The bordering valley which separated both empires Tenebris and Lumane from each other, once filled with large fields of flowers, was now filled with lifeless bodies all over the place. A fierce battle was reaching its climax. Only a handful on both sides, The Imperial Army of Tenibris and the Allied Forces of Lumane, were left.

The two commanding generals of each side were finally facing each other. They stood, in the battlefield which looked more like a massive junk yard of swords and spears, focused on each other.

One was a half elf clad in silver armour and a white cape signifying the emblem of Lumane. She held a long sword in her hilt, ready to pull out any moment.

The other had long black hair, and glimmering ruby like red eyes. Her hair tied in twin tails. She wasn't wearing armour but a red dress. It seemed to be tailored in a way that it would be easy to move in. Behind her she was holding a large red scythe which emitted a strong presence of mana concentration.

“Finally, faiiiiinally we meet. Lumane's strongest swords master, Anna.”, she exclaimed with a hint of joy and playfulness to it.

“You seem overjoyed, your highness, princess Valeria Dunkelrose of Tenebris.”, Anna said.bowing respectfully.

“I must say your name feels too simple. It's out of place.”, Valeria said, running her finger over her large scythe’s blade as if testing its sharpness. Then started moving slowly towards Anna. “Tell me, that's not your real name is it?”

“Well who knows. I guess I'll tell you if you defeat me...”, Anna replied playfully.

“Well then it seems I have no other choice.”

Just as Valeria said that, before even a single millisecond had passed, she was right in front of Anna, her Scythe raging at her with unimaginable speed and force. To her surprise though, Anna dodged it quite easily.

Shortly it was followed by another to the opposite side and then two more. Which Anna successfully dodged.

“Ha ha not ba-”, cutting between What Valeria was saying came a mighty blow that she blocked with her scythe. She grinned uncomfortably as she pushed Anna's blade with all her might.

“Now now, if you keep chattering your head will fly off pretty soon.”, Anna said. She too had a sense of discomfort in her voice.

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Valaria pushed her back, with all her might. Anna jumped backwards and almost instantly struck back, as if she was a ball thrown towards a wall that bounced and came back at you. This continued for a while till Valaria finally started using her elemental techniques. Her red scythe started glowing and she was now faster.

Anna, even though unable to use magic or elemental abilities, was armoured with special equipment that utilised magic stones and made her in a way able to use limited magic. And her long sword, studded with magic stones was no difference. Glowing blue, she countered against each and every slash by Valeria, with incredible speed and force.

If you were one of the helpless knights spectating this battle from afar, it might have looked like two red and blue strips of lights clashing against each other. They were too fast; they weren't even visible to the naked eye.

This decisive duel continued for a long time. Neither of them were aware of how long they've been at it. Both of them had severe bruises and cuts all over their bodies, but none seemed exhausted or giving up any soon.

A duel had only two outcomes, either win or loose. There was no draw. Incidentantally Anna won and Valeria lost.

They had been fighting for a long while. When they started the sun was halfway up the sky and now it was setting behind them.

Valeria knelt in front of Anna, a long sword pierced right through her chest, and her large scythe lay flat on the ground. She opened her mouth to say something but instead coughed out blood. Anna kept silent.

“I didn't want this, so did you.”, she said looking back up at Anna's emotionless face, with great effort. “Princess Anastasia of Lucigarden”. Anna flinched and moved a bit backwards. She hadn't heard that name in a long time.

“So you did know.”, she replied, collecting herself back.

“Heh”, Valeria let out a silly giggle which was interrupted by another cough of blood.

Anna bent down and reached towards her sword which was pierced through Valeria’s chest. Valeria suddenly got hold of her hands. Somehow, Anna wasn't sure how exactly, her protective leather glows fell off and Valeria was holding her bare hands.

“These hands aren't supposed to be this rough.” she continued “If we do ever meet again in another life let the two of us go shopping together, have tea parties, pickni- cough cough- all sorts of stuff normal girls- caugh caugh splatter are supposed to do.”

“Yeah I suppose we could do that," Anna said, smiling back.

Valeria responded back with a warm smile.

Then she made Anna get hold of the sword's hilt.

“We could be best friends," Anna said. She was surprised she said that. Maybe they both were going delusional due to exhaustion.

“I'd be delighted to…..”

And those were Valeria Dunkelrose's final words.

The long war finally came to an end.