"The eclipse came early, I don't know how but it's today," Gellert informed Stefan, destroying the man's mindset.

The leader forgot how to move, how to think positive. His stomach clenched, his lungs stopped breathing for a second, he could feel his whole body trembling and the only feeling left in his mind was fear.

In one second the future disappeared, there was no hope for him anymore, no way out, the end was pushing him to the ground and he didn't know what to do. His mind asked for help, anything would be enough, anything would be better than the present prospect.

During the past weeks, the members of the group did their best to train, the hardest task was to convince everyone to double the training without the real reason coming to light. Still, they couldn't say that they were in perfect shape, they did the best they could. Unfortunately, the last preparations weren't ready.

"What're we going to do?"

"Start the preparations for the battle," Gellert answered without hesitation. "I'll talk with the group we selected so they can help us set out."

"Do we have any info about the traitors?"

"Stella identified two of them, she thinks they could be even more. There's a possibility that at least a quarter of the group will fight on the demons' side today."

Stefan got up from his seat and walked towards the window, from there he had a vision of the training grounds. The number of students had been lowering the past few days, most deserters were trying to find their safety.

"I fear that we're not enough. But there's nothing we can do now. We have to make sure that we're split around the village, every little corner has to be protected."

"You can't be responsible for everyone's life." A new voice joined the conversation.

Genevieve looked at the two friends from the threshold, her right hand was still on the doorknob. She got inside the office and closed the door behind her.

"What am I going to do with your stubborn mind? You better get the idea inside your head, I'm not losing my husband because he's trying to save everyone except himself," she said as she walked in Stefan's direction.

"I'll be fine, I know how to defend myself, but many of the villagers don't have that luxury," the leader answered, extending his hand so his wife could take it. "How're the preparations going in the infirmary?"

"Exactly like we planned, the equipment donated by the Mayor works perfectly."

"And the injured members?" Asked Gellert before taking a seat by the desk.

"Most of them are completely healed, only three members will have to stay in the infirmary during the battle. Agatha was very helpful, with her power we were able to speed up the healing."

"How're she and Lorcan doing after what happened yesterday?" Asked Stefan.

"Lorcan's wounds healed in record time, when I started his treatment he only had superficial cuts around his arms and chest, I assumed that Agatha healed him before they came to me. She's still trying to digest the situation, she's not emotionally stable at the moment, but she'll be alright. They won't leave each other's side, last night Momotaro brought their friend Demir to see them, he decided to stay to help."

"I'm glad to know that they're well," commented the leader. "I'm gonna need those kids in their best condition if I want to step aside."

"You're planning on taking a vacation?" Joked Gellert.

"I wouldn't say a vacation, but I think it is time to hand over my responsibilities to someone else."

"We'll be by your side no matter what you decide." His wife agreed with his statement. "I think you deserve to take a rest. You two made a great job preparing the members to take over."

"Who are the candidates?" Questioned the other man.

"Momotaro has always been my first option, although he's acting strange lately and he refuses to talk about it. On the other side, it's Lorcan, he doesn't have the same authority as Momotaro, but he showed me the last few weeks that he knows how to inspire and guide others, he is a good trainer. Flora could be another great option, but she'll try to kill me if I gave her this kind of responsibility. Either way, we still have to face the demons first."

"One step at a time," said Gellert. "I'll go now, I'll let you know once the preparations are complete."

"And I have injured people to take care of."

The three went in separate ways. Stefan escorted Genevieve to the infirmary before making his way to the backyard. There he observed the last training session.

His mind embarked on a journey through the ocean of his memories. He's always been wary of the past, one wrong step and one could stay forever stuck on an illusion. People tend to let their history define them, always wandering around the same paths, repeating a mediocre loop. Stefan chose to free himself from his past, but sometimes it came back without announcement.

He remembers the first members, how scared and inexperienced they were. He remembered the instant they inaugurated the first headquarters, the smile present on everyone's faces, and the hope they carried as a group.

Their combat skills grew, and the control they had over their power had no comparison with their previous ability. As they got better, the bright light of their eyes turned darker, still, they held their desire of protecting the village.

The leader was forced to abandon his journey when some of the members asked for his help. He spent the next hour collaborating with the training until his tattoo reacted, indicating Gellert's message.

His friend was already waiting for him when he reached his office.

"Stella was right, a quarter of the members are deserters, they ran away, we guess they're already joining the demons for the battle. This is the list." The firefighter informed him, then he handed him the paper. "The rest of the preparations are done, Momotaro, Lorcan, and Bertram are in a position to lead the largest group at the center of the village. We're ready for the next step, there are only twenty minutes left."

"A quarter, that's too many people. I'll send the indications, there's nothing else we can do."

Stefan used his power and informed the members about a demon attack, he redacted different messages for every group. They had arranged the teams without the members knowing, the leader communicated the alerts as he always did, making it look like their usual attack.

The time to say goodbye to his wife had come, he lost himself between her arms as they stood inside her small office. Much to the man's annoyance, they had to break apart.

"Don't do anything stupid," she warned him. Then Genevieve took off her wedding ring and gave it to her husband. "Take it, I want you to look at it when you feel the need to play the martyr."

"You're making it sound like I'll kill myself on purpose."

"You'll do it if that means that everyone else will be safe."

"I'm not that much of a saint."

And with one last kiss, they promised to see each other soon.

His heavy heart sang the saddest song it knew as the leader traveled towards the parish. Two locations were chosen as the main point of defense: the first one was Liberty Park, located at the center of the village; the second one was the parish, located next to the largest neighborhood.

A group of thirty Protectors' members gathered at the entrance of the church, all of them greeted their leader.

A single look at the people present was enough to crush the leader's hope. How were they supposed to stop the demons? His expression remained stoic, still, on the inside, his strength collapsed.

He was about to give up when a new multitude arrived, led by father Zenkin.

"I hope we aren't late," said the priest.

"What are you doing here? you're supposed to be hiding," Stefan questioned him.

"You've been risking your life for us all these months, now is our time to fight. I'm sorry, I couldn't keep my mouth shut. I spoke with my congregation this morning and they decided to help, even some villagers joined the cause. We're ready to die for our people."

Behind him, the people nodded at his words. They held different types of weapons, from guns and knives to spears and pitchforks. The leader recognized some of them from the training session, and others from his day by day at the village.

"It'll be an honor to fight alongside you, your courage is admirable." Stefan accepted the reinforcement. "I won't lie to you, our enemy outnumbers us and has better control of their power, but our reason to fight is stronger. Today we don't fight for ourselves but for our home and for the people we love. All is not lost, today we offer our hearts."

"I hope they find the fucking light," whispered Gellert to his friend after he finished the speech. "If they don't find it and I die, my spirit will torture them for the rest of their lives."

The sunlight was about to vanish, the reign of the shadows grew in size. Soon they'll be consumed by darkness. The leader let out a long breath as he focused on his power, he let the ink form the words of his last message for the members.

"I'll see you again under the moonlight."

This is Stefan's last chapter. I hope you liked it. The end is coming