With a roar, the door to softly lit room of Zephyr swung open with dramatic flutter in that quiet space.
Good morning, sleeping beauty!" a familiar voice rang out, full of jolly mischief, "time to wake up!
Zephyr groaned, yanking the cover tight over his head. "Is it morning already? Just. five more minutes," he mumbled and pulled at his slumber.
The voice chuckled, full of amusement. "Five minutes? Knew you'd say that."
Without warning, a cold and sudden splash of water smacked Zephyr right in the face. Suddenly his eyes jerked open in surprise and he sprang upright with great urgency as droplets of water cascaded down his hair.
"Wha—?" he stuttered, his eyes blinking rapidly.
And standing next to the bed, her face covered by an amused smile, was none other than the amazing Elira. Her laughter, joyful and infectious, resounded through space, bringing a light-hearted air into it, teasingly saying, "Oh mighty hero of Valoira, how do you like my special wake up call?
With a deep sigh escaping his lips, he rubbed his face, frustration in every gesture. "Well, now I'm awake and that's thanks entirely to you. Couldn't you have picked a less dramatic method to achieve this?
Oh, come on," she said, unrepentant. "If I left, you'd just fall asleep again.
Zephyr rolled his eyes and muttered, "Fine, you win. Now can you please leave so I can change?
Instead of rising up and walking away, Elira sat on the dry side of the bed with her arms crossed across her chest- defantly. "Nope. Not trusting you.".
Deeply groaning, he slowly rose to his feet even as he tore off his fully saturated shirt. The moment he exposed his clearly chiseled chest and toned to the soft, faint light of morning, Elira's former taunting arrogance began to wane.
Her cheeks colored vividly, bright red color spreading across the skin, while her eyes open with an expression of shock and realization. "I - I think you're up enough now!" she stammered nervously, while stumbling to unsteady feet, trying to regain her composure. "I, uh, just recalled that I have important things which I need to attend to!
And away she was out of the room running, her heart pounding, and a forceful slam of the door behind her. Zephyr shook his head to clear it of his unbelievable reaction; a small knowing smile played across his lips as he watched her disappear.
However, putting on armor and tying his sacred sword, Astralyx, firmly on the other side, he headed towards the command tent.
Already, the tent was full of soldiers and higher-ranking officers. As Zephyr entered, their whispers became silent while he gained the full attention of everyone present.
"Good morning, sleepyhead," Elira greeted with a sly grin. "You're late."
Just as Zephyr was about to formulate a response, an icy and detached voice abruptly sliced through the atmosphere of the room, capturing everyone's attention.
"Elira, show respect."
The command, authoritative as it was, came from General Thorn Malric, a man of considerable stature and gravitas, whose presence sent silence down upon the whole room at once.
Elira straightened up instantly, her smile disappearing. "I apologize. Good morning, Sir Zephyr."
Zephyr nodded his head in a subtle gesture, paying lip service to her presence as a nod that communicated that he was well aware. With this done and out of the way formally, the entire group together switched their focus to the table placed in the heart of the large tent, where maps and important documents lay carelessly strewn about in disarray.
"Write a report," Thorn commanded with a sweeping gesture toward Elira. Clearing her throat, pausing briefly, Elira began to speak in a voice still quite sure and businesslike. "We've had word from our spies-according to them, Sage Nyx is conscious, at any rate. But the sad fact is that even now, her power is unnervingly weak. We have our chance today. If we commit ourselves definitively to this instant in history, we may succeed, and may-be able to bring this whole war-and all its pain and all its victimsto a conclusive end.".
This charged the air, because the depth to which she was unfolding began to enthrall and shroud the whole group in an irrespressible heaviness.
Thorn nodded. "This is our chance. Every move must count. Zephyr, what are your plans?"
Zephyr stepped forward, and though his attitude was quite composed, there was an unmistakable solemnity in his voice. "I will only come into battle when Nyx makes her presence known. It is crucial for me to conserve my energy specifically for her.".
Thorn eyed him up and down for a swift moment before nodding. "Very wise decision. Who will be going with you?
"Elira," Zephyr declared confidently, without any moment of doubt or pause.
Thorn's lips curved into the barest hint of a smile. "Then it's settled. Everyone, prepare your troops. Meeting adjourned. Zephyr, stay for a moment."
As the others left, Thorn placed a firm hand on Zephyr's shoulder. "Today will be one of the hardest battles yet. If Nyx is at full strength, this could end badly. Promise me you'll stay on guard."
I will, General, Zephyr promised him.
For a brief moment, Thorn's expression softened, and a glimmer of recognition could be seen there. "You did well to choose Elira. She is the second-most dependable soldier among the ranks of the army.".
"Second?" Zephyr drew up his brow. "Who's first?"
Thorn chuckled. "You, of course. If you ever turned against us, we wouldn't stand a chance.".
Zephyr smiled softly. "Never mind. Valoira is my motherland . And I will never betray it ever to anyone.".
We're all aware of that," Thorn said, his voice full of pride and also admiration. "That is exactly why each and every one of us turns to you for guidance and inspiration.".
Elira waited quietly outside the tent. Her face showed stern determination with a secret nervousness.
Zephyr approached, who gave her a reassuring smile. "Ready for this?
She nodded assuringly, though her tone was softer and milder than usual. "Just promise me you're not going to do anything reckless or dangerous.
"I won't," he declared in a voice that didn't vary an inch. "And I am fully aware that you will be there to support me." Elira's smile was weak, but confidence shot back with the single word. "Always". The battle was sheer pandemonium, a confused whirlwind of clashing forces and the sounds of fighting that filled the air, but through this turmoil, Zephyr and Elira emerged triumphant, fighting tenaciously as they hacked their way forward, cutting down any opposition who dared stand in their way. After what seemed an eternity of struggle, they finally reached a sensational cliff with a wonderful view overlooking a chaotic battlefield below. There it was that Zephyr fixed his eyes on a solitary figure standing out alone in the distance-Nyx. With determination burning in his chest, he jumped from the cliff and landed before her in a flawless amble. Well, well, Nyx, he said with a voice edged with a pungent sharpness and dripping with mockery. "Are you back to your strength, or would it be wise for me to take it easy on you this time? Nyx smirked, her eyes cold and unyielding. "Don't flatter yourself, Zephyr. You'll need everything you've got—and then some." For as their glances met across the battlefield, everything else silently faded into the backdrop. The day of reckoning had finally come.