chapter 1:

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In the heart of darkness, where only the echoes of clashing swords could be heard, a fierce battle ignited within the arena.

The torches lining the walls cast flickering shadows on the ground, offering warmth in a place that knew nothing but the cold bite of steel and the scent of blood. The fight was intense, a clash between two warriors, each staking their life on the outcome.

One was a massive man with a powerful build, his grip tight on his sword as he glared at his opponent with hostility. His eyes burned with fury, promising an inevitable end. He lunged forward, attacking with relentless force, every strike precise, every move honed as if his body had been forged for combat.

But his opponent was no ordinary foe.

Clad in a mask, the challenger was leaner, but their movements were swift—like a shadow dodging death itself. With a single strike, they deflected the attack, and with a seamless motion akin to a deadly dance, they drew a second sword with their other hand, shifting the battle to an entirely new level.

The arena erupted with excitement, cheers growing louder, blending with the sharp clang of colliding blades. The duel was a rare spectacle, a lethal dance where the slightest mistake meant defeat. The attacks grew more vicious, the defenses more calculated—until…

With one decisive strike, one of them fell!

For a brief moment, silence reigned before the crowd erupted into a frenzy of admiration and astonishment. Once again, the masked swordsman had triumphed!

But as always, they did not linger for praise or victory chants. Swiftly, they turned and vanished into the shadows, slipping away like a phantom before anyone could catch a glimpse.

As dawn began to break, it revealed a secret no one would have believed if they had seen it.

Down the narrow alleyways, hidden from prying eyes, the moving shadow came to a halt. A gloved hand reached up, pulling back the black hood. Long, jet-black hair spilled out, dancing with the first whispers of the morning breeze.

Yes… the masked swordsman was no man.

She was a girl.

Moving swiftly, she slipped into a house, her footsteps light on the wooden floor, carefully avoiding any noise.

But just as she reached her room…

"Asteria."

She froze. Her heart pounded. Slowly, she turned to find her uncle standing at the entrance, arms crossed, eyes filled with a thousand questions.

"Out again, were you?"

Her throat went dry. Her fingers instinctively clutched the pendant around her neck, grasping for an excuse.

"Ah… good morning, Eras! Aha-ha…!"

He took two slow steps toward her, his voice sharper this time.

"What were you doing at this hour?"

She averted her gaze, shifting her weight uneasily, then glanced at the window, desperately searching for a distraction.

"Look! The weather is beautiful outside… why don't you try horseback riding? You might love it as much as I do!"

A long pause. Then, he raised an eyebrow, unimpressed.

"Horseback riding, huh?"

Would she get away with this? She wondered.

"Yes! Exactly!"

Asteria blurted, trying to escape the situation she had tangled herself in. Fooling Eras was no easy task.

"Do you know why I love this place?"

She moved toward the window, opening it to let the crisp morning air in. Eras took a step back, his brows furrowed, arms still crossed over his chest.

She gazed at the sky painted in hues of orange and pink, as if searching for something lost among the clouds.

"Her presence lingers everywhere, Eras…"

Her voice was barely above a whisper, as if afraid the wind might steal her words away.

"I can't sleep… her scent follows me."

She rubbed her nose as if wiping away unseen tears, then murmured, her voice trembling just enough to betray the emotion she fought to suppress:

"I miss her embrace."

A soft silence settled between them before Eras stepped forward, placing a large hand on her head, gently ruffling her hair. With his other hand, he traced his fingers over her arms, offering warmth.

"We all miss her."

His words were calm, yet they carried little solace. Nothing could fill the void left by a loved one's absence. Not words, not comfort, not even time.

"All we can do is accept reality…"

Taking a step back, he straightened, feigning strictness as he changed the subject.

"I'll make breakfast. You, on the other hand, need to change—unless you plan on freezing to death."

A warm smile tugged at her lips, and she nodded.

He observed her for a moment longer before sighing softly, his voice dipping into something nostalgic.

"You truly are your mother's reflection… in every way."

Asteria chuckled lightly, trying to shake off the melancholy.

"Haha, I know, I know!"

Eras shook his head, as if debating the futility of arguing with her. But then, something flickered in his gaze—suspicion.

His eyes narrowed.

"If you already know that… then I'm sure you also know that sneaking out at night is hardly befitting of a lady, don't you?"

Asteria's breath hitched.

Damn… he caught her!