Another figure emerges from the darkness, catching Elara off guard. It seemed like its the woman's ally, a man dressed in royal armor, moves with precision, wrapping his arm around Elara and pulling her close as a sword appears at her neck. The woman's eyes flicker to Elara, then back to Caden, her gaze cold and calculating.
The man's grip is firm, his armor glinting in the sunlight as he holds Elara in place. Caden's instincts surge back into high alert as he takes a step forward, his eyes locked on the man. "Let her go," he warns, his voice low and even.
The woman's gaze never leaves Caden's face, her expression unreadable behind her hood. She stands tall, her sword still poised, ready to strike. The man holding Elara doesn't flinch, his grip remaining firm as he looks at Caden with a mixture of challenge and warning. Elara's eyes are wide with fear, her breath caught in her throat as she looks at Caden, pleading silently for him to do something. The standoff is tense, with all parties waiting to see who will make the next move.
"We are the ones to ask questions here, what is the Valeron knight doing here." The man asks as his sword moves closer to Elara's neck. No one dares to move.
Elara, recalling the self-defense techniques Caden had taught her, suddenly relaxes her body, allowing the man to think he has complete control. Then, in a swift motion, she uses her body weight to shift her center of gravity, creating an opening. She swiftly brings her elbow back into the man's chest, aiming for the gap in his armor, and simultaneously uses her leg to hook behind his, destabilizing his stance.
The man grunts in surprise as Elara breaks free from his hold, her movements fluid and practiced. She steps aside, her eyes locked on Caden, as he seizes the opportunity to attack the woman. With a fierce cry, Caden charges forward, his sword flashing in the sunlight.
The woman, taken aback by Caden's sudden ferocity, reacts quickly, but Caden's skill and determination prove too much for her. He unleashes a series of swift, precise strikes, each one aimed at disrupting her defense. The woman parries and ripostes, but Caden's advantage grows with each passing moment.
The man, still recovering from Elara's escape, lunges forward to aid the woman, but Elara is ready. She dodges his clumsy attack and delivers a swift kick to his stomach, sending him stumbling back. As he falls, Elara seizes the opportunity to disarm him, holding the sword at his throat.
Meanwhile, Caden presses his attack, his sword slicing through the woman's defenses. She falls back, her movements growing more desperate, but Caden is relentless. With one final, mighty blow, he knocks the sword from her hand, sending it spinning to the ground. The woman's eyes widen in defeat as Caden's sword comes to rest at her throat.
The battle is over, with Elara and Caden standing victorious. They share a brief, triumphant glance before Caden slowly lowers his sword, his chest heaving with exertion. The woman and her ally stand defeated, their faces etched with a mixture of anger and respect.
"Now answer my question. What are you doing here?" Caden asks, his voice now dark and serious. The man answers.
"We mean no harm, we come all the time here to train. Me and my knight." The man states referring to the woman knight. Elara raises the sword from his neck but doesn't lower it, leaving enough room for the man to get up, Caden does the same.
They both stand up with their hands in the air. The man can't help but smirk after properly observing Elara.
"Never in my life would I have thought a woman would beat me like that...." Elara steps closer to place the sword right at his adams apple, not liking the smirk on his face.
"I wouldn't be smirking if I were you." The man's eyes flicker to the blade, and for a moment, his smirk falters. But then, with a sudden burst of speed, he knocks the sword aside and ducks under Elara's arm, escaping her grasp.
Before Elara can react, the man tackles her, but this time, his movements are gentle, almost playful. He pins her to the ground, his weight balanced on his elbows as he grins down at her. Elara's eyes flash with annoyance, and she tries to buck him off, but the man laughs and dodges her attempts.
"You're quite the fighter, aren't you?" he says, his voice teasing. Elara's face reddens with frustration as she realizes he's toying with her. She tries to knee him, but he anticipates the move and shifts his weight, avoiding the blow.
The two of them engage in a playful yet intense struggle, with Elara growing more and more annoyed as the man continues to toy with her. Each time she thinks she's got the upper hand, he effortlessly counters her moves, his grin never faltering.
As they roll across the ground, Caden watches with a mixture of amusement, concern and something else..., wondering when Elara will finally lose her patience. The woman, still pinned under Caden's sword, watches the exchange with interest, a hint of a smile on her face.
The game of cat and mouse continues, with Elara's frustration growing by the minute. But despite her annoyance, there's a spark in her eye, a spark that suggests she's not entirely displeased with the man's playful attacks.
As they continue to wrestle, their movements gradually slow, and their breathing synchronizes. The man's grin softens, and his eyes lock onto Elara's, the tension between them palpable. Elara's annoyance melts away, replaced by a flutter in her chest as she gazes back at him. The world around them fades, leaving only the two of them, suspended in a moment of mutual fascination.
Time stands still as they stare into each other's eyes, the air thick with unspoken emotions. Caden's voice finally breaks the spell, his gentle clearing of throat a subtle reminder of their surroundings. The man slowly releases Elara, and she rises to her feet, her eyes never leaving his.
Caden steps forward, helping the knight woman to her feet, his sword still at the ready. "I think we've established our skills," he says, his tone neutral. The woman nods, a hint of respect in her gaze as she brushes herself off.
The man, still gazing at Elara, offers her a hand up, his smile returning. Elara hesitates for a moment before taking it, her palm fitting perfectly into his. As she rises, their hands linger together, the spark between them reigniting. Caden's eyes flicker between the two, a knowing glint in his eye as he sheathes his sword.
The man, still holding Elara's hand, smiles warmly as he introduces himself. "I'm Lydon Throne, Prince of the Throne Kingdom," he says, his voice charming. Elara's eyes light up with surprise, and she curtsies, her free hand touching her chest. "I'm Elara Valeron, Princess of Valeron," she replies, her voice soft.
As they exchange introductions, Caden steps forward, his eyes never leaving Seraphina's face. "I'm Caden Blackwood," he says, his tone neutral. Seraphina's gaze meets his, and she nods, a hint of a smile on her face. "I'm Seraphina Silvermoon, Knight of Prince Lydon," she says, her voice firm, her eyes sparkling with interest as she looks at Caden.
Lydon's eyes are fixed on Elara, his charm and charisma radiating towards her. Elara seems captivated by him, her face lighting up with a smile. Meanwhile, Caden's gaze occasionally drifts to Elara, his expression subtle, before returning to Seraphina. Seraphina, however, seems intrigued by Caden, her gaze lingering on him with interest.
The introductions are brief, but the dynamics between the four are clear. Lydon is drawn to Elara, and she to him. Seraphina, on the other hand, shows a clear interest in Caden, her body language open and engaging. Caden, though polite and courteous to Seraphina, can't help but steal glances at Elara, his feelings for her evident to himself, even if unspoken to others.