The song of a new dawn could be heard, its golden rays began to illuminate every corner of the kingdom, until they reached a training area within the castle. There, amid the silence broken only by the clashing of swords, I fought to stay on my feet. Every blow I struck with my wooden sword against Valdor was stopped and punished with relentless precision. The sound of clashing weapons and my agonized screams dispelled the morning's calm. My breathing was heavy, my muscles burned with every movement, and the metal pieces of my armor seemed to bake me from the inside. The sunlight reflected off my sweat, illuminating my tired face. A poorly executed strike unbalanced my stance, and before I could react, I fell to my knees on the damp earth. The sword slipped from my trembling hands, sinking slightly into the mud. I barely had the strength to remove my helmet and let the fresh air envelop my face, watching as the steam from my body escaped into the open.
—Sh…ould… ha…ve… war…ned… me… the… trai…ning… wo…uld… be… so… ear…ly… —The words barely came out, stuttered, cut off by the air I couldn't seem to catch.
My chest rose and fell too fast. My throat felt dry, as if I'd been swallowing sand, and every attempt to breathe was like trying to sip air through a straw. Inside this damned armor, I was being cooked alive; my clothes, soaked in sweat, clung to my skin. I leaned forward slightly, trying to stop the world from spinning. My mouth was so dry that even swallowing hurt, and every breath I took was more of a failed attempt than relief. Damn it… this was worse than I'd imagined.
Valdor approached, his silhouette towering against the light of the rising sun. Without a trace of fatigue in his expression, he offered me his hand.
—That's enough for today. You can remove your armor. —His voice was calm, but his tone left no room for argument—. Rest. We don't know what tasks the castle will assign you.
With trembling hands, I took off my armor, feeling the refreshing change in temperature. My hair was still so damp it lay flat, as if I'd just taken a bath. With effort, I walked back to the castle, dragging my feet with every step. When I finally reached my room, I collapsed onto the bed like a sack of stones. Every muscle in my body protested with a sharp pain, as if I'd been branded with fire. I closed my eyes, but it wasn't long before a soft knock at the door pulled me from my stupor.
—Co…come… in…! —I tried to say, but my voice came out as little more than a raspy whisper.
The door opened slowly, revealing Finn. His steps were cautious, almost hesitant, but he eventually sat on the bed beside me. His eyes were swollen and held a peculiar gleam.
—Are you okay? —he asked softly.
I nodded, though I wasn't sure it was true.
—The monarch asked us to clean the castle. —Finn sighed and fell onto his back on the bed, turning his face toward me—. Do you think you can do it?
I tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through my back, forcing a gasp of suffering from me.
—I don't think I'll be able to move… for a month… —I said with a weak attempt at a smile.
Finn sat back up, smiling tenderly.
—I have an idea.
He helped me sit up on the bed—every muscle ached. But he was surprisingly strong. He closed his eyes and began rubbing his hands together. I wasn't sure if it was my imagination, but I saw tiny blue sparks flicker from them. Before I could ask more, Finn took my hand. At that moment, an unfamiliar warmth surged through my body like a vibrant current, awakening every dormant cell. I felt my breathing ease, the heaviness in my muscles dissipate, as if I were being reborn.
He opened his eyes—it wasn't the first time I'd seen them glow. I'd thought it was just my imagination. But his eyes truly shone. My whole body trembled; it was exhilarating. All the pain that had tormented me was gone.
—What was that? —I asked, feeling my vitality return.
—I just used kai on you. —His smile was sweet. I felt my heart pound harder than usual.
I tried to stand, feeling renewed… until a stabbing pain shot through my leg as if it had shattered into a thousand pieces. I would've collapsed if not for Finn, who held me firmly.
—Sorry, I didn't tell you… It only masks the damage… but the pain is still there. —He helped me sit back on the bed, his gaze and shoulders lowered—. If you're not feeling well… I can handle it alone…
I looked at the floor, clenched my fists and jaw. And without his help, I stood. Every step felt like walking on broken glass. But now it was bearable.
—Le…let's… clean. —I said, feigning confidence.
—What? —he said, surprised.
Leaning against the doorframe, I tried to support my body and maintain the confident facade.
—Relax, Finn. If you're not feeling well… —I flashed a smile—. I can handle it alone.
He started laughing, and I felt another heartbeat. He stepped closer and offered his hand.
—Your legs are shaking. Let me help you.
I held on firmly, noticing how soft and warm he was. Together, we spent hours cleaning the castle. To be honest, he did more than I did, but at least I managed to help. It was already noon by the time we finished.
I was about to head back to my room when Finn touched my shoulder.
—Don't you want to go to the market with me?
At that moment, I agreed—before realizing it would be my first time leaving the castle.
—What?! What do you mean I can't leave the castle?
—Pink-haired boy. By order of the monarch, you are forbidden from leaving these grounds. —That metal-clad guard was preventing me from seeing the world.
Finn stopped me, motioning for me to calm down with a downward hand gesture.
—Warrior Narnest. Don't worry, the shop is very close.
The guard looked me up and down.
—Miss Finn. My apologies. But my orders...
Finn's eyes began to glow a deep blue. The guard grew nervous, almost intimidated.
—I-it's fine. But don't let it happen again.
Finn glanced at me with a smile.
—Let's go. —she said, waving her hand to signal I could proceed.
—But how did you do that?
She just laughed, winking at me with one of her still-glowing eyes. A tiny spark flickered as she did.
To exit, the warrior had to turn what looked like a wheel, and the massive wooden gate lifted, opening the way out. The blinding midday sun hit me square in the eyes. As my vision adjusted, I stepped outside the castle for the first time.
—Marl, walk properly.
—I'm trying… but my legs are killing me.
Finn took my hand and shouldered part of my weight.
—Better this way?
I let out a sarcastic laugh.
—Thanks… now I can limp more elegantly.
The bustling market was packed with people. Some eyed me warily, likely because of my disheveled appearance. But what struck me most was the scarcity of adult men.
—Hi, Finn. —A group of small children ran up to us, throwing themselves into Finn's arms without hesitation—. We missed you, Finn. Why don't you come out more often?
—Forgive me, kids. You know I only leave for errands.
One of the children tugged at Finn's shirt, desperate for attention.
—Finn, Finn. When I grow up, will you marry me?
Finn chuckled softly as another child climbed onto her back.
—Finn, Finn. Carry me!
The scene was unbearably sweet. Her smile seemed permanent, as endless as her energy.
—Finn, who's your friend?
I choked on my own breath. Friend. They'd mistaken me for a girl.
Before I could speak, I felt someone tug my shirt from behind. When I turned, a child was holding a flower out to me.
—Hello, miss. Your pink hair is very pretty.
Finn patted his back.
—Joch. —The boy looked up at her. —He's a he.
The child stared at me in confusion before suddenly screaming.
—He stole a lady's face!
All the children scattered, leaving us alone.
I turned to Finn, who was barely holding back laughter.
—Forgive them, Marl. Non-noble Narnese have… a very odd culture.
—What kind? —I asked, genuinely curious.
—As long as they're not mistaken for monkeys, they're content. —She finally released the laugh she'd been stifling. —That's why they thought you were a woman.
—Let's finish the shopping, Finn. —I said, helping her up.
Suddenly, a middle-aged man tapped my shoulder and handed me a flyer in a language I couldn't read.
—The Infinity draw near, so don't hesitate to buy weapons and armor to protect yourself.
—Thanks. —I muttered, watching him walk away. I glanced at Finn, whose face twisted with disdain as she watched the man distribute those papers.
—Finn… —My voice trembled slightly—. What's wrong?
Her silence lingered for a few seconds.
—Nothing… I just hate how casually they throw around the name Infinity.
I sensed history in her words. A hidden weight behind them.
—Why? —I watched her avert her gaze, turning toward the sky. Her eyes flickered with that blue glow again.
She shook her head.
—No… it's nothing.
Finn had a habit of keeping secrets from me. But this time felt different—deeper, as if fear seeped into her gestures. I clenched my fists, tension coiling in my knuckles. Were the Infinity truly that dangerous? I stared at the ground, searching for answers in the cracks of the earth, but found only silence and unresolved questions.
—Marl, what are you waiting for? —she said, plucking an apple from a stall, her voice soft but firm—. We have shopping to finish.
—Right —I replied, though my mind remained trapped on that name: the Infinity.
Then it hit me—an idea that had been circling my mind since I arrived in this world.
—Finn… —I called, and she turned to me, doubt flickering in her clear eyes—. Will you teach me to read?
—Oh… hahaha —her laugh was gentle, almost shy, but understandable. It was rare for someone to ask for help with something so basic, yet her reaction left me unfazed. I didn't care if I seemed foolish; I needed to understand this world, and reading was essential. It was already a miracle we spoke the same language—. Wait, are you serious?
—Yes… —I muttered, looking away, heat rising to my cheeks. I didn't want her to see the embarrassment in my eyes, but I couldn't suppress the determination burning in my chest.
—Alright, I'll teach you —she agreed, stepping toward a stall of colorful books. Her fingers traced the spines, as if searching for the perfect one to start—. We'll begin with children's stories. Hope it's not too hard.
—Thank you —I whispered, feeling a weight lift from my chest. This wasn't just about reading—it was a door opening, a way to navigate this confusing world.
Finn selected a book with bright illustrations and large letters. She cradled it like treasure, and for a moment, her expression softened, as if recalling something distant.
—Let's go —she said, smiling—. This'll be fun.
And though I didn't say it aloud, in that moment, I felt it—maybe I wasn't so alone in this strange world. Finn was here, with her patience and her smile, willing to guide me. And that, though it might not seem like much, was worth more than any silver-bronze coin.