Artemis Unveiled:The Descent

Untitled Part 24: Twilight Descends

In the hall, the clash of wooden swords echoed, like an internal struggle brought to life. Neven moved with the agility of a cheetah, effortlessly weaving through Aria's stiff defenses. His relentless attacks pushed Aria back until she was cornered against the cold stone wall. She gripped her wooden sword, her arms trembling, sweat dripping like rain.

"Tired?" Neven asked, a hint of concern in his voice.

"I can keep going..." Aria's sword wavered slightly as she lowered her arm, her breathing rapid.

Neven lowered his gaze, his eyes reflecting the glow of the firepit. "If you need help, I'll do everything I can. But I hope we can be honest with each other. I want to understand you, and the secrets you keep hidden."

He looked down at Aria, the pressure making her heart race. "I mean no harm," Aria murmured, her voice barely audible.

Their eyes met, and Neven's gaze softened. Aria could even see her reflection in his shimmering pupils.

"Don't be afraid. Trust me, I'm your most trustworthy friend," Neven said, his tone gentle yet firm.

Aria bit her lip, hesitating whether to tell him. Just then, footsteps echoed from the stairs. Oak yawned as he descended, rubbing his eyes lazily, bidding goodnight as he passed through the hall and disappeared through the doorway.

As Oak left, Neven sheathed Aria's wooden sword. "It's getting late. Let's call it a day."

Aria sighed in relief, bidding a hasty farewell before slipping back into her room as if she had committed some wrongdoing. As she closed the door, leaning against it, a strong sense of guilt washed over her. Neven's concealment filled her heart with darkness, trapping her like quicksand, impossible to escape.

The next morning, Starguard Legion faced its darkest hour. The towering Blackstone Moon Tower stood in the center of the Moon Tower courtyard, its pinnacle shining brightly. Lyra led the entire legion, awaiting the arrival of the new Grand Mentor, Alpha. Alpha had deliberately arranged for Tailsting Legion to train in the courtyard, evidently wanting his soldiers to witness the spectacle. In Tailsting Legion, Damian Blackwood stood proudly on the opposite side, arrogantly raising his head as if to look down on Starguard Legion through his nostrils.

"Why doesn't Damian Blackwood know Neven? He's only been missing for three years," Aria asked Sable beside her, the two standing at the back of the line, while Oak's towering figure stood at the front.

"Damian only joined as a recruit last year, all thanks to Alpha's favoritism. Of course, he hasn't met Neven. He was promoted to Executive Commander in less than a year, but no one in Tailsting Legion respects him. That's why he often selects new recruits for missions, those recruits have never really seen Neven," Sable said disdainfully. "Look at that nose of his, it could fit a whole onion." He sneered, eliciting a light chuckle from Aria.

Time passed by in silence, until everyone shivered in the cold wind, Alpha finally appeared in the courtyard. His voice carried a hint of provocation as he asked Lyra, who led the waiting team, "It seems like not everyone's here today. Neven didn't show up?" Alpha scanned the crowd with a smug look, and upon receiving confirmation, he sneered, "Someone as undisciplined as him hasn't been thrown in jail yet?"

The crowd fell silent, a surge of resentment welling up in their hearts.

"The reason you're all here today, I'm sure you know," Alpha's voice was sharp and cutting, echoing in every corner of the Moon Tower courtyard like a blade slicing through the icy surface of a lake. "Here at the Moon Tower, the Starguard Legion is the worst-performing legion. Starting today, the Starguard Legion is responsible for all patrols outside the Moon Tower. No one is allowed to skip, no matter the reason. Everyone must patrol in teams, including newcomers."