The morning sun cast a warm glow through the palace windows as Nizara quietly packed his belongings. Today, he and the Black Squad were set to return to the Valoria Kingdom. With a final glance around his room, Nizara took a deep breath and joined his comrades in the courtyard. The atmosphere was bittersweet, filled with unspoken words and lingering emotions. Just as they were about to leave, Thalia suddenly burst through the palace doors, her voice trembling as she shouted, "Wait! Please, wait!"
Everyone turned to see her running toward them, her eyes glistening with tears. Thalia caught her breath, then spoke, her voice wavering but determined. "I... I just couldn't let you all leave without saying this. Thank you. Thank you for everything. You all have shown me kindness, courage, and what it truly means to fight for something important. And Nizara… thank you for being there for me, for every smile and every moment that made me feel alive. I'll treasure them forever."
Nizara and the Black Squad stood in silence, moved by her words. Nizara's heart ached as he took a step forward, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. "Thalia, you've given us just as much. You've shown us a warmth that will stay with us no matter where we go. I promise you, this isn't goodbye."
With tear-filled eyes and a heartfelt smile, Thalia nodded, clutching the memories close to her heart as they turned to leave.
The sun had fully risen, casting golden rays over the path as the Black Squad and Nizara mounted their horses. With the weight of parting heavy on their hearts, they rode out of the Arcadia Kingdom gates, the sound of hooves echoing softly as they ventured into the dense woods that lay between Arcadia and Valoria.
For a while, there was only the rhythmic clatter of horses' hooves against the forest trail. The trees stood tall and silent, their leaves whispering in the morning breeze. The squad remained quiet, each lost in their thoughts, until Kaila broke the silence, her voice carrying a gentle warmth. "That princess… she's really fond of you, Nizara. You've made quite an impact in Arcadia."
Nizara glanced over at Kaila with a faint smile. "She's been kind to me. Sometimes, it's the small moments that leave the biggest marks on your heart." His gaze softened as he looked ahead, the memories of his time with Thalia flickering in his mind. "But I know I can't stay. There's still so much I need to do."
Leon, riding beside him, nodded in agreement. "You've got a purpose, Nizara, and we all respect that. But don't forget, bonds are forged in more than just battle. Even if you're moving forward, those connections don't disappear."
Kai, always the unpredictable one, grinned and leaned over his saddle. "Speaking of connections, I never expected you to have such a soft side, Nizara. Going on dates, making princesses cry… what's next? A marriage proposal?" His teasing earned a chuckle from the group.
Selene, ever the quiet observer, smiled gently and added, "Kai's teasing aside, it's true that you've become more than just a fellow fighter to us, Nizara. You're one of us now—a member of the Black Squad in more ways than one."
Nizara felt a warmth in his chest as he listened. He had been through a lot since joining them, and in a way, they had become a family. The road ahead was uncertain, and the path was full of dangers, but having them by his side made it less daunting.
As they rode deeper into the woods, the trees grew thicker, and the trail narrowed. Sunlight streamed through the canopy above, casting dappled shadows that danced along the forest floor. The squad's laughter mingled with the birdsong.
As they continued deeper into the woods, the atmosphere suddenly shifted. The birdsong stopped, and the wind seemed to hold its breath. The horses grew uneasy, their ears twitching as they sensed something approaching. Leon, ever alert, narrowed his eyes and signaled for the group to slow down.
"We're not alone," he whispered, scanning the dense underbrush. A moment later, several figures emerged from the shadows—bandits, but not ordinary ones. Their eyes glowed with a sinister light, and their weapons crackled with dark energy. These were no mere thieves; they were mercenaries imbued with Dark Magic.
Before anyone could react, the leader of the group barked a command, and the mercenaries launched a coordinated attack. Arrows whistled through the air, and dark tendrils of magic snaked toward the Black Squad. Kaila and Leon immediately drew their weapons, prepared to counter, but before they could move, Nizara was already in motion.
With a burst of speed, Nizara activated Swiftstride and dashed forward, his sword blazing with a fierce glow. He weaved through the incoming arrows with blinding agility, deflecting them with precise slashes. Then, without hesitation, he charged straight into the heart of the enemy formation, his movements fluid and relentless.
The mercenaries, caught off guard by his speed, barely had time to react. Nizara unleashed a flurry of strikes, disarming and incapacitating several foes in seconds. His swordplay was sharp, almost ruthless, as he took down one opponent after another. There was a wildness in his eyes—a recklessness that made his attacks both unpredictable and overwhelming.
But it was that same recklessness that made Captain Zane's brow furrow. As impressive as Nizara's growth was, there was a danger in how he threw himself into the fray without a second thought for his own safety. Zane watched silently, his eyes narrowing as he analyzed every move. *He's gotten stronger,* Zane thought, *but he's still not thinking things through. That recklessness could get him killed.*
In a final surge, Nizara confronted the leader of the mercenaries. The two clashed, Dark Magic crackling against Light as their swords met. The mercenary grinned, thinking he could overpower Nizara. But in a surprising twist, Nizara allowed the enemy's blade to graze him, deliberately taking a hit to create an opening. With a swift counter, Nizara struck the leader down with a decisive blow, ending the battle in an instant.
The forest fell silent once more. The mercenaries lay defeated, and the Black Squad stared at Nizara with a mix of awe and disbelief. Even Kai, usually quick with a joke, was momentarily speechless. Selene's eyes were wide with concern, while Kaila looked both impressed and worried.
As Nizara stood there, catching his breath, blood trickling from the cut on his arm, Leon finally broke the silence. "That was… incredible, Nizara. But you're bleeding—are you alright?"
Nizara shrugged it off with a confident grin. "It's nothing serious. I just couldn't let them hurt you guys."
Kaila rode up to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "You've grown a lot, Nizara, but don't be so reckless next time. We fight as a team; there's no need to take everything on by yourself."
Zane, still silent, watched Nizara closely. He couldn't deny the boy's potential, but that recklessness gnawed at him. *He's strong,* Zane thought, *but strength without discipline is dangerous.* For now, he kept his thoughts to himself, simply nodding at Nizara before turning his horse forward.
The group continued their journey, but the mood had shifted. Nizara had proven himself, yet in doing so, he revealed a side of him that made even his allies uneasy. As they rode on, the unspoken tension lingered in the air—a reminder that while strength could win battles, it was wisdom and restraint that ultimately led to survival.
The Black Squad approached the towering gates of Valoria Kingdom. The grand stone walls stood proudly, a testament to the kingdom's strength. Captain Zane led the way, and as they neared the entrance, the guards recognized the group and immediately began cranking open the heavy gates. The creaking of the iron echoed through the air, announcing the squad's return.
As they passed through the gates, Captain Zane's sharp eyes caught sight of a large group of soldiers also returning to the kingdom. It was the Valorian Military Force, marching back from a mission of their own. Among them were familiar faces—Emiko, Tatsuki, and Raiya, who had all made their choices on which force to join. Emiko's expression softened when she spotted Nizara, a hint of concern in her eyes, but Tatsuki and Raiya's mocking smiles were still as sharp as ever.
"Well, look who crawled back," Tatsuki sneered, his voice laced with disdain. "The so-called hero of the academy," Raiya added with a smug grin, her words dripping with sarcasm. "Still playing soldier, huh?"
Nizara's gaze was steely, unfazed by their taunts. He stepped forward, meeting their glares head-on. "You two never change," he said calmly. "But I'm not the same person you used to push around."
Tatsuki's grin widened. "Is that so? Let's see if you've really grown, weakling."
The tension thickened as the challenge hung in the air. Emiko shifted uneasily, clearly worried about how things would escalate, but she remained silent. Captain Zane observed quietly, his arms crossed, interested in seeing how this played out.
"Let's settle this then," Nizara said, his tone cold and resolute. "A little duel, right here."
The gathered soldiers murmured in anticipation as the sparring area was quickly cleared. The Black Squad watched intently, their trust in Nizara evident but tempered with concern.
Raiya and Tatsuki drew their weapons, confident in their skills. "You asked for this," Raiya sneered as they both rushed forward in a coordinated attack.
But Nizara was ready. His movements were sharp, almost too fast to follow. He dodged their strikes with precision, his blade flashing as he countered with perfect timing. Within moments, he disarmed both of them in a series of swift strikes, their swords clattering to the ground as they stumbled back in shock.
The crowd went silent. Tatsuki and Raiya were left stunned, unable to comprehend what had just happened. Nizara lowered his sword, his expression calm but fierce. "Still think I'm weak?" he asked, his voice cutting through the silence.
Tatsuki's face twisted in anger and disbelief. "You just got lucky—"
"Enough," Nizara interrupted, his gaze unwavering. "It's clear who's still clinging to the past."
Emiko, who had been holding her breath, finally exhaled in relief. Her eyes met Nizara's, and she gave him a small, reassuring nod, as if silently saying she knew he could do it.
As the tension eased, Captain Zane's eyes narrowed slightly. While he was impressed by Nizara's skill, there was a hint of skepticism beneath his calm demeanor. Nizara had grown incredibly strong, but there was a recklessness in his moves that couldn't be ignored.
Without another word, Nizara sheathed his sword and turned away, leaving Tatsuki and Raiya to seethe in their humiliation. The Black Squad followed him, a newfound respect in their eyes, but they couldn't shake the feeling that Nizara's growth came with its own risks.
As they moved on, Emiko quietly approached Nizara. "You really have changed," she said softly, her tone warm. "But don't let them push you too far, okay?"
Nizara gave her a small smile. "Thanks, Emiko. I'll be fine."
With that, the group continued their journey back to the palace, the echoes of the past finally laid to rest—for now.
*To Be Continued…*