The sun dipped behind the ridge, casting long shadows across the yard behind Jinn's small home. She moved alone, her wooden blade slicing the air with quiet precision. No spectators. No stakes. Just the rhythm.
Strike. Step. Breathe.
> What's this even for anymore...?
She adjusted her grip.
> There's no war. No battlefield. Just paperwork...
She slashed again, a clean cut through empty space.
> But stopping now would be worse.
Her motions flowed-not for glory, not for battle. Just to remember.
Then, she stilled. Her breath slowed. The past returned-not as a thought, but as a living echo.
---
She was fifteen again.
Under a tree at dusk, wooden sword in hand.
Her older brother, Aven, faced her. Their father, Jinnar Morvain, leaned on the fence, arms crossed, quiet smile on his face.
"Your stance is too rigid," Jinnar called out to Aven. "Watch Jinn. She's flowing better already."
Aven scoffed. "She's just lighter."
But Jinn didn't answer. She moved. Twist. Parry. Strike.
The clack of wood echoed through the yard.
And then-his grip slipped. His blade flew.
"What-!?"
Jinnar chuckled. "Clean disarm. That's a win."
Aven groaned.
Jinn blinked in surprise.
> I still remember Father's smile. Not proud. Just calm. As if... this was always meant to happen.
His voice still echoed in her head:
> "One day, this skill might protect something precious. Until then... enjoy the flow. Don't fight for outcome-fight for truth."
That was the start. The root of it all.
But not the end.
---
> There was another memory. A sharper one. When I learned just how far I'd come...
Days later.
Same yard. But quieter now. Their father was gone.
Aven had grown more serious. More focused.
Their duels were sharper, harsher. Driven by something neither said aloud.
Then came Josren.
A tall man in a black coat stepped into the yard as Aven and Jinn sparred. His boots heavy, his posture casual-but his eyes were sharp. He watched them for only a minute before speaking.
"She's good," he said. "Better than most new recruits."
Jinn paused.
Aven turned. "She's not for the army."
Josren grinned. "She's already sparring like a soldier. Let's see what she's made of."
Jinn blinked. "Wait! who!?"
"My friend," Aven muttered. "Josren. Captain of the outer district patrol."
Josren crossed his arms. "So, Jinnar's daughter... You inherited more than just his name."
Aven stepped in. "Forget it. She's not a weapon."
"Oh, come on," Josren smirked. "You said she beat you."
"I-" Aven folded his arms. "I held back."
"You liar," Josren laughed. "You fight like a mule stuck in mud. She dances around you."
He turned to Jinn. "What do you say? One match. Friendly."
Jinn looked at Aven.
He hesitated... then sighed. "Fine. Just don't break her."
Jinn stepped forward. "No promises."
---
Aven raised his hand between them. "On my count-three... two... one-go!"
Wood clashed instantly.
Jinn darted in low. Josren blocked high, then swung wide. She spun beneath his arm, launched a counterstrike, but he caught it on his blade.
The rhythm was fast. Blows sharp.
Each move tested the other's style-her balance, his speed.
Aven's eyes widened as they blurred across the yard.
> They're both reading, countering, predicting... That's not sparring. That's a dance of death with dull blades.
Josren grinned through his footwork. "You're faster than I expected."
Jinn didn't answer.
He feinted left-then kicked up dirt. A blur of motion.
Jinn's eyes tracked the dust. Reflex. She ducked and raised her blade just in time-clang!
Josren's strike met her block.
His eyes narrowed. "Good."
They separated, breathing hard.
Jinn rushed forward, aiming a thrust.
Josren blocked-too easily.
> That was bait...
Jinn spun mid-thrust, twisting her body-her heel came up in a sudden kick.
It landed.
Josren staggered back.
He laughed. "Now that's more like it!"
He lunged, striking with a flurry. Jinn sidestepped left, then right-each swing barely missing her.
Aven stared.
> He's drawing her into his trap. Left, right, middle-then close-range lock.
That's his finisher...!
Josren's final strike came straight down.
Jinn blocked it.
But she'd lost her balance.
A stumble.
And in that instant, he pivoted, twisting his body and tapping her ribs with the flat of his blade.
Tap.
"Match," he said quietly.
---
They stood still. Breathing. Chest to chest.
Then, Josren stepped back and offered his hand.
"You lost," he said. "But damn... you're the closest I've seen in a long while."
Jinn took his hand.
He smiled.
"With proper training, you'd be vice-captain in a year. Come to the capital. Join us."
Jinn paused. Her voice came softly. "...No. I promised my father I'd live in peace."
Josren blinked.
"I'm not meant for war," she added. "That's not my path."
Aven stepped forward. "She's made her choice."
Josren looked at him. "You sure about this?"
Aven nodded.
"She's not for the battlefield," he said. "She's for something more."
Josren exhaled, smiling faintly. "Alright. But if she ever changes her mind..."
He tapped her shoulder.
"Come find me. The Capital Guard will always be waiting."
And with that, he left.
The sun set behind him, casting gold across the yard.
---
Now, in the present-
Jinn stood beneath a twilight sky.
Her blade lowered.
> That was the day I realized what I could become. Not just Father's daughter. Not just Aven's little sister. But someone who could hold her own-against anyone.
> I'm not weak. I never was.
She looked to the sky.
> Father... Aven...
> I'll keep going. I'll live this life the way you wanted. Quiet. Peaceful. But strong.
Her hand rested on the wooden post.
A soft smile touched her lips.
And as the evening breeze stirred the trees, she closed her eyes.
The past stayed with her.
But now, she walked forward.