Promise

One more day.

Hoshi's breath ran ragged, rings of pure mana swirled around him. Hoshi held a blade in his hands; his fingers clasped the handle tightly as he slowly fed magic through the steel. Droplets of sweat perspirated from his skin as the blade thrummed with energy. 

Alkia: "Now—strike!"

Hoshi's eyes flew open, and with a shout, he swung the blade against the boulder in front of him. The steel met stone with a loud—

CRACK—

The small fault in the boulder webbed throughout its shape as Hoshi's blade cleaved through. His muscles flex, veins straining as he drove the sword in and upward. The rock split open, Hoshi dropped to his knees and his sword fell from his grasp.

Hoshi: "I did it…"

A faint smile pursed his lips as he exhaled.

Numerous broken blades surrounded the area—a constant reminder of Hoshi's failures through the week. To control mana through one's body came somewhat naturally to him, but through a weapon was different. Though, Hoshi had successfully completed the seemingly impossible task in front of him.

But one trial still stood above the rest.

The Duel…

Barek…!

Alkia (thoughts): His progress is quite remarkable, but is he really ready for Valtros? If we had another week I'd be confident…

Alkia: "Good, Hoshi—just give me one lap then we need to have an important discussion."

Hoshi rose to his feet and sighed. He was definitely tired from the training through this week. From running around the city with barrels full of scrap to bodyweight exercise and combat training. Alkia didn't hold back in his routine and Hoshi was glad. He felt significantly more confident in his power to control his mana, and he was steadily learning how to fight.

But doubt still clouded his mind.

He left the training field and began his lap around the city.

SCENE CHANGE: Barek's Forge

The sounds of a hammer smacking against metal were heard—sparks flew as the girl wiped the sweat off her brow. The heat of the forge was near unbearable, she'd been working on this specific piece for about a week now, and it needed to be ready.

The entrance of the forge flew open, in came Alkia with concern etched in her expression. 

Alkia: "Lyra—!"

She ran through the forge, her footsteps echoed in the empty workplace. It was cleared out due to Lyra's command, she needed all her focus tended to her mission.

Alkia tenderly brushed a lock of hair off Lyra's forehead, her palm reached the hammer and she gently took it away.

Alkia: "You look terrible.."

Lyra: "I have to finish the sword, give me the hammer back—"

Her body yearned for rest, but her will toward finishing the mission given to her was unbreakable. For Lyra—this wasn't just some sword, it was a gateway to her fathers safety. She looked over at the sword placed on the anvil, it was nearly finished now but still needed a little fine tuning.

Alkia scurried outside and brought water from a nearby stand.

Alkia: "Drink."

She held the jug to Lyra's lips and poured the cool liquid down her throat. Lyra gulped the water down thirstily and gasped as the jug was taken away. She wiped her mouth and looked back at Alkia.

Lyra: "Thank you, I needed that…"

Lyra was a stubborn girl when it came to work—but this especially had pushed her over the edge.

Alkia: "Is it ready?"

She walked forward to the anvil and dragged her finger across the edge of the blade.

Lyra: "Almost, it'll be ready for tomorrow."

Alkia: "You did well, Lyra. This'll give him a better chance of winning."

Lyra absently traced circles on her lap, her mind occupied with thoughts of the impending duel.

Lyra: "Do you—really think he can win? Against Valtros of all people?"

Alkia: "It'll be difficult for him. He's inexperienced with real combat, while Valtros is one of the most seasoned combatants in The Council. But…I wouldn't count him out of the fight."

Lyra: "Huh? What do you mean?"

Alkia: "Hoshi, he blames himself for what happened to Barek. He blames himself for making you cry that day, he thinks this whole debacle is all his fault."

Lyra bit her lip, she'd been so preoccupied with her own feelings that Hoshi's slipped her mind. 

Alkia: "But those feelings drive him, they motivate him to correct what's happened and bring Barek back to us. For Hoshi, his biggest asset isn't his strength or intelligence, it's his belief.."

Lyra: "Belief…? You think that's enough to beat someone like Valtros?"

Alkia's gaze was still fixated on the sword, she shook her head.

Alkia: "Belief itself doesn't guarantee a win—but it's what'll drive him to keep going. Hoshi doesn't fight for pride or glory, he fights for the promise he made to himself. The promise that he'll bring Barek back to Floor 1, to you. Every swing of his sword represents that belief, so I wouldn't doubt that power."

Lyra sighed, her fingers wrapped around the hammer and she rose from the chair.

Lyra: "Then I'll make sure this sword is strong enough to carry that belief."

Alkia: "You know where I'll be, bring the sword when it's ready."

Alkia left the premises—Lyra raised her hammer once more, the ringing of steel filling the forge.

SCENE CHANGE: TRAINING FIELD

Hoshi finished his lap around the city, his feet sloppily hit the ground as he gasped for breath. His hands planted toward his knees, his eyes averted toward Alkia.

Alkia: "You're late."

Hoshi: "Give me a break here…a lap around the entire city isn't exactly a light exercise, plus I didn't get any rest after splitting the boulder."

Alkia: "You'll get your rest later, come here and sit."

Hoshi complied and walked in front of Alkia and sat down on the floor.

Alkia: "The duel is tomorrow—are you ready for it?"

Hoshi: "I think I've made progress over the week, I've gotten stronger."

Alkia: "I don't doubt your physical power, I mean are you ready mentally. You'll be in battle with a real opponent."

Alkia paused and continued to speak.

Alkia: "The reason I'm having you sit is to explain some of how Valtros fights. That way you're not running completely blind."

I didn't even think to ask what kind of fighter he was…she's really saving me here.

Hoshi: "Right, how exactly does he fight? I know he has a spear so range is probably where he does best."

Alkia agreed with a nod

Alkia: "You're right, he's strong in range…but he excels just as much in close quarters. His mastery over the spear is second to none, if you look away for a moment it's over."

Hoshi: "If he's that good then how am I supposed to fight back? I've improved with a sword but I'm no master at it."

Alkia: "I don't think you give yourself enough credit. That boulder you struck down has been in Floor 1 for as long I can remember, many have tried and failed to break it. You did it in one week…"

Hoshi: "Have you tried to break it?"

Alkia: "Well—"

Hoshi: "And that reminds me, if you're a doctor then how do you know all about sword fighting? Seems like an unnecessary skill for your profession."

Alkia cleared her throat, her steely gaze instantly shut Hoshi up and prevented him from speaking further.

Alkia: "I used to be a knight of Floor 1, but those days are behind me now."

A knight…that makes a lot of sense but why wouldn't she say something? Something probably happened that made her quit.

Alkia: "All I'll say is Floor 1 has revolted before and I led the charge, but we were crushed by The Council."

Hoshi: "And you fought Valtros, I'm guessing."

Alkia: "I did, but The Council was too powerful for me to handle."

Alkia's eyes lowered, the memories of failure flooded into her mind. The cries of children and the unbearable pain of attacks being barraged into her body, her failure was a constant reminder to never pick up the sword again, for it would only lead to the death of those closest to her.

Hoshi: "I'll fight for you too, then. I'll fight for everyone here who still believes change can happen. I'll carry that belief with every swing of my sword tomorrow."

Alkia's eyes softened, her demeanor relaxed upon hearing the true resolve coming out of Hoshi"s mouth. Footsteps were faintly heard, Lyra walked toward the pair with an object strapped to her back covered in a thick cloth.

Lyra: "You really weren't lying earlier, Alkia."

Lyra had heard the exchange between Hoshi and Alkia, she unhooked the object off her back and held it in both hands. For Lyra, Hoshi's words were a message that hope wasn't a bad thing to have

Hoshi rose from the floor and dusted his pants off, he tried to look at what Lyra was holding.

Lyra began unwrapping the item from its cover, with each layer removed Hoshi grew more and more curious.

This is…she made this for me.

The sword's edge reflected the glow of the nearby Watchtower. The blade was sleek and functional, its color was that of a darkened silver that reflected blue when hit with light. The handle was wrapped neatly in a dark leather for functionality, with a crossguard shaped like a loose 'v' and sharpened slightly. Runes were etched through the pommel, Lyra's personal touch.

Lyra: "It's made with Astralyte alloy, a bit scarce down in Floor 1 but I managed to make it work."

Hoshi: "I don't know how to repay you, this is incredible…"

He reached and gripped the handle of the blade, lifting it off the cloth. The blade was a perfect mix between light and heavy, strong enough for good strikes but not so heavy that Hoshi's mobility would be hindered. 

Lyra: "You can repay me by winning tomorrow, I'm really counting on you here. My dad—he's all I have down here, if I lost him then…"

Hoshi raised an arm and stopped Lyra, his fingers forming a thumbs up.

Hoshi: "Don't even worry, I'll bring him back safe and sound."

Lyra: "I'll hold you to that then."

The two gave each other a smile, perhaps a friendship could brew even in the most dire circumstances. 

Alkia's voice cut through the silence, her eyebrows curled and she crossed her arms.

Alkia: "Back to business, we need to talk about Valtros."

The trio talked extensively about what tomorrow's duel would hold, Hoshi listened attentively to every word Alkia spoke to make sure tomorrow wouldn't end up a broken promise. The details of how Valtros fought and his various conquests sent waves of fear down Hoshi's spine, this man was truly a monster.