It didn't take long for me to reach a more isolated area where no one else was around.
There, I finally stopped.
I took a deep breath.
Closed my eyes for a moment.
And then opened them.
Mana began to flow naturally through my body.
I felt every part react, every small detail responding to my will.
"Let's see how far I can go..."
I activated the armor.
Golden energy instantly enveloped my body, more stable than before.
There was no longer that initial fluctuation.
I was more accustomed to it now.
I raised my sword.
It felt lighter.
The control felt greater.
I took the first step.
And then I moved forward.
Every movement was calculated.
Every attack executed with precision.
I cut through the air repeatedly, increasing my speed, increasing my strength.
The ground began to crack beneath my feet.
I continued.
Without stopping.
Without hesitating.
I needed to understand.
I needed to master it.
I needed to win.
Time passed without me noticing.
When I finally stopped, I was breathing heavily, but I wasn't exhausted like before.
That alone was progress.
I looked at my hands for a moment.
"It's still not enough..."
But I was closer.
Much closer.
I lifted my gaze to the horizon once more.
The fight was approaching.
And this time... I couldn't fail.
I took a deep breath.
Then I spoke in a low voice, almost like a promise to myself.
"I will win."