Sorelia's smile turned soft as she nodded, "Sure, you may ask any question," she replied.
Sora dipped her head, before sharing a soft but stern, "Thank you." Then, without hesitation, she continued, "Correct me if I'm mistaken—the Bureau of Knights is a new organization created by the Lead Organization of Esteemed Knights?"
Sorelia nodded, her face flickering with confusion at the sudden topic. Still, she indulged the conversation. "Yes, you are correct. It was established roughly four months ago," she murmured.
"How many members have you gathered so far?," Sora asked suspiciously.
"There are three so far. Though, I cannot disclose their gender, age or skills, that can only be disclosed when you meet them you're free to know that" Sorelia replied, which made Sora quite wary of her.
The two women sat quietly, staring into each other's eyes. Sorelia still retained her bright smile, her thoughts being that Sora was suspicious but there was nothing she could confirm unless she joined.
Sora, who had a stern expression spoke again, "I would like to ask one more question, and I do hope you answer truthfully," she muttered, her gaze stiffened.
"Go on," Sorelia replied.
Sora nodded in response, acknowledging Sorelia's compliance. She began, "To start this of, I have two questions I would like to ask you, it would've been just a single question but you seem to hide a lot of secrets and that is quite bothering, don't you think?," she asked.
Sorelia nodded back, "Indeed it is for a young lady such as yourself, but it is not my decision to keep those things from you. Seeing that the lead organization of esteemed knights are known for their cunning and secretive actions," she replied.
Sora's gaze fell low, her suspicion turning into curiosity. 'Cunning and secretive, what could the organization probably be hiding?' she thought to herself, almost diverting from the questions she wanted to ask but she quickly noticed Sorelia's motives in order to change the topic. It was almost like the woman knew of the questions she wanted to ask.
Sora continued, "My first question always remain the same, though it is linked up with the second question I wish to ask," she muttered.
Sorelia's gaze which was carefree and relaxed became stern, but she chose to keep her bright and uncanny smile, 'Smart little brat,' she muttered inwardly, realizing that Sora was one step ahead of her.
From the moment they had first met, Sorelia had found the girl's presence unusual. She had used Sora's invitation to the Bureau of Knights as a distraction, hoping to make her stray from her line of questioning. It had worked then—Sora had been easily swayed by other thoughts. But today, she wasn't the same girl Sorelia had encountered before.
Just as the tension between them reached a peak, the wooden door swung open, its hinges almost prying off from years of torment and a guard clad in gold armor barged in—unknowingly Sorelia from a barrage of questions she wasn't ready to answer.
"Lady Sorelia," the guard spoke out in a stern and deep voice.
"And what seems to be the problem?," Sorelia answered calmly, in a soft and motherly tone.
The guard bowed slightly before speaking in a now hasty tone. "There is trouble at the citadel. A knight has been injured."
Sorelia rose from her seating position as the message reached her, "How is this possible?," she asked, a serous look in her eyes.
The knight hesitated before he spoke, "The priest mentioned that it could potentially be the work of a mythic."
Sorelia's fist tightened, the look of anger in her eyes, something which Sora had seen for the first time in her life. Sorelia took a deep breath before se spoke, "Prepare the chariot, we leave immediately," she commanded, the guard following her orders with haste as he left the room.
Sorelia turned back to Sora who was confused about what had just transpired. She smiled faintly, her motherly tone returning, "So, are you coming?," she asked.
Sora who gazed up at Sorelia was flabbergasted by what she said, 'Am I coming?, what does she mean?,' she said to herself, inwardly. She the spoke out, breaking the suspense, "What are you talking about?"
"Of course you know what I speak of?, Sorelia chuckled, stretching froth her hand to Sora. "Welcome to the Bureau of Knights, Sora"
Sora's eyes widened as she heard this, she didn't know if she could express joy, gratitude or rather suspicion as Sorelia hadn't answered the questions she wanted to get out of her.
All she could do was stay quiet, not able to utter a single word and Sorelia was quick to notice the hesitation, which she decided to clear up, "It may seem to me that I am being selfish and I refuse to answer your questions," said Sorelia with serious tone, "Just because of a knight being injured, it shouldn't be an excuse for me to doge your questions. But I promise you that I will answer them as soon as I can."
Sora sighed as she listened to those words, she immediately, but slowly stood up from her chair closing her eyes to think. She finally opened them to gaze on Sorelia who had a bright but surprising calm smile, "Alright then, I accept your invitation"
"Really?," Sorelia's voice sparkled, sounding almost like a common child, like she'd just been handed the most precious gift from her parents on a frost-laden winter morning.
Sora crossed her arms, her expression tightening. "Do you want me to say no?" she snapped, irritation flickering in her tone at Sorelia's brevity.
Sorelia chuckled, "Seems you are the one holding the reins now," she murmured, her smile radiant as ever.
Together, they stepped forward, leaving everything behind. Sora secured her home and forge, the weight of departure settling in. Around them, curious eyes bore into the pair—strangers puzzled by the unfamiliar woman at Sorelia's side. Yet, having seen her emerge from the house, whispers of her true identity slithered through the crowd like smoke.
The exit of Titan Forge loomed ahead: a colossal metal gate, heaved open by two burly men who secured the two sides. Sora's gaze lingered on the towering structure, her mother's stories echoing in her mind.
It was her father who had created the gates, alone. The creation had lasted him five days, something that would only last atleast five blacksmiths months or years to complete and this was something only he could accomplish.
As Sora stared at this masterpiece, a wave of anger and contempt washed over her. Just the thought of how badly she was treated after her father had created what held Titan Forge's enemies away was enough to make her bite her lip so hard she bled a little, her yellow eyes burning brightly.
The gates groaned fully open, a sharp wind slicing through. Sorelia turned, her sharp eyes catching the glint of blood on Sora's lip. Without a word, she stepped closer, drawing a white cloth from her robes. Gently, she dabbed the crimson away. "Calm yourself, Sora, we aren't in any real danger for you to get yourself hurt," she whispered, well aware of the storm inside her.
Sora looked into Sorelia's blue eyes as she wiped away the blood. Sora couldn't help but notice the surprisingly strange but motherly aura emanating from Sorelia, she remembered having such feelings when she was younger and her mother use to embrace her as she slept on her lap.
Sorelia lowered her hand, pressing the stained handkerchief into Sora's palm. "Here, now shall we get going?," she said, gesturing towards the waiting chariot outside, its horses restless under the watch of two armored guards.
Sora who had been quiet, stuck in a daze finally broke through, "Oh, of course I am," she replied, shaking her head in order to dispel any form of distractions.
As Sora stepped into the chariot beside Sorelia, the finality of her choice settled over her like iron. At first, doubt had lingered—but the groan of the massive gates sealing shut behind them crushed it. There was no turning back now. Only forward. Toward the future her mother had dreamed for her.
She glanced down at her hands—broad, calloused from the forge, scarred by battles both real and dreamed. A slow, determined fist tightened. This is just the beginning.
Hours blurred as the chariot rumbled onward, until the path narrowed into a jagged pass. They'd crossed it effortlessly before, but today the terrain seemed… wrong. Rougher. Unnatural. Sorelia's fingers twitched, her gaze sharpening.
Then—crack!
The chariot lurched as a wheel shattered. Sorelia leapt down, Sora close behind, confusion knotting her brow.
"What's the problem?" Sorelia demanded, watching as a guard lifted the broken wheel.
Her eyes traced the deep, deliberate gashes marring the wood. Not wear. Sabotage. A smirk curled her lips as she turned toward the roadside thicket. "You might as well show yourself," she called, voice dripping with amusement.
Sora and the guards stiffened—just as the bushes exploded.
Leaves thrashed. Twigs snapped. A gauntleted hand clawed through the foliage, followed by a grotesque, pallid head—bald, metallic, its jaw unhinged like a broken puppet. Crimson eyes burned like hellfire as the creature unfolded itself: eight feet of obsidian-plated horror, spine arched like a predator poised to strike.
Sora's breath froze. The guards' weapons materialized in flashes of light, shields locking into formation.
Then—
Motion.
The thing moved. One moment it stood there; the next, it was on them, its elongated hands ready to swipe at Sorelia.