The training yard of the newly rebuilt capital swarmed with soldiers and recruits.

  It was here that House Fernandes gathered its squads to reclaim trade routes and hunt down the remaining monsters.

  But Lukas stood elsewhere — in an isolated stone circle, where only the strongest dared to train.

  The place he returned to every dawn.

  To punish himself.

  He knelt in the center, blade buried before him, hands gripping the hilt.

  And each breath was a silent vow:

  — I will grow stronger. I will crush every one of the Disasters. Even if I have to die for it.

  The air vibrated.

  Luiz appeared, arms crossed, wearing that look of boredom no one really believed.

  — You gonna train until you drop dead again, Lukinhas? — he asked, voice deep. — Or maybe take a day to eat something that isn’t your own guilt?

  Lukas didn’t answer. He only rose, lifting the sword.

  — I need… more.

  Luiz snorted.

  — This “more” of yours is becoming a joke.

  He stepped into the circle, unsheathing his own blade — a straight weapon, polished like a mirror, the insignia of the Copas engraved in its pommel.

  — Very well. Then prove to me you’re worthy of the Fernandes name. And if you dare hold back… I swear I’ll break your bones.

  Steel clashed, echoing across the yard.

  Lukas charged with thunderous fury.

  But Luiz blocked every strike as if they were nothing.

  — You still hesitate, — Luiz said, parrying with effortless precision. — Still dreaming someone will come to save you.

  His blade grazed Lukas’s face, leaving a line of blood across his cheek.

  — Wake up, idiot. No one’s coming anymore.

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  Lukas’s heart pounded.

  He remembered his father’s fall. His dead brothers. Adriele’s silent tears.

  He roared, striking with everything he had. The ground shook.

  But Luiz countered cleanly — sword twisting Lukas’s arm, then sweeping his knee.

  The world spun.

  In an instant, Lukas was on his back, Luiz’s blade at his throat.

  Luiz sighed.

  — If that were a Disaster… you’d be dead.

  He sheathed his weapon and turned away.

  — Fight like this, and you’ll only bury more people.

  — THEN TEACH ME! — Lukas’s voice exploded. — SHOW ME HOW TO KILL THEM! TELL ME WHAT I’M MISSING!

  For a moment, Luiz stood frozen. Then, turning slightly, he said:

  — I’ve already told you… You’re not missing anything. You’re just too afraid of losing what little you still have.

  A female voice cut through the air like a blade.

  — What a touching scene.

  Both turned at once.

  Morgana sat atop the wall, legs swinging, black cloak fluttering in the wind. Her eyes glowed like twin moons.

  — Training yourself to death? — she smiled. — I prefer you alive, you know? That way I can… enjoy you longer.

  — Get out, — Lukas growled.

  — No, — she laughed. — It’s more fun when you pretend to hate me.

  Luiz raised an eyebrow.

  — And who the hell is this lunatic?

  — The curse that decided to follow me, — Lukas muttered.

  Morgana leaned forward, white hair falling like silk.

  — And I will keep following. Until the end.

  Her gaze turned to Luiz, smiling coldly.

  — You’re his brother, aren’t you? The Copas?

  — If you try anything, — Luiz warned, blade twitching upward, — I’ll cut you to pieces.

  — Oh… — Morgana licked her lips, savoring the threat. — I’d love to see you try.

  And with a blink, she vanished.

  The yard fell silent again.

  Luiz sheathed his sword, exhaling.

  — …You people are magnets for trouble, you know that?

  Lukas lowered his head, exhausted.

  — I never asked for this.

  — I know. — Luiz set a hand on his shoulder. — But you’ll have to deal with it.

  Over the wall, Adriele appeared, sword at her hip.

  — You two just gonna stand there?

  Her tone was calm, but her eyes sharp as steel.

  — The real training starts now.

  Lukas looked up.

  And for the first time in a long while… he felt he wasn’t alone anymore.

  End of Volume II

  You survived, Lukas Fernandes.

  You rebuilt an Empire. You slew kings. You silenced monsters.

  But tell me…

  Do you really believe you can kill the Disasters?

  Ancient beings. Forged before names. Worshiped as gods. Feared even by the Towers themselves.

  You, boy of House Fernandes…

  Will you truly face what comes next?

  The next door has already opened.

  And it will not close on its own.

  End of chapter 14