The wind howled like a beast let loose.
With a deafening bang, the tavern’s roof buckled as if it were no more than a balloon. Dust burst outward in a choking wave, blinding the street as startled bystanders stumbled back, covering their mouths and noses. Cries of confusion filled the air.
From within the storm, a body shot out, Liliana. She spun midair, her figure flung violently like a ragdoll. Her hand stretched out, forcing her montum to slow before she smashed into the stone wall. Her boots scraped against the ground, sparks flying as she managed to land upright. A sharp groan escaped her lips as she pressed a hand to her ribs.
Liliana lifted her eyes to the swirling dust. A dark silhouette erged, calm and unhurried, as though she were rely strolling through a garden breeze rather than tearing a building apart.
The figure’s voice sliced through the chaos.
"So this is the bold little knight who dares think she can steal my apprentice away? And with just this pitiful strength?"
Liliana’s expression hardened. She straightened, her left hand sweeping out. With a sharp whistle, her blade flew from the rubble, slapping into her palm as though it had never left her side.
"It is against the law," she said coldly, "to harbor a thief. Even more so, one who has stolen a crystal."
The figure only laughed; the sound was carried and multiplied by the wind.
Before Liliana could press further, a sharp voice cut through the storm.
"Mariana, stop this instant!"
All eyes turned. Mari ran from the tavern wreckage, her face pale but fierce, hair whipped around her shoulders by the gale. "Stop this craziness this instant! Older sister!"
The figure stepped forward, dust peeling back to reveal her face at last. A twisted smile curled her lips.
"Oh, Mari... Don’t sulk. I was only having a little fun."
Luther and Jobin rushed to Mari’s side, but Luther imdiately froze when he recognized the look in his master’s eyes. His face went stiff, and in his head he groaned.
Oh no. Not that smile. That’s the ’I’m-about-to-wreck-everything-because-I’m-bored’ smile. Saints help us all.
Mari glared at her sister, but Mariana ignored her, eyes glittering as she turned back to Liliana. She tapped her shoulder with a single finger.
"Tell you what, little Knight. If you can land even the smallest scratch here" she tapped again "I’ll tell you where this boy got his shiny crystal. Maybe I’ll even explain who I really am. Who knows... I might even gift you Luther himself as your guide."
She flicked her finger toward Luther, who imdiately threw up his hands.
"Don’t drag into your gas!" he shouted.
But Mariana was already laughing, her voice lilting with madness.
"After all, he’s the only one foolish enough to walk into Envelon Forest and return alive."
Liliana’s head whipped toward Luther. His nervous grin wavered. He waved sheepishly at her, but inside, his thoughts were anything but friendly.
Master, why? Why betray like this? I swear, one day I’ll bury your precious teacups in the deepest hole I can find.
Her grip on the sword tightened. Liliana pointed the blade at Mariana, voice sharp. "Is this true?"
Mariana’s only response was a scornful laugh. She gestured at Luther’s ear, where the crystal glimred faintly.
"When you asked him what kind it was, what did he tell you?"
"Smokestone," Liliana replied firmly.
Silence...
But then.
That single word cracked Mariana wide open. She doubled over, laughing so hard her shoulders shook, her voice echoing like a madwoman through the winds.
"Smokestone?! In what kingdom, in what world, does such a crystal even exist?"
Luther coughed into his fist to hide a snicker. Well, she’s not wrong. The ’smokestone’ excuse is about as believable as saying a pig grew wings and flew over the capital.
Liliana’s face darkened with fury. Realization dawned on her, she had been tricked.
In a fit of rage, she lunged forward.
Steel sang as her sword sliced through the air. Liliana’s eyes were cold, her movents precise and rciless. A knight, a swordmaster, trained to end battles with as few strokes as possible. Flas burst from her blade, her crystal resonating with her fury.
But the wind was her enemy. Mariana laughed and twirled, gusts slashing out like invisible knives, battering aside fire and steel alike.
"Co now, little iron doll!" Mariana taunted, her voice bubbling with glee. "Swing faster! Burn hotter! Show what you’ve got!"
Their clash rattled the street. Sparks showered with every strike. Fire clashed against slicing wind, scattering embers into the air.
Luther leaned against a broken beam, watching the chaos unfold. His lips curled into a crooked smirk.
Well, if I had to bet... my gold’s still on Master. Not because she’s stronger, though she is, let’s not lie. but because Liliana fights like an idiot with iron bones. She’ll keep standing even if you drop a mountain on her head. Hah... this is going to hurt to watch.
Liliana pressed forward, sweat streaking her cheek, fire bursting brighter with each slash. Yet Mariana’s laughter never faltered. She danced in the storm, redirecting every strike with playful cruelty.
Finally, in one sudden motion, Mariana’s leg shot out. Her kick slamd into Liliana’s stomach like a hamr, folding her in half. The knight’s body crashed into the dirt, air ripped from her lungs.
"Liliana!" Her guards cried, rushing to her aid.
But Mariana barely flicked a finger. A torrent of wind blasted outward, tossing the armored n into the air like rag dolls before they crumpled unconscious in the rubble.
"Hmph." Mariana turned to leave, her tone flat. "Not worth my ti. You didn’t even reach my expectations."
She had barely taken a step when the sound stopped her.
The scrape of boots against stone.
Slowly, she turned back. Liliana, trembling and pale, dragged herself to her feet. One hand clutched her stomach; the other raised her sword. Her knees shook, her breaths were shallow, but her eyes blazed.
She raised her blade, pointing it squarely at Mariana.
"I’m... not down yet."
The street fell into stunned silence.
Mariana’s grin widened, her laugh erupting again, wild and gleeful. She clapped her hands together like a delighted child.
"Yes! That’s it! The Idiot herself! You pass!"
Liliana blinked, confused.
"What...?"
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