Chapter 2

The one who sat on the fine-bred horse stared at her in silence. Of course, when someone thought of a mage, they certainly wouldn't think of a woman who was clotheless.

But Vespera paid no mind. Who even said she was a human, why she should care about decency as much as they do?

"The king has summoned you via a spell." The fine-bred horse's rider said as he got off, "fair mage, I'm General Arthur Wilhelm of the Avenell Kingdom. Uh...you?"

Vespera stared at him with judgement in her eyes. Obviously she didn't like the forced politeness in his voice.

With the wave of her hand, she froze time all around them. "If you have anything to say, say it from the depths of your heart. I'm tired or hearing your pathetic respect."

The general stayed silent for a moment before scoffing, brushing his dark medium-length hair back with his gloved hand.

"Milady is quite observant. You see, I, as a general, only serve the king. So, lowering myself to a mage is—"

Before he could finish speaking, the Starborne had already wrapped a hand around his throat. The general raised his head, exposing his neck to the lady.

"That's better." Vespera hummed softly as the general drew out his sword, attacking already. She quickly teleported away, not getting struck by the blade.

The general turned to see the woman, noticing that though her body was pale, it was covered in multiple scars and wounds.

"Even immortals get hurt?" The general asked in surprise, "would you like to be one?" The woman asked him back, teleporting away to beside him.

"Rather not."

"You're missing out."

The general swiftly dodged the woman, managing to guess her next move and holding the sword at her neck.

The woman sighed reluctantly before teleporting away. "Well, seems like you're good enough."

With that, she unfroze time all around them. The general had one question, though he just couldn't ask yet — why were the stars so powerful, that they could do this?

They aren't time itself. And from the astrologists and mages that lived in the palace, stars were born and died like humans.

He held himself back, knowing now wasn't the time or situation to ask. Biting back his tongue, he motioned to his knights to prepare the carriage.

"No need." The Starborne huffed as she raised her arms to the sky. "Aeons of the Stars, hear the plea of this Starborne, send us all to the entrance of..."

"Avenell." The general reminded softly.

"Of the Avenell Kingdom. Move as fast as light does, without wasting a second." And with that, the group now realized that they were no longer in the forest.

The knights spoke in hushed whispers. The Starborne stood in silence. Was this really it...the one and only place where they won't mercilessly end her?

The only place where she won't be put through torture that she was forced to forget? The mind may forget, but the body doesn't.

It was pretty obvious by how far she stood from the caravan of knights. Too afraid to move. Too afraid to walk.

To put it into simple, paranoia and muscle memory.

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