A New Routine
The early morning sun bathed the Eryndor estate in a golden glow, the crisp air carrying the faint scent of dew-soaked grass. Basil strode into the training grounds, his cape fluttering behind him. Awaiting him were Lia and Selene, his twin sisters, both dressed in their battle gear. Their expressions mirrored one another: focused and determined.
Lia, ever the swordswoman, adjusted the grip on her blade. Her wind magic hummed faintly around her, ruffling her hair as if a breeze followed her everywhere. Selene, with her electro-infused techniques, twirled her weapon, sparks crackling ominously.
"Ready to lose again, Lia?" Selene teased, her smirk playful yet competitive.
"You wish," Lia shot back, narrowing her eyes.
Basil chuckled, stepping between them. "Focus, both of you. If you're going to bicker, at least do it while keeping up with me."
The training began in earnest. The twins attacked in perfect synchronization, their movements fluid and precise. Lia's sword strikes came swift and sharp, while Selene's electric bursts added an unpredictable edge. Basil, however, remained composed, his every counterstrike a calculated display of strength and finesse.
He parried Lia's blade with ease, his movements a blur, then spun to dodge Selene's lightning-infused attack. "Good," he praised, "but you're still too predictable when you fight together. Your patterns overlap too much."
"And you're still annoyingly smug," Selene retorted, launching a particularly aggressive strike. Basil dodged, his smirk growing wider.
The session continued for hours, the sound of clashing steel and crackling energy echoing through the grounds. By the time they finished, sweat glistened on their brows, but satisfaction gleamed in their eyes.
"You're improving," Basil acknowledged as he handed them water flasks. "Keep this up, and you might actually land a hit on me someday."
"Don't hold your breath," Lia muttered, though a small smile tugged at her lips.
Selene nudged her twin. "Admit it, Lia. We're getting better because he's relentless."
Basil's laughter rang out. "That's the spirit."
After the intense training, Basil took a much-needed break and headed toward the garden where Freya often played. As expected, his youngest sister was there, her dragon tail swishing as she chased a butterfly. Her laughter was infectious, filling the air with innocence and joy.
"Basil!" she cried, running toward him as soon as she noticed his presence. Her small horns gleamed in the sunlight as she threw herself into his arms.
"Freya," Basil greeted warmly, lifting her easily. "What mischief are you up to today?"
She giggled, pointing to the butterfly that had eluded her. "I was trying to catch it! But it's too fast."
Basil set her down, crouching to her level. "You know, you can use your magic to slow it down. Just focus on the earth beneath it, like I showed you."
Freya's eyes lit up. "Really? Show me again!"
He demonstrated a small spell, causing the ground to gently shift and nudge the butterfly closer. Freya clapped her hands in delight and tried it herself. Though her control was still unrefined, the butterfly eventually landed near her.
"I did it!" she exclaimed, turning to Basil with pure joy.
"Of course you did," he said, ruffling her hair affectionately. "You're my sister, after all."
Freya beamed, her tail swishing with excitement. "Will you stay and play with me?"
"For a little while," Basil promised. He spent the next hour with her, indulging her endless questions and stories about dragons and adventures. Her enthusiasm was a refreshing contrast to the intensity of his training sessions, reminding him of simpler joys.
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, signaling the end of the day, Basil carried Freya back to the estate. She rested her head on his shoulder, her small horns pressing gently against his chest.
"Basil," she murmured sleepily, "you're the best big brother."
His heart softened at her words, and he held her closer. "And you," he replied, "are the best little sister."
As he tucked her into bed, Basil couldn't help but smile. His days had grown fuller, his responsibilities heavier, but moments like these made it all worthwhile. The bonds he shared with his family, forged through trials and tenderness, were what truly defined him. And for the first time in a long while, he felt at peace.