Chapter 49: The Four Warriors

Sarudei

I swung my sword and panted. 

"I think someone needs some rest," a voice called out.

I turned and saw Lady Arisa. She sighed. "You folks really need to learn to balance rest and work."

"You're right, Lady Arisa," I admitted, lowering my sword. Sweat dripped down my forehead, my muscles ached from the intense training, but the thought of the looming threat from Titanos spurred me on.

Arisa approached, her gray long skirt billowing behind her. She moved with a grace and strength that commanded respect.

"Sarudei," she began, her voice stern yet gentle, "you are one of our finest warriors, and we need you at your best. You won't achieve that by exhausting yourself."

I nodded, appreciating her concern. "I understand, Lady Arisa. It's just..."

She raised an eyebrow, waiting for me to continue.

"...The threat from Titanos... it's unlike anything we've faced before," I confessed, my grip tightening around my sword. "I feel the need to prepare, to train harder."

Lady Arisa nodded, her eyes softening with understanding. "I understand your concern, Sarudei. But remember, even the sharpest blade becomes dull without proper care."

Her words struck a chord within me. I knew she was right. I had been so focused on training, on preparing to face Commander Yusan and his forces, that I had neglected to take care of myself.

"You win, Lady Arisa," I sighed, sheathing my sword. "I'll take a break."

She smiled. "Good. Now, why don't we head inside? I've had the cooks prepare a special meal for all of you warriors."

The mention of food made my stomach grumble, reminding me that I hadn't eaten since breakfast. With a sheepish grin, I followed Lady Arisa into the rebel HQ.

"By the way, we have indoor facilities for you to train. Why not use those?"

I chuckled. "Guess I got used to using the outdoors to fight." I glanced up at the vaulted ceiling of the underground town. "This place is like a big, more refined version of the cavern me and the others had spent the last few years living in."

Arisa chuckled, her laughter echoing softly throughout the hall. "That's a unique way to put it, Sarudei. But I suppose you're right. This place is a bit like a cavern, though certainly more comfortable."

I nodded in agreement. "Definitely more comfortable. And it's teeming with life and energy, while being safe to move around. No fear of random wild animals."

Her eyes sparkled with amusement as she glanced at me. "You have a way with words, Sarudei. You make our headquarters sound like a thriving city."

"Well, isn't it?" I questioned, grinning. "We may not have buildings stretching up to the sky or bustling markets, but we have something far more important. We have a community, people who care for each other and fight for a common cause."

Lady Arisa nodded, her smile soft. "You're right, Sarudei. And that's what makes us strong. Our unity, our shared determination. It's what will help us face Commander Yusan and his forces."

We reached the dining hall, the delicious aroma of food wafting in the air. The hall was filled with the sounds of cutlery clinking and hushed conversations. The sight of my fellow warriors, all gathered in one place, filled me with a sense of camaraderie and belonging.

As we took our seats, I found myself looking forward to the meal. Not just for the food, but for the company. I was still new here. Apart from Arisa, Kaeii, Hiesno, and Zane, I didn't really know everyone here. And even among the four people I did know, I knew little about them. If anything, I knew more about Zane. Like how Titanos had killed his family.

I looked over at one of the tables and saw Zane eating with a Kaeii and Hiesno.

"Say, I heard those three were part of a pretty famous unit. But who is the fourth one? You?"

She chuckled. "It's not me. The fourth one... let's just say that he likes keeping to himself."

Intrigued, I picked at my food, my gaze still on Zane, Kaeii, and Hiesno. "Tell me more about them," I requested, looking back at Lady Arisa. "I mean, I know the basics. Hiesno is your younger brother, and Zane lost his family... but I don't know the specifics. And I know nothing about Kaeii or the fourth member."

Lady Arisa sighed, a far-off look in her eyes. She picked up her goblet and took a long sip of her drink before she began. 

"Hiesno," she started, her gaze flickering to her brother, "is more than just my younger brother. He's a talented ice caster, one of the best I've seen. He's also stubborn and headstrong, like most of us here."

A fond smile played on her lips as she watched Hiesno. "He's always had a strong sense of justice. When we were kids, he would always stand up for the weak, even if it meant getting into trouble himself."

Her gaze then shifted to Zane. "Zane," she began, her voice lowering, "lost his family to Commander Yusan. It was a brutal attack, one that left no survivors except for Zane. He was just a child then, but he was forced to grow up overnight."

A shadow crossed Arisa's face, and I could tell that Zane's story was a painful one. I could only imagine the kind of pain and trauma Zane must have endured. I too had lost family to that murderous creep. But I had Night and Mom. Well, had Mom. I didn't know what became of her...

"Then there's Kaeii," Arisa continued, her gaze now on the handsome, loud young man. "He's from a small village in the desert in the continent's interior. For as long as I've known him, he has always been a loud, friendly guy. But don't let his goofy demeanor fool you. He's a skilled fighter, adept at both close combat and long-range attacks. He can use lightning."

True, he did defeat Ret, who turned out to be a Commander of Titanos.

"As for the fourth member..." she trailed off, her gaze distant. "He prefers to keep his identity a secret. But I can tell you this, he's a valuable member of our team. His skills are unmatched, and his strategic mind is a crucial asset to us. Oh, and he likes spending his time reading and writing books. He loves history a lot. Guy is like a walking epic."

I listened to Arisa's words, taking in the stories of my fellow warriors. Each one was unique, each one had their own strengths and struggles. And yet, we were all united by a common cause. To protect Soleon from the threat of Titanos.

"Thank you for sharing their stories, Lady Arisa," I said, my voice sincere. "I feel like I understand them a little better now. And it makes me even more determined to stand alongside them in this fight."

Lady Arisa gave me a proud smile. "I knew letting you join was the right choice. You have the heart of a true warrior."

I smiled. Arisa was too young to be my mom, but her wisdom was like a mother's.

The meal ended, and as my fellow warriors dispersed, I decided to seek out Zane. There was a kinship in our shared loss, a silent understanding that words could not convey. I found him alone, staring at the remnants of the fire in the hearth.

"Mind if I join you?" I asked, taking a seat beside him. He was tinkering with some rope.

Zane glanced at me, a flicker of recognition in his eyes. "Not at all, Sarudei."

We sat in silence for a moment, the crackling of the embers in the hearth a soft backdrop to our thoughts.

"I know what it's like," I finally said, "to lose family to Titanos. It's a pain that never truly fades."

Zane nodded, his jaw tightening. "It's what drives me. Every time I lift my bow, it's for them."

"I understand," I replied. "It's the same for me. But we have to remember to live for ourselves too. They wouldn't want us to be consumed by vengeance."

Zane's gaze met mine, and I saw a glimmer of gratitude. "You're right. It's just hard to see past the anger sometimes."

"We'll help each other," I promised. "We're not alone in this fight."

A small smile touched Zane's lips. "Thank you, Sarudei. That means a lot."

As the night deepened, I felt a sense of belonging envelop me. This underground town, this community, had become more than just a base of operations. It was a home, a place where the wounded could heal and the weary could find strength.

And as I retired to the house Arisa had provided us, I carried with me the stories of my comrades. Titanos had taken much from us, but they could not take our spirit, our will to fight.

And fight we would, until Soleon was free, until every last shadow cast by Titanos was banished by the light of our unity and resolve. For Zane, for all of us, the dawn of victory was on the horizon.