"Go back to your prince..." I spit back at the airship that seemed to be following me. While nothing had pursued me since my immediate departure. One airship had seemingly come across me and kept a close eye on me. But I was not foolish enough to test their lack of willingness to shoot.

So I kept putting all my power into my flight and I ensured distance. However, in the open skies of my homeland, I was not safe. So I had no choice but to dive down into the valleys below to escape them. But although I could physically hide, that did not mean I could not be found.

Ironically, I was safer in the air while using my magic as the higher one went the denser it was. I could blend in without even having to hide physically. Yet, I could not trust my gut in this situation, my prior knowledge was useless. Despite having spent a few years at Suhurlodst, I was no closer to understanding the capabilities of these things.

They were as much an enigma now as they were all that time ago. When I hovered there, paralyzed in fear and confusion as it barraged my army. I couldn't offer any insight either when I got back. I was just a returning soldier, there to hold the line.

"So you were after me..." I remark cautiously as the sound of that gargantuan machine shook the valley. A shiver went through me too. The power of those engines... The purity of the winds blowing out of them.

It was nothing I had ever encountered before. Even the Zaphadren-Valkinvar's power did not feel so overwhelming. But I had to try and bare in mind how different she was from this machine. Control was something she was capable of. This machine needed to be blatant in order to stay in the air.

Soon, though, I found myself sneering as that power was still there. I was getting used to it but it was choking my senses. I felt blinded by such a presence. I couldn't tell if it was safe to reveal myself even slightly.

But, I was in luck, the airship had not made itself known to this particular valley. In fact, it was in another one entirely! I thought maybe it was just the way the cave directed the sound. But, no, I could carry on unimpeded!

So, as there was no time like the present, I shot forward. Tearing up the soil and grass with the strength of my push through the air. Only to come to a sudden halt once I followed the bend in the valley. It was waiting right for me...

"N-No..." I nearly squeaked as I once again found myself hovering before its high-rising broadside. Just like before, I stared up at that machine with panic shredding my nerves. Only this time, I had no armour, I had only my sword. They had no intention of leaving me alone either.

For on the top deck were witches of some kind, although it was hard to tell how strong they were. So I looked up and around, I checked both my sides and gulped as I realised something. With how some of these witches were moving, my only escape would be straight for the underbelly. The way I came was pointless now...

I had no intention of letting them trap me, though. So I readied the tip of my blade and I called on my magic. And, as the approaching witches closed the distance. I launched forward once again.

My wild swing, however, struck no one and I was left with nothing but the distance to cross. Something the airship knew it could not allow. And I saw its resolve to stop me soon enough. Loud and clear did it make the declaration as my vision lit up with hundreds of small, approaching lights.

With hints of purple and blue, I was reminded of Nin's magic as their warped noises filled the air. It was like the air wobbled uneasily around them. It was raw magic alright. And it was because of that, that I did not want to risk touching them.

One of the first things I was taught was how to hide and alter my aura. Its application was both a tactic of stealth, misdirection and of modesty. But these orbs, these cannonballs as they seemed to be. I could not feel anything even though I should have been able to.

"Even now..." I remarked nervously as I shot through the gap of them. Having turned back to watch them detonate. But, in doing so, I had come to understand their power. The magic behind me, it was gone.

It was like I had never stepped there, to say nothing of the stretch of fresh craters! These guns wiped everything out... I had to avoid them at all costs. But there were so many of them.

So many guns.

Yet, there was hope yet, I was nearly at its underbelly. I had weaved through several more waves of cannon fire and I had forced my way past the pillars of wind magic. However, I could not rest, I needed to move somewhere. And with the airship suddenly lowering itself...

I made the hasty decision to head to my right as I felt a gap in the magic power. If this was a continuation of the trap or an exploitable mechanical flaw. It did not matter. I had to ascend the mountain and dive over!

So, seemingly acting in contradiction, I stopped at the lowest edge of the mountain. One hand dug straight into the rock and I looked up. A face of grim determination met the cloudy sky above and I dragged my body back. Sending myself up against the incline with all I had. Higher and higher I went until the snow-belt broke before me.

And I broke through it again as I dropped down into the dense woodlands below. Fortunately for my pursuers, I had to leave a trail of destruction. I could not move with haste without doing so. But I had to stop, I could not run with such a blatant trail behind me!

But what was I to do? This is how I had learned to fly, this is what they had taught and instructed me to do. To my growing frustrations as well. I struggled to figure anything out.

Our was was not to run, it was to charge! But this was not something I could beat... Even if it was just the witches or soldiers. I had no armour.

I was just a woman in casual attire... Albeit, I had made a point of destroying it with my aggressive travel speed.

"I need a place to..." I mumbled against the wind before I suddenly veered towards the right. The path ahead was clear but I still needed to do something to hide my trail. And I had to do it fast. The airship's powerful horn and tremendous ryphergokpower kept its presence on my mind.

There was someplace for me to go, though! The mountain ahead! I could see it was suffering from some degree of decay! It had a sense of hollowness to it.

And, luckily for me, my well-trained eyes quickly caught sight of a cave that was in line with the forest. So I turned towards it and went as fast as I could. Turning upwards at the last moment and forcing my way through the stone as I did so. Only to then drop as I let my magic die.

Briefly letting it back only to break my fall before I tumbled and rolled through a dusty, gravel-filled pit. Then, without delay, I quietly breathed my worries in and dug myself into the gravel. No magic escaped me and my breathing was louder than ever.

And so was the airship, in fact, it had just passed by close enough to disturb the eroded pillars above. They fell as easily as they looked they would and a wave of disturbed dust flew out about the crater. Thankfully, they had landed far away from me, so I just ended up being buried even further.

Yet now I was blind, my senses were all taken away from me by hiding here. The airship had come to a stop near where I had made my diversion. But under all this stony debris, I could not see either. There was an uncomfortable blackness ahead of me and my magic would not alleviate it.

I just had to try and wait it out... Maybe they would go away on their own. One lone Valkinvar not worth it in their eyes. Yet, despite the reasons for me being here, I prayed that they did not know that I was.

I hoped they just saw me as a suspicious witch seemingly on the run. But I had my doubts. With the way I had shown off my power. The way I had moved, even.

It was all indicative of the iconic style of the Four-Winded Order.

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.

.

"It's dimming?" I asked myself as I started to push my way out of the gravel. Staggering to the top of it before harshly coughing as I finally let the dusty air get to me. Although there was still great power nearby, it had tuned down. Yet, with the dark of night all about, I had to check.

Just rushing ahead would've been a mistake if the airship had decided to lay a trap. So I slowly made my way up the mountain. Taking advantage of the stone it had upheaved on its fly-by to get up higher until I reached the lowered peak. A cautious glint in my eyes as I looked down at the sight before me.

A camp had been made and a small, but still dangerous army had been deployed to fill it. The airship was still there too, so perhaps it was their onboard compliment? It had to have been. No other vehicles had come since I had gone into hiding beneath the gravel.

"The airship must be quite lightly manned right now." I commented as I brought a knee up so I could rest my face on it. Though, I never went any further with that vocalised thought. And, instead, I got up and turned back towards the gravel. They had taken the bait, they thought I was hiding in the caves...

So I dropped down again and quickly built up my magic while they were unprepared. I shot into the sky and went high above the earth so I was with freedom once again. From which, I carried on going in what must've been the right way. I had carefully remembered the route I had taken.

Although, the skills I used to do so were not intended to be used like this. It was meant for keeping an idea of where I had gone in a battle. So that the Ordoar-Imdvarace's jagged way of fighting did not disorient me. But, it had a new use here, and it was possibly the best way to use it.

Home, that is where I was going, I was finally going home!

There was one issue, however, I was running low on magic. I needed to find a place to rest. Somewhere to just take shelter. Preferably a place that wasn't a dust pit either...

Just a place to take my breath, there would be no lingering as I have been for the past few years. At first light I would depart and head on out. But the question of where was still an issue. At least, until I saw the glimpses of what appeared to be a town!

"Perfect..." I let out tiredly as I dropped down slowly. Shaking briefly in the air before a dull thud marked my landing. Then, with some uncertainty, I looked down at my sword. I couldn't just walk in with it, I would be handed over if the heretics came looking!

But I also couldn't abandon it, I needed it...

"That'll do." I soon, however, commented as I spotted a nice spot to just lodge the sword. I wouldn't move up to it, but I could throw the sword there. And with a splash and bang, it disappeared from my sight. Right through the waterfall that fed into the town's centre.

"Who goes there?" called a sentry as I slowly approached the open gates of the town. A peculiar sight in and of itself.

"Just someone in need of a wash." I answer as I step into the light of his torch as he waved its flaming head in my direction.

"My word, you are quite filthy and destitute." the sentry remarked as he stepped aside and let me in with seemingly no issue.

"This is fine?" I found myself asking even as my instincts cautioned me.

"Yeah, go clean yourself up already." he said with a bemused smile as he shook my head. And, not one to waste the opportunity his careless attitude presented, I moved into the town centre. It was quite alive as well, though I quickly became the target of comments due to all this dust.

"And I thought the kids had it bad." some young woman commented before she carried on frolicking with her friends. And when I saw it, I marched straight for it. And I plunged my head right into the depths of a fountain before I dragged my head out.

Sighing in relief as I felt the cold water drip from my face. Yet, once I stopped enjoying the water. I spotted something I wanted to avoid. I saw a small group of them...

Soldiers of the Seven-Peaks Union...

"Great." I remark in annoyance as I cautiously watch them. And I quickly made my way elsewhere before I looked up at the waterfall. A crowd had gathered and must've heard my sword implanting itself into the stone.

But, upon getting closer, I instead found a performance underway. Unlike me, everyone here was careless and full of joy. They were at peace while I hid in the dark like a criminal. This humiliation was just one I had to bear, though.

There was nothing I could do when the enemy was so close to me. And perhaps I should leave this town. If there was an enemy garrison here, then I was not welcome here. Yet, at the same time, there was nowhere that I could go.

I had exhausted myself for the moment running from that airship. Travelling all this way from Suhurlodst had left me lacking. So, I sighed and kept on walking. Hoping to find someplace that I could just sneak into and stay for the night.

Thankfully, there was at least an easily accessible stable that I could step into. No one noticed but the animals, but they did not seem to care. In fact, one of them even came over to me to sit by my side. And I shook my head at it before I took advantage of its woolly coat.

"Don't hold this against me." I told the creature as I put my head against its side. And although I was not cold, I appreciated the warmth that I felt from it. Though, with so much on my mind, I struggled to even close my eyes. And instead, I stared upwards at the moon that was out this night.

It was such a simple thing to look at, a single glowing orb amidst a pitch-black background. Flanked by a couple more of its siblings as they passed through their orbits. If I went higher, the view wouldn't be the same. But I would still see the dominant moon of whatever time of year it was.

But there was more to these mysterious, lonely decorations beyond our world. They were the prisons made for each of the fourteen heads of the moon-beast. Our word for betrayer, 'jhrmaro' came from the greatest of them. Jhrarda the Mighty.

It still baffled me, even after having spent time amongst converts how it came to be. Jhrarda and his siblings were evil, they killed Ihtuntar, God of the Sun! The sky was dark and empty at night because of them! So I just couldn't see how people rallied to his name.

We were the defenders of a just order, we Valkinvar. The soldiers we commanded under the banner of the Theocracy were good! We stood for the survival of the true faith to our saviours. The divine powers that saved our world from the vicious Fourteen-Headed Beast.

We fought to ensure their legacy survived. I thought to honour a god I was formerly to be betrothed to. What do these heretics fight for, exactly? They can argue what they want but it changed nothing.

They fought for an evil god.

No matter what happened all that time ago when the Emerald Awakening happened. At that ancient siege where, supposedly, their founder rode down the mountain. All the wind magic in the world at his back. They had given up on those who protected them for those that would destroy them.

But I was a soldier, not a philosopher. I would never be able to figure out how someone's mind could fall so far. Yet, it was because I was a soldier that I could defend what was right. The world would not suffer from such heresy so long as I did my part.

To preserve the faith of all the gods. From most ancient Thurnmourer to those who only lived on now as a memory, like the Betrayed Sun, Ihtuntar. I fought for them as much as I did anyone else in my country. And although I would never speak to them or know them truly, I owed them as much.

"Braaaaah." the animal I was on suddenly let out as it dropped its head down.

"I suppose it is time I actually slept, isn't it?" I asked it as I let my eyes close for a moment before they slowly opened up again. I was exhausted and drained, yes, but I could not sleep. My mind was restless and disturbed. I knew it was dangerous to stay here.

But what was I supposed to do? I couldn't run any longer right now. Unless... I took something to do the running for me?

And so, I slowly moved back to my feet and stared at the animals. Maybe one of them had a saddle already on them? But which one could reliably cross a vast distance? I was again, a soldier.

All I knew of animals was what it was like to face them or use them. Ryphergok heavy cavalry that smashed all lines effortlessly. The lighter, springier jupurse who once reigned supreme for all riders. I only knew them as tools of war.

"What about you?" I questioned a rather large creature as I approached it. Running a hand along it as I walked by it before I stepped back. It was a large beast of burden, but it was unlikely to be fast. However, it had stayed hooked up to the carriage it likely came here with.

My touch, however, went on to wake the creature up and it craned its neck towards me. A long tongue then popped out of its circular mouth and it prodded at my face. And, not appreciating that, I smacked its tongue away before I looked into the carriage. Its weak locks and handles not mattering much to someone as strong as me.

And I nodded as I looked inside, it seemed comfortable enough and no one would think much of it. Because even though it was weak to me, it was all armoured. This was intended for potentially rough travel out there beyond the settlement. It was, however, completely emptied of supplies.

A mild annoyance really, but I would have liked to have something to eat or drink. It was not a requirement, though. So I nodded to myself and closed the carriage up. Sneaking ahead to check the main gate to the stable area before I turned back to it.

"How about it, then, shall we?" I asked the beast of burden as it slowly moved forward as its neck rumbled with a powerful call. Yet, before I could carry on, I found myself glancing up towards where I had placed my sword. I would need to retrieve it. But how?

I could just call it back to me and just make a run for it with the animal. I could delay my calling until we were far enough away? Or, I could go up there and retrieve it. It seemed to be a simple enough, quiet enough path.

But I did not know if I had the time to do so. Perhaps it was even smarter of me to just abandon my weapon. It was just a sword after all. I was not honour-bound to care for it.

Yet it was all I had left at this point. It was the last thing I still had that reminded me of my true calling. My armour was gone and had long since been abandoned. And I was never honoured with colours of my own back when my service to the Theocracy was a sure thing.

The practicality of having my blade at my side was also a thing to consider. I would have nothing if I just stole this carriage. And, ironically, despite the position I had found myself in at Suhurlodst. I was inept at casting spells, really.

At least on the level they were expected to show.

I was a soldier whose magic was built around my sword. The way I was taught to move. It was to either thrust the blade right through them or to bring the hooked tip right back on them. I forced them to comply with my choice of sudden direction.

I could fight hand-to-hand, sure, but that was a fools move when I lacked armour. Something any witches I would encounter would have. Not only that, numbers and an arsenal of spells too! I needed a way to fight if I was to make it back.

So, I shook my head before I nodded once to reaffirm my chosen choice. And I turned to the waterfall. Raising my arm before me yet doing nothing. I needed to be sure that this was the right choice to make here, right now.

Disturbing the waterfall with such a powerful disruption. The garrison here would most certainly notice it this time if they missed it before. And when they figured out what it was causing it... The airship would come to their aid.

"Unless..." I remark as I turn my head slightly to listen in on the festivities. There wasn't anything grand going on, but it was clear it was just one of those nights. A night when people just went out to enjoy themselves. I saw them all the time at Suhurlodst but declined all offers.

Perhaps there was something I could do to make the night rowdier? I guess I could find a pub. It had been a while, but I remembered what Giant's Victory's garrison often did. They gambled and fought and drank between battles or when they were recovering.

And, thinking that, I smiled optimistically. That was something I could do just fine! I had experience with strategy and I was strong. Their games would be nothing to me!

But I was still dirty and filthy...

"AAAAAHHHH! GO DROWN YOURSELF IN THE WATERFALL YOU STUPID GOK!" someone screamed after a loud splash sounded out near me.

"Guess I'll pretend to be thrown into the water." I comment with a shrug as I step out into the light and make my way to the noise. A mixture of laughter and more screaming guided me and when the moment was right. I leapt ahead and splashed down. Slowly pulling myself out with an attempt at an annoyed expression before someone stood before me.

"See, she has no problem with it at all!" a young man cackled as he held out his hand.

"Thank you." I told him as I found myself happy to be cleaned of all that dust.

"Alright, come, let's head inside to dry off!" he cheers along with the rest of his friends as I am suddenly brought along with them. The fact I was not a part of their group seemingly not mattering to them as I found myself inside. A roaring fire soon before me as the sound of music and partying drowned my ears.

Then, after having rested briefly before the warm fire. I walked to an open window and looked out at the waterfall. Playing around with the rune on my arm before I was suddenly involved with the revelry again. And I found myself dragged off towards a board of some kind.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

"Here, you have a go seen as you were such a good sport before!" the young man who had offered me his hand encouraged.

"I just throw it?" I asked him as he put a relatively dense dart into my hand.

"Yeah, but try not to aim for that spot up there, I want to win, see." he ultimately suggests as now I believe I had found my perfect distraction.

"Oops." I comment as he suddenly got annoyed.

"Ha! Suck on that, Loser!" one of his friends guffawed as he stared wide-eyed at my precise throw. The establishment had even mostly erupted into cheering as a result.

"Okay, no! No!" the young man complained as his shaky grip failed to do anything to resolve his problem.

"My turn?" I asked as I picked up another dart. Embarrassing him further before I threw it while keeping an eye on him.

"AND SHE DIDN'T EVEN LOOK!" someone roared before alcohol sprayed about the air.

"Okay, okay... I want to see this. Clear the board!"

"Board clear!"

"Alright, name?" a large-bellied man asked as he smiled and scrubbed away at the chalk they had written the prior game with.

"Vapooliar." I answer as I accept an offer for some kind of meaty snack. If they were to solve one of my issues without further theft, then I was happy to play along.

"Alright, so, we have up-and-coming champion Vapooliar versus the increasingly sour Axopp."

"Wrong way around." this Maopp growls as he wipes his mouth and steadies his posture. It seemed that he actually knew what he was doing when he put the effort in. Even if the taint of alcohol ruined his potential at the moment.

Unlike me, though, his friends and some of the others were pointing out this fault. Yet I was content to act like nothing was wrong so he would not do better. I was confident that I could win but I needed a ruckus. I needed something that made a lot of noise.

"ONE-HUNDRED AND EIGHTY!" the fat-bellied man roared with a spell of some kind. And, like a trigger, the place erupted into cheering.

"So I just need to do better..." I remark quietly as Axopp looks back at me.

"Can't do better than... One-hundred and eighty..."

"I think," I start to say as I throw one dart without looking, "that I can, in fact," throwing a second one, "do much better."

"No..." he complained as the room went quiet.

"Did I?" I asked everyone as I looked at where the darts had all landed. Right in the same spot he had to carefully watch for.

"ONE-HUNDRED AND EIGHTY!" everyone howled as I was suddenly barraged by pats on the back and other compliments.

"Should've left you in the water..." Axopp moaned as he downed another drink. His actions seemingly suggested he was focusing. But, no, he was getting worse. And despite my naivety with the game, I caught on quickly.

Careful thoughts took place as he took his turn. And it wasn't long before I had managed to score a seemingly perfect round. The roar of the gathered crowd certainly suggested as much. Which, I then exploited as my hand was forced up to the jubilation of everyone about me.

"Thank you." I tell them, but not for what they thought. And, with it all out of the way, I made my way outside. Waving and smiling at them before I went back into the darkness. Seemingly never having been there at all.

And I was soon back at the stables before I quickly rushed around to where I had felt the drop. Then, when I got there, I picked up my briefly hidden blade and turned to the carriage. Briefly glancing at all the spooked animals and the slight mess I had made before I put my sword into the carriage. And with a quick flick of my hand, I broke open the stable gates and guided the hulking animal out.

Hopping up into the appropriate area before I then drove it out of the settlement. The guards at this other gate none the wiser to what I had done. And as they waved, I waved back to them before I leaned back. The light of the town soon disappeared behind me as we went out onto the dark road.

The darkness did not bother me so much as my faith in the animal did. Could I leave it on its own or would I have to travel half-lidded? I suppose it did not matter right now. So I just leaned back against the carriage and closed my eyes so that even a moment's rest would be mine.

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.

.

"Miss, Miss!" someone called out as I was shook about.

"H-Huh?" I let out as I slowly woke up. Only to freeze up slightly as I found myself staring directly at a patrol of heretic soldiers.

"Your mamuler has gotten a little off track." the soldier commented as he gestured to the tree my transport was feasting on.

"Right, thank you." I told him as my eyes quickly looked over their arms and armour.

"Will you need help moving it? You are lodged in quite badly."

"No, no! I can handle it." I hastily answer as I hop down and quickly pull the carriage and the beast back. Shaking the last of my grogginess out of my head before I then rushed back to the driver's seat.

"Hold on a moment." he told me as he raised his hands. And nervousness struck through me in a way I couldn't understand. I was a Valkinvar. And he was just some soldier, so why was I scared?

"I need to be going..." I tell him as I look back at the carriage where my sword was.

"And you will, but, answer me this... What's someone as strong as you doing around here, exactly?"

"I just pulled the mamuler back onto the road..." I dismissively answer, chuckling nervously to make it seem like it wasn't a big deal.

"Exactly, so, what are you doing out here?" he asks as he gestures for the faceless soldiers he was with to approach the carriage.

"Stay back!" I snap at them as I lock onto their weapons. I barely remembered their weapons, but I recalled easily what they did. The start of my troubles all that time ago. A fearless force whose weapons saw my own men disappear without a trace...

"Call in a war-wi-" he began to order before I shot out of my seat. I gave none of his men a chance to react either and soon, they all soaked my hands with their blood. Heavy pants left me and I found myself staring back at the carriage. That undisciplined, panicked rush had destroyed the carriage and killed the animal.

"WELL DONE!" I roared in rage at myself as I brought my sword back to my hand. I would need to run once again on my own. The way I used my magic, the mess I had made. It was going to haunt me immediately.

"On our way! Hold tight!" the wind somehow spoke before I suddenly twitched to my right. My gaze snapped instantly to where that shot had just come from. And with one clean smash, I brought my sword through that soldier and dug it deep into the rock behind them. A look of despair on my face as I followed a small amount of wind magic head out into the sky.

And that small trace led me to an even larger force of magic. The help they were about to call for was on its way and I was lighting a great torch for them to follow. So, with a frustrated click of my tongue, I went into the sky. Smashing apart the ground behind me on the way up.

But in doing so, I only exposed myself to the witch that they had call upon. And I had to burst ahead to avoid a blast of magic that they had sent ahead of them. Yet, I soon found myself yelping in surprise when that same blast circumvented my awareness to strike me from behind. It was not enough to knock me out of the sky, however.

Though it was more than enough to give this witch the time to catch up to me. And I was met with another blast of magic which did move me. With a pained scream, I was smacked down into a nearby mountainside. Thankfully, it wasn't enough to keep me immobile enough for their next attack and I dashed down to the ground.

Digging my feet into the road to slow myself as I spun around. Ending right in a defensive posture as the debris went flying out further down the length of the road. A determined glare on my face as a greater spell began to form. A vast, dangerous orb that sprouted many arms as it built up.

Yet, as I could not tell how potent the spell really was, I hopped back further. Narrowly avoiding the shockingly fast orb as it crashed down into the road and vortexed back into the sky. But by focusing on this great orb and the arms that came out of it. I failed to notice the smaller orbs it had left about behind me.

So I at first tried to block one with my sword but it was no use. This witch was strong enough to hurt me, at least without my armour. So I had to use my sword as not only a shield, but as a sled as well. And it would find itself being a shield once more as the witch let out a mighty blast once all the magic came back to them.

"GAAAAH!" I screamed in shock as I went flying across the valley. Only my quick reactions and strong sword stopped my continued rolling. Yet hers were to my annoyance, not slow themselves. And I brought my right arm up to deflect her left one as it tried to implant another spell on me.

"VALKINVAR!" she roared in my face before she brought her other arm in to follow up on her last attack. And with one arm against hers, the other holding my sword. I could not resist the blow. And I flew backwards once again.

"Dammit..." I spat before I shot off into the sky. The intent was to retreat because I could do nothing. Without my armour and the tally of my current mistakes... I couldn't fight her.

Yet even now, as I put all my effort into falling back to a safer spot or to hide once again. I made another mistake that left me wide open. And that was to not know my enemy. For her arsenal was more than just those orbs. And I was quickly brought back to the ground by a whip-like spell.

And another one was coming right for me from above!

So I cut off the first construct and roared in fury as I swung my sword up to parry the other one. Knocking her briefly off of her footing as a result. But, by failing to exploit it, I gave her the opportunity to bombard me once again. And the mountain erupted into a storm of rubble and green winds as she let loose a full barrage.

Thankfully for me, however, the mountaintop was only a short distance above and behind. So, when the moment came, I pushed myself backwards. Scraping along the mountain before I flipped over its peak as if it were a normal edge. And once I was repositioned in the air I shot down into the next valley over.

Leaving the battle behind me as I shot through the valley as fast as I could. And whenever the moment came, I suddenly shot into another valley or changed directions altogether. Then, once I felt like I had lost them. I dropped into another valley once again.

Sticking close to an outcropping of rock as I suppressed my magic in its entirety. With all the places I had just been to. It was a gamble weighted in my favour. The chances of her coming upon this one, in particular, were slim.

Even then, though, I kept my back against the wall and I planted my blade right up there with me. Thankfully, I could sense for her without having to expose myself. And to my delight, she was not here in this valley or that close at all. It seemed as if she never chased after me at all.

But that only worried me because she had seen clearly what I could handle. She knew what I was from the postures I took and the weapon I held. If her power was anything to go by, then she was possibly an equal. Or a member of a group that would prove to be my equal should I be properly equipped.

Regardless, I was glad that I had managed to escape her and I made my way down the valley on foot. I would not bring out my magic again for the moment. Doing so would just reinvigorate the chase if one ever began. So I just walked and walked until I came across a bridged-over crater.

"Odd, normally, you would see these kinds of things just filled in." I remark as I walked over the metal bridge. An uncertain feeling filled my gut as I did so. I almost felt sick in a way. There was something off about this bridge.

And when I crossed over it, I came to a stop and stared off into the distance. A sense of confusion came about me and I kept on staring towards the opposing view. There was something odd about how the mountains outcropped at nearly the same distance. This patch of near grassless earth seemed off as well.

But it was only after moving further and turning around that I recognised where I was. And out of shock, I dropped my sword and looked down at the grass. It was all trampled. An army had passed through here...

"This is..." I began to utter before I went quiet as it all flashed before me. This was the place. This was where I had failed in my duties. Where my army was routed and cut down to the man.

Our line did not hold and the heretics passed on by straight towards Giant's Victory. The Zapahdren-Valkinvar's force did not come to smash upon their rear. Instead, they found the ruins of the force I should have led. And, as I struggled to breathe, I ran towards my old line.

Despair swelled up inside me and I soon fell to the earth as if I had tripped up. This was the place... The place where I failed my superiors, my nation and the people I was supposed to protect. We marched out of the city with a sizeable chunk of the garrison to make a line here. And when I failed, they vanished.

But to my horror, I did not find a line of graves dug for them or a pile of old cinders. They were all still here. The bodies of my men and the guns we brought with us. They had been denied their rightful rest by the heretics and had been left for the buzzards.

"Grand-Thoucomm..." I uttered as I looked up to my right. The ruins had not even been clear out in the slightest. When the heretics won, they just marched right through here after recovering their own dead. And, with my emotions at their limits, I tore apart the rubble to get inside the old command centre.

Then, I wept as I saw the bodies of not only those who died during the battle. But those who had been trapped here. Left to starve and wilt away in the darkness. Everywhere was a vivid scene of what my failure had inflicted. And I collapsed at the edge of the crater within the ruins.

Covering my face and letting my sword drop to the ground with a rattle as I tried to get myself together. Of all the places I could've ended up, how did I find myself coming right back here? Was this some kind of divine ploy? A joke set up by the Goddess of Illusion!?

"WHY AM I HERE!?" I screamed into the dark before I got back up to my feet. Not even bothering to call my sword to my side as I slowly trudged back out into the light. This way was still stained with dried blood even now... The bodies of those I was supposed to protect were trampled by the victorious enemy.

And I just stared out towards it all. I looked up at where I had fought the Red-Feathers. And I looked down at where those guns had struck. Like far back, they too had been bridged.

And despite all the effort they had clearly put into their advance, they still neglected the dead. They were content to spit on them for their beliefs. To leave them here in the open where Waionr would never find them. Where Undwote's pack would just sniff before they vanished elsewhere.

"At least let me atone for my failure..." I whisper to my fallen army as I call back my sword to my side. And with a sigh, I marched out into the open to begin gathering the dead. Although it was not fitting for such courageous men. These ruins would have to do.

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"And by casting this torch, I light the beacon for your patron. Waionr, hear me well, for I am here to guide these warriors to you. Their march is at an end. Their duty complete." I chant as I light the pile of pitch I had gathered together on fire. And soon, both sides of the valley lit up into a mighty blaze that roared out into the dark valley.

Waionr would be able to find them now, I had made sure of that. But unlike a normal funeral, I did not stay around for long. I couldn't stay by their side even now. And I was ashamed of that, but I hoped they understood why.

I had failed them and it was because of that, that I could fail no other line. No more cities would fall as a result of my incompetence or my neglect. I would hold on as long as I could. I would work myself to death if I have to in order to ensure that.

So, with a sigh, I began to march back in the direction of Giant's Victory. A long overdue return that I was finally going to fulfil. Yet, as my newfound gear rattled against the earth. I felt uncomfortable.

"This isn't right... Waionr taught us not to loot our brethren... Not to shame them when they could fight no longer..." I whimpered as I stared down at the uniform I had cobbled together from many of the dead men I had found. Yet even as a hand rubbed away at the edges of destroyed mail and other signs of damage. I could not bring it in myself to return to my previous set of attire.

So I could only silently plead for forgiveness as I dragged my sword behind me. And it wasn't long before the warmth of my tremendous pyre disappeared. The cold night swooped in to quickly replace the sensation. And with it I sighed out more of my frustrations as my free hand pinched my brow.

Even after having gone through all of that. To give those men the burial they deserved. I couldn't help but feel ashamed. Because it really was my fault no matter how I saw it.

I didn't stop the guns from striking them nor was I strong enough to halt the Red-Feathers. I had been given an immense responsibility and I chose to run away went things went bad. I swore oaths and enacted them for so long. But, when they were finally strained, I went and hid.

And now I returned to the war wearing looted armour after running from my first real fight in years. I wanted to come back to ensure I died as what I always have been; a Valkinvar. But in order to do so, I went about it unlike one. I was pathetic...

"Just a few days march down this route... And I'll probably find the bodies of the Zaphadren-Valkinvar's army as well..." I sighed miserably before I took one final glance towards the site of my great defeat. And with a final gesture of farewell, with little confidence behind it. I departed into the darkness that lay before me.

Little to no hope within me as I made the trek.

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"The Chapter-Mistress will probably want to hear this." I remark as I make my way over the mountain before me. Gently skirting over its snow-covered peak before I found myself before our behemoth Mobile Fortress. A grand, but harmless gesture of magic came from me as I flew by its head. Without it, I would've been thrown out of the air by its rumbling throat.

Yet even with it, I found my body shaking and trembling before I dropped down. Onto the safety of the ensorceled stone that made up our castle's grand entrance platform. And with a quick gesture, I dismissed the servants who came up to me to offer their aid. And I quickly made my way into the depths of the castle with a piece of sundered armour.

"Noalla, what're you doing back here?" Ainael asked me as she spotted me. Then, once she finished running up to me to ensure a more respectable conversation. I handed over the piece of armour I had taken from the bodies the Valkinvar had created. After I notified the nearest force capable of clearing it up, of course.

"A footman's bracer?" she questioned as she held it up before a torch before she passed it back to me.

"Despite your inspection, you did not catch it?"

"No, I am afraid not." she answers with a shrug before the moves to straighten out her mostly white attire.

"The lingering power on the serrated edge, you should be familiar with it!" I chastise as I make an elaborate point of pointing it out.

"Yes, yes, now I see. You are here to inform Chapter-Mistress Chiara, then?"

"I am, is she within the temple? Her private office? Somewhere more public?"

"I cannot answer that at the moment, you will need to get searching."

"I'll see you in due time, then."

"Jhr nosumonaterikra." she recited to me.

"Jhr nosumonaterikra." I recite back to her with the appropriate gestures. Turning my back on her thereafter so I could carry on my search for the Chapter-Mistress. Thankfully, the privileges I had accrued as a member of this chapter made my task easier. And I sent forth a wave of magic before I brought it suddenly back.

She was on her way to the temple by the looks of it, and she was busy.

"I hope she isn't so busy as to give me grief." I remark as the sounds of my heels striking the stone fill my ears. A steady, reliable beat that easily drowned out the flicker of the fire and the whistling of passing wind. The sound of chapter-guards and my fellow witches, however, were not so easily drowned out.

For a brief moment as well, I even stopped to inspect one of the chapter-guards. Only to smirk at him as I needlessly brushed their shoulder. Yet I went no further and left them to their duties. And I was soon only a hallway away from my superior who I picked up the pace to meet with.

"Chapter-Mistress Chiara!" I called out urgently, interrupting the conversation she was having. And, in order to make sure she was not mistaken and that I would not be on the end of a stern speech. I dropped down submissively and kept my fists planted.

"Rise." she remarks slowly after barely scraping my exposed head.

"Chapter-Mistress Chiara, I present an issue that I believe might concern you."

"You would think a veteran would know better." one of my pettier superiors remarked as a brief wave of giggling went through them.

"A strong witch decimated the footman who wore this, but I suppose there is more to it than just that?"

"Yes, Chapter-Mistress Chiara. It is with great concern that I clarify the enacter of this violence to be a Valkinvar operating beyond the frontlines." I explain, much to the bemused bafflement of my recent chastisers.

"A Valkinvar? Dearest veteran, we pushed them back from here some time ago."

"I know what I saw. Her posture, her blade, they were all indicators for someone of the Ordoar-Imdvarce." I tell them with a stern expression. Ignoring their childish behaviour by only focusing on the expression of our mutual superior.

"Walk with me, alone." the Chapter-Mistress explains before she sharply turns her head towards her previous group.

"But, Chapter-Mistress, the war effort." one contested as they reminded them of the tablets they held.

"The war might be coming to an end at the behest of His Royal Highness Prince Jhrartur, but it shall not be ending within the next minute!" she nearly snaps as she suddenly gestures for me to follow.

"So, yes, Chapter-Mistress Chiara, the Valkinvar."

"Do not mistake me for anything but a seeker of understanding, but, are you sure it was one?"

"Yes, Chapter-Mistress Chiara. Her sword was modelled along the same make and her style, while crude, was clearly meant to be an Ordoar-Imdvarce Valkinvar." I tell her, letting her inspect the armour piece once again.

"And your theory as to why one of them was far past their line of retreat? This is completely unorthodox for them and it is no fool's statement to say that they're predictable to the extreme."

"I have none, Chapter-Mistress Chiara. Which, on top of one being where I found it to begin with, is already a major call for concern."

"You found it where?"

"Out in the wilderness, they had been seemingly travelling under disguise. Or, at the very least, on a transport. I last saw them last heading to the site of the Surprising Barrage's namesake battle."

"So they are on their way to the disgusting ruins of Giant's Victory?" she questions as she turns around. One arm was down at her side while the other bent up to show her clenched fist.

"Shall I make haste to warn the garrison?"

"No, let them be caught unaware. I want confirmation that this is truly a Valkinvar."

"Then ambush them?"

"Silence, go." the Chapter-Mistress scolded as she put the piece of armour back into my grip. And, with a respectful bow, I departed. Brushing aside the comments as I walked by before I began my approach to the Beast Master's Throneroom.

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"So here we are... A wall I once so proudly defended..." I comment quietly as I try to hold in my disgust at the malformed bodies decorating the walls. A dreadful air covered the city now. Its prestige torn down and defaced while the banners of the enemy flew in the stead of ours.

It was everything that I had feared, everything I had grown anxious about had happened. Yet, despite the unspoken but clear message that had been carved into the city. I kept on walking towards it. Moving towards and through the lacerated walls before I stumbled out into the rubble.

The destruction was fine and precise, much like the craters made by those guns. It was probably that mechanical monstrosity that did this to the city. Even with the shields she had, she was not able to withstand them. And if this city could not, how would Thurn's Forge fare?

But I really needed to focus more on the now rather than something that had yet to happen. I would be there to ensure that this fate did not behold my home. The great city that straddled two continents. On the site of Ancient Thunder's prized workshop.

I would be there to protect it all. The people, my sisters and brothers. The history of the city and the meaning it carried. I would defend it all.

But to some extent, my nervousness made me keen to tempt fate, "Against what, however?"

I found myself questioning for there were no guards or soldiers. No machines or gun emplacements had been set up. From up here, on the Wall District. I saw the remains of those who lived in the city, clinging on only due to the controlled aid coming from the invader.

It was an odd sight that I did not quite understand. Yet, more curiously, the small temple I once frequented still stood somewhat. So I walked over to it even as I began to suspect the worse. And my worries proved themselves to be warranted.

And a hand covered my mouth as I looked into the desecrated temple. For within its scarred, but still holy walls I found the corpse of one of my sisters. Her armour was damaged and worn and her blade had been shattered. With her blood still shaming the walls of the temple.

"Sister... I'm sorry..." I cried as I realised what my failure had meant for her. My duty became hers and, not knowing what she was facing. She and her army fell with the city. And although her talents had saved the temple well enough, her body was not given that honour.

She had been humiliated with slanderous messages and insignia. Her heroic last stand had become a scene of mockery. And I wept for her as her greatest wound lay where it shouldn't have... Something had blasted straight through her womb and her value to Waionr was stolen from her.

Unsure of myself, I held onto her hand and trembled with uncertainty. I couldn't control my magic right now. To see such horrors and humiliation made me angry. It enraged me beyond a shadow of a doubt.

My rage burned greater than even the Fire-Mountain in the land of the Errakurds!

And I grit my teeth as my grip on my sister tightened. The walls of the temple shook and trembled and I heard loose rubble fall and break. If there was a force left behind to garrison the point. Then they knew I was here.

"I am sorry, dear Honourable War, for I must make a mockery of your laws within your own home..." I explain with despair as I let my sister's hand fall back down. And, I slowly rose to my feet before I began to take off my previously looted attire. It was not my armour, but it was the armour of a Valkinvar...

To the bare skin did I strip, and I repeated the process with my sister. Yet, even as I knew an enemy force gathered outside for me. I went about it slowly and respectfully. Each piece was cleaned as quickly as it could be done with the cleanest pieces of cloth I could find.

And, when it was done, I stood before the ruined statue of my patron god and I saluted him. Thumping the steel of my newly found chest plate loudly before I used a blast of magic to clear out the centre. With pieces and chunks of rubble bouncing about harmlessly before I tore open the earth with my hands. Yet, despite the force in which I did it with.

I was crying, this was what I had been reduced to...

"I am sorry, Sister... Forgive me, if you ever can." I tell her as I slowly place her body into the hole I had made. And, alongside my former set of clothes, I buried her with as many honours as I could. Though knowing our shared shame, I could not muster the will to call for Waionr. But, I made a point of leaving a tablet of recitement on top of her grave so that an effort was at least shown.

And as I stood up once more, I called my sword to my side. Letting the metallic thump fill the air as I turned to face the cloudy daylight outside of the temple. An already miserable sight was then made worse by the emerald light of the heretics' machines. I then glared sternly as I slowly put on my sister's looted helm.

With a single, steady breath, with my sword at my side. I walked out of the temple and stood before the gathered army. While my rage fed into my returning confidence as I felt my magic come alive within the armour. It had a master once again, and although I was not its true master, it demanded one for revenge nonetheless.

Their faceless soldiers had gathered at the doorstep of the temple. They had assembled down below in the bombed-out streets and in the air on their machines. Guns that once terrified me aimed down at me with ominous bluish glows. Personal firearms were cocked right within the reach of my arm.

Yet none of them fired, and we both watched the other. So I walked forward with a few great strides until I was at the very edge of the Wall District's raised ground. I cleared my throat and took a final glance around. Subtly, I adjusted the grip on my sword as what appeared to be an officer stepped forward to confront me.

A single face amongst a horde of small, prick-like dots amidst fields of black shadow and polished steel.

"For the crime of humiliating me on the battlefield. The men I commanded and a sister of the Ordoar-Imdvarce... I sentence you all to die. By the right given to me by Waionr, with the backing of Avanvenger. I shall cut... You... Down!"

I told them just as the first finger pushed on the trigger. But with skilled, sudden dashes I sent those up here flying away. And with a refined, controlled burst; I shot straight up towards one of their floating gun platforms. Blasting it apart with the force of my magic and blade before I carried on into the air.

Where, upon which I sliced open the sky with a single, furious slash. Bringing out the light their presence deprived us of. With another sudden dash, I then dodged their fire and destroyed the second platform. A punishing crash of steel on steel which saw them smash straight down into the ruined street below.

Following dozens of further violent bursts, I eliminated the remaining soldiers and crashed down onto the road. A single, terrified but still duty-bound officer was all that faced me at the end of the road. And I marched against them slowly, absorbing each blast that came from their barbur pistol. Pushing them up against the raised earth behind them as I levelled my sword tip against them.

Then, with a single burst of air behind me. I Impaled them. Seemingly detonating the brick and earth behind them along with their armour. And just as quickly I pulled out my blade and swung it down to my side.

Carving a fine line through the road and rubble below as I turned around to gaze upon the reinforcements.

"With all you have, heretics!" I spat as I launched myself into the air.