Kade sat at the head of the war chamber, trying not to look as rattled as he felt. Vala's effortless return after taking down Brelgor had left him equal parts impressed and terrified. She had walked in as though nothing had happened, handed him victory on a silver platter, and disappeared without even breaking a sweat. Now, the commanders were regrouping to discuss the aftermath, leaving Kade to figure out how to manage the aftermath of his own spiraling nerves.
"Note to self. Stop underestimating everyone around here. They're all terrifying. Especially the ones who think they're not."
The doors creaked open, and his six commanders filed in one by one. Vala was first, her icy gaze fixed ahead as she took her usual spot at the table. Rynor followed, his ember-lit eyes scanning the map, as if already critiquing the enemy's movements. Brug stomped in next, his sheer size making the table tremble, followed by Selyna, whose sharp green eyes darted between her colleagues. Thadric, the walking fortress, entered with measured steps, his shield glinting faintly, while Elvara's shimmering silver hair seemed to crackle with static as she took her place.
'Lord Kaedus,'
they said in unison, bowing deeply.
Kade nodded, trying to exude the calm authority they seemed to expect.
'Excellent work with Brelgor,'
he said, looking directly at Vala.
'Your precision was… impressive, as always.'
Vala inclined her head slightly.
'Thank you, my lord. The Ravager was strong but ultimately predictable. He posed no true challenge.'
Brug thumped his massive fist on the table, grinning widely.
'Brug could have smashed him faster! Next time, let Brug show Kaedus's strength!'
Selyna smirked, leaning back in her chair.
'Sure, Brug. And we'll rebuild half the southern provinces after your little "smashfest."'
Brug growled, narrowing his glowing eyes.
'Smashing is efficient!'
'For turning entire regions into rubble, maybe,'
Rynor said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
'But not when we need subtlety.'
'Enough,'
Kade said, raising a hand.
'This isn't the time for arguments. The southern provinces are secure again, thanks to Vala. Now, let's focus on the bigger picture.'
He gestured to the map, which flickered faintly as the enemy forces continued their slow advance. Red dots marked their positions, inching closer to the castle's outer territories.
'The enemy's movements suggest they're regrouping,'
he said, channeling the most confident voice he could muster.
'They're likely planning a larger assault, but they've lost momentum after Brelgor's defeat.'
Rynor nodded, his ember-lit staff pulsing faintly.
'Their leader will be rethinking their strategy. The loss of an ally as strong as Brelgor will have shaken their confidence.'
Thadric crossed his arms, his voice steady and grave.
'But it also means they'll grow more desperate. A cornered foe is often the most dangerous.'
'Desperation makes them sloppy,'
Selyna countered, her smirk widening.
'We can use that to our advantage. Draw them into traps, cut their numbers, and make them regret ever stepping into Kaedus's shadow.'
Elvara leaned forward, her silver eyes gleaming.
'Or we could strike first. A storm unleashed on their forces would scatter them like leaves in the wind.'
Vala's icy gaze remained fixed on the map.
'Recklessness is not the answer. We should fortify our defenses and wait for them to make the first move. Let their overconfidence be their undoing.'
The room erupted into debate, the commanders all eager to prove their strategies superior. Kade leaned back in his chair, pretending to listen carefully, though his mind was already spinning.
"They're doing it again. Fighting over who gets to show off the most. I should probably say something before this turns into a contest of who can sound the most intimidating."
He raised a hand, and the room fell silent.
'All of your input is valuable,'
he said, trying to sound authoritative.
'But we need a strategy that combines our strengths. Selyna, I want you to gather more intelligence on their movements. Rynor, reinforce the wards along the southern borders in case they try to retaliate. Thadric, prepare the defenses along the eastern ridge. Elvara, be ready to deploy a storm if we need to scatter their forces. Vala and Brug, I want you both standing by for direct engagement when the time comes.'
The commanders exchanged glances, nodding one by one.
'As you command, my lord,'
Vala said, her voice steady.
Brug pounded his chest, grinning.
'Brug is ready!'
Selyna chuckled, her sharp gaze lingering on Kade.
'Efficient and calculated. Very Kaedus of you.'
As the commanders began to disperse, Kade let out a quiet sigh of relief. He had managed to keep the conversation under control, for now.
***
After the meeting, Kade found himself wandering through one of the castle's many corridors. The towering walls of carved obsidian seemed to stretch endlessly, the flickering torchlight casting eerie shadows. Vask followed silently a few steps behind, his presence both reassuring and unsettling.
'The commanders were efficient today,'
Vask said, his voice breaking the silence.
Kade nodded, keeping his gaze ahead.
'They are… certainly capable.'
"Capable? That's an understatement. They're terrifying demigods with a taste for dramatic entrances."
They turned a corner, and Kade found himself standing before a large set of double doors. Intricate runes glowed faintly on the surface, and a strange hum filled the air.
'What is this place?'
he asked, glancing at Vask.
'The Hall of Echoes, my lord,'
Vask replied.
'A sacred chamber where the voices of past victories can be heard. It is said to hold the memories of your greatest conquests.'
Kade blinked, suddenly feeling a weight settle on his chest.
"Past conquests? Oh great. A literal reminder of how much I don't measure up."
'Should I… go in?'
he asked hesitantly.
'It is your hall, my lord,'
Vask said with a slight bow.
'You may enter at your leisure.'
Taking a deep breath, Kade pushed the doors open. The air inside was cool and heavy, carrying an almost tangible sense of history. The walls were lined with glowing crystals, each one pulsing faintly. As he stepped inside, faint whispers began to fill the room, overlapping voices that seemed to echo from nowhere and everywhere at once.
'Kaedus the Unyielding,'
one voice murmured.
'The breaker of armies.'
'Kaedus the Eternal,'
another whispered.
'Ruler of shadow and flame.'
Kade stared at the glowing crystals, his pulse quickening.
"Okay, this is officially creepy. And also wildly inaccurate. Breaker of armies? Eternal? I'm barely holding myself together here."
He moved deeper into the chamber, the whispers growing louder. One crystal in particular caught his attention, its glow brighter than the others. As he reached out to touch it, a vision flashed before his eyes.
He saw a battlefield, its skies blackened with smoke. Armies clashed below, but at the center of it all stood a figure cloaked in shadow. The figure raised a hand, and the ground itself seemed to tremble as enemies were swept away in a wave of dark energy.
Kade stumbled back, his heart pounding.
"Was that… me? Or him? Or whatever?"
Vask's voice broke through his thoughts.
'The Hall serves as a reminder of what you are capable of, my lord. Do not let doubt cloud your path.'
Kade swallowed hard, nodding as he turned to leave the chamber.
"Right. Totally capable. Totally not freaking out right now."
Kade returned to the war chamber, his thoughts still spinning from the Hall of Echoes. The map flickered with the enemy's movements, and for the first time, he felt a strange sense of determination.
"They think I'm this unstoppable force. Maybe it's time I start acting like it."
He leaned over the table, his gaze fixed on the advancing enemy forces.
"One step at a time, Kade. If they want Kaedus the Eternal, you'll give them the best performance of your life."