Sun Way: The New Era

The courtyard of the Vasilier estate was a wide, open space paved with smooth flagstones and framed by tall, manicured hedges. In the center stood a fountain depicting a Ritter with a raven banner slaying a dragon, its water glinting in the sunlight. The air carried the faint scent of roses from a nearby garden, but the tranquility of the scene was broken by the sharp clang of steel against steel.

Two young men faced each other in the dueling ring, their imposing frames silhouetted against the early morning sky. Lucius, standing at an impressive 6'6", towered slightly over his younger brother Karl, who stood at 6'5". Both were broad-shouldered and well-built, their rigorous training evident in their athletic forms. Their blonde hair caught the sunlight, shimmering like polished gold, while their piercing blue eyes gleamed with focus and determination.

Lucius's saber arced through the air, the polished blade catching the morning light as it clashed against Karl's. The younger brother, just a year his junior, grinned as he parried, the force of their strikes sending vibrations up their arms. Both wore tailored uniforms of aristocratic high-collared jackets adorned with silver embroidery, pressed trousers, and polished boots. Lucius's jacket was a deep navy blue, while Karl's was dark grey.

Their younger sisters, Lucy and Milana, sat on a stone bench nearby, their blonde hair catching the sunlight like halos. Lucy, twelve, clapped her hands excitedly whenever Karl landed a blow, while Milana, at fourteen, leaned forward, her blue eyes darting between the brothers as if analyzing their every move.

"You're distracted, brother," Karl teased, pressing forward with a series of rapid strikes. "Thinking about her again?"

Lucius's jaw tightened, but he didn't respond, meeting Karl's offensive with a series of parries that drove his brother back. The clash of their blades echoed across the courtyard, the sound sharp and relentless.

"I'm just saying," Karl continued, dodging a particularly aggressive swing from Lucius, "maybe it's not all bad. I mean, who knows? This Adelheid might surprise you."

Lucius's saber struck with a force that sent Karl's blade skittering to the side. He pressed the advantage, driving Karl back toward the fountain. "Focus on the duel, Karl," Lucius snapped, his voice colder than usual.

Karl smirked, recovering his footing. "Alright, alright. But you can't blame me for trying to lighten the mood."

He lunged, his saber aimed for Lucius's side. Lucius twisted to avoid the strike, but Karl in fact feinted and adjusted mid-attack, the blade slicing through Lucius's jacket and into his flesh.

The older sister Milana gasped, jumping to her feet. "Lucius!"

Karl, didn't stop with his saber as blood darkened the fabric of Lucius's jacket. And Lucius barely flinched. He looked down at the wound, then back at Karl, his expression unreadable.

"Sloppy," Lucius said, his tone dismissive.

Karl further aggressively pushed but failed to make any progress as he watched the deep gash that should have been debilitating close before his very eyes. The bleeding stopped almost instantly, and the torn skin knitted itself back together in seconds another second later and the jacket too knitted itself. The only evidence that there was even an attack was the streak of blood on Lucius's jacket which too was being absorbed.

"You're really showing off now, aren't you?" Karl muttered, taking a step back.

Lucius shrugged, his grip on the saber tightening. "Perhaps. Or maybe you're just predictable."

Without warning Lucius counter-attacked as he lunged, his strikes coming faster and harder than before. Karl struggled to keep up, his blade barely deflecting Lucius's relentless assault. Sparks flew as their sabers clashed, the force of their movements sending shockwaves through the courtyard.

Lucy leaned toward Milana, her voice a hushed whisper. "Did you see that? He didn't even—"

"Of course I saw it!" Milana whispered back, her eyes wide. "It's like nothing can hurt him."

Lucius pressed the attack, his movements a blur. Karl's defenses faltered under the sheer intensity of the assault, and with a final, powerful strike, Lucius disarmed him. Karl's saber flew from his hand, clattering against the flagstones as Lucius's blade came to a halt just inches from his brother's throat.

Karl held up his hands in surrender, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "Fine. You win. But I still got a hit in."

Lucius lowered his saber, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "A lucky one."

Lucy and Milana clapped their voices a mix of cheers and laughter. To them, it had been a thrilling spectacle, a game played by their brothers. But for Lucius, the duel had been something more. Each strike, each movement, had been a way to release the tension coiled within him, a distraction from the weight pressing down on his shoulders.

As Karl retrieved his saber, he glanced at Lucius, his expression softening. "For what it's worth, I'm sorry. About all of it."

Lucius sheathed his saber, his gaze drifting toward the horizon. "It doesn't matter," he said, though the words felt hollow even as he spoke them.

Karl stepped closer, lowering his voice so their sisters wouldn't hear. "If you care about her that much, you should fight for her. Grandfather doesn't decide everything, you know."

Lucius's eyes narrowed, his expression hardening. "Karl, you know how Grandfather is. He won't take no for an answer."

Karl sighed, resting a hand on Lucius's shoulder. "Maybe not. But think about it. He got his title because he fought for what he wanted, no matter the odds. In a way, you could follow in his footsteps."

Lucius shook his head, his disapproval clear. "This is different. We're talking about a woman! Grandfather won't approve. Even the way you put it, he'll just see it as a joke."

The words lingered in the air as the brothers turned to join their sisters, the tension of the duel fading but the weight of their conversation remaining. The courtyard fell quiet once more, the only sound the gentle trickle of water from the fountain. But for Lucius, the silence was anything but peaceful.

With his thoughts unsettled, he resolved to visit someone.