Present Day: Sunset Reflections
India stood on the cliff's edge, the setting sun casting a golden glow over the landscape. The serene beauty of the moment contrasted sharply with the chaotic journey that had shaped her into the formidable warrior she was today. The quiet of dusk was a rare moment of peace in her otherwise tumultuous life.
"How did I survive all that?" she whispered to herself, the wind carrying her words away. "How did I become this person? It all feels like a surreal nightmare and a twisted miracle."
Her mind wandered back to the beginning, to the first moment her life had changed forever.
The Ruined Village
India's earliest memories were of fire and screams. She was five when marauders razed her village. The acrid smell of smoke and burning flesh filled the air, mingling with the desperate cries of the dying. Clutching her charred doll, she hid beneath the debris, trembling with fear.
"I thought I would die there," she murmured, recalling the overwhelming terror and helplessness.
Then Rodrick arrived. His presence was like a beacon of hope amid the devastation. His strong arms lifted her from the ruins, his voice calm and soothing despite the chaos around them. "You're safe now," he had promised, and for the first time since the attack began, she felt a glimmer of hope.
Rodrick didn't just save India; he raised her like his own daughter. He provided not only food and shelter but also love and security. Under his care, she began to heal from the trauma of losing her home and family.
"Rodrick was my father, my protector," India reflected. "He gave me a second chance at life."
Becoming a Daughter
In the early days after her rescue, India was silent and withdrawn. The horrors she had witnessed haunted her, and she struggled to adjust to her new life. But Rodrick was patient. He never forced her to talk about what had happened but instead focused on building her trust and confidence.
"He would read us stories at night," India remembered. "Tales of heroes and adventures. It was his way of showing us that there was still good in the world, that there was hope."
Slowly, India began to open up. She started to smile again, to laugh. She would follow Rodrick around the camp, mimicking his movements, fascinated by his strength and skill. He began to teach her the basics of survival—how to forage for food, how to build a shelter, how to defend herself.
"He gave me a wooden sword when I turned six," she said, a small smile playing on her lips. "It felt so heavy, but I was determined to learn."
Rodrick's training was rigorous and relentless, but he was always kind and encouraging. He taught her the Swift Strike technique, perfect for her agility and speed. At first, she struggled with the precise movements and the discipline required.
"I was clumsy," she recalled. "My strikes were off-target, my movements awkward. But Rodrick's patience and encouragement helped me improve. He never let me settle for less than my best."
The Struggle of Training
The training intensified as India grew older. Rodrick would wake her before dawn, and they would run obstacle courses, climb trees, and practice swordsmanship until her muscles screamed and her hands bled. Each day was a test of endurance and willpower.
"There were days I wanted to give up," she admitted. "But Rodrick never let me quit. He pushed me beyond my limits, showing me that I was capable of more than I ever imagined."
Rodrick's methods were tough but fair. He taught her to move silently, to strike quickly and accurately, to read her opponents' movements and to anticipate their attacks. He also taught her the importance of mental strength—how to stay calm under pressure, and how to make quick decisions in the heat of battle.
"Every lesson was a step towards becoming stronger," India said. "He believed in me even when I didn't believe in myself."
The First Fierce Mission
Her first real mission came at sixteen. A nearby village was under attack, and Rodrick sent her to defend it. India was terrified, her heart pounding in her chest, but she remembered Rodrick's teachings.
"It was nothing like training," she reflected. "The fear, the adrenaline, the chaos—it was overwhelming. But I found my resolve, my strength."
She fought fiercely, her Swift Strike technique cutting down enemies with precision and speed. The smell of blood and the sounds of battle filled her senses, but she stayed focused, moving with the grace and agility Rodrick had instilled in her.
"I remember the moment I realized I could do this," she said. "It was like a switch flipped inside me. I wasn't just fighting for my life—I was fighting for those who couldn't defend themselves."
By the end of the battle, the village was saved, and India had proven herself not just to Rodrick, but to herself.
"I did it," she whispered. "I proved myself and honoured Rodrick's teachings."
A Deep Shock
Then came the day that shattered her world. Rodrick was killed in cold blood, "It felt like my world ended," she said, her voice breaking. "Losing Rodrick was like losing my anchor, my guide. But I remembered his belief in me. I couldn't let his sacrifice be in vain."
However, the grief was overwhelming. In her despair, India lost her way. Her strength and resolve wavered, and she became vulnerable to manipulation. It was during this vulnerable time that the High Duke Sith Servant, a powerful and ambitious figure destined to succeed Luhap S. Argan, found her.
Falling into Darkness
The High Duke Sith Servant was a master manipulator, and he saw potential in India's skills and her deep sense of loss, it was the best opportunity for him to get a 1st Rate Knight under his command. He offered her a sense of purpose and direction, but it came at a cost. Gradually, India fell under his influence, her conscience suppressed by the Duke's manipulations. She became his puppet, executing his will without question.
"I lost myself," she admitted, the pain in her voice evident. "I became someone I didn't recognize, someone Rodrick would never have wanted me to be."
Under the High Duke's command, India's formidable skills were twisted to serve his dark purposes, she killed innocent people, executing respected political figures. She became feared and respected, but the cost to her soul was immense. Her memories of Rodrick and his teachings became distorted, buried under layers of manipulation and control.
The Mission to Capture Count Johnson
Now, under the High Duke's orders, India was on a mission to capture Count Johnson, the richest man alive. The Count's wealth and growing influence posed a threat to the Duke's plans, and India was the instrument to eliminate that threat.
As she prepared for the mission, she couldn't help but reflect on how far she had strayed from Rodrick's teachings. "How did I become this person?" she asked herself. "Rodrick would never have wanted this for me."
But there was no turning back. The High Duke's control over her was still strong, and the mission had to be completed. India's resolve hardened as she thought of the man she once called father. "I will find a way to break free," she vowed silently. "For Rodrick, and myself."
Honouring Rodrick's Legacy
Standing on the cliff, India took a deep breath, looking out at the horizon. "Rodrick," she whispered, "I hope you're watching. I hope you're proud."
She thought about the hardships she had faced, the pain and loss, the struggles and triumphs. It was all because of Rodrick that she survived and grew into the woman she is today.
"He saved me," she said softly. "He saved all of us. And he gave us the strength to keep going. I wouldn't be here without him."
"I will honour your memory," she vowed. "I will protect those who cannot protect themselves. Just as you did for me."