Mia wandered through the ruins of the abandoned village, the air thick with silence and mist. The crumbling walls whispered stories of the past, and every shadow seemed to move.
She tightened her grip on the bow her mother had given her and reached for an arrow. Her father had once taught her how to fight, back when the world still felt safe. She took a deep breath, steadying her hands.
Then—a sudden flash of silver cut through the fog.
A sword swung straight toward her face.
Mia gasped and ducked just in time. The blade sliced through the air above her, missing her by inches. She rolled aside, heart pounding, and looked up to see who had attacked her.
Standing before her was a girl about her age, wearing a black mask and a high ponytail. Her hair was dark as midnight, and her stance was sharp and trained, like a warrior.
Mia raised her bow, though her hands trembled.
"Who are you? What do you want?" she demanded.
The masked girl tilted her head slightly, her voice calm but cold.
"Why is a child like you wandering this place? You should be in your Haven."
"I'm not a child," Mia replied, lowering her bow slightly. "And… sorry, but how old are you?"
The girl hesitated, then said, "Nineteen. And it shouldn't matter. What matters is that you shouldn't be here. You can't even shoot before someone attacks you."
Mia flushed with embarrassment. "Sorry… My name is Mia. And—wow—you're really good at fighting. Are you from the Weapons Haven? Or another one?"
The girl turned away, her tone distant. "I am from no Haven. And you should go back to yours before you get yourself into serious trouble."
Mia frowned, stepping closer. "Actually, we're the same age. And since you think I can't fight, maybe you could show me?"
The girl spun back around, eyes narrowing behind her mask. "What? No."
"Please?" Mia insisted. "If you just showed me a few moves—"
"No, Mia," the girl interrupted firmly. "My answer is no. And it stays no."
She turned and began walking away through the mist, silent and graceful like a shadow.
But Mia wasn't ready to give up. She slung her bow over her shoulder and hurried after her. "Wait! At least tell me your name!"
The girl didn't answer.
She kept walking, her figure fading into the fog.