Forged in Fire and Steel

"But when you go back to the guild, Ethan stops me and looks at me seriously. 'I understand your motivation, and I know you want to find your mother desperately, but you have to inform the guild master.'

I didn't expect that you would want to inform Eric because I don't like this person that much. 'You have a point; he gives us protection after all.'

I can't ignore it. It reminds me of his significance to him, and I don't want to cause suspicion. Sylvia looked at me as if I was doing something wrong. She looked at Ethan, so furious. 'Look, Ethan, you have to understand that you get so rude with Mia. If she doesn't care about her title, but it still existed, and if she accepted the commitment, it's because of her big heart.'

Ethan looked at her angrily. He didn't want to create any problems, but because she began to step out of line and didn't know what she was saying, he began to rage at her. 'Sylvia still respects you, but at the same time, what I know about Mia, you don't know about. Plus, for you to get some rest after all. Mia said her mind out that she is not a princess anymore holding any titles, so what's the fuss about? If it is about you going, it's not our problem, but we can go without informing anyone because they will think we are missing.'

Sylvia shut down and didn't want to talk to him anymore. She walked faster and went to their room. I looked at him, full of anxiety because he was rude, and she made a big mistake. It's not a good thing if the friendship goes bad because friends can't forget and suddenly become enemies. I don't want this to happen to us because it's happened to me so many times. So, I let him forget about it, and we went to the Guild Master. She is Eric, of course. When we opened the door to see Eric, he was just playing on his desk out of boredom for work. I didn't want to talk to him, so I let my friend talk to him, and I just admired how friendly Ethan and Eric were together.

In the middle of the conversation, I stopped them. 'So, Eric, you're being so friendly with Ethan. Do you two know each other, or did something else happen without me knowing?'

Eric looked at me and smiled, knowing that I was watching every movement. He got closer to me and gave me a plate of chocolate cake. 'Come here and let's talk; you look interested in this conversation.' I sat and put my plate on the table because I was a little bit tired to hold it most of the time. He didn't waste any time and went straight to the point without beating around the bush. 'So, we are not here to talk about justice or about how life is miserable. Instead, we will talk about the relationship between me, Ethan, my best friend from a younger age, and this guild we made together. So, we don't have a reason to not trust each other. You can see...'

I looked at Ethan, puzzled. I didn't know how to express how much pain I felt because he didn't trust me enough. But I didn't want to show any sadness. So, I took a bite from my chocolate cake, and you are so close to each other, too. I don't want any reaction.'

He suddenly put his hand on my soft lips and wiped off that chocolate cream on them. I didn't know how to react, but before I could react, my mind went blank. Should I speak or just look at him like a star? I began to look into his eyes, seeing everything, the depth, the color. I became wonderstruck as if I was in a portal that never ended. But suddenly, I came to reality, and Ethan broke our eye contact. He spoke from the bottom of his heart. 'I know you're sad or mad probably, but I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. I just want to feel as if it's an experience more than something I already know. And if you feel that type of sadness, you can just let me know. I will not judge.'

I smiled softly. He was happy when he saw my smile because at first, he was so happy. But I remembered we were not alone in this room. Eric was remaining silent. When I glanced at him, he was giggling, which made me feel embarrassed. So, I blushed and pushed him away a little bit, just to make some space between me and Ethan. It's just the warmth that Ethan gave me. It's just no one can beat it. He's the one who understands me the most. I hope he never leaves me.

I didn't have the chance to speak and tell her how much he means to my heart. Eric looked at Ethan and smirked like they could communicate from afar. And the snake was so embarrassed. 'You know, Ethan, it's my first time telling you; you're good with her as a couple, but not for now, okay? We need to discuss something important, remember?'

I saw his ears and neck turn red as his face slightly blushed. I didn't make the situation more awkward and let him sit down. But not beside me. Eric heard everything we needed and how we wanted to get out from the guild because we need to complete the mission. But Eric looked me in the eyes. 'So, Mia, I see so many women warriors, and technically if you go on this dangerous mission you want, you will die. And I don't want to see my best friend get in a loop of depression and sorrow. So, you will not go.'

I got so angry at how he stepped in my way. When I wanted to get up to talk to Eric, he stopped me and gave me his sword, putting it on the ground. I was hesitant and wondered why. He said I had to lift the sword from the ground. I accepted because how hard could it be? It's just a sword, right? But I was so wrong.

When I went down and tried to lift the sword, I tried three times and failed. I said the fourth time would be the charm and tried again. But the sword didn't move an inch. I tried to move it desperately, at least a little bit, but nothing happened. I looked at my hands; they were bright red and looked like they were made of glass, not strong and fragile.

I didn't break into tears. Instead, I looked at him and yelled from the bottom of my heart, 'What do you want me to do? I would do anything. If I was that fragile and went outside, you were right, I will die. But if I need more power, what do I have to do? What do I need to accomplish more to find and complete this mission? Just let me know, please.'

The room was filled with desperation and hopelessness. They looked at me, then looked at each other, as if scared to inform me. I didn't know anything most of my time in the dark. But when I get to that reward, I am like a piece of glass that everyone wants to shatter from left to right. Am I either that person here, or am I something that everyone needs

"After a few minutes, Eric kneeled to my level and looked me in the eyes. 'Look, little girl, if you want to gain some power, you have to train day and night. You have to see bloodshed, witness all types of savageness, show no mercy when you hold a sword, even to the people you know. Because if you wield a sword, the only thing you will see is loyalty. If someone is not loyal to you, the only solution is to eliminate them.'

I looked at him in tears, desperate for everything, even if I had to face danger or undertake any task. My face brightened slightly, looking at my eyes that burned with desperation. The smile grew brighter on his face. 'I will train you every day for a month to get the power you want. But remember, it's not for you; it's for my best friend, as a helping hand. So, don't focus too much on yourself.'

I felt like I could do anything. Ethan looked at me, smiling, because without him, I wouldn't have this chance or dream about it. I didn't know how to react—whether to hug him, thank him, or just keep silent. The only thought and solution I contemplated. But in the end, I thanked Eric for his help and checked his hand for Ethan's sake. Breaking the contact between me and Eric, for some reason, Ethan asked me out. He glanced at Eric in a way I couldn't believe.

We went to that room and found Sylvia waiting for us, fuming in anger. She began to stalk up and down, trying to control herself. I held Ethan tightly because we knew that if we got angry, we would be punished. We waited for the last threat to dissolve, knowing that our souls would be worn out due to her anger. But suddenly, Sylvia stopped and looked at my hand, shocked. She noticed that my hands were bright red and asked if someone slapped me or if something else happened. She was so worried.

I let go of Ethan's hand and allowed her to examine them. She didn't realize that I was holding his hand, which was good because I didn't want her to know. But she appeared genuinely concerned. Her eyes seemed to take a step back. I began to comfort her, knowing that she was just a kind person who overreacted and worried so much. 'Don't worry, Sylvia. It's not hurting anymore. It's just a small injury; it'll probably heal by tomorrow.'

She looked at me, full of guilt, anger, and sadness. She replied slowly, 'You always say you're okay. You always treat us so highly, but you never ask yourself how I feel. You're hurt, and we are the only people who can help you. Let us at least give you some treatment, like you gave me and Ethan.'

Her eyes began to water. She looked like she didn't want to make the same mistake of ignoring problems and never returning. I looked down because I've known this feeling most of my life—full of unresolved problems. I got the cream to apply it to my hand for healing. She put it on slowly, her hand shaking like a little puppy's.

I looked at Ethan's eyes, filled with regret. I didn't want to make an excuse, so I gave him my hand for the healing cream. It was cold but made my hands feel a bit better. I hoped we would live together forever. After that, I finished, and we went to sleep. I didn't sleep. Instead, I waited for all of them to fall asleep and began to pray. Even if I'm a bit lost, I still pray that one day, I will find happiness with the people I love and respect."