Chapter 10: First Lessons, First Blood
After calming down a little more and collecting her thoughts Aniya proceeded about her day as usual while keeping the events of her dream in the front of her mind. After eating her breakfast Aniya proceeded to get up and walk around so her legs would continue healing, however shortly after she started there was a knock on the door. The maid that was attending to Aniya sat her down on her bed and then walked over to the door. As the maid opened the door Cisna walked through, although she was not in her usual regal attire, rather she was in her outgoing clothes.
"Cisna?" Aniya asked curiously as Cisna walked over to her
"Good morning Aniya!" Cisna replied
"It is surprising to see you in those clothes," Aniya said commenting on Cisna's attire
"I need to go to Faria and talk to Miu."
"You want to be comfortable during the trip I'm guessing?"
"Yes, but that's not the reason I came to see you…" Cisna said her voice growing more serious
"…Then what is?"
"Last night…"
Aniya did not reply and turned her eyes to the ground.
Cisna did not reply either but kept her eyes on Aniya.
"I don't exactly know what is going on but…"
"It's okay…" Cisna said cutting her off
"Cisna…I-I think…" Aniya said stammering, and after containing herself continued "I think Madoras…is coming back…"
Cisna did not reply for a moment then finally spoke, "I know…I felt his presence..."
"How?" Aniya said lifting her eyes from the ground and looking at Cisna again
"Your Ark…" Cisna said while pointing at the still faintly glowing orb, and added "I think it and he are connected in some way…"
"But…that's impossible…" Aniya said completely confused
"Lady Cisna!" A voice called from the hallway
Hearing this Cisna turned to the still open door and on the other side a young man, slightly older than both Cisna and Aniya, came running, seemingly out of breath.
"Lady Cisna, the ship awaits you for departure" The young man spoke
"Ship?" Aniya said confused
"The Shahgna of course!" Cisna replied turning to Aniya again
"But…wasn't it destroyed?"
"Not entirely-"
"Um…Lady Cisna…" The young man spoke again, this time more urgently
"I understand, I'm coming…" Cisna said with a sigh as he addressed the young man
"Duty calls?" Aniya asked
"Duty calls…" Cisna replied, and then added "We will talk when I return Aniya, until then get better."
"I will, take care Cisna."
With Aniya's words Cisna disappeared into the hallway and just before the young man followed her he gave Aniya a very small, but noticeable, glare. Aniya brushed off the glare as something to be expected as she is living in the royal palace and she is not royalty, instead she stood up and continued moving her legs with help of the maid.
…
~Several Hours Later~
…
"They are still not here…" Aniya said to herself commenting that Eldore and the others had still not shown up.
Sitting down on the bed once again after walking for some time Aniya took a deep breath, and let out a sigh. Seeing this the maid that had been with her since the start of the day moved over to her and started to speak.
"Um, Miss Aniya?" the maid said meekly
"Yes?"
"I, um, forgot to mention this…" the maid paused as she took a deep breath and then continued "The people that usually come in…they, um, won't be in today…"
"And the reason?" Aniya said as she gave the maid a glare so sharp it could cut steel
"I do not know all the details but Lords Eldore and Leonard accompanied Lady Cisna to Faria," the maid continued, "um, Lord Caesar and Lady Kara had to return to Greede, and Lady Yulie returned to Parma."
"…And why didn't you tell me earlier?" Aniya asked with her glare still on the maid
"My apologies Miss Aniya, I had intended to inform you the moment you woke up but…"
"I had scared you…" Aniya replied cutting her off and loosening her glare
"Yes…"
"I see…oh well…" Aniya said somewhat disappointed, then added "You know…come to think of it I don't even know your name, and you have tended to me all this time…"
"Oh, um, my name is Penelope" the maid said as she did a slight curtsy
"A pleasure to finally make your acquaintance" Aniya said with a slight chuckle
"And a pleasure to make yours" Penelope said with a smile
"With introductions out of the way finally," Aniya said as she started to get up and then added "I have a request if I can?"
"Of course, Miss Aniya," Penelope said as she helped her up "as long as it is within my ability to do so."
"Um, I'd like to get out of this room and outside to the city."
"Uh, um…" Penelope said as she started to think
"Is there something wrong?" Aniya asked curiously
"It's just that we'd need permission as you are not back to full health yet…"
"Well…I'd have you to help me if something happens, right?"
"That is true," Penelope paused and then added "with the permission there is something else we'd need…"
"Like?"
"Um, a change of clothes…" Penelope said shyly
Aniya began to laugh at this as even she knew that she did need clothes as all she was in was a nightgown and ever since she woke up it was the only type of clothing she wore with the occasional change due to hygiene.
"Um, Miss Aniya?"
"Oh, uh sorry," Aniya said calming down her laughter
"I will go find you some clothes Miss Aniya, after I get permission from the guards."
"Okay!"
"I will take my leave of you then," Penelope said as she did a small bow then walked to the door and just before she disappeared into the hallway she turned around and spoke "I will return shortly!"
With her departing words Penelope walked into the hallway and closed the door behind her. Still inside the room Aniya, albeit shakily, walked around the room for some time thinking about what happened in the past 3 months. Making her way over to and looking outside the window of the room she saw that the city was peaceful but wondered what is was like outside the walls of Balandor, especially with pockets of Magi still about doing who knows what. Before long her eyes turned to her sword that remained against the wall near the bed and has not been touched since Eldore brought it back to her.
"I…" Aniya started to say to herself "I will dispose of you…"
Aniya reached for the hilt of the sword and as she took hold of it the Knight's Ark, which sat not too far from where the sword was resting, started to glow. Aniya's eyes shifted from the sword to the orb and let go of the sword hilt and as she did the orb's light faded. Aniya then reached for the Ark and picked it up but it did not glow.
"What do you want?" Aniya said to the orb as if speaking to a person, "Why did you protect me? Why didn't you just let me die!?"
"Um, Miss Aniya?" came Penelope's voice from behind
Completely taken off guard, and shocked slightly from Penelope's voice, Aniya turned around quickly and dropped the orb which rolled a short distance and stopped at the side of the bed.
"I'm sorry Miss Aniya!" Penelope said apologetically
"It's all right, it's not your fault" Aniya said reassuring her "and I didn't hear you come in I should have been paying more attention."
"I must still apologize…"
"It's fine, it's fine…"
Looking at her arms Aniya noticed that Penelope was carrying several dresses. And surprisingly she carried them all this way from wherever she got them from as some of them seemed a little heavy even for a girl of her figure. Walking over to the side of the bed, not far from where the orb was resting on the ground, Penelope laid the dresses on the bed which ended up covering it entirely. Walking over to her side Aniya looked at all the dresses which all seemed to be quite regal.
"Um, did you pick these for me to wear?" Aniya asked
"Yes, Miss Aniya" Penelope answered with a smile
"They all look so beautiful; they look like they'd be wasted on me…"
"Don't say that Miss Aniya, you'd look quite pretty I'd say. Almost on par with Lady Cisna!" Penelope said with a smile
"Um, thank you…" Aniya said shyly while blushing slightly
Looking down at her feet Penelope saw that the orb that Aniya dropped was barely a foot from her. Bending down slightly, and without Aniya noticing, Penelope grabbed and picked it up. When Penelope stood upright again she held the orb at her side and started to speak.
"You wish to know why I kept you alive…little girl?" Penelope spoke
"What?" Aniya said as she turned to face Penelope who was still holding the orb which started glowing ominously
"You still have a purpose to fulfill in this world…" Penelope spoke again, though this time in a different voice
"A purpose? What purpose?" Aniya said angrily
"You will see soon enough…"
"Get out of her!"
"I care not for this woman…she will die soon anyway…"
"What?" Aniya replied shocked
"You will see…very soon…"
Penelope, or rather the spirit controlling her, held out the orb to Aniya who, without a second thought, quickly took it away.
"Get stronger…little girl…"
With the final words from the spirit the orbs light faded and Penelope returned to normal, albeit with a small headache. Looking at Aniya, Penelope asked why she had such a serious look on her face but Aniya quickly changed the subject back to the dresses, but kept what the spirit said in the front of her mind, just like her dream.
"Let's get you changed Miss Aniya!" Penelope said with enthusiasm
…
~A short time later~
…
"Wow!" Penelope said with a huge grin, "You look beautiful!"
Trying on several of the dresses Penelope brought, and finally picking one, minus shoes due to the ivy on her legs, Aniya stood in the middle of the room looking down at it. While it was beautiful Aniya did not believe it suited her.
"It does look nice but…"
"'But'?" Penelope asked puzzled
"I think I'll buy one from out in town after this…"
"But why? You look so pretty!"
"Thank you, but it doesn't feel right…" Aniya said with a frown "Being an adventurer I've never been in a dress, it has always been armor or something similar."
"I'm sure you will get used to it Miss Aniya!"
"Maybe…" Aniya said with a sigh, "but anyways did you get permission for us to go outside?"
"Yes, though they insisted you go with an armed escort"
"'Armed'?" Aniya asked confused
"I don't know the specifics, but that is what I was told."
"It doesn't matter…shall we go?"
"Let's!"
With a nod, and with Penelope at her side helping her walk, Aniya made her way into the hallway where the fully armed guard that would be escorting her was waiting not too far from the door. As they approached the guard stood at attention to which Aniya reply to with a nod.
"Greetings to you" Aniya spoke to the soldier
"A good day to you, Lady Aniya" replied the soldier through his helmet who still stood at attention
"Wait, that voice…"
"You remember me?"
"Yes…" Aniya paused for a moment and then resumed, "you were the gate guard I talked to when first came to Balandor and delivered the flyers from Rapacchi Wines, right?"
"Indeed I am…"
"I am glad to see you survived the war."
"Thank you," the soldier paused "it was difficult but I somehow made it."
"It was hell…"
"Um…Miss Aniya?" Penelope asked sheepishly
"What's wrong?" Aniya asked as she turned to Penelope
"We should be going," Penelope said as she pointed down the hallway, "they only gave us until sunset, and that is not long from now."
"I see, I'm sorry about that," Aniya replied then turned back to the soldier, "let's get going, shall we?"
"Indeed, allow me to lead the way" the soldier said as he turned in the direction of the main palace doors
Following the soldier Aniya and Penelope, after a short walk, found themselves in front of the main palace doors which was guarded by another soldier. Having a short talk with the soldier guarding the doors, the soldier escorting Aniya and Penelope walked up to the two waiting.
"Is there any place in particular you wish to visit Lady Aniya?' the soldier asked
"I think I'd like to visit Rapacci" Aniya answered
"'Rapacci Wines' then?"
"Yes"
"Very well then"
With his words, the soldier turned around and opened the door to the outside, which Aniya and Penelope passed through. Upon exiting the palace Aniya performed a deep inhale and exhale, then proceeded to follow the soldier to her requested destination.
"Ahhh, fresh air again…" Aniya remarked
Penelope could not help but laugh, and struggled slightly to stifle it.
"I can't help it," Aniya said trying to explain her laughter, "it has been a while."
"You have been in the palace for a while now so it is understandable," Penelope replied after finishing laughing, "but it was still funny to hear you say that."
"I suppose…" Aniya remarked with a small chuckle of her own
Making their way down the road Aniya took a long look around her, and remarked beautiful and peaceful Balandor was.
"I have a question Lady Aniya, if I may?" the soldier asked after walking a short distance
"Sure, what is it?" Aniya replied
"I have heard that you were quite the warrior during the Magi war," the soldier continued, "I was wondering, who was your teacher?"
"Hmmm…" Aniya said aloud as she thought of the words to speak
"If it is too personal I am sorry" the soldier said concerned
"No, it's no problem," Aniya replied reassuring him, "I was initially taught by my adoptive grandfather."
"He must be a very good teacher, as strong as you are."
"Yes…he was…"
"Oh…my apologies."
"You said 'initially' miss Aniya, does that mean you had more than one teacher?" Penelope asked
"Yes," Aniya replied, "though my grandfather declined to teach me at first. I was nine years old at the time if I remember correctly…"
…
~Aniya's Past - Ten Years Ago~
…
78 Zalas had just finished killing a large 0boar for dinner, and was carrying it on his shoulders while Aniya was walking beside him. Looking at the sword, the weapon used to kill the animal, certain thoughts had started to run through Aniya's mind. Upon reaching home Zalas put the dead animal down, and went inside to gather some items in order to cook the creature. Waiting outside Aniya looked at the dead boar and her eyes went to a long-handled axe that always leaned against the shack, and used only for gathering firewood. Walking outside again Zalas noticed Aniya looking at the axe.
"Something the matter Aniya?" Zalas asked finally
"Grandpa?" Aniya asked turning to Zalas
"Hmmm?"
"I…want to learn to fight."
"No…" Zalas said sternly
"Why not?" Aniya asked puzzled
"You don't need to know why," Zalas replied sterner, "now come here and let's prepare for dinner."
"Yes, grandpa…" Aniya said with a huff
Doing as she was told, Aniya went to Zalas' side and started helping with skinning and cutting the boar for dinner. As she was doing her part with the creature Aniya noticed that Zalas was holding the knife he was using to cut the boar the same way as he would with his regular sword. Attempting to mimic Zalas, Aniya held her knife the same way he was, however not long after while cutting a portion of the boar Aniya's knife hand slipped and she ended up cutting her other hand, causing her to bleed slightly.
"Are you all right Aniya?" Zalas asked with some concern
"I think so," Aniya said as she held her bleeding hand, "it wasn't deep."
"Still go inside and bandage it up, I'll be in shortly."
"Yes, grandpa" Aniya said as she turned to the shack and started walking
After a few steps tears started to come out of Aniya's eyes. After entering the shack, finding some bandages, and coving the cut on her hand Aniya sat on the bed. Putting her head down Aniya started to cry.
…
~PRESENT~
…
"I'm amazed you remember so much Lady Aniya," the soldier remarked
"Yes, I agree," Penelope added, "I can barely remember four or five years in the past, yet you remember such detail."
"I don't know why," Aniya started, "but as far back as I can remember I could always remember things vividly, regardless of how much time has passed."
"I see…" Penelope replied impressed
"Is this it Lady Aniya?" the soldier asked as the came upon a building
"'Rapacchi Wines'," Aniya said as she read the sign, and then continued, "yes, this is it."
Walking through the door first, the soldier held the door open so Aniya and Penelope could walk in. Looking around the group noticed that no one was in the store besides them.
"Huh, Rapacci must be out..." Aniya remarked
"Should we come back another time Miss Aniya?" Penelope asked
"No, he'll be back soon knowing him."
"In that case…" the soldier started to say
"Ah, yes…" Aniya said as she sat down in one of the chairs in the store, "I didn't finish the story yet…"
…
~PAST~
~Several Weeks Later~
…
After getting off the gondola from Greede, Zalas and Aniya started to make their way back home taking the normal route they normally take. However, after reaching the open area that overlooks the chasm the duo were beset by a group of hungry Ice Lizards.
"Huh, only four of them…" Zalas said as he drew his sword and assumed his stance, then spoke to Aniya, "…stay behind me girl."
"Yes, grandpa!" Aniya replied
Lunging forward Zalas made quick work of one of the lizards, and moved onto another all the while keeping Aniya on his back and the lizards away from her. After Zalas dealt with all but one of the lizards Aniya tried to get a better look at her grandfather in action, however this caused Zalas to let down his guard slightly as he looked at Aniya. Seeing this the remaining lizard swung its tail at Zalas, who barely got his guard up in time, causing him to stagger and drop his sword. Though he was unarmed Zalas still took the lizards attention away from Aniya and moved a small distance away, but was unable to hurt the creature.
"Grandpa!" Aniya yelled
"Aniya, run home! Now!" Zalas shouted back
"No!"
"Do it now!"
Rather than do what her grandfather told her to, Aniya looked around and saw some rocks on the ground to which she picked up.
"Get away from my grandpa you!" Aniya shouted as she threw a rock at the lizard which hit it on its back
"Aniya, no!"
While the rock did not harm the lizard, it caused it to change focus from Zalas to Aniya. As it turned to Aniya the lizard swung its tail at Zalas again, hitting him in the shoulder and knocking him down. As she locked eyes with the creature Aniya suddenly felt petrified and unable to move. As the lizard closed in it lunged and bit Aniya on the leg causing her to cry out in pain as she fell to the ground.
"Grandpa! Help!" Aniya yelled at the top of her lungs as she tried to get the lizard off her leg
Taking one of the bigger rocks she had, Aniya began to hit the Ice Lizard on its head in order to break its hold, however this only seemed to anger it as it bit down harder. Coming from behind Zalas had managed to get a hold of his sword again, and plunged it into the creature. However, the lizard's hold on Aniya did not break until she managed to get a hit on the creature's eye with the rock she was hitting it with. Rolling away and clutching her leg Aniya witnessed Zalas killing the creature angrily. Moving over to her after putting away the sword, Zalas picked her up and ran as fast as he was able back to the shack. Upon reaching the shack Zalas put Aniya, who was still holding her leg, onto the bed and began looking for bandages and medicine.
…
~PRESENT~
…
"My goodness," Penelope said as she covered her mouth with her hands
"It's a good thing Ice Lizards don't have long teeth, otherwise you wouldn't have a leg right now," came a rough voice from the door as it opened
As the soldier readied himself the door opened wider to reveal Rapacci, along with Yulie behind him. The soldier lowered his guard as Aniya calmed him down.
"It has been a while Rapacci," Aniya remarked, then turned her attention to Yulie, "you didn't go with Leonard and Eldore to Faria Yulie?"
"Nope, too busy," Yulie replied
"Doing?"
"Stuff for Rapacci, you know how it is," Yulie said with a smile
"Also trying to be an adventurer supposedly," Rapacci interrupted, "something about being 'inspired' by someone…"
"Rapacci!" Yulie yelled as her face turned red
"Inspired, huh?" Aniya said in a sour tone
"Um, never mind that…" Yulie said waving the subject away, "what were you talking about?"
"Not much, just my first 'training' with my grandfather."
"I see," Rapacci remarked
"I want to hear this," Yulie added
"Okay then…" Aniya replied as she continued the story
…
~PAST~
…
After bandaging Aniya's leg Zalas put his gear down, and sat in a chair next to the bed. Sitting upright Aniya turned to face Zalas.
"Grandpa I-" Aniya started
"What did you think you were doing Aniya? I told you to run!" Zalas snapped interrupting her
"But-"
"You could have been killed!"
"I couldn't just leave you grandpa!"
"I can take care of myself girl!" Zalas continued
There was a long pause between the two, then Zalas slumped in the chair partially exhausted and stared at the ceiling.
"Why won't you teach me to fight grandpa?" Aniya finally asked
"So, that's it huh?" Zalas replied turning his head to her
"Ummm…"
"You told me a few weeks ago you want to learn to fight."
"Yes."
"The answer is still 'no' Aniya."
"And I still want to know why you won't teach me," Aniya started, "I mean you taught me how to hunt for food if I ever needed to. But you won't teach me to actually fight."
"When you were face to face with that lizard, what did you feel Aniya?" Zalas replied in a stern voice after a deep sigh
"What?"
"What did you feel?" Zalas said repeating his question
"Um…I'm not sure…" Aniya replied turning her eyes down
"Fear. That is what you felt."
"Fear?"
"You are too young to understand, and control, your fear."
"Then teach me!" Aniya replied angrily locking eyes with Zalas
Zalas did not reply, but got up and walked to the door then turned around back to Aniya.
"Get some sleep Aniya…" Zalas said then opened the door and walked outside
Doing as she was told, albeit angrily, Aniya laid back and drifted off to sleep quickly, revealing that she was very tired.
…
~The Next Morning~
…
Waking up at her usual time, just after dawn, Aniya noticed that Zalas was gone, and after getting dressed and walking outside she found that he was not there either.
"He must still be angry with me..." Aniya thought to herself, "...but where could he be, it's not like him to leave like this."
Sitting down next to the shack Aniya waited for a short while to think on what Zalas had said last night. Looking at the axe that still rested against the shack she started to think about it again, then got up and walked towards it until she was a foot away.
"Understand, and control my fear huh?"
Aniya then proceeded to pick up the axe, and held it in her hands in order to get a feel for it. Unfortunately, it was slightly heavy for her so it was very difficult to get into a proper stance. Shortly afterward Aniya started walking away from the shack and to the mountain path with the axe on one shoulder in order to support its weight.
"I just need to find a monster…" Aniya continued to think to herself
Aniya's search did not take long for after walking a short distance up the mountain she came across a boar, something she had seen, and helped Zalas hunt, multiple times. Fortunately, this boar was small for its size and appeared very weak, however as Aniya got into her shaky stance with the axe the boar noticed her and subsequently ran away, far too fast for Aniya to catch up to.
"Rats…" Aniya cursed under her breath
Putting that axe back on her shoulder Aniya continued to walk up the mountain, all the while looking for her grandfather. Finally, Aniya reached the wide-open area, which only yesterday she ran into some hungry Ice Lizards, but unfortunately no monsters were in sight.
"Nothing here either…" Aniya said under her breath, "…I'll just head back."
Turning around to head back down the mountain, and not long after she rounded the corner, Aniya found what she was looking for: a monster. However, this one was almost twice the size of an Ice Lizard.
"A…a jackal…" Aniya thought to herself in a fearful tone
Aniya immediately took a couple of steps back, for she knew that jackals in that area were especially dangerous. However, the jackal had already noticed her presence and turned towards her. Just like with the Ice Lizard, when she locked eyes with the monster her body locked up completely, and the creature moved closer and closer.
"I must overcome this!"
Regaining some of her motor functions Aniya managed, albeit slowly, to ready the axe and form a stance, which caused the jackal to stop in its tracks. For what seemed like an eternity Aniya and the jackal stood in place seemingly waiting for the other to make a move. Eventually the creature made the first move as it lunged at Aniya, and took a swipe with one of its forelegs which struck her in the abdomen causing her to bleed, stagger, and cry out in pain.
"Grandpa…help me…"
Once again the jackal lunged at Aniya, but somehow she managed to raise the axe she was holding high enough to block the creatures claws. Taking advantage of this Aniya pushed the jackal's arm away causing it to stagger and moved back into the wide-open area she was just in. After gaining some distance from the jackal Aniya regained her stance and waited for it to get close again. As the jackal tried to take another swipe at Aniya, and as she learned how it moved, she blocked and dodged more and more effectively, almost rendering the attacks useless. Amid all of this she seemed to forget that she was bleeding on her torso.
"Heh…" Aniya chuckled slightly
As the jackal lunged again Aniya dodged then immediately took a swing with the axe, and luckily hit the creature in its left foreleg causing it to retreat slightly. However, Aniya followed after it, seemingly with rage in her eyes, and took another swing, only this time the blade hit the jackal on the left side of its neck causing it to gush blood, and fall down almost lifeless. Not stopping however, Aniya took another swing hitting the creature in its head killing it outright, but the attacks did not stop. Aniya took swing after swing at the dead jackal, seemingly angry, and mutilated the creature. Shortly afterward, as she held up the axe for another attack, Aniya found she could not move the weapon regardless of how hard she pulled. As she turned around she found out that her grandfather was standing there holding the axe in place and staring at her.
…
~PRESENT~
…
"Must have been terrifying for you, especially at that age," Rapacci remarked
"What was even more surprising was the fact that my grandfather planned it to some degree," Aniya added
"He what?" Yulie asked completely puzzled, her face mirroring Penelope's
…
~PAST~
…
Making their way back down the mountain and back to the shack, Aniya and Zalas did not speak a word to each other; even after Aniya sat down on the bed and Zalas patched her wounds. The silence continued almost throughout the entire day and night, even through dinner, until it was time to sleep.
"It felt…good…" Aniya finally spoke as she got into bed
Zalas did not reply, but turned to Aniya as he was walking away
"I…want to do it again…"
"You'll get another chance Aniya," Zalas replied, "now get some sleep…you are going to need it."
Although completely puzzled by his words, Aniya rolled over in the bed and went to sleep.
…
~The next morning~
…
Once again waking up at her usual time Aniya noticed that once again Zalas was not present. However, after getting dressed and walking outside Aniya found Zalas outside standing next the tree that stood across from the shack in full gear, and seemingly waiting for something.
"Good morning, Aniya…" Zalas said in a serious tone
"Um, good morning grandpa…" Aniya replied cautiously
"Let's go…" Zalas said as he started walking toward the mountain path
"Go where grandpa?" Aniya replied as she hurried after him
Zalas did not reply, but instead kept walking down the path towards the base of the mountain. Upon reaching the bottom Zalas stopped and turned around to face Aniya.
"This should be good…" Zalas said just barely audible
"What's that grandpa?" Aniya asked curiously, "Why are we here?"
"We are here for your training, Aniya," Zalas replied, "I will give you a 'task'."
"What kind of task?"
"You are going to the overlook from here," Zalas said as he pointed up the path, "and return here before the sun sets."
"Let's get going then!"
"No…" Zalas said as he shook his head, "…you are doing this alone…"
"What? Alone?" Aniya said as she looked at Zalas in shock, "But why?"
"You wanted to be taught to fight, right? Here is your first, or rather second, test."
"Second?"
"I wanted to see what you would do if I was gone, and you did not disappoint…"
"Wait, do you mean…?"
"Yes, I planned everything yesterday," Zalas said with a small sigh, "but I was never far away."
While mostly angry, but still very surprised, Aniya simply stared at Zalas.
"Now, get going Aniya. The clock is ticking."
"I don't have a weapon. What about the monsters?"
"That is part of your test…now go!"
"Yes, grandpa…" Aniya said grudgingly as she turned around and started walking back up the mountain path
After walking a short distance Aniya turned around to look back at her grandfather, however he was nowhere to be seen, almost as if he simply disappeared. Shrugging this off Aniya continued up the mountain, all the while thinking about what to bring back from the overlook, and why Zalas gave her so much time to do the test as it takes only a couple of hours to traverse the mountain as a whole. Shrugging this off and continuing up the mountain, Aniya found the trek as quiet as the previous day, and barely encountered any monsters. However, upon reaching the overlook Aniya soon found the reason for such a quiet day.
"No…" Aniya said in a terrified voice, barely audible
In front of her was a giant creature, far more dangerous than a jackal, and the one monster that Zalas told her to avoid at all costs.
"A dragon? Here? Now?"
Fortunately for Aniya the dragon was sleeping, and she was still far away enough that it did not notice her presence. However, Aniya found out that she could not move her legs, rather they were almost literally rooted to the ground.
"W-what do I do-"
Aniya's monologue was cut short as a small glint caught her eyes. Adjusting her eyes Aniya saw that behind the dragon was a small sword stuck in the ground.
"Is this part of your 'test' grandpa?" Aniya said with a sigh
…
~PRESENT~
…
"Wow…" Penelope started, "I have heard that dragons are terrifying creatures. To think that you came so close to one at such an age, and alone."
"I'm sorry Lady Aniya, but…" the soldier started
"It's hard to believe, huh?" Aniya spoke finishing his sentence
"Yes…"
"Sorry Aniya, but I have to agree with the man," Yulie added, "only nine years old and going through something like that..."
"…Come here Yulie, please…" Aniya said with a deep sigh
Doing as she was asked Yulie walked over to Aniya, and knelt down at her side.
"Give me your hands."
"Um, okay…" Yulie replied as she held out both her hands
Taking her hands into her own, Aniya started a small chant and as she did her hands, along with Yulie's, started to glow. In a bright flash of light, a green book appeared out of thin air much to everyone's surprise, especially Yulie.
"The Retrospecticon?" Yulie said shocked
"Yes…" Aniya said while breathing heavily