Lucian
The day of reckoning had come.
Despite not being the one stepping onto the battlefield, a knot twisted deep in my gut. I’d learned to trust that feeling. Something was off. I couldn’t afford overconfidence—not today. Arrogance was a luxury fools indulged in before getting themselves killed.
We were still in the suite, going over final preparations before moving out. I had called for a private strategy meeting—nothing left to chance. The television was already broadcasting live footage from the battleground, though the field remained empty. Just the wind and silence.
Darian reached for the remote and hit mute. The room quieted further as he sank into the couch across from me.
“It’s finally here, big brother,” he said.
We both looked toward our father.
He sat still, arms relaxe
