Night came as Keres lay strewn in a sparse forest.
Towering trees surrounded him, reaching for the sky and the snow-carpeted floor was dotted with a limitless abundance of nuts and berries.
Scurrying squirrels explored under the bristles of wispy moss. And the evening's peace was soul-soothing, the forest exuding a fresh, organic scent, truly befitting its beauty.
Stargazing always provided his heart with a unique warmth whenever he felt down. However, when he popped a berry into his mouth, he instantly frowned and spat it out— the bitterness contrasting the calm serenity in the air.
Keres' current location was known as 'the forbidden thicket,' an advancement test centersituated in the woods of his residential area.
On his left lay a dozen swords, scattered on the ground. Most were just practice wooden swords, not the real deal. While to his right, there were various items, including a first aid kit, a travel backpack holding some apparels, vials of Aqua Ambien, and a map peeking out from within the bag.
Lifting his right hand to eye level, he glanced at the digital bracelet on his wrist then exhaled afterwards.
"I guess I'm not making it in time for dinner." He muttered, wearing a bitter smile on his lips. Lizzie would definitely give him an earful when he got home.
Having realized he was behind his intended schedule, he hoisted himself to his feet. He snatched one of the steel swords from his array. The longer of the two he owned, which Milan showed him how to use.
Taking an even stance, he swung down forcefully using one hand. The biting cold hummed with the whispered swish of the blade and the resulting shockwave left an imprint on the snow.
"Fuuuu" He released a soft breath, sending shivers through the air. The sword had become an extension of his will as its keen edge glimmered under the moonlight.
He swung down again but the instant the blade formed a straight line in the air, he cleverly redirected it mid-motion into a back-and-forth horizontal strike. Next, the horizontal strike became a diagonal cut and then, a reverse diagonal strike before smoothly transitioning into a harmonious swirl that seemed to defy the conventional boundaries of swordplay.
When his face formed an unnerving grin, his agile frame began moving with an almost dance-like fluidity as he masterfully alternated between several nuanced variations of this maneuver.
Merging precision with his mesmerizing speed, he unleashed a lightning ballet that left trails of steel arcs in the air.
His eyes shot wide, intense and focused. And his innate ability subconsciously activated. Suddenly, he was instantly forced to a terse stop as he sensed a surge of heat.
"Who's there?" Keres pivoted on one heel and turned around. Now facing the direction of the intruder, he took an instinctive backwards leap to create more distance.
"Hey," the intruder greeted him with a subtle wave and a smile. Yet, Keres could only flinch at the sound of the voice.
Yes, the same voice he never wanted to hear again.
His breathing suppressed. His muscles stiffened. And his heart pounded, loud and fast.
"Why... are you... here?" His words slurred into unintelligibility.
When he finished speaking, he realized just how silly his question was. What use was there in asking about her intentions at this point?
Once is happenstance, twice is coincidence and three times is clear enemy action.
His grip tightened.
"Your technique with the sword is quite impressive. You're not from around here, are you?" She asked.
"..." He remained silent, forcing his trembling hand to stay put. And when a response to her inquiry failed to arrive, Ina spoke up once more.
"I understand that you have your circumstances" She paused and began approaching him.
"Regardless, hostile replies, loaded inquiries, and looking away are really impolite ways of responding to people when they're talking to you."
"It hurts being on the receiving end of these, you know" She said and Keres' face contorted.
What on earth is she on about? He never wished to be near her in the first place. So how dare she portray herself as the victim?
Right, it was all her fault. She constantly interfered in his affairs, despite his disapproval towards her doing so.
And all the misfortunes he experienced today were due to her presence.
A never-before-felt repulsion began to boil inside him.
"Keres..." She halted as she arrived next to a boulder close to where he stood.
"In my experience, when we feel our personal space is threatened, defensive reactions tend to be our go-to response." A faint parting graced her lips.
"You have misunderstood my intentions if you think I mean any harm. So, for the sake of clearing this misunderstanding, I want us to be on the same page."
"And to achieve this, I'm willing to share as much as I ask from you."
"So, if there's anything at all you'd like to know, as long as it's something I can answer, feel free to ask." She furthered in a gentle voice and wrinkles formed around his face.
Keres clenched his fists, contempt seeping through his voice. "I don't care about any of that, just leave me the hell alone!"
The princess' eyes widened at the voice burning with hostility. Nevertheless, her expression instantly returned to normal. She released a faint sigh before giving a response.
"I'm sorry but I'm afraid I can't do that at the moment." She said and Keres snorted, giving a deep frown.
"And why is that?" His voice became sharper and colder. It was as if an invisible fuse had been lit, and he stood on a volcano of anger about to erupt.
"Who even are you? What do you want from me?" He questioned, voice burning with rage.
A tense silence followed.
Ina met his hoarse reaction with a composed demeanor. Her hazel eyes held steady with an unwavering sincerity as she resumed walking towards him.
"My bad, I haven't been completely honest with you" She uttered softly.
"Allow me to reintroduce myself—"
"My name is Inara Leonidas," Her words hung with suspense. "And I'm the first princess of the Dell continent in its seven-thousand-year history."
She revealed, voice heavy with warmth.
***
Invel observed the city through his keen, charcoal black eyes.
Perched on the edge of a skyscraper's rooftop, the metropolis played out like scenes from a never-ending movie.
The scene was primarily a fusion of city lights and snow. But with his supernatural vision, Invel looked deeper into the cityscape.
His eyes caught the flickering neon sign of a night café, where tired souls sought refuge after a hectic day of work.
Vehicles drove and drifted navigating both concrete and asphalt roads.
Next, he spotted a street performer entertaining his preteen audience with chakra tricks in a dimly lit corner.
The signs of laughter, warmth and happiness triggered a radiant smile on Invel's face. Despite the burdens of responsibility it places on him, this is the only place he considers home. Noisy yet peaceful, it's where he was born, raised, and where he'll continue to reside and safeguard.
Resting his cheek in one hand, he started counting with his fingers.
"Father, Latio, Azazel..." He halted as soon as he got to three. With a confused look on his face, he lifted his chin and started thinking about the warning he received earlier today.
The thought that someone powerful enough to pose him a threat might be in the city made him smile. His heart raced with an irregular rhythm, not from the fear of danger but out of pure excitement.
But his thoughts were interrupted by the realization that he now had much more at stake that he needed to protect.
The fleeting smile soon faded when he felt something falling from the sky. Looking up, an ivory white snowflake landed on his face, its gentle touch unveiling his memory.
Right, today was Ina's first day at school. Recent events had kept them from talking much lately, but even though she was only a child, she usually was his go-to person in moments like these. He decided on his next stop.
A bright red cloud of wispy chakra surged around his body. And suddenly, as if touched by magic, he traveled through space, appearing within the hallway of his mansion.
The walls were decorated with intricate patterns and art, chandeliers illuminating a path to the door at the hallway's end.
He lifted his hand and knocked, but there was no answer. Only the crackling of a distant fireplace.
After waiting for over a minute without a response, a deep frown creased his face.
He tried turning the handle but the door was locked. Next, he sent a wave of his chakra through the small gaps around the door. It was then he fully confirmed the room was empty.
Concern seeped into his skin, his heart pounding, sensing danger.
***