---
Helena placed a hand on his shoulder. "You did what you could. Not everyone will see reason, but some of them will."
Fowad nodded, his Chaos Eye flickering faintly. "We can't afford to lose more people, Helena. Not now."
Caidus approached, his shadow panther at his heels. "You handled that well, considering the circumstances."
Fowad looked at him, his expression serious. "It doesn't feel like it."
Caidus gave a faint smile. "Leadership isn't about being liked. It's about doing what needs to be done.
And right now, what needs to be done is preparing for what's coming next."
Suddenly a deafening roar tore through the morning air, followed by the thunderous sound of feet pounding against the earth.
The ground trembled as the first wave of beasts charged toward the academy gates, their snarls and growls resonating like an ominous drumbeat.
