Resolve.

The sun descended low on the horizon, casting the forest in shades of gold and shadow. Roy dismounted his horse with a profound sigh. His body ached; his injuries served as stark reminders of the precarious condition he was in. However, his face remained stoic, as if pain was merely a transient inconvenience. Behind him, Erika stumbled into the clearing, her breathing labored, yet her resolve unyielding. "Roy!" she exclaimed, her voice quaking with fury. "Stop running!" Roy turned slowly, his expression icy. "Running? Little princess, I've been waiting for you to catch up. I thought you desired to avenge your father." Erika gritted her teeth, drawing her blade with trembling hands. Her knees threatened to buckle beneath her; nevertheless, she compelled herself to stand tall. "Don't you dare utter his name! You killed him! You ruined everything!" Roy smirked, his piercing gaze locking onto hers. "Ruined everything? Your father did that to himself. I merely completed what he initiated. But if you are insistent on blaming me, then by all means, Erika. Let's discover if you are capable of accomplishing what your father never could—defeating me."

Without further ado, Erika lunged at Roy with all her strength; her blade aimed directly at his heart. The air (between them) crackled with tension as Roy sidestepped the attack effortlessly. He didn't even draw his sword. "Sloppy," Roy remarked, his voice calm, yet cutting. "Your anger blinds you. Do you truly believe you can kill me with such amateurish moves?" Erika spun around, her black hair whipping in the wind as she executed a horizontal slash aimed at his torso. Roy ducked, using his uninjured arm to seize her wrist and twist it just enough to disarm her without causing injury. The sword clattered to the ground. Erika gasped, her eyes wide because Roy stepped closer, his imposing figure towering over her. "Is this the best you can do?" he taunted, his voice low. "I expected more from the daughter of Miral Krules." "You bastard!" Erika screamed, throwing a punch at his face. Roy caught her fist mid-air, his grip ironclad. With a swift motion, he spun her around and pinned her arm behind her back. "You're reckless, untrained and out of your depth," Roy whispered into her ear. "If this is all you have, you're wasting my time."

Erika resisted his grasp, her fury intensifying. "Release me, you coward! Confront me properly!" With a forceful shove, Roy let her go, causing her to stumble ahead. She regained her balance and pivoted, her eyes ignited with defiance. "Retrieve your sword," she commanded. "Engage me as the warrior you profess to be!" Roy arched an eyebrow, a sardonic smile lingering on his lips. "Why should I? You are no adversary for me, regardless of whether you wield a weapon or not. However, if it will appease your pride, very well." He stooped down, retrieved her sword and tossed it back to her. "Here. Try once more." Erika caught the sword, her grip tightening as she prepared herself. She inhaled deeply, her thoughts racing. I cannot merely charge in recklessly; he is too swift, too seasoned. I must strategize... I must outmaneuver him. This time, she advanced warily, circling around Roy, who stood with his arms crossed, poised for her next move. She feinted to the left and then lunged to the right, targeting his side. Roy parried the strike with his forearm, the metal of her blade brushing against his gauntlet. "Improvement," he conceded, stepping back. "But still inadequate."

The confrontation persisted, with Erika launching her attacks with renewed vigor while Roy effortlessly parried each strike. Despite the fatigue that was increasingly evident, she remained resolute. Each miss and every unsuccessful attempt only intensified her frustration. Eventually, Roy reached his limit. As Erika swung her weapon once more, he sidestepped with agility, delivering a precise kick to her abdomen that sent her sprawling to the ground. Her sword was flung from her grip, landing several feet away. "Enough," Roy declared, his tone cutting. "You have demonstrated your determination, but determination alone will not ensure your survival. Are you aware of your father's most significant error?" Erika coughed, gripping her stomach tightly as she glared up at him. "Shut up…" "His hubris," Roy continued, disregarding her protest. "He thought his ideals justified sacrificing everything—his people, his family, even you. Consequently, you are now treading the same path." "Don't you dare equate me with him!" Erika retorted, struggling to rise. "I am nothing like him!" Roy advanced, looming over her. "No? Then cease behaving like a child throwing a tantrum. If you aspire to defeat me, you must grow stronger and more astute. Otherwise, you will inevitably become just like your father—a failure."

Erika's eyes burned with unshed tears as Roy turned and mounted his horse. He glanced back at her one last time: "I'll be waiting in the capital," he stated. "If you survive this forest, that is." With that, he rode off into the trees, leaving Erika kneeling in the dirt—battered and broken, however, not defeated. Although the situation seemed dire, she knew she had to gather her strength because there was no turning back. This moment would define her resolve.

Aftermath

Ralf arrived moments later, hastening to Erika's side. "Princess! Are you all right?" (he inquired) Erika pushed him away, her tone icy. "Do not touch me." However, the tension between them was palpable, because she felt a need for distance. This interaction, although brief, was charged with unspoken emotions.

"Princess—"

"I exclaimed, do not touch me!" she retorted, her voice faltering. She gazed at the ground, her fists quaking. "I failed… I failed against him…" Ralf knelt next to her, his demeanor softening. "You are not prepared to confront someone of his caliber. However, you can become ready. If you are willing to learn." Erika lifted her gaze to him, her eyes brimming with resolve. "I will make him pay. No matter what it takes." Ralf nodded in agreement. "Then we commence training. The real battle has only just begun."

But suddenly she lost her consciousness.