Three's mind went blank for exactly one second. Then the meaning behind his father's words caught up to him all at once.
It's almost time.
The conversation from days ago surfaced in his head immediately, the one on the porch where Sigil had spoken about the outside world waiting for Vexer to leave before making their move. At the time, Three had understood the words, but understanding something and feeling it were two completely different things.
His stomach suddenly felt cold as he followed his father's gaze instinctively. Beyond the office window, far past the trees surrounding the estate, the barrier shimmered faintly against the sky. It was barely visible, just a thin distortion spreading across the horizon like light touching water. Three had seen it his entire life without thinking much about it, but now it looked different because he finally understood what it was protecting them from.
Sigil noticed the look on his son's face and didn't let him stay there long. He turned calmly toward the office door just as it opened and Khate stepped inside. From the way she entered, Three had the feeling she had already known what was happening before anyone said it aloud, and she moved beside him immediately.
Three looked back toward his father, but Sigil had already shifted completely into leadership mode.
"Orion," he said.
The man appeared almost instantly. Three had always found Orion unsettling because he moved too quietly for someone his size. He was broad-shouldered and dressed in dark armor, with an unreadable expression.
"Sound the island alarm," Sigil ordered. "The enemies have arrived."
Orion nodded once and disappeared without another word.
The alarm rang moments later, a deep sound that rolled across the island and made Three feel it more than hear it. Another answered it from farther away, and within seconds the entire island was covered in echoing warning calls.
Everything changed immediately afterward as people flooded into action across the grounds below. Clan members crossed open walkways at a run while others emerged wearing armor with weapons in hand. Defensive formations assembled with frightening speed because the Starborn clan had expected this day, even if they hadn't known when it would come.
Sigil walked toward them and stopped in front of Khate first. For a moment, neither spoke, as something passed silently between them that Three couldn't fully understand.
"Will it be okay?" Khate asked quietly.
Sigil stepped closer to her. "The moment Father left, I knew this would happen." His voice stayed calm and steady. "Everything that could be prepared has already been prepared."
Khate didn't look reassured, so Sigil lowered his voice slightly.
"No matter what happens today, neither you nor Three will be harmed. As long as I am alive, not a single hair on either of you will be touched."
Three looked up at him immediately after hearing that vow.
Khate held Sigil's gaze for several seconds before speaking again.
"Then I will stand beside you."
Sigil shook his head.
"If you stand beside me, who stands beside him? Protecting him is more important."
Khate looked at Three quietly before nodding once.
Only then did Sigil finally turn toward his son, looking at him with a heavy calmness. He raised his hand to rest it briefly on Three's head, then he turned and walked away.
Three stood there silently, watching his father leave until Khate gently placed her hand on his shoulder again.
Outside, the army had already assembled.
Rows upon rows of Starborn warriors stood near the outer grounds in deep red armor that carried a dark metallic sheen beneath the morning light. From a distance, the formation looked like a massive wall stained crimson, and the pressure coming from them was suffocating.
Sigil walked through the center of the gathered soldiers as the ranks parted for him without hesitation, and he reached the front before turning toward them.
"Vexer is gone," Sigil said simply, offering no unnecessary speech to soften the truth.
Every soldier remained silent.
"The world knows this, and now they believe this island has become vulnerable."
A few soldiers tightened their grips on their weapons.
"They think that because one man left, the Starborn clan became weaker, and that we have become something easy to bully."
The atmosphere shifted immediately.
"They spent a thousand years waiting for this opportunity," Sigil said, his gaze sweeping across the army slowly. "Now they stand outside our home believing today will be remembered as the day the Starborns finally fell."
Silence fell, and then Sigil took another step forward.
"Tell me something." His eyes sharpened. "When have the Starborns ever relied on numbers to defeat our enemies? When have we ever begged this world for mercy?"
A low rumble spread through the formation as the soldiers straightened instinctively.
Sigil's voice lowered slightly.
"We are outnumbered, and I will not insult your intelligence by pretending otherwise, since Morgan did not come here without confidence in victory. Good, because overconfident enemies die the easiest."
A few grim smiles appeared among the front ranks.
"Some of us standing here today will not see tomorrow," Sigil said plainly. "But if you fall, make sure the enemy pays for every single step they take on this island. If one of you dies, let five of them follow behind you so they understand exactly what it costs to wage war against the Starborn clan."
Weapons slowly rose as the pressure coming from the army became violent.
Sigil raised his voice for the first time.
"The world has forgotten who we are, so remind them."
The roar that answered him shook the entire island, weapons slamming against armor in a deafening crash. Killing intent flooded the air so heavily that even Three felt his breathing become harder from where he stood.
Then Sigil raised one hand, and the noise stopped almost instantly.
"We fight them outside the barrier," he ordered. "We do not allow them to bring war into our home. Every advantage this island gives us, we use, including every trap and formation."
He turned slightly toward the distant barrier shimmering across the horizon, a cold and dangerous smile appearing on his face.
"The wolf eats best when the sheep don't run."
This time, the roar that followed sounded less human and more like something ancient waking up.