The rescue mission began at midnight.
Perfect darkness.
Perfect danger.
Lyra moved between Kael and the stranger while Rylan scouted ahead.
They entered Guild territory silently.
For the first time, Lyra wasn't scared.
She felt focused.
Sharp.
Deadly.
Rylan returned quickly.
"Bad news."
"What?" Lyra asked.
"It's a trap."
Kael sighed.
"Of course it is."
The stranger looked at Lyra.
"We can still leave."
She shook her head.
"No."
Her voice was calm now.
"They want me. Let's use that."
For the first time…
She was thinking like a leader.
They entered anyway.
Inside they found Commander Elric chained but alive.
Relief.
Then slow clapping.
The Guild leader stepped out.
Tall.
Calm.
Terrifying.
"I've been waiting for you."
His eyes fixed on Lyra.
"So much power… wasted on compassion."
Lyra stepped forward.
"I'm not joining you."
He smiled.
"You already are."
He attacked instantly.
His power dwarfed the others.
Even the stranger struggled.
Kael was thrown back.
Rylan barely dodged.
Lyra absorbed an attack.
But this power felt different.
Ancient.
Heavy.
Dangerous.
She staggered.
"You see?" he said.
"You were born for this."
Lyra realized:
He wasn't trying to kill her.
He was testing her.
They escaped but barely.
Lyra collapsed once they reached safety.
The Guild leader's power still burned inside her nerves.
"What was he?" she asked.
The stranger answered quietly.
"Old power. Older than the Guild."
Kael sat beside her.
"You scared me today."
Rylan added:
"Yeah… don't do that again."
Lyra smiled weakly.
"I can't promise that."
They all laughed slightly.
Tension broke.
Then pain returned.
News arrived.
Another district had fallen.
The Guild was tightening control.
Lyra felt guilt again.
"This is because of me."
The stranger shook his head.
"This is because they fear you."
That changed something inside her.
Fear could be power too.
From the city walls…
They saw Guild banners rising.
War was no longer coming.
War had begun.