The morning sun was high in the sky, but Mike was still buried under his blankets, completely unaware of the time. Giselle entered his room quietly, her eyes narrowing at the sight of him sleeping so peacefully. She sighed, hands on her hips, and a mischievous smirk played on her face.
"Well, well," she murmured to herself, "someone's overslept." She leaned closer and tapped her finger against the bedframe. "Hey, Mike, wake up! We've got training to do."
"No, please, no more. You two sisters have already drained me. Nothing else will come out. I can't even stand anymore." Mike murmured.
But Giselle wasn't about to let him off that easily. She snapped her fingers, summoning a tiny magical spark that crackled right above his ear.
Mike jerked awake, yelping as he sat up, eyes wide with panic. "Giselle! What....What was that for?!"
"For sleeping in! We have a lot to do today." She crossed her arms, tapping her foot impatiently.
Mike ran a hand over his face and stumbled out of bed, mumbling complaints under his breath. He knew better than to argue. When Giselle had that look in her eye, it was best to do as she said, if he valued his life.
After a quick breakfast, Giselle and Mike headed out to their usual training spot, a secluded clearing surrounded by tall trees. The air was crisp, and birds sang in the branches above as Mike stretched and yawned, trying to shake off the last traces of sleep. He plopped down on a patch of soft grass after finishing his meal and laid back, watching the clouds drift lazily across the sky.
As he relaxed, Giselle scanned the forest, a slight frown creasing her brow. Suddenly, she spoke, her voice firm. "Come on out. I know you're there."
Mike sat up quickly, startled. "Huh? Who's she talking to?"
Looking around, he saw nothing but trees and shadows. Confused, he closed his eyes and focused, trying to use the sensory magic he had . His eyes flew open when he detected something....several strong magical presences surrounding them.
From the shadows, seven figures stepped forward. They were rough-looking men, each carrying a different weapon, and their leader....a tall man with an eye patch—grinned widely as he eyed Giselle.
"Well, well, look what we've got here," he sneered. "The princess herself."
Giselle didn't bat an eyelash, crossing her arms as she studied them with an unimpressed expression.
The leader's grin grew wider. "Such a beauty, too. I'm sure the boys here would love a little.....… conversation with you." His gang chuckled darkly, their gazes filled with twisted amusement.
Mike tensed, clenching his fists, anger bubbling up at their words. But before he could say anything, Giselle's voice rang out, loud and mocking. "Oh please, you think a bunch of weaklings like you are any kind of threat to me? You wouldn't stand a chance."
Her words struck a nerve, and the leader's smirk faded, replaced by a scowl. "You've got a sharp tongue, princess. Let's see if you can still talk so big once we're done with you."
Before the bandits could make a move, Giselle waved her hand, casting a shimmering barrier around Mike. "Stay put," she said firmly. "This shouldn't take long."
The bandits charged at her, weapons raised, but Giselle was faster. She moved with fluid grace, dodging each attack effortlessly. One bandit tried to grab her from behind, only for her to sidestep and flick him away with a burst of magic that sent him sprawling into the dirt.
Mike watched in awe as Giselle handled each bandit with ease. They tried everything—swinging weapons, throwing dust in her face, even attempting to surround her....but nothing worked. It was as if she was always a step ahead, her movements smooth and precise, her expression calm.
The seven bandits circled Giselle, their swords gleaming under the pale light, each blade forged with the jagged edges of chaos. In contrast, Giselle stood poised, holding her lance with an air of serene confidence. She twirled it once, the weapon gliding through the air with a silver flash.
"It's been a while since I used this." A smile played at the corners of her lips as she spun the lance, making her look almost ethereal. Her calm beauty caught the eye of both Mike and the bandit leader, who blinked, momentarily hypnotized by her grace.
Recovering quickly, the leader narrowed his eyes. "It's been ages," he muttered, his voice cold.
Without another word, the bandits rushed forward, their coordinated assault attempting to overwhelm her. They swung in synchronized arcs, hoping to catch her in a deadly crossfire. But Giselle moved with effortless precision, stepping just out of reach as each blade slashed where she had been moments before. She danced between them, maintaining her distance, her lance spinning and deflecting with calculated ease.
One bandit lunged from her right, his blade slicing down in a brutal vertical strike. Giselle sidestepped, twirling her lance and sweeping his legs out from under him. He crashed to the ground with a grunt, rolling away as she turned to parry a second attack. The bandit to her left slashed wildly, his sword whistling through the air. She brought her lance up, meeting his blade mid swing, the clash of metal ringing out.
The bandit leader growled, frustration darkening his expression. He charged at her, swinging his sword in a powerful sideways arc. Giselle pivoted, lifting her lance to intercept his strike. The two weapons met with a sharp clang, and Giselle held her ground, her grip firm as their gazes locked.
"Not bad," she murmured, her tone almost teasing.
The leader's snarl deepened as he attempted to press her back, but Giselle's lance held strong. With a sudden twist, she broke away and spun her lance in a fluid arc, creating a barrier of motion that forced him to retreat. One of his men tried to strike her from behind, but she sidestepped, delivering a swift kick that sent him sprawling back.
One by one, the bandits were thrown back, dazed and disoriented, struggling to find their footing. The leader's frustration mounted as he watched his men falter, each of them unable to touch the elusive warrior before them. He tightened his grip on his sword, his breathing labored, eyes narrowing with renewed resolve.
Giselle simply smiled, her stance steady, her lance gleaming as she awaited his next move.
The leader, frustrated, turned his attention to Mike, who was watching from inside the barrier. The bandit grinned. "Well, if we can't get to her.....… maybe we can start with her little friend here."
The leader raised his sword and charged toward the barrier, intending to break it. Giselle, however, was ready. She flicked her fingers, strengthening the barrier just as his sword struck it, causing a bright flash of light. The leader was thrown back, stumbling as he tried to regain his footing.
"Back off," Giselle warned, her voice sharp. "If you lay a hand on him, you'll regret it."
But the leader, stubborn as ever, kept attacking the barrier. His gang followed his lead, launching spell after spell at the shield protecting Mike. For a moment, Giselle was forced to divide her attention, ensuring the barrier held while also fending off the remaining bandits.
In the chaos, one bandit managed to slip underground, tunneling his way beneath Mike's barrier. Just as the shield began to waver from the leader's relentless strikes, there was a loud crack, and the barrier shattered.
Before Mike could react, the bandit emerged from the ground behind him, his weapon raised. Giselle saw it happen in a flash, her eyes widening as she moved to intercept. But she was too late....the bandit's blade came down, and a spray of blood filled the air.