Captain Steve Rogers's POV
I sat hunched over a heavy oak desk in my Spartan quarters, the glow of the desk lamp illuminating a fresh sheet of parchment. In a world defined by Graces and structured power levels, the raw, untamed power I had witnessed today felt like a storm brewing on a clear horizon and from a child noless.
Idipped my quill into the inkwell and began to write a formal letter to Queen Mylene.
These boys were only ten years old, yet the events of the arena were far beyond their years. I expressed my concerns about the twins, Lex and Leon. He described the intensity of Lex's Daytime Grace and the terrifying moment when it had seized control, transforming a child cadet into an avatar of pure, untamed power, and that if I had been any later then Daiya would have died. The incident raised unsettling questions about the nature of their abilities—abilities that seemed to operate outside the predictable bounds of their society's 'Grace' system.
Later that evening
With the weight of the day still heavy my shoulders, I sought out Bucky, cause I really needed a drink
I found his leaning against the doorframe of base lounge, a thoughtful look on his face."Bucky," I called out, my voice happy to find someone to talk to lay all my emotional baggage on
Now at the bar I began
"I'm worried man.
I mean since when have children been that powerful, and I'm worried Leon will lose control just like Lex did this afternoon. They're just kids, but there's a raw, untamed power there that defies all of our current understanding of the Grace system."
Bucky downed an entire mug
" Bar keep another round here please"
Turning back to me he added
"They're just kids, Steve, they should be playing around right now but the life they were born into won't let them
That wasn't just a powerful Grace at work; it was something... primal. And that fight with the Private..."Steve nodded, his gaze distant.
"It's more than that. I've noticed a strange, connection between them. When one boy's power surges, it seems to force the other to follow suit. It's like their abilities are linked, pushing each other to greater, and potentially more dangerous, heights. The sheer power at the end of the day was something else entirely. They need more guidance."
Leon's Pov
Meanwhile, in the quiet, sterile environment of the infirmary, Leon sat in a rigid chair next to his brother's bed.
He felt older than his ten years—older than the world he was in, really, a feeling that never quite left him since he'd woken up in this body and Lex was the only one who could bring out his inner child and sure they might fight but he loved his brother.
Lex was unconscious, his breathing even, the subtle solar energy of his Grace knitting his body back from the brink of internal injuries and the force of Captain Rogers's blow.The roaring crowd and the metallic clang of the arena seemed a world away. Leon took his brother's hand, his expression firm and unyielding with a silent promise he spoke
"Lex," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion and a fierce determination. "I will catch up soon. I swear it. We'll become the strongest together, just like we promised Dad."He stayed there for a long time, drawing strength from his brother's steady presence, until the infirmary lights dimmed for the night.After leaving the infirmary, Leon walked down the quiet, dimly lit hall to their room (619)Daniel Raymond,. He knew they were the only ones who had lost their matches today, and the sight of their dejection in the stands had pained him. He was the only one of their group to emerge victorious, a fact that felt hollow without their shared success. (he Knew Leon would not accept a victory he was not conscious for)
He knocked softly on their door and entered to find the two sitting on their beds, looking utterly miserable.
"Hey guys," Leon started, his tone a bit stiff. He was trying for the supportive, confident friend persona, but it felt forced. "Today was tough, I know. And it's okay to be down, but remember this isn't the end. They were older than us and we still have a long way to go, and we'll get stronger, together. This is just a step on our path."
Raymond, staring at the floor, let out a long sigh. "Easy for you to say, you won. "
Daniel, looking equally miserable, chimed in, "Yeah, and I know Captain Roger's is going to kill me with training tomorrow even though it's graduation day."
"Hey, come on now," Leon said, trying to lighten the mood. "It could be worse"
Daniel just raised an eyebrow. "Leon, your not Lex when it comes to pep talks"
"Well, the point is, we all have our off days." He tried again, summoning a memory of a time Lex had made them all laugh. "Remember when Lex tried to use his 'Blinding Light' ability to find a lost sock in the laundry room? He ended up blinding himself and the laundry sergeant for an hour."
Raymond let out a small, dry chuckle, the first sign of life he'd shown. "Okay, that was actually pretty funny. The sergeant looked like a sunburnt tomato."
"Exactly!" Leon brightened. "See? We mess up, we learn, and we get better. Your losses today are just data points for our next training session. Think of it as a tactical retreat from the jaws of failure."
"A 'tactical retreat'," Daniel repeated, a tiny, reluctant smile forming on his face. "I like the sound of that better than 'crushing defeat'."
"That's the spirit," Leon encouraged, feeling a bit more comfortable in his role as motivator-in-chief, even if his jokes were subpar. "We're a team, guys. We analyze what went wrong, we train harder, and next time, we come out on top. Together. This is just the beginning for us."
Raymond and Daniel looked at each other, the heavy weight of their disappointment lifting just an inch.
"Together," Raymond agreed, a little more force in his voice.
"Together," Daniel echoed, nodding. "But next time, maybe let Lex handle the pep-talk jokes, okay, Leon?"
Leon grinned, glad to see his friends recovering. "Deal." (But being compared to Lex and Failing was a blow to Leon's ego and so he swore to become a comedian in the future and he did)