Madwoman of Anore

Morning came. The sun barely peeked over the horizon, and the sky was a dark blue—not yet the bright light blue of a day.

Inside the cave, one person was awake.

Bastle.

I slept so little, yet I don't feel all that tired.

His eyes slowly opened.

"I had such a crazy dream. A dream that made me realize there's no point in lingering on this island. The king has to die."

. .

The sky grew a bit brighter, drawing further into morning. The group of 5 trudged through the forest, silently.

Their main goal was to look for survivors. In the meantime, they engaged in mindless chatter.

"Why did you join the military? You look really young," Vandel said. His face maintained an irritated scowl, which paralleled his calm tone.

"… I joined because I had no choice."

"Really? Wow. You must've been someone affected in the first attack…"

"Yeah. I suffered an injury that scrambled my memories, so to me, my life began in war."

Navle let out a sigh, joining in on the conversation."I couldn't imagine losing my memories. Everything I hold dearly to me, gone."

"Nobody asked you, Navle."

"You hold your memories dear?" Bastle asked.

"Of course. My memories are what keep me pushing. Memories of my family, nice places I've gone to, friends I've hung out with, and crushes I've liked. Foods I've eaten, all of that. When I have memories like that, it motivates me to live. I couldn't lose them!" Navle ranted.

Bastle listened silently.

"Of course you're thinking about all the good stuff. I think about all the hard things, the stuff I had to work for! It's a reminder that I've pushed so hard!" Vandel interrupted, his scowl becoming a reflection of his irritation. 

"Oh please! What do you know about hard work?"

"A lot! An archer like you knows nothing, since you never have to fight in the fields!"

Bastle tuned out their fervent arguing. He was thinking about what they were talking about before.

I wonder what my memories before the war were. All I know is that my family has died. 

If I could, I would erase my memories again. Start anew. Rid myself of all my trauma. Since the start, there hasn't been a single good thing that has happened to me.

But still… I can't stop thinking about my life before. I never thought about it until now.

Damn it…

Bastle scratched his head, irritated. Trying to recall whatever he could. But nothing came. 

The island definitely quieted down. Every so often, you would hear the firing of a mana cannon or the screams of a man losing his life.

Even nearby, the sound of a loud boom, like crashing, could be heard.

"Everyone's probably encamped somewhere. The enemy forces really scattered us."

Clementina noted.

They stopped. Noticing an individual rolling over on the ground. The face was familiar.

"General… Lunan?" they all exclaimed in unison.

He appeared a little tattered. Burn marks all over his clothes.

This is what we heard? Bastle thought. He clutched his scabbard. Ready to unsheathe his sword at any moment.

Lunan Mumixir was barely opening his eyes.

Fwoosh!

Something was coming!

Clang!

Without hesitation, Bastle stood in front of Lunan, blocking the strike that was meant for him.

The sound of two metals clashing together rang in the humid air for a moment.

"Why… are you doing this…"

In front of him, with teeth bared, was Nueluth van Mahaut.

"General Mahaut!" 

Nueluth slid back.

"A common foot soldier such as yourself should not interfere with such matters."

"Matters such as infighting? Infighting is forbidden, especially among generals."

Within the presence of someone as intimidating as Nueluth van Mahaut, Bastle did not falter.

Is it stupidity… or bravery? Does he really think he'll be able to stand against a general? 

Vandel stared with a bit of admiration, and fear. Clementina stared as well, with more worry in her eyes.

"… What an insolent brat… Haaah…"

Nueluth rubbed at her temples with one hand. Her arm dropped almost lifeless, and her head shot up to look at the sky. She guffawed.

Is she… crazy?

"Okay. It's settled. I'll kill everyone here. Who's gonna report me?"

Vandel, Clementina, and Navle's hearts dropped.

But Bastle only chuckled.

[Cast: Scent Slash Ablaze]

The sharp side of Nueluth's blade glowed white. She swiped down, quickly.

The energy from the sword was released, shooting toward Bastle.

[Cast: Moon Sword Art: Crescent Slash]

His blade glowed white, colors of yellow and purple radiating from it.

He swiped in a similar motion, the energy releasing.

Clsh! 

The two crescent-shaped slices of packed energy collided.

Boom!

An explosion ensued.

Moving quickly, Clementina moved in front of Vandel, Navle, and Jezoc, digging the sharper part of her shield into the ground.

Bastle stood unaffected by the heat of the explosion.

[Cast: Flashstep]

Being able to detect mana to an extent, Nueluth saw Bastle's movement through the smoke, blocking his incoming strike.

Clang!

"Maybe you've really gone crazy. I don't care if you're a general, a king, or a deity. You wouldn't be able to beat me."

"…"

She pushed off.

[Cast: Ember Fang Dance]

Again, her blade grew hot.

Slsh!

She swiped fervently, repeatedly.

Each swing seemed to burn brighter than the other, each with increasing integrity.

Some of the strikes were able to hit Bastle. Some neared his skin, scorchingly hot.

But, his skin remained unscathed.

An advanced method of using mana as protection? Nueluth thought.

A result of my changed physiology. Bastle knew.

The last strike came fast.

Bastle was aware that if he did not block this strike, damage would definitely be dealt. He wasn't dumb and prideful enough to believe it wouldn't.

His grip shifted.

[Cast: Novae Flame: Burst]

Her footing suddenly changed!

"!"

Bastle's eyes widened. It seems he had fallen for her feint.

Her swordsmanship… It's not all brute force like mine. It's… 

Her blade burned blue, brightly. She gripped the handle of her sword with two hands, her thumb pressing against the hilt. 

This… is where it ends? 

No!