Rhea sat on the edge of the training grounds, her eyes fixed on Falko as he moved with his sword. His movements were fluid, precise, and fast, each swing cutting through the air with a near-perfect rhythm. She couldn't help but marvel at how well he handled his blade. His body moved, unlike anything she had seen, every muscle working in harmony, not a single motion wasted.
"No wonder he can move like that with years of his training," Rhea whispered to herself both impressed and motivated by what she was seeing.
He's flawless, Rhea thought to herself, watching intently. For a man, he's nearly mastered the art of swordplay. It's like he was born to fight.
As she continued to observe him, her admiration grew. She had seen countless people train over the years, but there was something different about Falko. His focus was sharp, and there was an undeniable grace to his movements that made her heart skip a beat. He wasn't just swinging wildly like some brutes; each strike was calculated, each block deliberate.
Her gaze was broken when Shalana walked by, her giant sword slung over her back as usual. Shalana barely glanced at Falko before she started swinging her massive weapon, her muscles flexing with each strike. She was using the sword not just to practice but also to strengthen her body. She moved with power, each swing heavier than the last, creating a small gust of wind with every arc.
She wore her usual trouser with a shirt that was divided from her chest that allowed her to get some fresh air, but for Falko it was a treat looking at the dark elf beauty in front of him.
Falko noticed Shalana and stopped his training. He jogged up to her, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Shalana!" he called, a slight grin on his face. "Care for a duel?"
Shalana paused, looking him over with amusement. "You want to duel me?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
Falko nodded confidently. "I could use the practice against someone like you."
Shalana chuckled, resting her sword on her shoulder. "Alright then, let's see what you've got, my boy." She glanced around, noticing the curious gazes of the other women on the training grounds. "Looks like you're gonna have an audience, too."
Falko glanced at the gathering crowd of female warriors, feeling a bit self-conscious. He wasn't used to being the centre of attention like this, especially among a group of women who had only seen him as part of Shalana's team. The rumours that he was just baggage for Shalana's group had been circulating, and this felt like his chance to prove himself.
"Better make this count," Falko muttered under his breath.
Shalana walked over to the weapon rack, frowning at the small wooden swords. "These are too small," she muttered, glancing around. Her eyes landed on a large stick that had fallen from a nearby tree. She picked it up and gave it a few swings, nodding in approval. "This'll do."
Falko readied his sword, knowing full well that Shalana wouldn't hold back just because he was a man unlike others. He took a deep breath and steadied himself. This was going to be a real fight.
The two faced each other, the crowd of women watching in anticipation. Shalana took a powerful stance, gripping the large stick like it was her usual weapon, while Falko moved lightly on his feet, ready to dodge and counter.
"You ready, Falko?" Shalana asked, a playful grin on her face.
"Born ready," Falko replied, his grip tightening on his sword.
With that, they began their duel.
As usual Shalana charged first, swinging her makeshift weapon with surprising speed for the size of it. Falko barely managed to block the first strike, the force of it sending a shockwave through his arms and almost caused his wooden sword to break. He gritted his teeth, quickly sidestepping the next attack and countering with a quick slash aimed at her side. But Shalana was fast, faster than her size suggested. She twisted out of the way, bringing the stick down in a heavy arc.
"Blocking is not an option with her. My hand feels numb after that," Falko muttered.
He ducked, rolling to the side and coming up with a sharp thrust. Shalana batted it away easily, her strength overpowering him. They traded blows back and forth, the sounds of their weapons clashing echoing through the training grounds. The onlookers were captivated, watching in awe as the two warriors danced around each other in a fierce duel.
It should have been a friendly duel, but most of the guards that were watching them knew if they stepped into the duel ground, they wouldn't come out of it unscathed.
Despite his best efforts, Falko found himself on the defensive more often than not. Shalana's strength and experience were overwhelming, and every strike she delivered felt like it could end the match. But Falko held his own, his agility keeping him just out of reach of her most devastating blows.
As the duel dragged on, sweat poured down Falko's face. He knew he was reaching his limit. Shalana, however, seemed barely winded, her grin never fading as she kept up the pressure.
"What strength! What power!" Falko couldn't help but appreciate the woman in front of him.
Finally, with one powerful swing, Shalana knocked Falko's sword out of his hand, sending him stumbling backward. Before he could recover, she stepped in and brought the stick to his throat, ending the duel.
"Yield?" she asked with a raised brow.
Falko smiled despite himself, nodding. "I do not yield, I am already dead."
Shalana smiled knowing Falko was a proud man, so she gave him the hand and patted his back.
The gathered women broke into applause, clearly impressed by the display. While Shalana had won, they were just as awed by Falko's skill. He had held his own against one of the best warriors in the city, and that wasn't something to be taken lightly.
As Shalana lowered her stick, several women rushed over to Falko, excitedly asking him questions.
"How did you get so fast?"
"Where did you learn to fight like that?"
"You're really not just baggage, are you?"
Falko scratched the back of his head, feeling overwhelmed by the sudden attention. "I just… train a lot, I guess," he replied with a nervous laugh.
While Falko was being flocked by the women, Rhea watched from a distance, her jaw clenched. She clicked her tongue in irritation, annoyed by the sight of Falko getting so much attention. With a sharp turn, she started walking away, muttering under her breath. But as she made her way across the training grounds, she caught sight of Leena standing off to the side, watching the scene with an equally annoyed expression.
Rhea stopped in her tracks, their eyes meeting for a brief moment. Neither said a word, the tension between them palpable. After a few seconds, Rhea continued walking, putting distance between them.
Just as she was about to leave the grounds, Leena spoke, her voice low but audible.
"I'm going to make my move," Leena said, not turning to face her. "Don't hold any grudges when I do. This is just how things are."
Rhea didn't respond. She kept walking, her fists clenched at her sides, her expression unreadable. Whatever Leena was planning, Rhea knew it was coming. But she had her own path to follow, and she wouldn't let anyone, not even Leena, get in her way.
***
Later that evening, the group moved through the mansion with quiet determination. Falko, Leena, Shalana, Rhea, and a few other guards carefully inspected every room and corridor, making sure they knew the layout well. The mansion was vast, filled with intricate hallways, grand staircases, and more rooms than they could count. They needed to be ready for anything.
"We need to know where every exit is," Shalana muttered, her giant sword resting against her shoulder as they moved down another hallway. "In case we need to trap it or force it into a corner."
Rhea nodded, her eyes scanning every shadow. "We can't leave any part of the mansion unchecked."
As they continued their inspection, a nervous figure approached them—a servant, the same one who had shared her disturbing dreams with them before. She clutched the edge of her apron, her face pale but her eyes filled with hesitation.
Leena turned to her. "You shouldn't be out this late. What's wrong?"
The servant shifted uneasily before speaking. "Will you... hurt it?"
Leena blinked, confused. "The creature? What do you mean?"
The servant bit her lip, glancing down at her hands. "I mean, will you harm the monster? It's not... dangerous, not like everyone says."
Leena frowned. "What are you talking about? This thing has been terrorizing the city for weeks."
The servant shook her head. "It hasn't hurt me. Not really. Since the dreams started, I've felt... better. Like it's helping me somehow. It doesn't feel evil."
Leena exchanged a glance with Shalana, who arched a brow in silent question. Leena's suspicion deepened, but she kept her voice steady. "We're here to protect the Countess and the people of this mansion. But we'll only act once we know exactly what we're dealing with."
The servant lowered her gaze, whispering, "I just hope you don't hurt it if it doesn't deserve it..."
With that, she turned and hurried away, leaving Leena and the others standing in the dimly lit hallway.
"Something's off," Leena muttered under her breath. "She almost sounds... enchanted by it."
"Maybe it's not a monster after all," Falko suggested. "But we'll only know once we face it."
As night fell, the mansion grew still. Everyone went to their rooms, but Shalana, Leena, Falko, and Rhea remained alert, stationed near the Countess's bedroom. They waited silently, the air heavy with anticipation. The moonlight streamed through the windows, casting a peaceful glow over the mansion. Outside, the garden rustled in the breeze, and the distant sound of owls filled the night.
"It's too quiet," Rhea whispered, glancing around.
Shalana gripped her sword. "Quiet's never a good sign in a huge mansion like this."
Just as the words left her mouth, the lights in the mansion suddenly flickered, then went out entirely, plunging the entire place into darkness.
"Shit!" Rhea cursed, fumbling for her weapon. "What's happening?"
Shalana's voice came next, tense but composed. "Stay calm. Everyone stick together."
Leena's hand shot up, her fingers weaving through the air as she whispered an incantation. "Luxen oria." A soft golden glow emerged from her palm, illuminating the space around them.
"Thank the gods for magic," Falko muttered, his grip tightening on his sword.
The group looked around, the dim light casting eerie shadows on the walls. The peaceful atmosphere from earlier was gone, replaced by a suffocating sense of dread.
"This is it," Leena said, her voice low but firm. "It's coming."
Shalana's eyes scanned the hallway, her body tensing. "Everyone, stay sharp. We don't know what we're about to face."
Falko stood beside her, sword raised, his face determined. "Let's end this."
The tension in the air thickened as they prepared for whatever was about to come.