The sound of metal clashing against metal echoed in the training grounds, muffled somewhat by the roaring white flames that trailed behind Midhir’s sword-spear.

Lord Aulorn’s eyes widened for a split second, his lips parted in surprise, and he hesitated.

Midhir lunged forward, his fingers clenched around the shaft of the sword-spear. The white flames roared, obeying his will, and leapt forward like a pouncing cat.

One of the augments embedded into Lord Aulorn’s sword glimmered. The enforcer raised his blade with a flourish, leaving behind a trail of water that quickly started to gather at the tip of his blade.

Water gathering there lunged up, towards Midhir’s flames while Lord Aulorn stepped forward with a swift strike, forcing Midhir to take a step back to avoid his sharp blade. That moment of hesitation was gone – now the enforcer was focused. He watched Midhir with a fire in his eyes, brows furrowed and lips forming a thin line.

Had he not known better, he would think Lord Aulorn looked at him with anger and bloodthirst.

He swung his sword-spear, hitting the enforcer’s blade. He felt the strength of his swing fade immediately, while Lord Aulorn seemed unbothered.

The enforcer’s strikes continued to relentlessly follow him, forcing him to either retreat or block. His arms began to ache, and beads of sweat rolled down his chin. No matter how much he tried, he couldn’t keep up with Lord Aulorn – and the enforcer didn’t even seem to be trying.

“Is that it?” The enforcer asked with a pitiful voice. He clicked his tongue, and with a flourish of his sword, summoned bright red flames dancing around him. He simply pointed at Midhir with his blade, as if commanding his troops to attack.

The dozen or so orbs of bright red flames lunged towards Midhir, leaving trails behind them.

His eyes widened as his own white flames formed a barrier in front of him. With each hit the barrier absorbed, the more power he felt drain away, leaving him weakened. As the last ball of fire hit his barrier, it exploded in a flash of light, blinding him for a split second.

He raised his sword-spear, trying to block the hit that was surely coming, but instead, he felt a wind blow his hair back, then something cold touched his right shoulder, pressed up against his neck.

“You’ve surprised me,” he heard the enforcer’s voice from behind.

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When had he circled around him? His body was frozen as he was all too aware of the cold steel pressed against his neck. He wasn’t in any real danger, he was well aware of that. Still, the sensation remained disturbing and nerve-wrecking.

A moment passed in charged silence before the enforcer spoke again. “I expected you to lose faster – you’re slow, indecisive. Afraid.” He finally pulled the sharp blade away, allowing Midhir a breath of relief. “But you are odd. I see how you won against Willow.”

Midhir turned around the face the man, only to meet a sharp gaze that almost seemed angry. “I won because she was uncertain.” He couldn’t help but feel somewhat annoyed. For the first time in his life, a fight against a more skilled opponent had left him so unsatisfied – he had learned next to nothing from their duel.

“I can see why.” Lord Aulorn scoffed. “You fight oddly – that sword is a waste on you,” he tilted his head towards the sword laying on the ground. “And when you cast a resonance, I can’t feel it – it’s disturbing.” He raised his chin, folded his arms, and ordered, “Explain.”

Midhir pressed his lips together. “I’m unable to use spiritual power as everyone else does. I must use my own – for everything.”

Lord Aulorn’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t lie to me, boy.” He gestured towards the barrier surrounding Bareon. “Do you expect me to believe you are powerful enough to create this, with just your own power?”

Midhir shook his head. “Perhaps you should speak with Arwen or Lonan, as they can explain it better. In short, the altar we found beneath the city had been gathering power. I was able to use that to create the barrier.” Despite the animosity Lord Aulorn showed, he was still an enforcer – someone sent here to solve the crisis Bareon was facing. As much as he wished to just not share any information, that wasn’t an option.

Lord Aulorn seemed unconvinced, though he did let his sword vanish into his holding gem. “Very well. You will lead us there.”

Midhir’s heart sank. “What?” He exclaimed without thinking. The thought of going all the way down into those caverns again was near-unbearable. “Lonan would be a much better guide, sir-“

“No. You cast the resonance, your presence may be needed. Besides, the historian will be aiding us in other matters, as will your classmates. Prepare – we depart at dawn.”

Midhir clenched his fists. He didn’t want to go down there again – the witch could appear, and the enforcers wouldn’t just let her leave peacefully, nor would she just go along with their questioning. Even beyond that, he still didn’t feel fully well, and he was told to rest by the healer. “Sir, I-“

“That is an order, cadet,” Lord Aulorn snapped. “Will you dare defy an order from an enforcer?”

He could. He very well could. It took quite a bit of willpower not to snap back at him. He took a deep breath, then spoke curtly. “I will meet you at the burned church at dawn.”

He left in a hurry to go back to his quarters. The mere thought of standing below the inverted lake made cold shivers run down his spine. The unnatural, almost otherworldly place below the lake haunted him still.

Don’t take up that mantle unless you must – you will never be able to return to how things were.

His sister’s warning lingered in his mind. “I’m afraid I’m getting closer to that point, sis.” He whispered to himself as he threw himself on his bed.

And Midhir… If it happens again, tell me. I’ll come – no matter where I am.

He pressed his hand against his left eye. Her words reassured him, but he couldn’t help but fear he truly may need to rely on her once more.