Maxi dropped into a stance, steady and alert.
Techxin smiled. "You ready?"
"Yep," Maxi replied.
"Then let's go."
In a blink, Maxi closed his eyes, took a breath-and opened them as he darted to the side. Just as he did, Techxin's fist passed by his face, inches away. Maxi smiled, rolled beneath it, and ran toward his brother.
Techxin grinned, following up with a powerful thrust. Maxi swerved, barely dodging as Techxin punched midair, the force stirring the wind around them. Maxi spun, arms stretched out, and used the punch to propel himself over Techxin's shoulder. His weapon, tough and long, helped with the flip.
Landing with a soft exhale, Maxi turned to see Techxin already spinning, now with his back toward him. Techxin launched into a sliding kick. Maxi leapt, avoiding the sweep, but Techxin twisted mid-slide, facing him once more.
Maxi barely had time to react as Techxin reeled back and aimed a punch. Realizing he couldn't dodge in time, Maxi crossed his weapons in front of him, blocking the hit.
His cylindrical-shaped daggers vibrated from the impact, but held firm.
Techxin's eyes gleamed. If they're that sturdy, how much force would it take to actually break them?
Maxi skidded back slightly, then smirked. Time to end this.
With a swift movement, he hurled one of his weapons. Thanks to its aerodynamic tip, it spun perfectly, speeding toward Techxin. The older brother prepared to dodge left-only to catch a glimpse of a second weapon flying in at another angle.
Forced to dodge backward, the two projectiles narrowly passed his head.
Maxi was already in motion, dashing straight at him.
As the weapons passed overhead, Techxin realized-they weren't daggers.
They were wooden stakes.
Before he could react, Maxi's small form lunged, grabbing and suplexing him hard onto the ground. The impact knocked the breath out of Techxin's lungs. Maxi then leapt up, drew his real daggers from his side, and landed squarely on Techxin's chest. He pointed both blades at his brother's neck.
Moonlight bathed his glowing eyes as he grinned. "You lose again."
Techxin let out a deep laugh. "Gosh dang it, Maxi. You and your stupid plans."
Maxi smiled, teasing. "You gotta stay on your toes, big brother."
Techxin chuckled, shaking his head. "Alright, fine. I'll give you this one-even though you cheated."
Maxi gasped. "How did I cheat?"
"You said you were gonna use your daggers and your fists! Where in the Thousand Spiraling Hells did the stakes come from? And I didn't even see you use your fists!"
Maxi crossed his arms. "First of all, I didn't even use the stakes. Second, I did use my fist when I was in midair-I hit your punch to flip behind you. Technically, that counts. And I said I'd try a combination between my daggers and fists. That's not a promise. That's more of a maybe."
Techxin laughed again, wiping dirt from his arms. "Fine, fine. You won fair and square, ya little weasel."
Maxi sheathed his daggers. "At least you know without a doubt you can still beat me with your blessing powers."
"True that," Techxin said with a nod.
Maxi turned to leave. "Anyway, I gotta go."
"Alright, goodbye then."
"Bye-wait, when do you usually go to bed?"
Techxin stood up, patting himself off. "When the third moon is a third of the past the sky."
Maxi looked up.
The third moon-the brightest and largest, glowing pure white-still sat in the center of the night sky. The first moon, pale and light blue, glowing in front of the second moon. The second, deep navy in color, had already drifted slightly away from the middle. And the fourth moon, small and pitch-black, was nearing the horizon.
Maxi nodded. "Okay. I'll see you later."
Techxin waved. "Yeah, you will."
Maxi walked back to his small castle, the moons casting shadows across the quiet land. When he entered his room, he blinked.
Angelina was gone.
A note lay on the bed.
Maxi picked it up and read silently:
"Thanks for carrying me to your room. I appreciate it.
Sorry, but I dismissed myself today. I think I experienced enough 'fun' for one day.
-Angelina"
Maxi sighed and said aloud, "Fair enough."
He laid down, letting the silence of the night lull him to sleep.