Thalion, Maike, and Kaldrek moved at a steady, purposeful pace toward the meeting point where the remaining leaders awaited. The ground they approached was neutral territory, an open stretch of barren earth, equidistant from the three encampments and positioned so the undead would not be able to spy on them. Thalion had brought only his most trusted companions. He feared that if Kael sensed weakness or division among his group, he might exploit it. Evelyn and Annie had chosen to remain behind. They were uncertain of their standing with Kael and preferred to stay neutral, especially if they encountered him within the catacombs.

Maike and Kaldrek had already proven their loyalty and were unlikely to waver. They were not the strongest warriors, but their presence was reassuring. Thalion decided it would be better for them to remain behind and oversee preparations at the Black Fortress instead of joining the attack of the last pillar in the next hours. The fortress needed protection and careful coordination, especially with only two days left. Most of the healers would stay there as well, with only a few joining the expedition into the final catacomb. Healers were precious assets and often became primary targets in combat. Their safety had to be prioritized.

A strategy had already been devised. Small groups would be stationed at key choke points within the catacomb. Their role would be to extract the wounded, alert the main forces if something went wrong, and prevent ambushes. Still, Thalion was unsure about his own role in the battle. He could lead the charge and act as a shield for the others, using his unique title to sense betrayal before it happened. Or he could move alone, keeping the stronger members together while drawing danger away from them. He trusted Jack, Josh, and Kargul to hold their ground if it came to that.

There was also a chance that Kael or the vampiress would focus on Thalion instead of attacking his companions. If Kael managed to kill him, he would gain control of the Black Fortress. That might convince him not to waste energy on eliminating the others, who could be useful in the future. Kael was likely still uncertain about who among Thalion’s allies had actually betrayed him. That doubt could be used to keep them alive. Thalion hoped it would. But the Kael and Sylas he once knew were no longer the same. Their emotions had hardened. Perhaps the gods had changed them, or maybe their true natures had always been hidden.

In the end, it did not matter. They had tried to kill him, and for that, they would die. No apology would be enough. Thalion could not allow either of them to escape. They still knew too much about the Crimson Virethorn he carried. Kael possessed an item capable of altering the Virethorn's nature. Thalion needed it for the next stage of his transformation. He had spent many hours studying the evolution of his forms and the affinities they required. The issue was that both the crippled Eclipsari and his human body resonated with similar elements. This was dangerous, especially at higher levels.

Shapeshifters in such situations often tried to fuse their forms. But Thalion had invested too much into each of them to even consider that. He wanted every form to remain distinct and fully realized. He had come too far to compromise now.

As they neared the clearing, Thalion’s gaze locked onto Kael and Sylas. Both wore expressions carved from stone, their features stiff and unreadable. They did not seem pleased to see him. The elves were more reserved, showing no outward emotion. All except one. A female elf stood rigid, her face contorted with quiet rage. Though her magic was held in check, her expression betrayed her fury. It was a sharp contrast to the calm composure of the others. Maike and Kaldrek, by comparison, remained relaxed. They knew that with Thalion at their side and the Black Fortress behind them, they were in no real danger.

If someone attacked, they would retaliate without hesitation. And unlike the others, they had little to lose. They would not be joining the battle for the final pillar. Their duty was to stay behind and oversee logistics. Officially, this meeting was about crafting a plan that would eliminate the last pillar with no casualties. Thalion knew that was a lie. This meeting was really about deciding who would take the front lines. The front was exposed. It meant being the first to bleed and the easiest to betray. Thalion would not accept that position. If necessary, he would force Kael or the elves into it.

His side had the advantage. They controlled the Black Fortress and had the numbers. He would not be pushed around. Joint attacks were acceptable in theory, but they were not his preferred strategy. Too many chances for hidden daggers. Too many variables that could not be trusted.

"This is going to be a mess," Kaldrek muttered, his voice low and bitter, as they watched the elves form a glowing circle. Arcane runes shimmered faintly around its edge. It would prevent eavesdropping and magical surveillance. Kael and his group were the first to step inside, greeting the elves with strained smiles and stiff gestures. Thalion could not hear the words exchanged, but the tone seemed calm, perhaps even cordial. Tension still lingered beneath the surface like a blade hidden behind silk.

"I really don’t want to talk to those people," Maike added quietly. "I don’t like a single one of them."

Thalion said nothing in return. His eyes remained fixed on the circle. His thoughts sharpened with every step. He would watch, he would wait, and if anyone made a move against him or his people, he would strike without mercy.

"Let’s just get this over with. Hopefully life after the tutorial will be easier," Thalion muttered. The words were simple, but they carried the weight of his frustration. He meant them. This entire political game felt like a maze of lies and traps. No one could be trusted. Every supposed ally was merely waiting for the perfect moment to stab you in the back. Agreements meant nothing. The bloodshed would begin the moment the undead were defeated, if it didn’t start even sooner.

His thoughts drifted. How had the undead managed to stay united for so long? Was their leader truly that strong, or were divine forces still pulling the strings? Shouldn't Kael, Steven, and the Water Princess have been fighting tirelessly to bring an end to the undead scourge? Instead, they seemed strangely indifferent, as if the gods' commands no longer mattered to them.

"I think it'll be worse on the new planet," Maike said, her voice steady but dark with cynicism. "More people. More chaos. Probably just like the tutorial, only bigger. The strong will try to conquer everything."

Thalion gave a slow nod. She was likely right. Why would peace ever take hold, when every evolution offered thousands of additional years of life, and some even promised hundreds of thousands? That kind of power would breed bloodshed. The new world would not be a sanctuary but a battleground ruled by the strong. And Thalion wasn’t sure he would be one of them.

The gods would have no direct access to the new universe, but they could still send their chosen. Those champions would already be immensely powerful. Thalion could only hope that his strength would be enough to remain independent, outside the reach of every faction. He longed to explore the new world, to dive deep beneath the oceans and marvel at the glowing reefs, or to soar above the clouds to witness the rare wind crystals. That was the beauty of shapeshifting. Perhaps he might even gain a new form, one rare and full of potential. That dream would have to wait. For now, he had to deal with treacherous former friends and arrogant elves.

He, Maike, and Kaldrek exchanged a brief nod before stepping through the sound-insulating barrier the elves had created. The magical field shimmered softly, isolating the clearing and ensuring no one could spy on their conversation. Thalion was grateful for his mask. It hid his face, and with it, every flicker of emotion.

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At first, he had planned to play the role of the villain. If people feared him, they would think twice before crossing him. But Maike had warned him. Kael and the elves probably carried recording crystals. They would use every word said here as propaganda later, twisting truths to strengthen their armies. Maike and Kaldrek also had their own recording tokens, but they didn’t intend to edit or manipulate the outcome.

Silence reigned as the leaders stood face to face, tension so thick it pressed down like a storm cloud. No one spoke. Then Kael stepped forward, his voice soft, almost gentle.

"What happened to your eyes?" he asked. "You must have been more corrupted by the monster than I thought."

Thalion’s stomach twisted. The fake concern in Kael’s voice nearly made him gag. Had he really been so blind to the man's deceit before? Fortunately, his title now allowed him to sense intent. It hummed through the air like a blade at his throat. Nearly everyone in the clearing burned with quiet hostility, especially the female elf, Kael, and Sylas.

"It’s a wound from your cowardly attack on my life," Thalion said in a similarly soft voice. "I have to commend you. It must have taken real restraint not to kill more of your own people."

Behind his mask, Thalion allowed a thin smile to spread. He felt the rage simmering beneath Kael’s calm expression. Others might have missed it, but Thalion’s senses were too sharp. That mask of calm wouldn’t save Kael now.

"You really shouldn’t speak about your old friends that way," Sylas said, stepping forward with a smirk. "Or is it you who kills his own? We’ve heard what happened at the Black Fortress. About the witches you executed. And their allies."

Thalion didn’t flinch. His voice remained calm.

"Sounds like your reports are just as false as the last time you tried to kill me."

He made no effort to explain himself. These people didn’t want the truth. This entire meeting was a waste of time. Why couldn’t they settle things with a simple duel? It would be faster, cleaner, and far less exhausting.

But he had a mission. Ankhet’s resurrection had to be stopped. The treasure hidden within the palace needed to be secured. And he had to do it without losing a single soldier. There were side goals too. Kael’s artifact had to be taken. The bloodline of the female elf needed to be captured and he had three weeks left to accomplish all of it.

This final pillar was the foundation of everything to come. Thalion needed to handle it flawlessly. Perhaps he could eliminate Kael and Sylas right here and absorb the human base. With the extra manpower, he might have the leverage to force the female elf’s hand—assuming she didn’t come for him willingly.

"I don’t think so. Looks like the two traitors were with you the entire time," Kael said, his eyes locked onto Maike and Kaldrek. His voice carried the weight of betrayal, sharp and cold like frost creeping over a blade. Maike and Kaldrek didn’t react. They simply stood there, stoic and silent, as if Kael’s presence was little more than background noise. Their indifference seemed to strike a nerve, and Kael stepped closer, fury building in his expression.

"I trusted you both. And how did you repay me? By siding with this killer. All for power. No matter the cost."

Thalion found the whole scene strangely amusing. The hypocrisy was almost poetic. Kael was simply projecting everything he had done to Thalion earlier in the tutorial. The room hung heavy with tension. No one spoke for several moments. Maike and Kaldrek exchanged no words, their focus likely locked onto a private conversation through their communication tokens.

A tall elf with powerful shoulders and silver-threaded armor finally broke the silence. His tone was clear and firm, cutting through the tension like steel through silk.

"Thank you all for coming. I am Althirion Feyshade, and I represent the elves in this tutorial. Our goal is simple. We must work together to destroy the undead and eliminate the final pillar."

The calm barely lasted a heartbeat before Kael raised his voice, already weaving a narrative.

"We’ve already created a plan," he said with a rehearsed smoothness. "The elves and Thalion the Deceiver will enter the catacombs. Meanwhile, our forces will stay behind to protect the rear. The undead may try to attack from behind once most of the warriors are underground. Since we are the weakest faction, this role suits us best. Personally, I would prefer to descend into the catacombs myself. But I cannot risk leaving my people vulnerable. Not with Thalion involved."

Disgust churned in Thalion’s stomach. That was a lie wrapped in silk. He didn’t respond. Instead, he turned his attention to the elves, curious to see if they would accept Kael’s cowardly maneuver. One of them stepped forward. She held a staff of twisted jade and silver and wore a tight smile that failed to mask her displeasure.

"It makes little sense for any group to remain behind," she said, her words sharp and precise. "All factions must contribute equally. Every leader and elite warrior should enter the catacombs. Only then can we prevent betrayal from taking place above while our strength is buried below."

Now that was something Thalion could respect. He agreed with the logic, even if the elves’ dominance made him wary. Still, this could play into his hands. His base offered the most security. If Kael’s people feared being caught between elves and betrayal, they might come to Thalion for protection. Perhaps they could even absorb parts of Kael’s camp without shedding blood. Of course, trust was a rare currency here. But the opportunity was too tempting to ignore.

Kael’s voice cut back in, louder and more desperate.

"We are the weakest force here. If our best descend into the catacombs, our people will be left defenseless. What if the elves attack while we’re gone? This is unacceptable."

"They are welcome to seek shelter with us if that happens," Thalion said with a cool, amused tone. A grin formed under his mask. This was perfect. Kael finally understood the trap that had closed around him. His eyes flared with anger, but it was too late. The damage had been done. He had dug his own grave.

"You’re lying," Sylas snapped. His voice was full of venom. "You don’t care about anyone but yourself."

Thalion didn’t even glance at him. His silence was more telling than any reply.

Then the tall elf turned back to Thalion. A faint smile played on his lips as he asked, "Then do I understand correctly that you agree with our proposal?"

The others watched closely. It was clear that Kael’s faction held the least power now. They had no room to negotiate.

"Sounds good enough," Thalion said. "Let’s destroy the pillar and get this over with. The sooner we finish, the sooner we go our separate ways."

"Then it is settled," Althirion declared. "First, we will strike the undead base blocking the entrance. Once that is done, all leaders and elite fighters will descend into the catacombs together. The attack begins in one hour."

A few more specifics on how they would enter the catacomb were exchanged before the broad elf turned and walked away, his cloak trailing behind him like a shadow. The rest of the elven entourage followed in silence, their steps light but purposeful. Thalion followed soon after, not giving Kael another look. They would meet again soon enough. Underground, in the dark, where no escape tokens would come to save them.