What now

Larin sat stiffly in the War Council tent, his bandaged arms resting on the wooden table before him. The heavy, humid air of the tent clung to his skin, thick with sweat, candle wax, and the faint scent of dried blood. Floating lanterns flickered above, casting long, wavering shadows over the worn faces of the council. It was grim in here. Maps sprawled out on the table, ink-stained fingers tracing routes, marking ambush points, calculating the next desperate move in a war they could not afford to lose.

Across from him, Ewin sat with his arms crossed, his jaw tight, the ever-present stubbornness still burning in his eyes. Healing magic had closed his wounds, but no spell could erase the scars that would remain. Tasi stood to Larin's left, her shoulders stiff, hands clenched into fists at her sides. Her face was unreadable, but her silence had weight, thick and oppressive. She had barely spoken since the warship.

Zakop stood at the head of the table, his fingers drumming against the wood, gaze shifting between them all before settling on Ewin. His voice was calm, but the authority in it left no room for argument. "Captain," he started, voice measured, "your pack, Shadow Fang Pack, is disbanded. You are reassigned."

Ewin's jaw locked. "I've still got something left in me."

Zakop's gaze did not waver. "You've done your share. You need time to recover. We can't afford to squander commanders on reckless missions."

Ewin scoffed. "I won't rot on the sidelines while our people are massacred."

Hwehwe leaned forward, his hands clasped together, knuckles white. "You are not being put aside, Ewin. We need experienced soldiers in leadership. You will command a new unit, but you will not be deployed to direct battle until you are fully recovered."

Chinzah, who had been silent so far, finally spoke, his voice like steel. "We cannot afford reckless decisions. We are outnumbered nearly fifteen to one. If you fall now, who will train the next generation?"

Ewin exhaled sharply through his nose but nodded begrudgingly. He knew when he was beaten, though it was clear he would never be content with the decision. He let out a tired chuckle, shaking his head. "You know, last war they said the same thing. Told me to sit out a battle after I took a spear through the ribs." He tapped his chest. "I told them to shove it and led a counterattack that broke their flank."

Pupi smiled faintly. "And do you remember how long you spent in the healer's tent afterward?"

Ewin scowled. "That's not the point."

"The point is," Hwehew said, smirking, "that you are terrible at staying out of trouble. Which is exactly why we're keeping an eye on you."

Larin almost smiled at that. Almost.

Zakop turned to him and Tasi. "You two are relieved of active duty for now. Larin, you in particular, need to recover after your mission. The destruction of the warship was no small feat."

Larin remained silent. He had already accepted he wouldn't be thrown into another battle anytime soon. But that didn't mean he would be idle. There were things he needed to do.

"We will need your talents later, Larin," Pupi added, his voice softer than Zakop's. "You are becoming something more. Take time to understand what that means."

Tasi fidgeted. Her voice, quiet but steady, broke the silence. "And what about me?"

Zakop's gaze softened—just a little. "You will stay in Tlangthar. You are to rest, but your potential will not be wasted. We will find a role suited to your skills."

Tasi nodded, saying nothing more.

With that, the meeting was over for them. Larin and Tasi turned and left the tent, leaving the council to continue discussing the war.

Inside, Zakop, Pupi, Chinzah, and Hwehew remained, their eyes fixed on the maps before them. The professors of Hermeticus Magicus Academy stood quietly at the edges of the room, waiting for orders.

Chinzah tapped a marker against a key position on the map. "Flexible attacks," he muttered. "We cannot fight them head-on. We bleed them out slowly."

Zakop nodded. "Pupi, Hwehwe, and I will lead a team of six hundred to strike at their advance. We move dispersed, constantly, hit their supply chains, disable their forward posts."

Chinzah tapped a different part of the map. "Vanchiau and Mualza will reinforce Border Fort. That is where the bloodiest fighting is happening. We cannot afford to lose the frontier."

Zakop's gaze turned to the professors. "You will be needed to reinforce our important posts. With the information you already have, select where you will be stationed. Xiaxo counts on your competence."

Professor Ewin, Tova, Belvarius, and Harlan stood there silently, then nodded. In the end, Ewin and Tova chose Migolo Archipelago while Belvarius and Harlan chose the Border Fort.

Then they all turned to Yerev, the professor of mind magic and illusions. She had been quiet so far, as always, looking frail and delicate, like a glass ornament that might shatter if handled too roughly. But then she spoke, her voice carrying the eerie lilt of someone who saw far more than she should.

"Knowing what to do, I know. The Academy will know. Tlangthar defended, no one will die, I think, I hope."

A shudder ran through the room. It was rare for her to speak coherently. Perhaps she understood that war needed precise information.

"Their war machines are the real issue," Professor Tova cut in. "If we cannot find ways to disable them, they will keep grinding us down."

Zakop took a deep breath. "Guardian Beasts will be at key strategic locations. We will not move them unless absolutely necessary."

"It is a battle of attrition," Hwehew murmured. "And we have fewer bodies to spare."

Everyone in the tent knew the truth. The Kirat Empire had nearly two million soldiers at their disposal. Xiaxo had only 50,000. They could not fight this war in a conventional sense.

"This will take time," Chinzah said. "But time is something we can use. Kirat will tire. They do not have patience for wars they cannot end swiftly."

"We must take back every centimeter they occupy," Zakop said. "We shall not give them Tlangthar. We shall not let them set foot on the heart of Xiaxo."

The council resumed their planning.

Larin walked through the city streets, his mind restless. His body ached, his wounds were not fully healed, but his thoughts burned with purpose.

He reached out through the tele-rune, seeking his friends.

"I am at the Archive Tree," Rinku answered first. "Gwendon is here too."

"I am at the old Dysno Church," Ngieri responded a moment later.

Larin exhaled, his fingers pressing against the smooth stone of the tele-rune. "I need all of you to visit my Natural Spring when you can. If I am not at home, find the Spring near my family's land. I will be there."

There was a pause before Gwendon responded. "Why?"

"I have decided to operate from there," Larin said. "I will not sit idle."

Rinku's voice came through the rune. "What are you planning?"

Larin hesitated before answering. "Something that will help Xiaxo."

He severed the connection before they could ask further questions.

The Natural Spring was calling to him. He had work to do.

But his mind drifted to Myrith and Lysara. This Auquan warship was a betrayal like no other. House Seafoam was supposed to be neutral. They were supposed to be peaceful.

And yet, they were involved in this war against Xiaxo.

Had Myrith and Lysara betrayed him? Or were they pawns in something greater?

Larin's faith in the Auquans was eroding. He had once believed House Seafoam was different. Now, he was no longer sure.

War had a way of revealing the truth. And Larin intended to uncover it—no matter the cost.