The remains of the Darkside Spirit hit the ground with a wet thud, black mist seeping from its twitching limbs before dissolving into nothing. Lucy and the manchant stood frozen in shock, the air still vibrating from the speed of the kill.
"Don't get too mad," a calm male voice spoke from behind them, steady and composed, "the kids were only trying to survive."
Lucy turned sharply, hand instinctively moving toward Amanda, who was still coughing water from the lake. A man stepped out from the trees. His movement was silent, so precise it was almost inhuman. The forest seemed to bend around him, shadows clinging to his outline.
The manchant was the first to find his voice. "Such… such incredible speed! How did you do that, sir?"
The stranger tilted his head, his half-masked face unreadable. "That's something personal." His voice was low, but carried a weight that silenced the clearing. "Thanks to you for bringing the girls this far. I'll take them from here. You can go."
The manchant blinked, then forced a laugh, brushing dust from his cloak. "Go? After I risked my life dragging these girls out of that nightmare? Hah! You must be joking. How about this—" he reached into his pouch, pulling out a fat coin bag that jingled heavily. "Ten gold coins. Be my guard till I reach Eminence." He grinned, smug and confident.
The masked man didn't even pause. "Not interested."
The manchant frowned. "Not interested in ten? Then twenty!"
"No."
"Thirty!"
"No."
"Forty!"
"No."
"Fifty!"
The man's tone remained flat, each rejection as sharp as a blade slicing the air. The manchant's face twisted in frustration.
"Tch, whatever suits you. You can keep these two hotties to yourself. Don't forget you're old enough to be their father." With a mocking laugh, the manchant kicked his horse and rode toward the lake's bridge, his figure fading into the mist.
Silence fell. Only the rippling water filled the air. Amanda, trembling, forced herself to speak. "I… I don't know why you saved us, but thank you."
Lucy rushed to Amanda's side, helping her stand. Her clothes clung wet to her skin, her body still weak from nearly drowning.
"Don't get too grateful," the man said, adjusting his leather hat with its steel edge. His entire body was wrapped in black garb, his face hidden beneath a half-mask from nose to neck. "I'm just doing my job. Come with me. You girls must be exhausted."
Amanda's lips parted in relief, but Lucy tightened her grip on her sister's wrist and whispered, "Wait, big sis. Don't get too excited. We don't know who this man is. We can't just follow him blindly."
The man stopped, his back still facing them. "You can rest assured," he said evenly, "you're safe with me. Like I said, it's my job. Someone appointed me to keep watch over both of you. It's an order I cannot reject." His boots sank quietly into the earth as he began walking toward the dense trees that bordered the Kingdom of Purity.
Lucy and Amanda exchanged a wary look. Lucy picked up Amanda's sword from the dirt, handing it back. Amanda sheathed it with a tired motion, and together they followed the stranger through the forest.
Hours later, after reaching the outskirts of Purity, the man brought them to a secluded house. The wooden walls carried the faint scent of pine, weapons lined the racks, and scrolls hung from shelves. He offered them fresh clothes and steaming plates of food. For the first time in weeks, the girls ate in silence, their bodies trembling less with every bite.
When the sun began to set, Amanda finally asked the question gnawing at her. "Who… who are you?"
The man removed his mask. His features were sharp, his eyes calm yet carrying storms of experience. "I am your personal guard and training officer. I was appointed to watch over you. You can call me… Miyamoto."
The sisters froze, haven't heard of the name before.
(Musashi Miyamoto. The name is now legendary. The head of the Shinras, the blade whose reputation shook kingdoms)
Amanda's eyes widened in confusion. Lucy looking confused after hearing "I am your personal guard and training officer". Forcing themselves to breathe, they nodded, whispering together: "Miyamoto…"
---
(Narrator's note interlude)
What the girls did not know was that their parents had never perished in the invasion. They had taken the chance to travel to the capital Earth, joining the Guardians of the Earth—a secret order dedicated to shielding the planet from powerful DARKSIDE SPIRITS threats. Their parents, witches of great lineage, had continued their bloodline, giving birth to two sons in secret. Lucy and Amanda were left to grow in strength,their father appoints Miyamoto one of his students as their protector and guider, the girls still believes themselves orphans, unaware their family still lived.
---
From that day forward, Miyamoto became their master. His training was merciless. He first drilled them as swordswomen without Renshi, forging their bodies through sweat, blisters, and broken bones mended with grit.
Weeks later, when their hands were calloused and their eyes sharper, he stood before them one bright afternoon. The girls wore dojo garbs, wooden swords clutched tightly.
"Amanda," Miyamoto said, his gaze steady, "the scroll your father left you… do you still have it?"
Amanda blinked. "I… I think so. Hold on." She ran back inside, overturning every drawer, searching desperately. Minutes passed, and nothing.
Lucy's heart sank as she remembered. "Amanda… the carriage. The manchant's carriage. We left our bag there."
Amanda froze, realization hitting her. She slumped to the floor beside her sister, frustration boiling.
"I figured it out days ago," Miyamoto said, walking into the room, arms crossed. "I wanted to confirm it from you directly."
"We're sorry, Master Miyamoto," Amanda whispered, head bowed.
"Don't apologize." His voice hardened. "The seal on your Renshi cannot be broken without that scroll. But…" He knelt before them, his eyes gleaming. "I've found a way to force a partial reconnection. Enough for you to awaken a little part of what sleeps inside."
The sisters exchanged a look, hearts racing.
"Sit."
They obeyed, kneeling before him. Miyamoto raised his hand, his five fingers trembling with focused Renshi. Slowly, he pressed them against the side of Lucy's neck. Energy flared like lightning under her skin, searing her veins, as Miyamoto forced the reconnection between her body and her sealed Renshi.
Lucy gasped, her chest arching, a surge of warmth exploding inside her like fire breaking free of chains.