(The Cult Military Training Grounds, Ti Stilled World, Leonardo's POV)
Ever since Caleb and Mairon ca of age and were finally enrolled into the Cult Military, they had requested a weekly spar against Leonardo, under whose regint they were currently posted as Lieutenants, as every Saturday, the two brothers tead up to fight against their elder cousin, and every Saturday, Leonardo showed them the gap between the Monarch and Transcendent tier.
This Saturday was no different, as Leonardo found himself standing at the center of the arena while the two brothers closed in from
opposite ends, their movents sharp and coordinated as they executed yet another strategy they had spent the entire week preparing.
"Ready?" Caleb asked, his voice carrying a hint of excitent as he rolled his shoulders lightly, already leaning forward as if his body could not wait for the signal.
Mairon did not speak, his eyes locked onto Leonardo while his breathing slowed deliberately, as he grounded himself into the mont, focusing entirely on timing and positioning.
Leonardo exhaled softly, his expression calm, almost indifferent, as he raised one hand slightly to signal the start.
"Co."
He muttered, as that was all it took.
*Flash*
Caleb disappeared from sight instantly, as he activated [Storm Flash Traverse] to close the distance in a blink, reappearing directly within Leonardo's striking range while his fist surged forward with enhanced force.
At the sa ti-
Mairon moved.
Not forward, but around.
As he used [Fade Step] to slip into Leonardo's blind spot, his blade angling upward in a precise arc aid at the opening Caleb's attack would create.
A clean pincer.
A perfect execution.
And yet, Leonardo moved only when the attacks were already upon him.
*Shift*
He took a minimal step, shifting barely a couple inches.
However, unfortunately for Caleb and Mairon, that small shift was enough, as Caleb's punch grazed past Leonardo's shoulder instead of connecting, while Leonardo's palm ca up in the sa motion, redirecting the force just enough to throw off Caleb's balance. *Wobble*
Caleb wobbled, while at the sa ti, Leonardo stretched his other hand backward and snapped a blade aiming for the opening in his
blind spot.
*Clang*
Catching Mairon's blade between his gloved fingers, Leonardo halted the montum of his attack completely, as for a brief mont, all three of them froze.
Then-
*Boom*
Leonardo moved.
A sudden [Enhance] surged through his body as he drove his shoulder forward into Caleb's chest, sending him skidding back across the
ground, while his grip on Mairon twisted sharply, forcing the younger boy to release his weapon or risk breaking his wrist.
*Leave*
Mairon let go instantly, retreating without hesitation as he created distance again, while Caleb recovered mid-slide.
"Again!"
The elder Skyshard shouted, as-
*Flash*
He vanished once more, reappearing higher this ti, his leg crashing downward in a heavy arc aid at Leonardo's head.
But this ti-
Leonardo stepped into the attack.
*Thud*
His forearm intercepted the strike at its base, neutralizing the force before it could build, while his other hand shot upward, gripping
Caleb by the collar.
"What did I tell you last week?
Never leave the ground if you're not certain it gives you an advantage.
This is practical combat.
Not an aero skills show!"
He reprimanded, as-
*Push*
He threw Caleb backwards, forcing him into a roll instead of allowing
him to reset cleanly.
*Roll*
*Cough*
Caleb coughed, however, while he struggled, Mairon tried to seize the
opening, as-
*Step*
He closed the distance instantly, retrieving his blade mid-motion as
he slashed horizontally, aiming to capitalize on Leonardo's montary
focus shift.
As this ti, he felt as though his blade connected.
Or at least... it should have, as, *Clink*, a thin barrier flickered into
existence for a fraction of a second.
[Celestial Veil]
The strike stopped harmlessly against the barrier as Leonardo turned
with it, his hand already moving.
*Smack*
A sharp palm strike landed against Mairon's chest, not with full force,
but enough to send him stumbling back several steps.
As at this point, both brothers reset again.
Their breathing heavier now, while their eyes grew sharper as they
exchanged a knowing glance.
'Its ti!'
'Go Big or Go Ho'
The glance said, as although no words were spoken, the brothers understood one another instinctively, as they changed the whole
rhythm of the battle.
*Step*
*Step*
This ti, Caleb did not charge first.
Mairon did, as-
*Flash*
He appeared directly in front of Leonardo, launching a rapid
sequence of strikes, as he forced Leonardo to block, parry, and adjust repeatedly, as the tempo of the fight suddenly increased.
While at the sa ti....
*BOOM*
Caleb entered from above, his timing perfectly synced, as his strike
ca down at the exact mont Leonardo committed to deflecting Mairon's blade.
As for the first ti-
Leonardo was forced to give ground.
A single step back.
Then another.
The pressure mounted.
The coordination sharpened.
The brothers were learning.
Adapting. Pushing him.
And yet- Leonardo smiled.
Not out of arrogance.
But recognition.
"Good," he said quietly, as he finally shifted fully into motion.
The next exchange was different.
Faster.
Cleaner.
More decisive.
*Step*
He slipped between their attacks, his movent efficient and
minimal, as he struck Caleb lightly on the ribs, then pivoted instantly
to redirect Mairon's blade, using his own montum against him.
*Thud*
*Step*
*Clash*
The exchanges dragged on, one after another, as the brothers slowed
while Leonardo did not, their strikes growing heavier while his
remained precise, until the gap stopped shrinking... and began
widening again.
*Pant*
*Pant*
The brothers breathed heavily, their focus turning dizzy, their balance
wobbly, and yet, they refused to give up, until it was Leonardo that decided enough was enough.
"Alright, that's it for this week.... Go reflect on your mistakes and et
again next ti."
He said, as it was only then that the two brothers fell to their knees.
Their bodies battered and bruised, and yet their fighting spirit intact. As despite the brutal beating, they both lay down on the training ground floor with a smile on their face, knowing full well that they would be stronger because of this beating by next week.
User Comments
0 comments from readers