“Commence!” The king said.

Commander General Jonathan raises his broadsword and pointed its edge towards his opponent. Aster placed her right hand to an old wooden scabbard on her waist. Her left hand hovers close to her dagger’s handle.

“We are surrounded with weapons… spears, axes, and swords”, Jonathan started. “Yet you want to use that pathetic toy, until when are you trying to mock me child?”

“This is not a toy, commander general…” says Aster “this dagger holds more meaning than any weapon in this room, I suggest you worry more on your own.”

“An empty threat from an ignorant little girl… you are standing in front of the finest blade of the kingdom, forged with volcanic fire and hammered by diamondstone. This blade can ignite the flesh of whoever it strikes, how could you possibly win?”

“By not talking.”

“Ha! Let us see.” Jonathan smiles and quickly dashes forward, thrusting his sword towards his opponent. Aster docks, simultaneously kicking the general’s knee. “It won’t work.” Jonathan blurted as he swing his sword downwards, hitting the stone floor and creating sparks. Surprised, he catched a quick glance down and realized Aster is already beside his face, releasing a reverse roundhouse kick on his right cheek. He didn’t flinch.

“Is that it?” Jonathan asked as he grabs Aster by the leg, swinging her above his head before slamming her on the ground beneath him. Jonathan then slammed his blade on the floor, piercing it. Aster dodged the sword’s edge by less than an inch. Her eyes widened when she saw the sword slicing through the rock floor. She made a quick evasive somersault but wasn't fast enough, the blade eventually hits her back and ignites against her skin before exploding, sending her to roll at the edge of the dueling ground.

“Oh, I hope you’re not dead.” the commander general shouted, watching Aster lying still on the ground, her uniform now bears a large hole showing her entire back, her skin burnt.

“Forgive me, child. I should’ve controlled myself.” Jonathan turned towards the king and his advisor, waiting for their command to call the duel finished. To his dismay, both of them doesn’t seem to see him, watching the young girl intently, as if experimenting.

Aster suddenly flinched. She rolls herself and struggles to stand up. Jonathan sighed, watching the young girl as he prepare his sword for another bout.

“You should’ve stayed on the ground.”

“Why commander?” Aster replied. “Getting tired already?”

“Hmph.” Jonathan smirked as he darted towards Aster, swinging his blade yet hitting nothing but air. Aster calmly stepped sideways and backwards with each strike, dodging her enemy’s attack without breaking her stare.

“I am four times your size, child, and we are in a dueling ground… There’s no trees, no shrubs, no dirt that you monkeys are so used to.” Jonathan continues to swing his broadsword, bringing Aster to the corner of the duel ring. “You cannot run forever!” Jonathan finally lets out a wide smile “How can your pathetic knife save you now?”

“Seven feet tall, three hundred pounds yet lean, with steel armor vulnerable to the neck and armpits every time you swing.” Aster stares at her opponent with deadshot eyes, “I do not need to save myself.” She grabs onto her dagger’s handle and draws it, letting out a glass blade filled with runic symbols written in white engravings. The air suddenly felt heavy. Aster glances to her left where the king and his advisor sits, both awestruck.

“You cannot win… not against me!” Jonathan shouted as he bolted forward, raising his broadsword up, ready to strike Aster down.

Aster held her dagger with both hands, pulling it to her right before pushing it forward, piercing the space between her and the commander general. The runes on her dagger lights up and glowed bright blue. It opened a spirit hole out of thin air, where long white arms quickly darts out reaching for the commander general.

“That’s enough!” The king shouted and suddenly, a red glass like barrier appeared between Jonathan and Aster. The two turned and found the king and his advisor standing, Macias’ hands raised above him. He puts his hands down and the barrier disappeared.

“What a splendid training!” The king lets out a laugh, “I admire both your hard work, generals… but ‘tis time for dinner!”

Jonathan grunts and walks towards the doorway, giving Aster a cold stare before taking his leave.

“Good work, Aster!” The king walked too close, towering himself above the young girl and grinned from ear to ear, “Don’t mind Jonathan, you clearly proved yourself in this match and I’d like to see this again…”

Aster looked at her dagger as she place it back on her scabbard. She stared at the king and his advisor before turning her back and walking away. The men watched her, the burnt wounds on her back are gone and now riddled with white runes.