Sergeant A'tynn pointed the tip of his waster towards my neck as mine slipped from my hand during training. "Stay focused, Bugsy," he scolded. "Your slow response will get you killed during combat."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCa6vIScD2
"Yes, sir," I gave a nod, picking up my waster on the floor. "My apologies, sir."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBgiu38sv8
"Keep your guard up at all time. Use your enemies' weaknesses as an advantage. Understood?"562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjE5OdUrNa
"Yes, sir," I responded, gripping on the hilt of the wooden sword. With my blade pointing at the ground, the sergeant ran towards me and began his strike, only for me to block his attack.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAhkfEk3oI
He pushed his attack forward as I avoided every one of his blows. I thrust my sword forward, only for the sergeant to strike my sword, clashing his sword against mine. Pushing both my feet forward, he strikes my sword almost at my side, his blade almost touching the sleeves of my tunic. "You're defeated, again."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbQq6xLbWd
I groaned in frustration as I dropped myself on the floor, pulling my hair with both hands. "This is harder than I thought," I complained. 562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8eCkRYvo5
The sergeant sat beside me and placed his hand on my shoulder. "Everything you do at your first try is difficult. We fell, we get frustrated, and we feel like giving up. It's normal to feel that way. But the more you fail, the more you learn, and the better you will become."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAb3TYZLFU
"Easy for you to say," I sighed. "But I'm merely a human girl. Being a knight doesn't really cut it for me."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhKqSKBUUp
"Don't let negative comments from the others put you down, Bugsy. From what I can see so far, you have a lot of potential to become part of Knights of Moon."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyq1UO7IBG7
"I can barely even fight."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrFxWUQLyp
"Muscles are not the only thing to be a great warrior. A great warrior also needs to utilize his mind to form up with tactics and strategies. Without the balance of both brain and brawn, you'll crumble like an anthill."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbkXTwNYw1
"Don't anthills make your leg sting?" I snarked, making him chuckle a little. 562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fQkNuNAMr
"Unless you're wearing armour, then it will sting, or worse."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJI7BKhvtN
He got up and grabbed my hand, helping me to stand on both my feet. He held his sword in front of him with the cross of his waster at his eye level and his blade stood vertically. I took a deep breath and glared at him, striking his sword against mine. He deflected my attacks smoothly and took a few steps forward.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRlbKb5vBX
I advanced my sword and tried to aim at his left eye, only for him to thwart his sword against mine. I held onto my grip as I felt sweat pouring from my forehead, my left leg wobbling. Taking a glimpse of my shaking leg, he gave a smirk as he shoved his sword at my chest. No time to defect, my sword fell from my hands as he gave a kick on my leg, making me fall on my back.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqRgh484W1
"You are defeated," he declared, pointing at my neck. I sighed in exhaustion as I carried myself up, my left feet burning. I tightened my lips as I grabbed a bottle and gulped down some water in my throat, taking a seat. "You alright?"562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcmkWH0g55
"My left foot hurts," I told him, shaking my head. 562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74NeeEmZqa
"You should take off your boots then," he gave me a suggestion. "That'll give some air for your foot."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkTCOoSgs3
I winced, looking away from my mentor. "What's wrong, Bugsy?"562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZ1UzDdqYl
"I wish I could take off my boots but-"562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vNjJzKLE7
"But what? You can tell me anything. I won't judge."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNZGh0GN3x
"I only have three toes left on my foot," I confessed, my face turning red. Sergeant A'tynn let out a soft laugh as he removed his eye patch, revealing an empty eye socket on his left eye, making me gasped. 562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYT5okjkwkM
"Looks scary, I know," he spoke, as he showed his scars to me. "I lost my eyes in a fight with a demon. But there's nothing embarrassing about losing a limb or two. Sure, it's painful at first, but after a while, you adjust to your new life. Having a scar doesn't make you weak or ugly. It means that you've fought and lived to tell a tale."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOaFp1OeZP
My lips slowly curved into a smile as I took off my left boot, showing him my amputated toes. "So how did you lose your toes?" he asked, looking at my feet. 562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqeRu4JCrb
"Some beast ate it," I answered, playing with my fingers. "I couldn't do anything but scream and cursed at the priest who summoned it."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIYHoXYM2y
"It wasn't your fault, Bugsy. What happened was traumatizing for a child like you to experience but I have faith that you'll slowly heal from the pain you're enduring."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPJXiFyziU
Then, a thin man with amethyst hair and lavender eyes entered the training dojo with a scroll in his hands, bowing to Sergeant A'tynn. He stood up and unrolled the scroll given, scanning every word written on the papyrus. "Bugsy," he glanced at me. "Call the others to gather around."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iqdTmzunO
I gave a nod and ran out of the dojo, ringing the bell three times.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmormkb8Bu
Ding! Ding! Ding!562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkKrDRyYlY
The cadets stopped sparing at each other and returned their swords and armour to the rack, rushing towards the training dojo. As they lined up in straight lines, I stood behind them and straightened my posture, with the sergeant facing us, with his arms guarded behind us. 562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILht6dMWoO
"Alright cadets," Sergeant A'tynn cleared his throat. "We have an important mission. There have been reports of a spider-like beast terrorizing the village nearby. Your job is to stop them before it's too late. Is that clear?"562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQGLLCcSOY
"Sir, yes, sir," we replied, in unison. I loosened up my posture as I was about to head out of the dojo, only for the sergeant to stop me. 562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpfuyz5pNV
"You'll be coming along, Bugsy," he told me. "Now ready your armour and your sword."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV34Zh8oVKa
"But sir," Nat protested. "She can't even hold her sword properly."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpH0M2n2eOE
"As long as she's training as a member of Knights of Moon, she will be joining every mission we are given," the Sarge explained to the defiant cadet, before glancing at me. "Be ready in a few minutes. Understood?"562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2XQTLrl71
"Yes, sir," I saluted as I donned myself a steel armour from top to bottom, grabbing myself a sword from the rack. As they headed to the horse stable, they hopped on their horses, who were clad in their armoury. 562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iGeZJUeDi
I tried to climb onto a horse with a platinum armour, only for the Sarge to stop me. "You'll be riding with me," he told me, as he climbed on his horse, giving me his hand. "Milady."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpuSRYMAyU
I grabbed his hand as I saddled myself, holding his shoulders tightly. "Thank you, sir."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSU1KEkVPZ
He smiled as he commanded his troops of young cadets to move, leading them to the front. We rode out of the exit point and saddled along the breezy field, with the afternoon sun shimmering in the skies. As we saddled into the forest, the ray of the sun slowly dimmed away, making the silver forest a little gloomy.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGKzpJoC1s
We arrived at a toadstool village an hour later and found their homes destroyed into bits. With their crops ravaged and their livestock wandering in circles, some of their villagers ran towards us as we climbed down from our horses. I ambled around the wrecked village and picked up an ear of ripe, hued corn on the ground, sniffing its candy scented vegetable. Wiping it, I took a bite and smiled as its syrupy juice quenched into my throat.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvF1cTyqFP
"Help! Help!" I heard someone shouting from a distance. I put the corn into my pocket and ran towards the cries, finding a middle-aged man trapped underneath the debris of his ruined home. Gesturing the others to come over, we lifted the wreckage together and pushed it aside. 562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPgiHfmIgW
"Can you move?" I asked, kneeling beside him. He shook his head in response.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9amK9SNWRO
"This man needs medical attention," I shouted, as I lifted him with both hands. One of the villagers, who was a healer, led me into his toadstool hut and told me to lay him down on the soft, feathery bed. Doing what the healer instructed, he gave me a bottle of lime green ointment and told me to rubbed it on his wounds.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdktrmGeFY
As I did that, the bruises and cuts on the man's body began to heal rapidly, making my eyes widened. "Is this the water from the Fountain of Youth?" I asked the healer. 562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxkPfZkyM7
"No," he shook his head. "We got this from the Aarin Lagoon. The locals would bathe there to heal themselves from their pain."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChiZnHLLdj
Sounds a lot like the Fountain of Youth to me. "Where is this Aarin Lagoon?"562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrNfUKlplt
"It's in a cave by the rocky mountains," he pointed straight. "If by any chance you go deeper into the lagoon, you'll find yourself back into the human realm."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2yG5QsG5F
My eyes glimmered. "Thank you for the tip, sir," I bowed, as I headed out to the door and met with Cassie, who was waiting for me. "There you are," she exclaimed. "Lani just found a trail of bones leading us to the cave. If we hurry, we can stop this beast."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTaix7Chb5
My breathing quickened as I heard Cassie say a trail of bones. I quickly joined the others and saw Lani examining the piece of bone with her fingers. "Took you long enough," Lani scolded as she saw me walking by. "Come on, we don't have time to waste."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZc3eTMpz0t
I followed them from behind with Sergeant A'tynn trekking beside me, noticing my fingers fidgeting. "You alright, Bugsy?" he asked. 562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsDbutwhRu
I shook my head. "The beast that attacked the village. It sounds like the crypt spider back home. The trail of bones proved that it was them."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oeilspwFt
"A crypt spider, eh? I haven't seen them for years, even decades. They usually come from your realm. Did something happen back home?"562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlPiLw0Hjw
"There is a civil war going on right now," I explained. 562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ011YCoDpt6
"Ah," he snapped his fingers. "That explains why they came back. They're seeking refuge, just like you."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mV5tn58bi
"Hey guys, we should be careful when you're dealing with the Crypt Spider," I warned the others. "One bite, and you'll become one yourself."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXvsV1yr2s
"Whatever," Nat sneered. "You're not in charge of us anyways."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiXjIfbA3P
I slapped my forehead as we entered the Kingdom of Arendia, hiking towards the rocky mountains. "Watch yourselves," the Sarge advised. "We're no longer in Queen Titania's territory anymore."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qi5AmxaZX
"Oh God," Cassie cursed, as she placed her hand on her sword handle. "I hate this place so much."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqzrYOOUYe
I shivered as the frosty wind blew in our direction, making us shiver. With the mountain hidden behind the curtains of mist, we hugged ourselves as we hiked on the bumpy road, feeling our heart beat faster than usual. Feeling my palms clammy, I stayed close to Cassie and linked my elbow with hers. "Scared?" she chuckled. 562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvFl6880rd
"I've dealt with the crypt spider before," I admitted. "It was an ugly experience."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWuaEwYNvW
She stopped smiling as we reached the cave, drawing out our swords. "Keep your comrades close and watch your steps, cadets," he instructed, as he flashed his light and led us inside the cave.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApG5oi7jkw
We roamed the gloomy, muted cave, holding close to each other. Swallowing constantly, my heart raced like a cheetah as I felt my waist binding against me, restricting my breathing. Both my legs were shaking as I gripped Cassie's arm even closer to me, feeling my head sway. "I think we should leave," I panted, my chest rising. "It's a mistake to walked inside the cave."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡym8iHyDeNc
"Don't be such a pussy," Nat growled at me. "A knight must be brave, no matter what."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhD3IkVVlOx
This is going to be bad. Unfortunately, I spoke too soon. The purple-haired, red-eyed beast saw the sergeant flashing his bright light at them, causing it to shrink "Run!" I yelled as I moved towards the exit quickly, with the sergeant running beside me. 562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmToe6ubw07
"Come on!" he barked, slicing off one of the spider's legs. "Hurry!"562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEniYX6j2u6
We bolted out of the cave and ran down the hill, with a cluster of crypt spiders chasing us from behind. "We must head to the river," I told them. "That'll ward them off."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAUlLjsXQx
"The rivers a few clicks to your left," Sergeant A'tynn explained. We turned to our left and ran in zigzagged, hoping to lose some spiders. Once we heard the river flowing, we carried our feet and jumped inside the freezing water, submerging ourselves for a few minutes.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwVuZJGGuT
The spiders roared at us and crawled away from the river, heading back to the cave. Bobbing our heads out of the water, we got up and caught our breath. "Did anyone got bitten?" our leader asked, water dripping from his curly hair. 562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhToSArRuXj
"Just a little," Nat confessed, as he rolled his sleeve. "But it's no big deal."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3keAZVxYo4
"It is a big deal," I deadpanned, looking at his wound. "If you let it be, you'll find yourself slowly morphing into one of those beasts."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dRKlBJ4pg
"Is there an antidote?" Lani asked. "Yes," 562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2UOBJCcSQ
I nodded. "But you'll have to spare a crypt spider for its saliva."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfesHJBXOV
Gatsby gagged as Cassie's eyes squinted.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIOXySHRNL
"It's the only way to heal Nat."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyUQPPxHVr
"You've dealt with these spiders before," spoke the sergeant. "How do we stop them from terrorizing those poor villagers?"562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSw5FVpok8t
I tilted my head upwards and stroked my chin. "We could get the villagers to help us set some traps," I suggested. "Then, we'll lure them in with some raw meat and catch them all with the traps we set. Is that okay with you all?"562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9z9aBZRCYP
Sergeant A'tynn smiled. "Good thinking, Bugsy. Now come on, we've got work to do."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8M10swvqG
After setting some traps around the village, we hid behind the trenches and barricades we built, armed with swords and guns. As the sky darkened and the moon rises, we heard a similar shriek coming from the forest, with its eyes glowing in the dark. "Get ready," the sergeant raised his hand, standing by.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlawoRkSyf
Cassie watched with her night vision binocular as some spiders strayed away from its clutter, sniffing the meat. "That's right," she muttered. "Take the bait, boys."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KaLK2kLP8
The spiders began to chew on the meat, only to find itself trapped inside the net. "Now!" he shouted, as he began to fire at the spiders with his rifle, killing them. Growling, they charged at us and were sliced in halves by the Knights of Moon. 562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcA7iHPOaw6
I got up from the trenches and waved. "Hey, spiders!" I shouted, waving my hand. "Come and get me."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBhXf7us7a
They screamed as they tailed me from behind. Jumping over the pile of leaves, I stuck my tongue out as they fell inside the ditch, impaled by the spikes. I smirked and heard a click sound, and noticed a spider jumping from the roof. I rolled over and threw mud at their eyes, blinding them. I led him inside the cage and locked him inside, as I saw a couple of spiders crawling in my direction.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukTiCgDa9T
As it got closer to me, I drew my sword and pierced their eyes with my weapons, killing them. Surrounding me in a circle, I twirled around and slit through their weak spot, their pale blue blood splashing on my armour. I pushed their carcasses aside and joined the team, who were celebrating their victory. "Well done, Bugsy," praised the Sarge. "Your plan worked out just the way it is. I'm proud of you."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiYk7lgD3L
"Thank you, sir," I bowed, smiling.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7084OCpgEO
"Now get some rest, all of you. Looks like our mission has been accomplished."
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