The training ground stretched wide across the Ellucia estate, a sandy expanse bordered by towering stone walls. A crowd had gathered, nobles and commoners alike, drawn by the promise of a spectacle. Xarath stood at the edge of the arena, his heart pounding as he watched his sisters prepare.
Xia swung her sword in precise arcs, her movements a blur of speed and power. Ella adjusted the string of her longbow, her gaze sharp as she eyed the targets placed at varying distances. Mai stood to the side, a ball of swirling flame resting in her palm, a smirk playing on her lips.
Xarath tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword. It felt foreign in his hand, more a burden than a tool. This isn't about winning. It's about proving I'm more than they think I am. But what if I fail?
"Are you ready, brother?" Xia's voice cut through his thoughts like a blade. She strode toward him, her armor glinting in the sunlight. "Or have you finally decided to admit you don't belong here?"
Xarath met her gaze. "I'll let the battle decide."
She laughed, a cold, sharp sound. "Very well. Try to keep up."
The First Match: Xarath vs. Xia
The herald stepped forward, his voice booming over the crowd. "The first match: Xarath Ellucia versus Xia Ellucia. Begin!"
Xarath barely had time to raise his sword before Xia was upon him. Her strikes came fast and relentless, the force of her blows rattling his arms. He stumbled back, struggling to parry, his movements clumsy compared to her calculated precision.
"Is this all you've got?" Xia sneered, pressing her advantage. "You can't even stand your ground!"
Xarath gritted his teeth, sweat dripping down his brow. Stay calm. Watch her movements. Find an opening.
He dodged a sweeping strike and aimed a counterattack at her side, but Xia deflected it with ease, spinning to deliver a kick that sent him sprawling into the sand.
The crowd erupted into laughter.
"Get up, Xarath!" Xia taunted, pointing her blade at him. "Or do you yield already?"
Xarath pushed himself to his feet, his body aching. "Not yet."
He charged at her, swinging with all his strength. Xia sidestepped effortlessly, hooking her foot behind his ankle and sending him crashing to the ground once more.
The herald raised his hand. "Winner: Xia Ellucia!"
Xarath lay in the sand, his chest heaving. As Xia walked away, she glanced back at him, her voice dripping with disdain. "You're no warrior, Xarath. Stop pretending to be one."
The Second Match: Xarath vs. Ella
The herald's voice rang out again. "The second match: Xarath Ellucia versus Ella Ellucia. Begin!"
Xarath barely had time to recover before Ella notched an arrow and let it fly. He ducked just in time, the arrow whizzing past his ear and striking the target behind him.
"Don't worry, brother," Ella called, her tone light. "I'm aiming to miss... for now."
She loosed another arrow, this one grazing his shoulder. Xarath winced but kept moving, closing the distance between them. If I can just get close enough, I can disarm her.
But Ella was faster than he anticipated. She leaped back, loosing three arrows in quick succession. Xarath managed to deflect one with his sword, but the other two found their mark—one in his thigh and the other grazing his side.
He dropped to one knee, the pain sharp and unrelenting. Ella approached, her bow lowered.
"You've got heart, Xarath," she said softly, almost kindly. "But heart doesn't win battles."
She nocked another arrow and aimed it at his chest. Xarath raised his hand in surrender.
"Winner: Ella Ellucia!"
The Final Match: Xarath vs. Mai
By the time the herald announced the final match, Xarath was exhausted and battered. Mai stepped forward, her golden eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Don't worry, big brother," she said, her voice lilting. "I'll make this quick."
She extended her hand, and a gust of wind swept through the arena, kicking up sand. Xarath shielded his eyes as Mai's magic took form—a swirling vortex of fire and air.
"You can't fight what you can't touch," Mai said with a grin. "Come on, Xarath. Show me what you've got."
Xarath charged at her, his sword raised, but the vortex surged forward, knocking him off his feet. He hit the ground hard, the wind knocked out of him.
This is impossible. How am I supposed to fight against magic?
Mai laughed, twirling her fingers to summon another blast of fire. "You might want to stay down, Xarath. You'll only embarrass yourself further."
But Xarath forced himself to his feet, his legs trembling. "I won't give up," he said, his voice steady despite the pain.
He lunged at her, dodging another fireball, but before he could get close, Mai's magic sent him flying backward. He landed hard, his sword skittering out of reach.
The herald raised his hand. "Winner: Mai Ellucia!"
The crowd cheered for the sisters, their names echoing through the arena. Xarath lay in the sand, staring up at the sky. I failed. Again. No matter how hard I try, I'm always one step behind.
A shadow fell over him. He looked up to see Llama the 3rd, his father's expression unreadable.
"You've proven nothing," Llama said cold
. "You claim to have strength of spirit, but spirit doesn't win battles. You are a disgrace to the Ellucia name."
Xarath winced, the words cutting deeper than any blade. He forced himself to sit up, his body aching. "I'm more than just a sword, Father," he said quietly. "One day, I'll show you."
Llama's gaze hardened. "Show me? You can't even show yourself. You've failed at every turn, Xarath. You're no heir. You're not even worthy to carry the Ellucia name."
Before Xarath could respond, Llama turned and walked away, the crowd parting for him. Xarath's sisters followed, each offering him a glance of varying emotions—Xia with contempt, Ella with pity, and Mai with amusement.
Xarath sat there in the sand, alone. The crowd dispersed, their laughter and whispers fading into the distance. He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms.
Maybe he's right. Maybe I'll never be enough. But I can't stop. I won't stop.