As Lucilla raised her hand and whispered her chant, a small blue portal emanated from the ground. Afterwards, she glanced at Cyrina, "That's your ride. It leads to the lighthouse beacon, where you are supposed to meet her again. Be careful, because I won't heal you next time you get injured heavily, alright?" she grinned, seeing Cyrina's serious face again.

Cyrina only nodded as she walked to the portal.

"Take care now; we'll see you again soon!" Brice shouted, beaming happily.

Cyrina looked back and gave them a small nod. She stepped into the portal and there she was enveloped in a blue transparent film of energy. She then felt herself being lifted by an invisible force. In a blink of an eye, she saw herself standing in front of the empty lighthouse. She looked back and there she saw the great waters that connect the islands of Rune-Midgard. She stared blankly at the waters as she remembers what happened the day before…

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

"The lighthouse?" Lucilla asked as she stopped from drinking her tea.

Cyrina looked at the cup in front of her. "That's right. Master Artemis headed to the lighthouse beacon. Our postponed meeting will be held there."

Lucilla looked at her tea and sighed. "I guess that's what the letter means. But what's with the face?"

Cyrina raised her cup to take a sip. It was a moment before she could answer, "I don't know… what I should do or tell her this time…"

The fair priestess looked straight at Cyrina, "I heard that you trained under her. I… happen to know her a little. She helped me for some time when I was still training as an acolyte," she started. As she looked again at Cyrina, she saw no change of expression. She continued, "I heard that she was a good fighter, an assassin with her own code; a fighter who was just as deadly, yet compassionate. But I heard she was quiet these days for unknown reasons."

Cyrina only looked without any emotion, "So what do you want me to do? Praise her? Jump for joy knowing those things?" she asked sarcastically.

"No, not at all. I thought you want to know a little of your master from someone who worked with her before…" Seeing Cyrina's reaction, Lucilla decided to stop narrating.

"I don't care for whoever she is. I think it's useless anyway. After I become an assassin, I'll finish her off…" With that, she stood up and left.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

"I wonder if I can… really finish her…" she thought as she looked at the stiletto which her master gave her. It glinted as the ray of the sun hit its blade. This stiletto is a weapon used to defend her self; and Artemis taught her how to use it. But from what she sees on the blade, is countless blood coming from monsters and humans alike, who wish to end her life. She let out a sigh before she returned the dagger to its sheath. She stared once more at the vast waters ahead; it was too big to catch a glimpse of what was on the other side of that water.

Then, as she felt that familiar feeling, she looked back and saw a hooded person approaching. She glared at that person, knowing who was beneath that hood, "Master…"

"It was good of you to come, Cyrina," Artemis' voice was faint, yet it was clearly heard by her apprentice. Cyrina only looked at Artemis, not leaving her stand. Artemis noticed this quickly; she uncovered her hood from her head and stared at Cyrina.

"Tell me, Cyrina…" Artemis started, "Do you think you can make your move now?"

"What?" Cyrina was startled in this query. How could Artemis know her thoughts? Could her master know what she was planning beforehand?

"…From the look of your eyes, it seems I am right. But…" she slowly took out her jamadhar, ready to fight. Cyrina sensed it: her master is serious this time. She jumped high over Artemis and took out her dagger as well. She won't be off-guard this time, and definitely not cornered. Artemis stood still as she also sensed her opponent's next move.

The sun then hid behind the dark clouds, like it wanted to avoid being a witness to this event. The clouds stood still for the moment. And then, droplets of water fell; a shower started covering the whole area. Yet, the two remained unmoved. As a flash of thunder approached, a cry was heard aloud.

"Prepare yourself!" shouted Cyrina as she lunged to attack. But Artemis was ready; before Cyrina could pierce Artemis' chest, the latter blocked her dagger with perfect timing. But Cyrina refused to give in. She kept her stand, trying her best to make a hole on her master's chest. As she felt this, Artemis then quickly released her hold on Cyrina, and jumped above her. "I'm not done yet!" Cyrina quickly regained foot and charged towards Artemis, who had just set foot on the ground. But Artemis easily dodged the slashes that Cyrina made.

"You… you… why… why!" Cyrina thought as she charged blindly at her guardian: the one who took care of her the time she lost her memory. "You don't…no… you never talked to me about who I really am – about my past, my family or friends, or where I came from. You never even told me my real name yet! WHY?"

"She's bringing this to herself. If only she can figure out what was wrong with her…" Artemis thought as she continued defending and dodging Cyrina's attacks. As Cyrina lunged again, she accidentally knocks Artemis' right hand, hitting the protective gauntlet on her hand. At that instant the gauntlet fell, she spots an unusual sight: a strange lavender tattoo was embossed on her hand. Artemis quickly covers her hand while she backs away from Cyrina.

As soon as Cyrina noticed that tattoo, she felt weird enough that she forgot her anger on Artemis. She stepped forward, curious of what she saw.

"…that tattoo…"

Artemis scowled "It is nothing. Do not pay attention to it."

"But… that tattoo…"

"I said don't mind it! Stay focused, Cyrina!" Artemis could no longer contain her irritation. At that instant, Cyrina remembered her anger over her master. She rushed blindly and kept slashing all the way. As Artemis regained her form, she starts focusing her energy.

"She's losing it again…" Artemis thought, as she easily dodged every attack Cyrina gives. She gritted her teeth in annoyance, and finally made her move. As Cyrina charged forward, she caught Cyrina's hand and flipped her on her back. Cyrina didn't expect this, so she fell badly on the damp concrete. She felt a sharp sting on her torso; she quickly clutched it and stood up, ignoring the pain. Artemis noticed it, yet she didn't help Cyrina. Cyrina prepared herself as she attacked Artemis once again. This time, Artemis quickly disappeared. Cyrina stopped at her feet and sensed her surroundings. "Show yourself… show yourself… and face me!" Then, she felt a slight breeze from behind her. But as she turned to check, it was too late. "I won't let you make another move…" Cyrina heard Artemis' voice. And then, the sound of the jamadhar; which seemed to be a pounding tone over and over. Her vision darkened, as she felt her body became heavy. She fell on the floor, her eyes wide open, yet it was blank.

"What… just happened…" her voice seemed as faint as the sound the drizzle creates. She focused the remains of her strength on her vision, which was starting to blur. There, she saw Artemis picked up her gauntlet, yet she didn't wear it. She then felt Artemis approaching. Hard as she might, she was not able to move a single muscle. She then realized she was beaten; she was defeated once more. She looked up and saw her master kneeling down. She tried to talk, but was too weak to do so. As her strength started fainting, she heard a small voice, "You still have a long way… find your home…" And with one final glance, she saw her master leave.

"Why…"

The drizzle then became a strong rain; so strong that Cyrina was unable to hear her own cry.