Mellona walked through the dense forest, her old adventurer gear worn but reliable. Each step was steady, yet her mind was far from the path ahead—preoccupied with thoughts of Vanilla and how everything had led to this moment.

  She wore a finely crafted green and gold tunic, its angular patterns resembling ancient runes or the insignia of a noble house. A black belt cinched her waist, accentuating her slender yet athletic frame. Beneath the tunic, an off-shoulder white blouse with long sleeves hugged her arms, its cuffs wrapped in matching green bracers.

  Her sleek black leggings allowed for unrestricted movement, emphasizing her agility, while open-toed sandals with green and gold accents blended sturdiness with elegance. Two blue ribbon-like decorations swayed at her waist with each step, a subtle yet striking detail that added to her mystique.

  She let out a tired sigh before glancing over her shoulder. “Why are you coming with me, Unicus? Didn’t I ask you to stay home?” Her voice carried clear exhaustion, but there was no hiding the underlying warmth in her tone.

  Unicus however answers without hesitation, “Well Vanilla and Mellona will be having a duel. Why? Because of me right? I feel like I should watch this … that's all” his tone was slightly excited.

  Mellona sighs in response, “I'm not exactly a fan of taking kids to the battlefield you know.” She gulps saliva and says, “There is still time. Why don't you go back?”

  Unicus is determined to watch this, “Didn’t I give you my answer. I won't! And you have to deal with it.” and then he asks something totally unrelated, “What's with the outfit? Looks kind of scandalous~”

  Mellona checks her dress, “No~ this ain't Scandalous. Definitely. It's the last gift my Mom gave me, stop insulting it or I'll … I'll throw you to the wolves~”

  Mellona is smiling but it doesn't reach all the way to her eyes, she is pissed off, Unicus tries to back down “I meant it. Honestly, … What I've meant is you look like an elf warrior in that outfit, that's all. Hahaha hahaha” He laughs.

  Mellona gets angry, “Stop comparing me to those good for nothing. I'm million times better than a race which only looks good~”

  Unicus smiles, “So you've admitted that they are better looking than you eh? I wasn't expecting that from you.”

  Mellona also smirks, relieved of the exhaustion from before, “Well elfs are known for beauty and skill with the bow after all~”

  ◇ ◇ ◇

  In her adventurer outfit, Vanilla stands clad in black and silver armor, her pauldrons broad and gauntlets firm. A white skirt, secured by twin belts, contrasts with the dark, form-fitting top beneath her plated defenses. Her fierce aqua blue eyes shine beneath disheveled heron white hair, partially obscured by bandages wrapped around her head. In her grasp, a massive sword with a crimson-gemmed hilt gleams, ready for combat.

  A faint sign leaves her mouth as she wonders, “It's been so long. Maybe I should buy a new skirt? Seems this one got shot in the meantime…” she twists and turns around checking if it is still fitting her frame.

  Vanilla has already reached the designated location for battle and now she is checking everything one last time. “Plenty of magic essence. Check. My sword. Check. My armor. Double check….” and so time goes on.

  As faint sounds of a branch breaking draws Vanilla's gaze, as she looks back she finds a faint silhouette emerging from the woods.

  The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  Vanila smiles but it immediately vanishes, “Why did you bring Unicus to the battlefield? Didn't I say it's a one on one? Unicus has no reason to be here.”

  But instead of Mellona, Unicus was the first to answer. “Where I am doesn't matter. Am I not allowed to have the privilege of witnessing the duel, you perform with me as the prize?”

  Hearing such words, spoken by Unicus directly to her, brings her close to tears. “Fine. But Unicus, mommy will put on quite the show just for you. Make sure to cheer me up okay~” but Unicus turns away.

  Mellona, feeling this is all pointless, suggests “How about we have a cooking competition? That would be much better use of my time than this ….”

  Vanilla returns with, “okay okay. That's enough. Let's get this duel started.”

  ◇ ◇ ◇

  Both Vanilla and Mellona are standing at the opposite end of the large vacant space - a clearing in the middle of the forest. With long trees surrounding them.

  There is a gentle breeze flowing through swaying the trees slightly, Unicus is standing in front of the tree, with his back leaning on the tree. His hands are folded over each other, his expression a serious one considering his age - 2 years and 3 months old.

  “Mellona! This time I won't lose, do you remember how your speed overwhelmed me when we first met? This time I'm prepared.” declares Vanilla determined to be an admirable mother.

  Wait, is she still talking? Get moving girl~

  Mellona just silently retrieves her dagger, “So … are you done? Let's start this. I want to go back before dawn~” she is completely unhinged.

  Vanilla bites back, “Fine. I'll hit you so hard that it will end quickly.” And starts her charging forward.

  She charged - her momentum steadily gaining.

  But Mellona is getting into position. When Vanilla's heavy strike hit here, Mellona - she transferred it to ground.

  “Mellona!!!! Take this seriously. Or I'll destroy you so badly that you won't be able to.”

  “Is that what you think? … For you I guess~” and starts chanting.

  “Winds that race across the sky, heed my call! Lift my steps, swift and high—Gale Step!”

  Mellona launches herself into the sky.

  “What? …”

  Pushing against the branch of a tree, Mellona falls on Vanilla with her daggers pointing at her throat.

  BUT Vanilla intercepts with her swords, and swings back. “This won't be enough this time.”

  Mellona creates distance and steps back, “Let the real fight begin” with a smile.

  Vanilla isn't done, she activates her hidden technique.

  “O silent force that binds the stars, Let weight wane and burden bow. Rise, fall—Gravitas Shift!”

  The red jewel in her sword starts shining dimly, enough to notice.

  Vanilla shouts, “Speed can't compare to my rune stone. The power of the Ancient ancestors is on my side!”

  Now feeling light as a feather makes her move, she swiftly moves towards Mellona catching her off guard.

  “Oh …” she bends down and rolls to the side.

  “I wasn't expecting to find one~ rune stone. That's so rare… I'm impressed~”

  They both start running towards each other, with weapons ready on hand.

  Steel collides against one another and the sparks fly. Vanilla thrust the sword aiming for her abdomen, but Mellona turns full circle in counter.

  Vanilla, still brimming with determination, tries for a jump and strikes from above. BUT–

  “Winds that race across the sky, heed my call! Lift my steps, swift and high—Gale Step!”

  She chains them up 3 times and jumps into a nearby tree. The second her foot landed on the tree's branch. It started violently shaking.

  Vanilla is cutting footing down fast. “Don't run Mellona!”

  Feeling the threat, she jumps onto the next tree. The one behind her fell with a loud bang.

  Oh. My. God. What have I gotten myself into? …

  That tree's presence is also threatened. She jumped onto the next tree and the previous one fell with a bang.

  Mellona, feeling bad for the tree, rapidly climbs down.

  Mellona 2 metres away, “Come on. That would kill me no buts~”

  Vanilla charges in – not listening.

  She cuts an arc through the air which makes a whoosh sound.

  Oops~ that's a bit too close for comfort.

  Mellona backflips and steading her feet, goes offensive.

  Let's stop it before it gets dangerous.

  “Okay. I'll fight your way then.” And starts chanting

  “Winds that race across the sky, heed my call! Lift my steps, swift and high—Gale Step!” She quickly closed the gap.

  Vanilla, waiting for this moment, thrusts the swords and it meets the dagger.

  ◇ ◇ ◇

  Unicus thinks to himself, What the heck am I witnessing right now?

  His expression is one of absolute disbelief. His pulse is quickening, beads of sweat are tickling down, his breath is uneven, his fingers slightly twitch every now and then.

  “This is unreal. So will I never be able to go back? …. Am I stuck in this world forever?” His thoughts are looping back and forth.

  Then Vanilla activates her rune stone, “O silent force that binds the stars, Let weight wane and burden bow. Rise, fall—Gravitas Shift!”

  The red jewel in her sword starts shining dimly, enough to notice.

  “No. No. Noooooo. Noooo. I refuse to believe this… Magic can't be this ….”

  Vanilla shouts, “Speed can't compare to my rune stone. The power of the Ancient ancestors is on my side!”

  Unicus no Orzic, “Noooo. Kira!!! Help me. Hold me. Let this nightmare end ……”

  Then the fight starts, Vanilla and Mellona engage in a fury of exchanges. What started as testing waters turns into a full blown dual.

  Mellona 2 metres away from Vanilla, “Come on. That would kill me no buts~”

  Unicus's eyes become unfocussed, his gaze which was on Vanilla starts to wrap into something else. Her figure shifts into a woman of fashion.

  A woman with blonde hair, straightened smooth flowing hair. Her crimson eyes, reflection of her deep passion. She is wearing modern clothes. She has light makeup with a red lipstick covering her lips. A stylish handbag dangles over her side.

  At that apparition, Orzic only had only a few words, “Mother~” his consciousness desperately trying to keep his sanity completely shut itself off and he fell unconscious to the floor.