Confrontation

Kagan was born to three full-blooded siblings, and a hundred other half siblings. By the time he fully came to the power, Leo was the only brother he had left. He sat uncontested on a throne of his own making, unrivaled by any other. Until the day he fought Ronin, none could touch him.

–

Ren and Dan sat in a dark hollow of the catacombs. Alan had found them earlier and had informed them about the body swap situation. They would meet up later with the others when they finally decided on their next course of action.

“Had a bad premonition last night,” Dan said. “About Anissa, and about us.”

“Can’t believe she disappeared on us,” Ren sighed, polishing his shield. “How bad of a premonition?”

“One of the worst ones I’ve ever had, to be honest,” Dan shivered.

“That skill must suck to have,” Ren chuckled. “Always knowing the future, but not fully understanding it till it comes to pass.”

“There are other skills, similar to my own, that are more accurate. The outcome is much clearer than my vague dreams,” Dan said.

“I’ve been wondering,” Ren asked. “Do they always come true? Your premonitions, I mean.”

“Most of the time,” Dan explained. “But not all the time. Sometimes things change, or they end up slightly different. But most of the time.”

“So it’s not set in stone, maybe,” Ren said. “We need to find Anissa,”

“Yeah,” Dan nodded. “That we can agree on,”

–

Natalia sat against the wall, feeling pathetic, but also somewhat relieved. Finally, someone would carry her burden for her. She didn’t have to worry about it anymore. She was free; her time as the Blade Princess had ended. But at the same time, she felt uneasy. Was it really okay to leave everything up to Will?

“My lady,” Shisa appeared, a neutral look on her face.

“You found me,” Natalia sighed.

“Yes, I am your attendant after all,” she said.

“Sorry,” Natalia smiled, closing her her eyes.

“You are without a doubt, my lady,” Shisa said. “No matter what you look like,”

Natalia just nodded. Shisa sighed, placing down her lantern and walking over towards her. She sat on the damp ground next to her, ignoring the stains it would leave on her maid dress.

“You could’ve come to me,” Shisa said.

“Shisa,” Natalia began. “You would never understand.”

“I’m your attendant,” Shisa said again. “I have to understand.”

“Will said he will handle it,” Natalia whimpered, curling herself into a ball.

“My lady,” Shisa sighed again. “He does a fine enough job, but he isn’t the Blade Princess. You are.”

“No,” Natalia shook her head. “I’m not.”

“What? Of course, you are,” Shisa assured.

“Shisa I quit, I don’t care anymore,” Natalia said. “Being an adventurer is not for me.”

“You can’t say that,” Shisa scolded. “Don’t ever say that what your father say?”

“My father is dead,” Natalia spat. “He’s dead because he was an adventurer, and he left me with the burden of our skill. I waited every day at that window sill, waiting for him to come home, until he didn’t. All that was waiting for me was the sword.”

“Look, I understand that it’s been hard,” Shisa began.

“Shisa,” Natalia held herself back. “I don’t have any more tears to shed. You don’t understand me at all.”

“How could you say that!” Shisa lashed out, jumping to her feet.

“It’s true!” Natalia herself stood up. “I always hated this, but I always felt like it’s my duty. I had to be this, or I had to be that. All you’ve ever done was push me to be something I wasn’t.”

“No!” Shisa shook her head. “I was pushing you to become the best version of yourself.”

“Your idea of my best version? Or my own?” Natalia said.

“I…” Shisa hesitated.

“See? You don’t understand at all,” Natalia said bitterly. “I’m going to go, come find me when it’s all over.”

“Wait! Natalia!” Shisa grabbed her hand. “Dammit, I wish it was your actual hand.”

“Shisa?” Natalia questioned, not bothering to look back at her maid.

“Don't go, please,” Shisa cried, wrapping her arms around Natalia. “Please don’t leave me Natalia.”

Natalia was taken aback. She hadn’t seen Shisa break down like this since they were children. Shisa let go, collapsing to her knees on the ground, unable to control her tears.

“I was so scared,” Shisa coughed. “When you disappeared that day, I thought I lost you. And then when we fought the Forsaken King, I thought you wouldn’t wake up. I was terrified. I thought I failed you.”

“You didn’t fail me,” Natalia comforted.

“I did. And you’re right I don’t understand! If I understood, I would’ve noticed how badly you were suffering!” Shisa wailed. She was like a child again.

Natalia opened her mouth to say something, but she was at a loss for words.

“Remember, when we were kids?” Shisa said. “When that dragon attacked me? I was so afraid, I thought I was going to die. And then you came to my rescue, so brave and proud. Even with just a stick you drove it off. And then, when I had my nightmares, you would hold me and tell me everything was going to be okay?”

“I do,” Natalia nodded.

“You told me you would become the Blade Princess, and you’d protect me forever,” Shisa said. “You were my hero, Natalia. I believed in you.”

“So that’s why you’ve been,” Natalia’s eyes widened in realization.

“I wanted you to the best you could be! I wanted you to be the person who saved me, even through it all.” Shisa cried.

“Shisa…” Natalia knelt down, reaching a hand to her maid.

Shisa slapped it away.

“I don’t deserve it,” She said. “I’m terrible.”

“I didn’t save you because I wanted you to worship me like this,” Natalia explained. “I saved you because you were my friend. You’re still my friend, even if you don’t see it that way.”

“I could never…” Shisa sniffed.

“Please, for once in my life, please listen to what I want,” Natalia said.

Shisa nodded.

“I want to be friends again, like before,” Natalia said. “No more master-servant relationship.”

“But…” Shisa murmured. “Mhm.” She nodded.

Natalia embraced her. Shisa sobbed into her shoulder for a few minutes, before calming down.

“Gods, I really wish you were yourself. I do not like this man’s smell,” Shisa laughed.

“Don’t be so mean,” Natalia chuckled.

Natalia released her, before offering her a hand up.

“Can I count on you for your support, Shisa?” Natalia asked.

“Of course, always and forever,” Shisa beamed a smile. “Natalia.”

Shisa took her hand. Not the hand of her lady, but the hand of her best friend.

“Are we interrupting?” Alan asked.

Shisa’s face turned violently red as she turned away in embarrassment. The whole group was there: Alan, Will, Lina, Ren, Dan, and Liandra.

“What’s happening?” Natalia asked.

“We have a plan,” Will said. “We’re going to find a way into the guild hall.”