Timeline - October 11th | ( 2 days later)

With rapid reflexes, Matthew dodged yet another lethal strike aimed straight at him. As he spun around, his powers surged at his fingertips, releasing a brilliant burst that made the attacking creature howl in pain and retreat.

He had been weaving in and out of the battlefield, coordinating with his team. Jasmine and Mya had significantly enhanced their abilities since their training a week earlier, expertly wielding their crystals to burn, freeze, annihilate, electrify, and even decapitate the creatures they faced.

Their healing skills were swiftly advancing with each day, and he was confident that even close brushes with death would soon not deter them. They might be momentarily weakened, but with the power of the crystals, they were nearing invincibility at this point.

As Matthew decapitated another Youma beyond the Praspice gates at the northern edge of Isadora's region, he was aware that the rest of the group was not far away, battling the harsh elements on the island. Over the years, they had found it to be an ideal training ground.

"So, this is where you pesky warriors come to train," a high-pitched tone of annoyance made Matthew turn slightly. With his sword firmly grasped in his hand, he was met with a look of hatred and disgust from Lara, who had returned to annihilate them all.

Lara's attire highlighted her figure, and her powers were ablaze, with her hair slicked back into a short ponytail. She seemed to emanate dark energy from within. She had come to this place with a merciless intent: to annihilate them all and return to her mistress with the crystals, reveling over their pitiful remains.

"I was wondering when you would come out to play," Matthew taunted her with a mocking tone.

"As was I," Snow retorted smugly, and Matthew exhaled, he knew exactly the acidic tone that entered the field had belonged to.

Suddenly, his frenemy of a pain in the ass and partner in the fight against evil appeared beside him. Snow was the only person he knew that could keep up with him, and the only other person he had confidence in that wouldn't quit until this war is done with.

***** ****

With her arms crossed, Eko intensified her powers and instantly located Lara the moment she entered their domain. Luckily, Matthew and the rest were engrossed in managing the aftermath of the headmaster titles, understanding their significance for the academy, discerning the immediate and future expectations from Matthew, and strategizing for the forthcoming months in the context of the war.

Eko felt a deep sense of sorrow, knowing the burden Matthew carried since Cid was forced to give up the headmaster position and now Matthew was compelled to assume the role by the board and the courts. She had scarcely seen him since then, only managing to sneak into his room to find him passed out, still clothed, and neglecting basic needs like eating and bathing.

In those moments, Eko would gently crawl into bed with Matthew, nestling into his arms. He would awaken just enough to draw her closer, seeking comfort in her embrace before slipping back into slumber. Nevertheless, Matthew's unwavering dedication to his duties rendered him unaware of Eko's departures as she ventured out to confront the Youmas.

Yet, being out in the field also meant confronting the warrior she detested most - Ace. His appearance alongside Lara was no mere coincidence, his primary objective clearly being to eliminate her. Eko couldn't deny Ace's proficiency in his role; if it were otherwise, she might have been tempted to let Lara kill him off without intervention.

If the situation ever escalated to a breaking point, she entertained a profound fantasy of plunging a dagger directly into his heart. He had certainly earned such a fate with a relentless barrage of harassment and snarky remarks directed at her since their childhood. Unfortunately, despite his unbearable attitude, he was undeniably skilled in taking on their enemies.

His maddeningly snarky attitude was what truly irritated her. And speaking of his demeanor, he had started to interrogate her aggressively.

"Now me tell, why the fuck are you here?"

Eko rolled her eyes at his abrasive tone and tilted her head, contemplating the idea of stabbing him, just a bit. After all, what's a little blood between enemies anyway? "Lara showed up, obviously," she replied sharply.

"I can take care of her," he growled. "You, go on your way."

"Well, I want to kill her," she shot back. "You've had your chance, now step aside." She dismissed him with a wave of her hand, much like Madison was known to do to those who irritated her.

To her surprise, it seemed to have an effect. He shifted his stance, his frustration – which she always took pleasure in provoking – visibly rising.

"Who the fuck do you think you're speaking to, Snow? I've saved your life more times than I can count!"

"No, you haven't, mate!" Eko sneered.

"You have no regard for your own life! That's why you end up in these situations!" he yelled.

"No! It's more like I don't have any regard for your life!" she shot back, her voice seething with anger.

"Children!" Lara's sharp rebuke redirected the warriors' focus toward her. She had suddenly summoned a horde of monsters in front of her. "Have fun!" she declared with malevolent glee before vanishing.

"You annoying bitch! Get back here!"  Eko exclaimed in frustration, immediately drawing her Catania swords.

"I'll kill her myself!" Eko declared, turning her gaze to Ace just as they were swarmed by a surge of monsters. With their feet rooted to the ground, the two warriors sprang into action, warding off the assault.

Despite their mutual disdain, their anger propelled them to fight side by side. Eko parried a kick, while Ace evaded a tentacle whip. Eko then delivered a forceful kick to a monster's abdomen, eliciting a familiar scream of agony. Ace, fueled by rage, decapitated another creature, his roar of triumph all too familiar to her after all these years.

When a monster lunged towards her, Ace intercepted the attack, diverting it as she drove her sword deep into its throat, silencing it with a gurgling death rattle.

***** *****

Ace expertly dodged the next three attacks, his sword slicing through the air and beheading another scaly giant under the enemy's control. As monsters swarmed behind him, Snow covered his back, attacking them with her dual Catania swords. Her blades were as deadly as his, and she unleashed energy blasts from her palms.

Spotting the next move from the corner of her eye, Snow rolled out of the way, her foot digging into the ground and sending rocks flying. Ace leaped into the air, and she followed suit, weaving around the monsters' attacks. He ducked under a strike and thrust his sword into the throat of the creature before him.

Snow cut through the monsters on the ground, and they spun to face the others back to back, ready to confront any challengers. With hands raised, she effortlessly launched countless fireballs at the incoming monsters, the intensity and scale of her blasts showcasing her warrior prowess.

For Ace and Snow, this felt like just another routine training drill, despite the countless days they'd spent fighting side by side.

Snow was back at his side, her swords drawn and ready, just like his.

Their breathing was controlled.

Even though the air was thin.

They. Always. Won.

As they continued to parry with their swords, more monsters came their way. But they dispatched them with ease, not even breaking a sweat. Nightfall had come, with the sun now set.

When the final monster lay defeated at their feet, they were left standing alone amidst a field strewn with the remnants of their foes. In the enveloping darkness, they stood, their chests heaving as they regained their breath.

snow couldn't help but smirk at their effortless skill with their weapons. As much as she hated to admit it, he was good. He was good for all the things he did to defend her land, it wouldn't spare him from her shoving a dagger into his throat, but she could admit, he didn't pose a threat to her world.

Feeling smug, she turned to the warrior.

"Well, wasn't I lucky to be here," she commented, keeping an eye out for additional monsters. Snow radiated confidence in her capabilities, leaving no room for doubt.

Despite her cockiness, Ace paid her no attention and turned away, struggling with his sleep deprivation bad enough as it was. "Stop fuckin'  following my powers."

Snow let out an exasperated sigh and waved her hand dismissively. "I wasn't tailing you, but your powers are like a neon sign in the night. Hard to miss, really. And what's with the two extra power signatures I'm picking up?"

She had detected two new power sources over the past week, at times stable and at other times pulsing with unrestrained energy. It completely intrigued her.

"None of your business. Just ignore it," he snapped back.

"Oh, but it is my business!" Snow retorted, tilting her head. "If I can sense them, then Ezra's probably got them on her radar too. Now that we've established we have two new warriors, where the fuck did you dig up their crystals from?"

"I'm not answering you, Snow. You've already made your point about Ezra. You can leave now," he replied coldly.  "I'm not in the mood for your bullshit today. Fuck off."

"Did someone have a bad day?" She taunted, expertly pushing his buttons. "Poor baby."

"Fuck off, Snow," Ace growled, his eyes narrowing. "You're nothing but a waste of space, a parasitic leech at best."

She clutched her chest as if wounded, then let out a high-pitched laugh. "Oh, believe me, the day I find out who you really are, mark my words. Not only will I break your legs, but I'll also drive my sword into your fucking throat. Then I'll toast with a glass of wine over your dead, infuriating body. And finally, I'll give that crystal to someone who truly deserves it!"

Ace clenched his jaw, feeling the intensity of her anger.

Snow lowered her arms, ready to leave, her resolve firm to eliminate two threats from the world: Ezra and Ace. With her parting words, she turned, eager to head back to Allegiant, there were better places to be. For instance, Matthew would be returning home tonight at a reasonable hour. Although his focus would be on the night session classes he was leading, he would be back at base for the first time in several days.

She also hoped to get back early in the hopes of seeing him, which meant there was no time to waste dealing with the nuisance before her. With a withering glare, she stared at the life-draining leech standing before her.

"When this war with Ezra is over, mark my words, Ace," she lifted her sword, its blade gleaming menacingly in the fading light, "I'm going to drive this straight through your fucking heart!" She vowed with a fierce intensity, her eyes burning with resolve, before vanishing from the field like a shadow at dusk.

****** ******

Matthew stood resolute on the battlefield, his warriors swiftly converging at his side. They had just vanquished a swarm of critters and observed two power signatures igniting, guiding them to his location.

"So that's the other pain in the ass" Toni educated to the Jasmine and Mya, "lovely piece of work."

"I need a shower," Matthew muttered, a weary sigh escaping him, "we have classes with the elite. Just my fucking night."

Jasmine, Mya and Toni exchanged understanding glances, aware that their presence was required also after the day that they had. It was shaping up to be yet another long and grueling night with little rest in store.