When Dawn meets Dusk

Chapter 3 - Skepticism Amid Shadows

In the dimly lit halls of Calvaria Fortress, a sharp chill hung in the air as Cheryl, the elegant yet cold reaper demoness, made her way toward the Overlord’s chambers. Her black dress fluttered lightly as she moved, her expression unreadable but her mind filled with questions. Following closely behind her was Ezyati, disguised as a small sea dragon, her wide eyes watching every corner of the dark fortress. Ezyati clung to Cheryl’s side, as she always did, finding comfort in her presence.

They reached the heavy wooden doors that led to Brendan’s quarters, and with a flick of her wrist, Cheryl knocked. The silence stretched until a voice from within responded.

“Enter.”

Cheryl pushed the door open, stepping into the room where Brendan sat, his gaze fixed on the maps and documents sprawled across his desk. His concentration was intense, but he glanced up when Cheryl entered, his expression softening slightly in acknowledgment of her presence. However, his eyes flickered with curiosity when they landed on Ezyati.

“Cheryl,” Brendan greeted, his voice calm but commanding. “I assume you’ve heard of our next move.”

“I have,” Cheryl responded, her voice smooth but with an underlying edge. She stepped closer to the desk, her movements graceful yet deliberate. “But I’m not convinced this is the right course of action.”

Brendan raised an eyebrow. “You doubt the plan?”

“I doubt its effectiveness,” Cheryl replied bluntly, her crimson eyes locking onto Brendan’s. “You plan to toy with the Imperial Feathers, leading them into a trap, but you’re underestimating Hebe. She’s not someone who can be easily manipulated.”

Brendan leaned back in his chair, folding his arms as he considered her words. “Hebe’s strength lies in her discipline, but even the strongest will falter when faced with uncertainty.”

“Perhaps,” Cheryl said, her tone measured. “But Hebe’s discipline is also what makes her dangerous. If you push her too far, she won’t break—she’ll fight harder. She’s prepared for deception, and your strategy hinges on her falling for it.”

Standing beside Cheryl, Ezyati shifted uncomfortably, sensing the tension in the room. She tugged gently at Cheryl’s sleeve, her small voice barely audible. “Mother, is this a bad plan?”

Cheryl glanced down at Ezyati, her expression softening for a brief moment. “It’s not about whether it’s good or bad, dear. It’s about whether it will work.”

Brendan’s eyes narrowed at the exchange, but he said nothing, his gaze lingering on the bond between Cheryl and Ezyati. He had always found it strange that the small sea dragon was so attached to Cheryl, but he had never questioned it. Cheryl’s loyalty was unquestionable, and that was all that mattered to him.

“I understand your concerns, Cheryl,” Brendan said finally, his voice calm but firm. “But the Abyss Seekers have thrived because we anticipate every move of our enemies. Hebe may be strong, but she is not invincible. The plan will work.”

Cheryl’s eyes flickered with skepticism, but she remained silent for a moment, weighing her next words carefully. She had always been cautious around Brendan, knowing that the Overlord did not tolerate dissent easily. Still, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something about this strategy was flawed.

“You’re playing a dangerous game, Brendan,” Cheryl said, her voice soft but pointed. “And games like this often come with a high price. If Hebe senses that something is amiss, she’ll strike before you have a chance to act. You risk losing everything.”

Brendan’s expression hardened slightly, but he kept his composure. “I appreciate your candor, Cheryl. But I trust in my strategies, and I trust in the abilities of my officers. Chew and Zarif are already in position, and when the time comes, the Imperial Feathers will fall into our hands.”

Cheryl tilted her head slightly, her cold gaze unwavering. “Very well. But if this plan fails, it won’t be Hebe’s fault. It will be yours.”

Brendan’s jaw tightened, though he said nothing. Cheryl had always been direct, even with him, but her words held weight. He knew she wasn’t speaking from a place of disloyalty—rather, she was concerned about the consequences of his actions. But Brendan was not one to second-guess himself, not after the countless battles he had won through careful planning.

Ezyati looked up at Cheryl, her eyes wide with worry. “Will everything be okay, Mother?”

Cheryl knelt down to Ezyati’s level, her expression softening again as she gently placed a hand on the sea dragon’s head. “We’ll make sure of it, little one. Don’t worry.”

Ezyati leaned into Cheryl’s touch, comforted by her motherly warmth despite the coldness of the fortress around them. Cheryl had always been a pillar of strength for her, and in return, Ezyati trusted her implicitly, even in the face of uncertainty.

Brendan watched the interaction in silence, his curiosity piqued once more. He had always wondered about the nature of Cheryl’s bond with Ezyati, but he had never pried. It was rare to see Cheryl show such tenderness, especially for someone as seemingly insignificant as the small sea dragon.

“I’ll leave you to your plans, then,” Cheryl said, rising to her feet once more. “But remember what I’ve said. This war is far from over, and underestimating your enemies is the quickest way to lose.”

Brendan gave a curt nod, though his mind was already returning to the details of his strategy. Cheryl had planted seeds of doubt, but he would not allow them to take root. The Abyss Seekers had come too far to falter now.

As Cheryl and Ezyati left the room, the air outside the Overlord’s chambers felt heavier. Cheryl’s doubts still lingered in her mind, but she knew that voicing them further would be pointless. Brendan was stubborn, and while he respected her insight, he would not change his plans unless forced to.

Walking down the cold corridors, Cheryl glanced down at Ezyati, who looked up at her with innocent eyes.

“Will he listen to you?” Ezyati asked softly.

Cheryl’s lips curved into a faint smile, though there was a hint of sadness in it. “He may not, dear. But I’ll make sure we stay safe, no matter what.”

Ezyati nodded, trusting her implicitly. She had always felt protected by Cheryl, no matter the circumstances. They had been through much together, and though Ezyati didn’t fully understand the complexities of the war, she knew that Cheryl would always keep her safe.

As they walked through the shadowed halls, Cheryl couldn’t help but think about the inevitable storm brewing on the horizon. Doubts filled her mind, but one thing was certain: when the time came, she would protect Ezyati at all costs, even if it meant going against the Overlord himself.

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As the door closed behind Cheryl and Ezyati, Brendan remained seated, staring at the maps on his desk, but his thoughts were elsewhere. Cheryl's words echoed in his mind, her warning about the danger of underestimating Hebe resonating more than he cared to admit. He was struck by her unwavering skepticism, the way she had questioned him so boldly without fear. It gnawed at him, planting a small seed of doubt despite his confidence. Brendan prided himself on his ability to outmaneuver his enemies, yet Cheryl's calm yet cutting words had left an impression. For the first time in a long while, he wondered if his meticulous strategy might have overlooked something crucial.