---Moments Before The Last Battle---
As I returned from the battlefield, the weight of the day's events bore heavily on my shoulders. The fort was still bustling with activity, soldiers and adventurers tending to the wounded, repairing defenses, and preparing for the next inevitable attack. The stench of blood and sweat hung in the cold air, but my mind was elsewhere, focused on the unsettling aura I had felt earlier.
Alfred, my loyal butler, stood waiting for me outside my quarters, his posture as straight and disciplined as ever. He wore a simple cloak that concealed his identity, but I recognized his presence immediately. His unwavering loyalty was a rare comfort in these tumultuous times.
"Alfred," I greeted him, keeping my voice low as we approached. But before I could say more, he did something unexpected—he kneeled.
