Soon after both Erdush and Abner moved their caravan to be almost right next to Nira's cabin, much to her annoyance.
Erdush had started to teach the basics to Adder only to learn that the boy took up his teaching like fish to water.
And seeing Adder accomplishing what took Abner years in just three months, spurned the elder brother for him to actually take his training seriously.
But because he took up Erdush as a teacher did not mean he started to ignore the ways of the furies.
Instead he redoubled his efforts, throwing himself into their more cruel methods of training like weighted armor and training gear.
And all that training had started to show in Adder, as he and his brother started to spar under the direction of both Erdush and Nira.
Adder continued to focus solely with the spear, but Abner was constantly switching between the spear and sword.
Not at the same time though, much to Nira's confusion.
Always one or the other, but no matter which one he wielded his fighting style never changed.
Large brutish slashes and stabs, using power not skill.
Nira had asked Erdush about his grandchild's fighting style, but all he answered with a loud sigh and him rubbing his temples.
Obviously Erdush had already recognized the problems in his grandson's fighting style, in a quick fight Abner fighting like that would be fine.
But in a battle of attrition Abner would lose, and Adder's style was the perfect counter to his brother's.
…
Adder fought exactly like a serpent, quick slashes and stabs while never staying in the same place twice.
Like a periscoping serpent quickly biting forward before pulling back, the attacks never hit where one expected.
A fighting style that excelled in fluidity, endurance, accuracy, and speed.
Continuously avoiding his brother's large attacks through lightning fast back steps or countering in forms that would be impossible for any regular warrior.
Erdush had trouble remembering that Adder actually had a skeleton, with how he seemingly slipped into his brother's blindspot then perfectly in one motion went for the lion's neck.
With the victor apparent, Abner dropped his sword and wiped his brow.
"Yeah you got me, grandfather, this is the fifth one. Can we please take a break?"
Abner shouted to the two spectators, seeing that the both of them had gained all that they could from sparring.
Both Nira and Erdush ushered them to sit down and let their muscles relax.
…
Both Adder and Abner ate like they had bottomless stomachs, as the young serpens stuffed down a pork cutlet.
Erdush and Nira sat in front of the two gluttons, sharing a look of understanding before Erdush turned to the newfound brother.
Erdush then handed Adder a simple wooden box, a "belated birthday present" he called it.
What laid in the small box were glasses, but not like any he had seen before.
"Four lens glasses, made for missions where sight was the highest priority."
Erush started to explain, as Adder took the glasses in hand, eyes locked on the most obvious feature.
The lenses of these glasses were a deep crimson perfectly matching Adder's own eyes.
"At least with these on, at least no one will question your humanity."
Adder chuckled at that, for few that have known him ever thought that he was truly human.
But this was his first birthday present, so Adder donned them.
"Looks Great!"
Abner said as Adder examined the mirror, the glasses had indeed hid his crimson eyes.
But even then, the crimson lenses were very much eyecatching by themselves.
But this was his first ever present, Adder decided that he should at least keep them on for now.
But soon after Nira also gave him a present, a golden ring styled after a coiling cobra.
Putting it on, Adder smiled and looked at the two who were the closest things to parents he really ever had.
"Thankyou…"
But before Adder could continue his thanks Abner grabbed him, wanting to actually play with his brother.
Seeing no problems with it, they allowed the children to go but they had to stay in the forest.
Both of them waved goodbye as they disappeared into the thicket.
…
In the middle of the forest, Adder and Abner sat in a clearing.
Abner was obviously bored out of his mind as he watched his brother practice his magic.
The eldest watched as the orb that floated around the youngest changed from a golden yellow to a milky white.
And then shift into a scarlet hue, Abner thought back to when his brother showed off this ability.
He named it Basilisk's Arsenal, along with paralysis Adder could copy and retain every serpentine venom he came in contact with.
Adder made his brother promise that he couldn't tell anyone of his newly discovered ability.
Adder wanted to be able to switch seamlessly between venoms before showing Nira.
The scarlet venom came from the Crimson Tormentor, a serpent not known for its lethality but cruelty.
Whose bite did not bring death, but horrendous unforgettable pain.
Abner watched as one of his brother's 'subjects' slithered to Adder and made himself comfortable on his king's shoulders.
Adder had named him Nero, a Crimson Tormentor and the first serpent that submitted to his brother.
Abner had sighed for the seventh time, as he watched Adder continue his magic training.
The [mana ball] dissipated as Adder picked himself up.
"Hide and seek?"
Abner smiled at his brother's offer, he immediately took off as he said.
"You're it!"
Adder chuckled as he watched his brother disappear from sight, giving his brother a well needed headstart.
…
It was Adder who was seeker, both fire sight and his ability to taste through the air had made it too easy for him to find his brother.
And so he agreed not to use them, even though it seemingly was not needed.
That was due to Abner's abysmal hiding sense, his first spot was hiding behind a tree too thin to actually hide him.
But to be fair he had gotten better, of course there was still room to grow.
Adder silently watched as he watched his brother stand inside the branches of the tree in front of him.
Abner had taken a branch covered in leaves, and used it to better hide himself.
It would have worked if his brother was not hiding in a pine tree.
Adder jumped up and grabbed his brother, Abner not realising what had happened until he was out of the towering tree.
"How!"
Abner complained after being found for the tenth time in a row, this being the fastest Adder had found him yet.
"You can't easily hide from a serpent, Abner."
Adder said with a shrug, smiling failing to hide his joy with his victory.
"How about a different game?"
Adder offered, not wanting to strain his relationship with his brother.
Abner huffed at that, before laughing.
"Are you kidding this is the first time I've ever lost at something!"
"Its nice to finally have a challenge!"
But before Abner could continue talking, two different screams echoed through the forest.
The brothers shared a glance before speeding of to the origin point of the screams.