She sensed Seraphina watching her as they continued to travel down the same path.

“How were you able to predict that the demon was coming from behind me?”

Valeriana didn't know the answer herself. “I don’t know. It was strange.”

“Perhaps my hunch is right.”

“What hunch?”

“Your sensitivity,” she told her. “You can sense demonic presence.”

“I can what?” she echoed and turned to her in disbelief. “Maybe you're just exaggerating things. That's impossible.”

“Believe me, Valeriana. You are far from what you consider normal.” Seraphina made special emphasis on the last word as she watched Valeriana walk away from her with a heavy sigh, through a row of trees to a grassy field.

There was a strange whistle.

The lady knight stopped upon hearing the sound. Her expression turned hard and her body went rigid. “Valeriana, you have to go.”

“What?”

“Hide somewhere. Now. Better yet, go somewhere else.”

“Is it another demon? Where is it?”

“Just do it!”

“Alright, um...” She spun around and walked ahead when she suddenly collided with a hard chest. Staggering back, she looked up and saw chocolate brown eyes boring into her own.

This man was similar to Seraphina in a lot of ways. The same style of uniform, but of a different color. He had light-brown hair with a matching pair of eyes that seemed to glow in the dark. His gaze was sharp and cold like it saw right into her soul.

Valeriana jumped and stepped back.

“Celeste Emmett?” Seraphina asked, stiffening when said man took a step forward. “Why are you here? I was assigned to this city.”

“A new batch of demons descended.” Emmett narrowed his eyes as he stared at Valeriana. “Who is this?”

“Obviously a citizen.” The face the lady knight had on her face was stoic and devoid of emotions.

Valeriana turned towards Seraphina with wide, confused eyes.

“I was just asking her about important matters.”

“Is that so?” His face held suspicion. “I saw a small demon around this park. I was chasing it since a while ago.” He then turned towards Valeriana, raising his voice purposely. “Perhaps you saw it?”

She looked at Seraphina, who gave her a pointed look.

Valeriana did not know what to say. So instead, she laughed—nervously. “T-that’s ridiculous.”

“Quit bothering the girl. She doesn't know anything.”

“Do you take me for a fool?”

Seraphina mentally berated herself.

“No.” The lady knight ushered the girl away forcefully before running forward with her weapon drawn. “Valeriana, go!”

“But I—”

“Just go!”

Valeriana took off running as fast as her feet could take her. The man glanced at her direction but had to divert his attention to Seraphina for her incoming attack.

Emmett pulled his own weapon free and parried the blow skillfully with one hand. “What are you doing, Seraphina? You are raising your sword against a comrade.”

“I cannot let you harm her,” she told him.

“Harm? Even if I didn’t,” Emmett began. “You've already gotten her involved.”

They exchanged blows, their blades ringing noisily with every clang. “Perhaps that is my biggest mistake,” she said. “I was foolish enough to bring her into this because of my own incapability to handle the situation.”

“I see you’re still not fully matured as a knight.”

“And for that, I take responsibility.”

“Foolish woman. That girl can see demons. That is not something a normal being of her kind is capable of!”

Seraphina took a swift turn, her feet shifting while she put in all her power in one swing. The clang was almost deafening as their blades clashed, sending waves of vibrations that stopped immediately as their weapons were pulled back as fast as they were swung.

The woman jumped back before rushing forward once more, determination burning in her vibrant blue eyes. Still, Emmett managed to fully elude her attacks.

He wasn't serious. The fact that he was staying defensive made it obvious to the woman.

His eyes gleamed with no emotion, as though it didn't affect him. Seraphina, with great effort, was slowly pushing him back. She truly did not know what she was going to do if the Celeste before her decided to go all out.

“Lady Seraphina, you are serious about this?”

“I am more than serious.”

“I see why you became one of the Celestial Knights. Virtuous and brave you are, but you lack one thing.”

Emmett then stepped forward, bringing his blade to willfully clash against her own. He gripped it tighter and struck from above, leaving Seraphina to bring her sword forward to protect herself.

“Experience.”

They both paused as the man began to press down hard, letting a battle of strength take over. He knew that Seraphina made up for lacking in that particular area with her speed and techniques, so if things were to last any further, her body would give in from the strain. The woman was stronger than average females, but compared to Emmett, she was nothing.

She knew he was targeting her weakness. Gritting her teeth, she nimbly slid off the disadvantageous position and struck him from behind with the back of her sword. Emmett grunted from the blow but recovered immediately and turned to his opponent.

Emmett struck down at her hard. With a clang, her weapon came flying, landing on a bush nearby.

“It is over now, Seraphina,” he said. “You stand no chance in this fight.”