One day, as autumn began to shake the leaves from the trees, the training yards echoed with the cries of the practitioners, their movements slicing through the air. Voices of the masters could be heard, offering advice to polish stances and strikes, while the pillars of the buildings—scarred by countless past fights—held up the structures that had witnessed endless training sessions meant to forge the strength of every combatant.
On that quiet morning, I said goodbye to my brother, who was about to face a ceremonial trial—a test that marked those who had the skill to go out into the field and begin missions for the clan.
—Brother, when will you be back? —I asked, flashing a small smile.
—I don't know, Aron. I've never done a ceremonial trial before, but I'll surely come back to beat up my little personal punching bag —Yeroy replied, grinning as he ruffled my hair.
—Fine, but I'm not your punching bag. You can barely catch me now, thanks to how I train my speed with my lightning powers. I'm getting better at controlling my Lysae. I think I'm faster than you, brother. Maybe soon I'll call you a bag of crushed bones —I said with a laugh.
—You're years away from even grazing the face of this bag of crushed bones, you insolent brat —said Yeroy, giving me a flick on the head as he spun his hand like a top and laughed mischievously.
When he left, he told me: "Get strong, Aron. You and I have to be the strongest—together." I think he's the best brother anyone could ask for.
As time passed, I refined the techniques I had developed thanks to a method one of my masters taught me. I learned to channel my Lysae to charge my body with energy, drawing water molecules toward me. That had always been a problem… until my master showed me that nothing is truly an obstacle, just a clue for solving a greater riddle.
That's when I understood: I could use the conductivity of those water droplets in the air to move at extreme speeds.
I trained tirelessly to perfect that technique. The day I said goodbye to Yeroy, I had already managed to combine it with a lightning sword. It was a huge breakthrough… though far too much for my body. The result was powerful—brutal, even—if I managed to use it by surprise. But so far, I've only managed to use it three times in a row before collapsing from exhaustion.
When my brother finally returned home, his face was that of someone who had lost everything. He looked like that drunk we used to see outside the tavern—always with a hollow stare and a shattered soul. I always wondered what had brought that man to such a state. And now, my brother… he had that same look.
I tried to speak with him, but he only said:
—Not now, Aron. I don't feel like talking…
It was devastating. That wasn't my brother. Something had happened. Something serious.
I couldn't just sit still. I got to work. First, I spoke to our parents.
—Dad… Yeroy seemed gloomy. He's always a light, but he came back with darkness stuck to his face… I have to help him —I said with a furrowed brow.
—But Aron… what could you do? —my father replied—. Your brother just came back from a hard trial. Maybe he didn't pass. Maybe he just needs time. He'll talk eventually…
—Mom! Say something, Dad doesn't get what I'm trying to say… —I said, turning to my mother, who was enjoying a cup of tea.
—Aron, calm down. If your brother doesn't want to talk, give him time. You can't force others to do what you want, when you want —she replied.
—Everyone here's taking this lightly… I… I'm going out to investigate.
With those words, I took off running. As fast as I could. That's when I ran into Aethen, Yeroy's best friend. They were always together, even when the other kids picked on him for not having powers…
—Aethen! I'm glad I found you. Do you know what's going on with Yeroy? He… he looked like something terrible had happened —I asked in a rush.
—Oh, Aron… Well, the thing is… we just watched someone die. An older one who protected us. And right now, we're not really in the mood to talk —he said, lowering his gaze with half-closed eyes.
—Ah… That's… not what I expected to hear. So… my brother must be devastated… What can I do to help him? —I asked, looking down, my voice low.
—If you want to help him, do what you always do: ask him to train you, and punch the truth out of him. The way he is now, you'll probably win —Aethen replied. He really is smart!
—Thanks! That might work with a muscle-brained guy like him! —I shouted, turning to run back home.
When I got there, I noticed Yeroy was in the bathroom washing the dust off his body. So I jumped on him with a powerful lightning attack that shocked him, making him squirm on the floor.
—ARON! —he yelled—. What the hell are you doing, you little bastard?
—Dragging you out of that dark world. Or are you no longer my brother, the one who shines like the sun? —I replied, standing on guard with a scowl.
No answer. I lunged to punch him, but was stopped by my dad, who grabbed my arm and smacked me on the head.
—Didn't I tell you to leave your brother alone? —he said.
—Can't you see he's depressed? He just saw someone die and he won't talk to me. I'm his brother! I'm going to be as strong as him so he never has to lose anyone else, and he won't say a word to me…! —I said, as tears started to fall down my burning cheek.
My dad looked at me with a sad expression. Then he looked at Yeroy, who was watching me cry.
—You cry like a girl, bag of crushed bones… —I told him.
—I'm sorry, personal training dummy… I made you worry by drifting off into space —he said, walking closer.
When he reached me, he hugged me.
—Don't worry. I know you'll get strong enough to cover my weaknesses, Aron… —he said with his eyes closed and a small smile.
—I'm not going to cover your weaknesses. You have to do that. I'm going to reinforce everything so there aren't any weaknesses at all. Just wait and see! —I replied with a determined expression.
—I'm glad you two are so close. Today we're all going out together. It's been a while… and I think we all need it —Dad said.
—I'll go prepare some snacks for us to take. In the meantime, you two finish getting ready. Today will be a family day! —Mom said, apparently having heard everything from the window.
After that, we went out and spent time together. We talked, and my brother told us about his adventures. It was amazing! My brother really is strong… I can't fall behind. I'll ask him to teach me that technique so I can become just as strong as he is.