Erenyx was gasping for air, chest rising and falling as she struggled to steady her breathing. She picked up her sword once more, sweat trickling down her temples.
Caelus brushed his long hair out of his face and tied it back, mirroring his daughter's style. A faint smile spread across his lips.
He exhaled — then vanished.
The air cracked around Erenyx as jab after jab sliced past her, each thrust of his blade coming closer, faster, sharper. She barely dodged each one, her instincts flaring, her movements growing sluggish as exhaustion set in. She knew she couldn't keep evading forever. She needed one perfect opening.
And then — she found it.
Erenyx's hands clasped together in an ancient sign. A spark echoed from behind them, followed by the thunderous shriek of a beast.
From the smoke, a Thunderbird burst forth — lightning incarnate — crashing into Caelus's back before dissipating into a storm of crackling energy. The impact stunned him for only a heartbeat, but that was all she needed.
Erenyx grabbed his shoulders, driving her knee into his chest, then followed up with a relentless barrage — left hook, right hook, a kick to the ribs, and a lightning-charged jab that scorched the air. Each strike hit harder than the last, her aura burning brighter, faster, wilder—
Until a brilliant golden light flared from Caelus's wooden blade.
His Aegis had awakened.
The rapier flashed once, and before Erenyx could react, the tip struck directly into a meridian on her shoulder. The precise hit shut down her left arm instantly. Her limb went limp, unresponsive, her breath catching in her throat.
One arm useless, body trembling, she could barely stay upright.
But her right arm — her dominant — burned with power. Crackling energy surged down to her fingertips, and the scent of scorched wood filled the air.
She raised her arm high, voice raw but defiant.
"KITEN!"
Thunder roared as a beam of lightning erupted from her hand, spiraling into the form of a beast's snarling head. It charged forward, devouring the air between them—
But before it could strike, Caelus thrust his blade with perfect precision, splitting the lightning construct cleanly in two. The strike ended at Erenyx's neck, stopping just short of contact.
"End."
His voice was absolute.
Erenyx collapsed, drained of strength, gasping between heavy breaths. The fight was over.
After a long silence, she finally managed to speak.
"So... you gonna tell me what that was for?"
From the stairwell, Orion descended, carrying bandages in hand. Her arms were covered in faint burns from her own lightning; he knelt beside her and began wrapping them carefully, reigniting the meridian her father had sealed.
"You did well, Nyx," Orion said softly.
"Thanks... but at what? I'm still confused," she muttered, her voice weak.
Caelus walked toward the barrel he'd drawn his weapon from and returned it, speaking without turning to face her.
"How comfortable have you gotten with your lightning?"
Erenyx exhaled and let herself fall back, sprawled flat on the floor.
"As you saw a minute ago, I finally developed a technique to use it from range. But... it wasn't really useful, was it? How long did it take my brother to figure that out?"
Caelus chuckled, the sound low and fond.
"It took that boy as long as it took him to realize he could use lightning in the first place. He was truly gifted."
A soft smile crossed his face as memories surfaced — of someone lost to time, but never forgotten.
Erenyx raised an open palm toward the ceiling, eyes distant.
"Do you think I'll ever be as strong as he was?"
Though her face was blank, her voice trembled slightly. Doubt, longing, and determination swirled beneath the calm.
Caelus turned at last, his expression warm.
"Just as strong, my girl," he said gently.
"I think you'll be just as strong."
...
THKK!
Their fists collided with power — but not speed. The impact echoed through the yard.
"Make your punches tighter," Orion instructed, his voice calm but firm. "Especially when you're channeling lightning. Wasted movement is wasted time — and wasted time means throwing away your chance to kill your opponent."
He demonstrated with a quick jab, lightning flashing for only an instant around his arm. The strike snapped forward, stopping just short of Erenyx's face. The burst of wind forced her eyes wide open.
She mimicked him, focusing the lightning only into her joints instead of letting it surge through her entire body. The result was immediate — cleaner, sharper, faster.
"Whoa! I could've done a lot more if I knew that!"
Orion chuckled, tying his glowing white hair back into a loose knot.
"Well, now you do. Put it to use — and use it well."
Erenyx darted up to him, grabbing his shoulder with a playful grin.
"You still haven't taught me how to push my lightning further like yours!"
Orion tilted his head slightly, that half-smile of his returning.
"That's not something you can really teach. Once you keep pushing yourself beyond your limit, you'll start to feel the difference."
Erenyx frowned, dissatisfied but knowing he was right.
"You're focusing too much on lightning," he added, turning toward the house. "You're neglecting your natural talent. You're more than just that."
With a casual wave, Orion disappeared inside, leaving her alone with her thoughts.
Erenyx exhaled and turned back to her training, striking again and again. Each hit crackled with short bursts of lightning, the air splitting with miniature shockwaves. The precision and timing were improving fast — each motion tighter, cleaner, faster than before.
Caelus stepped out from the doorway, arms crossed, watching quietly.
"In such a short time, your technique's improved by bounds," he said with quiet pride. "That's no beginner's form. In fact... that technique you're using — your brother invented it."
Erenyx's eyes widened, a spark of excitement lighting up her face.
"You've gotta teach me more of his stuff! This is awesome!"
She ran up to him, beaming.
Caelus chuckled, reaching out to pat her head.
"You'll have to be much stronger first. That boy was... more gifted than even myself."
His smile softened with memory.
Erenyx nodded, her expression thoughtful now, her mind drifting toward an image she'd never seen — her brother. What he was like. How powerful he truly was.
....
The smoldering flames burned bright, fed by chi that roared throughout the smithy. Sparks danced across the air like fireflies caught in a storm.
Orion stood before the forge, one arm outstretched toward the fire, his expression sharp with focus. His glowing white hair was tied into a high bun, sweat glistening along his temples.
"Now," Caelus commanded.
In an instant, a bolt of purple lightning shot from Orion's hand, striking the fire. The forge flared violently, its crimson glow deepening into a radiant azure blue.
Orion glanced back, but Caelus only shook his head.
The dark elf turned back toward the flames, jaw clenched. He gripped his right wrist with his left, channeling everything he had into the next strike.
"Again!" Caelus ordered.
Another surge of lightning burst forth, more powerful than the first. The azure flames twisted, morphing into a ghostly white inferno that howled like the cursed winds of the Weeping Forest outside. The sound was haunting — half flame, half the wail of trapped souls.
While the forge blazed at its strongest, Caelus lifted an iridescent, gold-like metal in his hand. It shimmered with unnatural light, reflecting every color of the fire.
Without hesitation, he lowered it into the heart of the forge.
The flames swallowed it whole.