The Unseen War

*San's POV

"So, you've decided?" Seon asked as we entered his room.

Layla, Kevin, and I stood in the middle of the room. Our bodies and clothes were stained with sweat, blood, and mud. From the door to where we now stood, our footprints trailed behind us—not something I thought would annoy Seon.

The main field had already emptied out when Layla and I returned. Only a few people remained, slumped in front of the dying embers of the fire. Layla then brought me to the Main House to discuss our journey to Minerva. Kevin was already waiting for us in front of the Main House. He said he would join us—though I had no idea why.

He only said there was something he had to do. Something he couldn't achieve if he stayed here.

Inside, Seon was crouching by the fireplace, poking the logs with a black iron rod. His white shirt was stained, and his face looked more worn out than before. After a moment, he stood, dusting off his hands. "Minerva is the only kingdom in Solaris whose people have never used elemental powers. It's a vow that has bound everyone in Minerva since the kingdom was founded. Because of that, Minerva has never experienced the kind of large-scale conflicts common in other kingdoms."

A land blessed by the gods—just as Vena once told me.

"Minerva once proposed that all kingdoms in Solaris adopt the same rule," Seon continued. "But the idea never came to pass. No other kingdom was willing to take that risk. They were afraid the rule would be used against them if war ever broke out. So, in a way, Minerva has always stood as a reminder—that the peace they live in is the kind of life every Weaver truly longs for. But what do you think will happen if that symbol disappears?"

"Nothing will happen," Kevin replied. "The Republic's laws are already stricter and more absolute. The fall of Minerva might spark a few arguments at the negotiation table, but putting the future of Solaris in the hands of the Republic's Council isn't exactly wise. Their decisions are reckless and dangerous. Besides, it's already been a month since Orion took Minerva. What have the other kingdoms done? Even the Republic—they're not far from Minerva, are they?"

"I don't think they'll do anything," Layla answered. "Rather than risk everything for one kingdom, they'll focus on preparing for what's coming."

At his desk, Seon rubbed his tired eyes. "Layla's right. War is inevitable. However, the impact of Minerva's fall will be felt more deeply when it comes. When that symbol disappears, people will lose their faith in peace. And when that happens, they'll have no reason to fight."

"A war that can't be won," I murmured. "So that means I just have to stop Orion from doing it, right?"

"Why are you saying that like it's easy?" Kevin scoffed.

I turned to him, eyes sharp. "Then what else am I supposed to do?"

"You're right. We sacrificed everyone so you could do the 'easy' part."

"I never asked to be brought here."

Kevin stared at me, stunned like I was the strangest thing he'd ever seen. "You're not serious… No, you are serious. That's why you didn't help us when the Nien attacked? Because we didn't ask you to? I bet you would've let us die too, if no one begged for your help."

"You don't understand—"

"Oh, I do understand! I've seen plenty of people like you. Selfish. Pathetic. You just want to die, don't you? You don't care what happens around you. Because if you die, you don't have to take responsibility for anything."

"Kevin," Layla cut in. "This isn't why we're here."

"You're right. We're here because we're counting on this guy. But he doesn't even intend to save the world. Layla, he's not the hero you told me about." Kevin clenched his jaw. "No, you never told me that the person you knew back then wasn't a hero—but just some miserable trash."

Layla said nothing. She turned her face away and winced. That was all the answer I needed.

Layla didn't know either.

"Then why don't you just kill me?" I said quietly.

Kevin turned back and stared at me.

"If I'm not what you expected, maybe the next bearer of Enigma will meet all your expectations."

"I think that's enough," Seon cut in firmly. "If you want to settle your issues, do it outside. But if you realize our time is limited, can we return to discussing Minerva?"

No one replied. The room fell into a sudden silence. Only the occasional crackle from the fireplace could be heard. Seon let out a long sigh, then took a scroll from his desk and handed it to me.

The paper was cold and rough to the touch. Its surface had yellowed with age. As I unrolled it, I saw a map of Solaris—two crescent-shaped continents separated by a wide body of water called Rivera.

"Geographically, Minerva is on the same landmass as Calmora. You just have to walk east. After passing the Black Hills, you'll reach Minerva. It might take two weeks."

"That's already too late," I murmured without thinking. Seon and Kevin immediately turned to me, and so did Layla. Her gaze told me that no one else needed to know.

"Minerva will fall on the lunar eclipse," Layla explained. "That will happen in four days."

"Can you open a portal near the kingdom? Maybe we can find a way in," Kevin suggested.

Layla furrowed her brow, perhaps imagining the scenario Kevin was proposing. "It's useless. We can't get in if the protective magic is still active."

"But Orion controls Minerva now, doesn't he? The protective magic should've been destroyed in the initial attack."

"Minerva's protective magic is different from other kingdoms," Seon replied. "Because they never used elemental power, they couldn't perform magic the conventional way."

Layla closed her eyes. "Soul magic. The cost isn't blood—but life."

Kevin sighed in frustration and dropped into a sofa behind him. "If there's no way to get in, how are we supposed to save the kingdom?"

Seon paused for a moment. "By killing the Stars. Or those who traded their souls for the protective magic."

"You mean they're still alive?" Layla asked. "How…"

"I already told you, Minerva uses magic differently. The Stars are individuals who were released from the Oath. Criminals, or people indebted to the Queen and the kingdom. They're not allowed to live within Minerva and will remain alive as long as they aren't killed."

I frowned. "If we kill them, the magic will disappear. But what if Orion already killed them to invade Minerva in the first place?"

Seon shook his head. "They're still alive."

"How do you know?" Kevin asked.

Seon pulled something from a drawer in his desk. A dagger with a blade shaped like a quill tip. Its handle was made of transparent crystal, carved into a long, diamond-like structure. It looked more like a piece of luxury jewelry than a weapon.

"If they were all dead, this crystal would be filled with golden light."

"Wait," Kevin interrupted, eyes narrowing with suspicion. "If their deaths would cause the magic to vanish, wouldn't letting them roam free is reckless?"

"You're right. Maybe that's not something you can understand. But it's Minerva's form of hope. That someday, they won't need protective magic anymore."

"How do you know so much?"

Seon's expression didn't change. He kept his gaze steady on Kevin. "I've lived long enough to learn many things. I've tried many things to learn even more."

Kevin went silent. Though he still looked dissatisfied, he turned his eyes to the fireplace. Seon handed me the dagger. "There are three Stars you need to find. Cut your hand. When the blade is stained with your blood, it will show you the location of the first Star."

The dagger was heavier than it looked, perhaps because of the crystal in its hilt.

"I think that's all for tonight. You still have time to rest. Gather again at nine in front of the giant banyan tree. You'll depart through a portal," Seon said, ending the meeting.

I still felt like something was wrong. Maybe Layla's idea of leaving made more sense, even if that meant we only had four days. Maybe Kevin was right too. That I never really cared about any of them.

Why should I risk my life for a world I didn't know? Why should I help them?

I didn't want that. I just.. didn't know what else to do.[]