Victoria stormed into her room, her boots clacking against the polished floor. Jason followed closely, his expression a mix of concern and confusion. She slammed the door behind them, her frustration boiling over.
"Unbelievable, Jason," Victoria fumed, pacing around the room. "Elliot's priorities are skewed. My children, his own flesh and blood, are relegated to second-rate training, while Raven, that bastard child of a maid, gets to learn from the Captain of the Black Lions?"
Jason's expression remained neutral, but his voice was measured. "Perhaps, milady, it's because of Raven's .....potential that Elliot sees fit to invest in his training."
Victoria's anger turned venomous. "Potential? Ha! That boy's nothing but a fluke. His mother's influence, no doubt. She's always been a sly one, manipulating Elliot with her...her..." Victoria's words trailed off, her face reddening with rage.
As Victoria's anger continued, Jason's thoughts drifted back to a memory from years ago. He recalled the day when all five of Elliot's children, including Raven, were taken to the Valley of Swords. The children had been so young, full of wonder and curiosity.
The Valley of Swords was a sacred place for the Lionheart family, where the swords of fallen warriors were kept as a reminder of their legacy. According to tradition, the swords were said to hold the essence of the warriors who wielded them.
As Jason remembered, the children had been led to the Valley, each one eager to see if they would be chosen by a sword. But it was Raven, the young boy with an uncertain future, who had caught everyone's attention.
Raven had approached the first Patriarch's sword, a sword said to hold the essence of the family's founder. And to everyone's surprise, the sword had chosen him. The significance of this event was not lost on Jason. It was said that the swords chose those with the purest heart and strongest will. And Raven, despite his uncertain parentage, had been chosen by the most revered sword in the family.
Jason's thoughts returned to the present as Victoria's voice cut through his reverie. "Jason, are you listening? I need you to find out everything you can about Raven's training and his potential weaknesses."
Jason's voice remained calm. "Milady, perhaps it's wise to focus on supporting your own children rather than comparing them to Raven. After all, they are the ones with the legitimate claim to the family's legacy."
Victoria's gaze turned icy, her voice dripping with venom. "You don't understand, Jason. When I found out Elara was pregnant, we gave her poison because what "that person" said."
Jason's expression remained neutral. " You're referring to the prophecy, milady...?"
Victoria's eyes flashed with anger. "Yes, the prophecy. It said Raven would be the one to claim the Lionheart legacy, no matter the cost. When I found out he survived the poison, I was furious. But then...then he got chosen by the Patriarch's sword. It was as if fate itself was conspiring against me."
Jason's voice was measured. "But, milady, your children have had learned the Lionheart martial artits, they have the finest elixirs...they've been groomed for this their entire lives. There's no way Raven, starting at 16, can catch up to them."
Victoria's gaze narrowed, her mind racing." My children are superior...or that's what i thought, But...that person visited me again, and the prophecy remains the same. Raven is still the one destined to inherit the Lionheart legacy. That's why i organizedto mercenaries to act like bandits to kill him....yet he survived again and now he can use Aethon? Are you kidding me?!!!"
~~
Raven after a long talk with his mother finally returned to his room. He slept in awe as tomorrow, on his 16 birthday he'll finally start learning martial arts and to make things better his teacher was the Strongest of the 7 captain's with the Lionheart family.
Feeling unease in his sleep....Ravens eyes snapped open, and he was greeted by Kael's imposing figure looming over him. "Wha...?" Raven mumbled, still half asleep. "What time is it?"
"It's 00:01, young master," Kael said with a hint of a smile. "Happy 16th birthday. Time to start your training."
Raven's mind slowly caught up, and he sat up with a start. "Already?! I...I wasn't expecting it to start so..... soon."
Kael extended a hand, his grip firm yet reassuring. "Come on, young master. You can't exactly become the strongest while lounging around in bed."
Raven looked up at Kael, his heart racing between nerves and anticipation. "Can't I just get a few more minutes?" he pleaded, but Kael shook his head with a knowing grin.
"No shortcuts on this journey. You need to learn discipline right from the start." With that, he pulled Raven gently but firmly out of bed, the chill of the morning air biting at Raven's skin.
"Alright, alright! I'm up!" Raven said, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he stumbled towards the small mirror hanging on the wall. His reflection stared back, messy hair and all. "What's first on the agenda?"
Kael leaned back against the wall, arms crossed, surveying his young charge with a particular pride only a mentor could have. "First, a good breakfast. A warrior cannot train on an empty stomach. Then, we'll commence with your physical training."
Raven nodded, already feeling the adrenaline kicking in. "I'm ready!" he declared, though internally he felt a mix of excitement and anxiety. Would he even be able to keep up with Kael?
As they moved to the kitchen, the early morning light filtered through the window, illuminating the simple but warm space. Kael prepared a hearty meal—eggs, bread, and fruits—while Raven took a seat at the table.
The food smelled delicious, and Raven found himself devouring the meal. "Tell me about the training," Raven said, eager to shift focus from the meal to what awaited him outside. "What will I be doing?"
Raven's eyes lit up with anticipation as he asked, "Tell me about the training, Captain. What will I be doing?"
Kael's eyes glinted with a mix of excitement and something else—something unsettling. He leaned in a little closer, his smile stretching wide across his face. "I'm glad you asked," he said, his voice smooth as silk yet laced with an edge that sent a chill down Raven's spine. Without another word, Kael led Raven to a secluded clearing deep in the forest. The trees towered above them, casting long shadows in the fading light.
As they reached the center of the clearing, Without warning, Kael reached behind his back and produced a wooden sword, flinging it toward Raven with a speed that took him by surprise. It landed at his feet. "Pick it up," Kael instructed, his tone suddenly serious. "This is where it begins."
Raven hesitated only for a moment before bending down and grasping the sword's handle. It felt surprisingly balanced in his hands. "Now what?"
Kael took a step back, positioning himself in front of a large oak tree. "I'm only going to show you the first form of the Lionheart basic fighting style three times," he said, cracking his knuckles. "Watch closely."
In one fluid motion, Kael unfurled into a series of graceful movements, combining swift footwork and sharp strikes, each one executed with precision. Raven's eyes followed, absorbing every detail. With each demonstration, Kael's form seemed to become more fluid, almost ethereal.
"You see?" Kael concluded, his voice echoing slightly in the clearing. "It's about focus and intention. Now, your turn."
As Raven stood there, a sudden voice filled his mind, clear and commanding—Omega, the nanites within him. "Recording movements. Analyze. Begin replication," it instructed.
Raven's body felt alive with energy as if it was responding to Omega's call. He gripped the sword tighter, feeling an inexplicable connection to the movements he had just witnessed. It was as if he could see Kael's form replaying in his mind, each strike and step crystallizing in his thoughts.
"First movement: stance. Prepare to engage," Omega prompted. Raven instinctively positioned himself as Kael had, feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent.
"Good," Omega affirmed, "now the first strike."
Raven lunged forward, utilizing the power in his legs to deliver a sweeping arc with the sword, mimicking Kael's earlier motion. He felt a rush of confidence surge through him.
"Excellent. Continue," Omega advised, guiding him through the flowing sequence of strikes, spins, and guards. Each repetition built upon the last, and Raven's body learned quicker than his mind could keep up.
"Focus on your breath," Omega recommended, a soothing whisper in his mind. "Flow like water."
Kael's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing as Raven began to move. At first, Kael thought Raven was simply mimicking the movements, but as he watched, he realized that Raven was actually executing the first form of the Lionheart family's signature Kyrial sword art with surprising accuracy.
The movements were fluid, precise, and powerful. Raven's body seemed to be adapting to the technique with an uncanny ease. Kael's expression changed from observation to shock, his eyebrows rising in surprise.
"You're...actually pulling it off on your first try?" Kael asked, his voice laced with astonishment. "How is this possible?"
Raven continued to move, his focus solely on the technique. He had no idea why he was picking it up so quickly, but something about the movements felt...natural.
As Raven completed the form, Kael's shock turned to fascination. He watched Raven with renewed interest, wondering what lay behind his unexpected talent.
Meanwhile, in Raven's mind, Omega's silent guidance continued, helping him refine his movements and adapt to the technique. The nanites worked seamlessly with Raven's body, allowing him to perform the complex form with ease. Only Raven was aware of the silent partnership, and he felt a strange sense of gratitude towards the mysterious presence within him.