The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a golden hue over the newly fortified base. The sounds of nature filled the air, a stark contrast to the industrious noises that had filled the clearing over the past few days. The group had made significant progress on their stronghold, transforming the once-barren space into a defensible sanctuary. Walls now stood tall, and the gate they had worked on was finally complete. The demihumans they had rescued were recovering well, their once-fearful expressions replaced with gratitude and a growing sense of hope.
But the sense of accomplishment was tinged with an undercurrent of restlessness. Despite their hard work, the group knew that they couldn't stay confined to the base forever. The world beyond their walls was still largely unexplored, and they needed to learn more about it if they were going to survive.
As they gathered for breakfast, Edred brought up the topic that had been on everyone's minds. "We've done well to secure the base, but we need more resources and information if we're going to thrive here. We should start exploring the surrounding area."
Lianne nodded in agreement. "We need to know what's out there. If there are more dangers—or potential allies—we need to find them."
Jericho, who had been working tirelessly at his forge, looked up with a serious expression. "We can't all leave the base, though. Someone needs to stay behind and protect it, especially with the demihumans still recovering."
Kent, always the voice of reason, spoke up. "Kirby and I can stay behind. We'll make sure the base is secure and that our allies are safe."
Kirby nodded in agreement. "Yeah, we've got this. You guys go out and explore. We'll hold down the fort here."
Edred looked at the two of them, his eyes filled with appreciation. "Thanks, guys. We'll try to be back within a week. If anything happens, find a way to signal us."
With the plan set, the group prepared to leave. Edred, Lianne, Vnz, and Jericho packed light, bringing only the essentials—food, water, weapons, and a few tools. They said their goodbyes to Kent, Kirby, and the demihumans, who wished them luck on their journey.
As they set out into the dense forest, the mood was one of cautious optimism. The forest was thick and overgrown, but the path they chose led them deeper into the unknown, where they hoped to uncover the secrets of this new world.
The first day of exploration was uneventful. They moved slowly, taking their time to map the area and mark potential landmarks. The forest was vast, filled with towering trees and thick underbrush that made progress difficult. But the group was determined, and they pushed forward, driven by the need to learn more about their surroundings.
On the second day, they encountered signs of wildlife—tracks in the mud, broken branches, and the occasional rustle of unseen creatures moving through the underbrush. The tension was palpable, but they remained vigilant, ready to defend themselves if necessary. Yet, aside from a few small animals that scurried away at their approach, they encountered nothing that posed a threat.
The third day brought a change in the terrain. The forest began to thin out, and the ground grew rockier as they climbed a series of low hills. From the top of one of these hills, they caught their first glimpse of something remarkable—a distant structure that rose above the treetops, partially obscured by the morning mist.
Lianne squinted, trying to make out the details. "Is that… a building?"
Vnz, who had the sharpest eyes, nodded. "It looks like a tower, maybe part of a larger structure. We should check it out."
As they descended the hill, the terrain became easier to navigate, and the trees gave way to open fields. The structure they had seen grew larger as they approached, revealing itself to be part of a massive fortress. The walls were high and made of stone, with battlements that hinted at a medieval design. It was a stark contrast to the dense forest they had been traversing.
By the fourth day, they had reached the outskirts of the fortress. It was more than just a single building; it was an entire kingdom, with walls encircling a large city that bustled with life. People moved about, going about their daily business, while armored knights patrolled the streets and stood guard at the gates.
The group watched from a distance, taking in the sight with a mix of awe and caution. "A kingdom," Jericho murmured, his eyes wide with wonder. "It looks like something out of a history book."
Edred, ever the strategist, narrowed his eyes. "We need to be careful. We don't know how they'll react to strangers, especially ones like us. We should approach cautiously and see if we can learn more about them before making contact."
They decided to take a roundabout route, skirting the edges of the kingdom to get a better look at its defenses. As they moved through a wooded area near the walls, they came across a large open space that served as a training ground. Dozens of knights were there, sparring with each other and honing their skills under the watchful eyes of their instructors.
It was then that Lianne's eyes widened in surprise. "Is that…?"
Standing in the center of the training ground, surrounded by a group of knights, was a tall girl with striking white hair. Her posture was confident, almost arrogant, as she barked orders at the knights, who seemed to hang on her every word. She was followed closely by two other girls—one with mid-length black hair and a stockier build, and the other with long, straight hair and a calm demeanor.
"Rohanna," Edred muttered, recognizing her immediately. "Our classmate."
"And Quisha and Alexis," Lianne added, spotting the other two girls. "What are they doing here?"
The group watched in silence as Rohanna led the knights through a series of drills, her voice carrying over the sounds of clashing swords. She moved with the grace of a seasoned warrior, every motion precise and controlled. It was clear that she had gained significant skill and respect since their arrival in this world.
But there was something else in her demeanor—an air of superiority that hadn't been there before. Rohanna seemed to relish the power she held over the knights, and her commands were issued with a tone that bordered on condescension.
As they continued to observe, Rohanna suddenly looked up, her eyes locking onto their hidden position. A smirk spread across her face as she raised a hand, signaling the knights to stop.
"Well, well, well," she called out, her voice dripping with mockery. "Look who we have here. It seems my old classmates have finally decided to show up."
The group exchanged uneasy glances before stepping out of the shadows and into the open. They could feel the eyes of the knights on them, assessing their every move.
"What are you doing here, Rohanna?" Edred asked, his voice calm but wary.
Rohanna shrugged, her smirk never fading. "What does it look like? I'm in charge here. These knights answer to me, and I've been training them to be the best warriors in this kingdom. You could say I've found my calling."
"Training them?" Lianne echoed, unable to hide her disbelief. "How did you—"
"I've always been good at this," Rohanna interrupted, her tone dismissive. "This world just gave me the chance to prove it. While you've been wandering around like lost sheep, I've been building an army."
Quisha and Alexis remained silent behind Rohanna, their expressions unreadable. It was clear that they were following Rohanna's lead, though whether it was out of loyalty or fear was hard to tell.
Edred took a step forward, his eyes narrowing. "And what exactly do you plan to do with this army?"
Rohanna's smirk grew wider. "What do you think? In a world like this, power is everything. And I intend to have as much of it as I can. But enough about me—what have you been up to? Hiding in the woods like cowards?"
Vnz bristled at her words, but Edred placed a hand on his shoulder, signaling him to stay calm. "We've been surviving, just like you. But we didn't come here to pick a fight."
Rohanna laughed, a harsh sound that grated on their nerves. "Of course you didn't. You know you wouldn't stand a chance. But since you're here, why don't we test that theory?"
She gestured to the training ground, where the knights had formed a loose circle, clearly anticipating a showdown. "Let's see if you've learned anything since we got here. A friendly sparring match, just to see how far you've come."
Edred hesitated, sensing the trap in her words. Rohanna wasn't just looking for a sparring match—she was looking to humiliate them, to prove her superiority in front of her new followers.
But before he could respond, Lianne stepped forward, her eyes blazing with determination. "Fine. I'll fight you."
Rohanna raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by Lianne's boldness. "You? Alright then. Let's see what you've got."
The knights quickly cleared a space in the center of the training ground, forming a ring around the two girls. Lianne and Rohanna squared off, each one sizing up the other.
Edred, Vnz, and Jericho watched with bated breath, knowing that this fight could change everything. They had no idea what new abilities Rohanna might have gained, but they trusted Lianne's strength and skill. She had always been a fierce fighter, and they knew she wouldn't back down.
The tension in the air was palpable as the two girls circled each other, waiting for the right moment to strike. The knights watched in silence, their eyes flicking back and forth between the two combatants.
Finally, Rohanna made the first move, lunging forward with a speed that caught Lianne off guard. But Lianne was quick to react, dodging to the side and countering with a swift kick to Rohanna's side. The impact was solid, but Rohanna barely flinched, her smirk only growing wider.
"Not bad," Rohanna taunted, her voice dripping with condescension. "But you'll have to do better than that."
Lianne didn't respond, her focus entirely on the fight. She knew Rohanna was trying to bait her, to get under her skin and throw her off balance. But Lianne was determined not to let that happen.
Rohanna attacked again, this time with a series of rapid punches that Lianne barely managed to block. Each strike was powerful, and Lianne could feel the force behind them. It was clear that Rohanna had been training hard, and her strength had increased significantly since they last saw her.
But Lianne wasn't about to be outdone. She ducked under Rohanna's next punch and delivered a swift uppercut to her jaw, followed by a spinning kick that sent Rohanna stumbling back.
The knights murmured in surprise, clearly impressed by Lianne's skill. But Rohanna quickly regained her footing, wiping a trickle of blood from the corner of her mouth.
"Not bad at all," Rohanna admitted, her smirk finally fading. "But let's see how you handle this."
With that, Rohanna unleashed a flurry of attacks, her movements so fast that Lianne struggled to keep up. It was like fighting a whirlwind—every time Lianne thought she had an opening, Rohanna was already there, her fists and feet moving with blinding speed.
Lianne gritted her teeth, refusing to give up. She could feel her body growing tired, but she pushed through the exhaustion, determined to hold her own. She knew she couldn't match Rohanna's speed, so she focused on defense, blocking and parrying as best she could.
But it wasn't enough. Rohanna's attacks were relentless, and Lianne could feel herself getting worn down. A powerful punch to her gut sent her sprawling to the ground, gasping for breath.
The knights cheered, clearly pleased with Rohanna's performance. But Rohanna didn't look satisfied. She loomed over Lianne, her expression hard and unforgiving.
"This is what happens when you underestimate me," Rohanna said coldly. "You should have known better."
But just as she was about to deliver the final blow, a voice called out from the crowd. "That's enough!"
Edred stepped forward, his eyes blazing with anger. "This was supposed to be a sparring match, not a fight to the death."
Rohanna hesitated, clearly caught off guard by Edred's intervention. But she quickly regained her composure, her smirk returning. "Fine. I'll let her go. But remember this, Edred—I'm not someone you want to mess with."
She turned and walked away, her followers trailing behind her. The knights dispersed, returning to their training as if nothing had happened.
Edred rushed to Lianne's side, helping her to her feet. "Are you okay?"
Lianne nodded, though she was still catching her breath. "I'm fine. Just… a little bruised."
Vnz and Jericho joined them, their expressions a mix of concern and anger. "We need to be careful," Vnz said quietly. "Rohanna's not the same person she was before. She's dangerous."
Edred nodded in agreement, his mind racing with thoughts of what had just happened. Rohanna had become a rival, not just in strength but in ideology. Her obsession with power and control was a threat to everything they stood for.
As they left the training ground and made their way back to the kingdom's outskirts, Edred couldn't shake the feeling that this encounter was just the beginning. Rohanna's ambitions were clear, and they would need to be ready for whatever she had planned.