Punishing blasts of magic pummeled the earth. Spells tore through terrain, left craters and cracks, and nearly hollowed out the hills—and that was with Arden doing damage control.

Light and dark exchanged blows at the expense of their environment. Arden held her ground as she parried sorcery away, blocking his attacks with her blades. Curses fired at her nonstop. Some she deflected, others she countered, the rest she fired back at the source. She took no steps back throughout their battle—she couldn't let Damon draw any nearer to the city or those defending it. She'd grant him no chance to harm anyone other than herself.

Not even Edin.

The silhouettes of nearby trees stretched into sinister tendrils, while the shadows of bushes ballooned till they swallowed up the forest floor. Damon bunched the tendrils in one fist. He drew back an arm. Then he sprang at her, sending a flat-palmed punch through the air. Whoosh! went the shadows as they enveloped the woods, her ink-black uniform blending with the shade.

Arden crossed her arms, then her swords swung outward so sharply that a loud swish! pierced their ears. Bright white swept darkness away and banished them back to their roots.

Both palms faced the ground, and with a downward thrust she flattened the slope between them. Her right arm pointed to the city behind her and painted a broad stroke. Magic formed a tall wall that split their battle from the rest of the siege—not only would it block his curses, but it'd block other people from peering in.

As she intended.

The guardian charged forth, wielding blades as bright as the sun.

***

The last of the stone beasts had been crushed to bits. The fray lasted a few hours at most, yet to Edin it felt like eons. The fields around them sure looked like that was the case: soot, shards, and other remnants of the siege littered the lands. That was not taking into account the ditches that both sides dug mid-battle. Some of the guardians, led by Major Laurel, had started work to restore the area surrounding Irien. The rest of them were gathering elsewhere.

Edin clung to the edges of the shield Stefan had summoned as they rode it towards their post. The pair had just finished helping those defending the southern border after the northern army had been dealt with. While Edin insisted he could use his fire to transport himself, Stefan was adamant about carrying him on his shield too. "You're obviously way more tired," the scrawny cadet said to his partner, "at least let me carry you back. It won't tire me at all." And so Stefan fashioned a force field into a wide concave disk that they could both recline in. It did not take long for Edin to thank Stefan and himself for accepting the latter's offer—he had no idea how sore he was until he sat down for the first time since the fight.

The post entered their vision. Propped up next to it was a makeshift sick bay. Though a large crowd had formed around it, it appeared that a very small fraction of those were wounded. Edin squinted. There were enough healers to attend to each of the injured, and he did not spot any casualties. At the helm was Senior Riven.

The crowd had begun to disperse by the time Edin and Stefan arrived. The two cadets walked up to the senior whilst he was conversing with—no, instructing—a few other guardians.

"...and now leave," Riven said, dismissing three sentries. He addressed the larger audience with a much louder voice: "Again, if you are not a healer, magician, earth wielder, or injured, please return to your posts or go home. All able-bodied earth wielders and magicians please head south to assist with the restoration." He glanced at his phone for a brief moment before he noticed the two approaching him. "Oh, you two."

"Senior Riven," Stefan started, "we just got back."

"That I figured." The senior shoved his phone back into his pocket. "Glad to see both of you alive. I was worried when I first heard that Irien was attacked by stone beasts. You're only cadets and I didn't know how long you could hold them off.

"In hindsight, it was a mistake on our part to move majors from Irien. You shouldn't have been stationed here—not that you're doing poorly, you've been doing very well in fact."

"Haha," Stefan said, his back as tense as a taut string, "I'm glad you think so. We try our best."

"And that was clearly seen today." Edin swore he caught Riven flashing the slightest of smiles, but the latter's mouth was straightened by the time he finished blinking twice. "Anyway, it's a good thing you called backup early. Any later and I don't know how much worse it could've been."

"Luckily we have the emergency shield. I deployed it just in case and good thing we, uh, didn't have to use it after all."

"Good move," the senior remarked, "and speaking of which, I think it's safe to take it down now. Can you please turn it off?"

"Yes, sir."

Stefan marched to the post; Edin remained where he stood, watching his partner till he disappeared indoors. He then faced his superior.

"By the way," Riven began, just before Edin could open his mouth, "your shift hasn't officially ended yet, so unfortunately you and Stefan will have to remain here until then."

"Yes, sir."

"And I do have a question for you before you go back."

"What is it, sir?"

There was another pause. The rest of the world quieted at this moment, or it appeared to be so to Edin's ears. Perhaps the battle wrecked his hearing. A dark cloud seemed to swirl in Riven's eyes, much like the shadows he conjured, but none of that noise translated to his thin lips. "Actually, never mind. You can return to your post."

Edin nodded. He began marching towards his station, but as he neared it, unease gnawed at his heart. What was Riven planning to ask him, and why did he hold back? Not just that, but what was he planning to ask Riven? That was why he stayed behind after all instead of following Stefan inside. There was something Edin wanted to say. Just... what? What was missing?

No, who was missing.

Edin spun around and jogged. Riven had already paced a few steps closer to the healers.

Edin called out, "Senior Riven!"

The senior halted, then glanced over his shoulder. "Yes?"

"Where's Arden?"

"Senior Arden is fighting Damon in the mountains," Riven answered. He turned around to face the younger guardian. "She managed to trace him there."

An invisible hand clutched at Edin's heart. And to think the battle was over! When he saw that there were no more stone beasts, when people were sweeping up debris, when his partner was asked to take down the shield, he thought they were all safe—not that their most valuable soldier was still in peril while others were free to head home. Major Laurel's words echoed in his head: "Senior Arden will take care of it."

The cadet asked, "And who's with her?"

"No one."

"No one?"

"She fights better alone."

By now, pairs of eyes—or ears, for those unable to turn their heads—were on Riven and Edin. Edin paused. Watched. Not a single person spoke up. Not a word about his former mentor, the sole reason why the realm had not fallen to the sorcerer's rule. It was impossible that none of the so-called guardians on the other side did not care about her. No, they were afraid of the black-clad man whose backside faced them.

To his right, Edin heard a doorknob click open. Stefan.

Edin did not turn his head, keeping his eyes on the superior across him. "So you're saying that right now," he said, his voice quavering, "Arden is fighting Damon the Demonic in the mountains, completely alone, and we're leaving them be?"

"Edin"—Riven's tone darkened—"there's a reason why she is not followed."

"We can't just let her face Damon alone." Edin began taking steps toward the hillside. "We have to help her—"

"No." Riven grabbed Edin's arm and held him in place. "You will stay here and stand guard—"

Edin wrenched his arm free and bolted.

A hundred shouts hounded Edin as he dashed away, but he paid no heed. Senior Riven, his friend Stefan, other guardians—none of them breached his ears. None could make him stay. He would not let her fight Damon alone if he could help it.

Fwoosh. His blue flames propelled him across the land, firing from all four limbs. Faster. Faster. They could be on his tail. Were they? His head whipped around, and to his relief, none gave chase. They must have known in their hearts that Irien's salvation would be in vain if Idelhen's last stand fell to the sorcerer.

Edin lost count of time as he surfed towards the north, skirting the city. It felt like hours and seconds had passed, fast and not fast enough, the shortest path and the longest journey. He leaned further forward. Faster. Faster. Not even the freezing wind biting at his lungs dulled the fire within.

Up ahead, the first of the foothills rose into view. He advanced no slower than before. His eyes skimmed the area for any sign of struggle, yet all of it appeared to be serene. Something was wrong. Or maybe they were on the other side. Whatever it was, he could find out once he reached...

A cool sensation washed over him like a dense mist. Edin blinked. The tranquil hills were no more—only ruined ground. No wonder nobody had gone to help; it was all a mirage!

Rumble.

It came from the right. Edin cocked his head and at once caught sight of a cloud of dust billowing near the mountain base.

He raised one hand to cover his nose and mouth. He was near yet he could not see Arden or Damon, only signs of their presence: billows of shadows expanding and shrinking, trees being smashed and uprooted as though a giant fist had slammed through, and the earth splitting and reforming beneath. Dust flew far; he raised his hand to shield his face, coughing, wishing he had brought a mask to keep the dust out of his lungs.

And to think all of this was hidden from them! Had he not spotted her car earlier that afternoon, he would not have asked about Arden, and he would not have known about her current battle against the greatest threat to the realm. And the illusion... Edin was convinced it was sorcery. Why else would the battle be hidden other than to help Damon isolate her from other guardians?

The ground quaked as a crack ripped through the soil. Edin surfed to the side, narrowly avoiding the trench. It grew deeper and deeper ahead.

BOOM!

A flare of light, shadow, and smoke swelled from the base of the mountain. It dissipated in moments. There was no Arden or Damon in sight—only a newly formed cave.

Edin would have dropped his jaw if not for the ash flying about. The two were truly in a league of their own.

The flashes and bangs coming from within the cave brought Edin back to the present. He outstretched his right arm and drew his sword out of thin air. Before he stepped in, he glanced over his shoulder. Nobody. Part of him was glad they did not bother.

Edin raced into the cave. It got dark quickly; his free hand summoned a flame.

It soon became unnecessary; bursts of white flashed from deeper within. Arden. He ran faster still. Almost tripped. Rocky ground. He could barely make out two figures in the distance amid all the dust clouding his vision.

He neared them at last. Sword ready. Current flowing. Aim—the target was running all over, couldn't be pinned down. Edin made a sweeping stroke with his blade.

Crack! Sparks slithered toward the sorcerer, but missed.

Crimson eyes glared back at him. Sable smoke formed in his hands—

"EDIN!"

Dark magic shot straight at him.

Arden leaped in front of Edin, blocking the spell with her swords just in time. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to help."

"Go." Stalactites fell from above—she blasted them away. "You shouldn't be here."

"No, I'll fight with you!"

"You're not strong enough yet."

"I know what I'm capable of."

Rumble. The ground beneath them split—they leaped sideways to safety. "Edin, go."

"I won't."

Lightning crackled from his wrists and he thrust it at the sorcerer. Stone rose in time. Crack! And the bolt struck rock instead.

A solid wall of stone rolled toward him, and smack—Edin blacked out once more.

Arden refocused on the threat in front of her. Spikes shot toward her—her swords pierced through. The guardian pushed forward, swatting stone away with steel, vaulting over fallen rock. The edges of her blades shone through the surrounding darkness.

RUMBLE. The floor ruptured—she stopped, a step away from a deep fall.

Shadows slunk from the trench and cavern corners. "I'm surprised you followed me here," Damon's deep voice echoed, "after what happened in Sorien."

The darkness closed in—

FLASH! Bright magic flared from her being and dissolved the shadows. "I don't fear the dark."

And she leaped.

The floor ahead crumbled away, she would not make it—

A burst of magic thrust her forward, and she landed with a thump.

A queer coldness flitted across the cave. Arden faced the left, weapons drawn.

A glimpse of red.

She sprinted forth, metal edges alight. Darkness swirled from his palms. A swing of both arms—

BOOM!

The force from their clash thrust them apart. Arden dug her boots into the soil as she flew backward, scraping to a stop.

The man in front of her vanished into the shadows.

She got up. The air stilled. Her senses focused on finding him, seeking an eerie chill in the air.

Something off. Behind. Arden spun around. A shadow swelled till it loomed over her—

She raised one sword and aimed. Fshh! And light burst through.

Yet darkness danced around her still.

Their back and forth went on, her magic wrestling with his sorcery in a neverending stalemate. Light flared and flickered against a barrage of black. Magic gashed the ground and walls. Even in a sunless cavern, Arden stood firm in her fight against darkness.

Following another blow, a hitched silence stiffened the air. Damon's voice breathed: "I'm surprised you're not exhausted."

From that side.

Arden withdrew both arms and swung her swords rightward, sending a wave of light magic. It struck nothing but a solid wall.

"Wrong side."

What—

Smack!

A stalagmite struck her from the back. Arden's body shot across the cavern and slammed into a rock. She lay dazed, blood dripping from where stone cut her skin.

Slow footsteps crunched closer. "And now Idelhen's guardian has lost," he hissed. "Who'll save you now?"