Chapter 63 - 63: Planning

Gwyddien, Eu, and Jairu gather around the table. There was silence as Eu discloses the attack at Limes Temple.

As they speak, thousands of Shadows are lurking at the Temple's outskirts, waiting for their time to strike. These Shadows are more vicious and blend into their surroundings very well.

They are truly tough to detect.

"Little Eu, why didn't you tell earlier? Lord Foeni will sure help if he knew..." Captain Jairu rambled as he continued, "We should at least request more men."

He is in disbelief. He knew this girl is withholding the information but didn't expect something so ominous.

How can she mislead the Divine Lord Foeni?

"The Divine Lord needs to be elsewhere. We have to take care of this matter ourselves." Eu discloses.

"But those Shadows you just mentioned..." Jairu said worriedly.

"Lumina will assist you. Di'Anon and the others are also on their way back. You and Gwyd are also here. Why are you so worried?" Eu asked.

"Aren't you going to help...? You are also here. You are powerful..." Gwyd asked.

Eu heaves a heavy sigh. As much as she wants to help, she is at her limits. She still hasn't fully recovered from her reawakening. She is beyond exhausted.

"We don't have time to deliberate about this. I need your cooperation now. I wouldn't propose this if I knew that we have no chance to make this work..." Eu finally said.

Silence filled the room. They gave it a thought and knew that Eu would not put their lives in jeopardy. It might look like they are at a disadvantage, but it is still a doable feat.

They decided to listen and found themselves agreeing with her plans.

Eu continues to explain. Two attacks are going to take place that night. One has already been taken care of by the Divine Lord Foeni, and they will handle the other.

Captain Jairu remained silent. He doesn't know what to feel about this sudden revelation. He really can't form the correct words to say at the moment while he digests the situation.

He decided to accept it and do the best he can. He can't let Eu down after putting her trust in him.

Meanwhile, Gwyddien's face was completely ashen. He can't help drowning on his thoughts.

' Why is she entrusting such a huge responsibility to me? Has she gone insane?'

He admits he is a coward and a nobody. He can't do it! How can she even fathom he can do such a feat?

"Gwyd, remember everything I taught you. Believe in yourself. I trust you. You can do this..." Eu said.

Gwyddien looks at her pleadingly.

"Little Eu, thank you for having faith in me, but please reconsider. Let Captain Jairu or someone else takes my place..." he straightforwardly objected.

"But you can't fight on the field. You are the only one who can cast support magic. I already taught you all the spells. It's time to put them into good use." Eu explains.

Gwyddien excelled in his studies. Despite his inexperience, Eu believes he can pull through. She always believes in his capabilities, after all.

Jairu is quite curious why did Eu hide this from the Divine Lord? Though, Eu always has a reason on how she handles matters.

"May I ask why? I want to know your reason. What are you trying to achieve?" Jairu inquired.

Eu turned to him and heaved a heavy sigh. She decided to explain the situation and the importance of this battle.

"I wanted to save someone. The Divine Lord is the only one who can save that person." Eu discloses.

Limes Temple will face an imminent attack at the same time as this person's death. She lured the Divine Lord away so he can rescue him.

Limes Temple will face this attack, and someone needs to take charge on his behalf. She chose Gwyddien to handle them.

"You wanted to change the course of things...?" Jairu asked her in disbelief.

Eu smiles neither, confirming or denying it.

There are consequences when one tries to change events. It might lead to an even bigger catastrophe, or the plan might backfire to create mishaps.

Even Gwyddien was surprised. He can't believe Eu has such intentions.

"Little Eu..." Gwyddien started.

"Let's not think about anything else for now. You are ready to face this. You are more than capable. You trust me, right?" Eu responded to Gwyddien.

Gwyddien remained silent has he think it through. He trusts Eu, and he believes she won't put him in charge if he is not up to the task.

He also considers that Eu is exhausted from traveling, and she needs to rest. She is helping as much as she could.

"Fine. I'll do it." Gwyddien finally spoke.

Eu smiles in contentment as she hears his agreement. She knew she made the right decision choosing him.

"Thank you, Gwyd..." Eu said gratefully.

Eu explains that they just have to hold on as long as they could while they wait for Di'Anon and the others. They need to follow the plan and learn to improvise if needed.

They might be at a disadvantage in the case of human resources. Eu reassures them that their prowess and abilities are enough to push them back.

Besides, the Limes Temple has a very reliable defensive barrier. The Shadows won't be able to enter so easily.

Eu continues laying out the plans. Jairu, Lumina, and Gwyddien listen to her instructions and reminders carefully.

She continues to suggest the placements and advises how to deal with the Shadows more efficiently. They must hold their ground and believe in each other's capabilities.

Meanwhile, Di'Anon and his crew finally regroup on a secure location. It took longer than they anticipated, but all went well on their end.

The others thought their missions are over. They were about to call off the day when Di'Anon arrives at their rendezvous point.

"We must head back to Lime Temple immediately." Di'Anon said.

"It's been a long day, Di'Anon. Can't we take a break?" Seig asked.

He just fought ten powerful Shadows, and he is famished and parched. He also exhausted.

"Little Eu needs us back." Di'Anon simply discloses.

"Urgent, huh?" Seig murmured.

The twins, on the other hand, remember the Divine Lord is already at Inner Courts. They can only assume that something is about to happen back there.

Even if the twins are away, their network frequently updates them. This information helps them handle some of their cases more efficiently.

They quickly assume that something is happening while they are away. These Shadows are not just here for surveillance, after all. They all came for a reason.

"Lord Foeni is already at Limes Temple as well. We can only assume something big is about to happen, correct?" Fugue said as he gives his insights.

"If he is, why is our presence still required? Won't they able to handle matters themselves? Little Eu is also there…" Eirwen tried to argue.

"Come. We will discuss it while on our way." Di'Anon turned around as he said.

He decided to head first and hopes everyone to follow him back. He knew that everyone would not let him down.

Everyone decided to travel on their true, magnificent forms. It will be faster if they all rush back this way, after all.

Not to mention, their movements will remain discreet at the same time.

Not long, five beautiful, majestic beasts rush back to Limes Temple. They all hope they can reach their destination in time.

Back in Limes Temple, Eu has just finished discussing the whole plan. The strategy is very straightforward and mostly on the defensive.

"Gwyd, good luck." Eu taps his shoulder.

Gwyddien nods his head as he weakly smiles. He is still not entirely convinced he could accomplish it, but he needs to strengthen his resolve.

He has surpassed Eu's training, but he still not officially ordained a full pledge witch. He might be capable, but technically, he is still an apprentice.

He needs to prove himself.

Eu knew his worries. Still, he has to overcome these issues and forgo them because titles and ranks are useless in the field.

It is more reliable to have the right skill sets than those irrelevant matters.

"So, that is the whole plan? Defend as long as we can?" Captain Jairu confirmed.

"Easy, right? The Temple doesn't need many men. We can easily overwhelm them with your own capabilities." Eu ensures them.

Somehow, Gwyddien realized why Eu insisted on handling the barriers fortifications. She always knew what is about to come.

He can't help to assume that she is withholding valuable information from everyone.

Eu somehow read his thoughts. She knew that he realized something but refrain from asking as well. She is thankful as it is also something she can readily disclose.

"Alright. I will head out now and inform my men. Come on, Gwyd, we need to finalize our plan of surprise with the others." Captain Jairu said.

Captain Jairu pulled the young witch out of the room. They bid Eu goodbye while they insist her to rest.

"Can I, at least, get a moment for myself? I need to say my prayers." Gwyddien begged the burly man.

Captain Jairu is dragging Gwyddien out of the room, and he is almost in tears. He is starting to doubt himself once again.

"No, I need you to stay beside me so I can watch over you. I am afraid you will suddenly disappear." Jairu responded as he continues, "You can say your prayers along the way."

He hooks his arm at the young man and continues to calm him down. This is Gwyddien's first battle after taking Eu's lessons.

He expects Gwyddien to be someone as a force to be reckoned with.

Eu nods her head as she smiles and watches them leave her room. She cannot disclose anything in detail regarding the 'things that are about to come.'

They need to concentrate on doing their parts without knowing those matters. Eu wants to bear all the consequences of perceiving everything as she tries to help them achieve their goals.

She is confident they will surpass the challenges that will come their way.

"Lumina, take care of everyone for me…" Eu murmurs as she drifted to a peaceful slumber.