The Eminence of Not-Shadow

Chapter 9 - Prelude (III): An Alternative Path

[Alexia POV]

Ever since the argument with Nee-san, I decided to refocus myself more into studying and training with my sword techniques. Studying and continuing to master the possible sword styles possible, attempt to replicate their techniques, and then seeing if I could improve or make it my own style. From there, I trained against a dummy, Pochi, or Cult members I could find along the way. The dummy could no longer stand my attacks as it shattered into a thousand pieces, Pochi always disappeared into the wind for several days (I gave up tracking him down after he escaped the 15th time. He did not accept my charitable donation of gold coins on the 15th attempt... tch.), and I sometimes found a Cult member at night, who underestimated my time with the sword. 

They were always cocky people, underestimating one of the Princesses of the Midgar Kingdom. I don't know why they did so, but they were good punching bags. However, an eventual issue began to arise. My sword was beginning to break. While yes, I could always get another sword with the exact same quality if needed, that was not the problem here.

The sword I wielded was by my side for a long time now, where it had battled Bandits, Cult Members, Higher-up Cult Members, Shadow, and Pochi. If I was handed another copy of the exact sword, I would not be able to have the same 'awareness' as I have now. It feels like it is part of me. I usually repaired the sword as well, but even it has its own limits.

So, I was pondering this situation at lone hours at night, attempting to find a Cult member to release my frustration on. Walking through the streets, I see some people heading to their homes, people closing down their stores, or the occasional Midgar guard on high alert. After two hours of walking, I gave up for the evening and decided to head back.

That is, until I met a person heading towards my direction. He did not look any other Cult Member I have encountered so far, nor he did not look like a citizen in Midgar. I turned around and went through a series of movements across the city that had no real destination. If he was certainly suspicious, then he would continue to follow me.

After a while, I pause my movements and turn around to see if he was still visible. And yep, I saw him continuing to walk towards my direction. As he gets closer in view, I begin to observe his outfit. 

The person wore red, even the glasses he is currently wearing is red with black glass shades... 

He appears to be holding no weapons in his hand, but it was present in his scabbard on his back. That only means...

He is Mordred, one of the Knight of the Round. It was usually mentioned in the documents Nee-san had in her hands that were always scattered around her desk before she forbade me from entering the office. It was never hard to skim or take these documents from Nee-san; she did not keep track of any documents that were on the ground. Only the ones on her desk.

And while he was able to convince Nee-san that the Cult of Diablos does not exist, it is actually far from the truth. 

Because the Knights of the Round are from the Cult of Diablos.

—

Mordred continues to slowly walk to me once he saw that I was just staring him down. He did not appear to be surprised, and just simply continued walking to me. Step by step. 

During this movement, the moon was shining brightly, with the evening skies being as clear as day. The only oddity was the continuous sound of his steps.

Step.

By.

Step.

 When he was within distance for a conversation, I decided to speak up first to end this odd environment with this Cult member.