Zuno cursed and cursed again. The last place he wanted to be was at that forest. He walked across the forest again and met the shadow summoners.

"What the hell is it now? Have I done something wrong?" Zuno asked in a one tone voice.

"Ha ha ha, nothing is wrong young Zuno. We didn't summon you here. Honestly, we did not expect you here. How odd." One giggled.
So Zuno and the summoners just stood there, staring at each other. After a while, Two took out an orb and handed it over to Zuno.

"What's this?" He asked.

"Merely an ordinary orb, nothing special." Two said as he laughed devilishly.

"Beware Zuno, you still have time to go. Do not let the shadows consume you before the time ends. Talk to them, they understand." Three warned.

Before Zuno could reply, he woke up. He was back in Floran City. He was tied to his bed. Arya was sitting near the bed, staring at him.

"What happened?" Zuno asked as he tried to free himself.

"You weren't yourself back then. You did a terrible thing. Do you remember any of it?" Arya asked as she leaned forward to Zuno.

"Ehm no, the last thing I know was me fighting Ulric. But then I got knocked out when he sucked my powers." Zuno replied in confusion. "Can you untie me?"

Arya untied Zuno and gave him some water. The people now are scared of him, scared of what he can do. But some cheered him for doing those things. Zuno took out the orb that the summoners gave him from his right pocket.
"What is it?" Arya asked.

"Its something they---I found during the last fight." Zuno answered. He didn't want Arya to know about the deal and about the dead summoners that he could talk to. He didn't want any more information about them to be told to anyone. Its bad enough that he has a burden to finish the war within the time limit, he now holds an orb that looks more than ordinary. It was a white orb but was glowing with dark aura. He knew it must be something related to the shadows that he can control.

"How did the ambush end?" Zuno tried to change the topic.

"Many died, but we managed to end them all. With you killing Ulric in such manner, his people immediately surrendered." Arya answered in a sad tone.

Zyx came in and said that Grim wants to see Zuno. So Zuno went to the city hall. There, everyone looked at him. He could hear the people talking about him, but he ignored them and headed straight to see Grim. She was sitting on the main chair in the room with her legs folded.

"So Zuno, how are you feeling? We have plenty to discuss. Come sit." Grim welcomed.
Zuno sat down and said, "Better, a lot better. Listen Grim, whatever happened back there, whatever I did. It was not me, it was the shadows. They took over me as I passed out, I don't know anything."

"I know it wasn't you, everyone knows it wasn't you. That's what scares them. They---we fear that the shadows might take over you and kill us all." Grim made clear.

Zuno didn't want to say this but he knew he had to in order for the people to trust him again. "I can assure you that it won't happen again. I...ehm, met the previous shadow summoners. We made a deal about using the shadows' powers. I was given 2 years to live but with full powers of the shadows. Then now I received an orb from them, which is meant to control the shadows even further. I am in control. I can assure you." Zuno shyly explained. He felt it was necessary to tell them to gain their trust back.

"When was this deal made? I see now, very well. We shall inform the people about your deal with the shadow summoners and that they should not fear you anymore. But tell me Zuno, what will happen after two years of the agreement?" Grim replied in a calm manner while the rest were shocked and at the same time in awe.

"Approximately one year ago, the deal was made. So yeah, I have a bit of a year left. After two years, well.... I disappear into the darkness and the shadows will take over me. But I have a plan to deal with that. Thank you." Zuno answered with a forced smile.

"Alright, with that settled. Let us focus on the invasion of Ravenrock Kingdom. The rebels and Andeena will be marching together towards their kingdom. We will liberate the cities and villages of the land without borders first. Then we march towards their capital and make them surrender, if not, destroy them all. I have summoned our bravest warriors and requested them to give a saying in making our strategy on attacking Ravenrock." Zyx announced.

After the ambush at the capital of Andeena. The royal highnesses are now more committed in ending the war and had issued an immediate order for the invasion of Ravenrock to end the war that has been going on for far too long. They have devised a plan and will advance later after the rebels had retaken their cities. The rebels task now was how to retake the cities without destroying them. Ravenrock has supperior firepower after all, they alone can annihilate the entire realm. The Andeenan will assist in retaking of the cities but their main forces will advance only after all the rebels cities had been taken back, to avoid killing friendlies. It was imminent that the biggest battle of all was about to start.

As they were talking about strategies, Princess Selena came to Floran City with an army behind her. She and her people wanted to avenge their fallen king and families. Selena had managed to gather all of the remaining Levenhood people and have them follow her into battle to reclaim the true honor of a Levenhood. She had an army of 2000 men and women. It was not large, but enough to take on cities. The rebels themselves are now 50.000 people strong and are more than prepared to battle. The Andeenan Kingdom had the power of 100.000 men and women. They all must face the now mighty Ravenrock Kingdom which had 200.000 musketeers.

After the meeting, Arya went outside of the city and sat down by the hill. She felt disbelief as for what Zuno had said earlier about only having 2 years of life left. Selena came to her and also sat on the grassy hill. The wind blew their hairs and the moon shune upon them.

"Scary. Feeling afraid. Confused. That is what you are feeling now. I know that Zuno and you have travelled far together and it must be hard to hear him say those. But he is doing it for us, for you. So that we can live in a peaceful realm where there is no war or hate. He knows he is doing the right thing, but he isn't sure if the people know what he is doing. You, of all, must be by his side supporting him no matter what. Don't let feelings cloud your judgement. Prove to the people that Zuno is a good men and has a righteous cause." Selena advised.
Tears came raining down from Arya's eyes and she placed her head on Selena's lap.

From afar, Zuno could be seen approaching them but he stopped and realized it is not the right time. Instead he watched them from distance while staring at the starry night, smiling.