Two days later, Edward was lying on the ground staring at the stars. His head rested on a small mound of snow he shaped for himself. He started getting used to the cold, approaching the uncomfortable setting as a sort of challenge to steel his mind. Something he could really use right about now… Lately his thoughts have been all over the place. Maybe it was just his mind, unable to handle the overload of recent events and conflicting emotions. The cold snow touching his skin anchored him in the here and now, calming him.

His breaths grew deeper, and eyes became more serene. He was ready to fall asleep, until something rustled in the vicinity.

Ed immediately got on high alert. He didn’t move his body, afraid to notify the potential intruder. It was hard to see anything in the dark forest. Even the young Marked could barely make out the general shapes under the faint moonlight, shining through the canopy. As long as he stayed still, it would be difficult to notice him on the ground.

The sounds started getting louder. It seemed like footsteps shuffling on the snow. Whoever it was, they seemed to be heading right in his direction. When he noticed a dark shape move out from behind a nearby tree, Edward suddenly lunged at the individual.

He immediately got behind them. He brought his right hand around their neck trying to put them in a chokehold. The slim figure seemed startled, but quickly weaseled out from his grasp. The person moved like water, the movement was beautiful but unnatural somehow.

‘This individual… is not a regular person.’

Ed started circling aura into his right hand. The golden glow lit up the surroundings, unveiling the face of a young woman. She stared at him with a shocked face.

“What the fuck Edward?!” The woman lowered her fists.

“Layla…?”

“Man, I’ve been following you for two whole days… Thanks for leaving the signs at least.”

“The signs?” Edward questioned, raising his eyebrows.

“Yeah… The cuts on the trees, on the ground, clean shaven branches… Oh yeah, and the large fallen tree, that one was honestly a bit too much.”

“Oh yeah… the signs, of course haha. I’m glad you managed to find me.” Edward scratched the back of his head.

“This wasn’t on purpose, was it?” Layla’s disappointment was clear in both her voice and facial expression.

“Hey… I’ve already gained enough distance from the battlefield, and I just really needed to test the new technique…”

“Well, you might be a bit of an idiot, but at least you’re a lucky one…” Layla sighed.

The duo shook off their adrenaline, and laid down next to each other. Edward collected his thoughts for a moment, before breaking the silence.

“Have you seen any signs of Marcus?”

“No… You?” Her voice quivered subtly.

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“Unfortunately not…”

“I understand… He’s probably fine.”

Stillness hung in the air for a couple seconds.

“So, what’s our plan now? I assume since you’re here we had something similar in mind?” Edward turned his head to the side, looking at his friend.

“Fortress Tiberius?” She returned Edward’s gaze.

“That was my plan too.” He nodded.

“I mean it’s the closest solid stronghold we have.”

“True, but it’s still around a week of travel away. Or two weeks since you don’t have my stamina.”

“Ugh… don’t remind me. I’m still exhausted after chasing after you all this time… But the real question is how we’re going to bypass the enemy forces when we get there.”

“Hmm? Enemy forces? Wait, do you think Tiberius is what they’re aiming for?” Edward’s eyes widened.

“Probably… Did you think they would just stop at a couple minor camps? After sending a Legend straight at us?”

“I guess you’re right. We’ll see when we get there. Maybe we can manage to arrive faster than the enemy.”

“Could be, it’s not easy to move a large force quickly.” Layla shrugged lightly.

After another tense moment of silence, she suddenly stood up.

“You know what? I don’t care. I’m making a fire.”

Edward rose up slightly, supporting himself on his side with one hand. “Wait, what? Why? Aren’t you afraid of getting noticed?”

“Fuck getting noticed. We’re far away, it’ll be fine… I’m not going to be sleeping in the cold for even one more night.”

Ed considered her words silently.

“Come on, I’ll let you ask me something in return. How about that?” she said with a cheeky smile.

“Ehh… fine, let’s do it.”

***

The duo were sitting in front of each other, next to a small campfire. The flames crackled, emanating waves of hot air. For a moment, the two warriors felt like they were back in their warm cozy rooms back home.

Illuminated by the orange light, Edward finally chose the question he wanted to ask.

“Alright, so tell me. What’s your story?”

“Huh… What kind of question is that?”

“Ok tell me how you became a Marked. The whole story.” The edge of Ed’s mouth rose slightly.

“And that’s not a question at all.”

Edward glared at his friend silently.

“Alright, alright, I’ll tell you… relax.” She shuffled a bit, crossing her legs and leaning back on her arms. “Well… Like master Tarquin told you when we met, I’ve managed to defeat a certain Marked in a duel. That also happens to be the first person I’ve killed…”

“Oh, wow…”

“Shh… just let me talk, it’s easier that way.”

The young warrior nodded.

“The Marked wasn’t a very strong one. Newly awakened I assume… The battle was tough, very tough. He was much faster and stronger than me. But I was better with the sword. Even back then. Although obviously not nearly as good as I became after being recognized as a candidate for a Legend…”

She hesitated for a moment, opening and closing her mouth, before finding the next words.

“One of our Marked was leading my team. Unfortunately because of one stupid mistake, he fell at the enemy’s blade… I was just a promising swordswoman back then, one that had to constantly prove her worth by skill alone, or risk being ostracized.”

“Did they look down on you for being a woman and a warrior? I thought we already got rid of that mindset long ago…”

Layla shook her head. “No, you don’t understand. It wasn’t because of me being a woman. The reason they looked down on me was because I’m not from the Alexander bloodline. You and I don’t share the same Legend as an ancestor…”