บท 50: A Challenge Unspoken
Late afternoon sunlight angled across a secluded valley where Lyrus walked alone. He had chosen this spot—a grassy expanse ringed by quiet hills—to reflect on the course ahead. The Ember Circle had established itself as a rival power to the Golden Serpent Sect, a feat few could have imagined. Yet the true test lay ahead. The Serpents would not yield gracefully; they would seek weakness, exploit doubt, and wait for the perfect moment to strike.
From a ridge, a lone Serpent scout observed him. The watcher, half-hidden by brush, expected Lyrus to show vulnerability. Instead, they saw a man standing with impeccable calm, surveying the landscape as if mapping out not just roads and rivers but the flow of destiny itself.
Lyrus took a measured step, feeling the Million Steps System respond. He had grown stronger, subtler, able to summon strength without display. His Hellfire arts had evolved, capable of precise harm or gentle deterrence. This power, harnessed with quiet confidence, gave him an advantage the old HellSin never possessed.
In the distance, a hawk circled. Lyrus breathed deeply. He felt the tension in the air—an unspoken challenge drifting between him and the Golden Serpents. They would not send armies marching openly. They would weave webs of rumor, place poisoned goblets before trembling lords, turn allies against each other. But this time, their prey would not be caught unaware.
Back at the Ember Circle's heartland, preparations continued. The council of Ember Blazes studied trade routes, alliances, and potential weak points in their own defenses. They trained messengers to recognize secret signals, established safe houses for refugees, and fortified communication lines. Kael researched antidotes to rare poisons; Alyra mapped discreet vantage points for archers.
As the sun dipped below the hills, Lyrus headed back, silhouette stretching long across the grass. He knew he must be ready, both for cunning negotiations and, if it came to it, a decisive battle. His people looked to him for guidance, and he would not disappoint them.
The Golden Serpent Sect coiled unseen, plotting. The Ember Circle stood firm, hearts steady, blades sharp. The pieces were set, the players in place. Only time and will would determine which flame would burn brighter in the coming struggles.
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