"That's kind of my specialty—being ridiculously dangerous while everyone else stays safe."

Katisana raised a hand, forestalling Sarhita's angry response. "Let us consider this practically. Jorghan, even with your considerable abilities, you cannot be everywhere at once. The Empire could split its forces and attack multiple locations simultaneously. How would you counter that?"

Jorghan's grin widened.

"I wouldn't. I'd go straight for whoever's commanding the operation and rip their head off. Cut off the snake's head, and the body stops moving."

"The commanders leading this operation—they're not ordinary soldiers," Katisana warned.

"They won't just be standing in the open for you to attack."

"Reports suggest they're enhanced humans, enhanced by the blood of elves, possibly as dangerous as you are."

"Good," Jorghan said, and there was genuine excitement in his voice.

"The thing with the Earth military was barely a warm-up. Their commander in the fancy suit at least made me work for it. If these Empire commanders are actually strong, this might be fun."

"Fun?"

Sarhita stared at him like he'd lost his mind.

"You think this is fun? People are dying!"

"People were always going to die," Jorghan replied, his tone becoming more serious despite the lingering smile.

"The Empire isn't going to stop. Earth's military isn't going to stop. Everyone wants something—your blood, your land, your knowledge. So yeah, we fight back, and some of them die in the process. That's how wars work."

"And if all we do is talk, then they are going to stand at our door step, before you even know it."

He stood, moving closer to Sarhita until he had to look up slightly to meet her eyes.

"Besides, I'm not doing this for fun. I'm doing it because Swana and Scarlett got tortured by those bastards, and I'm not letting that happen again. And you—" he poked her in the stomach, making her flinch back in surprise, "—you're part of my people now too. So anyone who comes after the clans is coming after me."

Sarhita's expression softened slightly, though she tried to hide it.

"You're impossible."

"I'm realistic," Jorghan corrected.

"And realistically, you have three options. Run and eventually get caught. Surrender and get harvested for your blood. Or fight back with everything you have and maybe—maybe—survive."

"Those are terrible options," Sarhita muttered.

"Welcome to war. It's all terrible options. You just pick the one that kills you last."

Katisana cleared her throat gently.

"There is another consideration. If we do choose to fight, we need to coordinate with the other two surviving clans. The Ma'zenti in the eastern mountains and the Dhra'ckin near the northern coast. United, we might have enough strength to mount an effective resistance."

"Have they agreed to work together?" Jorghan asked.

"Not yet," Sarhita admitted.

"The clans have always been independent. Getting them to coordinate has been... difficult."

"Then make it less difficult," Jorghan said.

"Tell them the Empire is coming whether they cooperate or not. Better to face it together than die separately."

He moved back to his cushion, dropping down with casual grace.

"In the meantime, I need to get stronger. That Sentinel suit hurt me, and if the Empire's commanders are anything like that, I need more power to take them down."

"How much stronger can you possibly get?" Sarhita asked.

"You destroyed an entire military base."

"Not strong enough," Jorghan replied seriously.

"I could feel it during the fight—I was pushing my limits. Another few minutes and the transformation would have gone too far. I need better control, more refinement. Otherwise I'm just a bomb that might explode at the wrong time."

Katisana nodded approvingly. "That is surprisingly mature of you. Recognizing your limitations."

"Don't get used to it," Jorghan said with a return of his cocky grin.

"I still think I'm amazing. I just know I can be even more amazing with practice."

"And modest too," Sarhita said dryly.

"Modesty is for people who have things to be modest about. I'm phenomenal, and everyone knows it."

Despite herself, Sarhita smiled slightly. "You're insufferable."

"You love it," Jorghan shot back.

"Admit it—life is way more interesting with me around."

Before Sarhita could respond, Jorghan's expression shifted, becoming more serious as he looked at Katisana.

"Elder Katisana, I need to ask you something."

"About those two clans, what do you know about them?"

Katisana was quiet for a moment, her ancient eyes studying him. "Those two clans, they are very different from the twelve clans, and they were feared not just for their power but for their strategy. They understood that overwhelming force was only effective if applied precisely. They eliminated threats systematically, ensuring that survivors would spread word of what happened to those who opposed them."

"Psychological warfare," Jorghan said.

"Exactly. Every battle was a message. Every death served a purpose beyond simple victory."

She leaned forward slightly. "They were also known for losing themselves in the violence. Their bloodline's power is beyond what the rest of the clans had, leaving the Sol'vur bloodline, that is. After your clan, it is said that these two came close to what your clan had achieved in the past."

"All these clans, no matter how hard they try, they can't come close to what the Sol'vur bloodline has. It is the most sacred and ancient bloodline I know."

"You need to be careful of how you deal with your power, and don't let it consume you."

"I won't forget," Jorghan said firmly.

"I'm fighting to protect my family. That's not something I'll lose sight of."

"Many before you said the same thing," Katisana warned.

"Yet the bloodline consumed them anyway."

"Then I'll be the first exception," Jorghan replied with absolute confidence.

"Because I'm just that good."

Sarhita groaned. "And the ego is back."

"It never left," Jorghan said cheerfully.

Then his expression turned more contemplative. "But seriously, we need a plan. The Empire knows I'm here. They probably know about the settlements. It's only a matter of time before they come looking."

"So we prepare," Katisana said.

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