Erik stood before the map of Sinroz, doing what he found himself doing these past few months.

Brooding, yet never coming up with an answer, Erik silently stared upon the tactical map.

Pondering over whether he did the right choice in allowing in yet another.

Wondering, if it’d end up getting to her head and in turn get her killed.

Glancing down at his own hands then, rage briefly filled him, anger at himself, and the rest of the world.

A fury that he had to try his best, at holding down, fearing it might consume him as it came from seemingly nowhere.

Yet Erik knew where it came from, as he glanced over his now black and crimson wings, turning then to the door as it opened.

“Found ‘em.” Nerick announced as he walked in, followed by Pyra and Ascal.

Pyra immediately and quickly bowed, “You called, my lord?” asking urgently yet politely as per her usual demeanour.

Ascal bowed as she did, if not slightly more dramatic in his motions and posture. “Apologies for keeping you waiting, there are some festivities going on downtown…” He mused in elven, smirking as he gained himself a glare from Pyra.

Erik noticing her fists twitch, he knew she wanted to punch him but was unsure as to the occasion this time around. “Well, I’m afraid you’ll have not much more time to attend.” He sighed, returning to the map he gestured them to it. “As you know your sister Makaela left for her mission yesterday,”

(“Oh, do we?”) Ascal quietly chuckled as he shared his mischievous thoughts with Pyra, causing her no little amount of annoyance.

“We won’t be hearing from her for some time, not until Zentha meets with her half way through on her way back here. I believe it is assured though that Makaela’s assault on the first Zrosian battalion to be a success. Yet…” Erik gestured over one of the yellow flags that lay embedded between Abyele and Dammamas and then at the others. “That still leaves us with two more armies of the same size and force heading our way.”

“Which I’m guessing, is where we come in?” Ascal mused.

“Indeed,” Erik glanced back at him with narrowed eyes, causing the Xilfir to tense.

“Apologies…” Ascal then said, realising he had cut Erik off.

“But yes, this is where you two come in.” Erik reiterated, turning back to the map. “We are left with the army remaining stationed at Keye and the army heading around the coast to Lahihr. Their strategy is simple but effective, as they number far more than us.” Glancing back again at Ascal with a raised brow, Erik expected the comment, gesturing for the impatient Xilfir to speak up then.

Seeing that he had permission to comment, Ascal needed nothing else. “The northern army is a distraction meant for us to retreat to Lahihr to defend it, since as Abu Katra stands and after the destruction we caused…Lahihr in some ways would be preferable to defend in case of a siege. For some reason, they want us there. I believe it is because they wish to corner us in Lahihr with no escape by land and less access to their own territory. If we do retreat to Lahihr, the army at Keye will move up and take over Abu Katra, creating an easy to hold border for Zrosa even with two thirds of their numbers.”

“Which, is why we’ve taken the strategy of stalling them.” Erik then added.

“But to what end?” Pyra then asked, seeing an opening to speak. “Be it Abu Katra or Lahihr, we will still have to fight at least two thirds of their numbers at some point. The more we try to stall them, the more used to our methods they will become and the closer the third will come to re-joining with the rest.”

“Which is why,” Erik then grabbed hold of one of the flags at the side, a dark red one. “Ascal, you will stall the army at the north coast however you can with only what little Dreadblades remain, take some of the Special Unit if you find the remaining numbers not enough. But as for the Dragon Knights, and Xilfir Knights…” Erik turned to Pyra, raising the red flag before himself.

“As for the Wyvern riders…” He glanced at Nerick too, before turning back around…

Placing the red flag upon Keye and knocking the yellow one aside. “You will lay siege to Keye, claiming it for our Empire.”

“But…that will leave Abu Katra and the Citadel open for attack from the north?” Nerick mused.

“The Citadel will move to Keye as well,” Erik answered, “but yes unless Ascal figures out some way to eliminated the coastal army, it will eventually reach Lahihr or Abu Katra. Which, I believe it will as we make this move.”

Erik returned to facing them all, just in time to see Kayle enter the room as well. “Timing is key here, we will engage the city of Keye. Ascal must stall the coastal army enough for the siege to clear, at which point the coastal army will reach Abu Katra. The Sinbens will hold for at best a day without Ascal’s assistance, which you will not give and will instead lay in wait.”

“In wait for?” Ascal mused in question.

“In wait for something to occur midway…I won’t promise you anything, the talks are still uncertain. But worst come to worse, you will wait for the Citadel’s return a day and a half after. At which point Zentha and her squad will also have regrouped with us.” Erik explained.

“Ah, while the Zrosians are tiring themselves from sieging the Sinbens, our men will be resting and recuperating.” Ascal understood their strategy now.

“We’ll completely outpace Zrosa,” Erik said, “Destroying two thirds of their army, assuring us a path right through Keye and directly to Dabangui.”

“In turn, ending the lives of millions.” Kayle mused as she came to stand by them, her tired eyes gazing over the map behind Erik.

“Go start your preparations, Ascal you leave tonight.” Erik then told the Xilfir officers, gesturing them out.

Both of them then vacating with a nod, and leaving him alone with Nerick and Kayle.

“Did you see something?” Erik then asked, turning to Kayle.

“No, I’ve been too…restless, to see anything.” Kayle mused.

“Ah…” Erik understood how she felt, it won’t be long now after all.

(“Not that I’ve told you everything…”) Erik mused then, thinking to himself of what he was about to do.

What he was ready to do.

As an awkward silence then befell them, broken only by the more awkward Nerick. “So, well…Err, you’re busy as usual so we’ll just leave you to it?” He said sheepishly, carefully ushering Kayle out as he himself left the room.

Glancing back at Erik one last time to speak, “Don’t overdo it, we’re all tense.”, before closing the door behind himself.

Left completely alone once more, Erik immediately returned to his thoughts, but deciding then though to take Nerick’s advice. He too turned to leave, choosing to rest his mind by focusing it elsewhere if only for a few moments.

Erik roamed the castle halls, glancing over his centuries long creation, enjoying if anything that it was actually being put to use.

Somehow, throughout his aimless stroll, finding himself standing before the entrance to castle’s dungeon.

Trying to will the door open at first, the annoyance which filled his mind then stalls him from doing so, as briefly the rage from before returned once again.

But unlike before, it was sudden, and his mind unprepared to restrain it.

Erik felt the fury surge throughout his consciousness, anger unlike anything he had ever felt before.

He felt it try to take over, the sensation of something far too ancient for him to recognise, grasping at his very soul.

But Erik fought back, struggling against his own mana as it pulsated black within his now visible veins.

Pushing into the nearby wall, Erik clenched his arms, heaving deep breaths as slowly the sensation receded. The darkness in his eyes, faltering back into whites, as did the pulsating veins which riddled his skin.

Erik straightened himself, sighing as the assault on his mind ended, feeling strange as with each one he seemed to grow used to it.

Even though, with every occurrence it also seemed to grow stronger.

Erik turned to face the door once more, his fingers twitching with annoyance as it now slammed open to his frustrated will.

Startling the Devil within as Azkel jumped up a few feet to his sudden entrance, quickly then replacing her hands upon the beating bulge of corrupted flesh before her. “You trying to kill us all!?” She exclaimed in equal annoyance, gaining herself a cold glare from Erik as he entered the room.

As he glanced about at the growing tendrils, forming about glowing runes of white and blue which lay carved into each of the walls, the floor and even the ceiling. Creating one massive magic circle.

“How far have you gotten?” Erik then asked, keeping his distance from the hellish heart but retaining his presence as he stared straight at Azkel.

“About thirty percent converted,” Azkel answered in a grumbling tone, “Don’t get ahead of yourself though, the process will slow down as more of the Negative Spirit is converted to Positive, taking up more of my concentration to retain one side from clashing with the other…So, was it another attack?” She then asked after explaining, glancing at him with a raised brow.

And gaining herself a further annoyed glare, “Keep to yourself, Devil.” As Erik hissed back, causing her to grimace in both irritation and amusement.

“Hah, this little Devil can’t help herself, you’re too easy. And spending both days and nights locked up down here isn’t exactly…entertaining.” Azkel mused with a sigh.

“How much longer?” Erik then asked, rolling his eyes at her constant grumbling.

“Five days, give me five days and it will be ready.” Azkel said, closing her eyes to continue focusing on her task.

“Five days…” Erik repeated, grimacing as he clenched his chest, (“Can I last that long?”) he asked himself.

Dread filling him then, he pushed it aside.

(“No, I will. Five days…Just five more days and it’s all over.”) He promised himself.

Feeling then a mixture of both longing joy...

And harrowing preparation.