The days blurred together in a haze of training and battles. Zen's skills improved rapidly, and he earned the respect of his fellow soldiers. However, one person stood out among the crowd - a young woman with piercing blue eyes and a sword that seemed to dance in her hands.
Alice Razon was her name, and she was a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. Zen watched her from afar, mesmerized by her skill and poise. He couldn't help but feel drawn to her, but he didn't know if she felt the same way.
One day, after a particularly grueling training session, Zen found himself walking alongside Alice towards the barracks. They exchanged a few pleasantries, and Zen discovered they had more in common than he thought. Both were outsiders in their own way, having joined the Ashen Legion for different reasons.
As they walked, Alice turned to him and asked, "You're not like the others, Blackthorn. What drives you?"
Zen hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. But something about Alice's piercing gaze put him at ease. "I'm not sure," he admitted. "I just know I have to keep moving, keep fighting."
Alice nodded thoughtfully. "I think I understand. Sometimes, it's not about the destination; it's about the journey."
Their conversations became more frequent, and Zen found himself looking forward to their talks. Alice was easy to talk to, and he felt like he could be himself around her. They started training together, and Zen's skills improved dramatically under her guidance.
As the days turned into weeks, Zen realized his feelings for Alice went beyond friendship. But he was hesitant to express them, fearing it might ruin their budding friendship.
One evening, as they sat on the battlements, watching the sunset, Alice turned to him and asked, "Blackthorn, can I ask you something?"
"Anything," Zen replied, his heart racing with anticipation.
"What's your past like?" Alice asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "You seem...different. Like you've seen things no one else has."
Zen's instincts screamed at him to be cautious, but something about Alice's gentle tone put him at ease. "I don't remember much," he said, opting for partial truth. "I just know I've been fighting for a long time."
Alice nodded, her expression thoughtful. "I think we're more alike than you think, Blackthorn."
As the stars began to twinkle in the night sky, Zen realized he was falling for Alice, hard. But he had no idea what the future held, or what secrets she might be hiding.
*To be continued...*