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Chapter 16 - Chapter 14 - Seven Years

One years had passed since Reina and Arya vanished into the Forest of Veils .

The land of perpetual mist and whispering trees where sunlight flattered through in faint gold and time seemed to move differently .

The world beyond forgot the exiled nonke girl and presumed she's died .

But within the forest , Reina was becoming something else -- something powerful serene and quietly terrifying.

Each dawn began with blade training.

Reina's wooden sword struck through the shimmering illusion she herself had conjured - phantoms of bandits , wolves , and armored soldiers - born from her Mystic Art .

" Your stances is firm . " Arya remarked arms crossed a smirk tugging her lips . " But -- its all about control ."

Reina exhaled focusing on the floating orbs of light surrounding her . Each represented one of her mastered elements - Wind ,Fire and Light .

Spinning quietly in harmony.

" I just need to control , right . " Reina replied softly.

Arya snorted , " Control is for weak don't know how to fight. "

A single flick of Reina wrist silenced the forest . The orbs vanished replaced by a rush of air as she vanished from view -

Flash Strike ( move in which mana of light on sword and feet which controlled by the wind on body to give proper acceleration speed just like thunder . )

Which craved through a boulder , slicing it in half .

" Control ... " Reina said again, smiling faintly.

Arya sighed her golden eyes glimmering .

" You're becoming more dragon than human , you know. "

" Then ,maybe you're rubbing off on me . " Reina teased .

The dragon maid blinked then smirked .

" Careful , Master . Dragons don't take responsibility for their influence . "

-----------------++

Two years had passed .

Reina learned the Wind Mystic Art . She could leap across tree ,glide about ravines and let her sword ride gust faster than human sight .

The forest become her training ground , the storm her test .

---------------

Three year had passed

By the third year , she embraced Fire Art .

Learning not to destory but to refine . Her flames no longer burned wild .

They forged weapons , hardened her body and cooked her food ,

Though Arya often complained about the "mildly charred everything . "

" You're supposed to roast , not reduce to ash ! " Arya scolded flapping a towel .

" You beeathe fire for fun . " Reina retorted.

" You don't get to talk about overcooking . "

Laughter echoed between them , turning the vast lonely forest at home .

....----+++---+------

Five Year had passed .

By the fifth year , Light Art become her shield and companion . She could vanish entirely in sunlight, shimmer like a mirage or summon beams of focused brilliance to blind her enemies.

Sometimes , she'd use it just to startle Arya .

" Master . " Arya shouted once searching the empty clearing.

Reina's voice whispered behind her . " Boo."

" Gah --- You mortal imp ----" Arya yelped tripping over her own tail .

Arya and Reina , bond had deepened not through duty . But through friendship .

Arya who once a proud dragon sealed by the Goddess Myril - now call herself " maid " with pride , though her scoldings felt more like those of a sister or guardian or sister than servant .

-----------+(+(((((((((

Six year had passed ...

By the sixth year , the tranquility broke .

Wandering monster - twisted remnants of corrupted mana - drifted into the forest of veils .

Shadow beast shaped wolves , forgotten spirits , even a few lost bandits.

Reina and Arya kept fight them .

In wind beneath her step and light in her eyes , she cut through shadows as though slicing mist .

Arya often joined in , transforming her hands into claws and growing wing from her shoulder or full dragon transformation .

A dragon's roar echoing through the trees , her scales glimmering silver beneath the moonlight.

Together , they fought with unspoken rhythm.

" Left , Flank ! " Reina called ,raising her blade .

" Already burning ! " Arya answered , a torrent of flame engulfing the foe .

Then when the battle quieted , Arya would grumble , wiping soot from her dress .

" Master ,next time please remind me not to incinerate within the cleaning radius .."

" Next time ." Reina said smiling , " we both wash the floor ."

In the silent hours ,Reina often sat beneath the Viel Tree , it's silver leaves whispering above her .

She remembered her parents and missed them too , and their love .

But those memories didn't ache her -- they motivated her to become strongest .

But the question remainend,why she want to be the strongest ?

Why do she want to gain strength?

For her , for her guilt as Rey Throne to use her power to live a normal , ordinary life .

Or just gain strength ,to rule again.

" Strength isn't about ruling others. " Reina said one night .

" Then , what is it about ? " She asked.

" It's about standing even when no one believes in you . "

Arya smiled faintly , leaning against her .

" Then , you've long since become storng , My Master . "

Sometimes Arya would rest her head in Reina's lap , pretending to sleep . Reina would sighed brushing red hair aside .

There was peace . There --- a bond beyond titles , forged in years of shared struggle and laughter .

-------+-+----------++++++++++

Seven year had passed

Reina had grown .

Seventeen year old , her silvery white hair ,now shimmered with faint streaks of blue when morning sun caught it .

He emerald green eyes , glowing faintly.

At seventeen, her body carried the harmony, grace and power -- lean, agile , unyielding.

Every motion she made seemed measured , purposeful almost divine. The forest itself had come to accept her .

Arya , ever faithful and dramatic, her look haven't changed at all. She looked like the same seventeen year , when they met for the first time .

Arya oftened wore the same maid clothes, because it was gifted by her master . Even though she won't accept it .

Together , they had honed with skills ,arts and magics.

Flames spiraled in synced when Arya unleashed her Dragon Breathe , Reina's Mystic Wind wove around it , shaping it into a divine vortex .

Thus , a signture technique created - Ray Spiral - a spinning strike wrapped in roared of golden flames , cleaving through even spectral barrier .

" We done it . " Arya said at last ,panting , wings flickering faintly behind her maid form .

" Yes . " Reina smiled gently , her blade still humming with light.

That night , beneath the ocean of stars . Reina sat quietly outside the cabin .

Then , spirit of wind that looks like cloud but in pink .

Rush ...

" Rei-chan , Rei-chan. ....

" Kotaro ... What's happened ? ".. Reina asked .

" I saw some suspicious look guys , lurking around with girl .... I think some thing they came here to hunt us .... Please help . "

Reina's hand tightened on her blade hilt .

Arya smirked , tiled her head , " Look like trouble to me ? "

Reina's faint smiled...

" No " she said ... " Just warm-up before dinner . "

Arya murmured, " Still dramatic and cocky"

" No , After all , I am the strongest. "

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