Chapter 29 - 28 - Flaws in the Foundation
"Pretty ridiculous, isn’t it?" he muttered with a bitter smile, lowering his gaze to Crysthalis in his hand.
But Ashtoria merely shook her head slowly. Her gaze remained calm, without judgment. She stepped a little closer, then spoke in a firm but measured tone, "Don’t dismiss that feeling. You need it to discover your affinity."
While Riven stood in silence, contemplating, Ashtoria calmly walked over to the old cart where they kept salvaged weapons. Her slender hand brushed over a few blades and spears until it paused on an old sword, its blade cracked down the middle.
Riven watched her with a puzzled look.
Ashtoria walked back toward him at an unhurried pace, gripping the broken sword in one hand. Her eyes were sharp as she stared him down, and when she stopped just a few paces away, her voice rang out, cold and clear:
"Try and strike me."
Riven raised an eyebrow, then smirked. "Are you sure about this?"
Ashtoria didn’t reply. She simply stood there, relaxed, holding the sword in her right hand with no stance or guard whatsoever. As if the challenge meant nothing.
Riven accepted. He stepped into position, adjusting his stance as best as he remembered from past training. His gaze sharpened—no hint of amusement or playfulness. He knew the woman standing before him wasn’t someone he could take lightly.
"So... may I strike now?" he asked, narrowing his eyes.
Ashtoria gave a single, calm nod.