The Angel Fell Twice

Chapter 5. The Angel Soldier

Marina had gained quite the reputation as a great healer. Although, deep down, it was tiring to heal people constantly. She'd rather grown quite an interest in watching skilled swordswomen and men fight in the arena. Every break she had from nursing, she would run down the steps, running and flying above the central waterfall-concealed arena. Isabel stood in the shadows, watching Marina. One day, as Marina had healed her last patient for the day, she heard a gentle knocking. "You're working late, Angel," Isabel strolled in, taking a seat without preamble. "Emergency, or are you just wasting the midnight oil?" Marina asked.

Isabel spoke. "No healing required. I am the commander Isabel, and I'm here with a different proposition."

"Could it not wait 'til–"

"Tomorrow, in the Colosseum of Souls, I wish to draw my sword against you." she demanded.

Marina observed Isabel, noting the raven hair, piercing blue eyes, and the fighter's emblem adorning her robe. It bore the insignia of a sword and bow—a testament to her combat proficiency.

Marina's response carried a more mature, measured tone. "Why do you challenge me? I am a mere nurse."

"You are a soldier, one who has caught my eye," Isabel replied, circling Marina like a predator. "And soldiers do not desert the battlefield. If you win, I shall bestow upon you something of great value."
Marina glared at her. "Something of value?"
Isabel produced a golden chain, from which hung a clock-like medallion. "This heirloom, my family's treasure. With it, you shall never want for money again."
"And if you win?" Marina's gaze was steely.
"If I win, you will let me train you," Isabel declared with a smug grin.
"I have medical duties."
"Leave them to Floris," Isabel retorted. "You can mend his broken pride."
Her warm gaze hardened as she leaned closer to Marina. "You are a soldier now. Act like it. Fight me."
Marina sensed the shift in Isabel' demeanor. "Alright, fine. If it will end your persistence."

The next morning, Marina prepared herself, brushing her hair and slapping her face with cold water. She stared at her reflection in the mirror. Seven o'clock, when the guild still slumbered, Isabel had told her. Marina donned her brown boots, buttoned her white shirt, and tucked it into her brown shorts. As she stretched, she pulled the black cloak on. The early morning light filtered through the Colosseum of Souls, casting long shadows on the arena floor. Marina's calm, steady gaze met Isabel's, her angelic wings spreading slightly, creating a majestic silhouette. Isabel mirrored her stance, the fighter's emblem on her robe catching the light.

"Marina," Isabel began, "Show me what you're made of."

"Indeed," Marina replied, her tone equally measured. "I would not dare do any less."

Without another word, Marina summoned her golden angel blades, the weapons glowing with a celestial light. Isabel responded in kind, drawing her own sword, its edge glinting menacingly. The ground beneath them seemed to hum with anticipation.

The two women circled each other, eyes locked. Marina moved first, launching a precise, powerful strike. Isabel parried, their blades clashing with a resonant ring. Marina followed with a series of swift attacks, each one met by Isabel's skillful defense.

"You have trained well," Isabel remarked, her eyes never leaving Marina's.

"As have you," Marina responded, her strikes unwavering.

Marina jumped, her wings giving her a brief lift as she brought her blades down in a powerful strike.

Isabel blocked the attack, their faces inches apart. "You have immense raw strength," Isabel bellowed.

"And you possess great skill," Marina replied, her eyes fierce.

Isabel kicked Marina's stomach, swiveling around behind Marina. She aimed a strike at Marina's back, but Marina turned swiftly, deflecting Isabel's sword.

Marina gathered her energy, forming a radiant orb of light between her hands. She hurled it at Isabel, who dodged, but the explosion of light pushed them both back. Before Isabel could recover, Marina was upon her, their blades clashing in a flurry of strikes and parries.

Isabel deflected them with ease, slamming her sword out of her grip. "Yield," Isabel said, her voice firm.

"Never," Marina responded, as she adjusted her cloak. Isabel noticed her discomfort. Smirking, she seized the moment, dashing forward and grabbing onto Marina's cloak. Marina's eyes grew wide in surprise, before slamming a knee into her opponent's stomach, causing her grip to loosen. Isabel recovered, slashing her arm back as Marina growled and dashed back.

"You cannot fight me barehanded," Isabel said, her voice softer now but still resolute.

"Watch me," Marina replied, determination blazing in her eyes.

Isabel throws a right hook, Marina stepping back swiftly and sweeping her legs. Isabel jumps, kicking her face and slamming it onto the ground with her foot. Isabel grabs onto her cloak, pulling it to choke her. Marina grits her teeth, charging up yet another ball of energy- She would be exposed at this rate. The ball dims. "Yield now." Isabel growled.
"Fine. I yield."

The colosseum erupted in cheers. Marina walked away, her head low. Isabel smirked, glaring towards her.

"Marina," Arthur called out, his voice carrying authority. She turned, her long blue hair swirling around her. "That was an impressive performance," he said, his tone measured. Isabel, standing nearby, merely nodded curtly, her purple eyes narrowing slightly.

"Thank you, Sir," Marina responded, her voice steady. She knew better than to show any sign of weakness in front of Isabel.

"Your skills are undeniable," Arthur continued. "You have incredible potential to become a fighter, part of our missions."

"But my healing duties—" Marina began, her eyes widening slightly.

"Your healing will be handled by others when you're needed on missions," Arthur interrupted. He handed her a badge adorned with the guild's crest. "This is your new rank. Wear it with pride."

Marina took the badge, her fingers brushing over the intricate design. "Understood, Sir."

Isabel watched the exchange with a stoic expression, though her eyes betrayed a flicker of something darker. "She is far too new to the guild. I doubt she would make it through the tournament."

"What tournament?"
"It is three weeks from now." Arthur informed. "The annual Valiant Souls tournament, for recruiting the most powerful fighters for missions to come." Isabel spoke, "Out of the most skilled participants from the archers, knights, mages and tanks division."
"It won't be easy, but you can do it." Arthur said confidently.
"Understood, captain." Marina nodded. "I leave her under your wing, Isabel." Arthur nodded, as she saluted. Isabel scoffed, alone in the training room. "Marina," Isabel replied tersely. "Arthur may trust you, but I do not. I'll be watching your every move."

Marina met her gaze evenly. "You have no reason to be wary of me."

Isabel glared back into her eyes. "Training starts tomorrow, 6 am sharp." Isabel commanded, then left. Marina sighed softly. She looked into the darkness behind one of the four colosseum gates. She could not shake off the strange feeling that someone was watching her. She shook it off, walking up the stairs and back to her room.