Chapter 418: The Night Before The War
The night was thick with anticipation as Lyan made his way quietly through the camp. The Central Army of Astellia was a hive of activity as the soldiers made their final preparations for the coming conflict. Fires flickered across the encampment, casting dancing shadows over the rows of tents. The clang of armor, hushed conversations, and the occasional whinny of a restless horse filled the air. Despite the bustle, Lyan moved unseen, his steps almost soundless as he slipped between the tents.
He had left the guest estate hours ago, slipping out when he was sure all of his companions had finally fallen asleep. They were exhausted from the long night they had shared, and he had made sure each of them was comfortable before he left. They deserved their rest. As for Lyan, he couldn’t sleep. There was too much on his mind—the plans, the preparations, the unknowns that waited for them on the battlefield. He needed to see it all, to take it in, to be certain that they were truly ready.
He moved closer to the front of the camp, where the elite units were stationed. The sight of the soldiers moving about, organizing supplies and double-checking equipment, gave him a strange sense of calm. They were ready, or at least as ready as they could be. He watched them from the shadows, his eyes sharp, his senses on high alert. He wasn’t supposed to be there—he was meant to be resting like everyone else—but Lyan had always found it difficult to let go of control. He had to see things for himself.
Suddenly, he felt a hand grab his arm, pulling him sharply to the side. Lyan reacted instinctively, his hand reaching for the dagger at his waist, but he stopped himself as he caught sight of who it was. Alina, her eyes glinting in the dim light, her lips curved in a mischievous smile.
"What are you doing here?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Lyan blinked, caught off guard. He hadn’t sensed her approaching, which meant she must have been watching him for some time. Before he could answer, he felt another hand on his shoulder. He turned to see Xena, her face lit with the same playful expression, and behind her was Belle, her arms crossed over her chest, a small smile tugging at her lips.
"You’re not the only one who can’t sleep, you know," Xena said, her voice barely louder than a breath. "We saw you sneaking out and figured we’d join you."
Lyan let out a sigh, shaking his head slightly. He should have known—these three were always the ones who seemed to know what he was up to, no matter how careful he was. He gave them a wry smile. "You should be resting," he said, his voice gentle but firm. "We have a long day ahead of us."
Alina shrugged, her eyes meeting his. "So do you," she said, her tone softening. "But we all know that sleep doesn’t come easily on nights like this."
Belle nodded, her gaze drifting towards the bustling camp. "We’ve all been through this before, Lyan. We know what it’s like—waiting, wondering if everything we’ve done will be enough. It’s hard to just lay down and close your eyes."
Lyan was silent for a moment, his eyes moving over each of them. He could see the exhaustion in their eyes, but also the determination. They were right—sleep was difficult on nights like this. He nodded, letting out a small sigh. "Alright," he said, his voice barely audible. "But let’s not cause any trouble."