The Shards of War: Balancing Power

Chapter 64

As the room fell into a thoughtful silence, Calie broke it by asking, "So, what's our next move?"

Matsu leaned back, running a hand through his hair. "Well, Illiyas is under investigation by Lady Emilia. We'll have to wait for the results on that one. And the king is taking some time to prepare mentally for his return."

Blaze chimed in, "But what about us? We just lost half our team for Eclipse Horizons. What do we do now?"

Matsu nodded, acknowledging the weight of the situation. "True, we need to address the gap in our team. We might have to recruit new members, but we need to be cautious. After what happened with Aria and Sunny, we can't afford any more betrayals."

Calie added, "And we still have to keep an eye on Illiyas. If there's an imposter or if he's involved in something shady, we can't let it slide."

Marie, thoughtful as always, suggested, "Maybe it's time to reevaluate our goals and strategies. We've been through a lot, and we need to ensure we're on the right path."

Blaze nodded in agreement. "Agreed. We've faced numerous challenges, and each time, we've come out stronger. We should use this time to regroup, strengthen our bonds, and be prepared for whatever comes our way."

As they discussed their next steps, the realization dawned on them that adversity had only made them more resilient. The uncertainties ahead were numerous, but with a united front, the New Thunderbeak Platoon was ready to face whatever challenges awaited them.

Then Matsu says that they shouldn't recruit new teammates yet, or for a while. Matsu's proposal hung in the air, prompting a thoughtful pause among the team. Blaze, with a furrowed brow, asked, "So, you're suggesting we put Eclipse Horizons on hold? But why?"

Matsu leaned forward, his gaze fixed on the floor as he spoke, "Think about it. Why did we form Eclipse Horizons in the first place? To reach for a new goal, to become the number one ranked team. But then I started wondering, why do we even want to be the best? We've already been at the top. What's next after being the best?"

Blaze nodded in understanding, realizing the depth of his words. "So, you're saying we should focus on something more meaningful, not just chasing after rankings?"

Matsu looked up, meeting her eyes. "Exactly. Eclipse Horizons should be just you and me. We already command a lot of authority and respect as the top two ranks. Instead of trying to be the best, let's use that influence to make a difference in the community. We can do more good by helping others, not just trying to impress the ranking system. We've proven ourselves. The only ones we should be aiming to impress are ourselves."

Blaze considered his words, and after a moment of contemplation, she nodded. "You're right, Matsu. Let's shift our focus to making a positive impact. We've got the skills and the influence. It's time to use them for the greater good."

The decision marked a new chapter for the New Thunderbeak Platoon, where their strength and authority would be directed towards improving the world around them rather than simply competing for the top spot.

Calie and Marie exchanged a glance, and Calie spoke up, "Matsu's right. We've already been through a lot, especially with Aria and Exander. Trying to find replacements just doesn't feel right, and honestly, Eclipse Horizons was about us reaching for a goal together. If it's just going to be the two of you leading the charge, we can still make waves in the community."

Marie chimed in, "Yeah, and we've got our own paths too. We're idols, and we can use our platform to support the community in different ways. It's not about the rankings for us. We want to make a positive impact where it matters."