Kai was grinning from ear to ear as he held out his hand. Once again, he had proven himself to be superior.
Khazi was also grinning in a similar fashion as he took Kai's hand. Once again, he had found a new move, a new idea, to study. It was like that old saying Kai once said. 'Iron sharpens Iron.'
Even though he knew this recent loss would later lead to discipline from his father, Khazi didn't care. Because eventually, he would get stronger. Eventually, he would win his father's approval.
For now, though, it was time to eat.
As usual, Khazi jumped at the sound of old Betty's shrill command, "Come eat boys! 'Fore I feed yer food te the dogs!" As usual, Kai stood there laughing at Khazi's skittish disposition. Then, as usual, Khazi feigned annoyance as he punched Kai's shoulder.
They raced back to the house, Kai narrowly winning and only due to his longer elven legs.
The boys ran viciously into the house, threatening to smear their muddy boots all over the mansion's floors. Fortunately, they were promptly stopped by the crossed arms of the head servant: Myria.
Even though he was suspicious of Lord Shuzen, this was a development that Kai loved. After the death of that old man, that 'murderer,' his mom had been appointed as the new head servant almost instantly.
'And more than that,' Kai knew, even though his mom and Lord Shuzen had tried to keep that a secret. Even if most of the servants didn't know, Kai's shrewdness was a few levels above the average person.
With a groan, the boys sat down to take the time to take off their boots. As his clunky fingers pulled too hard on the strings, conflicting them into a tiny knot, Khazi cursed, "Damn it! Aren't servants supposed to help with this?!"
Myria uncrossed her arms, stepping forward with a cross look before Khazi knew his fatal mistake. He meekly whispered, "I meant darn it."
Khazi kept his head on the ground, lacking the courage to face the head servant. He knew he was going to be doing chores now.
"What have I told you about swearing, son? I feel I've explained to you countless times how unbecoming swearing is for a noble such as yourself. And yet, you continue to defy me?"
At the sound of his father's voice, he squeezed his eyes shut, fearing his future misfortune. Myria was nice. She would just have him tag along with her and help clean. Often he'd even purposefully get in trouble as he enjoyed her company.
And she told him ideas to get one over on Kai
His father wasn't nearly as nice though. Always noble this, noble that. If he was mad, Khazi already knew that cleaning the stables would be his best outcome. He shivered at the idea of worse punishments- namely, collecting the berries of a little wooded area in the south part of the estate.
He'd heard tales from servants about how horrible that job was. Some tasked with the job even died.
There are probably actual beasts there. Not the usual weak coyotes and such, but high-rank beasts like the Juma.
'I think that's what Kai called them, anyway.' Khazi thought.
"Son? Don't go mute now. You had no problem talking when you were swearing. What's the issue now that you've been caught?"
Having no idea how to answer in a way to avoid the threat of a horrible chore, Khazi looked around for assistance. Myria just stood there, her arms crossed once again. She probably didn't actually care this much about the damn word, but because his father did she was putting on a show.
As he usually does when in the presence of Khazi's father, Kai was busy staring at Lord Shuzen. Khazi never really understood why.
'Does he find him hot or something? You know he's scary Khazi! Pay him more respect...'
Knowing he had no support in this specific matter, Khazi turned to his father slowly, whispering "Sorry."
His father only shook his head, saying, "No, it's happening too much to be fixed with a sorry. Son, tonight Mrs. Betty is going to teach you how to scrub the hearth. Ok?"
'That's not too bad!'
At first, Khazi responded excitedly, but he was quick to fix his tone. "OK! I- I'll do it."
Feeling his son was appropriately punished, Lord Shuzen cast a smile before saying, "Good! Mrs. Betty better not say anything bad about you either, or I'll change your punishment to picking berries."
At this Khazi's eyes instantly grew wide, but they were quickly set back to normal when Kai jabbed his side. He made sure to make it look like an accident to Khazi's father and Myria, but the boys knew the truth. Kai was looking out for him.
Turning away, Lord Shuzen called out, "Hey, Est! Your best friend and brother are here!"
The boys jumped at the thundering footsteps of the little gremlin. Although not even 2 (just a month away!), their little sister (unknown to Kai) was a very active, hyper-intelligent toddler. Not as much as Kai was, but considering he had the gift of being an 18-year-old in a baby's body, that wasn't much of an anti-feat.
As she rounded the corner to the entryway she was already squealing, "Ka-Kai! Kha-Khazi!"
Giving her father a high five as she giddily ran past him, she laughed as she jumped into Khazi's arms. Kai made a pouting face as if she had just slighted him, which only intensified her laughter.
Myria watched with a pursed smile, wishing that she could be seen in public with her child. Fearing confrontation with the other houses, Lord Shuzen had acted as though the daughter was Sasha's, and the only servants close enough to her to rebuttal this statement had died.
Only she and Shuzen knew the daughter's true mother, and both knew they had to keep it that way. Lord Shuzen's power was derived more from careful planning and treachery than it was from power, and public image was important in politics.
Myria found solace in the fact that behind closed doors she was allowed to raise her daughter, albeit under the guise of being a concerned head servant.
It was still painful to watch her brother grow up right next to his sister but never knowing the truth, however. Still, even without that familial bond, Myria knew with all her heart that Kai would do whatever it took to protect her.
3 years later
Kai ran through the thick woods, paying no mind to the branches stabbing his face. As his hair became matted with blood and sweat, the only thought on his mind was 'Move faster!'
This thought was followed by him cursing Khazi. The damned fool had taken his eyes off of Ernest! Even if it was only for a few seconds, he knew better than to take her out of his sight even on the safe grounds of the main house. Yet he took his eyes off her right next to the woods?!
'I told him all about this place... how it's filled with actually strong beasts. There could even be Juma here, and those are C-rank at least!'
Lord Shuzen was on a hunting trip as well, making the situation even worse.
A shrill scream rang through the jungle as Devon jumped over a log, cursing Khazi once again.
Devon was the only one capable of saving his little sister, his best friend. As the purple spark within his heart turned into a raging fire, he knew that if he had to sacrifice Khazi to save her, he would.