Every since I was a kid, I've always been outshined by my older brother.
He was smarter, faster, funnier, nicer and more popular than I could even dream of. I always find myself sitting in the background watching him play with the village kids or train with his wooden sword.
Nobody expects anything of me. They all expect things of him, instead. All because he fits the characteristics of some stupid prophecy talking about a "legendary hero".
Black hair. Yellow eyes that glow. Abnormal magic and physical power. It's exactly what was seen in the last hero almost 700 years ago, and now my older brother of all people have those ecact physical traits.
I envy him.
But despits that, I love him, and he loves me, so I can't really blame him for any of this as it wasn't his choice either.
Like I mentioned before, he is a very kind person, including to me. Despite my shortcomings and his popularity, I always appreciated that I was his number one priority.
It was probably the reason I didn't hate him by now.
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"Suri!" Kai called out to me as he waved from his training post, the dummy covered in slits and dents barely hanging on by a thread as it rocked back and forth from his last attack on it. "You getting bored yet? Dad said I can train you if you want!"
I smiled at him. "Thanks, but I'm all good!" Kai sighed as he lifted his sword again, striking the dummy and slicing it clean in half. Impressive that a wooden sword can do something like that in the right hands.
I stood up and began to run over to Kai but was suddenly pushed to the ground, my face landing directly in the dirt. I held my nose as I stood up, a bit of blood coming out of it as I watched a group of kids run over to my brother.
"Wow, that was so cool, Kai!" One kid said excitedly.
"You really are the next hero!" Another exclaimed, jumping up and down. I decided to go back inside after watching their exchange, only a little bit disappointed that I couldn't be the one congratulating him.
Later in the evening, Kai finally came back into our shared bedroom. I was laying in my bed reading a book about ancient magic when he approached me.
"Suri," he began, sitting beside me. I closed my book and set it on my nightstand. "I'm sorry for today... I saw them push you over but I didn't get a chance to see if you were okay."
"It's fine, Kai, really!" I put my hands up and smiled awkardly. "You know I'm used to it."
Kai looked really hurt by my comment, so I decided to change the subject.
"Kai, actually, I was thinking about what you said earlier..."
"What I said?"
"Yeah, about training me?"
Suddenly, Kai's face lit up and a big grin formed on his face.
"You want me to train you?!"
I was silent for a moment. For some reason, the back of my eyes felt heavy and I could feel tears forming.
Kai stood up without noticing anything.
"Suri, I would love to! Training my little brother how to fight has been my dream since you were born!" He then looked at me again as I laughed. "What made you change your mind all of a sudden?"
"Honestly, watching how people treat you when you're that strong looks really nice... I think it would be cool to have some friends in the village." Kai looked hurt again.
"Oh, Suri..." he wrapped an arm around me. "I still will never understand what these village kids have against you. Personally, I don't even like them, but I can't say that to their faces." I laugh.
"They're all over you, too. I bet they're jealous they aren't a hero like you are."
"Hey, they're jealous that your big brother is a hero which is probably why they don't like you. I'll make sure you're trained just right so we can beat them up together!"
Once again, we both laughed.
My life was really nice. For the next 3 years, Kai stayed true to his word and used his own training time to train me. I felt a little bad, but his excitement at being able to train me every day made me feel like I was the one doing HIM a favor.
Life was great, even if people didn't like me too much. But that nice feeling wouldn't stay...
The day Kai turned 16, a large carriage approached our home. The golden crest of the phoenix made it obvious what kingsguards came to visit our home.
I watched from a distance as the knights in their silver and gold-etched armor spoke to my father and my brother. I could tell Kai was nervous, but he also had a hint of excitement to him. Probably because he would be giving these knights commands someday is my guess.
But the visit wasn't just to talk with my family, but rather to invite Kai to the capital to recieve training under the kingsguard general himself.
I felt happy for him. I felt truly happy that he gets to do this...
So why does it hurt so much?
Kai broke the news to me the next day. It didn't go too well at all.
"Suri, wait!"
"No!"
I am honestly embarrased by how I reacted, but I feel like it's justified.
"I'm only going to be gone for a year. I'll visit when I can and when I'm finished, I can train you more like I promised!"
"You're so perfect, you don't even realize it, Kai!"
I bit my lip. I was about to say something I shouldn't, and I was about to hurt the only person who cares about me...
"The only reason I put up with living here is because of you! You're the one who talks to me, who trains me, who plays with me, who likes me, who actually cares about me!"
Kai was speechless and I could see the tears forming in his eyes.
"You're the only one... and now you're leaving me... what am I supposed to do? Everyone here hates me and for what, because you're my brother?"
"Suri, that's not-"
I stood up.
"You can leave. But I won't be here when you come back."