Savoria was fatigued and unbearably hungry. Allowing her survival instincts and training to come into play, she searched the ground for edible plants or a small animal. Anything at this point would be a lifesaver. Her emerald catlike eyes spotted a large rat scuttling across the dewy grass and vines, scavenging to feed its young. Without hesitation – for it was told she was born without it – she leapt for her prey. Having left her mind that she was completely armored and weaponed, metal crashed against the forest floor. She sprang up, unlatching her claws from the wounded creature, and moved swiftly away from where she was hiding, leaving a pool of scarlet and the clanking of guards marching to her hideout behind her. It was going to be a long journey.

Savoria was strong. In fact, she was the strongest warrior in Adikia, though she was only seventeen. Her passion was as fiery as her mane of hair, and her strength was unmatched by any unruly monster of the land. Her kind face was often scrunched up in concentration, and her will to fight was deadly to many. She was revered by many women in her kingdom for her knowledge of the blade and her popularity amongst her people. Though the kingdom demanded the men to stay busy with feeding and taking care of children inside their homes, they would hurry out to meet her on her strolls and invite her to dinner. She was the hero of the kingdom, so to speak.

And this hero’s closest companion was banished from the kingdom three years ago. Rumors have it that he committed treason, but Savoria knew this was a lie. Lovien was loyal to his kingdom and family and would have done anything to stay with them, though he was a disgrace to them all. He had the heart of a warrior and wanted to defend his home. After cooking and cleaning lessons from his father, Lovien would sneak out to practice sword fighting with Savoria. They were equal in skill and intellect, but she was always stronger. That strength challenged him to become stronger and made him grow as a warrior, leading to him becoming almost as outstanding as his opponent and best friend.

Savoria knew she shouldn’t be helping him, but they cared deeply about each other, and she believed he deserved to train as she did. Often, Savoria and Lovien would not see each other during the day due to them being in the School of Warriors and the School of Domesticity, respectively. Lovien was cast out for having different dreams than his peers. At the same time, Savoria grew to be the most praised and validated individual in Adikia. This difference is what led to the night of Lovien’s banishment.

While making his way to bed, his father heard Lovien sneak out on a silent night full of fog and lost creatures. He followed him and watched as Lovien approached Savoria with his sword that he had hidden from his family for years after he had crafted it in secret. With this, his father accused Lovien of trying to murder Adikia’s best warrior.

Lovien was seized by guards in an instant and was thrown like waste out of the kingdom gates. Savoria uttered nothing. She was frozen by the fear of losing her life-source of praise to a night of training. Heartbroken by the pain on her friend’s face, she barely had time to react at all before he was gone, and she would never see him again.

However, this was before Savoria escaped her kingdom undetected to find her friend. Her heart couldn’t handle another year of grieving and guilt. She missed her only close companion. The only person that knew she was more than a hero and loved her as a person.
Musty air-filled Savoira’s lungs as branches and thorns scratched at her face, making blood run down the crease of her eye. She didn’t have time to grab her helmet when she left. The twigs made a popping sound as they hit metal and quickened their rhythm as Savoia’s desperate movements became swifter and sloppy. She squinted through the dark liquid and trudged on, gripping the handle of her sword until her hand cramped. The forest that led to the mountains was dangerous at night and, though skilled, Savoria needed to stay focused.

(To be continued)