The morning sun cast a soft gold over the curved halls of the Sky House. Two brothers — Noa and Lyric — wandered barefoot and wide-eyed through the high corridors, drifting from one chamber to another like curious whispers.
First stop: Rowan's chamber.
Noa gently pushed the door open.
The room was military-level clean. Weapons were mounted like artwork. A single cot sat beside a perfectly folded blanket.
Rowan stood inside, polishing a blade. His back to them.
"You missed alignment training," he said flatly without turning.
Lyric whispered, "I think he sleeps standing up."
Rowan turned. "Lyric."
"Brother," Lyric said with a mock salute. "You're glowing with your usual morning cheer."
Rowan gave Noa a nod. "You're late."
"We were... meditating," Noa lied.
Lyric added, "Yeah, on the philosophy of oversleeping."
Rowan rolled his eyes.
Next stop: Kirell's chamber.
They stepped in to find their grandmother kneeling beside a small planter of sky-root. Her eyes sparkled when she saw them.
"My stars, you two again," she said. "Did the breakfast hall run out of trouble?"
Lyric ran in and hugged her from behind. "We missed your nagging, Gran."
She patted his face. "And I missed your excuses."
Noa smiled softly, already nibbling a dried fruit from the table.
"Sit," she said. "Tell me what trouble you're dragging into today."
Lyric began, "It all started when fate chose Noa and left me with him."
"Still not letting that go?" Kirell asked.
"I'm a middle child," he declared dramatically. "We carry generational trauma by default."
Kirell laughed, shaking her head.
Next stop: Kael's chamber.
They knocked. No response.
Lyric opened the door. Inside: a room of maps, relics, armor, and two heavy swords crossed above a glowing core-stone.
Kael stood at the center, arms folded, eyes closed — meditating in a stance that looked like it could break stone.
"Father?" Noa asked.
Kael opened his eyes. "Training begins after lunch. Be ready."
Lyric whispered, "Do you sleep with your eyes open too?"
Kael didn't smile, but his eyebrow raised slightly. That was a win.
---
✦ Midday — Lunch Hall
They sat together — Kael at the head of the table, Rowan beside him, Noa and Lyric across.
Kirell placed a plate in front of Rowan. "For the soldier."
Rowan gave a brief smile. "Thank you, Grandmother."
Lyric looked offended. "Where's my soldier plate?"
"You get the dreamer plate," Kirell said. "Smaller. Less risky."
Kael cleared his throat.
"Noa. You've been pushing your core into sword practice. That's good."
Noa nodded.
Lyric added, "And I've been pushing myself into naps. Balance, Father."
Kael didn't blink.
"After lunch, courtyard."
---
✦ Afternoon — The Courtyard Sparring Ground
Kael stood at the center, massive training sword in hand.
"No Ore at first," he ordered. "Just skill."
Noa stepped in. They clashed — fast, clean. Noa's footing was light. He moved like a seasoned fighter, but Kael's strength was too refined.
Within minutes, Kael disarmed him and swept him to the ground.
"You lean too much on rhythm. Anticipate."
Noa grunted, rising again.
Lyric stepped up next.
He twirled the sword theatrically.
"Try not to blink. I'm a blur when I'm panicked."
Kael attacked fast — Lyric dodged, spun, ducked... and then screamed when Kael tapped him on the shoulder.
"Gotcha."
Kael shook his head. "You move well when you stop talking."
"I take that as love," Lyric muttered.
They rotated through drills. Kael taught them how to channel Ore with precise breathwork, to extend their range through vibration shifts, to anchor their stance without sinking.
Noa improved fast — his strikes sharper.
Lyric lagged, until Kael barked, "Stop dancing and strike."
Lyric gritted his teeth... and suddenly, moved fast. Unnaturally fast. The Ore inside him synced.
Even Kael raised a brow.
Then... a footstep echoed.
Rowan entered.
"Father."
Kael turned. "You're late."
"I was out. Patrol drill."
Kael didn't argue. He just nodded. Rowan joined to watch silently.
Noa whispered, "He's going to try to fight Father again."
Lyric added, "I give it two minutes before Rowan breaks the ground."
Before they could test that theory, Town appeared near the entrance, whispering something into Kael's ear.
Kael's eyes narrowed.
"I need to go."
"Is it serious?" Rowan asked.
Kael looked between them. "Spazerov."
Noa blinked. "He's here?"
Kael nodded once.
"Training's over."
And with that, he strode out, robes swaying, the weight of something unspoken behind him.
Noa and Lyric looked at each other.
Lyric: "Think he's going to yell at someone?"
Noa: "Hope it's not us."
Lyric grinned. "Dinner's going to be interesting."