It had been a few days since Celeste and Kite parted ways, each pursuing their shared goal of retrieving what remained of the Luminous Oath. The days felt longer without his guidance, but she pressed on, her thoughts swirling with anticipation.

Celeste walked along a winding dirt road that cut through the dense woods. A medium-sized backpack rested lightly on her shoulders, and the steel sword strapped to her waist swayed with each step. Her clothes were practical: simple trousers, a loose tunic, and a belt cinching her waist, all men's garments, though she was a girl. Her worn leather boots crunched against the fallen leaves, a sound that comforted her in the otherwise silent forest.

She was fourteen now, five years since she’d left Willowshade, her hometown. And after all this time, the thought of returning stirred a mixture of excitement and anxiety deep within her. She was finally going to see her mother, Ilvia. The thought warmed her heart but also made it ache, as memories of her past life came flooding back.

In that other life, Celeste couldn't recall many good things about her parents, especially her mother. The relationship had been distant, strained. Why am I remembering this now? She sighed, brushing a hand through her long scarlet hair. That life is gone. I need to focus on the one I have now. Still, the memories clung to her, whispering reminders of the things she'd left behind.

"I don’t hate remembering it," she murmured to herself, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Actually, it's been helpful. When training with Master Kite, I used my past knowledge to pick up skills faster. It’s strange, isn’t it? Using old memories to learn new things."

Celeste chuckled softly, her voice disappearing into the wind as she continued down the road. She often talked to herself when she was alone like this a habit from her previous life when solitude was her constant companion. I hope Master doesn’t mind me blending techniques, she thought, laughing to herself.

A few hours later, her stomach growled. “Ugh, hungry again.” She glanced around, recalling that there was a river nearby. “Maybe I can fish there,” she mused, already feeling the pull of nostalgia. She hadn’t fished in years not since those quiet afternoons spent alone back in Willowshade.

The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in deep oranges and purples. Celeste found a spot near the river and set up camp. She skewered the fish she'd caught on a stick and set it over the small fire she had built, watching as the flames flickered against the darkening sky.

Sitting on a nearby rock, she stared at the fish as it slowly cooked. “I really miss cooking with actual ingredients. Back in my old life, I used to make full meals. Not this," she gestured toward the meager meal, a wry smile on her lips. "I had no choice back then, living alone... just like now.”

Her voice trailed off as she thought about her current situation. Still alone, but not lonely. I’m a swordswoman now. A Saint Swordswoman. She looked down at the sword on her hip, her fingers tracing the familiar hilt. “After I check on my mother, maybe I can find some work and help her. Mother Rosario wrote that she’s sick… a contagious disease. But she said my mom is holding on.”

A pang of worry struck her heart, and for a moment, her usual optimism wavered. “What if I’m too late?”

Pushing the thought aside, she ate her fish in silence, then settled down to sleep under the stars.

The morning greeted Celeste with the crisp scent of dew and the soft chirping of birds. After packing up her camp, she set off again, her steps light but her mind heavy. She kept her senses attuned to the quiet of the forest, letting the serenity calm her restless thoughts.

As the day stretched on, she came across something strange a cave, partially hidden by overgrown vines and trees. It had the look of an old mining site, though something about it seemed... off.

“Hmm, what’s this?” Celeste walked toward the cave, noticing an ancient language carved into the walls outside, barely visible beneath the layers of ivy and moss. The etchings were unfamiliar curved symbols and geometric patterns that seemed to pulse faintly in the dim light.

She reached out, her fingertips grazing the carvings. What language is this? she wondered, feeling a chill run down her spine. The marks felt old—older than anything she’d ever seen, as if they belonged to a forgotten era. There was a sense of foreboding in the air, a weight that pressed against her chest the closer she got to the cave.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

The gate to the cave was made of old iron, rusted and worn, but it held firm. The strange symbols surrounding the entrance seemed to warn her, as if they were keeping something inside... or keeping others out.

Celeste took a step back, her instincts on high alert. Something wasn’t right here. It feels... wrong. Like the air itself is tainted. She scanned the area, her hand drifting to the hilt of her sword.

But before she could investigate further

Voices. Shouts. Men’s voices. They were loud, urgent.

Celeste immediately tensed, her grip tightening on her sword. She scanned the area, listening carefully. The shouting wasn’t close, but it wasn’t far either. Where are they? The woods? Behind the cave?

“I guess I’ll need to use this,” she whispered, closing her eyes and focusing inward.

Master Kite had taught her how to sense her surroundings by channeling her mana. Sanctum Sight, he called it. A tracking skill used by the Saint Swordsmen of the Luminous Oath. Slowly, Celeste extended her mana, feeling the pulse of the world around her.

Her breath caught as she found them six men, armed, fighting something. But what? Her Sanctum Sight revealed a mass of dark, corrupted mana a twisted, black entity.

“I’ve got them,” she muttered, opening her eyes. With a surge of excitement, she sprinted toward the source of the screams.

She arrived just in time to see a group of six knights locked in a desperate struggle. Three others lay on the ground, severely injured. Their armor was black and red, matching each other’s a uniform of sorts.

“Focus on repelling it, men!” one of them shouted, his voice commanding. “We don’t need to kill it. Just drive it away so we can treat our brothers!”

Celeste’s eyes widened as the creature they were fighting lunged from the trees. It was monstrous humanoid in shape, with a bear-like body and the grotesque face of a human. The thing’s fur was sparse, its skin mottled and sickly. It looked like a zombie bear with human features. Disgusting...

She crouched behind a tree, observing the scene carefully. The commander took the brunt of the creature’s assault, holding it back with a large shield while the others slashed at its flanks.

“They’ve got this... maybe,” she whispered to herself, her hand still on her sword. “But if things go wrong, I’ll jump in.”

The creature slammed its massive body into the commander’s shield, claws scraping wildly against the metal. The leader gritted his teeth, taking hit after hit but refusing to budge. “Now, men! Attack!”

The remaining five knights attacked from all sides, their swords striking the creature’s already wounded body. But the thing let out a blood-curdling roar and surged with a final burst of energy, pushing the commander off his feet and turning its attention to the weaker knights.

It raised its long arms, claws gleaming in the dim light, and swung down with deadly intent.

One of the younger knights, barely past twenty, felt his body freeze as the monster's claws came hurtling toward him. His heart raced. “This is it, I’m going to die.” He raised his sword in a futile attempt to block, already knowing it wouldn’t be enough. His vision blurred with panic.

Then, in an instant, something else blocked the claws. A flash of yellow light. He blinked.

Standing in front of him was a girl, a slender figure cloaked in light. He couldn’t make out her face at first, the brightness blinding him. Then, as the light faded, he saw her more clearly. Long scarlet hair that shimmered like fire in the dying sun, a calm expression that betrayed no fear, and eyes that were sharp yet somehow kind,she was beautiful. She wore simple traveling clothes, and yet, she moved with the grace of a master swordsman.

Before the knight could fully comprehend what had happened, the girl’s sword moved faster than he could track, cutting deep into the creature’s flesh. And just like that, the monster collapsed with a final, agonized roar, its head rolling across the forest floor.

Unable to wait any longer, Celeste had dashed into the battle, using the “Flash Step,” (an improve version of dash step.) a technique Kite taught her. With a blur of movement and a burst of yellow light, she parried the creature’s massive claw, her sword deflecting the attack to the side. As the creature stumbled back, she countered with an upward slash, striking its chest and forcing it to retreat.

But Celeste didn’t stop. She vanished again, disappearing into another flash of light, and reappeared above the creature. In an instant, she delivered a clean, fatal slash across its neck. The creature’s head fell to the ground, followed by its lifeless body.

Without thinking, Celeste sheathed her sword and turned to the young knight. “Are you alright?”

The knight blinked again, his breath catching in his throat. He nodded shakily, still trying to process what had just happened. “Y-yeah… thank you,” he stammered, his voice unsteady.

The commander quickly recovered and walked over. He bowed his head, clearly impressed. “Miss, that swordsmanship was... beyond anything I’ve ever seen. I am Vonavick, first commander of the Ember faction of the Obsidian Order. I cannot thank you enough for saving us.”

Celeste shifted uncomfortably, unused to the praise. “Oh, it’s nothing, really. Anyone would’ve helped in that situation.”

The soldiers exchanged glances, unsure what to make of the girl who had just saved them, but no one pressed further. She preferred it that way.

As Celeste disappeared into the woods, the commander watched her go, his brow furrowing in thought.

Celeste walked away, her footsteps light on the dirt road. She didn’t need their thanks. Master had always told her keep a low profile, avoid standing out. The fewer people who knew her face, the easier her path would be.