the war is approaching(2)

The dim glow of enchanted lanterns illuminated the large war table in the center of the chamber. Maps and scrolls were scattered across its surface, each marked with red ink detailing strategies, enemy placements, and possible outcomes. The air was thick with tension.

This was it.

In just two days, the war would begin.

Dakota sat at the head of the table, his sharp eyes scanning the faces of his gathered allies. Some were anxious, others brimming with quiet rage. But they were all here for one purpose—to put an end to their enemies.

With a deep breath, Dakota leaned forward, resting his hands on the table.

Dakota:

"Alright, let's go over this one last time. I need all of you to understand your roles in this war. There's no room for hesitation, no room for doubt. We either win, or we lose everything."

His voice was steady, carrying the weight of a leader who had already accepted the battlefield's inevitable bloodshed.

Jack leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. Luna sat beside him, sharpening her twin daggers, her golden eyes glowing under the lantern light. Liam cracked his knuckles, while Amelia sat quietly, her fingers intertwined.

Lucas, on the other hand, looked like he was barely holding himself together, his jaw clenched so tightly it seemed like he might shatter his teeth. Ava, Duke, Franklin, and Henry all sat in silence, their expressions hardened with determination.

Dakota:

"First up—Jack, Luna, Liam, and Amelia. You four will be handling Lisa's father."

Jack scoffed, tossing his dagger into the table, where it stuck firmly into the wood.

Jack:

"Tch. Figures. That bastard always looked down on me. I'll enjoy carving him up."

Luna let out a dark chuckle, twirling a dagger between her fingers.

Luna:

"We'll make sure he suffers, Jack. Don't worry."

Liam rolled his shoulders, his fire magic already flickering to life around his fingertips.

Liam:

"This guy's strong. He's no pushover. But that just makes the fight more interesting, doesn't it?"

Amelia, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up.

Amelia:

"He's cruel. He destroyed entire villages without a second thought. He deserves every bit of pain we're about to give him."

Dakota nodded in approval.

Dakota:

"Then you four know what to do. Kill him. No mercy."

The weight of those words settled over them, and one by one, they nodded.

Dakota:

"Next, Lisa's mother—Vivian. Duke and Franklin, she's yours."

Duke let out a deep sigh, rolling his shoulders.

Duke:

"A mother who raises a monster like Lisa… she's probably just as bad as her daughter. No problem."

Franklin smirked.

Franklin:

"We'll make it quick, but painful."

Dakota:

"Good. Now—Lisa herself."

Lucas immediately tensed, his fingers digging into the table's surface. His breathing grew heavier, his entire body rigid with pure, undiluted rage.

Lucas:

"I will rip that bitch apart, Dakota."

Dakota met Lucas' burning gaze.

Lucas:

"I promise you. I will kill her with my own hands."

A heavy silence filled the room as everyone processed the raw hatred in Lucas' voice. Dakota didn't need to question him. Lucas had every reason to want Lisa dead.

Dakota:

"Good."

Lucas exhaled sharply, his eyes never leaving Dakota's. The tension in his body didn't ease, but there was now a dark satisfaction in his expression.

Dakota:

"Next—Fianna. Ava, you'll be leading this fight. You'll have strong heroes assisting you, but I trust you to take her down."

Ava's eyes flashed with determination.

Ava:

"She won't escape me. I'll make sure of it."

Dakota didn't doubt her. Ava's fire magic had grown immensely, and with the right team, Fianna wouldn't stand a chance.

And now—the most important opponent of all.

Dakota:

"Blazer."

The room went completely silent.

Dakota:

"The ones who will face him… are me, Henry, and Mia."

Mia's head snapped up in surprise.

Mia:

"Wait, what? Me?"

Dakota turned to her, his expression serious.

Dakota:

"Look, Mia. You're a saint in this war. Your water magic will be incredibly useful against Blazer. You won't be fighting him directly—me and Henry will handle that. But you'll be supporting us. Your healing, your defensive magic, your ability to counter his flames—that's what we need."

Mia's lips parted slightly, processing his words.

Mia:

"You're trusting me with this?"

Dakota:

"Of course."

Mia swallowed, then slowly nodded.

Mia:

"Alright. I won't let you down."

Henry smirked, punching his palm.

Henry:

"Blazer, huh? I can't wait. We'll put him in the ground, Dakota."

Dakota's gaze darkened.

Dakota:

"Yes. We will."

He exhaled, straightening up.

Dakota:

"Now that I've reminded all of you about your targets, let's discuss how we'll kill them."

The discussion lasted for hours. Every possible scenario was analyzed, every strategy refined. They talked about countering enemy abilities, setting traps, exploiting weaknesses.

For Jack, Luna, Liam, and Amelia—it was about speed and overwhelming Lisa's father before he could react.

For Duke and Franklin—it was about manipulation, luring Vivian into a false sense of control before taking her down.

For Lucas—it was about raw, brutal revenge.

For Ava and her team—it was about coordination, working together to eliminate Fianna without giving her a chance to escape.

And for Dakota, Henry, and Mia—it was about endurance, outlasting Blazer and striking when the opportunity presented itself.

By the end, everyone was mentally exhausted but resolute.

Dakota looked around the room one last time.

Dakota:

"This war isn't just about winning. It's about erasing them from existence. They have taken everything from us in our past lives, and they will do it again if we let them. So don't hold back. Don't hesitate."

He paused, his gaze sharp and unwavering.

Dakota:

"We end this in two days."

A unified nod went around the room.

Dakota:

"Meeting adjourned. Get some rest."

As the others left the chamber one by one, Dakota stepped outside. The air was cool, the night sky stretched above him like an endless abyss. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a moment.

Two days.

In just two days, the war would begin.

This war would determine everything.

The past. The present. The future.

This was his final chance.

His fingers curled into fists.

Dakota (whispering):

"It's time."

And with that, he turned back toward the shelter, the weight of destiny pressing upon his shoulders.

Because once the sun rose in two days—there would be no turning back.