For a moment, the crowd was silent, assessing. Uncertainty hung in the air, but Starfania could see a flicker of consideration in some of their eyes. Yet, his expression darkened, his frustration boiling over. As he shouted. " THEN PERHAPS YOU SHOULD MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS! "
The sudden shift in his demeanor caught Starfania off guard, but she had no time to react before he unsheathed his sword and lunged towards Starfania and Atlas. Instinct took over. With unwavering resolve, she stepped closer, her own sword already in hand, its gleaming edge catching the light. Fearlessly, she met his relentless assault, skillfully parrying and evading his strike with precision. The clash of metal echoed around them, drowning out the sound of their surroundings. Atlas, sensing the danger, quickly positioned himself beside Starfania, his eyes locked on their assailant. They moved in sync, a silent understanding guiding their actions.
With each strike, Starfania felt the adrenaline surging through her veins, heightening her senses. She focused on her opponent, studying his movements, searching for weaknesses. The man's attacks were fierce and unyielding, but Starfania's confidence grew with every blocked blow. She could see the determination in his eyes, a hunger for victory that mirrored her own. They danced around each other, weaving between the scattered debris of their battleground. Each moment stretched thin, filled with tension, as if the world held its breath. Finally, Starfania spotted an opening. With a swift twist of her wrist, she struck back, aiming for his side. It connected, a shallow cut that would serve as a warning. He stumbled back, momentarily taken aback, and his blade falling to the ground next to her.
Defeated, he hung his head low, embarrassed that he got beaten by a young teenage girl. Without hesitation, Starfania handed him his sword. He seized it swiftly, then turned and rejoined his group without another word. Watching him depart, she exhaled a quiet sigh, easing the tension in her shoulders as she sheathed her own blade. Just then, something caught her eyes–a radiant glimmer, subtle yet mesmerizing, emanating from a magnificent deep blue gem. It pulsed with an otherworldly light, captivating her senses. Entranced, Starfania lowered her gaze, drawn to the jewel's shifting depths, where a familiar figure materialized. Cantina's piercing gaze stared back at her, her expression unreadable yet mistakably aware. It was as if she were peering straight into her soul.
As she tilted the gem, her eyes flickered within its crystalline surface, shimmering with a quiet intensity. A realization struck Starfania like a bolt of lightning. Cantina had been watching. She lifted the sword, angling it towards the gem for a better view–only to be met with a distinct glare.
" Care to explain yourself Starfania. " Cantina said, her voice ringing out with sharp frustration. " Weren't you supposed to be searching for Lyam? "
She paused for a brief moment letting the words sink in for Starfania to grasp at the situation. " Yet here I find you fighting an innocent. That sword you hold and the responsibility of being the Dragon Savior. Is a power you can not abuse for your own selfish need. "
Her breath was caught. She turned away, unable to hold her piercing state. Starfania spoke in a soft voice. " This wasn't my intention, I was only protecting myself and Atlas. "
Cantina's eyes narrowed. "Protecting yourself? By attacking someone who meant no harm? That's not the way of a true Savior."
She stepped closer, her anger barely contained. "You have to understand the weight of your choices, Starfania. Every action has consequences that ripple out far beyond this moment."
Starfania looked down, gripping the sword tightly as if it could somehow ground her to the right path. "I…I just didn't know what to do. Atlas was threatened, and I couldn't stand by."
Her voice trembled, revealing the doubt that clawed at her heart.
"And yet," Cantina retorted, "you chose violence. You chose to escalate the situation instead of finding a way to talk it out. That's not the Savior we need."
There was a push in her tone, an urgency that filled the air between them. Starfania bit her lip, fighting back tears. "I thought I was doing the right thing. I thought I could protect him."
"Thought isn't enough," Cantina replied, softer now, but still firm. "You have a duty to lead by example. You can't let fear dictate your actions."