Valda could no longer debate her freedom with this man. He was obviously a creature of the shadows, a fox with teeth sharper than a blade.
The last thing she would bring herself to do was infuriate him, and the knife he tossed her way was merely a warning, a sign, and she had learned—she would never make the same mistake twice ever again.
"Does this mean I can leave?" Valda wanted to confirm her exit, but he just arched an eyebrow and said nothing. Not even a nod of his head was made to assure her that she wouldn't be dragged back here against her will.
Valda hesitated, and his lips parted to say, "find Sayge when you get to the training ground, she'll take you back to your oh so peaceful kingdom." and he rose from the chair, advancing towards another door that was connected to his room.
He stopped at the entrance and turned his head to the side, but not enough to give him a full visual of the woman who still waited behind.
"Have a safe trip back home, I'll be patiently waiting for our next non-stranger meeting." And he left, entering the other chamber and closing the door.
Valda exited his room afterwards, and when she closed the main door leading to his chamber, she nearly collapsed on the ground. Her stable legs had weakened without warning, and she found herself on the cold floor, with her back against the door, and all her frozen nerves had begun to take action again.
It wasn't because she found herself alive, but there was just something ominous about that man's presence that shakes her to the core of her being. Even the slightest touch from him could unravel her, exposing the fragile thread of her mortal existence, yet, she couldn't turn away from it.
She's never been placed in such a tight spot before—where she didn't have control over her situation. Maybe that was what frightened her, the fact that she was unable to avoid it, to escape it.
"Calm down, Valda." She consoled herself, closing her eyes to gather her shattered resolve. "You're doing just fine. It's all over now, and you can go back to your Kingdom. You're overthinking, don't overthink!"
She gave herself a light slap on the cheek to regain her composure. Rising to her feet, Valda's eyes scanned the intricate design of the adorning hallway.
The air was thick with silence, and she felt a mix of excitement and apprehension. How is she supposed to find the training ground in such a confused environment? He never really told her where to look, and silly her forgot to ask how she'd get there.
Should she go back inside and—no! The last thing she wants is running into him again. What if he changes his mind? She'll just have to scout the area herself, or maybe find a map that can lead her to the training ground.
Yes! That's what she'll do.
Pondering on the direction to take first, Valda's gaze fell upon a huge vase that stood majestically by a window. From behind it, two gleaming eyes stared back at her, and Valda froze for a moment before curiosity got the better of her.
As she scrutinized the vase, a cute little creature with a body glowing like moonlight and leaves sprouting from its head shyly revealed itself. The adorable being had been caught snooping, and now it stood there, its big black eyes filled with innocent sparkles.
In its hand was a staff adorned with glowing flowers that illuminated its small stature, and Valda blinked multiple times before coming to the conclusion that she wasn't imagining things.
"I-I'm sorry," the little creature stammered before clearing its throat, "it's unlikely for humans to be seen here. I haven't laid eyes on one for a thousand years now, lovely meeting you!"
It bowed politely, its voice amicable and surprisingly sweet. Valda stared in awe at the magical creature. How many more other secrets does this building hold?
"You can talk?"
"I'm the keeper of the house," the little sprout introduced, "I know every corner of this grand building. If you need help getting somewhere, just call on sprouts." it added with confidence, hitting its little stick on the ground.
"You know everywhere?" Valda's eyes brightened at that information, "then can you lead me to the training ground please? I need to find someone named Sayge."
"Follow me." The little sprout got down from the window and sat on its staff. The sprout hovered mid-air on its staff, reminding Valda of witches on a broomstick, except this one looked harmless, adorable even.
"Let's go." The little sprout eagerly led Valda through the winding hallways.
Valda was brought to the stairs of the grandeur, and she felt a sense of reverence after coming down the grand stairs. The marble floor looked polished to perfection, reflecting the ethereal beauty of the statues that were a silent watch to the environment.
The towering glass columns seemed to reach towards the heavens, and Valda brushed her fingers against each column she walked by, noticing the intricate design she could tell where stories etched into the surface. bygone ceilings were adorned with golden accents and elaborate patterns, and she imagined what stories this building held.
"Our master named it Reggia di Luminar." The little sprout hinted after noticing her curiosity.
"What?"
"It is a relic of the bygone era, and it stood as a testament to the symphony of battles won and lost. Someone special had named the place with him five hundred years ago."
"I—I see." Valda exhaled softly, ending the conversation. She wasn't here for history or aesthetics anyway, the owner of the building has given her enough creeps for the day, and she would hate for him to find out that she was digging into his personal life.
The little sprout led her through an archway, where sunlight spilled into what she depicted to be an ancient ruin. The transition from the grand interior to the open space was like stepping from one world into another, and amidst the shadows cast by towering structures, Valda found what she sought.
However, she never expected to stumble into a one on one duel.
Two Fae's in their training gears, stood at the center of a circular pattern that was etched into the ground, and despite being meters away, she could feel the latent power it relentlessly emitted.
The towering mountains encircled the space, their peaks lost in the shifting mist, and the remaining members of what Valda claimed to be their teammates, stayed clear of the arena. The two Fae's drew out their weapon, preparing themselves for an early duel, and one of the Fae's, who was named Mildred, smiled wittingly at her opponents stance.
"What is this? Baby steps?" She half-teased, swinging her twin ax as she took a different stance. Her opponent, who was named Prudence, stayed focused on the battle that was about to happen, whilst she discarded her nervousness and replaced the flicker in her eyes with pure determination.
She moved first with lightning speed, swinging her blade forth, but Mildred masterfully evaded her attack. Their forms twisted and spun as they got into an intense combat, blades flashing in the early morning light, and the whole arena reverberated from the impact.
Prudence iridescent hair trailed behind her, while Mildred's emerald keen eyes observed her swift attacks. Valda recognized the Fae who had helped her get ready, and a slight subconscious smile curved her lips.
She advanced forward, mesmerized by what she was seeing, but out of nowhere, a familiar stern voice behind her made her halt immediately.
"And what are you doing here?" Sayge questioned with folded arms, her beautiful foxy eyes scrutinizing the human with a glare she didn't try to hide.
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