Chapter 48 It’s Starting.

“You never told me you had a fiancé.” Isaac commented after Lenna had finished her story of how she knew Fable.

“We only ever fought. He was more like an enemy that I had to tolerate. We had finally reached a point where violence was unlikely between us when he died.” She explained. “There was a lot of real animosity there, for a long time.”

“Oh?” Isaac questioned.

“Yes.” Lenna replied simply but did not elaborate. “I actually liked most of my other squad members.” Her voice was melancholic. It carried a deep, old, sadness. “I would not go as far as to say that they were good people. But… they were my friends, I think. I don’t know if they considered me their friend. I didn’t consider them, not until after they died.” Isaac squeezed Lenna’s hand reassuringly. This was the most public affection he had ever given her. She had realized that fact halfway to the arena and decided that it was too late to be embarrassed about it now.

“Now, I know that you want to fight him yourself.” Isaac began. “But, Eskahno will start asking questions if there is no hellfire involved.” He waited for a response but received none. “I will leave it up to you as it is your duel but it might make things more difficult down the line if I don’t give you a little help.”

Lenna nodded. “Alright.” She replied.

“Is that an ‘alright, I understand’ or an ‘alright, buff me up’?” Isaac questioned.

“This is already causing problems.” Lenna replied. “We have other more important things to do than deal with my old grudge. If you helping me will lessen the trouble this duel is causing then I will not object.”

Isaac sighed. “That was an expertly worded answer.” He told her. “Do you want the bare minimum to cause the intended effect or should I give you as much as possible without raising suspicion?”

“Whatever you feel is best.” Lenna answered unhelpfully.

“You are being difficult.” Isaac told her simply.

“I am trying to be the opposite.” She retorted.

“Lenna, how often do I ask you what you want?” He questioned.

Lenna stopped in thought. She was silent for nearly a full minute. “Only when it isn’t something important or you are doubting yourself.” She answered.

“I wouldn’t put it like that.” Isaac replied. “I think…” His voice trailed off as he realized she was right. He really did make all of the important decisions without talking them over with her first. ‘I guess that is how our relationship really started. But still, I feel like I’ve just been dragging her around everywhere now.’ He thought to himself. He shook his head to clear it as he jumped to another train of thought. ‘She picks out her own clothes and meals which she would say isn’t important but helps me pick out gear when I am having trouble deciding what would be worthwhile. That could be seen as me doubting myself.’ He scratched his cheek absently. “I’m sorry.” He told her.

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Lenna cocked her head to the side slightly. “For what?” She questioned.

“For not talking important decisions through with you unless I am doubting myself. They involve you s-” Isaac’s was cut off by Lenna.

She shook her head. “I told you before. You make the decisions. I cut things in half. I hated being squad leader. I have faith in you.” Lenna’s voice had a bit more of its natural firmness back in it. She was looking better already just from having a good conversation with Isaac while they walked.

“Thanks.” Isaac replied a little bashfully. Any bashfulness was gone in the blink of an eye though. It wouldn’t do for anyone on the street to see him acting like a schoolboy getting a compliment from his crush.

“Give me as much of a boost as you see fit.” Lenna told him. “My mind will be solely on the fight. I leave everything else to you. It’s better that way.”

Isaac nodded. “Alright.” He consented. “Also, I want you to know that this is important. It’s more important than us rushing over to hunt Ori-Masa. Alice told us they weren’t in any real danger at the moment. As long as we clear the path for them in the next few weeks everything’ll be fine.”

Lenna nodded in understanding of his words. She still felt… selfish. She felt like she was putting something as petty as revenge in front of the needs of hundreds of people. Revenge that was misplaced. She knew, in her mind, that they were just enemies who met on a battlefield. Some win, some lose. Some survive, some die. Thus is war. Fable hadn’t targeted her team. He hadn’t inflicted unnecessary suffering upon them. He was just doing his job as a caravan guard. They had just gotten unlucky. Just like how Aiden had just gotten lucky when he managed to break Fable’s good elbow in exchange for his life. Even with knowing all of this, there was a thirst for vengeance that needed to be quenched. The door to the furnace of a grudge from years long passed had been thrown open and there was no closing it.

Maybe, just maybe, the real reason for her anger was that she hadn’t been strong enough to save them from him. Maybe, she had realized this fact a long time ago but had never accepted it. Maybe, she wouldn’t actually try to kill Fable in the arena. Maybe, she just needed to be stronger than him. Maybe then she would be able to put the past behind her.

Isaac and Lenna stopped just outside of the arena. Isaac let go of her hand as he turned to face her. “Get out of your own head.” Isaac told her. He never thought he would be the one telling her that. “Breathe. Focus. Fight. It doesn’t matter who the opponent is. You are Lenna V’Nova, my mate. You don’t lose. You don’t retreat. You only advance.” The serious look on his face faded away and he gave her a warm smile. “I love you. Kick his ass.”

Lenna nodded in reply and swallowed down every emotion she felt. She took one deep steadying breath and let everything fade away. “I love you too.” She told Isaac and turned towards the arena. “The V’Nova way.” She whispered to herself. “If force isn’t working, you aren’t using enough of it.”

—

Eskahno was watching the arena in anticipation. His palms were sweaty as he gripped the railing. His master stood in the arena with his good hand resting on the pommel of one of his swords. His eyes were closed and his breathing was steady. Esk wished that he could mirror his master’s state. He knew that the woman who had bullied him was far stronger than someone at her level should’ve been. He also knew that his master was at the pinnacle of mortal power. He was a maximum level warrior who hadn’t lost a fight in decades. In Esk’s mind, the old swordsman should be able to easily sweep the floor with the paladin. In his heart, he was afraid. Lenna had put a fear into him that refused to fade or be released. He knew that one day he would have to get over his fear of the woman. They were both platinum level adventurers after all. There was a decently high chance that they would end up working together at least once during their careers. He took a deep breath to steady himself. He wasn’t even the one in the arena and he was covered in cold sweat.

The paladin strode into the arena. Her royal purple armor was proof of the battles she found herself in. The paint was peeling or blasted off entirely in many places across her front. The magically enhanced steel was scorched black so deeply that no amount of soap or polish would be able to get rid of it. She drew her sword and it danced with orange and black fire. Esk’s blood froze as that terrifying presence descended once again. The feeling of staring deep into the gates of hell seeped deep into his soul. “Pay attention.” A voice said from beside him. Esk jumped a full two inches into the air. He thought his heart had stopped.

“Leave the poor boy alone. Your girlfriend traumatized him.” Another voice said a bit further back. Esk whirled around to see the Guild Master descending the stairs to stand in between the man who killed his brother and himself. Esk still wanted to stab Isaac in the throat but he now knew that his wish would never be fulfilled. Now that he really took notice, Isaac felt more dangerous than the Guild Master. Esk was never the best at telling what level someone was but the feeling he got from Isaac was like staring into a deep abyss and hoping that the abyss wouldn’t look back.

“He picked a fight on her birthday.” Isaac told the Guild Master. “He deserved what he got. It was also a good message for everyone else. No one has picked a fight with her since.” Esk swallowed hard hearing about his own death. Isaac made it sound like it was nothing more than a minor inconvenience. Like Esk’s life and death was determined by his usefulness.

Edward sighed as he stopped between the two younger adventurers. “It’s starting.” He told them and all side conversation stopped.