Shortly, it was late afternoon. As the guests had excused themselves, Almeria's regular environment came back to normal.
Knights Training Base
Elix swiftly swung his sword in an upward motion, conjuring a tornado-like projectile that surged with immense force aimed straight at Enya. "Take this!" he exclaimed. The tornado swirled with a furious and relentless power.
"Hmph, not enough." Enya responded with a confident smirk. Taking advantage, she performed a flip. Ensuring her sword, enveloped in blazing orange flames, found its mark, she swiftly raised it, initiating a rapid flurry of strikes in all directions.
The air crackled with fiery energy as the tornado projectile was deftly dodged, rendering it useless in the end. Elix furrowed his brows in disbelief, "Ha!?" he exclaimed.
Blocking Enya's strikes, he grumbled, "...No."
Seizing an opening, Elix swung his sword from below in a rising uppercut amidst Enya's strikes. However, Enya's agility allowed her to taunt, "It's useless."
In the blink of an eye, she bent low, performing a swift twirl. Elix, once more smashed his sword below at that very instant however, with a back-flip intead, Enya countered with a midair overhead kick aimed at Elix's chest, which successfully connected.
Elix was pushed back with force, colliding with the ground and panting for breath.
Descending back to the ground, Enya placed her hand on her waist, gazing at Elix while twirling her sword. "Is that all?" she inquired confidently.
The surrounding cavaliers erupted in cheers at the end of their training duel.
Elix sat up, looking disheveled. He pouted, clutching his sword and glancing below, "I can't believe it! You! You are so cunning. You read my every move." he complained.
Enya giggled, amused, "Oh? Not really. You were too predictable, that's all. But you are quite agile. Almost had me in real trouble," she responded.
Elix clicked his tongue, moaning, "Tch, you cheated."
Enya's eyes widened in mock surprise, nodding ironically, "Oh, really? 'The winner cheated ~' That's what losers always say," she retorted.
Elix puffed his cheeks, looking away in a huff.
"But. Well. That was fun...let's do it again for training sometime..." Enya suggested while offering her hand with a pleased smile. Elix looked at it for a moment, rolling his eyes like a stubborn child. Unable to resist, he took her hand and stood up, still wearing a cross expression.
Enya chuckled at his sight.
Elix sighed in frustration, scratching his head. "Ah- No way~ I am doomed. Leader Deion would just fire me. Now he won't even recognize me as a member of his squad. I am so pathetic. I can already feel it. The humiliation!"
Enya dabbed his back, reassuringly and said, "Of course not. You aren't pathetic. And, why do you fear Leader Deion so much? He isn't that bad. And even if he does say something to you, I'll see to it. How's that?"
Elix glanced at her for a moment before cracking a sarcastic smile. "Nope. Says a certain someone who just won." he mocked. Enya chuckled hard, "Come on, just stop it. Why are you being so cross with me?" she asked, uncapping a water bottle.
General Void approached them, catching Elix's attention. He turned around and gasped, "Oh, it's General Void!" Enya, in the middle of drinking water, blinked and turned to face him.
With brisk strides, General Void stepped over, halting before Enya. "There is something I shall inform you, Enya." he spoke. Enya furrowed her brows and replied, "Yes, go ahead."
"It appears that you've been assigned another night duty for tonight, as indicated in the schedule by Commander Roy," General Void responded, handing her a parchment.
Enya's jaw almost dropped as she stared at the parchment, her expression frozen. Flinching slightly, she clasped the parchments inspecting closely.
"What? Again night duty?" Enya questioned, with her voice cracking. General Void nodded, stoic, "Yes. Is there an issue? You are charged for a shift instead of the Imperial knight 'Luke'. He is currently one of the escort knights with the second-rank commander for the departure of guests."
As they both strolled to the side and halted,
Enya furrowed her brows and crossed her arms, reluctantly saying, "Fine."
"If you get upset and tired so early, how will you handle responsibilities in the future?" General Void asked, his eyes fixed on her.
Enya shook her head, rubbing her neck, "No, it's not that. It's just... It's quite wierd and I am tired..." she admitted lousily. General Void exhaled speechless, "...As a Knight, endure it. No matter how many responsibilities you face. Endure. That is the privilege of a knight."
Enya sighed in defeat, "Ah, not with that again... Alright. Alright," she replied, her gaze distant.
General Void squinted his eyes, adding, "Also, what about your training for tomorrow's duel?"
Enya replied with a convincing smile, "Don't worry, everything is well in hand."
General Void acknowledged her answer with a nod. "That's reassuring."
Enya's gaze wandered around her surroundings briefly, studying General Void for a moment, "If I may ask, General Void." She smirked and began, her voice steady, "How can you see the potential in me holding a position? I mean, I am just an odd one out among everyone here, after all...So, it piques my curiosity, you see."
__
In the midst of a seemingly endless expanse of darkness, appeared the cracks of a deep
Within the peaceful darkness, Noah's heart pounded as he stood alone in the midst of an endless forest, the towering trees shrouding the air in an eerie mist. The air grew thick and oppressive, making every breath a struggle. Each exhale felt hard to take as panic welled up within him.
As he stumbled through the forest, he heard faint, ghostly whispers all around. With shudders, he seemed to call for help, but his voice was much less, a faint wheezing whisper.
Suddenly, the forest floor gave way beneath him, and he plunged into a pit of darkness.
In the depths, he was confronted by monstrous shadowy creature. Its eyes gleamed with malevolance, and its skeletal finger stretched out, pointing directly at him. Noah's heart raced, and he gasped for the air, but there came no relief.
The creature's voice echoed in the oppressive air, a sinister hiss filled Noah's ears, with a taunt, "You are a weakling!" It's voice like a chilling wind, it continued, "You can never escape your own frailty and weakness!"
Desperation clawed at Noah as he struggled to breathe, his chest tightening further. He reached out for help, but his limbs felt heavy and unresponsive.
Just as the darkness threatened to consume him entirely, Noah's eyes snapped open.
_ _
With a gasp, Noah suddenly found himself back in his room, bathed in the gentle pale blue light of early evening. His heart raced, and his chest felt as if a heavy weight pressed upon it, but he was no longer trapped in the nightmare. He clasped his chest, desperately taking deep breaths with sweat, as the memory of the terrifying dream was on his mind, "...It was too real to be a dream."
"...Sister."
Ameren in the meanwhile, continued with her long herbalist duty, for she had taken a day off before, she was busy. Noah, preffered not to disturb her.
Noah gently hopped down from his bed, his legs feeling unsteady as weakness coursed through him. Stepping forward, he turned the doorknob and stepped outside, greeted by the crisp, fresh air.
Silently, he settled onto a nearby bench, his small legs dangling off the side. He closed his eyes and tilted his head upward, taking a deep breath of the invigorating air,
"Why...me?"
"What is...this life?"
"I wish for freedom..."
"Yet, aren't I just a burden?"
"What should I do? No...How should...I live?"
These questions came up every now and then, persistently tugging at Noah's mind, refusing to be hidden no matter how much Ameren or Enya tried to cover his thoughts. It seemed inevitable, really. After all, one could hardly blame the little boy for pondering these matters when he had spent his life taking existence for granted, viewing it as more of a burden than a blessing.
__
On the contrary, General Void stood before Enya, his tone solemn as he spoke, "You know what your father used to say, Enya. Whenever you have a goal and target to achieve in your mind, fear nothing but its consequences. Fear not the hurdles, the troubles, hardships, or whatever that comes your way. Just make sure to think twice, it's consequences."
Enya, attentively absorbed his words as he continued, "You've always been a resilient soul. From a young age, you worked tirelessly in the village, serving others without any clear path ahead of you. It was unexpected— but life has its own reasons, and perhaps this is why you are here today. Even if different from all, it matters not to me. So, as you've always done, don't feel conflicted."
Enya flashed a knowing smile as General Void further added, "Do you remember the young girl who once said, 'I stand for who I am. This is my identity. One should never be weakened by their own self. So what if I am not as robust as a man? I will never let my femininity become my weakness.'?'" He recalled Enya's past words.
Enya grinned wider, pushing her hair back confidently. "Not bad, you do remember, huh? Well, that's true," she asserted.
General Void nodded, adding, "So, embrace that knowledge and seize every opportunity, no matter how small."
"Mm. After all, what does being female matter? I'll do everything while considering this fact!" Enya declared with her usual determination. "Rest assured, General Void. You were the one who gave me a chance to step into this world, right? I'll make your name one of honor. Just leave it all to me. Whether it's becoming an Imperial Knight or even the Grand Chief Commander, I'll claim it all. Let's see who dares to stop me!" She claimed ardently, her hand gripping her sword. "I'm off to the library," she added before leaving.
General Void watched her leave, with an assured grin, "You have always been unique in such way...to not fall prey to the expectation that if you are empowered, outspoken, and fearless, you have to let go of your feminine side." he contemplated with pride. "I have already placed my trust in your capable hands. Show me what you are truly capable of, Enya Verne,"