The Whispering Chains
The battlefield had fallen silent.
Kael stood over the fallen beast, unshaken. His sword dripped with blood, his breathing steady. His posture was relaxed—not arrogant, not careless—just natural.
He had fought, and he had won.
Lucian stood a few steps behind, still tense. His hands twitched at his sides, his heart pounding—not from exertion, but from something else.
Something heavier.
Something that had been growing for a long time.
---
Kael flicked the blood off his katana, then sheathed it with practiced ease. "That wasn't too bad. Guess it wasn't worth using my full strength."
Lucian's gaze locked onto him.
Kael had fought well. Flawlessly, even. His skill was undeniable. His movements were precise, his instincts honed to perfection.
And Lucian hated that.
Not because Kael didn't deserve it.
But because Lucian wanted it for himself.
Kael turned to him, offering an easy, genuine smile. "You'll get there."
Lucian's nails dug into his palm.
Get there?
Kael said it as if they weren't already on different levels. As if Lucian just needed time, patience, effort.
But Lucian had put in the effort. Hadn't he?
He had trained, he had fought, he had struggled for every inch of progress.
And yet, Kael was better.
Still, Kael stood above him.
Still, Kael had what Lucian did not.
His grip tightened.
"Why should he have it?"
"Why does he get to wield that strength so effortlessly, while I—"
A whisper curled through his thoughts, smooth, undeniable.
"It isn't fair."
"He was gifted something you have to fight for."
"He was born with a blade in his hands. You had to crawl just to stand on the same battlefield."
"That skill should be yours."
Lucian exhaled slowly.
No, no—Kael had earned his strength. He had trained for it. He was talented, yes, but not undeserving.
But…
That didn't mean he had to keep it, did it?
Power like that—true, overwhelming skill—shouldn't belong to just one person.
No.
It shouldn't be Kael's alone.
Kael was strong. That much was obvious.
But Lucian could be stronger.
Kael was fast, skilled, deadly.
But Lucian could use that skill better.
If Kael's power fell into his hands, wouldn't that be the natural outcome? Wouldn't that be… right?
Yes. Yes, it would.
It wasn't greed. It wasn't theft.
It was balance.
It was justified.
---
A rustling sound.
Lucian barely registered it at first.
The beast twitched—not dead.
Kael clicked his tongue. "Tough bastard."
He stepped forward, sword still at his side.
His back was turned.
Lucian's breath hitched.
The opening was there.
Kael wouldn't even notice. He wouldn't feel it until it was too late.
By the time he realized, his strength, his skill, his gift—it would already belong to someone more deserving.
Lucian exhaled.
A slow, easy smile pulled at his lips.
He reached for the Book of Envy.