War Preparations

The return to the castle was quiet. After the Devotees' ambush, we all understood that every step was being watched. The very air seemed to be surveilling us, heavy with omens. Although my hands held the Veil Spear, I felt the shadow inside me reveling more than ever.
The walls finally appeared on the horizon, lit by the sentries' torches. A collective sigh passed through the group. We had survived… at least for now.
Cicilia waited for us at the gate, surrounded by armed knights. Her gaze immediately fell on the spear strapped to my back. —“So it is true…” —she murmured, a glimmer of hope in her eyes—. “The relic exists.”
Rei inclined his head. —“We got it, but not without cost. Kiseki already knows we have it. Her followers attacked us on the road.”
The princess’s face hardened. —“Then time runs against us. We must prepare.”
That night, the throne room became a war room. Maps and scrolls covered the central table. Generals debated routes, defenses, provisions. But attention always returned to us, as if we were the last piece holding a kingdom on the brink of breaking.
—“The spear can wound even a god,” —Cicilia explained, scanning the maps—. “But we must use it precisely. If Kiseki manages to wrest it from us, all will be lost.”
—“Then we must keep it out of her hands,” —Lysbeth said firmly.
Nara, reclined in a chair, raised an eyebrow. —“And how do we do that when she can send an army of shadows whenever she pleases?”
Rei crossed his arms. —“With discipline. And strategy.”
The discussions went on into the late night. I remained silent, watching the spear propped against the wall. Every so often, a dark murmur filtered through my mind.
"The weapon is useless. In the end, only I will give you the strength you need."
I forced myself not to listen, but I knew the shadow was waiting for its moment.
When the meeting ended, I sought refuge in the gardens. The fresh air helped me think, though it did not dispel the pressure in my chest.
Aria found me there, as she often did. —“You cannot carry everything alone,” —she said, sitting by my side.
—“I don’t want you to suffer for what I carry inside,” —I answered.
She cupped my face in her hands, forcing me to meet her eyes. —“I am already suffering, Kaoru. Not from fear of you, but from the fear of losing you. Don’t push me away.”
Her voice broke down the defenses I had built. I held her, seeking in her warmth a reason to keep resisting.
The following days were filled with preparation. The castle buzzed with activity: knights training in the courtyards, blacksmiths forging weapons, archers strengthening the walls. Flags flew proudly, but everyone knew they were preparing to face more than an army.
I trained with the spear under Lysbeth’s supervision. It wasn’t an easy weapon to master; light in appearance, but with a spiritual weight that demanded absolute control.
—“Don’t try to force your strength on it,” —Lysbeth told me, watching every move—. “The spear responds to clarity of purpose. If you waver, it will turn against you.”
I tried, but the shadow inside me interfered. Every time I wielded the spear, the echo whispered: “Leave it. You don’t need it. Your sword and my power are more than enough.”
—“Focus!” —Lysbeth shouted, stopping my arm before the spear veered. —“If you falter, you die. And with you, all of us.”
I breathed deep, forcing the murmur into silence.
At dusk, Cicilia summoned us again. —“Our scouts have confirmed that Kiseki moves her forces. She will march soon.”
Rei clenched his fist. —“Then we must take the war to her before she reaches us.”
—“No,” —Cicilia replied—. “If we leave the castle undefended, it will fall. This is where we must hold.”
Aria spoke with a firm voice. —“Then we will fight here. With the spear, with our forces, with everything we have.”
We all nodded. The decision was made.
That night, as the stars shone above the castle, I understood that the final battle with Kiseki was drawing near. And although the spear gleamed with hope, inside me the shadow laughed, patient.
"When the day comes, you’ll know I was right."