the time before the truth(1)

The group's temporary hideout – a fortified underground chamber, hidden beneath layers of protective magic.

The atmosphere was tense, a stark contrast to the usual camaraderie that filled the room. Everyone was gathered around a circular stone table, magical torches casting flickering shadows across their faces. The discussions had been endless since Dakota left, but tonight, the silence was almost unbearable.

Ava sat with her arms crossed, her fingers tapping impatiently against her arm. Her fiery blonde hair glowed slightly under the torchlight, matching the worried look in her eyes. Across from her, Henry leaned back against his chair, his sword propped against the wall beside him.

Ava: (sighing, her voice laced with unease)

"It's been too long. He should've been back by now."

Lucas, sitting next to her, let out a deep breath, rubbing his temples.

Lucas: (calm but analytical)

"We knew Dakota was heading somewhere dangerous. But still... he's not the type to disappear without a reason."

Ava: (shaking her head, frustrated)

"That's exactly why I'm worried! What if something happened? What if this time, he actually—"

Henry: (interrupting with a small smirk)

"Relax, Ava. Let's be real—there's barely anyone out there who could actually hurt Dakota."

Ava shot him a glare, but deep down, she knew he was right. Still, the feeling in her gut wouldn't go away.

Mia, who had been silent up until now, finally spoke, her voice quiet but thoughtful.

Mia:

"Even so… the enemies we're up against are unpredictable. We should at least prepare for the worst."

Liam leaned forward, his fingers steepled together.

Liam: (serious tone)

"That's exactly what we should be discussing anyway—how we're going to defeat Blazer and Fianna."

Liam: (continuing, his voice steady)

"We all know how powerful they are. Even with Dakota, taking them down won't be easy. Blazer's raw strength and speed are unmatched, and Fianna... well, she's just as dangerous with her unpredictable magic."

Jack: (crossing his arms, frowning)

"And let's not forget their forces. We don't just have to fight them—we have to deal with their armies. Devils, corrupted mages, those cultists... it's gonna be a bloodbath."

Luna, standing near Mia, let out a soft growl, sensing the tension rising in the room.

Lucas: (exhaling deeply, nodding)

"We need a plan that doesn't just rely on Dakota's strength. Even if he's our strongest, we can't always count on him to do everything."

Ava: (gritting her teeth, clenching her fists)

"I know. That's why I want to be stronger. I don't want to just be protected—I want to fight beside him, all of us do."

The room fell into silence again, everyone lost in thought. They all had their own reasons for fighting, but one thing was certain—they had to win, no matter the cost.

And then, a knock echoed through the chamber.

A slow, deliberate knock.

Every single person in the room tensed, hands instinctively reaching for their weapons. The air grew heavy with anticipation.

Jack: (muttering, eyes narrowing)

"Who the hell...?"

The door creaked open, and a familiar figure stepped inside.

Dakota.

His coat was slightly tattered, a few scratches still healing on his arms, but his expression was as unreadable as ever. His piercing cobalt eyes swept across the room, taking in the stunned silence of his friends.

For a moment, no one spoke.

Then—

Ava: (eyes widening, rushing toward him)

"Dakota!"

She wasn't the only one. The tension shattered as the group stood up, relief washing over them. Henry grinned, clapping Dakota on the back, while Mia let out a small sigh, shaking her head.

Mia: (smiling faintly)

"You took your time."

Dakota: (smirking slightly, voice calm)

"Yeah. Had a little unfinished business."

Ava: (crossing her arms, trying to look annoyed but failing because she's too relieved)

"You idiot, you had us worried!"

Lucas: (raising an eyebrow)

"So, how'd it go?"

Dakota: (leaning casually against the wall, stretching slightly)

"Well, let's see… I killed the Devil of Envy."

Silence.

For a brief moment, absolute silence.

And then—

Henry: (groaning, rolling his eyes)

"Of course, you did."

Liam: (laughing lightly, shaking his head)

"At this point, we should just assume Dakota can kill anything he sets his mind to."

Mia: (smirking slightly, but her eyes still wary)

"You always do this, you know? Disappear, do something insane, come back, and drop a bomb on us like it's no big deal."

Dakota: (grinning a little, tilting his head)

"Well, you're used to it by now, right?"

Ava: (huffing, shaking her head)

"That doesn't mean we have to like it."

The group chuckled, but Dakota's expression quickly turned serious.

Dakota: (his tone shifting, gaze sharp)

"That's not all. We have a problem."

The atmosphere in the room changed instantly. Everyone straightened, the warmth of the reunion replaced by cold reality.

Dakota: (grimly)

"The three cloaked figures we saw in the Dungeon of Wish and Terror… They've joined the devils."

Ava's breath caught in her throat.

Liam's fingers curled into a fist.

Henry's usual smirk faded.

Lucas: (voice low, his expression dark)

"Damn it... we were right to be suspicious of them."

Jack: (gritting his teeth)

"That means their forces just got even stronger."

Mia: (thoughtfully, frowning)

"And more unpredictable. We don't even know what those three are truly capable of."

Dakota: (nodding, his voice unwavering)

"That's why we need to make some changes to the plan. We can't go in blind anymore."

The group exchanged glances, determination settling in their eyes. They had prepared for war, but now, the battlefield had shifted.

Dakota stepped forward, placing a hand on the table, his cobalt eyes meeting each of theirs.

Dakota: (calm but firm)

"Listen. There's only one month left before the war begins."

The weight of those words hit them all at once. A single month. Thirty days before everything began.

Dakota: (his voice quieter but filled with finality)

"And after there's only 1 week left… I'll tell you all the truth."

The room fell silent again, but this time, it was different. They weren't just shocked—they were waiting. Waiting for Dakota to finally reveal the answers they had been searching for.

And for the first time, Dakota knew—

The time for secrets was almost over.