With the rising tension with the neighbours and continuous power struggle for the throne of Yudhma Empire, one man was bombarded with treacherous schemes from all sides. Weather it was inside or outside, he knew very well that future of the Empire was heavily dependent on his actions.
"Not all wars are fought on battlefield huh..."
Laren reminded himself, as he put down his sword.
"Enough blade for today I guess,"
"Hm,"
Laren moved to weapon rack and switch iron sword with a normal bow.
"Well then," He gave a nod to Reo, signalling to prepare targets.
Laren filled arrows in a quiver, adjusted the shoulder strap so it rests comfortably on his back.
He threw it over his right shoulder but stopped. Ultimately, decided to go for left.
Leo noticed this but never a single thought of failure crossed his mind. To him, Laren was the greatest Archer ever existed or will.
Laren took his stance as Leo tossed a wooden disc in air.
Laren reached over his left shoulder with his left hand, his fingers brushing against the familiar, smooth shafts of arrows in his quiver.
He raised the bow, his right arm steady as a rock, while his left hand pulled the bowstring back. The muscles in his arms and shoulders flexed, drawing the string to its fullest extent. The bow arched beautifully under the tension, a picture of raw power and elegance.
With a sharp exhale, he released the bowstring. In a fraction of a second, arrow pierced through the centre of wooden disc in air and struck the thick wall of castle.
"I don't think there's any need for such force,"
"Apologies... How about we skip the warm up,"
"Sure,"
This time, Reo tossed ten disc.
Between his four fingers and a thumb, Laren held four arrows.
Upon realising four arrows in once, he swiftly drew more and released them.
In a blink of an eye, ten arrows hit the mark and the disc were embedded in the wall.
Although, arrows hit the marks at different time, it happened like lightning. Even to Reo, they all seem to get struck at the same time.
While he was amazed by the sight, Reo knew that praising Laren would be same as belittling him.
"This won't do..." Laren murmured.
But Reo could not help but stare at the arrows that struck wooden discs on the wall.
The depth of all the arrows in discs, in wall, was same.
Laren had an absolute control over his strength.
Reo got mannequins in place. He then proceeds to put thick logs as obstacle in arrows' path.
Where Laren stood, targets were not visible at all. Logs were placed in such position, it was impossible to see targets.
But the fact that targets existed, and Laren was very well aware of their presence, it was enough for him to aim.
Laren drew his bow. Released an arrow.
The arrow travelled in a curved path. It went to the left of obstacle and then bend it's path to a bit right. Overtaking the obstacle, it hit mannequin right in the head.
Laren proceeded to repeat the same feat again and again. With two arrows, three arrows, four arrows. All hitting targets in head.
On the last shot, he proceeds to do a back flip, releasing arrow when he was upside down, still hitting the target in head.
Reo clapped, admiring the magnificent display of archery. His face reflecting a mix of pride and astonishment.
Laren gave him a nod.
Reo then proceed to bring in spears.
Laren took his stance.
Reo, with a deep breath, pulled his arm back and launched the spear with incredible speed and precision. It sliced through the air, whistling before it got neutralized by an arrow.
Reo, said the one with a lighting spear, was by no means, a weak warrior. But so was Laren. Reo aimed for Laren's right eye but the arrow split the spear he launched in half.
His muscles rippled as he reached for another spear from the quiver on his back. Each movement was fluid, almost a dance, as Leo swiftly grabbed spear after another, his focus unwavering.
He launched a hundred spears in a mere three seconds, only for them to get split in half, or deviated.
None of the spear fell in ten metre radius of Laren, as if any reached young Prince.
After witnessing such feats, anyone would at awe but Laren just sighed.
Reo understood his brother.
He knew that Laren feel helpless.
He was not growing anymore.
Renowned throughout the kingdom for his unparalleled skill and precision. From a young age, he showed exceptional talent, spreading his name throughout the land. His arrows always seemed to find their mark, earning him respect and admiration from peers and rivals alike.
However, in recent years, Laren has hit a wall. No matter how hard he trained or how many hours he spends perfecting his technique, he could not seem to improve further. His shots were still accurate, but there was no longer the thrill of surpassing his previous records or discovering new techniques. The once-challenging targets now feel routine, and the excitement of competition has faded.
Laren's frustration is palpable. He spends countless hours alone in the training facility, shooting arrow after arrow at distant targets, hoping to recapture the sense of progress that once drove him. He attends archery gatherings and seeks out the advice of other masters, but their words offer little solace. Younger and upcoming archers were no match for him. Same for the olds and same for ones who were same ags as him.
A man who has reached the pinnacle of his potential, only to find that the view from the top is not as fulfilling as he imagined. His journey, once filled with excitement and promise, now feels like a never-ending plateau, with no new heights to aspire to and no rivals to push him further.
Yes, he was the men that ever existed. No mortal could complete with him or hold their own against him.
Leo understood this, yet he could not do anything for his brother.
"... It's lonely at top, huh." Leo murmured to himself.
"Do you think that guy— Um, Allan?... Is any match of you,"
"He is a vigilant warrior, certainly proficient in Kalaripayattu."
"So that means —"
"But he can't."
Laren said with a hint of disappointment in his voice.
"I am not arrogant, for a warrior, that's a son that will bring the doom but... Even Allan is not worthy..."
"...I see,"
Helplessness gnawed at Leo. He wanted to help, to find a way to reignite Laren's passion, but he didn't know how. Words felt inadequate, and encouragement seemed hollow. He had always been the supporter, the one who believed in Laren's potential, but now he found himself at a loss.
"I think you should retire for today,"
"... Yeah,"
He remembered the countless hours they had spent together, Laren with his bow, and Leo and siblings cheering him on.
Leo walked over, his footsteps heavy. He placed a hand on Laren's shoulder, offering what little comfort he could. They stood in silence, two brothers bound by love and shared dreams, yet separated by the cruel reality of unmet expectations.
. . . . .