The night pressed on; everyone slept as the moon glanced over them, shining and unchanging. Ray sat near the campfire, his arm resting on the hilt of his sword. Silence surrounded him — no murmurs, no whispers. He glanced at his palm. “Touch…” Then at the fire. “Skin hardens like steel after taking damage beyond one’s limits.” He kept staring between his palm and the fire, as it reflected in his eyes. A cool breeze grazed him, passing through his fingers, fluttering his hair and carrying the scent of blood. He closed his eyes, following the scent, and the low hum his ears picked up. A warm and familiar voice whispered through the leaves, following the humming. Luke?

  “And Maya.” He stretched his arms and stood. “Whatever.” He walked away to his tent and lay down, closing his eyes and filtering out all the sounds. While he ignored the voices, Mei Zhi did not. She leaned against the tree, holding her breath, eyes closed and her ears focused on them.

  —Watch where you attack, Maya. I almost died.

  —I didn’t know you were following me, Head Instructor. What do you want?

  —Just wanted to give you a letter. Here.

  —I didn’t think you were a romantic.

  —Neither did I…

  Luke’s footsteps faded away from Maya’s chuckle, and Mei Zhi opened her eyes. A love letter? No, has to be something different. She let out her held breath and walked away. Inside the forest, Maya opened the letter, and her eyes widened when she read it. “Amelia?” With a sigh, she folded the letter and walked out of the forest. She arrived at the campfire and dumped the letter into it, her eyes watching it burn away. She turned to glance at Luke entering his tent, narrowed her eyes and then returned to her tent.

  The night continued on; everyone slept soundly, and soon the sun peeked from behind the mountains, casting a crimson, then golden glow across the land. Everyone woke up, excluding Ray, and gathered their belongings to set out on the road. Ray stirred in his sleep, his eyes opened, and he stood with a yawn. Unlike the others, he had brought only his sword. So he had no other belongings to gather. He gave Ruby a smirk after spotting her carrying a bag, her weapon, and some food. She frowned at him and looked away, pouting. He walked over to her, waving his hand. “Good morning, Ruby.” He said as he grabbed the bag out of her hands. “Let me help.”

  “Good morning and thank you.” Ruby ate the slice of bread in her hands as they both walked toward the carriages. Ray glanced at her waist. “You also use a sword?” She shook her head. “I just started learning how to use it.” His eyes narrowed, and he halted. “So you can use more than one?” She paused, then faced him. “Yes, this is my fourth.” He tilted his head. “Four? What are the other three?”

  Before she could answer, Maya interrupted. “Stop talking and hurry. We need to leave.” She shot a quick glance at Ray and walked away. Both Ray and Ruby nodded and continued toward the carriages. After a moment of silence, Ruby said, “I learnt the axe from Instructor Iuna, the bow from Instructor Maximus, the staff from Instructor Brant and now Instructor Seamus is teaching me swordsmanship.”

  Ray let out a chuckle. “Stop always calling them instructors.” She shook her head. “No, that’s disrespectful.” His chuckle carried on, but low. “Respect should be in the tone, not the title.” She blinked and then let out a soft laugh. “I didn’t know you were a philosopher.”

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  “If I couldn’t become a knight, I would be a scholar.” Ray said as they both halted near the carriages.

  They both shared a laugh, the others prepared for the journey. Luke walked forward, a scar tracing his neck. Ray narrowed his eyes. What happened to him?

  After clearing his throat, Luke raised his arm, with a smile on his face. “Let us depart.” The group readied, and the journey continued. Days blurred by, the carriages moved through fog and rain, through forests, across borders, and one and a half months later they arrived at dawn before the gates of the Nyxia academy. Ray and the others exited the carriages and spotted a group of people standing by the gates. Most of them had dark skin, white hair and red eyes, except for the one standing in the middle. He was tall, taller than the rest, muscular and had a scar on his cheek which cut through his beard. On his right lapel was a silver half-moon insignia. He laughed out loud, way louder than anyone expected, and walked forward and hugged Luke. “Long time no see! Luke! How are you!?”

  Luke still had the smile on his face as he hugged back. “I am fine. What about you, Charles?” He let out a loud laugh again. “Fine!” Luke turned around and pointed at him. “This is Charles Fulgorin, the headmaster of the Nyxia academy.” Maya and Brandon greeted him, and he hugged them as well. “Welcome! Welcome! Angel and Ironfist!” After them, the second years greeted him one by one. He gave each of them a firm nod and then glanced at Ray and Mei Zhi. His eyes narrowed over Ray for a moment, but then he burst out laughing. “I almost mistook you for that royal brat! What’s his name…? Miguel?!”

  “Michael. His name is Michael,” Luke said, tapping Charles’ shoulder. “And this is Ray. And he…” He glanced at Ray with a smile. “Is not of the royal bloodline.” Charles scratched his chin. “I see!” He extended his arm, so did Ray, and they shook hands. After nodding to Mei Zhi, he turned to Luke. “Apprentices from Ignis, Avis and Hydra are already here! Now only the ones from Aegis and The Knight Academy remain!” He patted Luke’s back and walked inside the gate, signalling them to follow him. They entered through the gate and walked on the pavement surrounded by Nyxia’s apprentices wearing dark uniforms laced with light blue trim. Charles halted and turned around, smiling. “I forgot to say, but His Imperial Highness will also arrive shortly!”

  Ray tilted his head. Emperor of Lunaria… Just then, horses neighed in the distance, carriages rolled into view, with a horn blaring through the wind. Luke told the apprentices to move from the pavement, and they all stood to the side, waiting. The carriages stopped by the gate; the horns quieting down. The crowd cheered, clapped, and guards wearing dark blue armor rushed in one by one. They formed between the crowd of apprentices and the pavement. A red-golden carriage’s door opened. Everyone bowed down, including Luke, Maya and Brandon. The apprentices, including Ray, except Mei Zhi, followed their lead. He stepped out, wearing a white patterned blindfold covering the two straight scars over his eyes, a dark-blue armored sleeveless tunic with a full moon etched on it. Some golden spaulders, dark blue arm bracers lined with gold embroidery, and a white ornate sash tied around his waist. He walked straight, a smile etched on his face, waving his hand. His armored boots clicked on the pavement as he continued. Charles greeted him. “Welcome, Your Imperial Highness! I wanted to ask since I read your letter yesterday, but why are you here today?!”

  The emperor’s smile remained, and he tilted his head. “Do I need a reason to go where I want?” Charles blinked and shook his head, his voice cracking. “No, no! Of course not!” Sweat trickled down his temple when the emperor patted his shoulder, his smile turning into a laugh. “Calm down, Charles. I’m here because I wanted to meet someone.” He leaned in to whisper in his ear. “Do you see anyone who doesn’t hold a weapon? A girl, perhaps.”

  Charles looked around and said, “Yes.” The emperor’s smile widened. “So, she is here finally.” He patted his shoulder once more and said, “The people from Aegis and The Knight Academy, I hear them just past the mountain.” He turned around and clapped, his voice carrying over the silence that followed. “The Festival of Arms shall begin right now, is what I have decided.” The silence pressed upon the crowd, then they burst out cheering, and they all moved around to complete the remaining preparations.

  Ray crossed his arms. Couldn’t he wait one more day? Why move it forward? What is he planning?