Chapter 2: Years of Peace
It was a good number of years since Summer saved Cinder from Atlas, so she's 18 now and is enjoying a warm sunny day by a cliffside. Cinder is sitting down on the grass and writing in a journal.
I never thought I'd see the day, but I'm wearing a dress now. It's a pleasant shade of red and is short. So I can move my legs freely. I'm surprised Father let Mother buy me this thing, but I do have to wear shorts. Not that I mind. I'm only wearing this thing because it makes Mother happy. I owe a lot to her and Father. It's thanks to them I have a second chance at life.
At Atlas, I thought I would live a life of misery and pain and be a slave my whole life. I felt so powerless. But Mother saved me. Both Mother and Father healed my damaged soul. Ruby and Yang helped out as well. My dear little sisters, their bright smiles and hugs warm my heart. Those two are the reasons why I choose to fight.
My parents are strong warriors, but I want to help protect our home. I want to use this dark power my captors forced on me and use it to protect and not destroy.
Cinder looks at the katana lying beside her. She chuckles and keeps writing.
I gave a new name to my late father's katana. Caliburn is its name now. Yamato was its old name. It's a family tradition to rename this katana. I picked Caliburn as its new name because when I had this katana passed down, I had to draw it from a stone. My previous father had me do that because of my love for King Arthur stories.
Surprisingly enough, my teammates are fans of King Arthur stories like me. Each of us has a favourite character from that story. Tifa likes Gawain, Yuna likes Tristian, and Aqua likes Lancelot. As for me, I like King Arthur.
Cinder smiles, then keeps writing.
I have my own Knights of the Round Table. I've yet to fight my black knight, but I'll be ready once that day arrives. Mother and Master Raven, Yang's mother, trained me to fight. Master Raven was a strict teacher. Each day of training always leaves me exhausted. But all those lesions paid off big time.
I'm at the top of my class! Well, in terms of combat. Other subjects, not so much. Why does a huntress need to know world history? A huntress just fights monsters, right? There is one noncombat class I'm good at. It's my least favourite subject, however.
Oh, I nearly forgot. I got my Cinder Rose now. It was hard dropping the Farron name. The Farron name holds too much weight and a bloody history. I tried to separate myself from the Farron name, but that past kept returning.
I defeated this past, and I'll continue to do so! I will not be their king! I'm the master of my destiny!
Closing her journal, Cinder puts it and the pen into a bag nearby. Cinder gets up and ties the bag to her waist."Time to head home," Cinder said, brushing the grass off her red dress.
Picking up the katana Caliburn, Cinder turns and walks into the woods. Cinder took her time because she loved the gentle breeze and the scent of flowers. She even liked the sounds of the birds singing. "I can't find this relaxing atmosphere in the city," Cinder thought, "It's too noisy there,"
Cinder continues to enjoy her walk in the woods until she reaches a cabin she holds near and dear to her heart. It's her home and the place where Cinder got her new beginning.
Summer is right. Love does keep the darkness away.
A/N: Sorry for the short chapter. I want to write something short and sweet. Also, I got a new PC. It's a gaming PC. A first for me. I am enjoying it so much. I can do so much now!
