As usual, the birds gave their all during training, following every instruction John laid out for them with unwavering dedication.
Yet, even amidst the daily discipline, John felt it—a tension in the air, like a storm waiting on the horizon. Chaos was knocking, and this peaceful sanctuary would soon be swept into war and turmoil.
He had to be ready.
First and foremost, he needed to make sure his flock reached its peak. But he also had to face a hard truth: there would come a day when he couldn't rely solely on his tamed beasts. He needed to grow stronger, too.
The thought of raising an army had crossed his mind more than once. And now, it seemed more necessary than ever. His unique skill—Mark of Deception—might just be the key. Although it had been marked as an anomaly by the world's laws and rules, he could no longer afford to hesitate. The clan needed numbers.
Summoning the flock, John landed at the heart of their gathering and announced:
