A World Between Realms

Call off

As Argus finished inspecting the armory, he found himself once again passing by the arena on his way back. Unnoticed, he paused to watch Sophie practice. From his vantage point, he observed her graceful movements. Each elegant stroke of the sword seemed to capture a piece of the fading daylight, her form blending strength with serenity. It was a stark contrast to the warrior he was used to being and seeing. His eyes locked onto her, and a mix of admiration and an inexplicable deeper emotion stirred within him. Why was it that he couldn't look away? Each time he encountered her, pulling his gaze away became more challenging. Her presence was magnetic, unsettling him in ways he couldn't quite understand. What was this feeling, and why did it captivate him so thoroughly?

Lost in thought, Argus stood there longer than he intended, his usual sense of duty momentarily forgotten. Each movement Sophie made, each decision in her dance with the sword, seemed to tell a story that Argus found himself wanting to read over and over. It was as if with every motion, she shed layers of the mystery that surrounded her, revealing a strength and depth that resonated with something he had not acknowledged until now.

With a frustrated shake of his head, Argus forced himself to break away from the sight. "Enough distractions," he muttered under his breath, his tone a mixture of irritation and confusion. He couldn't understand why he felt so drawn to her, why she managed to disrupt his usual focus and composure. Determined to regain control over his emotions, Argus turned and walked away, resolving to keep his distance. Each encounter with Sophie seemed to leave him more unsettled, and he needed to sort through his thoughts without the complication of her nearness.

After an exhausting training session, Sophie decided to tidy up. She gathered the armors and equipment, preparing to return them to the armory. As she carried the items back, she reflected on the day's lessons and the progress she felt she had made. Her arms ached from the weight of the armor, but there was a satisfying sense of accomplishment in caring for the tools that were aiding her transformation.

As Sophie approached the armory, her mind preoccupied with the day's training, she nearly collided with Argus, who had returned to double-check the records due to a nagging discrepancy he remembered earlier.

"Forgive me, I didn't see you there," Sophie apologized quickly, adjusting her grip on the equipment.

Argus, slightly taken aback by the unexpected encounter, nodded. "No harm done. I'm here to review some inventory issues once more. Seems I can't shake the feeling that something's off," he explained, his voice betraying a hint of frustration.

Their eyes met briefly, an awkward silence hanging between them as they both stood in the doorway of the armory. Sophie, sensing his discomfort, made a move to pass by him into the room. "I'll just put these away and be out of your hair," she said, attempting to ease the tension.

Argus stepped aside, watching as she efficiently organized the equipment. The precision with which she handled the armory supplies didn't go unnoticed. "You're quite adept at this," he remarked, a statement that was both an observation and an unintended compliment.

Sophie smiled slightly, grateful for the change in his tone. "Thanks. I guess it comes from wanting to make sure everything is ready for the next training session," she responded, her voice steady and confident.

Argus watched her for a moment longer, then, as if making a decision, spoke more seriously. "Sophie, I've been thinking... perhaps it would be best if we call off our match," he said, his tone unexpectedly earnest.

Sophie, caught off guard by his suggestion, looked up sharply. "Really? Why would you want to do that?" she asked, a mix of relief and confusion coloring her voice.

"It's not just a simple duel; it's become a point of tension that might not be beneficial for either of us, or the academy," Argus explained, his gaze steady on hers, trying to gauge her reaction.

The suggestion threw Sophie into deeper thought, her earlier apprehension about the duel mingling with a newfound curiosity about his change of mind.

Sophie hesitated, weighing his words, then replied with a mix of defiance and curiosity, "Or are you suggesting we call it off because you think I'm not a worthy opponent?"

Her question hung in the air between them, challenging and direct. Sophie needed to understand if his offer was a gesture of concern or a subtle dismissal of her abilities.

As Argus hesitated to respond to Sophie's question, her patience snapped. "So that's it, you look down on me," she asserted sharply, not waiting for his reply. "Don't you dare call off the match. I'd rather die in that arena than be dismissed by you." With those words, she stormed off, leaving a lingering silence that weighed heavily on Argus.

Sophie stormed away, her emotions boiling over. Each step echoed her frustration and confusion, fueled by Argus's hesitation and her own pride. She couldn't fathom why he'd consider calling off the match—was it concern or condescension? The thought that he might see her as unworthy or incapable gnawed at her. This wasn't just about a duel anymore; it was about proving her mettle, not just to Argus or the academy, but to herself. She needed to show that she could handle whatever challenge came her way, regardless of how others viewed her capabilities.

Argus stood rooted to the spot, his mind racing as he replayed Sophie's words. The intensity of her reaction was unexpected, stirring a mix of confusion and concern within him. "What was that all about?" he murmured to himself, troubled by the depth of her defiance and the fire in her spirit that he had unwittingly stoked. This confrontation had revealed more than just Sophie's pride; it had exposed a vulnerability and determination in her that Argus hadn't fully appreciated before. Now, he had to reconsider his approach, not just for the sake of the duel, but for the complex dynamics that were unfolding between them.

As Argus walked away, his confusion deepened. Sophie's fierce independence and unexpected vulnerability had thrown him off balance, stirring a mix of irritation and introspection. Why did this 'amazonian,' as he had disdainfully thought of her, always believe he looked down on her? Was his irritation directed at Sophie, or at himself for his unsettled feelings? This encounter had not only deepened the complexity of their situation but also forced Argus to confront emotions and questions he hadn't anticipated.