Chapter 45: The Third Faction

A stunned silence settled over the valley as Eryon's declaration echoed in the air. The warriors on both sides shifted uneasily, their weapons held in hesitant grips. No one had expected the long-forgotten northern tribe to reappear, much less to intervene in this tense standoff.

Lucian stepped forward, his eyes locked on Eryon. "What are you talking about? What threat is coming?"

Eryon's silver eyes gleamed with urgency. "We've been watching from the shadows for years, gathering knowledge. There's a darkness rising, one far greater than our petty rivalries. If we don't unite, none of us will live to see another century."

Marcus scoffed, his hand still raised, ready to signal his warriors to attack. "I see what this is—an attempt to frighten us into submission. You think you can show up after decades of hiding and dictate terms?"

Eryon remained unfazed by Marcus's hostility. "You can choose to believe me or not, but the truth remains. The old ones—those who were thought to have vanished—are stirring once more. If we continue down this path, we'll be too weak to resist them when they strike."

Lucian clenched his fists, torn between disbelief and the weight of Eryon's words. He had always respected Eryon for his wisdom, but after years of silence, could he trust him now?

"Prove it," Lucian said, his voice steady but commanding. "Give us something more than words."

Eryon gestured behind him, and from the ranks of his warriors, a hooded figure emerged. The figure pulled back their hood, revealing a woman with pale skin and eyes as dark as night. Her presence radiated an ancient power, and even Marcus's warriors shifted uneasily at the sight of her.

"This is Selene," Eryon said. "A seer of the northern tribe. She has witnessed the shadows moving beyond our borders."

Selene stepped forward, her voice soft but carrying an eerie resonance. "I have seen visions of a world engulfed in darkness, where neither clan nor tribe survives. The ancients you believed to be myths are real, and they are awakening. If we do not unite, they will consume us all."

Marcus's eyes narrowed, distrust clear in his expression. "Convenient, isn't it? You arrive just in time with a story of doom. What's your real motive, Eryon? Power? Influence?"

Lucian raised a hand, silencing the brewing argument. He turned to Selene. "If what you say is true, then we'll need proof. Something tangible."

Selene closed her eyes, her hands glowing faintly with an ethereal light. The air grew colder as shadows gathered around her, forming a swirling vision between her hands. Images flickered—vast armies of shadowed figures, ancient ruins crumbling under dark forces, and a monstrous figure with eyes like burning coals rising from the depths of the earth.

The warriors on both sides watched in stunned silence, their resolve shaken by the haunting vision. Even Marcus's defiance faltered, though he masked it quickly.

"You've seen the truth," Selene said, her voice breaking the heavy silence. "Now, the choice is yours. Continue your war and weaken yourselves, or unite and stand a chance against what's to come."

Lucian turned to Marcus, his gaze hard and unyielding. "You wanted power, Marcus? Well, here's your chance. If we stand together, we may have a future. If not, we'll all fall—clans, tribes, everything we've fought for."

Marcus remained silent, his expression unreadable. Finally, he lowered his hand, signaling his warriors to stand down. "This isn't over, Lucian. But for now, I'll listen."

Lucian exhaled slowly, relief washing over him. He turned to Eryon. "We'll return to the fortress. There's much to discuss."

Eryon nodded, though his eyes remained distant, as if already anticipating the battles yet to come. "Prepare your people, Lucian. This is only the beginning.