[POV: Lucas]
The House of Greymore. One of the three ducal houses of the strongest human empire named Wisteria. Bordered on the northernmost region of the empire. The House of Greymore was named "The Empire's Sword" due to the family's unparalleled martial heritage and honour and how they decimated their enemy.
Members of the House of Greymore are renowned for their training in the art of swordsmanship from a young age, often known as "Bladeborn" by those in the empire. They are trained not just in physical combat but also in the principles of strategy, mastering the art of war. This was Lucas' family but also now mine so to say.
————————————————————
I moved over to the vacant chair across from my sister Amelia. I could feel my family's scowls as I sat down, looking down into the recesses of my soul.
"Lucas, why are you here?" My sister Amelia was the first to break the ice. Her question didn't come as a surprise because Lucas's father neglected him and he seldom ate with his family. Lucas lacked talent even though he was a duke's son.
This made his father continue to ignore him. Even more so when his mother passed away. Lucas' lack of skill also caused his siblings to start ignoring him and harbouring a deep hatred for him.
"Am I not permitted to?" I answered, trying not to sound annoyed. I could hear my sister snort at my remarks, annoyed by my sarcastic response, "I am a part of this family as well."
"Lucas." At those words, I tightened up all of a sudden. I turned to face the one who had said them. My father was there. With disinterest in his red eyes, he stared at me as though I weren't related to him. "Do not speak to your sister that way," he said in a cold voice. Even though he displayed no power, I could feel a sudden pressure wash over me, causing my back to drip in sweat.
Lucien Greymore. A Zenith rank powerhouse. A man standing at the pinnacle of power within the mortal realm. Those who have reached this realm are individuals who have surpassed the limits of their kind and exist on a higher plane of power and he is one such being that has achieved this realm.
Despite my father's intimidation of me, I had a neutral expression on my face. My mind was strangely at ease just now, as though all of my earlier uneasiness and concern had been a lie.
" It is not time yet," a tiny whisper spoke out to me abruptly during that peaceful moment. The voice sounded ethereal, yet faint. It was a hauntingly beautiful but also a frightening melody.
'What was that?' I questioned. The voice felt somehow similar yet I am sure I had never heard that voice as it was too beautiful and distinct for me to forget. "Lucas." My father's indifferent voice brought me out of my daze, my mind once again a turbulent mess of anxiety and unease with even more unease descending upon me due to that unknown voice. "What are you doing Lucas?" It seems as though my father caught wind of my absent mind.
As I pondered for a reply an incoming voice spoke across the table, "Father just leave him be." My brother commented with scorn, "he is clearly not in the state of mind."
Before he could say anymore words of admonishment, I quickly stood up and left the room; leaving the stifling atmosphere of the dining hall and making my way back to my room. I needed to clear my thoughts.
Damien Greymore. As much as I wanted to say he was a lovable brother to Lucas, he wasn't. It was quite the opposite. He hated Lucas thinking he was a stain on the House of Greymore's reputation.
Damien was similar to the original Lucas, possessing similar haughtiness and arrogance. But it didn't stem from lack of attention but rather his talent. It was overwhelming, to say the least.
At the young age of 15, Damien utilised aura for the first time. Shattering all previous records. Moreover, his talent for the sword was frightening, making people call him the next sword saint of the new generation and he didn't disappoint.
At the age of 25, Damien became one of the first people to reach the rank of ascendant causing an uproar within the empire of Wisteria. Such a man was my brother.
My sister, on the other hand, despised me not only due to lack of talent, it also stemmed of her belief that I killed my mother, a topic left for another time…Though my brother's talent was said to be unparalleled, my sister Amelia could also contend with my brother in talent and skill.
Despite the house of Greymore being famous for the sword, my sister opted for a different weapon. The bow. Amelia had overwhelming talent with the bow. Reaching a point of mastery with it that it could be mistaken for perfection. Her precision Is legendary, able to hit targets with unerring accuracy at incredible distances.
She is able to release arrows with such speed and precision that they seem to almost vanish before hitting their mark. She also made a staggering achievement of entering the Grandmaster rank at the young 20.
And then there's Lucas…
The so-called shun of the Household. The original Lucas didn't inherit any godlike talent like his siblings. He was talentless. No talent with any weapon nor affinity with any element. It was hopeless for him.