General POV

She finally smiled and his heart began to feel at ease again. It was tugging at the back of his mind that he couldn’t figure out what was bothering her but he didn’t want to make her feel uncomfortable. He wanted her to trust him and come to him of her own accord when she felt like it.

"Let’s hit the training ground," and she nodded. As we approached the training ground Ralph came running to us, excitement gleaming from his eyes: "Is the bet still on?"

"Of course, it is," Zeph told him with a hint of elation in his voice. "Well, then I am cheering for Serene." Ralph put a hand on my shoulder and whispered in my ear: "Fight dirty with him, you know what you need to do. Kick him in..."

"Ugggh, Ralph." Serene shoved him playfully clearly looking embarrassed while holding back her laughter but it was impossible, as she bent over and laughed wholeheartedly and Ralph joined in.

"Hey, hey what is it that you two are planning?" Zeph eyed them with one eyebrow raised and arms crossed at his chest. A small scowl played on his perfect lips which could send any girl’s heart racing. "Oh! just some pro tips." Ralph said amidst guffaws of laughter.

"Fine, Serene you are on and I am gonna show no mercy." He picked up the wooden sword he had brought out earlier and pointed it at her with a serious look on his face.

Serene didn’t hesitate as she picked up another sword and both of them moved to the centre of the ground, pointing the swords at each other. "Good luck," Ralph shouted from the edge of the ground as Ayrden joined him and they began to watch them duel.

Zeph’s movements were swift and nimble and he didn’t leave himself open to her attacks. But, Serene had come a long way in the last six months. Zilver and Sarim Sensei had trained her diligently and it showed in her movements. She carried her sword with more ease now and her attacks were brisk but elegant.

They parried for a short while before shifting to a more aggressive approach, their eyes fixated on each other as they clashed with each other, looking for an opening. Zeph went for an uppercut which was gracefully blocked by Serene, he pulled back but without wasting a second thrust forward with his sword aimed at her stomach. Serene, swivelled her body to the left, avoiding his sword by inches as he stumbled a bit and exposed his back to her. She brought her sword down ready to attack his back when he turned and blocked her attack with his sword. She grunted at him because she knew she had missed a great chance while he smirked as they separated their entangled swords.

Everyone in the training ground had gathered around to watch this interesting duel. Some cheered for Serene while others wanted Zeph to win. "I told you I won’t go easy on you." Zeph flashed her a fake smile. She didn’t reply but suddenly advanced toward him but Zeph was prepared. She aimed for his neck this time, Zeph bowed down and grabbed her sword letting it pass over his head and letting her body collide with his own. He elbowed her lightly in the stomach and pulled at her sword. She fell backwards leaving the sword in Zeph’s hands as she landed on her bottom. Zeph pointed both his and her sword toward her neck, asking her to yield with a smug look.

"Damn it," Serene yelled as she punched the ground hard. Zeph extended his right hand towards her, looking rather pleased with himself. Serene took his hand as he pulled her up. Claps erupted around them as they were acknowledged by their peers, who soon began to disperse while Ralph and Ayrden gathered around them. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Serene was tidying up her clothes which had gathered some dirt. "Well, are you ready for your punishment Serene?" Zeph teased her.

"You should have taken my advice against this jerk." Ralph chimed in. "Nah, it’s ok. He won fair and square so I am ready."

"Since you lost and you have to do whatever I ask. Therefore, tonight you will go in the forest alone to the point in the clearing where we had our party and spend 15 minutes there. You can’t use any lanterns, lights or torches. I have heard it’s pretty dark over there at night." Zeph was enjoying himself far too much.

All the colour drained from Serene’s face. Alone in the dark creepy forest, she couldn’t believe it. He remembered how frightened she was last time even with all of them there. Zeph saw her expressions and continued in a teasing yet lazy tone: "Of course, you don’t have to do it. If you are afraid."

"You are so mean, Zeph. But, I am not afraid, I will do it." Serene’s determination made him raise his eyebrows in surprise. "Well, let’s see you tonight then. I will be there at the edge of the forest to make certain that you spend the allocated time there."

" Serene, are you sure about it? Because it seems risky, I am afraid of the forest at night." Ayrden replied meekly. "I am, don’t worry. If I won’t do it, Zeph is never going to let it go." She shot him an angry look earning a sarcastic smile in return.

"Well we must get back to training now, we have an exam tomorrow." Zeph retorted as they picked up their weapons and went back to practice.

Later, that night at the allocated time Serene bid farewell to Ayrden and went downstairs. Although Ayrden wanted to go with her, Serene asked her to rest because they had an exam tomorrow. She was met with Zeph and Ralph at the bottom of the stairs. "Are you sure you are ready to do this?" Zeph teased her again. "Absolutely," her resolve was unwavering and she wanted to show him that she wasn’t afraid of the darkness. In reality, her heart was sinking with thoughts of going alone in the forest.

"Serene, I can come with you. Screw him." Ralph offered as they reached the edge of the forest from where she had to walk alone to the clearing. "No Ralph, I won’t give him the satisfaction of calling me a chicken again." Serene rolled her eyes at Zeph who chuckled in pleasure: "Oh, so you remember the name I gave you."

"Of course, I do." With that, she turned towards the forest and with a sinking heart took her first steps. "Remember, Serene 15 minutes and then we will come to fetch you. " Zeph reminded her as she waved before disappearing into the forest.