Chapter 11: Echoes of Resolve
Lucas stepped through the front door and quietly shut it behind him. The lingering tension from earlier still clung to his skin like mist. He was sure of it—he had been sensed. Not just noticed, but pinpointed, which should have been impossible.
"Brother?" came a familiar voice from the hallway.
Kaela stood there, arms crossed, brows knit tightly. She was barefoot, wearing a loose house tee and shorts, but the sharpness in her eyes betrayed that she'd been waiting for him.
Lucas raised a brow. "Yes?"
"Were you… watching us today?"
Lucas blinked. "Us? Watch? I didn't do such—"
"Don't lie to me," Kaela cut in. "I'm sure of it. I sensed it too. You were out there, watching from the shadows."
Lucas's silence gave him away.
"Okay, fine," he admitted. "It seems you caught me. Yes, it was me."
"I knew it," she said with a huff. "So why? Why sneak around like that? Were you trying to keep Liam from noticing you?"
"Yes," Lucas replied calmly.
Kaela tilted her head. "But him knowing my skills, letting him know that I know aether combat, and i have a master? I wouldn't have let him know all of that, right?
"No, that's not it," Lucas said, stepping forward. "I have a mission for you."
She arched an eyebrow.
"Stick closer to Liam. I want you to get to know him. Become his best friend. Find out everything you can."
Kaela blinked. "Wait, what? Why?"
"You could just sneak into his house, find what you need, and leave. You're very good at it," she said.
Lucas sighed, walking past her and into their training room, the small dojo at the rear of the house. "I tried this evening and failed. There's someone formidable in that house. Someone with ambient awareness sharper than mine. I was sensed. Not by Liam, but by someone else."
Kaela's eyes widened. "Whaaat? You were sensed even while concealing your presence? Then… he's stronger than you?"
"Not necessarily," Lucas replied. "Ambient awareness is about sensing intent, presence, and motion. Once you fully conceal yourself, it should block sensing. But—there's an exception. If someone has stronger ambient awareness than yours, even your concealment will fail. It doesn't mean they're stronger in battle, just more sensitive in that dimension."
Kaela frowned, then softened. "So… you want me to spy for you?"
Lucas touched her shoulder gently. "Not spy. Learn. Understand him. I'm not asking just as your older brother. This is your mission… but also a request."
Kaela paused for a moment, then gave a small smirk. "Alright, Master."
Lucas smiled. "Good."
"But… why do you want to know him this badly?" Kaela asked.
Lucas looked away. "...Because he caught my eye. And I need to know if he's the one I've been searching for."
"To do what?"
"Don't worry about it," Lucas said, voice low. "Just complete your mission. Give me your report."
He turned to the dojo doors. "Now… we spar."
Kaela's eyes lit up. "Finally!"
They changed into their training gi and stepped onto the mat.
"I've been waiting for this," Kaela said, stretching. "I'm going all out today. I'll show you how far I've come on my own."
"As you like. Don't hold back," Lucas said. "Here are the rules: if you can touch my ear, you win."
Kaela grinned. "Easier said than done."
They bowed and launched into a blur of movement.
Kaela rushed in first, feinting low and spinning into a rising elbow. Lucas weaved back with minimal movement, his eyes sharp. Kaela pressed the attack—her footwork graceful, her strikes fluid, unpredictable. Lucas deflected, dodged, and countered only when necessary, guiding her flow like water around stone.
She ducked a sweeping kick and launched off her back foot, flipping behind him and striking toward his ear with two fingers. Lucas barely tilted his head, letting her miss by an inch. He chuckled. "Close."
Kaela scowled. "Too close for comfort, huh?"
Lucas smiled slightly. "Good. Show me more."
---
Meanwhile...
Liam stood in his room, fists clenched at his sides.
He couldn't shake the feeling of disappointment. No training today. But his body craved movement. Purpose. Challenge.
Maybe… I don't need Dreck for everything, he thought.
He sat cross-legged and closed his eyes. Slowing his breath, steadying his mind. He'd seen Dreck use it. That uncanny ability to disappear—presence concealment. He wanted it. Needed it.
Five tries. Five deep meditative attempts. Then—
Snap.
It clicked. A subtle shift inside. His body moved like mist, silent and unnoticeable. He opened his eyes and smiled.
"Let's test this."
With cat-like grace, he slipped out of his room and down the hall. He reached the underground dojo, heart pounding.
He began his routine. Shadowboxing, precise stances, chaining moves Dreck had taught him.
And then—
"I knew you'd sneak in," came Dreck's voice behind him.
Liam jumped.
Dreck stepped forward with a grin. "Seems you win. So, let's train."
Liam's heart raced. "Even with my injuries?"
"Especially with them," Dreck said. "Today we spar—for real."
Liam nodded eagerly.
"One rule," Dreck said, eyes narrowing. "If you can land a solid palm strike on my center torso, you win. It must be precise. Focused. And not lucky."
"Got it."
They circled. Dreck moved like a beast at rest—fluid, unpredictable, dangerous. Liam darted in, light on his feet. His ambient awareness sparked—he saw Dreck's muscles tense before a punch. He dodged. Countered. Failed. Tried again.
Back in Kaela's dojo, she launched into a whirlwind of motion, suddenly shifting her weight midair. Lucas blinked. That technique… she created that herself.
She spun past his guard—fingers extended—aiming straight for his ear—
Meanwhile, Liam dropped to his knees in a
roll, using the momentum to spring upward and—
Strike!
---
To be continued...
Two strikes. Two destinies. Will either land?