She instantly regretted the moment the words fell out.

The pain flashed in Ameera’s eyes. She winced, as if someone had rammed her spear into her chest.

“Enough." Ameera said.

She didn’t scream. She didn’t raise her voice.

She simply picked up her helmet and spear lying at her feet. "We shall discuss this tomorrow."

"No. We’re finishing this right now." Serene folded her hands.

Ameera didn’t respond. She turned, walking into the trees.

"What is wrong with you?" Serene called from behind. "Why are you doing this?"

"Enough, Serene…" Ameera muttered.

"You just- you just changed. Ever since—" she stammered. "After he… Ever since that happened—"

"Ever since what happened?"

Her helmet and spear clattered onto the ground.

The leaves crashed wildly against the wind.

"Say it!" Ameera roared.

She charged at her. Steps hot and fast.

"Say that General Xyzen died because I was too stubborn to wait for the council and charged ahead!"

"It was the right thing to do!"

Serene took a step back.

"It cost me my mentor’s life!"

"Stop blaming yourself!—"

Ameera closed in the distance.

Arms wrapped around Serene.

Trembling. Tight.

She could feel Ameera’s heartbeat through her chest plate.

"Agha was killed by Ashfell." Ameera breathed, "I won’t let them kill my friend."

Warm, wet tears settled against Serene’s shoulder. The mask slipped. Her walls collapsed from the weight of her grief.

Serene patted her metal armor.

"I’m sorry." Ameera said.

And she plunged something sharp into her back.

Serene shrieked.

Ameera stumbled back, blood dripping from her dagger.

She raised her hand. The spear shot up in the air and flew into her grip. Its carvings hummed with energy.

She spun and slammed her heel into Serene’s chest.

Serene hit hard on the grass.

Her temple hit a rock.

Blood gushed out from the cut.

"What are you—" she croaked.

Deep red soaked the ground.

Ameera pointed the tip at her neck, wiping her eyes.

"You’re not Serene." She said, her grey eyes now cold as steel, "The real one would never greet me by addressing me as General."

The wind ceased. The rustling of the leaves halted. The stream paused in a still.

"Reveal yourself. Imposter."

An inhumane shriek escaped the imposter’s throat. Its eyes sank into the sockets. The skin melted off, dripping onto the ground.

The figure distorted, twisting in unnatural angles.

It howled in pain until disintegrating into fine black ash.

Ameera stood over the remains, her chest heaving in her armor. She dared to loosen the grip on her spear.

A true comrade shall never question your actions. Her mentor’s advice echoed in her mind, They’ll fight right beside you. Until the end.

The forest exhaled. The stream rippled gently around its bends.

"Ameera?" A familiar voice called.

Ameera’s head shot up.

On the other side of the stream stood the real person.

"Serene?"

The hem of the tunic ripped, soot covering her face— Serene’s eyes danced between Ameera and the ash, wide from shock.

"What… happened?"