A/N : See, at this point, I don't even know what I was thinking while writing this. I doubt that I was even thinking. Once again - Not beta'd (which you can painfully see) 
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I pressed forward into the heart of the forest. Previously, the forest had given me a grim feeling, but now the familiar shadows of the trees gave me a sense of comfort and belonging. Although the paths were unfamiliar, they felt strangely reminiscent, as if I had walked them for a lifetime.It was as if the forest had recognized my resolve and welcomed me home. I wondered if it was God's interference.

Within a few hours, I had left the forest behind me. Despite being freed from it, it didn't leave me with a good feeling. I had to wander around for days, and now it just let me go.

A long path stretched out before me, seemingly heading towards the mountains, or so I thought.

At the end of the trail, no peaks were to be seen, instead I was met by the entrance of the forest, again. I squatted down and crossed my arms.

"You can't be serious..." My previous resolve disappeared like snow before the sun.

All of a sudden, I heard footsteps approaching. "Oh, someone's he-" I pointed my blade to their neck. "No step further." The figure in front of me appeared to be on the calm side. "Woah there, calm down." With her fingertip, she pointed towards my sword. "It's rather rude to greet someone like that, don't you think?"

The familiarity of the voice caught me off guard, prompting me to lower my sword. "Maura?"

"Do you know me?" Her response held a hint of surprise and suspicion.

Realizing the risk of revealing my identity, I hastily pulled the hood of my cape further over my head, hoping that she wouldn't be able to see my face. "I've heard of you." I tried to stop my voice from shaking while I put my sword back into its sheath.

The Maura in front of me looked way younger than I remembered. Her silky juniper green hair was tied in a messy bun.

I questioned if the forest was toying with my perceptions once more, but the magic power I felt from the person standing in front of me, was too different from forest's magic energy, for that to be true. "What's a young lady like you doing in this dangerous forest?"

"None of your business.", she curtly replied.

"Well if you're trying to reach the mountains, what about teaming up with me?" I didn't want someone I had once known, dying on my watch again.

"Why would I team up with someone who's name I don't even know?" It was clear that she was full of doubt, something I totally got. I mean what kind of fool would accept that offer?

"Miro." I decided to cast my old name behind. I would no longer be blinded. I would look at the world. "That's my name."

"The forest can be quite treacherous, and the dangers beyond are even greater," I cautioned.

I pointed towards my blade. "I believe we can help each other." For a short while, an awkward silence hung in the air, before Maura finally responded. "Fine, but let's bind our agreement with an oath. Are you fine with that?"

"Depending on the terms, sure," I responded.

Although not everyone was blessed by it, or only had little of it, magic played a big role in our everyday lives. Most knights were blessed by practical and combat magic, aiding their battles. Depending on what kind of mage you were, you could use different types of magic. Maura, was a mage that could use most magic, making her one of the most powerful ones. As there were several kinds of magic users, there were also different types of magic. There were different types of the "oath" spell. The oath of submission, the oath of protection, and so on.

"Are you fine with the oath of promise?"

I nodded. "Alright."

The oath of promise was like its name suggested, an oath where both parties made a promise. If one, or both parties, failed to keep the promise, they would receive a punishment they had agreed upon when making the oath. Simple, and effective.

"What will you promise upon?"

Without any hesitation, I said; "My life."

Maura sighed in disbelief. "Who would go that far for a stranger."

"Argh fine, I'll do the same."

Raising our left hands in unison, we placed our right hands over our hearts and started the incantation.

"I, Miro.."

"I, Maura.."

"...Promise to travel with Miro.."
".. Promise to travel with Maura..."

"..And protect her from any dangers"

A radiant aura enveloped us, sealing our oath with ethereal energy.

With my left hand, I reached towards the glowing light. Maura did the same.

"I promise on my life."

With that, the oath was sealed. I felt the magical bindings around my heart, sealing our pact.

Her hand extended towards me. "I'll be in your hands, Miro," she declared, a glimmer of camaraderie in her eyes.I shook her hand. "Likewise."

It was time to challenge the forest for the third time.

Guided by Maura's magic, the forest seemed to part before us, granting us swift passage through the green. The mae of the forest failed to ensnare her, hinting at her formidable mastery over magic. We went through half of the forest in a few hours.

"Don't you think something has changed?", I asked.

"You felt it too?" With a subtle gesture of her magic wand, she confirmed my suspicions. "Indeed, we're being observed," she whispered, her eyes scanning the surroundings. "And it's not just one."

I felt an overwhelming amount of bloodlust boring into my back. An unsettling presence watched our every move.

"Do you know how many there are?" I asked in a quiet voice.

She shook her head. "I can't see their exact amount, but they're with a lot in any case. I'm guessing about 100 or so," her voice trembled.

I patted her head, while trying to reassure her. "Don't worry, you've got me by your side."

"Cast a protective barrier, and don't move," I commanded her. "Wha-" Even though she was confused, she cast the spell. "Don't tell.. that me you're gonna fight them?"

I stepped out of the barrier and removed my cape. I wasn't planning on making my identity known, but fighting with it would only restrict my movements. I could only hope that she wouldn't remember my face.

"Come at me," I challenged, steeling myself as giant monsters stepped out of the shadow of the trees. Their malevolent gaze betrayed their sinister nature.

I cracked my fingers and raised my two swords. "This should be a nice warm up."

It was an opportunity to find out my strength, something I hadn't done since my return.