"I heard about your bravery. You have grown up now Aria and we all are proud of you, my little sister". Ariana murmured.
"It's been so many years since I heard you call me sister" Aria replied.
Then came from the hallway was Aiden and Rowan.
"Hey big rabbit, how are you?" Aiden teased.
"How are you.....,sister?" Rowan asked.
"Ohh rowan, Ahhh so my dear brother, i am fine".
Then she turn to Aiden. "Hey Aiden, are you free now?"
"Yeah but why?"
" I hope you remember what you said earlier" Aria remind.
"How could i forget that!" Aiden said with excitement.
"Then let's go".
"why not".
"if I win, you will give me a treat and if you win, i will treat you a meal" Aria declared.
"It sounds good".
"Hey! Why not we make a rule here-if your swords touch each other then you will loss" Ariana adviced. "Because in real battles, even a single fault can lead us to death".
The sun blazed over the open clearing, it's golden rays slicing through the swaying canopy. Leaves trembled with each gust of wind, as if sensing the charged tension in the air.
At the center of the field stood the two of them-back to back, swords drawn.
"Ready to lose, dear brother?" Aria smriked, her braid flipping over her shoulder as she turned to face him.
Aiden rolled his shoulders, cracking his neck with a grin. "Only if you're ready to cry like last time, big rabbit".
They lunged at the same time.
Steel met steel with a deafening clang, sending shockwaves through their arms.
Lyra's eyes sparkled with the thrill, her blade twisting to the left in a feint. Aiden countered with practiced ease, sidestepping and slashing toward her side. She ducked under, laughing.
"Getting slow, old man!" she called.
"You're a whole one year younger, Aria!" Aiden snapped, but his grin never faltered.
Their swords dancing in a flurry of silver and sparks. He went high-she blocked. She swept low-he leapt back. Footsteps tore up grass, boots pounding in a whirlwind of motion. Neither held back. This wasn't child's play anymore. It was fierce, fast, real-yet somehow still playful.
"You know", Aiden puffed as they clashed again," You talk a lot for someone-"
"-who keeps almost hitting your face?" She finished sweetly.
He lunged forward in mock offense. She twirled around him, slicing through the air with expert precision, nicking his sleeve.
Ariana and Rowan was watching them when Arnold and Allen approached.
"Now, i have no regrets for what i did" Arnold murmured.
He glanced down at the rip. " You owe me a treat".
Clang! Clang! Shing!
Breathing hard, both circled each other, hair clinging to sweat-dappled brows, lips curled into grins despite the effort. Trees whispered around them, leaves flutteringlike an audience holding it's breath.
Then-it happened.
They moved at the same time.
He slashed diagonally.
She thrust forward.
Time slowed.
Both blades stopped just inches into the other's- Aria's sword at Aiden's shoulder, Aiden's at Aria's ribs.
They froze.
Then brust into laughter.
Aiden stepped back, dropping his sword to the ground with a dramatic sigh. "Well, well. Looks like we've created a perfect stalemate".
Aria sheathed her blade, smirking. "A shame really. I wanted to wipe that smug face of yours into dirt".
Aiden raised an eyebrow. "You mean the face that you are watching from childhood-the handsome face?"
They stared at each other for a beat.
Then, together: "Draw".
"Aria, you have improved enough. I am ptoud of you. I still remember how you were when i left you behind giving everything on you" Ariana claimed.
Arnold approached " I am happy that the kingdom is now on the right hand. Allen told me how you improving the kingdoms".
"You are the youngest among three of us, Aria. But you are equal". Rowan said.
"No. I am not good, i am not special- it's because all of you that you all believe on me and supported me. Thank you for trusting me and for giving me the chance to grow" Aria gave a faint smile.
"Hey, rabbit" Aiden said hugging her. " I never thought of hugging you like this but…thanks. You don't know but you are our soul and the most sacred person in our life".
Aria pushed him slowly to see his face " Hey! Why are you sounding like a protectI've big brother suddenly?"
" Because i am".
" Aria...". Allen said.
"Yeah?"
"Could you please tell Nolan that i am fine amd he doesn't need to worry. I was broken before but now i am fine". Allen whispered.
"Well... ok. But what's the matter? Nolan also looked tense after returning from Merna town".
"Just tell him what i said. He will understand it and some matters are better to be hidden from the world more than gaining sympathy". Allen said with a faint smile.
Understanding the weigh of Allen's word, Aria didn't ask much amd respected Allen's silence.
Next morning
The sun hung on the sky and the birds start singing that's when Aria made her horse ready to go.
"I am going now. Take care of yourself". Aria said to Ariana.
"I do but you also have to take care of yourself" Ariana cupped Aria's cheek.
She nodded then turned to Aiden. "Hey piggy! Why not do a battle again next time?"
" I think you are very obsessed to lose on battle by me". Aiden teased. "But i accept your challenge" he said bowing his head dramatically.
"In your dreams".
"Aria" Arnold approached. " Take this sword".
Aria looked at it and again to Arnold's face.
" But how could i? This is your kingdoms ancient sword which passes through one generation to another by the previous king to the new one".
"Because you are the right person for this sword to handover". He said, a glimpse of light in his eyes like he know whybis he doing this.
"But it's not my right-it's Ana's and Mary's to.
I only fulfilled my responsibilities, so don't".
Aria said, looking Ariana for support.
"Aria, you are so pure and selfless. Just take it as an honour. If you don't, it will an insult of the sword and the ancestors". Ariana replied standing infront of Aria.
Aria thought about it for a moment and clised her eyes then said " Ok then. But…i will give it to Ana and Mary in the future".