The wind over Arvendale was unnaturally still.
Colon and Eren stood atop the old bell tower, overlooking the valley. In the distance, the horizon shimmered with strange flickering lights — not stars, but torches. Hundreds. Maybe thousands.
"They're moving," Colon said quietly.
Eren swallowed hard. "All of them?"
Colon nodded. "The entire Order is coming."
Eren felt the weight of it press down on his chest. "I'm not ready."
Colon's eyes glinted faintly. "You're closer than you think. But you must understand something now, Eren… you are not just the hero of this age."
Eren turned to him, confused.
Colon hesitated. His voice was softer than before.
"There's a reason they fear you. Not because you carry power… but because you carry memory. A memory older than this world."
Eren's breath caught in his throat. "Memory of what?"
Colon didn't answer.
"Please," Eren said, voice cracking. "I need to know."
Colon shook his head. "Not yet."
Down below in the safehouse
Mira, Kade, Sol, and Lyra prepared for war. Makeshift barricades. Weapon stockpiles. Escape plans none of them wanted to use.
Lyra found Eren sitting quietly by the fire later that night.
"You're scared," she whispered.
He nodded. "Not for me. For all of you."
She placed her forehead to his. "We chose to stand beside you. No matter what."
Eren pulled her close. "I hope I'm worth it."
"You are," she whispered fiercely. "You always were."
In the forests beyond the city
The Hollow Star army gathered in complete silence. Cloaked figures by the hundreds.
The masked leader raised his arm.
"We march at dawn."
A cold voice echoed through the night:
"Failure will not be tolerated."
The leader bowed. "It will end. The dragon will not remember."
The shadows around him shivered.
Back at the bell tower
Colon finally spoke again.
"When the final battle begins, I will no longer guide you from the side."
Eren frowned. "What do you mean?"
Colon's gaze was distant. "My purpose was never just to teach you."
Eren's heart skipped a beat.
Colon placed a hand on his shoulder.
"When the moment comes, I will reveal everything. And then… you will rise."
The wind shifted.
Dawn was coming.
And with it, war.