Sora had never seen anything like Rokatheryl before. From the towering buildings to the grand open markets, every corner of the city buzzed with energy and purpose. But nothing overwhelmed him more than the Aegis Guild itself.
The guild hall stood like a fortress, a massive structure that loomed over the city, casting long shadows across the streets. Sora often found himself staring up at it, feeling a strange mix of awe and intimidation.
Every day they walked in, it felt like the weight of the place pressed down on his shoulders. Vanguards of every rank walked by with the confidence of seasoned warriors, their armor gleaming, their weapons polished. It was hard to believe that one day, he might belong to this world.
Inside the guild, the corridors were lined with banners and portraits of legendary Vanguards, their achievements immortalized for all to see.
The sheer scale of everything made Sora’s head spin. He could hear the clash of swords from the training grounds, the deep voices of Vanguards discussing battle strategies, and the constant hum of magic from the mages practicing their spells. Every step he took felt small, insignificant compared to the grand scale of the guild’s operations.
He tried to keep up, walking alongside Lilith and Elena, but there were moments when the noise and the intensity of it all made him want to run and hide.
This place was a far cry from the slums he’d grown up in. Here, strength, discipline, and honor were everything.
It wasn’t just the building itself that made Sora nervous; it was the people. The Vanguards were a formidable presence.
Some were battle-hardened veterans with scars marking their faces, their eyes sharp with experience. Others were younger but still carried themselves with an air of authority.
It didn’t help that they were often watched by some of these seasoned warriors as they trained. Even though they were only ten years old, there was no mercy in the training drills.
Sora was expected to run, fight, and learn alongside everyone else. The pressure was immense.
Despite his worries, Sora knew that Zin and Monica believed in them. Zin, in particular, had a way of making him feel like they could achieve anything if they worked hard enough.
But even with Zin’s encouragement, Sora couldn’t shake the feeling of being out of his depth.
Monica was a little stricter, often reminding them of the importance of discipline and focus. She kept a close eye on them, ensuring they didn’t slack off during training or get distracted by the bustling city.
But it was hard for Sora to focus all the time. Every corner of Rokatheryl held something new, something exciting.
Lilith seemed to adjust more easily, probably because she had been here for a while already. Sora admired her for that. She was fast on her feet, always quick to pick up new techniques, and her agility made her stand out in training.
But even Lilith had her moments of struggle. Sora noticed that sometimes, when she thought no one was looking, she would glance toward the horizon with a distant expression.
It didn’t take a genius to figure out why. She missed her sister, Serena, who was far away. It was the same feeling of loss that occasionally made Sora’s chest tighten when he thought about his past life in Milix.
Then there was Elena. She had only recently been rescued from the labs, and the trauma she had endured made her quiet and distant.
It wasn’t that she was unfriendly, but she had a wall around her that neither Sora nor Lilith had been able to break through—at least, not yet.
Elena kept mostly to herself, speaking only when necessary and participating in training without complaint but without enthusiasm either.
Despite this, Sora saw something in her, a potential that the others in the guild had noticed as well. There was a quiet strength to her, something simmering beneath the surface. If only they could reach it.
One afternoon, after an exhausting training session, Sora found himself alone in the guild’s courtyard, taking a moment to breathe.
He watched as some of the older Vanguards sparred in the distance, their movements fluid and powerful. A part of him wanted to join them, to prove that he could keep up. But another part of him was terrified of failing in front of them. His fists clenched at his sides as he stood there, wrestling with his thoughts.
This wasn’t like running through the streets of Milix, dodging trouble and surviving day to day. Here, everything was structured, disciplined, and serious.
Elena approached him quietly, her presence almost unnoticed until she stood beside him.
“You’re thinking.. too much again..,” she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. Sora blinked and looked at her, surprised that she had even said anything.
Elena wasn’t the type to offer comfort, but there was something in her tone that made Sora feel less alone in his worries.
“We’ll.. figure it out…,” she added after a pause, her eyes still distant but her words holding a quiet assurance.
Sora gave her a small smile.
“Yeah, I guess we will.” He wasn’t sure if she was talking about their training or something deeper, but either way, her words made the weight on his shoulders feel a little lighter.
Together with Lilith and Elena, they were figuring out how to survive in this new world. The Aegis Guild was overwhelming, but they had each other, and maybe that was enough for now.
One evening, as the sun dipped low in the sky, painting Rokatheryl in hues of gold and crimson, Sora noticed Lilith sitting alone on the grassy hill that overlooked the city.
She had been quiet during training that day, her usual energy dulled, and now it seemed like the weight of her thoughts had finally caught up with her.
Sora hesitated for a moment, watching her from a distance. The way she sat, her knees drawn up to her chest and her gaze fixed on the horizon, told him everything he needed to know. She missed Serena.
He approached slowly, careful not to startle her.
“Lilith?” he called softly, kneeling down beside her.
She didn’t respond immediately, her brown eyes distant and full of longing. Sora waited, giving her the space she needed.
He wasn’t great at comforting people, but he knew better than to rush her. The wind blew gently around them, carrying the distant sounds of the city below, but up here, it felt like they were in a world of their own.
“I miss her,” Lilith finally whispered, her voice small and fragile.
Sora’s heart ached at the sadness in her tone. He had known Lilith long enough to recognize that she wasn’t the type to show vulnerability easily, but this... this was different. She wasn’t just sad; she was lonely.
“I miss Serena so much, and sometimes... I wonder if she’s okay.” Her voice wavered as she spoke, and she quickly wiped her eyes, trying to hide the tears that were threatening to fall.
Sora didn’t know what to say at first. He missed people too—Yumi, his old life—but Lilith’s bond with her sister was something special, something he couldn’t fully understand.
“She’s strong, Lilith,” he said quietly.
“She’s out there fighting to protect you, just like you’re training to protect her. You’ll see her again.”
The words felt a little hollow to him, but they were the best he could offer. He hated seeing Lilith like this.
Elena, who had been standing a little way off, surprised them both by stepping forward.
She had been silent the entire time, watching from the sidelines as usual. But something in Lilith’s sadness must have stirred something in her. Without a word, Elena approached and gently placed her hand on Lilith’s head.
The gesture was hesitant at first, but there was a tenderness in it that neither Sora nor Lilith had ever seen from Elena before.
Lilith blinked in surprise, looking up at Elena through teary eyes.
“Elena?” she asked, her voice thick with emotion.
Elena didn’t say anything at first, but her touch was soft, comforting in a way that words couldn’t be. Sora watched in silence, feeling a lump form in his throat.
It wasn’t often that Elena showed any sort of affection, but this small act spoke volumes. It was the first time Sora had seen her really connect with anyone.
“I’m sure she misses you too,” Elena finally whispered, her voice soft but sure.
“But she’s strong... And so are you..” There was a quiet conviction in Elena’s words that made Lilith’s tears slow. It was as if, for the first time in a while, someone had really understood what she was feeling.
Lilith smiled through her tears, a small but genuine smile, and leaned into Elena’s comforting touch.
Sora felt his heart swell at the sight. Elena had always been distant, her walls high and impenetrable, but seeing her reach out like this gave him hope.
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Maybe they were all finding their way, slowly but surely.
“You’re not alone, Lilith,” Sora added, smiling gently.
“We’re all in this together. We’ll see Serena again, and when we do, she’ll be so proud of how far you’ve come.”
Lilith sniffled, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.
“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.
“Both of you.”
The three of them sat there in silence for a while longer, watching as the sun dipped lower, casting long shadows over the city.
It wasn’t a moment of triumph or great strength, but it was a moment of quiet understanding. They were a team, and even in their moments of weakness, they had each other to lean on.
Elena withdrew her hand after a while, but the gesture had already left its mark.
For the first time, Sora felt like they were truly connecting with Elena, breaking through the walls she had built around herself.
He gave her a small nod of gratitude, and she returned it with the faintest of smiles.
Together, the three of them sat there, watching the horizon, united in their silent promise to keep moving forward.
As the days went by, Sora couldn’t stop thinking about what Zin had said during training. They would soon need to choose their specialty, the weapon they would master as part of their journey toward becoming full-fledged Vanguards.
It was a decision that filled Sora with both excitement and nervous anticipation. He had always admired the way Katsuo wielded his Odachi with such precision and grace, and deep down, he knew that’s what he wanted.
But the thought of actually choosing his weapon, of making such a big decision, made his heart race.
Sora wasted no time in rushing to Zin and Monica after training one day.
“Please, can we go pick out our weapons?” he begged, his voice bubbling with excitement. His eyes practically sparkled as he bounced on the balls of his feet.
“I want to start training for real!” Monica raised an eyebrow at his eagerness, her arms crossed in a way that told Sora she wasn’t fully convinced. But he was persistent.
“We’re ready! I know we are!”
Monica sighed, shaking her head slightly.
“Sora, you’re still young. Are you sure you want to rush into this?” Her tone was soft but firm, the voice of someone who had seen young trainees burn out from pushing themselves too hard, too fast.
“You’ve got plenty of time to decide. No need to make a hasty choice.”
“But we’re already working so hard!” Sora argued, his face filled with determination.
“Lilith and Elena are just as ready as I am! We’ve been training every day, and we want to take the next step.” He turned to Zin for support, hoping the older Vanguard would back him up. Zin, who had been listening quietly, let out a chuckle.
“Let’s take ‘em out, Monica,” Zin said, a teasing grin on his face.
“They’ve been putting in the effort. A little head start won’t hurt.” Monica frowned slightly, her eyes narrowing at Zin, but she could see how much this meant to the kids. After a moment of silence, she sighed in resignation.
“Alright,” she said, her expression softening.
“But no dangerous equipment. We’ll start slow. Understood?” Sora’s face lit up, and before Monica could say anything more, he dashed off to find Lilith and Elena. He practically skidded through the guild hall, bursting into the room where the two girls were resting after practice.
“Guess what?” he shouted, nearly out of breath.
“We’re going to pick our weapons! Zin is taking us!” Lilith’s eyes widened with excitement, while Elena raised an eyebrow in quiet curiosity.
The idea of choosing their weapons made the whole thing feel more real—like they were really becoming Vanguards. Without wasting any more time, the three of them followed Zin to the bustling market district of Rokatheryl.
The streets were alive with activity, merchants calling out to potential buyers, and the smell of food and smoke filling the air.
Sora led the way, his heart racing as they passed by rows of blacksmith shops, stalls selling armor and trinkets, and even a few magic shops that caught Elena’s eye.
The excitement was contagious, and even though they hadn’t picked anything yet, the thrill of the search was enough to keep them all buzzing with energy.
Lilith was the first to stop in front of a shop that caught her eye. It was a small blacksmith stall, tucked away in a quieter corner of the market, but the display of weapons and armor was impressive.
Her gaze was immediately drawn to a pair of gauntlets hanging from a rack near the front. They were made of polished steel, the surface gleaming in the sunlight. But what caught Lilith’s attention wasn’t the shine—it was the intricate design, the way the metal seemed both elegant and powerful at the same time.
“These…” she whispered, reaching out to touch the gauntlets.
They felt solid, heavy but balanced, and something about them just felt right. Sora grinned as he watched her pick them up, already sensing that she had found her weapon of choice.
“I like these,” Lilith said, her voice filled with excitement.
Zin, who had been watching from nearby, stepped forward with a nod of approval.
“Good choice, Lilith,” he said, his voice warm and encouraging.
“These gauntlets are more than just protective gear. They seem fit for practitioners of Seisen—the art of the fist. You’ll learn how to channel your strength and your spirit through these gauntlets, making your punches stronger and more precise.”
Lilith’s eyes lit up at the mention of Seisen. She had always been quick and agile, but the idea of combining her speed with raw power excited her.
“You’ll train me?” she asked, her voice filled with hope. Zin smiled and nodded.
“If that’s what you want, I’ll teach you the way of Seisen,” he promised. Lilith beamed, her excitement bubbling over as she clutched the gauntlets to her chest.
It was clear that she had found her path, and Sora couldn’t be happier for her. He could already imagine her becoming an unstoppable force in the future.
Next was Elena, who had been quietly observing the market with her usual distance.
At first, she didn’t seem interested in picking anything, content to let Sora and Lilith have their moment. But Sora, ever the encourager, nudged her forward.
“Come on, Elena,” he said with a grin.
“You’ve got to pick something! Even if it’s just something small. Let’s find something that feels right for you.”
Elena hesitated, her eyes scanning the market stalls without much enthusiasm. But as they passed by a small magic shop, something caught her attention.
The shop itself was nothing special—just a simple stall with a few magical trinkets on display. But the moment Elena stepped inside, the clerk behind the counter straightened up, his eyes sharp as he looked at her.
“Ah…” the clerk murmured, his voice filled with intrigue.
“You’re gifted, aren’t you? I can sense it.”
Elena blinked, clearly taken aback by the sudden attention.
“Gifted..?” she asked softly. The clerk nodded, his eyes narrowing as he studied her.
“You’ve got magic in you,” he said confidently.
“I can feel it. For someone like you, I’d recommend only the best. I’ve got a staff here that’s perfect for a mage with your potential.”
He pulled out a beautifully crafted staff from behind the counter, its surface adorned with glowing runes that pulsed with magical energy.
“For you, I’ll give it at half price.”
Zin, who had been watching from outside, raised an eyebrow in surprise.
“What do you think, Elena?” he asked, stepping inside the shop. “Want to give it a try?” Elena hesitated for a moment, her eyes lingering on the staff. Slowly, she reached out and took it in her hands.
The moment the staff touched Elena’s hands, something shifted. There was a faint hum of energy, and for the first time since Sora had met her, Elena’s expression softened.
She looked down at the staff, her fingers tracing the glowing runes, and a small, almost imperceptible smile appeared on her lips.
Sora and Lilith exchanged wide-eyed looks, completely taken aback by the sight. Elena rarely showed any emotion, let alone a smile.
Zin chuckled softly, clearly pleased.
“Looks like you found something that suits you,” he said, giving Elena an approving nod. Elena glanced up at him, her smile still small but genuine, and nodded in return.
For a moment, the three of them stood in silence, watching as Elena held the staff close, her connection to it undeniable. It was a rare moment of warmth from the usually distant girl.
Sora grinned, nudging Lilith with his elbow.
“Looks like we’re all finding our path, huh?” he said, his excitement bubbling over again. Lilith laughed, still holding her gauntlets proudly.
“Yeah,” she agreed.
“This is just the beginning.” They had found their weapons, their specialties. Now, it was Sora’s turn.
He had known for a while what he wanted. As they continued through the market, Sora led them to a small blacksmith shop near the edge of the district.
He had been here before, eyeing a particular katana that was displayed on the wall. It wasn’t flashy or ornate, but it was beautifully crafted, the blade sharp and clean, and the hilt wrapped in simple black leather. It reminded him of Katsuo’s sword, the one he had admired since he first saw it.
“This is it,” Sora said, pointing to the katana with a grin.
“This is what I want.” Zin walked over, examining the sword with a critical eye. After a moment, he chuckled and shook his head.
“You’ve got the right spirit, kid,” Zin said with a smirk. “But no real Vanguard starts with a sword like this.”
He reached behind the counter and pulled out a wooden katana, handing it to Sora.
“Start with this. Prove your way of the sword to me, and maybe—just maybe—you’ll earn that real blade.”
Sora’s face fell. “A wooden katana?” he asked, his voice filled with disappointment.
“Really?” Zin nodded, his smirk widening.
“Really,” Zin confirmed, his tone teasing but firm.
“Until you prove yourself, that’s all you get.” Sora pouted, his excitement deflating as he took the wooden katana.
It wasn’t what he had hoped for, but deep down, he knew that Zin was right. He wasn’t ready for a real sword yet. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t dream.
As they made their way back to the guild, Sora couldn’t help but feel a little disheartened. He had imagined himself wielding a real katana, just like Katsuo, but now he was stuck with a wooden one.
Still, as they walked, something inside him began to shift. He wasn’t going to let this setback stop him. No, he was going to prove Zin wrong. He would train harder than ever, and one day, he would earn that katana.
“I’ll prove you wrong, Zin!” Sora shouted as they entered the guild hall, his voice echoing through the large space.
“I’m going to become the strongest swordsman there is!” Zin chuckled, shaking his head.
“In your dreams, kid,” he teased, ruffling Sora’s hair. But as they walked away, Zin’s smile softened, and he muttered under his breath,
“This next generation... they’re going to be interesting.”
Later that evening, the three of them returned to their training spot—a quiet hill that overlooked the city of Rokatheryl.
The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows over the landscape. Sora, Lilith, and Elena stood side by side, their new weapons by their sides. Sora looked out over the horizon, his heart swelling with a sense of purpose.
“One day… I’m going to become a strong Vanguard,” he said, his voice filled with determination.
“I’ll protect you guys. All of you.”
Lilith, her gauntlets gleaming in the fading light, nodded in agreement.
“Me too. I’ll get stronger, and I’ll protect everyone. Just like Serena.” They both turned to look at Elena, who was sitting quietly nearby with her staff resting across her lap.
For a moment, Elena hesitated, her usual shyness holding her back.
But then, slowly, she stood up. Her voice was soft, and she stumbled over her words, but her determination was clear.
“I-I’ll try my best..,” she said, her cheeks flushing slightly.
“I’ll live up to your expectations…” Sora smiled and held out his fist.
“Together,” he said.
Lilith grinned and bumped her fist against his.
“Together,” she echoed. Elena, after a brief hesitation, extended her fist and touched it to theirs.
“Together..” she whispered, her voice barely audible but filled with emotion. As the sun set behind them, the three of them stood united, their promise to each other and their future solidified in that simple gesture.