The Masterplan: Sage's Strategy Unfolds

Alex stood up and made his way to Andrew's house to retrieve his bag. But how did this all unfold? How did he know exactly what was going to happen? Let's dive deeper into the events that led to this moment when Alex woke up from his dream.

Sage knew that directly confronting the demons was a losing battle—they were too powerful, too cunning. Instead, he devised a plan that would turn their own tactics against them. A plan built on deception, sacrifice, and a gamble with fate.

Sage explained Alex:

"The demons will never stop hunting for the Wind Crystal. If they get their hands on it, the balance of power will tip in their favor, and our world will fall into darkness. But what if… we let them believe they already have it?"

Alex would need a trustworthy ally—someone who could keep the real Wind Crystal safe while he carried a perfect replica.

The fake crystal was no ordinary copy. Sage had designed it to be indistinguishable from the real one—in both appearance and magical aura. But there was a catch. This crystal was a bomb.

"When the time is right," Sage continued, "we will use their greed against them."

The Bait and the Trap

Alex's role in the plan was crucial. He would have to act as if he were still protecting the real Wind Crystal, leading the demons straight into their own downfall.

The goal was to make the demons believe that Alex was their ultimate target—that all they needed to do was hunt him down and steal the crystal.

But the moment they took the bait… they would seal their own fate.

The Final Gambit

Once the fake crystal was in the hands of the demons, it would detonate with an explosion capable of obliterating everything within a 500-meter radius.

Sage's voice dropped to a whisper. "The demon lord himself will realize—too late—that they've made a grave mistake."

Alex clenched his fists. This wasn't just a plan. This will create a war against demons.

The demons were coming for him, and when they did… they wouldn't be walking away.

In the Present:

Now, we shift back to the present—Alex has finally reached home, where Sage is already waiting for him.

Alex, still in disbelief, asked, "How did you know the demons were tracking us?"

Sage gave a knowing smile and replied, "Because of your dream. Do you remember the boy you saw watching you? The one who vanished the moment you tried to approach him? That detail was enough for me to piece things together and form a plan."

Alex narrowed his eyes. "But what connection does that boy have with the demons?"

Sage's expression grew serious. "There is a connection… and we need to uncover the truth before it's too late."

Alex sat across from Sage, the weight of their conversation settling in. The plan had worked—the demons had taken the fake Wind Crystal, only to realize too late that it was a bomb. But Alex knew this was far from over.

"The demon lord... he survived, didn't he?" Alex asked, his grip tightening around the Light Crystal.

Sage nodded grimly. "Yes, but we've bought ourselves time. The explosion wiped out a large portion of their forces, but the demon lord won't stop until he gets his hands on the real crystal."

Alex took a deep breath. "Then what's our next step?"

Sage walked to the window, staring at the sky as if searching for an answer. "The demons won't fall for the same trick twice. They'll send stronger forces next time. We need to move before they regroup."

Alex clenched his fists. "Are we running away?"

Sage turned to face him, a smirk forming. "No. We're going to set the stage for their next defeat."

A New Threat Approaches

As the two discussed their next move, a sharp knock echoed through the room. Alex instinctively reached for his sword, but Sage raised a hand, signaling him to wait.

The door creaked open, revealing a hooded figure standing in the doorway. A chilling aura surrounded them, making Alex's skin crawl.

"You don't have much time," the stranger spoke, their voice distorted as if layered with multiple tones. "The demons have already found your trail."

Sage narrowed his eyes. "Who are you?"

The figure ignored the question and instead placed a rolled-up parchment on the table. "This will lead you to what you need next. But be warned—the path is filled with more than just demons."

Before Alex could demand more answers, the figure vanished into the shadows, leaving behind only the parchment.

Alex picked it up, unfolding it carefully. It was a map—one leading far beyond anything he had seen before. His eyes locked onto a single marked location: The Forgotten Ruins.

Sage studied the map and then turned to Alex with a serious expression. "Looks like we have our next destination."

Alex nodded, gripping his sword tightly. "Then let's move before the demons catch up."

The game of deception was far from over. The real battle had only just begun.