'At Midnight'
Enya stretched her back sitting on a bench at the Imperial Garden. Sighing twice she whispered to herself, "And here I go. Another long day... Jeez. "
"By the way, I should have atleast asked the location of that bridge. Now what should I do?" Enya regretted cross at herself. "It is pointless to go home now. I guess I should practice until midnight." she decided soon leaving.
Knights Training Base
"General Void! Can I train here at your spot until midnight." requested Enya eagerly.
"...Sure. But there might be cavaliers charged for night duty. Try not to get involved with them." he told. Enya nodded, "Sure thing." General Void smiled, "What is it? What did the Emperor say?" Enya beamed while telling him all the details.
After a lengthy while of training, Enya panted, "Huff. Huff." Sweat dripping from her forehead she took deepbreaths. Soon, the clock tower's clock struck 12.
While drinking water, she glanced at it and coughed, "Cough cough. Ah. It is midnight!?"
"What was the name of the bridge again? No was it even a bridge in the first place?" Enya whispered troubled of the locations as she was not a resident here for long. "Ah. It's the Evelyn Bridge." she recalled in relief. Soon, keeping her hands on her waist, Enya looked right to left, "Now where is this place? Silly me. I didn't even ask General Void."
Spotting two cavaliers walking past her, she asked, "Hey, brother listen. Do you know where the Evelyn Bridge is located?" The cavaliers nodded, "It is quite far from here. First turn left and cross the lane to the route of the Imperial Palace. Then you would find an opening of the bridge, parallel to it. Once you cross the road you would reach there." one of them guided. Enya nodded, "Okay." she replied while leaving.
"Well if you say, shall I take you there?" the other cavalier offered. Enya halting amid her steps, looked at him with twits on her head, "Why? Are you my aunt's son?" she retorted displeased, walking away, "Hmph. What do they think of themselves. Talk to them once and they get free. What an annoying day." she mumbled rolling her eyes. The two cavaliers eyed one another complexly.
Crossing the lane, she panted. "Now what is the problem with my feet? This way I will never reach there. But is it my fault? I am too tired to walk. No. You are not capable of becoming a cavalier Enya." she told taunting herself in disbelief.
Seeing an old man loading his wagon with wodden materials, Enya headed forward, "Uh sir. Can you give me a ride?"
With finally things at her favour, she laid on a seat alongside stacks of wood.
Seven minutes later:
"Oh. My dear sir. Don't you feed your horse? He isn't even trying to run. Or is he suffering with night blindness? I would have literally reached there on foot by now." Enya complained sitting up. She looked aside to find commoners walking past the wagon, "That's it. This is the limit. Even walking people are ahead of us? Atleast speed up a bit."
"You have so many problems, child. How about you go on foot? So ungrateful although I am giving you a free ride." The old man suggested, "Me and my poor horse are old. Maybe I should really retire."
Enya with a sudden sense of guilt added clarifying, "Oh dear sir. Why do you take it to heart. I promise. I would prepare a better ride for you once I become prominent. Yes." The old man beamed, "Really? A better ride?" Enya nodded, "Yes. But for now I am running late so speed up."
"Alright." the man approved and soon the horse's speed indeed sped up. Enya smiled with a tear in her eyes, "Yes. That's the spirit."
Soon, Enya reached the Evelyn Bridge. Hopping down, she faced the old man, "Here is all I have." she gave two silver coins (that were for external use only). The old man patted her head, "Live long, child." he prayed taking the coins.
Enya curved around, "Now then. Where is he?" she held stepping on the bridge. Unable to spot him, Enya made pointless assumptions, "What if I am so late that he left?" Covering her mouth with her hand, she yelped, "And what if. Don't tell me that the soveriegn of darkness is darkness himself?" And that was the most foolish assumption she had made.
"Hey! Are you there, dar-" Enya turned around calling as she halted. Her gaze was locked ahead, her vision captivated by the sight. Tranquilly, silver petals drifted gracefully around the bridge.
At the midst of midnight, a silhouette tall and slender gazed ahead, stepping onto the exquisite bridge with tranquil steps. The breeze was nonchalant. His lengthy black hairs glinted silver, wafting around him like black smoke, half platted dangling down to his feet. Shimmering petals of sterling rose glided around him, suspended in the air, in constant graceful motion.
Clad in a long robe that blended black and magohany, adorned with delicate silver embroidery, a gown cascaded gracefully down his shoulders. He raised his chin, eyeing Enya, his gaze a deep marroon red. His right eye remained veiled beneath his hair, adding to his enigmatic allure. A complexion, pale as snow, held an almost otherworldly essence over the contrasting dark makeover.
Enya, unable to grasp a look at him properly due to the obscurity of night, still stood in a gape.
"...I will be your opponent." the figure spoke apathetic. His voice low, soft and reserved.
Enya wih a slight jolt blinked her eyes coming back to reality, "...?" she shuddered with chills however clenched her sword firmly and bowed facing him, "Let's go on with it, Lord Arawn Vladimir." She spoke furrowing her brows, with a light smirk.
Arawn closed his eyes, "Very well then..." he responded and swiftly raised his left arm taking a stance. Enya unsheathed her sword from the sheath and got ready.
Dashing forward with teleportation, much too swiftly, Arawn approached her at once. Enya too instantly lunged forward, directing a low horizontal slash however, Arawn bending dissapeared, zooming out from behind, he swiftly smacked his foot upon hers. At once he twirled around to knock his palm simultaneously. As a rushdown fighter, he zoomed onwards to close the distance between him and Enya repeating his attacks several times.
Enya alerted by the level of speed, which was much faster than lightening, curved around with a slight leap and slashed the blade right to left while Arawn swinged his arm across his body, stepping back in a blink of an eye. "Hm. Not bad." remarked Enya while grinning, "He's quick." she held.
Without a moment of delay, Arawn stepped forth stricking Enya with a palm strike. Enya immediately defended herself. "His strength….is not bad either." She thought gazing at him. Instantly getting stuck from the opposite direction and getting her defense weakened, Enya leaped flipping back to attack.
Curving around to strike, her blade was already inflicted repelling back, "What the? Is he a ghost or something?" contemplated Enya awed by his quick movements.
To her suprise, Arawn stood motionless. His back facing her as he eyed Enya from the corner of his eye. Enya blinked her eyes, "How could he? I did not sense him using an ability though..." she wondered grabbing her sword and rapidly slashing it just to get evaded again.
Enya glared grim and reversed. Swinging her sword from above, she diagonally stroke it, luminous flames covering it entirely. Arawn raised his palm, pushing her back gently, he curved around avoiding the attack. Enya halted generally stunning for a moment.
"Petty tricks are useless..." Arawn whispered, striking. Enya regaining her balance touched her forehead, clasping the sword back. "I haven't had this much fun...in a long time!" she exclaimed with a sly grin. Swinging her sword in her hands she took deep breaths, "Ah, my head feels like it's... triggered." she held sheilding herself, however couldn't.
Enya panted bruised as suddenly liberated flames surrounded Arawn completely.
"Naive." Arawn commented closing his eyes, his expression unhinged. Thrushting his foot on to the ground, Enya observed him serious. A bump formed beneath her causing her to topple, "Wha-" she uttered disbalancing. Arawn appearing behind her smirked lightly. Enya furrowing her gaze maintained her balance facing him. She struck her sword forward horizontally in a middle blow twice. Defended by his palm once more, Enya clicked her tougue.
Suddenly judging his range of attacks repetition, Enya squinted her gaze, "You know. It is pointless to duel when your mind is elsewhere." she muttered sensing his lack of interest.
Arawn eyed her wordless, his expression hidden. Enya attacked and knocked using her elemental ability in various ways getting the same outcome. However she couldn't let herself down and fought to stay par with his speed, which was not easy, "Hmm...It is true... that I am weak..." she whispered cracking a wry smile.
Swinging her sword of crystal ice this time, she aimed it towards his arm vertically. Arawn bent low. With a low twirl, he knocked her arm. A sudden blast took place, causing the surrounds to seem unclear for a moment.
After a while as things got vivid, Enya could feel her own sword directed towards her throat, accompanied by wounds, while she struggled to catch her breath.
...
"Wow. JUST WOW. My own sword abandoned me." Enya spoke with a dotted expression. Arawn stepping aside tossed it back at her. Enya clasped it, "All his movements are so rapid that I don't even sense him moving? Well... He is leagues ahead of me... I must admit." she thought twitching her brows slightly.
"Well. It seems I lost." she moaned sighing.
"Quite a learning experience. Let's do it again next time," Enya confident spoke waving her hand.
Suddenly, Enya's lips quirked up. Whirling her sword, she struck it once more aiming it vertically on his neck.
Arawn raised his palm, deflecting her strike back yet effortlessly. Enya pushed back, fell on the ground. Soon standing up with a sigh. Arawn eyed her back unfazed.
"...And make sure that you put your heart into it then!" Enya stated eyeing him with a usual grin.
"Your win, it is settled." Enya cackled with a snap of her fingers. Crystals of ice floated in midair alongside the silver petals. "Atleast I can show off a bit." she panted yet stated blatant.
Arawn directed his gaze below. Enya turned around, "It's late. Oh dear. I'm out of here." she whispered stepping forward.
Arawn positioned behind her, remained motionless. His figure was much taller than her. Although his face was yet unseen, Arawn tilted his head aside, "Pardon my rudeness," he silently held, clasping her hair strand lightly as she left. Enya could feel as if her wounds gradually faded.
Arawn withdrew his hand back swiftly. Enya troubled looked back. Silver petals hovered all around. "Huh?" Enya reacted clueless seeing nothing eerie.
Because to her surprise, Arawn strode forth towards the Evelyn Bridge. With a halt, he eyed Enya impassive, from the corner of his eye, "...Perhaps, I am not one to talk but your strength indeed shows some doubt." he spoke stepping onwards. His hairs wafted with the breeze. Enya heard him smiling complexed soon departing.
"…I have met the requirements at hand." Arawn lifted his head apathetic once again, strolling across the bridge under the luminous full moon's reflection.
"What a strange person?" Enya thought, placing her fingers on her chin, still confused. "But I lost~ To think that, I still have a long long way to go. After all the 1st ranked cheif commander is who I aim to be." moaned Enya depressed yet pumped up at the same time.
"Murderous. Terrifying. Darkness. Ghost? Doesn't seem like that entirely though. He seemed indulged into something else...I thought that I would meet a villain. People really do exaggerate a lot." She wondered shoving her hairs back. Suddenly eyeing herself, she flinched, "What the? I was wounded? Wasn't I?" she thought inspecting.
"Ehhh??" Thought Enya befuddled rushing towards her home.
The Imperial Palace
"Hm! I knew that impudent would be a fine choice...to have her reveal the elemental ability...is a good motive. But it seems. Only two are dominant." spoke the Emperor solemn. "Besides controlling all four elements would be a milestone. She has a unique personality and is abundant with dedication as well. I cannot deny, she has piqued my interest." declared the Empress.
"I will have a conversation with him tomorrow and then decide about providing her the amulet but she still has to improve a lot." stated the Emperor serious. "Mm." the Empress concurred.
Entering a narrow lane, Enya reached her home. She curved around to find a medical and herbal shop behind. As she approached near it, a girl arranging her wares and hanging a closed note to her shop's door, grabbed a letter reading it silent. Her wood brown hairs were tied back in a pony tail with a pair of lemon green eyes sparkling.
Enya sneakily bent reaching the store and suddenly rose up snatching the letter from the girl's hands.
"Dear, Ameren~ Prettier than the sparkling moon in the sky and unique. I am unable to portray you words through this letter. With your beautiful wishes I- trashy douchebag!" Enya, with one hand on her waist, read in expressions soon cursing.
Ameren eyed her startled, "He did not curse me. Why are you saying so?" she asked. "He was just telling me his success..." she smiled clasping her own hands.
Enya smiled sarcastically, "Hmm.. Words do tell me its some loafer. It cannot be someone of our current residence I know. Which means, I should keep an eye on all those village boys around." Enya spoke concerned, nodding.
"Well. It is from the kid that teased us in childhood. He tells me he has become a doctor now." Ameren explained further. Enya smacked the letter on the counter stating, "I knew it!"
"But using such wordings..." Ameren realised biting her lip.
Enya retorted facing her, "Don't worry. Once I come into power. I will set a law for such toying men. They are very persistent." Ameren blinked her eyes.
"If you say, I will go beat him so bad he won't remember you again."
"No. Enya you will not. Leave it." Ameren responded. "Why? Why can't I?" Enya questioned furrowing her gaze vexed. Ameren sighed curving around, "It is pointless."
Gritting her teeth Enya gazed at the letter soon snapping, "The heck!" "I will go and show this to his mother then he would know how unique we are. I should also take some battlers with me. I won't spare him."
"Are you out of your mind Enya? You will defame me in the entire neighbourhood." Ameren reacted troubled facing her abruptly, "... But still...To think he remains a thug since childhood...and still toying with our feelings..." she continued with a sob realising again.
Enya eyeing her in worry tried to cosole her, nodding, "He made Ameren cry right? I will not spare him." she spoke pledging, with a flaring aura of temper.
"Forget it. Why did you come so late, Enya?" Ameren asked changing the topic. Enya still vexed replied, "I had a duel. So it took me long." Ameren heard her as she continued, "And what makes me annoyed is that I lost. And I couldn't even attack him once." she spoke with a pout. Ameren patted her head, "Who was it who made you so annoyed?" she asked.
Enya eyed her answering, "Who was he again? Oh. The second prince." she answered smirking lightly, "Well I really do think that this bad memory of mine would dig my grave some day." she commented with a dotted expression.
Ameren eyed her, "What? T-he second prince?" she questioned in panic, shuddering. Enya eyed her, "Why are you so panicked? He isn't a monster." she clarified. Ameren blinked her eyes nodding, "...Haha...Well you seem to be intrigued nonetheless." she whispered complexly.
"Maybe..." Enya answered.
"Come let's go.You haven't eaten anything right?" Ameren asked Enya who nodded innocently. Ameren chuckled. "I want to see Noah." Enya spoke. Ameren replied, "He's asleep. I gave him soup to drink since he was tired of porridge."
Enya dismayed held, "How useless I am...I can't even do anything..." she clutched her fists tight.
"Though he was very happy for your achievements." Ameren added noticing her. Enya looked below, "Thank you...Ameren." Ameren gazed at her, "What is with such a tense look suddenly? It's fine. I just said that he's resting. That's all." she continued. "I mean it." Enya repeated. Ameren smiled, "Your welcome, then."
"Let's go inside." Enya spoke entering her home while Ameren nodded, "Sure."