Journey to Become the Zenith

Quiet Realizations in Falling Cloud

The hallway outside the rooms was silent when Mora finally turned toward Videl.

Inside the fancy inn close to Falling Cloud’s royal palace, they stepped through the door. Light from hanging lanterns spilled across the hall, soft glows dancing on smooth wood beneath their feet.

Mora waited by the doorway, voice steady and clear. A quiet moment passed before she continued, speaking with care.

”We will be meeting the Queen later,” he said.

Videl straightened slightly under her cloak.

”So for now... rest.”

His eyes briefly scanned the hallway before returning to her.

”Prepare yourself. When the time is right, I will come back for you.”

Videl nodded quietly.

”I understand.”

With that, Mora turned and walked away down the corridor.

The soft sound of his boots gradually faded.

Soon—

Videl was alone.

Footsteps fading, she shut the door tight then took down the hood with deliberate slowness.

A stretch of space filled the chamber, hushed without effort. Silence settled like dust on shelves, wide walls holding their breath.

Faint light slipped between the fabric folds, touching the smooth tabletop first. A made bed caught the glow next, its sheets tight. Then the little hearth at the edge of the room held a quiet shadow where flames might go.

Stillness took her, just for a breath. Then nothing moved but the air around her.

After a moment, her breath left in a quiet release.

”So...”

A weight pressed against her shoulder blade where the grip waited. The metal stayed cold beneath her fingers even through cloth. Steel hummed faintly when she shifted. A presence followed every move, silent but close. Her palm found its place again without thought.

”What do you think, Amura?”

A faint shimmer of mana appeared beside her.

The spirit of the Long Sword materialized.

Amura appeared in her humanoid form—long steel-colored hair flowing behind her shoulders, silver robes draping elegantly around her athletic figure. The robe split along both sides, revealing the smooth strength of her legs as she stood beside her master.

Her expression was calm.

”We have been followed since we entered the capital.”

Videl’s eyebrows rose slightly.

”Oh?”

”About thirty people,” Amura continued.

”They are currently surrounding this inn.”

Videl walked toward the window, peeking slightly through the curtain.

”I see...”

But she didn’t look worried.

”They don’t seem to be planning an attack,” Amura added.

”And they are not cooperating with one another.”

Videl chuckled softly.

”That makes sense.”

She leaned against the window frame.

”They’re probably spies.”

Her sapphire-blue eyes sharpened slightly.

”Sent by noble houses... and maybe by the underworld bosses in the capital.”

Amura nodded.

”They are curious.”

”About the person Sir Mora brought with him.”

Videl folded her arms.

”I’m sure Sir Mora noticed them too.”

A small smile appeared on her lips.

”I wonder how he plans to deal with them.”

Another voice suddenly chimed in.

”Master!”

Rika appeared beside them.

Unlike Amura’s calm elegance, Rika’s expression was lively and affectionate. Her long black hair swayed behind her shoulders, and the slit in her white-silver robe revealed her long legs as she leaned closer to Videl with excitement.

”Don’t worry!”

Rika said confidently.

”No matter what happens, me and Amura will protect you!”

Videl smiled wryly.

”I know you will.”

She rubbed the back of her neck.

”But I hope it doesn’t come to that.”

Then she looked back toward Amura.

”So... did you notice anyone particularly powerful in this city?”

Amura’s expression turned thoughtful.

”There are many individuals here who know how to hide their presence.”

Her voice remained calm.

”Even if we can sense their mana, that doesn’t always tell us how strong they truly are.”

She glanced toward Videl seriously.

”There are masters who compensate for low mana with extraordinary skill.”

Her eyes narrowed slightly.

”So I suggest you remain cautious while we’re here, Master.”

Then she added quietly—

”Unlike in Fantom City... your dear Victor isn’t here to protect you.”

Videl’s cheeks puffed slightly in protest.

”Hey!”

She crossed her arms and pouted.

”You’re making it sound like I rely on Victor for everything.”

Amura tilted her head.

”...Don’t you?”

Videl froze.

Her mouth opened.

Then closed.

She didn’t answer.

Because when she actually thought about it...

Amura wasn’t wrong.

For a long moment the room remained quiet.

Videl slowly sat on the edge of the bed.

Thinking.

Ever since they were young...

Victor had always been the one making decisions.

Victor led.

Victor solved problems.

Victor fought the most dangerous battles.

Not just for her.

For Lane.

For Skyla.

For everyone around him.

They had all unconsciously assumed something.

Victor will handle it.

Seeing her master fall silent, Amura gently continued.

”I’m not saying relying on your partner is wrong.”

Her voice softened.

”But sometimes...”

”You all rely on him too much.”

She looked directly at Videl.

”You slow him down.”

”But that doesn’t mean it must remain that way.”

Videl raised her head slightly.

Amura smiled faintly.

”Now that Victor isn’t here...”

”This is your chance.”

”You can make your own decisions.”

”See the consequences of your own choices.”

Her silver eyes softened.

”And grow stronger.”

”So one day...”

”You can stand beside him as an equal.”

Videl lowered her gaze again.

Her fingers tightened slightly on the edge of the bed.

She knew Amura was telling the truth.

But the topic made her uncomfortable.

So she quickly changed the subject.

”Hey, Rika.”

The smaller spirit looked up.

”Yes, Master?”

”Why are you so quiet?”

Rika scratched her cheek sheepishly.

”Well...”

She laughed awkwardly.

”Your conversation with Amura is too difficult for me to follow.”

”So I stopped listening halfway.”

Videl blinked.

Then facepalmed.

”...Never mind.”

She stood up again and stretched.

”I’m just going to rest for a bit before Sir Mora comes back.”

Then she glanced at Amura.

”If you sense anything strange, wake me.”

Amura nodded respectfully.

”As you wish, Master.”

Videl laid down on the bed and closed her eyes.

But sleep didn’t come immediately.

Her thoughts drifted back through the years.

Ever since we were children...

Lane... Skyla... and even I...

We always relied on Victor.

She exhaled quietly.

Even when I disagreed with him sometimes...

I still believed his decisions were always correct.

From an outsider’s perspective...

Victor didn’t even look like her lover.

He looked like her superior.

And she followed him.

Without question.

She remembered the recent battle.

When Victor had been forced to retreat because he needed to protect them.

If Lane and Clara hadn’t been there...

Victor might have won that fight.

The realization made her chest tighten.

Were we just holding him back?

She turned slightly on the bed.

Has Victor always been protecting us...?

Her hand slowly tightened into a fist.

No.

Her eyes slowly opened.

That can’t continue.

If she wanted to stand beside him...

She needed to change.

I don’t want to be the woman who drags her man down.

I want to fight beside him.

Not behind him.

Suddenly—

A memory surfaced.

Victor’s voice.

Calm.

Warm.

She remembered a conversation they once had.

”Don’t worry about it,” Victor had said with a relaxed smile.

”It’s better that you think for yourself.”

He had lightly tapped her forehead.

”That’s much better than blindly believing everything I say.”

Videl had frowned back then.

”But what if I make the wrong decision?”

Victor had laughed softly.

”That will happen sometimes.”

”That’s normal.”

His golden eyes had looked at her gently.

”Val... our goals aren’t always the same.”

”So you don’t need to follow every single one of my whims.”

Then his tone had turned slightly teasing.

”But don’t go too far.”

He leaned closer and whispered playfully—

”Because we’re walking this road together.”

”As a couple.”

The memory made Videl smile faintly.

Her heart felt lighter.

Yeah...

I really am overthinking things.

Victor never wanted blind followers.

He wanted partners.

With that thought easing her mind—

Videl finally relaxed.

And soon...

She truly fell asleep.