Jane "alright alright enough serious talk at the dinner table." turning to her two dumplings, "so what do you wanna do for your birthday?"
It seemed like Cassia had already planned everything out. "I wanna go into town and get a book on spirits! Oh oh and walk the stalls during Festival of the Seventh."
This was an event held every year during the winter for those who had turned 7 and became Accursed.
"Alright, we can do that." Jane said, her heart warming.
Anecus had thought about it 'was there really anything I want?' He looked at the faces of everyone at the table. 'I don't think I could feel any more content than this.' Anecus felt himself cringe at the sappiness.
Red breaking his line of thought, "Anecus?" he said with his brow raised. It seemed he had said his name more than once.
"Oh, uh I don't want anything. Just spending time with everyone is enough." Cassia slammed her hands on the table "what!? I can't be the only one getting something. I'd feel bad!"
"Cassia calm down." Jane said, she then turned to Anecus with eyes that seemed to be searching for something. "Honey, are you sure? There's nothing you want?"
squirming in his chair a little "umm, I'd like to start working in the fields. Part of the irrigation team."
Both Jane and Red's eyes widened a little more than surprised. "Are you sure, that's a big responsibility?"
Anecus nodding his head. "I think it's time I start doing more." feeling a little bashful "The Goldenfields have been more than good to us."
Jane after exchanging a glance with Red "sweety I think that's a great idea."
A few days later
"Haha that's so you, asking for a job as a gift." Naia was clutching her stomach.
Cassia with a smirk "I know right, I have such a goodie two shoes brother."
Anecus was already walking away grumbling.
Catching up to Anecus, Naia tapped his shoulder "Sooo your parents invited my parents to the party…"
Anecus thought there would be more…"and?"
Naia pouted a little "are you not going to invite me?"
Anecus was dumbfounded, he facepalmed. "Naia, you know that you are coming…you're always invited."
Naia, still pouting "hmpf, it still feels nice to be invited."
Letting out a half sigh, half laugh. "Naia, will you come to my birthday party?"
Grabbing his hand and pulling him home she had a bright smile on her face. "I'd love to."
Anecus eyes widened a little. Something warm but confusing passed through his chest.
As they were walking home Naia 'forgot' to let go of Anecus's hand. He didn't mind, it's something they have been doing since infancy. The mood was light and normal.
Until another group of boys around the same age walked past them. The oldest of the group noticed Anecus and Naia. 'well well if it isn't the silver freak'
"Fancy seeing you here. It's not often we are blessed by one of the great twins." stepping forward cutting off their path he noticed Naia holding his hand.
A surge of jealousy formed causing his teeth to clench. Naia was the first to speak. It was cold and already thin on patience. "Go away." Ever since the her sixth birthday Naia had the time to look over past events and come to a conclusion.
She didn't like people bothering Anecus.
He didn't leave, he poked and prodded. "Ever since you started training, all the parents are 'be like Anecus' or 'why not be more disciplined like Anecus.' It's an ear sore." he said, taking a step closer.
Anecus followed Red's advice and stayed quiet. He already had an escape route planned. Naia on the other hand was getting angry.
Holding his hand a little tighter, "it's not his fault your parents are dissatisfied with their son." Her eyes flared with challenge.
The boy's attention was now on Naia. It wasn't a secret that he had a soft spot for Naia, many people did and ever since he had awakened his arrogance has been more frequent.
"Naia Naia, it's all just some banter between boys." he looked at their hands again 'tsk'
"Why are you always hanging around him anyway? He's not even an Accursed." He proudly placed a closed fist over his chest "I on the other hand have awakened my Enhancer pillar already."
He had an arrogant smile "wouldn't it be better to hang with me?" words befitting an immature 8 year old.
Anecus's muscles tensed and he had a feeling of repulsion in his chest…but it was coming from Naia? 'It's happening again.'
He heard Naia's voice, it was a little shaky and she looked visibly sick at his suggestion. "Gross! Stinky immature boys are not my style." She started to pull Anecus away. "Just because your father is my dads boss doesn't give you the right..."
While this was happening The boy was advancing to Naia and Anecus was in thought. 'What was his name again?'
'...Doesn't matter, I'm sick of this.'
Anecus was preparing to knock him onto his butt. However before he could Naia felt his anger, and in a whisper that was soft and caring. "Ane don't…let's just leave."
Before he could protest she was already dragging him away while also declaring her stance loudly "No thanks! I have found what's mine." She looked over her shoulder "besides he'll be more than you'll ever be, accursed or not."
Anecus blushed a little, not sure why. 'What does she mean she's found what's hers?'
Crush or not this angered the boy, his face flushed red "how dare you!"
The boy lunged forward trying to grab Naia's shoulder "and here I thought, I'd give you honor by standing next to me."
He didn't even get to take another step as a flash of silver came from Naia's left. Then pain, deep pain in his lower sternum. His breath was stolen.
Anecus POV
Anecus's blood vessels were about to pop. His fists were loose and ready to strike but he bit his lower lip and followed Naia without complaint. However "here I thought I'd give you honor."
That broke the dam…Anecus gently but somehow quickly removed Naia's grip. He bent his knees and spun right, placing himself between Naia and the boy. Keeping his arms and fists loose while he put strength into his legs and hips.
keeping his left arm close to his center and extending his right, only tensing his fist on impact to the boy's sternum.
The Boys POV
It happened so quickly 'w-what happened?' Even as a fresh Accursed his reaction time should be faster than any human, 'my breath is still gone'. Then came the barfing. He was punched so hard in the sternum that last night's dinner decided to erupt.
On all fours now, hands balled up 'fuck this sucks' *barf* finally his breath had returned. 'Who hit me?'
looking around dazed he couldn't see anyone, until he looked up. 'The silver freak' was standing over him with a calm composure, except for his eyes. They were silver like normal. But they were different, 'They looked cold, deadlier.'
Then almost not at all they flared with orange and white light that resembled the sun. 'I felt a shiver run down my spine.'
'When I finally heard what he had to say I couldn't move.'
Filled with warning and promise "Insult me all you want." His silver eyes flared ever so slightly. "But never make the foolish presumption of forcing someone to stand beside you."
Anecus looked at Naia, his eyes softened instantly and then spoke to her, not the boy. "Especially those I hold dear."
Naia's face turned bright pink.
POV break
Anecus turned and held Naia's hand and began running. While running with Anecus she couldn't help but to start laughing. Anecus heard the beautiful melody and couldn't keep himself from smiling. "What's so funny?"
Naia through the giggles put on an exaggerated voice, "oh nothing, sage Anecus. Your wisdom knows no bounds." Anecus blinked and thought back to what he said, He joined her in her amusement.
They finally reached where they parted from Cassia, still running. Cassia noticed them "hey!"
They both kept running.
Cassia "HEY!" She took off after them, finally catching up to them "why are we running and why are you guys laughing?"
Anecus looked over his shoulder with a uncontained grin. "Who knows!"
The trio didn't stop until they were home. At some point Cassia didn't even know why but she fell into laughter alongside them.