The heavy wooden table shuddered under the force of Jason's fist. The sound echoed through the stone walls like a thunderclap.

  "Damn traitors!" His voice tore through the room, filled with a mix of rage and despair. The flickering candlelight cast wild shadows over his face — the face of a man pushed to his breaking point.

  A firm hand settled on his shoulder — steady, grounding. "We will fight to the end, my friend," D. said, his voice calm but unyielding. "With or without them."

  Jason closed his eyes, taking a long breath as he tried to steady his mind. "D..." he whispered, the name carrying the weight of trust and years of friendship.

  "Any word from Gazz?" Jason asked, his voice quieter but still tense. The question hung heavy in the air.

  The general hesitated before stepping forward, his face pale. "No, sir... nothing for a week, actually." His voice wavered, but it was D. who stepped in, sparing the man from delivering the worst of the news.

  "Jason..." D.'s voice softened. "He might have fallen into a trap. He might—"

  "Don't say it!" Jason's shout cracked like a whip, and with it came a wave of energy — raw and uncontrollable. The air itself seemed to ripple, and those gathered in the room recoiled, fear flashing across their faces.

  "Leave us. Now." D.'s calm but commanding voice cut through the tension. No one hesitated — within moments, the room emptied, the heavy doors thudding shut behind them.

  "Jason," D. said, turning him so they stood face to face. His eyes were steady, his voice low but fierce. "Listen to me. Those people trust us. Whatever happens tomorrow, we must stay strong — united. If we fall apart now, so will they."

  The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  Jason met his friend's gaze, the fire in his eyes slowly dimming. He swallowed hard, nodding. "You're right," he said at last, his voice quieter but resolute. "There's still a chance..."

  D. nodded, giving Jason's shoulder one last, reassuring squeeze before turning toward the door. As the heavy wooden doors creaked open, the cool air from the hallway swept into the room.

  Just as D. stepped through the doorway, Jason's voice broke the silence — softer this time.

  "Hey, D... Thanks."

  D. paused for a heartbeat, then glanced back with a small, knowing smile. And then he was gone, leaving Jason alone with his thoughts... and the weight of tomorrow's battle hanging heavy on his shoulders.

  The fire crackled softly, casting warm, flickering light across the stone walls of Jason's chambers. He sat in a worn but sturdy chair, his eyes fixed on the flames dancing before him. The heat kissed his face, the gentle movement of the fire calming the storm in his mind. In the ever-shifting glow, there was a strange kind of safety — a quiet strength he couldn't quite explain.

  For a moment, the weight on his shoulders felt a little lighter.

  Then he felt it — the familiar warmth of hands wrapping around his neck from behind, soft and steady. A gentle embrace, delicate but sure.

  "I can feel the weight on your mind, dear..." Her voice was soft, almost a whisper, and the sound of it melted some of the tension in his chest.

  Jason didn't turn away from the fire. Instead, he lifted one of his hands and placed it over hers, his touch gentle and warm. He stroked her fingers slowly, as if afraid she might slip away.

  "For the first time in my life..." His voice cracked, barely audible above the fire's quiet hiss. "I'm scared... scared that we won't be able to win... scared that I'll lose you..."

  Her arms tightened around him, holding him closer. She pressed a soft kiss to his cheek, and the scent of her — a soft, meadow-like perfume — washed over him like a summer breeze.

  "You won't," she whispered against his skin. "No one can keep us from each other..."

  That promise — the gentle strength in her voice — worked its magic on his heart. Finally, he turned to face her, and her smile was like the warmth of the fire itself. She reached for his hands and coaxed him up from the chair, their fingers twining together.

  "Come, dear..." she said softly, her eyes full of quiet love. "Let's forget about everything... just for a moment."

  And for the first time that night, the fear faded — if only a little.