Chapter 62 – Brother VS Sister

Two weeks had passed in a blur of relentless training. Anastasia, Matt, and Sean were no longer the same people they were when they started. Their bodies had become stronger, leaner. They moved with a newfound grace and power, their acrobatic skills now second nature. Even Wyatt seemed impressed, though he never said it outright.

"Alright," Wyatt said one evening, his voice filled with anticipation, "I think it's time we see what you've got."

Matt and Anastasia exchanged glances, a mix of excitement and nervousness running through them. "You mean...?" Matt started.

"A sparring match," Wyatt confirmed. "Anastasia and Matt. You two have come a long way. Let's see how far."

Anastasia stretched, rolling her neck, feeling the adrenaline rush through her. "You ready for this?" she teased Matt.

"Bring it on," Matt grinned, though there was a flicker of hesitation in his eyes. He knew Anastasia had been progressing faster than him, and it was hard to ignore.

As the two of them stepped into the centre of the dojo, Sean and Wyatt watched from the side-lines. The tension was thick in the air. They circled each other, eyes locked, waiting for the first move. Both had trained for this moment, but only now did the reality of their progress sink in. The weeks of gruelling endurance, acrobatic drills, and sheer mental toughness would all be tested here.

Wyatt stood to the side, arms crossed, watching intently. "Remember, use everything you've learned—speed, precision, strategy. This isn't about brute strength anymore."

Anastasia smirked, feeling the excitement bubbling in her chest. "Oh, don't worry. I plan on showing everything."

Matt shifted his stance, his usual cocky grin replaced with a look of focus. "Ladies first?"

She didn't respond with words but with action. In a blur, Anastasia darted forward, feinting to the left before spinning into a roundhouse kick aimed at Matt's shoulder. But Matt was faster than she expected—he ducked just in time and came up with a sharp jab toward her ribs.

Anastasia twisted her body, using the momentum of the dodge to somersault backward. She landed gracefully, eyes flashing with determination. "Not bad, Matt," she said, breathless but smiling. "But you'll have to be quicker than that."

Matt snorted, wiping sweat from his brow. "I'm just getting warmed up."

They circled each other again, both more cautious now. The dojo seemed to shrink around them as the fight intensified. Matt moved in again, this time launching a quick series of punches and kicks. He had strength on his side, but Anastasia had agility, and she weaved through his attacks with precision, her training evident in every move.

"You're faster," Matt admitted as he backed off, eyes narrowing as he studied her.

"Faster than you think," she replied, not missing a beat. In the blink of an eye, she flipped over his shoulder, landing behind him. Before Matt could react, Anastasia swept his legs out from under him, sending him crashing to the mat.

The impact knocked the wind out of Matt, but he quickly rolled away and jumped back to his feet. His eyes were wide, and for the first time, Anastasia saw genuine surprise. She had him on the defensive now.

"That all you got?" she teased.

Matt grinned, despite the sweat dripping down his face. "You wish."

He launched himself at her again, and this time, it was Anastasia who had to retreat. She could feel the intensity of the match ramping up. His blows were coming in stronger, his footwork sharper. He was learning, adapting to her movements, and it was starting to show.

But Anastasia wasn't backing down.

She parried a strike, her body moving with fluid grace, and spun around to counter with a kick. Matt blocked her foot with his arm and retaliated with a sweeping kick of his own. She jumped, flipping mid-air, and landed behind him once again.

"Too slow," she whispered in his ear.

Matt growled, turning quickly, but Anastasia was already moving. She flipped backward, keeping her distance, but as soon as she landed, she felt it—a sharp pain in her calf. She winced, her hand instinctively going to the spot.

Matt saw his opening. With a burst of speed, he lunged at her. Anastasia barely had time to recover before Matt grabbed her arm, twisting her into a hold.

"I've got you now," he said through gritted teeth.

For a second, it seemed like Matt had won. But then Anastasia smiled.

"Not yet," she whispered.

In one fluid motion, she used his own momentum against him, flipping him over her shoulder. Matt hit the mat with a loud thud, groaning as the wind was knocked out of him.

Wyatt raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. "That was good, Ana."

Breathing heavily, Anastasia stood over Matt, offering him a hand. "You okay?"

Matt groaned but took her hand, letting her pull him up. "Yeah... but man, you're something else now."

"Same to you," Anastasia said, still catching her breath. "You nearly had me."

"Nearly," Matt repeated, rubbing the back of his head. "But it looks like you're still a step ahead."

Wyatt clapped his hands, walking toward them. "Not bad for a first real sparring session. Both of you made progress, but Anastasia... you've really tapped into something. That speed, agility, and precision—those aren't skills you just learn overnight."

Anastasia felt a swell of pride, though she tried to hide it. "Guess all that training paid off."

Wyatt nodded, but his expression remained serious. "You're ready for more advanced combat. And you're going to need it. This was just a friendly spar, but the real enemies won't hold back."

Matt rubbed his sore shoulder, glancing at Anastasia. "Yeah, no kidding. If Ana's this good, I'd hate to think what a real demon's like."

Wyatt looked between them, his eyes hard. "Demons are nothing like this. They're faster, stronger, and more ruthless. This was just the beginning."

The weight of Wyatt's words hung in the air, reminding them that their fight wasn't just about becoming stronger—it was about survival.

Later that night, after everyone had cleaned up, Anastasia found herself sitting alone by the window, staring out at the moonlit forest. The thrill of the fight still buzzed through her veins, but her thoughts drifted to Bastian.

She felt him before she saw him.

"Hey," Bastian said softly, slipping into the room with his usual quiet grace.

"Hey," she replied, her lips curving into a smile as she turned to face him. "How was your training?"

Bastian shrugged, sitting beside her. "More of the same. Billy's got me trying to block out his thoughts, giving me the basics on standard angel stuff. It's… frustrating."

"I can imagine," Anastasia said, leaning back against the window frame. "But you'll get there. You always do."

He chuckled, the sound soft and warm. "I'm not so sure about that. You're the one making all the progress."

Anastasia looked at him, raising an eyebrow. "Me? What about you? You're practically a warrior angel now."

Bastian's gaze softened. "Yeah, but I've had a lot of time to train. You're catching up faster than anyone expected."

There was a brief silence as they both looked out at the stars, the weight of everything they were learning pressing down on them. The bond between them hummed in the quiet, a constant, comforting presence that neither could ignore.

Bastian broke the silence first, his voice low and serious. "I just want you to know… whatever happens, I'll protect you. Always."

Anastasia turned to him, her heart swelling at his words. "I know. But you don't have to protect me all the time. I'm getting stronger too, remember?"

Bastian smiled, though his eyes remained serious. "Yeah, but you're still my responsibility."

Anastasia rolled her eyes, though there was a warmth in her chest. "Whatever you say, Mr. Angel. Just remember, I can hold my own."

He chuckled again, leaning closer, their faces inches apart. "That you can."

Just as their lips were about to meet, the door swung open, and Billy's voice rang out. "Break it up, lovebirds! We've got more training tomorrow."

Anastasia groaned, leaning back as Bastian shot Billy a playful glare. "You have the worst timing, you know that?"

Billy grinned, completely unfazed. "It's a gift. Now get some rest, both of you. You're going to need it."

As Billy left, Anastasia sighed, leaning against Bastian's shoulder. "He's not wrong."

"No, he's not," Bastian agreed, though there was a playful glint in his eyes. "But we can still make the most of the time we've got."

Anastasia smiled, her heart full as they sat together under the moonlight. For now, at least, they could enjoy the quiet before the storm. But the feeling of something looming ahead lingered—something bigger than their training or even their bond.

Outside the house, unseen eyes watched from the shadows, their gaze locked on Anastasia and Bastian. Something dark was coming, and this peaceful moment wouldn't last long.