Aether Chronicles: Birth Of A Legend

Raegar turned to his older brother with a smile while pointing a dagger at him. ''Let's fight now. I want to see what you can do, considering you're a Dawnfire General who Father brags about.''

Jasper chuckled before a sword appeared in his hand, an excited expression appearing on his face. ''Let's do it, little bro, but be warned, Father, Grandfather, and Rodric just like you and Lyra.''

Without warning, Raegar crouched low, surging power into his body as he cast Enhancement as he knew his opponent was strong. In an instant, he exploded forward like a streak of white lightning, catching his brother off guard.

Forced onto the defensive, Jasper barely managed to block the relentless barrage of strikes coming from him. He was moving so fast that the older sibling was barely keeping up until he struck back.

He raised his daggers to block the attack forcing him back with a smile as he skidded to a stop while speaking as his eyes gleamed with excitement. ''Impressive, big bro, but it's not enough.''

With a sudden burst of energy, Raegar launched to the side before shooting forward, his body enhanced with Aether, moving like a phantom. His brother barely had time to react before he was upon him; his strikes were so fast that they turned into a dark blur.

Jasper gritted his teeth while being shocked at his sibling's strength, he quickly braced himself as he raised his arms to block the relentless onslaught. Each strike sent sharp jolts through his body, forcing him to retreat step by step.

As he watched his younger brother move with blistering speed, a thought flashed through his mind. 'Damn, he's faster than before.'

Raegar pressed the advantage, weaving between his brother's defenses like a predator closing in on its prey. A smirk tugged at his lips as he saw an opening; Jasper's stance was slipping.

With a sharp pivot, he drove a powerful kick toward Jasper's ribs, who barely managed to block the sudden attack. The impact sent him skidding backward, leaving deep trenches in the dirt.

''You're getting sloppy,'' he taunted, his red eyes glinting with amusement.

Jasper exhaled sharply, shaking his arms to dispel the sting. ''And you're getting cocky, little brother.''

Then, with a stomp of his foot, the earth rumbled. Raegar's instincts screamed at him to move, but it was too late. The ground beneath him erupted as thick pillars of rock shot upward, forcing him to leap back.

His brother wasted no time, slamming his palms to the ground. The earth obeyed, surging forward in jagged waves, chasing him like a living beast. He twisted in midair, barely avoiding the stone spikes that threatened to impale him.

Jasper smirked, confidence surging back as he raised both hands. With a sudden tremor, the ground beneath Raegar split apart, swallowing him in an instant. The earth closed in, trapping him inside the pit that his brother had masterfully sprung.

Tendrils of earth surged upward, wrapping around his limbs like chains, locking him in place. He thrashed against the stone, muscles straining, but they held firm. Above him, Jasper stood with a smug grin, arms crossed as he watched his younger brother struggle.

''Remember, my cocky little brother,'' he said, his voice laced with confidence. ''I'm a Tier Five Warrior Mage. But I've got to admit, you're impressive and will be able to beat me one because I know you'll go far once you reach the higher Tiers.''

''Alright, but let me out of here now,'' he said while struggling to free himself from the rock chains that held him in place. ''This stuff feels like it's ripping into my skin.''

After that, Jasper raised his body with a chuckle before dropping him on the ground while speaking. ''Now get some rest; the incoming family drama is worse than fighting monsters. The Vaelthorne's never cease to amaze me with their behaviour.''

Raegar chuckled as he knew they loved to compete and argue with each other, forcing his Grandparents to break up several fights over the years whenever the entire family gathered a couple times a year.

Afterward, the duo returned to the tents, and he noticed Yuki was watching him with glowing blue eyes. The pink-haired beauty beamed as he got closer, causing Jasper to ruffle his hair. ''Night, little brother. It's good to see you after so long.''

He watched the man walk off as the cat woman appeared beside him with a big smile. ''I love watching you fight, young master. And you've only used what you've learned so far, but I am excited to see what you learn at the academy.''

Raegar chuckled with red cheeks, he couldn't help but smile at her words. ''I hope I can move to Mist. That would improve my Aether Pools and overall powers,'' he replied while sitting down and getting comfortable as the fire blazed.

Yuki joined him and wrapped a blanket around them as she softly spoke. ''I can't wait until you're in your second year; that's when classes calm down. You get more freedom to explore the Gates and Dungeons in the academy.''

He grew curious when hearing her words, prompting him to question. ''What do you mean?''

''I'll get to visit and see you more,'' she answered, avoiding his gaze while continuing. ''Plus I have a surprise for you, young master, but it will have to wait until classes start.''

Raegar grew curious but chose not to ask before cooking some campfire bread for the two of them, They sat in silence as the sizzling sound echoed out. Yuki was pleased he didn't prod her for an explanation.

Minutes later, the young woman accepted some of the freshly cooked food when it was finished. The duo sat in comfortable silence, eating beneath the vast expanse of stars twinkling above.

While doing that, Yuki glanced at him with a hopeful expression as she questioned. ''Does it bother that I'm ten years older than you, young master?''

''No,'' he instantly answered after swallowing his mouthful of bread. ''I love how mature you are, if I'm honest.''

Yuki couldn't help but beam before asking something that caught her attention when they reunited. ''Those daggers of yours, young master, I noticed you can summon them at will? So they've got runes?''

Raegar raised his hand and called for one of the blades, and it appeared like a ghost, which surprised the older woman, but he started speaking. ''Yes, Grandfather added a rune that connected with my Aether, so only I can wield them.''

''Amazing,'' she muttered when admiring the dark metal. ''Those are Aether weapons, better and much more expensive compared to normal daggers.''

'Interesting,' he mused with glowing red eyes. 'I wonder how much Grandfather paid for them?'

Raegar shrugged as it didn't matter as the two continued eating. After some time, exhaustion crept over him, and he let out a small yawn before rising to his feet as the sounds of night monsters echoed out across the landscape.

Stretching, he turned toward the cat woman and spoke while yawning as exhaustion set in. ''I'm going to get some sleep. Want to join me?''

''Yes, please, young master,'' she replied softly, her tail swaying side to side in anticipation as he helped her up.

Following that, the duo entered the tent before he removed his dirty armor and boots so the inside wouldn't get muddy. The cat woman commented with a sweet smile as the Aether Lights lit up the inside. ''Take the mask off, I want to see your face.''

Raegar stiffened at her words but slowly nodded, reaching up to remove it. As the cool air touched his face, Yuki gently cupped his cheek, her touch warm and reassuring. She smiled, a soft, radiant expression that sent his heart racing.

''So handsome,'' she murmured, tracing the faint scars with her fingertips. ''These don't change how I feel about you, young master. So stop being paranoid over them, please.''

He swallowed hard, her words striking deeper than any battlefield blow, his heart pounding in his chest. Just then, she tilted her head and asked abruptly, ''Do you care what others think?''

Raegar hesitated for a moment before answering, his voice quiet but firm. ''I only care about what you think, Yuki.''

When the young woman heard his words, her smile widened, a radiant beam that lit up her entire face. Without a word, she curled up beside him, and he instinctively wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her closer.

As he spooned her, the warmth enveloped them both, a silent understanding passing between the duo as they settled into the comfort of each other's presence. He soon fell asleep while Yuki followed behind.

The next morning, Raegar woke up the tent shaking thanks to a storm, prompting him to step out only to feel the muddy ground and heard the complaints from the surrounding soldiers as they cleaned their gear.

He approached his brother's tent only to see him and two commanders standing around a map. Jasper looked up and informed him with a grimace. ''The Kingways has been flooded by the Western River. We need to travel around, which is more dangerous.''