Lot to Lose, Lot to Gain (Rewrite)

Chapter Ten

Ceris's blades slashed through the air again and again. She had been at it for almost five hours now, determined to build her strength back up. She'd replaced her clothing with something that was actually intact, a suit that clung to her body colored in the traditional colors of the Ender Watchers, one that provided protection but didn't hinder her movement. She stood off against Cora, who was more than willing to enter a duel despite having just been in combat.

The Winter Knight charged, her long katana drawn and ready to slice. The blade sang as it cut through the air, cut short by the impact with Ceris's energy swords. The End Matriarch pushed back against Cora's strike, but her swords began to fail. They flickered I'm her hands, and knowing they wouldn't last, Ceris kicked off of Cora's chest, propelling herself away from the Mercenary Chief as well as knocking her down. The Matriarch landed perfectly and charged again, now choosing to summon her greatsword as she ran forward. Cora rolled as the massive blade came down, leaving cracks in the ground of the training yard. The impact would've killed her if it had made contact, and Ceris seemed happy with herself, if the words happy and Ceris could even be used in the same sentence.

"You've certainly improved, Matriarch. Not your old self, to be sure, but you're getting there," Cora remarked as she got up.

"It's not enough," Ceris replied, sheathing her greatsword.

"You can't push yourself too hard, Matriarch. You're mortal now. You can be killed," Cora reminded her.

"I don't need that reminder. I am all too aware that I could die any day in battle, but I owe it to my Dragonseer to keep fighting," she sat down in the yard, looking at the towers of the Dreadfort.

"Your Dragonseer would likely want you alive to keep fighting, however," Cora replied, sitting next to her. "And I know the Angel wants you alive."

"Of course he does," Ceris replied. "I make a powerful ally when I'm able to fight."

"You're more to him than just a weapon. Even with the limited interaction I've seen, I know that."

"What does it matter, Coraline? We can't focus on anything but this raging war right now."

"Matriarch, there is always time for others. You cannot live only to fight, unless you wish to be bitter your whole life."

"I've been in a perpetual war for 200 years, Coraline. I don't think that any longer will hurt."

"You need to take some time for yourself, Matriarch. I'm saying this because it'll help you recover."

"Fine. Maybe I'll head into the village or something," Ceris sighed.

"All of us need to be at our best. You made a good choice," Cora assured her.

Ceris got up and walked away, heading to her personal room. Inside, she changed into an outfit resembling her old outfit, and she pulled up her hood and mask. As she began to walk out of the Dreadfort, though, Gabriel stopped her.

"Where are you off to?" He asked.

"Coraline was adamant I take some time to myself," Ceris explained.

"Village, then?"

"Yes, Gabriel. Not really anywhere else to go."

"Mind if I join you?"

"Not at all."

They began walking again, and as they passed Azura's laboratory, Gabriel slipped inside. He came out wearing something more casual- a brown trench coat over a black T-shirt and black pants, with boots that thudded with every step he took. A sword from his wingset was sheathed at his side.

"You know, Ceris," Gabriel chuckled, "you'd be a lot more approachable without that hood and mask."

"I suppose I don't need them in the village, do I?" She lowered her mask and hood, running her hand through her hair, now trimmed into a fairy cut. "Better?"

"Much. Now, let's go."

They began walking once more, eventually reaching the gates of the Dreadfort. As soon as they got there, it began to snow slightly. Ceris looked around at it.

"You seem... amazed, almost?" Gabriel chuckled. "I was sure you'd seen snow before."

"I have, Gabriel, but only while fighting. Never have I been able to take the time to just... look at it. It's beautiful," Ceris caught a few flakes on her hand, looking at them before they melted.

"Snow is beautiful, sure, but also destructive," Gabriel said.

"Oh?"

"Kills crops and even people, if they're unlucky enough to get trapped in it."

"Dangerous and beautiful. Deadly combination."

"Snow isn't the only thing that fits that description," Gabriel chuckled as he started walking again.

"What exactly do you mean, Gabriel?"

"Maybe one day, you'll find out, but today is not that day."

"Whatever, let's just get to town."

Gabriel nodded, and they once more continued their trick, walking through the ever-increasing amounts of snow on the ground. The ice around them took on a slightly purple hue as Ceris walked through it, her eyes lighting it up in the growing darkness of twilight. As soon as they arrived in the village, they began drawing attention. Villagers looked at them, their faces a mix of confusion, fear, and excitement. They walked through the village for a while, eventually coming to the borders, where soldiers patrolled. Something caught Gabriel's eye: a zombie wearing diamond armor. Then, two figures in the darkness. Humans. One in tight black assassin gear, with a white half-mask, her brown hair falling down over her gear; the other had pure white eyes, and her hair was up in a ponytail behind her. The assassin wielded a bow, while the white-eyed girl held a gleaming diamond sword. The white-eyed girl stepped forward.

"My name is Nera, and I have some unfinished business with your friend in black there. I believe she knew my father."