Weeks passed, and the castle grounds witnessed an unusual routine, the sparring sessions between Cyrus and Phoenix. It started as a way for them to prepare for the monsters that threatened the Lunar Kingdom, but it became something more, a part of the day they looked forward to, a silent battle of wills laced with unspoken tension.
One early morning, the courtyard was alive with the sound of clashing steel. Cyrus circled Phoenix, his eyes sharp and calculating. "You're too slow on your left," he pointed out, his voice calm and almost mocking.
Phoenix tightened her grip on her sword, her crimson eyes narrowing. "Maybe you're just overconfident," she shot back, lunging forward. Her blades cut through the air, but Cyrus sidestepped with infuriating ease, his sword coming up to defend her attack.
