The kingdom's sky appeared overcast, dark clouds gathering on the horizon, signaling an invisible storm. Silence enveloped the palace, but the tension felt in every corner was much louder than any sound. Ethan and his group stood in the royal meeting room, surrounded by advisors and officials busy planning the next steps. Yet, beneath the bustle of preparations, there was an air of fear—fear of something greater than anything they had ever faced.
The king, who had once appeared firm, now seemed more vulnerable. His face was pale, his brow furrowed with worry. Meanwhile, his advisors were divided—some appeared ready to act, while others seemed confused, as if they were not prepared for the looming threat. Ethan could feel his heart pounding. They had conveyed everything they could, but the reality that the king and the kingdom had to act quickly—before it was too late—only deepened his anxiety.
"What should we do next?" Lila's voice broke the silence, sharp and resolute. She stood next to Ethan, her eyes full of determination, though there was also a hint of worry trapped behind her gaze. "We can't just keep discussing. Our time is extremely limited."
The king looked at them with an almost empty gaze, as if struggling to make a monumental decision. "We have sent troops to every corner of the kingdom," the king said, his voice hoarse. "But if this threat truly comes from within, we will be caught off guard. No one could predict an attack like this."
Ethan felt the tension rising. They knew their time was running out. The darkness they faced was not a common enemy. This was an enemy that could appear at any time, from anywhere, with powers that even experts could not fully comprehend. "Your Majesty," Ethan's voice grew firmer, but this time with a greater sense of urgency, "We need to prepare more than just an army. We need to mobilize every resource we can access. This is not just a physical battle. This is a fight for the soul, for the mind—for the entire kingdom."
Rowan stood beside Asha, his body tense with unspoken anxiety. "I think we need to move faster. If they're gathering a large army from that darkness... we'll be too slow. We need more than just protection. We need strategy. We need a way to strike first."
"What do you mean?" Kael asked with a serious expression, looking at Rowan, who had just spoken. "We know so little about them. What are we expecting? We don't even know how to fight them."
Rowan lifted his head, his expression full of confidence. "We've seen what they can do. They can destroy fortresses, control minds, and move the darkness to destroy everything we defend. But we can't just defend. We have to strike before they strike. If they can use that power, we need to find a way to fight back with something even stronger."
A deep tension crept into the meeting room. Everyone seemed to be processing Rowan's words, some eyes filled with worry. Some were hesitant, but others were beginning to think about seeking a more distant solution.
The kingdom's oldest advisor, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke up. "We can prepare the best military forces we have. We have soldiers trained to face various threats. But if they can destroy our fortresses, we'll lose everything. We need more than just ordinary strategies."
Ethan nodded, his eyes still focused on the king. "We know there's a way to hold back this threat—we need to learn more about their origins, how they can control the darkness. If we don't know that, we won't survive. We need to find a way to fight them from the inside—from their minds, from the core of their power."
An aura of seriousness overtook the room, and the king finally stood tall, directing his gaze to all present. "If you're saying we need to find a way to fight this from the inside, we will search for that way. We will find the best solution. We can't let this threat ruin our kingdom."
However, even as the king spoke with determination, Ethan knew that this was not an easy decision. What they faced this time was not just a matter of strategy, military power, or even magic. This was a battle against a darkness deeper than any they'd known, one that could take more than just their physical bodies. It was a battle for their souls—a battle that would change everything, even if they managed to survive.
Meanwhile, outside the meeting room's window, the rain began to pour heavily. Lightning struck in the distance, adding to the increasingly oppressive atmosphere. This rain, which seemed to arrive without warning, mirrored the inevitable tension in the hearts of everyone inside the room. As the world outside seemed chaotic, so too did the situation they faced—and they knew, in a very short time, the decisions they made would determine their fates.
Ethan gazed out the window, his eyes filled with doubt. Their time was running out, and they had to find the answers, no matter the cost.
---
Silence once again enveloped the meeting room after crucial decisions began to emerge. Ethan still gazed out the window, lost in thought as the darkness outside thickened. The rain grew heavier, lightning occasionally striking in the distance, creating flashes of light that seemed to echo the impending threat. Inside the room, the tension rose, and everyone knew that the choices they made now would determine the future of the kingdom.
Lila, who had been quiet until now, suddenly spoke, her voice firm and resolute. "We can't just rely on regular troops, or fortresses that might crumble in an instant. We need something more than just physical strength. Something that can give us an edge in this battle—something that can fight the darkness from within."
Asha nodded, adding to the explanation. "We can train the troops in magic. Not just offensive magic, but protective spells, healing magic, and mind control. If they can control such power, we can use magic to fight the darkness more effectively."
Rowan, who had been silent until then, now turned his gaze to Asha and Lila. "You mean teaching our soldiers to use magic? That's not an easy task. They're not used to things like that, and we only have so much time."
Ethan turned away from the window and looked at his friends. "But we don't have a choice. If we don't involve magic in this fight, we will lose. The dark army possesses unimaginable power, and only by wielding a comparable power can we hope to survive. Magic is the weapon we must master."
Kael, who was usually skeptical, spoke this time in a deep voice. "I agree. But we must be very careful. We don't know how the darkness controls minds, and if we teach our soldiers magic, there's a risk they might be influenced as well."
Ethan understood Kael's concern. "That's why we need to train them carefully. We will select the most skilled soldiers and give them more in-depth instruction. We'll focus on defensive magic, mental protection, and healing spells. We must teach them to maintain full control over themselves."
King Arthur, who had been listening intently, finally spoke in a more confident tone. "If this is the path we must take, then we will support it fully. We will select the best troops who are ready to be trained. But we also need to consider the great risks we face. If this army fails to control their magic, the consequences will be even greater."
The kingdom's oldest advisor, who had been silent until now, nodded slowly. "Indeed, this is not an easy choice. But if we truly want to face this threat, we must be prepared to handle all possibilities, including training the army in magic."
Ethan looked at the king with eyes full of determination. "We will lead the training, and we will ensure our troops are ready. This isn't just about surviving, it's about striking and defeating the enemy. Magic will be the key to winning this war."
King Arthur stood, his voice full of authority. "We grant you full authority to begin this training. Start immediately. We have no time to waste. The darkness is closing in."
With the decision made, the meeting came to an end. The heroes quickly prepared to carry out their heavy task. They knew that training the kingdom's army in such a short time wouldn't be easy, but it was the only way to give them a fighting chance in the coming battle. They had to prepare the troops quickly, equipping them with the ability to fight the dark forces with magic—and hope that it would be enough to face the threat that was drawing closer.