The Betrayed Ones

With firm steps, Galiene charged at her captain, both hands gripping her twin swords. She swung her left blade with all her might, intending to cleave her captain in two. The captain countered by drawing the sword from his scabbard and blocking her strike. The clash of their blades rang out in a sharp metallic cry, and from that collision burst a shockwave that exploded in all directions, snapping their cloaks, gouging the ground, and scattering leaves through the air.

Adam, still nearby, was flung backward by the sheer force of the blast. Those who remained frozen could do nothing but stand rigid before the overwhelming surge of energy.

“HAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!” Despite the difference in size between her magical sword and the captain’s blade, it wasn’t enough to throw him back. Galiene pressed hard with her strength, forcing her enchanted weapon forward. Slowly but surely, the captain was driven back by the power she poured into her strike. His feet, planted in the earth, began to slide, leaving deep grooves.

At last, the captain was hurled backward. Refusing to let him go, Galiene channeled a whirlwind spell into her legs, lifting herself into the air. She soared toward where he was thrown, at full speed, leaving Adam behind with the frozen attackers.

“Galiene…” Adam muttered, struggling to rise after being knocked down by the shockwave of their clash.

“Hey! I don’t know what your relationship with that monster is, but please, release me and my friend,” one of the immobilized assailants pleaded, his palm pressed to the ground.

“I’ll bind your wrists. Don’t move.”

“Doesn’t matter, you’ve trapped us here already. We can’t do anything.”

Adam tied the man’s wrists. In the distance, the sounds of thunderous impacts echoed, accompanied by the groaning of trees as though the forest itself shuddered. It was no longer a fight between warriors, but a battle between monsters.

“Hey, thanks for helping my friend over there, and… for not killing us.”

“Yeah. But what exactly are you all doing here? How bad is the situation in Dramur City that you’ve become this desperate?”

“…Bad. The people there are treated unfairly. Every law favors the nobles and the upper families. Lands are seized, properties confiscated, and those who resist disappear without a trace. We tried to fight back, but they were far too strong.”

“So we needed everything we could get, weapons, supplies, anything to aid us.”

“I see…”

Adam pulled a glass vial from inside his coat and poured its liquid out. Slowly, the ice encasing them cracked and shattered.

“Once again, thank you, stranger.” The man stood, brushing shards of frost from his body, and helped his companion.

“You’re welcome,” Adam replied. “But what about the other mage?”

“We’ll carry him. He has many questions to answer.”

“Alright. But don’t go down there—if you do, you’ll die.”

“Do you think I’m a fool? Of course I won’t.”

Adam helped by breaking away the last of the ice that bound the mage, making it easier for them to lift him. Once freed, they wasted no time fleeing, leaving behind the corpse of the mage who had already died.

“Galiene!” Adam retrieved his sword and sprinted, trying to catch up with her.

-

Their swords clashed again and again, metallic shrieks filling the air. Galiene pressed her attack relentlessly, never giving her captain a chance to counter. From above, below, left, right—she struck from every angle, yet each blow was effortlessly parried.

“Spirefara!”

A flaming spear materialized behind Galiene. She leapt back and hurled it toward her captain. He raised his palm, conjuring a shield of magical energy. The fiery spear slammed into it with a deafening roar, but the captain had no intention of simply withstanding the force. With his shield hand, he swept to the side, redirecting the spear’s trajectory. It veered away, streaking past him, and detonated hundreds of meters behind.

“What!?” Galiene gasped in disbelief. She hadn’t imagined her flaming spear—launched at such high speed, could be so casually deflected and turned aside.

“Come on, Galiene! Show me the full extent of what we taught you!” her captain taunted.

“We? TAKE BACK THOSE WORDS! YOU DON’T DESERVE TO BE CALLED A KNIGHT!”

Galiene soared toward him, magical blades in both hands. Rising into the air, she brought her swords down in a furious arc, but once again, the captain read her movements with ease.

“So this is the result of disappearing for a year? Attacking with nothing but overflowing rage?”

“I’m disappointed in you, Galiene…”

The captain began channeling his magic, pouring it into his silver blade. With a surge of strength, he shoved back Galiene’s weapon. She staggered, nearly losing balance. Before she could recover, he charged, sword aimed to strike. Galiene regained control just in time, meeting his attack, but the power behind his blows was overwhelming. Her hands trembled as she struggled to hold her blade. For the first time, she began to feel herself losing control of the fight.

“Now then… try to stay alive.”

The captain threw off his black cloak, revealing the armor of a knight from the fallen kingdom, silver armor gleaming, though his tunic beneath was black.

Galiene gripped her hilt with both hands, setting herself in a defensive stance, bracing for his attack.

-

Adam ran tirelessly, desperate to find them. But no matter how far he searched, they remained ahead of him. He paused, listening carefully. A distant explosion thundered from the west. Without hesitation, Adam sprinted toward it, praying to catch up.

He came across shattered undergrowth, trees scarred by strikes, and gouged earth, all signs Galiene had been there. Pushing on, after several minutes, he finally saw them again at a safe distance: Galiene hurling fire magic at the man. But to Adam’s shock, the spell curved off course, straight toward him.

“Shit!”

He dove to the right, hugging the ground as the spear of flame sliced past, shrieking through the air. Seconds later it exploded, unleashing a shockwave that scattered leaves and set trees ablaze. Rising to his feet, Adam looked again toward where Galiene and the captain had been, but they were gone. Only the clang of steel guided him forward. Carefully, he advanced toward the sound.

-

“Hah… hah… hah…”

Galiene’s magical blades wavered in her grip. Cuts marked her arms, thighs, and even her face. She bent under the weight of her injuries, while her captain stood unscathed.

“So this is the ability of one who claims to be protector of our king and queen?” the captain sneered.

“Shut up…”

“And you truly think those above would be proud of you, with such pitiful strength?”

“SHUT UP!!!”

“THEN SHOW ME YOUR STRENGTH! THE TRAITOR YOU DESPISE STANDS BEFORE YOU! STRIKE ME DOWN! AVENGE THEM!”

Galiene roared and swung, but her power was spent. Her blade moved sluggishly, easily avoided. To her shock, the captain rushed in, pressing his palm against her face and slamming her into the ground.

“GAH!”

“Just because you can conjure a magical sword doesn’t mean you are a chosen knight. Look at you, your opponent brought you to the ground so easily.”

“Do you feel anger?”

“Joy?”

“Sadness?”

“Or do you finally accept yourself as a disgraceful knight?”

Galiene clutched his hand, but the harder she resisted, the more he drove her head into the dirt. Gritting her teeth until her jaw ached, tears welled in her eyes. No matter how she denied it, the truth was undeniable.

“…I think I’ve tested you enough,” the captain said, finally releasing her.

“Farewell, Galiene.” He raised his hand, faint light gathering.

“With this, I hereby dism—” But before he could finish, a glass bottle dropped at his feet. It erupted in a small blast, cloaking the area in thick gray smoke. The captain leapt out, boots singed. As he cleared the smoke, a blade swung for his head. He blocked it just in time, turning to see the assailant.

It was Adam.

-

The captain leapt back, sword ready.

“You… the one with Galiene earlier.”

Adam gave no reply. He raised his sword to chest height, legs braced, eyes locked on his opponent.

“How did you conceal your presence? I couldn’t sense you at all.”

Adam remained silent, exhaling slowly, steadying himself.

“…Very well. Let our swords do the talking.”

The captain lunged, blade aimed at Adam’s thigh to cripple him. Adam twisted his leg back, countering with a thrust toward the chest. The captain spun swiftly, turning his blade into a slash, but Adam’s strike had been a feint. He pivoted in sync, spinning with his foe, and brought his sword around. Steel clashed.

They broke apart, then Adam pressed the offensive, swinging left to right, then from above. Each strike was deflected. Again and again, Adam repeated the rhythm, changing speed and cadence, increasing the tempo. Finally, the captain found an opening and slashed at Adam’s back. But Adam caught it with the spine of his blade that he stick on his back, deflecting. Using the motion, he rammed his elbow into the captain’s face, staggering him.

“….”

Galiene, watching the duel, was awestruck. Their blades moved like flowing water, graceful and deadly.

“Heh… not bad at all!” the captain grinned, lunging again with a flurry of thrusts. Adam danced back, evading with flawless footwork. On one thrust, Adam seized the chance, spinning forward and again driving his elbow into the captain’s face.

Though shaken, the captain pressed on with slashes. Adam parried each one cleanly. Amid the strikes, a sudden thrust came for Adam’s chest. This time, Adam didn’t block, he countered, bringing his sword down toward the captain’s head, catching the thrusting blade with the cross-guard. His own strike cut toward the captain’s face. The captain narrowly avoided it but leapt back, touching his cheek. Blood stained his fingers, a fresh cut.

Lowering his sword, he ceased his attack.

“…What is your name?” he asked.

Adam, seeing the gesture, also lowered his blade.

“Adam Newman,” he said firmly.

“Adam Newman… It’s been an honor to cross blades with you.” The captain smiled, sheathing his sword. Adam followed suit.

“Where did you learn your swordsmanship? Every movement mirrors what I once studied from someone before.”

“Where I learned doesn’t matter. There are countless sword arts in this world. Why should I tell you mine?” Adam replied.

“Hahaha… so I’ve been forced to eat my own words.”

“Truth be told, I’d like to speak with you longer. But my time and a tempo of the planning is nearly up. I must return. A shame, really,” the captain said.

“Before you go, take back your words to Galiene!” Adam demanded.

“…Ah, that… I refuse.”

“What!?”

“A knight who cannot face harsh truths will never grow. From what I see, Galiene deserves every word I spoke. I will not lie to her with sweet falsehoods.”

“…But you, Adam… I will leave you something.” The captain swept his hand, and behind him, a radiant doorway of light appeared.

“My name is Lawrence Steelfortress. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”

With that, Lawrence stepped back into the glowing portal, which sealed shut, leaving Adam and Galiene in the grass.

“….” Galiene sat with her head bowed, jaw clenched, frustration filling her. Soon, Adam’s boots appeared before her.

“Let’s go back, Galiene,” Adam said, offering his hand.

“…Yes.” Galiene took it, sadness and frustration etched across her face.

-

“Idiot! Did you think charging with the other adventurers would make you some kind of veteran?” Ana scolded, while bandaging Fiz’s arm.

“Hey, at least I’m still alive. That’s enough,” Fiz retorted.

“You’re just lucky, fool! You froze up after defeating that man who attacked our carriage, and you actually thought you could do it again!?”

“Haah… you’re not supportive at all, you know?”

As Ana and Fiz argued, Grace kept watch toward the high ground, eyes scanning carefully for more ambushes, or for Adam and Galiene. Her staff was ready, shield spell prepared.

Soon, the rustle of bushes drew her attention. Grace prepared to attack, but instead of enemies, Adam and Galiene emerged, descending the slope. She lowered her staff and hurried toward them.

“Adam! Galiene! Are you both alright? I heard terrible explosions and shockwaves all the way here, I was so worried!”

“Thankfully we’re fine. Things got messy up there, but we managed,” Adam reassured her.

“What about the bastards who attacked us?” one adventurer asked.

“Some were caught in their own magic, others died. At least two mages are dead, that’s what I saw.” Adam said, not mentioning the ones he had spared.

“Good. Let them rot,” the adventurer spat, grief etched on his face, likely one of the second carriage survivors.

Adam’s eyes wandered across the aftermath: leather pouches spilled open, wooden crates scattered, corpses of attackers sprawled in blood, and survivors bound with ropes, blindfolded with sacks.

“What do we do with these three bastards?” an adventurer sneered, slapping a captive.

“Leave them here, in the forest. No one will ever find them.”

“Why bother? Let’s just kill them now. They tried to murder us—surely they’re ready to face death themselves!”

“MERCY! PLEASE HAVE MERCY!!” the prisoners begged, writhing in panic.

“Enough! We’ll take them for interrogation. No more bruises, no more blood,” one of the guards ordered.

“Heh! Where were you when we were ambushed? Running like cowards, only to appear now and play heroes?”

“That’s none of your concern. Step back, before more lives are lost.”

“Oh? You challenging me?” the adventurer snarled, shoving the guard back.

“STOP! We’re safe for now. Don’t spill more blood over such dumb fight!” a mage shouted, fed up with their ingratitude.

“…This is the state we’re in,” Grace whispered to Adam, worry clouding her face.

“Don’t worry. We’re here if things fall apart again.”

“But it seems… for now, things are back to normal.”

Adventurers and guards drifted apart, tension still simmering but violence avoided. The mage who had shouted approached Adam.

“So what now? All the horses are gone, the carriages destroyed, except the cargo wagon.”

“Whoever sent this cargo will have a delivery deadline. If it’s late, they’ll send a search party along the route. But I hope, soldiers on patrol will find us first,” Adam replied, tapping his chin thoughtfully.

“…So we camp here for the night?”

“Looks like it.”

“Fine. I’ll prepare my spot, and I will also tell those fools to do the same.”

“Thanks. I appreciate it.”

The mage turned, waving a hand lazily behind him as he walked off.

“Ana! Fiz! We’re camping here tonight! Hope you brought tents!”

That sparked yet another argument between Ana and Fiz, who had brought no such thing.

“I’ll check our supplies left in the forest,” Grace told Adam.

“Yeah, I’ll catch up later,” he answered. Grace jogged off among the trees.

“…Let’s hope what we have lasts until someone finds us,” Adam muttered to Galiene.

“…” Galiene only stared at the sky, eyes empty, hands limp of strength, ignoring everything around her.

“Galiene?” Adam called.

She still didn’t respond, her mind lost in the void. Adam sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose like a weary man.