The square had been cleared of the remnants of battle, but the marks left behind—scorched cobblestones and lingering shadows—served as a reminder of the fight we had barely survived. The victory had been hard-won, but it hadn't come without a cost. Several wizards were injured, and the rest of us were exhausted, mentally and physically. I could see it in the way people moved, slower and more deliberate, the weight of what was ahead pressing down on us all.
I wandered through the now-quiet square, feeling the cool night air against my skin. The lanterns flickered weakly above, casting long shadows on the ground, and the fire within me flickered just as unsteadily. Despite our success in driving back the Lich's minions, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning.
I needed time to think. Time to reflect on everything that had happened. The faces of the wizards who had fought alongside me flashed in my mind—Lila, Valdir, and the others who had risked everything to stand up against the darkness. We had survived, but only just. Would we be ready for what was coming next?
---
**The Next Morning**
I stood at the edge of the training ground, watching as the wizards gathered in small groups to continue their preparations. Despite the exhaustion from the previous night, they were here, ready to keep fighting. But I could sense the doubt lingering in the air—the uncertainty in their movements, the quiet conversations that trailed off whenever I walked past.
I approached Valdir, who stood overseeing a group of wizards practicing barrier spells. His expression was serious, as always, but there was something in his eyes—an unease that mirrored my own.
"How are they doing?" I asked, nodding toward the group.
Valdir glanced at me, his eyes narrowing slightly. "They're learning. Slowly, but they're learning. Some of them are stronger than I expected. But..."
I raised an eyebrow. "But?"
Valdir sighed, lowering his voice. "They're afraid. It's not just the battle that's weighing on them—it's the knowledge that the Lich is out there, watching. They know what's coming, and they're not sure if they're ready."
I nodded, understanding all too well. The Lich wasn't just an enemy; he was a force of nature, something far beyond what any of us had ever faced. And the fear that came with that knowledge wasn't easy to shake.
"We can't afford to let fear control us," I said, my voice steady. "We have to keep moving forward."
Valdir nodded, but there was a flicker of doubt in his eyes. "Easier said than done, boy. But you're right. If we don't keep pushing ourselves, we won't stand a chance when the real battle begins."
I watched as the wizards continued their drills, the crackle of magic filling the air. They were giving it their all, but I could see the fatigue in their movements. We had been training nonstop for days, and it was taking a toll on all of us.
As if reading my thoughts, Valdir added, "We'll need to find a way to keep morale up. If they break before the final fight, it's over."
I nodded, my mind racing with possibilities. We needed more than just strength and strategy—we needed hope.
---
**An Unexpected Visitor**
The sun was setting by the time I returned to the square, the warm glow casting long shadows across the ground. Lila was there, organizing the wizards into smaller groups for another round of training. She smiled when she saw me, though I could see the weariness in her eyes.
"How's it going?" I asked, joining her at the edge of the square.
"Better than I expected," she replied, her voice tinged with both exhaustion and determination. "They're getting stronger, but we need to keep pushing. The Lich isn't going to wait for us to be ready."
I nodded, feeling the weight of her words. We were doing everything we could, but it didn't feel like enough. The shadows had been beaten back, but the Lich's presence still loomed over us like a dark cloud.
Before I could respond, a sudden commotion at the edge of the square caught our attention. A small group of wizards was gathered around someone—a tall, cloaked figure who seemed to have appeared out of nowhere.
Lila and I exchanged a glance before making our way over, the tension in the air thickening with every step. As we approached, the crowd parted, revealing the newcomer—a man, tall and gaunt, his features sharp and unsettling. His eyes gleamed with an unnatural light, and his smile was as thin as a knife's edge.
"I come in peace," the man said, his voice smooth but laced with something... dangerous.
"Who are you?" Lila asked, her posture tense, ready to defend if necessary.
The man's smile widened. "My name is **Malek**, and I have come with an offer."
An offer. The words sent a chill down my spine. This wasn't just a stranger wandering into the city—this was someone with an agenda.
"What kind of offer?" I asked, my voice firm.
Malek's eyes flicked to me, and I felt a strange sensation, as if he were seeing straight through me. "I know of the Lich," he said slowly, "and I know of the battle you are preparing for. You and your wizards... you will not survive. Not without help."
A ripple of unease spread through the crowd, and I felt the tension rise. Was this a threat? Or something more?
"And what kind of help are you offering?" Lila asked, her voice calm but wary.
Malek chuckled softly. "I offer knowledge. Power. Something that can tip the scales in your favor. But it comes with a price."
A price. Of course.
I stepped forward, my fire flickering at the edge of my thoughts. "What's the catch?"
Malek's smile remained, but there was a coldness in his eyes now. "The Lich is not a foe to be taken lightly. He wields forces beyond your comprehension. If you want to stand a chance, you will need something stronger than what you have. I can provide that... for a cost."
"And what is this cost?" I asked, my voice tight.
Malek's eyes gleamed. "A simple trade. I will give you the knowledge to defeat the Lich, but in return... I will take something precious from you."
The air grew still, and I could feel the weight of his words settling over the crowd like a dark cloud. This wasn't just a matter of power or strategy—this was a deal with something far darker than we had anticipated.
Lila stepped closer to me, her voice low. "We can't trust him."
I nodded, my mind racing. Malek's offer was tempting—too tempting. We needed every advantage we could get, but I wasn't willing to sacrifice something valuable for a power we didn't understand.
"We'll consider your offer," I said, my voice firm.
Malek's smile widened. "Very well. But do not wait too long. The shadows grow stronger every day, and soon... even your fire won't be enough to hold them back."
With that, he turned and disappeared into the night, leaving the square in a tense silence.
---
**The Choice Ahead**
The square remained quiet long after Malek had gone, his words lingering in the air like a poisonous fog. I could see the uncertainty in the faces of the wizards around me, their determination shaken by the sudden appearance of this mysterious figure.
"We can't take his offer," Lila said, her voice steady but laced with concern. "We don't know what he really wants."
I nodded, but I couldn't shake the feeling that we were running out of time. The Lich's power was growing, and every day we spent training felt like borrowed time. Could we really afford to turn down help, even if it came with a price?
"We need to be careful," Valdir added, joining us at the edge of the square. "Whatever Malek is offering, it's dangerous. Power like that always comes with consequences."
I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of my choices pressing down on me. The wizards were looking to me for guidance, but the path ahead was shrouded in uncertainty.
"We'll keep training," I said finally, my voice resolute. "We'll keep preparing. But we can't make any rash decisions."
Lila nodded, though I could see the worry in her eyes. "We're with you, Nelson. Whatever happens, we'll face it together."
I glanced around the square, seeing the faces of the wizards who had put their trust in me. The road ahead was unclear, but I knew one thing for certain: whatever came next, we would face it as a team.