The caravan had journeyed for a few days, pressing through the nameless forest that sprawled just before the Sunbolt Mountains. The terrain was varied with a range stretching from dense trees to a plethora of winding uneven paths. Despite the occasional rustling of unseen creatures and distant growls that hinted at lurking predators, the group found moments of peace in the tranquility of rustling leaves and the singing of birds.
By midday, they reached a small clearing near the base of a hill. The climb had been strenuous, especially for the horses, and the caravan leader called for a rest. The clearing was a perfect spot—open enough to keep an eye on the surroundings but still shaded by towering foliage. The workers set about unhooking the tired horses, allowing them to graze and recover, while others began preparing a simple lunch over a fire.
The Holy Knights, never fully at ease, continued their training despite the break. Tridra stood among them, her helmet discarded, sweat dampening her hair as she focused on the task at hand. She practiced with James, a seasoned knight known for his skill with twin short swords. His calm demeanor and precise movements made him an ideal instructor. Over the past few days, he had been guiding Tridra through dagger techniques since they were somewhat similar to his dual short swords. Though her progress was slow, there was a noticeable improvement in her stance and strikes.
"Focus on the angle," James said, stepping aside as she lunged. "Your blade needs to follow through, not stop short."
Tridra nodded, adjusting her grip and trying again. Her blade cut the air, this time closer to what James had demonstrated.
"Better," he said with a small nod. "Now, defensive formations with the others."
Tridra moved to join the group, falling into formation as they practiced coordinated movements. She struggled to keep pace, her inexperience evident compared to the well-rehearsed knights. However, despite the difficulty, she pushed through, earning occasional nods of approval from Captain Edwin and the other knights.
As the training slowed and the knights took a well-earned break, the workers gathered near the fire, sharing food and quietly conversing amongst each other. The camp felt alive but peaceful, a rare moment of camaraderie being shared between the Holy Knights and the workers moving with the caravan.
Meanwhile, in Ophelia's cart, the atmosphere was much quieter. Ophelia had spent most of the journey inside, planning and planning and planning and planning without even a hint of slowing down. It was truly a remarkable feat.
The door creaked open, and Alexandra stepped inside, her soft expression betraying the worry she carried. She paused, tapping her foot lightly on the wooden floor, drawing Ophelia's attention from the cloth ceiling she had been staring at for hours.
"Ophelia," Alexandra called out, her voice gentle but firm.
"Hm?" Ophelia lowered her gaze, her voice calm but distant. "What is it?"
Alexandra crossed her arms, her brows knitting together. "Take a break. You haven't trained or even rested properly these past few days."
Ophelia let out a quiet sigh, her posture rigid. "I am sorry, but there are too many variables to consider. One wrong step, one overlooked detail, and everything could collapse."
Alexandra's eyes swept over her girlfriend, her heart aching at the sight. Ophelia's frame was thinner than it had been days ago, her skin as pale as paper, and the dark bags under her eyes seemed to deepen with each passing moment. She looked like a ghost of herself, teetering on the edge of exhaustion.
"How many hours have you slept, Ophelia? Truly?" Alexandra asked, her worry breaking through her calm tone. She moved closer, sitting beside her and gently pulling Ophelia's head to rest on her shoulder.
"I have slept enough," Ophelia replied calmly. "Please do not worry about me. I know how to manage my health. I might look worse than usual, but I assure you, I am not about to keel over."
Alexandra frowned, her fingers softly stroking Ophelia's hair. "Babe… this isn't healthy. You're running yourself into the ground."
"I do not see the problem," Ophelia responded calmly once more. "I am not dying, Alexandra, so—"
"Do you not feel like shit?" Alexandra interrupted, her voice rising slightly, her hand pausing on Ophelia's head.
"No," Ophelia replied quickly, almost too quickly. Alexandra didn't need to press further to see through the lie.
"One day," Alexandra urged, her tone softening. She turned to face Ophelia, their eyes meeting. "Just one day, Ophelia. Rest for one day, for me. You will feel all the difference. Please. I'm scared for you."
Ophelia's gaze faltered, the weight of Alexandra's words pressing against her resolve. She closed her eyes, exhaling slowly. "…Fine. One day. Tomorrow… after I finish planning with the Caravan Leader."
Alexandra smiled faintly, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "Thank you," she whispered.
…
The early morning light cast a pale glow over the Sunbolt Mountains' edge as Ophelia and Steven pored over their map near the campsite. They worked quietly but efficiently, Ophelia leading the discussion on potential threats in the Jagged Pass.
The narrow paths were notorious for bandits lying in wait, and she meticulously outlined possible ambush points, countermeasures, and alternative routes. Steven offered input here and there, but Ophelia carried most of the session, laying out detailed strategies to deal with the dangers ahead.
By the time the planning wrapped up, Ophelia was mentally drained and was somewhat glad she could now fully take a break from thinking and instead use her body. Taking Alexandra's advice to heart, she decided to break from her usual routine and join the Holy Knights' morning training. As she stood among the group, the unfamiliarity of it made her uneasy at first, but she quickly found her rhythm. Drills and sparring exercises gradually drew her focus away from overthinking, and by noon, she was physically exhausted but mentally refreshed. It was a welcome rescue from the relentless calculations that had been consuming her mind.
The sparring matches moved quickly as the knights paired off, the air buzzing with the clash of weapons and bursts of laughter. When it was Ophelia's turn, she found herself standing across from Tridra, probably a setup from Alexandra who lightly grinned to herself from the outer ring of spectators. Tridra, gripping her daggers tightly, looked nervous at first, her eyes flickering to Alexandra as if seeking reassurance, but she soon gained a bit of confidence after letting out a long breath and slowing her heart rate.
The match began with Ophelia and Tridra circling each other, their steps tapping on the packed dirt. Tridra held her daggers low but ready, her gaze fixed on Ophelia's every movement. Ophelia adjusted her grip on her blade, her stance defensive as she sized up her opponent.
Tridra struck first, lunging forward with a pincering attack. Ophelia barely managed to sidestep, the blades slicing through the air inches from her ribs. She countered with a quick thrust aimed at Tridra's shoulder, but Tridra twisted her body with a fluid grace, avoiding the blow entirely. Before Ophelia could recover, Tridra was already moving again.
A quick step brought Tridra within striking range, and she aimed a sharp downward slash with her left blade. Ophelia raised her sword just in time, the clash of steel ringing through the air as the force of the blow buzzed through her palms and wrists. She staggered but held her ground, pivoting to deflect Tridra's follow-up strike—a rapid strike with her right dagger aimed at her midsection.
Tridra didn't let up. She continued to keep the momentum in her favor, spinning to deliver a low sweep that forced Ophelia to leap back awkwardly, nearly losing her balance. Seizing the moment, Tridra surged forward, shoulder-checking Ophelia before she could stabilize. The impact sent her stumbling, her grip on her sword faltering.
Ophelia gritted her teeth and retaliated with a swift diagonal slash. Tridra ducked beneath it, dropped her right dagger, then stepped inside Ophelia's guard, grabbing her wrist. With a practiced motion, Tridra twisted her opponent's arm, forcing her to release her weapon. The blade clattered to the ground, and before Ophelia could react, Tridra's foot hooked behind her ankle, sending her sprawling onto her back.
The flat of Tridra's second dagger hovered just above Ophelia's chest, the match unmistakably over.
Cheers erupted from the gathered knights, the noise blending with Tridra's breathless laughter. She extended a hand to Ophelia, who took it, rising to her feet with a faint smile.
"You are as talented as I imagined you to be," Ophelia admitted, brushing dirt from her pants.
"And you're tougher than you look," Tridra replied, still grinning. "But maybe next time, don't let me get so close."
Ophelia faintly smiled, brushing the sweat from her brow as she stepped back to the edge of the circle. Alexandra approached her not long after, grinning. "Didn't think you'd go down that fast. Guess you're not as invincible as you think."
Ophelia, still huffing and puffing replied with, "I never said I was invincible," she wiped some more sweat from her chin. "Anyways, losses like these mean nothing. There's no value in dwelling on them."
"Mhm…" Alexandra rolled her eyes before subtly chuckling. "You're impossible. Still, you're kind of cute when you lose." She ruffled Ophelia's damp hair playfully, earning a sharp look as Ophelia slicked it back into place.
The matches continued, and soon it was time for Ophelia and Alexandra to spar. As they stepped into the circle, Alexandra lightly smiled, Ophelia seriously eyeing her and gripping her longsword firmly in one hand. Alexandra on the other hand loosely gripped her longsword, looking the woman opposite to her up and down.
"AND START!"
BAM BAM CLANG
The fight was over before it even started.
Alexandra stood tall, the tip of her longsword pointed at Ophelia's throat. Ophelia, lying on her back, chest heaving, gazed up at her opponent. Alexandra withdrew her blade, resting it on her shoulder.
"You're not at your best," Alexandra said, her tone gentle but firm. "Use the spear, Ophelia. I'm sure you have your reasons for avoiding it, but I'd rather face you when you're at your best."
Alexandra expected nothing of this. Yet…
"Sure," somehow escaped from Ophelia's lips.
She stood smoothly, brushing dirt from her sleeves as if she hadn't just been knocked down. Her response was so calm, so resolute, that Alexandra blinked in surprise. Clearly, Ophelia's relationship with the spear was much deeper than she initially expected… or maybe something changed?
A nearby Holy Knight stepped forward, carrying a spear with both hands. He knelt before Ophelia, presenting the weapon with both hands. Ophelia's hand hovered over the spear for a moment, her expression unreadable. When she finally took it, the camp seemed to still.
The air grew taut as Ophelia lifted the spear, the weight of the moment settling over the onlookers. She twirled it once around her wrist, the movement so fluid it seemed the weapon floated. She caught it effortlessly, her fingers wrapping around the shaft with ease.
Alexandra felt a bead of sweat trail down her temple as Ophelia continued, the spear spinning behind her back before returning to her grip with the same flawless control. It was like watching a dancer, each motion precise and deliberate.
Ophelia's gaze flicked to the Holy Knight tasked with officiating the match. He stood frozen, staring wide-eyed until her sharp glance jolted him. "S-Start!" he stammered, stepping back quickly.
The fight began.
The moment the match began, Ophelia moved, her spear already in motion. She spun it in her hands, the polished wood becoming a blur as it circled her wrists, then rolled smoothly over her shoulders and behind her back. The continuous twirl built momentum, creating an unbroken rhythm that carried her forward.
Alexandra stepped into her own stance, her longsword held steady. She watched the spear's rotations, searching for an opening, but the weapon's fluid movements made it nearly impossible to predict where the strike would come from.
Ophelia feinted first, a thrust that didn't fully commit. The tip of the spear darted toward Alexandra's shoulder but veered off at the last moment as Ophelia twisted her torso, spinning the spear around her waist and redirecting it low toward Alexandra's legs.
Alexandra reacted instantly, bringing her sword down in a sharp arc to deflect the strike. The spear's shaft collided with the blade, the clash resonating through the clearing.
Before Alexandra could follow up, Ophelia reversed the spear's momentum with a flick of her wrist, sending the weapon spinning back up. The movement forced Alexandra to step back, raising her sword defensively as the spear's tip traced a wide arc toward her side.
Alexandra countered with a lateral swing, aiming to disrupt Ophelia's flow, but Ophelia adjusted. She tilted the spear's shaft, angling it so the sword slid harmlessly past while the spear's momentum continued uninterrupted.
Ophelia pressed forward, the spear now circling around her neck before transitioning to her opposite hand. The seamless motion caught Alexandra off guard, and Ophelia jabbed sharply toward her midsection. Alexandra sidestepped, twisting her body to avoid the strike, but Ophelia followed immediately with a sweeping strike aimed at her legs. Alexandra leaped back, narrowly avoiding the blow.
The fight became a dance of precision and strategy. Ophelia's spear was in constant motion, its trajectory unpredictable. Alexandra relied on her instincts and experience to stay in the fight, keeping her blade moving to parry and deflect each strike. She used quick footwork to keep out of the spear's optimal range, occasionally lunging forward to close the distance and disrupt Ophelia's rhythm.
One such lunge almost worked. Alexandra jutted forward, bringing her longsword down in a powerful overhead strike. Ophelia planted the butt of her spear into the ground and spun her entire body around it like a pivot. The spinning motion carried the spear's shaft upward, deflecting Alexandra's sword to the side while Ophelia spun completely out of range.
This was crazy. Utterly unbelievable. There was no mistake… she was a master with the spear.
When Ophelia resumed her assault, it became clear that Alexandra was struggling to adapt. The spear's range and versatility allowed Ophelia to attack from angles that the longsword couldn't match. She would twirl the weapon around her back, using the shaft to sweep at Alexandra's legs, then follow up with a quick thrust toward her shoulder. Each strike flowed into the next, forcing Alexandra to block, dodge, and retreat in rapid succession.
At one point, Ophelia twirled the spear horizontally, the shaft spinning around her torso like a shield. Alexandra attempted to break through with a decisive thrust, but Ophelia caught the blade with the spear's shaft, twisting it sharply to unbalance Alexandra. Alexandra stumbled but recovered quickly, gripping her sword tightly and stepping back to regroup.
Breathing heavily, Alexandra shifted her approach. She began timing her strikes to coincide with the moments when Ophelia transitioned between spins, aiming to exploit the split-second gaps in her defense.
It worked briefly—Alexandra managed to land a shallow graze along Ophelia's forearm, earning a quick hiss of pain, but revealing no cut as both weapons were dulled, specifically made for training. But Ophelia adapted immediately. She altered the tempo of her spins, introducing erratic pauses and sudden accelerations that threw off Alexandra's timing.
The turning point came when Ophelia spun the spear behind her back, then launched it forward in a thrust so fast that Alexandra barely parried in time. The force of the strike reverberated through Alexandra's arms, and Ophelia used the moment to step in closer, pivoting on her heel and bringing the spear's butt around in a sharp strike toward Alexandra's ribs. Alexandra blocked with her forearm, but the impact left her off-balance.
Ophelia didn't hesitate. She spun the spear around her torso one final time, building momentum before sweeping it low. The shaft caught Alexandra's ankle, sending her sprawling onto the ground. Before Alexandra could rise, the tip of the spear hovered inches from her throat.
Ophelia's breathing was a bit ragged, but her gaze was calm as she lowered the spear. Alexandra, still catching her breath, let out a short laugh and shook her head in disbelief. "Just as I thought… you are incredible with the spear," she admitted.
"Thank you," Ophelia lightly smiled, reaching out her hand to help her up.
The rest of the day, Ophelia spent time with Alexandra, resting and doing a few activities to relieve her stress. She even went to sleep much earlier than anticipated, mostly due to the convincing of Alexandra, but she earned it.
This was the recharge she really needed.