The morning after the battle, the academy felt like a different place. The usual sounds of training and chatter were replaced with a subdued silence. Everyone was on edge, unsure of what to expect next. Lumumba sat in his office, poring over maps and letters from informants. His mind wasn't on the documents in front of him, though—it was still replaying the conversation with Jon from the night before.
Jon had always been driven, but now his ambition was taking on a dangerous edge. Lumumba knew he needed to keep a close eye on his friend. If Jon pushed too far, it could fracture their group at the worst possible time.
A knock at the door pulled Lumumba from his thoughts. Koffi entered, his expression as calm as ever, though there was a flicker of tension in his eyes.
"The scouts have returned," Koffi said, standing by the door. "They've located another fissure—this one is bigger than anything we've seen before. It's in the Northern Territories."
Lumumba frowned, leaning forward. "How far north?"
Koffi unfolded a map and pointed to a region just beyond the academy's borders, where the kingdom's influence was weaker and the terrain more hostile. "It's deep in the Northern Mountains, near the edge of what's considered the wild lands. We're talking about dangerous terrain, unpredictable weather, and the possibility of more... creatures tied to the fissures."
Lumumba nodded, his mind already planning their next move. "We'll need to send a team immediately. The fissures are growing stronger—if we don't get ahead of this, we won't be able to stop whatever the Sovereign is planning."
Koffi hesitated for a moment. "There's something else. The scouts reported strange activity near the fissure. They didn't get too close, but they saw what looked like a gathering of figures in the distance. It's possible the Sovereign's forces are already there, preparing for something."
Lumumba clenched his fists. "Then we don't have time to waste. We need to figure out what they're doing and stop it before they can open another portal to that dark magic."
Later That Day: The Plan
Lumumba called a meeting with the senior staff, including Amara, Mamadou, and a few of the academy's top students. The map of the Northern Territories was spread out on the table, the fissure marked in dark ink.
Amara studied the map, her brow furrowed. "If the Sovereign's forces are gathering here, they're preparing for something big. We've never seen a fissure this far north before—it's isolated, far from any major cities. Whatever they're planning, they're keeping it hidden for a reason."
Mamadou, leaning back in his chair, smirked. "Sounds like the perfect place for a little sabotage, don't you think? We head in, break up their plans, and shut that fissure down before they know what hit them."
"It's not going to be that simple," Koffi said, his voice calm but firm. "The Northern Mountains are dangerous territory. We'll be walking into their trap if we're not careful. We need a strategy."
Lumumba nodded, his mind already racing through possibilities. "We'll take a small team—fewer people means we can move faster and avoid detection. I'll lead the mission myself, and we'll bring some of the academy's best fighters and mages. Amara, Koffi, and Mamadou, you'll come with me."
Amara raised an eyebrow. "What about Jon? He's been itching for a mission like this, and if we leave him behind, he's going to push back."
Lumumba's jaw tightened. He knew Jon would want to come, but after their conversation, he wasn't sure if Jon's presence would help or hinder their efforts. "Jon... needs to stay here for now. We can't risk him going off-script. I need someone I can trust to hold things down at the academy while we're gone."
Mamadou chuckled, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "I see what you're doing. Clever. But Jon's not going to like being sidelined."
Lumumba sighed, already anticipating the confrontation that would come. "I'll talk to him. But we need to stay focused on the mission. If we can stop whatever's happening at this fissure, it'll give us the edge we need."
That Evening: The Confrontation
Lumumba found Jon in the training grounds, practicing with a group of students. His movements were sharp and aggressive, his frustration evident in every strike. Lumumba approached cautiously, knowing that this conversation wouldn't be easy.
Jon noticed him and dismissed the students with a wave, wiping sweat from his brow as he turned to face Lumumba.
"What's up?" Jon asked, his voice casual, but there was an edge beneath it.
Lumumba took a deep breath. "We've found another fissure, in the Northern Mountains. We're assembling a team to deal with it."
Jon's eyes lit up with excitement. "Good. When do we leave?"
Lumumba hesitated for a moment before speaking. "You're not coming, Jon. I need you here, at the academy. We're going to be gone for a while, and someone needs to lead while we're away."
Jon's expression darkened, the excitement fading into something more dangerous. "You're leaving me behind? After everything I've done?"
Lumumba held up a hand. "It's not about that. The academy is just as important as the mission. If something happens while we're gone, we need someone we trust to take charge."
Jon clenched his fists, his voice rising. "You don't trust me. That's what this is really about, isn't it? You think I'm going to screw things up. You think I'm too ambitious, too reckless."
Lumumba felt the tension in the air rise, but he kept his voice calm. "I do trust you, Jon. But right now, we need stability. You're a great fighter, but leading an entire academy is a different challenge. This is about keeping everything we've built safe."
Jon took a step closer, his voice low and dangerous. "You're making a mistake, Lumumba. You keep sidelining me, and sooner or later, I'm going to take matters into my own hands."
Lumumba met his gaze, refusing to back down. "Don't do this, Jon. You're a part of this team, but we have to work together. If we start fighting among ourselves, the Sovereign wins."
For a long moment, neither of them spoke. Then, Jon took a step back, his expression cold. "Fine. Do what you want. But don't be surprised when you come back, and things have changed."
Lumumba felt a pang of regret, but he couldn't afford to back down. "Take care of the academy while we're gone. That's all I'm asking."
Jon didn't respond. He turned and walked away, leaving Lumumba standing alone in the darkening training grounds.
The Next Day: The Journey North
At dawn, Lumumba, Amara, Koffi, and Mamadou set out from the academy, heading north toward the mountains. The air was crisp and cold, a stark contrast to the warmth of the southern lands. As they traveled, Lumumba's thoughts drifted back to Jon, wondering if he had made the right decision.
"You think Jon's going to be okay?" Amara asked as they rode side by side.
Lumumba shrugged, his face grim. "I don't know. But we didn't have much of a choice. We need to focus on the mission. If we don't stop the Sovereign, none of this will matter."
Koffi, riding ahead, glanced back at them. "We're close. The scouts reported strange magical activity near the fissure. We need to be on guard."
Mamadou, ever the strategist, cracked his knuckles. "Let's see what these Northern Mountains have in store for us. I'm ready for some action."
The group pushed forward, their destination looming in the distance. The mountains were jagged and unforgiving, their peaks shrouded in mist. As they neared the fissure, the air grew thick with an oppressive energy—dark and ancient, like the very earth was groaning under the weight of the magic within.
"There it is," Koffi said, pointing to a massive crack in the earth up ahead. The fissure pulsed with a sickly green light, and the ground around it seemed to ripple with dark energy.
"Whatever the Sovereign's doing here," Lumumba said, his voice tense, "we need to stop it before it gets any worse."
The First Encounter
As they approached the fissure, Lumumba could see figures moving in the distance—cloaked in shadow, their movements precise and deliberate. These weren't just ordinary soldiers. They were something more.
"Stay low," Amara whispered, her hand on her sword.
The group moved cautiously, staying hidden behind the jagged rocks as they got closer to the figures near the fissure. Lumumba's heart pounded in his chest as they neared the edge of the abyss, the air around them crackling with dark magic.
Suddenly, one of the figures turned, spotting them.
"Move!" Lumumba shouted, drawing his swords as the cloaked figures launched into action.
The battle was swift and brutal. The dark figures moved with unnatural speed, their blades clashing against Lumumba's as he parried their strikes. Amara and Koffi fought at his side, their movements precise and deadly.
Mamadou, grinning like a man possessed, leapt into the fray with his daggers, cutting down one of the shadowy figures with ease. "I love it when things get messy," he laughed, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
But as the battle raged on, Lumumba realized something chilling—these figures weren't just ordinary fighters. They moved in sync with the dark energy of the fissure, their movements almost mechanical, as if they were being controlled by something more powerful.
"They're connected to the fissure," Koffi shouted, cutting down another enemy. "We need to disrupt the magic, or they'll just keep coming!"
Lumumba's mind raced. The fissure was the key—if they could shut it down, the shadowy figures would fall. But getting close to the source of the dark energy was easier said than done.
"Cover me!" Lumumba shouted, charging toward the heart of the fissure.
Amara and Koffi fought off the remaining enemies as Lumumba sprinted forward, the pulsing energy of the fissure growing stronger with every step. He could feel the dark magic pulling at him, trying to drag him down into the abyss, but he pressed on.
As he reached the edge of the fissure, Lumumba raised his swords, preparing to strike at the source of the magic.
But before he could deliver the final blow, a voice echoed through the air—low and cold, filled with malice.
"You think you can stop me, Lumumba?" the voice whispered. "This is only the beginning. The true battle has yet to begin."
Lumumba froze, his heart pounding in his chest.
The Sovereign was watching.