A Warrior’s Struggle [NOEL]

Night had fallen upon the world.

Noel stood in the darkness of the room, her breathing steady but tense.

Red eyed Shadow had appeared as always.

She had fought it countless times, tried every possible strategy, tested her limits yet she had never won.

"You!"

Her sharp voice echoed slightly in the stillness.

"You…Are you connected to Levedin?"

The question left her lips before she even fully grasped why she was asking it.

There was no answer nor the any changes in its behavior.

The shadow lunged.

Darkness swallowed Noel.

And like always, she woke up.

Noel’s eyes fluttered open, her breath hitching slightly.

Same Bed. Same Room.

She laid there for a moment, trying to shake off the remnants of the final moments.

She pressed a hand to her forehead.

"That was pointless."

She had no time to linger on these thoughts.

Because today, her training would continue.

The Redlaw estate’s training grounds were alive with energy.

Metal clashed against metal as knights sparred, their movements were sharp and disciplined.

Noel stood with her rapier firmly in hand.

Opposite to her was her uncle. He wielded a spear.

"Ready yourself," he commanded.

She raised her rapier, adjusting her stance.

A single misstep could mean defeat.

She had learned that the hard way.

Her uncle moved first.

The spear cut through the air, a blur of motion that Noel barely had time to react to.

She dodged but was too slow.

The wooden end of the spear struck her side, knocking the breath out of her lungs.

"Again!"

She gritted her teeth, stepping back and adjusting her footing.

The spear came again.

This time, she anticipated it, twisting her body just in time to deflect the strike with her rapier.

A spark of triumph.

But before she could press an advantage—

A feint.

Her uncle’s movements shifted in an instant, and the next thing she knew was that the blunt edge of the spear slammed against her shoulder.

"Your footwork is good," he remarked. "But against a master spearman, that’s not enough."

Noel exhaled sharply.

This wasn’t just sparring.

It was a lesson in survival.

Beyond the Blade

By the time the training session ended, Noel’s muscles burned.

Uncle stood before her, arms crossed.

"You have talent but you hesitate."

Noel frowned, gripping the hilt of her rapier tighter.

"I don’t—"

"You do," he cut her off.

The words stung because they were true.

No matter how hard she fought, she had never landed a decisive strike against the red-eyed shadow.

Was it fear? Instinct? Or something else entirely?

"We go again tomorrow," her uncle stated. "Until your hesitation is gone."

Noel nodded, swallowing the frustration building in her chest.

She would not stop.

Not until she won.

A Forgotten Truth

Later that afternoon, Noel sat in the grand library of the estate.

Her body ached, but her mind refused to rest.

Before her lay the book.

The one that had caught her attention months ago.

The book that spoke of of places and symbols eerily similar to the Leon’s world.

Was it just a Coincidence?

She no longer believed in such things.

With a quiet determination, she turned the pages. This was not a work of pure fantasy and whoever had written it knew something.

A Search for Answers

Noel began her search.

First, she approached the scholars within the estate.

"That old book? Just a collection of myths. Nothing but a child’s tale," one scoffed.

She pressed on, visiting merchants who dealt in rare texts.

"Never heard of the author. Probably some nobody from centuries past."

Adventurers, travelers, historians…

Nothing.

There was no trace of the writer.

As if they had never existed.

Yet, the book was real. It was here.

And the words within its pages, they held truth.

Noel refused to believe otherwise.

That evening, a thought struck her. Sudden, yet certain.

She had been investigating within the estate, within the confines of Redlaw’s territory. And while it was true that information flowed freely here, carried by merchants, travelers, and refugees, was it truly enough?

If she truly wanted to unravel the mystery of the book and the truth behind its origins, she had to expand her search.

Then, a realization.

The royal library at the capital, the very heart of the kingdom.

A place that held centuries' worth of records, manuscripts, and ancient texts, an archive of forgotten knowledge.

The decision was made.

She would ask for permission tonight.

A Bold Request

The estate was quiet, bathed in the dim glow of lanterns. Noel walked swiftly, her footsteps soundless against the polished floors.

She knew exactly where to find him. Her father.

He always spent his evenings with her uncle. Brothers conversed over a drink, indulging in casual talks.

A place where she was not supposed to disturb. Yet, she didn’t hesitate.

She reached the large doors and without faltering, pushed them open.

A faint clinking of glasses.

Two pairs of eyes turned toward her.

Her father, seated comfortably in an armchair. Across from him was her uncle who leaned back

"Father, please excuse my interruption."

The Marquis blinked at her sudden,

"Oh, Noel. What is it at this hour?"

No hesitation. No wavering.

"I want to go to the capital."

A moment of silence.

Then…

"Huh?"

The Marquis set his glass down, taken aback.

"What are you saying out of the blue?"

"I wish to visit the royal library," she stated firmly. "And while I am there, I shall also take the opportunity to meet the royals."

Her father studied her for a moment, eyes narrowing slightly.

"Fine," he said. "But when?"

"As soon as possible. Preferably tomorrow."

This time, he frowned.

"Tomorrow? Do you think a journey to the capital is that simple? It takes time. A process. We must notify the capital in advance—"

"Allow it, brother."

Her uncle’s voice cut through the conversation.

Noel turned to him in mild surprise.

Her father sighed, already sensing resistance.

"Even you? Why are you so quick to agree?"

Her uncle set his glass down.

"The journey itself will take three to four days," he explained. "That gives you plenty of time to send word to the capital and handle the formalities. Besides…" he glanced at Noel. "I will accompany her."

Her father stiffened slightly.

"You will?"

"Yes," he answered without hesitation. "I have my own business in the capital as well. You should have no reason to object."

The Marquis sighed again, rubbing his temple.

"Fine. If you insist."

Permission granted.

A Night’s Reflection

Noel returned to her room.

The weight of the conversation still lingered, but a sense of satisfaction settled within her.

She was moving forward.

Yet,

She wasn’t certain why she felt so restless.

Even as she lay in bed, a lingering unease coiled deep within her.

Why was she doing this?

For knowledge? For answers?

Or was there something more?

Her thoughts blurred as she closed her eyes.

And then,

The world shifted.

Back to the other world

Same world, same skies and waiting for her, was Leon.

A small smile tugging at his lips.

"You’re here."

"Of course, I am."

A chuckle.

"Did you have anything in mind for today?"

She thought for a moment, then shook her head.

"I just want to go with the flow."

And so, they did.

Time here was different, ethereal.

They walked and their conversations were light, effortless, yet tinged with an undeniable warmth.

Leon turned to her.

"You seem distracted."

She blinked.

"Do I?"

"Yes," he said. "Something on your mind?"

Noel hesitated.

Could she tell him? About her research, her growing suspicions? About the book that detailed a world too similar to his?

About the nagging feeling that something was deeply connected between them?

No.

Not yet.

So instead, she shook her head.

"It’s nothing."

Leon didn’t press further.

The Unending Battle

The night came once again.

And with it, came the Red Eyed Shadow

The fight was the same.

Her reaction met nothing but empty air,

And then,

She woke up.

Back to Reality

She sat up slowly, pressing a hand to her forehead.

Another loss.

She exhaled, steadied herself.

Today, she would depart.

To the capital.

To the royal library.

To find answers.

Because this…

This wasn’t over.

Not even close.