The Arks: The Umbra Arc

Mavislin swung her shield once more, sweat dripping off the side of her forehead. Finally, she plunged the monumental metal thing into the ground with a grunt. The area she trained in was barren; not a single life flourished around those parts.

This made it a pristine location for hardcore training. It was a tiresome journey from the Old Chapel but worth the trip. No one could be injured as the Valkyrie practiced her Magecraft and swordsmanship.

The session with Old Man Pond was a lucky save. Without that mysterious Mage, it would be inconceivable to think that Mavislin could survive the fight. The Valkyrie fathomed that the best. She pushed on, day by day.

She was relentlessly swinging her shield and sword in an attempt to sharpen her skills as a combatant. She ignored Z's help. Instead, she forbade Raiyen to come along. But then again, she couldn't predict the mind of a Time Mage.

Deep in her thoughts and memories, Mavislin failed to see a young French woman walking toward her.

"Why do you wield those weapons so recklessly?" inquired a young woman, approaching the Valkyrie calmly.

Mavislin was vaguely surprised but remained calm. She gripped the twin weapons with increased strength. She then stabbed the invisible sword into the ground and held the shield aggressively.

"Because I'm too weak. I'm polishing up my skills as a fighter," replied Mavislin, looking at the woman.

To her surprise, the French woman wasn't a woman; she was a young girl. Her features were of pure innocence, one that has not seen the fruits of conflict. Her eyes were wine-colored, and her hair was blonde. She looked like an angel.

The lady in front of Mavislin was tall, in terms of her time, but was slightly slimmer than the Valkyrie. Though her face looked innocent, her outfit and the glimpse in her eyes disclosed a deadlier secret. Her armor was typical within the Time she lived in.

Metal breastplate, two silver gauntlets with matching boots. Her eyes possessed a history of war and conflict as if she had seen battles firsthand.

"Is it obligatory for others to kill to protect?" queried the girl.

"There's no such thing as peace without war."

"The only way to have peace is to be prepared to forgive."

"Who are you? And why are you unafraid of me?" asked Mavislin, pointing her sword at the fair maiden.

Despite the threat, the French girl smiled and extended her hand. Mavislin looked suspicious as she hesitated to take the maiden's hand.

"My name is Jeanette d' Arc," greeted the French girl.

When Mavislin continued to show trepidation, the fair maiden took out the long pole hiding behind her. A considerable flag stood before Mavislin.

"I have seen war. So I am unafraid of a young girl in front of me," she said, preparing to attack.

"Don't mock me. I am no human, certainly not a young girl!" yelled Mavislin.

As the two lunged at each other, metal clashing reverberated through the wasteland. Mavislin may be fast, but the shield and sword combo brought her agility down. In the intervening period, Jeanette had no issues in combat as she used the banner.

"You've got a lot of courage in facing a monster like me," said Mavislin, smiling.

"The meaning of courage is being afraid yet facing the matter head-on and doing what's right despite the fear. So I am not afraid," announced the young girl, launching herself once more.

It wasn't even a proper weapon, yet the banner's attacks were considered fatal. So she manipulated it to both defend from and attack the Valkyrie. But the Mage smiled as she hurled the gigantic shield into the air.

This offered an opening for Jeanette to strike Mavislin, who wielded her sword to evade the attack.

"Think fast!" yelled Mavislin, grinning.

The maiden looked perplexed until she saw where the shield was heading. Then, as the French girl leaped out of harm's way, Mavislin caught the guard with ease.

"That worked better than what I had predicted. Thank god those words were not my last," said Mavislin, smiling.

Jeanette smiled back as she wiped her sweat and assumed her stance.

"Currently, do you understand why I asked if you are unafraid of me?" quizzed Mavislin.

Jeanette shook her head, the same gentle smile never leaving her face. Mavislin made a mental note to check if her face was alright.

"And here I thought I was the crazy one. But, it looks like we are both young girls at heart," remarked Jeanette.

"Whelp. No fun in maturing if you can't act young sometimes."

Mavislin smiled slightly as she placed her weapons down. Then, sprawling out on the parched ground, the Valkyrie yawned and beckoned Jeanette to join her.

"You sure?"

"Well, you can continue standing."