The road stretched long and unbroken beneath the silver glow of the moon. The cold wind carried whispers of unseen dangers, rustling through the trees that lined the path. Michael, Alpha, and Zak rode swiftly through the wilderness, their destination clear—Juvenera, the kingdom of Vordimoth.
Michael led the way, his expression unreadable, his thoughts focused on the task ahead. Krisian had given him a mission: bring Alpha and Zak to Juvenera safely and locate Perfani Salvador. He knew little about her, only that she was the next descendant of the Onyx Court and that Krisian deemed her crucial.
Alpha rode beside him, her crimson eyes scanning the landscape with wary suspicion. "You still haven't told us everything," she muttered, keeping her voice low.
Zak, who had remained mostly silent since their departure, finally spoke. "Yeah. You've been avoiding the real reason Krisian needs us in Juvenera. You act like this is just some reunion, but we know better." His tone was firm, but not confrontational—he simply wanted the truth.
Michael sighed. "It's not my place to tell you everything, but I will say this—there's more at play than either of you realize. Krisian has enemies, powerful ones. And if we don't move carefully, we'll be walking right into their hands."
Alpha frowned. "Enemies?"
Michael gave her a sideways glance. "You'll find out soon enough."
The Name of a Warrior
They rode for hours, passing through dense forests and empty plains. As the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, they reached the outskirts of Juvenera—a kingdom of towering castles, intricate stone bridges, and streets bustling with merchants and warriors alike.
Michael pulled his horse to a stop and turned to the others. "Before we go any further, there's something you need to know."
Zak raised an eyebrow. "Now you decide to talk?"
Michael smirked. **"We're here to find someone—Perfani Salvador."
Alpha stiffened. Zak's expression shifted into something between disbelief and excitement.
"Perfani Salvador?" Alpha repeated, her voice filled with recognition. "You mean the Blades of Juvenera? The woman who fights like a goddess of war?"
Zak crossed his arms. "I've heard of her. They say she's untouchable in combat. A legend. But no one knows where she is."
Michael nodded. "And that's exactly why Krisian sent us. He believes she's close, and he wants her on our side."
Alpha's lips parted slightly. "If Krisian wants her, that means she's more than just a warrior. She's a piece in this game he's playing."
Michael's smirk widened. "Exactly. And now, we have to find her before someone else does."
The Warrior in the Mist
Juvenera was alive with movement—marketplaces filled with merchants shouting their wares, knights marching through the streets, and nobles watching from high balconies. The scent of burning incense mixed with the distant clang of steel against steel.
Michael led them through the city, careful to avoid the main roads. "If we're going to find Perfani, we need to start where all rumors lead—the fighting pits."
Alpha's eyes darkened. "Let me guess—she's fighting today?"
Michael grinned. "Something like that."
They navigated through the twisting streets until they reached a massive underground coliseum, hidden beneath an ancient temple. The air inside was thick with sweat, blood, and anticipation. Hundreds of warriors and spectators gathered around the pit, where two men were currently engaged in a brutal swordfight.
Michael's eyes scanned the fighters—but Perfani was nowhere to be seen.
Then, a hushed silence fell over the crowd.
A single figure stepped onto the battlefield.
She was tall, draped in black and crimson armor that seemed almost woven from shadows. Her long silver hair fell past her shoulders, and in her hands, she carried two curved blades—blades that had tasted the blood of countless enemies.
Zak inhaled sharply. "That's her."
Perfani Salvador—the warrior who fought like a goddess of war.
Her golden eyes surveyed the battlefield with lethal boredom. The men who had been fighting moments ago froze, unsure whether to attack or kneel.
Perfani tilted her head, her voice smooth but edged with danger. "Who dies first?"
Michael let out a low whistle. "Well… this just got interesting.
The tension in the underground coliseum was thick, the crowd falling into an expectant silence as Perfani Salvador stood in the center of the battlefield, her silver hair catching the flickering torchlight.
Then, Michael stepped forward.
"I want to challenge you to a duel."
The murmurs from the crowd turned into a roar of excitement. No one challenged Perfani Salvador and walked away unscathed.
Perfani's golden eyes locked onto him, assessing, measuring. Then, she smirked, tilting her head slightly.
"You're bold," she mused. "But you won't live to tell the tale."
Michael simply smirked back. "We'll see."
The announcer barely had time to signal the start of the match before Perfani vanished in a blur of motion.
Michael barely managed to parry as her twin blades came at him like a storm, the force of her strikes pushing him backward. She was fast—faster than anyone he had ever fought. Every movement was precise, every swing designed to kill.
But Michael was no amateur.
With a quick sidestep, he evaded a downward slash, countering with a strike aimed at her ribs. Perfani twisted, dodging at the last second, her blade grazing his shoulder as she moved.
They fought like shadows dancing in firelight.
Strike. Counter. Parry. Dodge.
For the first time in a long while, Perfani found herself struggling.
She exhaled, her golden eyes gleaming with something close to excitement. "This… this is the best battle I've ever had."
Michael grinned, flipping his sword in his grip. "Glad I could make your day interesting."
They clashed again, neither giving the other a moment to breathe. The coliseum was silent now, the spectators too mesmerized by what they were witnessing.
Then—Michael spoke, his voice softer this time.
"I'm sorry about your mother."
Perfani froze for half a second—but in battle, that was enough.
Michael's blade pressed against her throat, not cutting but holding her in place.
Her breath hitched. "How do you know that?"
Michael's gaze was steady. "There are a lot of rumors out there."
Perfani's eyes narrowed. "And why do you care?"
Michael stepped back, lowering his blade slightly. "Because you don't belong here, Perfani."
She scoffed, twirling one of her blades. "And where do you think I belong? Fighting for the empire? Becoming some noble's lapdog?"
Michael shook his head. "No. But you could be something greater. You have power, and yet you choose to waste it in a place like this."
Perfani's smirk faltered for the briefest moment. "Not many people tend to use my power for good reasons."
Michael nodded. "That's why I'm offering you something different. My master—Krisian Voss—he will give you every reason to trust him."
Perfani's expression hardened. "No. I'd rather not try."
Michael sighed. "At least… do you know who you really are?"
She frowned. "What are you talking about?"
Then, Michael said the words that changed everything.
"You are one of the Onyx Court."
Perfani froze.
For the first time in the entire fight, she hesitated. Her golden eyes widened slightly, her grip on her blades tightening.
The Onyx Court.
That name… it shouldn't exist anymore.
Michael saw his opening.
Before she could react, he moved swiftly, pressing two fingers against her forehead while muttering an incantation. Shadow magic surged around them, wrapping them in darkness.
Zak and Alpha stepped forward just in time as the shadows consumed them.
In the blink of an eye—
Michael, Alpha, Zak, and Perfani disappeared into the shadow
Perfani stirred, her body aching slightly as she opened her eyes to the dim glow of morning light filtering through the trees. The scent of damp earth and pine filled the air, a stark contrast to the blood and steel of the coliseum.
She wasn't in the arena anymore.
Her golden eyes flickered with sharp awareness, scanning the surroundings before landing on Michael, who sat a few feet away, watching her with a calm expression.
"How are you feeling?" he asked.
Perfani sat up, rubbing her temples. "Like I was kidnapped."
"We couldn't exactly talk back there, could we?" Alpha chimed in, leaning against a tree with her arms crossed.
Perfani's gaze narrowed. "Talk about what? The so-called Onyx Court?"
Michael nodded. "Yes. And more than that—your mother."
The name alone sent a shiver through Perfani's spine.
Michael watched her reaction carefully. "You knew the moment I said 'Onyx Court.' You felt it. The truth was already inside you."
Perfani inhaled sharply, looking away. "My mother… she was one of them. The Blade of the Onyx Court. But my father wasn't. He was the King of the Elves."
Zak exhaled slowly. "So that's why you're so strong… your bloodline carries the best of both worlds."
Perfani turned her sharp gaze toward Michael. "And that's exactly why I can't allow people with bad intentions to use my power."
Michael met her gaze without hesitation. "And my master would never do that."
Perfani scoffed. "How can you be so sure?"
Michael's expression darkened. "Because he went through hell. And he's not trying to claim power—he's trying to fix this broken world." His voice softened, but it carried weight. "He knows what it's like to be betrayed, to be used. He wouldn't do the same to you."
Perfani hesitated. Could that really be true?
Then, Michael held up his arm, showing the faint glow of a rune etched into his skin. "See this?"
Perfani studied it.
"All of us have this mark. It binds us—not as slaves, but as brothers and sisters in arms. It prevents us from harming each other, from betraying one another. You will be safe, Perfani. Krisian isn't your enemy."
She stared at the rune, feeling something inside her shift.
Zak, who had been quiet, let out a dry laugh. "You're not the only one looking for answers."
Perfani turned to him, curious.
Zak clenched his fists, looking at Alpha. His voice was heavy with realization. "I just realized that the sister I tortured my entire life… was a slave. My own blood. And I never even knew it."
Alpha's eyes flickered with something unreadable. She didn't speak, but she didn't look away either.
Zak let out a slow breath. "So trust me when I say… we all have questions. And Krisian is the only one who can give us the answers we need."
Silence stretched between them, the weight of unspoken things settling in the air.
Then, Perfani exhaled, standing up. "Fine. I'll give that guy one chance."
Michael smirked. "That's all he'll need."
Perfani sheathed her twin blades, glancing at them. "So, where are we heading?"
Michael stretched, glancing toward the rising sun. "Juvenera. We meet Krisian there."
Perfani's lips curled into a smirk. "Then let's move."
The journey was far from over.
It was just beginning.
Juvenera was a kingdom of contrasts—majestic spires reaching toward the sky, nestled between mountains that seemed to guard it with an ancient, quiet strength. Perfani had heard whispers of the kingdom in her youth, but this was her first real look at it. The stone streets were alive with energy, bustling markets, and traders from far and wide. Yet, despite the vibrancy, there was an undercurrent of tension. Something was brewing beneath the surface, and Perfani could feel it in her bones.
Michael led the way, his pace steady, his eyes scanning the surroundings. Alpha and Zak followed closely behind, their presence unwavering. Perfani found herself caught between unease and curiosity. She'd never been this close to the heart of the conflict, never been in a place where the weight of history felt so palpable. The people here seemed to carry centuries of stories in their eyes.
"Juvenera's walls were built to protect, not just from invaders," Michael said, breaking the silence as he turned back to glance at her. "But from something far worse—betrayal from within. This kingdom's strength lies in the unity of its people, something that's been eroding over time."
Perfani frowned, her gaze shifting to the tall, ancient gates that guarded the kingdom. "And you think Krisian can fix that?"
Michael's eyes softened slightly. "He doesn't just want to fix Juvenera. He wants to restore balance to the world. The Onyx Court, your mother's legacy, is only part of the puzzle. The real threat is far more complicated."
Alpha's voice cut through the air like a blade. "You've heard of the Warlocks, right?"
Perfani nodded. "The ones who dabble in forbidden magic. I've heard rumors, but I thought they were just stories."
Zak let out a dry chuckle. "Story or not, they're very real. And they've been quietly pulling strings for centuries, working from the shadows."
The path grew steeper as they ventured toward the heart of Juvenera. The castle loomed in the distance, an imposing silhouette against the sky. The closer they got, the more Perfani felt the weight of her mother's legacy pressing on her shoulders. The Onyx Court. The Blade. Her father, the King of the Elves. All of it. She wondered what Krisian, this mysterious figure, would have to say about it all.
"Once we meet Krisian," Michael continued, "you'll understand. He doesn't hide from the truth. No matter how ugly it is."
Perfani's mind raced. She had spent so many years running from the truth of her heritage, from the legacy that had been thrust upon her. But maybe it was time to face it, to understand the forces that shaped her—and how she could use her strength to change the world.
By the time they reached the gates of the castle, the sun had fully risen, casting a golden light over the stone walls. A group of guards stood watch, their eyes wary but respectful as Michael and the others approached. Without a word, the gates creaked open, revealing the sprawling courtyard inside.
Michael led them forward, his expression unreadable. Perfani followed closely behind, her senses sharp, every muscle taut with anticipation. Whatever awaited them inside, it was only the beginning of a far greater journey.
As they stepped into the castle's inner halls, the echo of their footsteps was drowned out by a voice from the shadows.
"Welcome to Juvenera."
It was Krisian.
He emerged from the darkness, tall and imposing, his eyes sharp with knowledge and experience far beyond his years. His presence seemed to fill the room, heavy with authority, yet not oppressive. It was the presence of someone who had seen and endured the worst, and yet had never lost sight of what truly mattered.
Perfani's heart raced. This was the man who could change everything.
Krisian stepped forward, his gaze locking with hers. "I know you're afraid," he said softly, yet there was an intensity in his voice that made the air feel charged. "But fear is not your enemy. It's only a signal. A signal that you are ready to fight for something worth believing in."
Perfani's grip tightened around her twin blades. "What is it that you believe in, Krisian?"
His eyes softened. "I believe in the future. And I believe that you, Perfani, are a key to unlocking it."
The weight of his words hung in the air, and for the first time in a long while, Perfani felt something inside her stir—something beyond the need for survival, beyond the thirst for vengeance. It was hope. A dangerous, fragile hope.
But it was hope, nonetheless.
The journey wasn't over. In fact, it was just beginning.