The Calm Before the Bells

Clara glanced toward the sleeping Lane and the unconscious Isabella in the adjoining room.

"...who knows when any of us will get the chance to relax again."

The room fell silent.

Outside, the afternoon wind drifted through Fantom City.

The calm before the storm continued.

But everyone could already feel it.

War was approaching.

No one immediately spoke.

The weight of those simple words settled heavily over the room.

The undead army was no longer a distant rumor.

It was real.

It was moving.

And it was coming for them.

Brinda looked toward the window and forced a smile.

"Maybe they’ll get lost."

Eon glanced at her.

"They’re undead."

"Oh."

"Right."

Brinda rubbed the back of her head awkwardly.

"That was a stupid thing to say."

Natalia laughed softly.

"A little."

Ruby stretched lazily.

"Still, I appreciate the optimism."

Videl remained quiet.

Her thoughts drifted toward Victor.

She wondered where he was.

Knowing him, he was probably doing something ridiculous somewhere while acting as if everything was perfectly normal.

The thought brought a faint smile to her face.

If Victor were here, he would probably tell everyone to stop worrying.

Then somehow solve half the problem himself.

Clara noticed the expression.

"Thinking about him?"

Videl immediately knew who she meant.

A faint blush appeared on her face.

"No."

Everyone in the room stared at her.

Brinda pointed.

"She’s lying."

Ruby nodded.

"Terribly."

Even Natalia smiled knowingly.

Videl immediately stood up.

"I suddenly remembered I don’t like any of you."

The room burst into laughter.

For a brief moment, the heavy atmosphere eased.

Only for a brief moment.

Because outside the guild walls, Fantom City was slowly transforming.

The entire city looked different compared to only a few days ago.

Many merchant stalls had already closed.

Several wealthy families had left the city entirely.

Large wagons filled with belongings rolled through the streets every hour.

People moved quickly.

Nobody lingered.

Nobody wasted time.

Fear hung over the city like a dark cloud.

Blacksmiths worked day and night forging weapons and repairing armor.

Adventurers moved through the streets in groups.

Temple priests distributed healing potions and emergency supplies.

City guards reinforced defensive positions around the outer walls.

Even ordinary citizens had begun preparing.

Windows were reinforced.

Cellars were stocked with food.

Families gathered together.

Many people prayed.

Others simply waited.

The sounds of hammers striking metal echoed throughout the city.

Everywhere people looked, preparations were underway.

Everyone understood one simple truth.

If Fantom City fell...

There would be nowhere left to run.

Eventually Clara left the guild.

The streets were crowded despite the tension.

She passed exhausted guards carrying supplies.

Merchants arguing over prices.

Adventurers discussing rumors.

Parents holding their children’s hands a little tighter than usual.

As Clara walked through the city, she could feel countless eyes watching her.

Many citizens recognized her.

One of Fantom City’s strongest adventurers.

The woman who would soon lead the adventurer forces.

Some people looked hopeful.

Others looked desperate.

A few looked terrified.

Clara hated all of it.

Expectations were heavy.

Especially during war.

By the time she reached home, the sun had already begun its slow descent.

The familiar sight of her small house finally appeared before her.

For the first time all day, some of the tension left her shoulders.

Home.

No matter what happened outside.

This place still felt safe.

As usual, the moment she stepped through the door—

Two small figures rushed toward her.

"Welcome home Big sis!"

The cheerful voices echoed throughout the house.

A smile almost appeared on Clara’s face.

Almost.

Then she noticed something.

The front door.

Unlocked.

Her expression immediately changed.

"Kary, Nira, what did I tell you about locking the door?"

Clara spoke with a serious tone while glaring at her two little sisters.

The two little girls instantly froze.

The smiles disappeared from their faces.

Their shoulders shrank.

Their eyes widened.

"We’re sorry Big sis!"

The two spoke and bowed in unison.

Clara stared at them for several seconds.

Both girls were trying very hard not to cry.

Kary nervously twisted her fingers together.

Nira bit her lower lip.

The sight made Clara’s anger vanish almost instantly.

She released a tired sigh.

Sometimes it was impossible staying angry at these two.

Stepping forward, she pulled both girls into a hug.

The sisters immediately relaxed.

"It’s alright you two, I was just a bit agitated. The enemy is approaching and I’m not sure what will happen."

The words slipped out more honestly than she intended.

For a brief moment, her exhaustion became visible.

But children saw the world differently.

Nira immediately puffed out her chest.

"Of course big sis will destroy all the monsters!"

Her voice was filled with absolute confidence.

The kind only children possessed.

The kind untouched by reality.

"Yeah, big sis is the strongest!"

Kary declared proudly.

Her eyes practically sparkled.

To them, Clara wasn’t simply their older sister.

She was a hero.

An invincible hero.

The strongest person in the world.

Clara shook her head helplessly.

"You two really have too much faith in me."

"Because you’re amazing!"

Kary answered instantly.

"Exactly!"

Nira nodded vigorously.

The two girls looked completely convinced.

Clara couldn’t help smiling.

Only slightly.

But it was genuine.

She knelt down until she was eye level with them.

"You two, do you remember what I said if you hear the ringing of the bells?"

Both girls immediately straightened.

This wasn’t the first time she had asked.

Over the past few days she had repeated the instructions countless times.

Still.

She needed to hear them say it again.

"We need to lock the door, and head straight to the basement and chant the magic spell you taught us."

The two happily replied.

Clara nodded slowly.

"Good."

"Very good."

Her gaze softened.

Then she gently placed a hand on each of their heads.

"That’s good, you need to do this properly and once you say the magic spell, I want you two to be brave little knights and protect mom. Can you do that for your big sis?"

For the first time, both girls became serious.

Very serious.

They exchanged a glance.

Then nodded together.

"Yes!"

The two little girls smiled as they answered.