1

~~~

Dressed in a long white flowing dress, which swept her bare cracked feet and complimented her pale skin, the young girl stood in an isolated area completely covered in fog, with a crown made of white petals sitting gracefully on her head.

Her gaze rested on a figure sat on a white horse far across from her. One as white as the clouds which played their role moving up in the sky.

The young man's sword stayed pressed against his side, while his hands gripped the reins of the horse.

He scanned the face of the girl with weak eyes, not attempting to break contact once.

One could tell he was using his last strength to sit on the horse, but somehow, he managed to stay strong.

The wild breeze which blew his luscious dark hair back and forth, made him shut his eyes while low breaths escaped his blood-stained lips.

"Orion!"

That soft voice was emitted clear and audible.

"Come towards the light" She beckoned to him.

His lips parted slowly, making way for him to speak, but came no words.

He turned back have a look at what was going on behind him.

The amount of bodies falling to the ground, made his fingers grip onto the reins tighter.

Swords were clinging high up in the air, while blood puffed out in different directions.

It was one massive war going on, as Kings, soldiers and sorcerers fought with their last strength, making sure to take down with them, anyone possible and strengthen their legacy. The power.

It was a battle to the death.

The girl stretched her lean arms forward, waiting for him to take it and go along with her. But instead, Orion turned his horse the other way, moving advancing the battle grounds.

With blade raised high into the sky, he lunged onwards, with that ear-piercing battle cry, which poured out his lips.

A sharp gasp the young girl gave, watching him with wide eyes. That look of shock had crossed her face while her gaze connected with just one figure amongst the hundreds that stood around her—Orion.

She watched intently as he fought, thrusting his sword in and out of soldiers, staying undefeated.

Storm clouds rumbled ahead, right as the eyes of the girl shone brightly, a white light forming around the pupils of her eyes.

Her gaze remained intent on Orion, eyes wild, and in a second, the whole scene was gone.

***

Bellona Maynard jolted from her sleep, low gasps escaping her lips, with eyes giving a thorough scan of the tiny cruck house she was in.

Fingers reaching for the skin of her neck, she itched continuously, soon causing a red bruise on that area.

She had shot off the the creaky bed which she laid in, grabbing her old brown boots from where they rested, and at once, pushed her feet in.

And then followed those recurring thoughts centered around her dream.

What were all of these dreams, and what could they mean? The girl thought to herself.

For days, all of her dreams have been similar each leading to one thing—That figure which she always saw.

There was something about him that left her churned every time she woke up.

Who was the fellow?

That question sure perturbed the girl.

Whenever she came across him in her sleep, she would get a hold of his name, but the instant she awoke, it would leave her memory, and all of that would be gone.

Why couldn't she remember who he was?

And what significance did that lad bear to her?

***

It was a bright sunny day in the tiny village of Lorwich. A place known for its calm and ever happy villagers.

Children were seen running around, men and women going about their daily activities, which usually included the men haying, gathering crops and going farming, whereas, the women stayed making exquisite dresses, visiting the markets and even talking about the latest happenings in the palace.

Bellona walked out of the home she inhabited with her aunt and uncle, a smile tugging at her lips at the sight of a kid hurrying to her.

"Allo dearest! Howuhhyou?" She had reached to caress the little girl's cheeks, eyes rushing with glee.

There followed no response from the girl,

just a giggle, and in a second, she was found hurrying away.

With a low chuckle escaping her lips, Pavlos had pushed forward, advancing the hut which rested far on the other end of the village.

At each villager she bypassed, she would give a bow, not to forget the smile, which at this point was plastered on that entrancing face of hers.

Not much long gone, she finally got to her destination—This particular house was much bigger, compared to her own home.

The light taps she gave on the ancient door, only had its wood creaking, crying to be eased.

When no response followed, the young lady a push, figure slowly stepping in, coming to behold the still house.

"Pavlos?" That name poured out her lips, calling for her friend, while her form moved around the tiny room which acted as the visiting area.

Her eyes scanned the space, as if in searching for something.

Taking slow steps, steady, she moved to the far end of the room, where a rack of swords laid.

Those blades remained glistening, telling whoever, not to come close, as it had just been sharpened. But Kasumi was sure to act otherwise.

She had picked one of the swords up, pulling it into better view, and only then did she feel the movement behind her.

There came a sudden gust of wind, rushing by here, giving her long wavy hair a little sway, and only then, had her figure spun around, eyes growing in size.

"Who's there?!"

The young lady's voice faltered, gaze filled with utter terror.

The house remained eerily silent, and all that was to be heard, was the soft squeaks of mice, and nonetheless, the faint cahatters coming from those villagers at the market square.

Bellona had spun around yet again, just in time to catch that strange form whooshing by her.

So fast it was, movement sharp, but the young lady so happened to catch a glimpse of the person.

An old man.

The sunlight which peered in from the windows, had his grey hair glistening. So long, it went flowing past his back onto the ends of his garment, and his growth beard of the same colour, went past his jaw.

It was a quick movement, and in a second, that figure was nowhere to be seen in the room.

"Who are you?!" One could detect the fear found in the voice of Bellona. Her heart thumped, skin crawling.

"Where's Pavlos?"

There came such disturbing silence, while her eyes remained scanning the room, and suddenly, a voice from behind had caused her entire form jolting.

"Bellona?"

Turning around at once, only to find Pavlos peering at her with questioning eyes, gaze confused.

She had released a breath she didn't realize she was holding all the while, and at once moving over to him, her words broke out.

"Thank heavens you're here!" She rushed.

"There's a man in your home. An old man"

Despite the fear-stricken state the girl was found to be in, Pavlos didn't seem a bit fazed. Instead, he only tutted his lips, moving past her figure to peer out the windows.

"What nonsense do I hear ye say? I live in this cottage all alone" He called.

"By god's bones, I tell you I saw him" She swore.

"Well, it should be noted that you my friend are seeing things" Came his response, and in a second to the sword rack, laying down the sword in his hold.

"Nice sword" He heard the voice of Bellona, and soon turning to her, he found that smirk growing on her lips while—That same one which only foretold the girl driving at the lot of her ridiculous ideas.

"May I?" She paused for a second, taking a few steps closer to him.

"No" His voice was abrupt.

"Oh, come on" Bellona drawled. "Why won't you let me touch it?"

"If you must know, you don't possess certain things that qualifies one wielding a sword, Milady. Do we really need to go over this again?" His utterance was low, eyes intent on her.

He could see the look of disgust that crossed her eyes, earning a wide grin from him, while he remained gazing on at her.

"I'd like you to go on about whatever you mean by certain things"

He was getting on her nerves, just like he did every now and then, and she knew so well he enjoyed it.

"Oh heavens! It mustn't be spelt out, Bellona" Uttered Pavlos.

"A man's yard is one thing that should come into play here when wielding a sword"

"I must let you know that I'm disgusted by your words, and how you think only you lots possess the prowess to fight" Called Bellona.

Her response only earned a low chuckle from him, while he turned around, reaching to tend to his swords.

"I wanna learn from you, Pavlos" The pensiveness could be found in her tone "Teach me to fight"

"Bellona, fighting isn't something you should be eager to learn—It's not something that can be learnt overnight. For starters, you need to be strong. That is something you've entirely failed at"

"Pardon you!" Exclaimed the girl, arms crossed over her chest.

"Whatever do you mean by 'I'm not strong?"

"Even the little kid who leaves next door, Son of Wordsworth knows that. And the shocking part is the boy's an annum gone in life" Followed Pavlos

"Now we know those are only your overstatements" She interjected.

"I want you to teach me. You're one of the finest fighters in Lorwich. Everyone knows that"

"I don't fight for the luxury of it. That's the first thing you should know" Pavlos uttered, eyes peering on at her.

"Why won't you teach me how to fight, Pavlos? I keep pleading, yet you keep refusing"

"I admire your strength, your courage, your-

"Just stop with the squabbles!" He called

"I'll teach you" The man grumbled, a bid to stop her from going on.

That look of disbelief had crossed the face of Bellona in a moment, knowing so well that the friend she'd grown to know all her life wouldn't just give in to her mastering the craft of arms and swords.

"Something doesn't feel right" She voiced her doubts, arms akimbo, her eyes remained sending a glare at his profile.

"Do you want me to teach you or not?!" Came his blurt.

"Of course, of course. Relax!" She had shot her arms up in a surrendering manner, a grin tugging at her lips.

"When do we begin?" Followed the voice of the girl, having decided not to waste any more time.

"Oh, we begin now. For the better of your self" Pavlos let out.