Lycannar I rose out of the water and headed straight toward my black tower. Just as I stepped into the dining hall, I saw the rush of movement. It was as though my sisters had been waiting for my scent, waiting for my presence. I had left the Demon Realm after my words with Hades, and though he said nothing, the way he stared at me in awe still lingered. I swallowed hard as Xyrrha’s memory came back to me, then lowered my gaze to the cylindrical glass in my clutch and held it tight. “Lycan!” Mearez rushed into my arms without caring that I was dripping wet. She kissed my lips, then pulled back to search my body for injuries. I said softly, “I am fine.” I looked to Serena, who still hadn’t moved from her place. She was too emotional. I could see it in her eyes. Gently, I walked up to her and kissed her lips. “I’m fine. I’m home,” I whispered, then sighed. “Our brother Hades is fine too. You both have nothing to worry about, understand?” My elder sisters nodded in unison. I shifted my gaze to the window, staring up at the night sky. “It’s late. You should rest. Tomorrow we’ll have breakfast together and talk.” “Alright, baby brother,” Serena replied, and I nodded. Before they could leave, I couldn’t help but ask, “Are you both alright? Nothing happened in my absence?” Mearez turned first, shaking her head. “Baron, your beta, handled the politics and meetings while Serena and I continued our tasks.” I nodded and swallowed before asking softly, “Zephyrine… she didn’t come by?” This time, my sisters exchanged a glance and shook their heads. I nodded again, watching them leave, clearly relieved that I was back.From the corner of my eye, I caught sight of Chantel lurking in the shadows. He, too, moved as I turned for the stairs. When I reached my black tower, I hurried into my chambers and pulled off my cloak. Then I called out, “Chantel?” He appeared in the doorway at once. I walked back into my chamber, giving him the order, “These are letters. Sort them by date. Quickly.” He crossed to the table where I had placed the cylindrical glass, opened it, and began sorting through the old letters while I stripped off my wet clothes and dried my hair. By the time I pulled on fresh garments, he looked up. “It’s done,” he said. I sat across from him, motioning for him to remain seated. “These are letters Hades gave me. He said they’ll reveal more about the battle five years ago.” I picked up the first letter, noting the date is six years old. The sender’s name wasn’t explicit; it only read Imperium. The receiver was my stepfather, the Demon King. Carefully, I read the fragile scroll. “Written from the Shifter Empire to you, Demon King, Lord of Abyss. We know we are divided by walls, vastly different in kind, but we need your help for stability. After much thought, we sought the great shaman, who revealed that only the Demon King can help. If you agree to partnership, we will give you anything you ask. Our envoy will travel back and forth for discussion.” I went still. The Imperium Council had written to the Demon King? The second letter was my father’s reply. “The Abyss won’t engage in any deal, but state your demand and I will consider it.” The third letter came from the Imperium Council. “There is a power imbalance in the Shifter Empire. A powerful army must be annihilated. The Ashmeres. They are becoming unstoppable. Even their women are being trained as warriors. We need your help to instigate war and slaughter them in battle. We will aid you in return.” Cold spread through me. I already knew the Ashmeres had been betrayed, but seeing it written was different.I opened the next letter which contain my stepfather’s words, written two months later after the Imperium letter. “Be it so, then let us make an agreement. There is an army here as well, growing too powerful. We will send them to the war front. Three hundred and fifty soldiers. The target must first be their warlord. Kill him, and the rest will fall.” Gooseflesh prickled along my arms. Three hundred and fifty men? Their warlord? Was that… me? The next letter was brief. “In that case, we are glad to help one another. What is the name of the army to be annihilated?” The reply came sharp and damning. “Blood Army.” The paper slipped from my fingers. I stared at the table as if I could see through it. Blood Army. The very army I commanded. So… why had the Abyss gone in my stead? I grabbed the next letter. They spoke only of war strategies, how to entrap both the Blood Army and the Ashmeres, forcing them to slaughter each other on the battlefield. Then I reached the second-to-last letter. “The warlord of the Bloof Army will not appear. We have a change of plan. The agreed day is the eve of the full moon. The Blood Army’s warlord cannot be defeated then. Instead, I will send another warlord and he will see it done. Place the Blood Army in the front line, and rest assured, all Ashmeres will die and so will the Blood army.” The final letter came from the Imperium Council. “Then we have an accord. We will send our envoy, Kaela, with gifts to present as thanks for your aid.”