Keal and Nerion left the briefing room with slow steps. Both remained silent, their thoughts circling around Meridion – their teacher, their mentor, the man who had once set them on the path of warriors. The walk back to the camp felt longer than usual. When they arrived, it was immediately clear that something had happened. The atmosphere was tense.
Mika was the first to speak. "What's going on?" she asked carefully, noticing the serious look on Keal's face.
Keal looked up, took a deep breath, and called the group together. "Everyone, come here. I need to tell you something."
The others quickly gathered – Elandra, Kiro, Torgul, Mika, and Unutay. Each of them carried their own sense of foreboding, but none dared to voice it.
Keal began calmly, but with a heavy voice: "As you already know, the attack didn't only target the portal site. The entire Earth was struck. Our training facility… the Arcanum… was not spared."
A shocked silence fell over the group. Only Unutay was unfamiliar with the name, but the others' reactions spoke volumes.
Elandra stepped forward. "What about the students? And… what about Meridion?"
Nerion answered, "Some students were rescued. But Meridion… he didn't make it."
Everyone froze.
Kiro jumped up. "That can't be! Meridion is the strongest among us! A few creatures – they couldn't have beaten him! No way! Meridion could take on an entire army. This is a lie!"
Keal looked at him solemnly. "Commander Davor Krayt confirmed it. The Arcanum is in ruins."
Mika, usually so full of life, turned pale. Her voice trembled. "Are you sure? Maybe… maybe he escaped?"
Keal shook his head. "It's been confirmed."
Mika could no longer hold back her tears. Wordlessly, she transformed into an eagle and soared into the sky, hiding her pain from the others.
Torgul let out a furious roar and slammed his axe to the ground. "They'll pay for this! I swear, I'll make every last one of them pay!"
Elandra covered her face and began to cry. Kiro placed a hand on her shoulder. "I'll hunt them down as long as I breathe."
Keal let them mourn for a moment before he continued. "We will get that chance. The Alliance is preparing to send small teams through the portals. Our mission will be to find the enemy's world. We'll travel alone – without backup. If one of us finds it, they activate the twin crystal and call the Alliance."
He looked around. "Nerion can create portals – he'll come with me. But I won't force any of you. So I ask: who is willing to come with us?"
Kiro looked at him, stunned. "Are you serious?! You're asking us? We've walked through fire together our whole lives. And now you want to ask if we're coming?! That's obvious!"
Torgul growled, "Only death can separate us."
Elandra, still with tears in her eyes, nodded silently.
Unutay watched the scene. He saw the pain – but also the unbreakable bond among them. Cautiously, he stepped forward.
"May I come with you?" he asked quietly.
All eyes turned to him. Unutay suddenly felt the weight of their attention and took a small step back.
"Did I say something wrong? If you don't want me to come, I understand."
Nerion raised a calming hand. "No, it's not that. But… you're not an official member of the army yet. We don't know your strength – you haven't been measured."
Unutay lowered his gaze. "I know. But I want to help."
Kiro stepped forward. "He might not be official, but he fought with us. That makes him one of us."
Torgul nodded firmly. "He's our brother."
Keal thought for a moment. "We'll leave that decision to Commander Davor. This isn't an emergency mission. It's a controlled military operation. We don't know where the portal will lead. We might never return. We don't know what's out there. It'll be dangerous."
Elandra added, "That's exactly why Unutay should come with us. We'll support him – and he'll support us."
Keal nodded slowly. "I'll speak to Commander Davor. If we get his approval… then you're in. As far as I'm concerned – gladly."
Nerion agreed.
"When do we leave?" asked Torgul.
"Tomorrow is the briefing," Keal replied. "We'll know more then."
That night, none of them could sleep. The darkness was quiet, yet heavy – like a veil of grief that covered the camp. Thoughts of Meridion, the destroyed Arcanum, and everything they had lost kept everyone awake.
In the middle of the night, Mika returned. Silently, she walked over to Elandra, sat down next to her, and finally lay in her arms. Elandra held her tightly – strong and protective.
"As long as we carry Meridion in our hearts, he lives on," Elandra whispered gently. "He only dies when we forget him. So… let's make sure he never leaves our hearts. Then he'll be with us forever."
Mika nodded quietly. Tears rolled down her cheeks, but for a moment, her heart felt a little warmer.
At dawn, the roar of rotors broke the silence. Several helicopters landed one after another in the newly built camp. Their doors opened – magic warriors and soldiers from various Earth factions stepped out. Some members of the interdimensional alliance were among them, arriving to prepare for the upcoming missions.
The camp, still makeshift, suddenly came to life.
Shortly after, Keal and Nerion were called to headquarters. The meeting would soon begin. In a specially designated room, all those who would lead one of the upcoming search teams had gathered. Some were familiar, others not – but each one was ready to face the unknown.
More R9 warriors entered the room alongside them. Mighty fighters from various regions of Earth who had already taken part in numerous battles. Their presence was calm but serious – they understood the decisions ahead would determine the fate of many worlds.
The tension in the room was palpable.
Even before anyone spoke, it was clear to all:
What would be discussed today would decide the fate of many.
Keal and Nerion took their assigned seats. No one spoke. Everyone knew the gravity of the decisions that lay ahead.
Moments later, Commander Davor Krayt and another R9 warrior entered the room. Both appeared resolute. They stepped to the front of the table, and all eyes turned to them.
Davor began in a firm voice:
"Thank you all for being here. As you've been informed, you've been chosen to join the search teams. The plan is simple… but dangerous."
He paused briefly, then continued:
"Each team will travel to a different world. Your task: search. Scout the area. Look for signs of the enemy. Those among you capable of creating portals will open one to the next world. You'll move forward step by step through unknown terrain. If you discover any sign of hostile presence, do not send a warning. Instead, use the twin crystal."
The second commander, an experienced R9 warrior, stepped forward.
"With the crystal, you'll create a return portal at a suitable location. On the other side – in a secure world of the alliance – our army is waiting, ready to strike. Once the crystal is activated, we'll intervene immediately."
He looked around the room, his gaze sharp.
"Do not lose the crystal under any circumstances. If your mission fails or you're captured – destroy it immediately. It must not fall into enemy hands."
A warrior in medium armor stood up.
"Which world does the crystal return us to? Where do we go back to?"
The R9 warrior replied:
"The return path leads to a hidden world of the alliance. Even among us, it's scarcely known – a long-abandoned place that once housed the mightiest warriors. There we gather our forces and wait for the signal."
He continued:
"Each team has exactly 90 days. Ideally, you'll explore six to ten worlds in that time. In total, 37 teams will be deployed. If you find no trace of the enemy within those 90 days, you'll use the second crystal to return."
Davor Krayt rose.
"Are there any questions?"
Another warrior stepped forward.
"How will we know we've reached the enemy's world? There were so many different invaders… creatures and beings. How can we be sure we've found the right place?"
Davor answered without hesitation:
"If you see they are led by a mage… or if the world is consumed by dark magic… then you'll know you've reached the core of the enemy."
The second commander concluded with firm words:
"Watch out for one another. Support each other. You may encounter other teams on your journey – help them, no matter which part of the alliance they come from. The goal is the same for all: find Sereth. And destroy him."
Silence followed.
A quiet, collective understanding.
This was no ordinary mission.
This was the beginning of the counterattack.
Keal and Nerion returned to the others and shared the plan. Preparations began immediately: weapons were sharpened, rations packed, clothing assembled.
Torgul frowned. "Food for ninety days? That's going to be a lot."
Kiro laughed. "You glutton! Just feeding you would take seven trucks full of supplies."
Nerion chuckled. "We'll only bring what we can carry – the bare essentials. On the new worlds, we'll make do with what we find."
Unutay stepped up to Keal. "May I come with you?"
Keal replied, "I haven't spoken to him yet. I'll do that once Commander Davor returns from the debrief."
Unutay shrugged. "I don't have much to pack anyway. Everything I own is already on me."
Keal looked him over. He still wore the old, slightly torn clothes from the day of the attack – and his sword.
"I'll get you new clothes – whether you come with us or not. And if you're not allowed to join, we'll visit you when we return."
Unutay nodded gratefully. "I still hope I can come along."
Just then, Commander Leon Virell and Commander Valea Morrin approached the group.
"Do you need anything?" Leon asked. "We'd love to join you – but we're not allowed."
Keal responded calmly, "We'll manage. You have a big responsibility here too. We'll find Sereth – and then we'll defeat him together."
Valea gave him a sad smile. Leon placed a hand on Keal's shoulder. "Exactly. But don't waste time – you've got the best portal-maker with you, right Nerion?"
Nerion blinked, surprised. "You mean me? Master Meridion taught me, yes. But we always had to close the portals immediately. I've never traveled through one I created myself."
Leon nodded in appreciation. "Exactly. You learned from the best – which makes you one of the best."
Everyone stared at Leon in surprise.
Keal seized the moment. "Commander, may Unutay come with us?"
Leon raised an eyebrow. "Who's Unutay?"
Unutay stepped forward. "I am."
Leon looked him over. "And who are you?"
Keal stepped in. "He was with us in the mountains on the day of the attack. A civilian – but he fought alongside us."
Leon raised an eyebrow. "So a fighter. Has he been measured?"
"We tried," Keal said, "but the measuring station wasn't fully functional. We couldn't assess him."
Leon thought for a moment. "Then I'll measure him myself."
Everyone stared at him in surprise.
"How do you fight?" Leon asked. "What do you use?"
"With a sword, I think."
"Good. Let's do a sparring match – I'll tell you how strong you are."
"Really?" Unutay nodded. "Sure. I'm ready."
"Let's head to the training grounds."
"Wait," Keal interjected. "Are you sure?"
Leon grinned. "Of course. I want to see what he can do."
Valea smiled wryly. "Maybe Leon will get a lucky punch to the face. That'd shut him up a bit." But in her thoughts she added: His aura… it's strange. I want to know what it means.
Nerion hesitated. "Are we even allowed to do this?"
Leon waved it off. "Don't be such a coward. He'll survive."
Torgul joined in. "I want to see him fight too. What he did on that mountain was impressive."
Kiro grinned. "Commander, can I fight you next?"
The group headed toward the training grounds.
Mika and Elandra watched them.
"Where are they going?" Mika asked.
Elandra, who was sorting her belongings, turned around and shouted, "Kiro! Where to?"
"Commander Leon wants to spar with Unutay!" Kiro shouted back.
Mika jumped up. "Why now? Come on, Elandra – we're going with them."
More and more fighters in the camp heard the news – no one wanted to miss the fastest warrior in the world in action.
By the time they reached the training grounds, almost the entire camp had gathered. There were many stories about Leon Virell – but few had seen him fight in person.
Unutay and Leon faced each other. Around them: a ring of onlookers.
Kiro grinned. "Look how curious they all are. How did they even hear about it?"
Nerion sighed. "If you shout like that, I'd be surprised if no one heard."
Mika leaned toward Keal. "Will Leon go all out?"
Keal: "I don't think so. He just wants to test how strong he is."
Leon stepped forward. "What was your name again?"
Unutay: "Unutay."
Leon: "Alright. You may begin."
Both drew their swords.
Unutay: "How should I start?"
Leon: "Attack me with all your strength."
Unutay: "But I don't want to hurt you."
Leon: "Don't worry. You won't."
Unutay: "If you say so…"
Unutay dashed forward, lightning-fast, and swung his sword. Leon barely managed to parry.
He's fast, Leon thought.
Precise, thought Valea.
Leon launched a counterattack. But Unutay blocked the strike skillfully and leapt back.
"Not bad," said Leon. "Now it's my turn."