The clouds slowly drifted across the sky, swallowing the full moon and leaving only faint traces of silver light behind.
Amanda stood a few steps behind Lucy, watching her younger sister gaze silently into the distance.
"I know I should've told you sooner," Amanda said softly. "But believe me, keeping it a secret was the best decision I could make at the time."
Lucy smiled faintly without turning around.
"It's okay, big sis. I think I understand now why you were always closer to Papa than I was. If he trusted you with other secrets, then I guess you had your reasons for keeping them from me."
She paused.
"Just… don't hide them from me forever."
Amanda clicked her tongue and stepped forward, resting a hand on Lucy's shoulder.
"Hey, don't start acting like a little kid, you moron. You turned seventeen yesterday. You're not a child anymore."
Lucy chuckled.
"Sometimes, I still feel like one."
Amanda sighed, guilt settling in her chest.
"I'm sorry, Lu. I was just trying to be a good big sister and keep my promise to Papa. I couldn't break it so easily. I wanted to figure everything out myself so you wouldn't have to worry about it."
She leaned closer and whispered into Lucy's ear.
"I hope you'll forgive me."
Lucy suddenly jerked away, bursting into laughter.
"Stop that. Don't whisper directly into my ear. It tickles."
Amanda smirked.
"I'll take that laugh as a yes."
She held out her hand.
"From now on, no more secrets between us. Whatever happens, we'll face it together. Deal?"
Lucy eyed her suspiciously before accepting the handshake.
"It's a partial deal."
"Hahahaha. Whatever. A deal is a deal."
Their laughter echoed across the hill as the sisters made their way back home.
---
By dawn the following morning, the sisters were ready to leave.
With their bags packed and weapons secured, they stood at the outskirts of Guhan, facing the long road ahead. Their destination was the distant Kingdom of Eminence, and they had no choice but to make the journey on foot.
The barren road stretched endlessly beneath the scorching sun. After several hours of walking, Amanda finally had enough.
"Traveling on foot is worse than I imagined."
She groaned, adjusting the rusty sword hanging at her waist.
"Let's stop here and wait for a merchant. Maybe we can get a ride."
Lucy glanced at her.
"And what are we supposed to do when one comes along?"
Amanda grinned.
"Simple. We'll offer to guard his goods in exchange for a ride."
Lucy's eyes drifted toward the rusty sword at her sister's waist.
"With that thing? Big sis, we barely know how to fight. What happens if we run into Darkside Spirits?"
Amanda patted her shoulder confidently.
"Then we'll figure something out. Besides, the chances of meeting any out here shouldn't be that high."
Lucy gave her an unconvinced look.
"That's supposed to make me feel better?"
"Stop complaining and sit down."
The sisters settled beneath a nearby tree, taking advantage of its shade while they waited. Hours passed before the distant rattling of wheels caught their attention.
A horse-drawn carriage approached, several wooden crates loaded onto its back. Its driver was a heavily built man with a round belly, sweating beneath the midday sun.
Amanda immediately jumped to her feet and waved both arms.
"Hey. Over here."
The merchant pulled the reins, slowing the horses before bringing the carriage to a stop beside them.
"What is it? I'm in a hurry"
Amanda straightened her back, doing her best to look professional.
"We're students from the Shinra Academy of Eminence. We came to Guhan for a mission, but we've run out of money for the return journey. If you hire us as guards, we'll protect your goods from any Darkside Spirits we encounter. In exchange, you can take us to Eminence."
The merchant looked them over, his eyes settling on their worn clothes and rusty weapon.
"Students from the Shinra Academy? You don't look much like Shinras to me."
Lucy quickly stepped forward and bowed.
"Please, sir. We'd really appreciate your help."
Amanda glanced at her sister, grinding her teeth.
You foolish girl. Survival is about bargaining, not begging.
The merchant suddenly chuckled.
"Alright, alright. You girls seem desperate enough. Climb aboard."
The sisters exchanged relieved looks before climbing into the back of the carriage.
As the horses started moving again, Lucy leaned toward her sister.
"That was easier than I expected."
Amanda folded her arms.
"We still have a long journey ahead."
---
Several hours later, the carriage slowed beside a clear lake.
The merchant pulled the reins and climbed down from his seat.
"Let's take a short break. The horses need some rest, and the water here is clean enough to drink."
Amanda and Lucy climbed down, grateful for the opportunity to stretch their legs. After drinking their fill, Amanda approached the merchant.
"Excuse me, sir. Do you have any food you could spare?"
The man pointed toward the carriage.
"There's some baked bread under the seat. Help yourselves."
"Thank you."
The sisters returned to the carriage and began eating.
After taking a few bites, Lucy turned toward Amanda.
"Big sis, why did you ask him for food when we brought our own?"
Amanda rolled her eyes.
"Don't be stupid, Lucy. We don't know how long this journey will take. It's better to save our supplies whenever we can."
"But…"
"Listen, Lu. Being too trusting won't get you very far in this world. Learn to take advantage of whatever opportunities come your way, or someone else will take advantage of you."
Lucy pouted but continued eating.
Then, a desperate scream came from outside.
"HELP. SOMEBODY HELP ME."
Both sisters froze.
"That was the merchant…" Lucy exclaimed.
They dropped their bread and rushed out of the carriage.
Four Beta Darkside Spirits had surrounded the merchant near the lake.
Their black, humanoid bodies were covered in dark Renshi. Each creature had a grotesquely wide mouth filled with jagged teeth, while long, sharp-edged tails whipped through the air. Blade-like weapons extended from their forearms, glinting beneath the midday sun.
The merchant stumbled backward, desperately trying to keep his distance.
"Stay away. Get away from me…"
One of the creatures suddenly lunged.
He barely managed to dodge, but its bladed arm caught his sleeve, slicing through the fabric and leaving a deep wound across his upper arm.
"AHHH!"
He fell to the ground, clutching his bleeding arm.
"HEY, YOU GIRLS. HELP ME!"
Amanda's expression changed instantly.
"Damn it…"
She drew her rusty sword and charged toward the nearest creature.
"HEY, UGLY. OVER HERE!"
The Darkside Spirit turned toward her and swung its bladed arm.
Amanda raised her sword with both hands, catching the attack just in time.
CLANG!
The impact sent a violent vibration through her arms. Her feet slid backward across the dirt as she struggled to hold her ground.
It's so strong.
Before she could recover, the creature twisted its body and swept its tail toward her legs.
Amanda tried to jump away, but she was a fraction too slow.
The tail slammed into her side, lifting her off the ground and sending her crashing into the lake.
"AMANDA!"
Lucy's scream rang across the clearing.
Water erupted into the air.
Amanda disappeared beneath the surface.
The merchant stared at Lucy in disbelief, his face pale with terror.
"You said you were Shinra students. You can't even handle one Beta Darkside Spirit? What kind of guards are you?"
"We never said we were good at fighting," Lucy shouted back.
"THEN WHY DID YOU OFFER TO PROTECT ME?"
Lucy had no answer.
The three remaining creatures turned toward them, their red eyes fixed on their new targets.
One slowly approached, dragging its bladed arm across the ground. Another moved toward the carriage, while the third circled around to cut off their escape.
Lucy's grip tightened around her rusty sword.
They're surrounding us…
She glanced toward the lake.
Amanda still hadn't resurfaced.
"Big sis… where are you?"
The nearest creature suddenly lunged.
Lucy stumbled backward, raising her sword in panic.
CLANG!
Its blade crashed against hers, nearly tearing the weapon from her hands. The force drove her down onto one knee.
"Ghh!"
She gritted her teeth and pushed upward, barely managing to force the creature's arm away.
Before she could retreat, its tail swept toward her from the side.
Lucy ducked instinctively.
The sharp tip passed just above her head, slicing through a few strands of her hair.
Her heart pounded wildly.
I can't keep this up.
Behind her, the merchant scrambled toward the carriage, only to find another creature blocking his path.
"NO. PLEASE, SOMEBODY HELP ME!"
Lucy forced herself to stand.
Her hands trembled, and her breathing grew uneven, but she refused to lower her sword.
I have to protect him until Amanda comes out.
The first creature attacked again.
Lucy barely managed to block the strike. Her rusty sword bent beneath the pressure.
The creature pulled its arm back, preparing to strike once more.
Lucy squeezed her eyes shut for a brief moment.
Damn it… move!
Then---
SHING!
A sharp sound cut through the air.
The creature froze.
A thin line appeared across its neck.
Before Lucy could understand what had happened, its head slid from its shoulders and struck the ground. Its body collapsed a moment later, dissolving into black mist.
The other three creatures stopped.
Another flash crossed the clearing.
One of them staggered as its arm fell to the ground, severed cleanly at the elbow. Before it could recover, a second strike passed through its neck.
The creature collapsed.
The remaining two roared and charged toward the unseen attacker, swinging their bladed arms wildly.
They never reached their target.
Two more flashes swept across the clearing.
Both creatures fell, their bodies dissolving into dark mist that scattered in the wind.
Lucy stood motionless, her sword still raised. She stared at the empty space where the creatures had been, unable to process what she had just witnessed.
The merchant dropped to his knees, trembling.
"W-What… what just happened?"
Ripples spread across the lake.
A moment later, Amanda's head emerged from the water.
She gasped for air and dragged herself toward the shore, eventually crawling onto the muddy bank. Her clothes were soaked, and her hair clung to her face.
After coughing up some water, she pushed herself onto her knees.
"Damn it… that thing nearly broke my ribs."
Amanda looked up and noticed Lucy standing beside the carriage, staring at her in shock.
"What?" she asked irritably. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Lucy slowly pointed toward the clearing.
"Big sis… the Darkside Spirits…"
Amanda followed her gaze.
The ground was covered in fading black mist. Several severed heads and blade-like limbs lay scattered among the remains.
Her eyes widened.
She looked from the remains to Lucy, then toward the merchant, who was still trembling on the ground.
"What the hell happened to them?"