Breaking the curse (II)

"Huff... huff..." Lux's heavy breathing echoed across the empty courtyard.

He lay flat on the ground, completely drenched in sweat. His chest rose and fell rapidly as he tried to catch his breath. Every muscle in his body screamed with exhaustion, but there was also a sense of accomplishment. He could feel himself getting stronger, even if it was just a little bit each day.

Mira stood nearby, watching him with steady, concerned eyes. Maskl, the old butler, wasn't available today, which meant only his maid was there to supervise his training. She had been unusually quiet this morning, just observing his every move without her usual chatter.

"Go prepare a bath for me," Lux said between deep breaths, his voice hoarse from exertion.

This would be the last day he had to endure this torture according to his quest timeline. He was determined not to give up now, not when he was so close to completing it. The pain would be worth it if it meant gaining the strength he desperately needed.

Mira bowed politely and nodded her head. "Right away, young master," she said softly before turning around and walking toward the mansion.

Her footsteps grew fainter until they disappeared entirely, leaving Lux completely alone in the courtyard. The silence felt strange after days of having someone constantly watching him train.

Lux stared up at the cloudy sky above him, trying to steady his breathing. But something felt wrong today. Ever since he woke up this morning, he had been carrying an ominous feeling in his chest. It was like a heavy weight that wouldn't go away, no matter how hard he tried to ignore it.

On a normal day, Lux was someone who trusted his feelings and instincts. They had kept him alive in dangerous situations before. But he couldn't help feeling surprised because this was his first time experiencing such a strong premonition after so many peaceful days in the mansion.

The feeling was different from regular anxiety or nervousness. It was deeper, more urgent. Like his body was trying to warn him about something terrible that was about to happen.

After resting for what felt like enough time, Lux slowly pushed himself up from the ground. His arms shook with the effort, and his legs felt unsteady beneath him. But he managed to stand, wiping the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand.

He began making his way across the courtyard toward the mansion, his steps careful and measured. His body still ached terribly, but he had grown somewhat used to the constant pain over the past few days. What he couldn't get used to was this nagging feeling that something bad was coming.

As he walked, Lux found himself looking around more than usual. Every shadow seemed suspicious. Every sound made him tense up. The peaceful courtyard that had become familiar to him now felt threatening and unknown.

The wind picked up slightly, rustling the leaves of the nearby trees. The sound made Lux pause mid-step. His heart started beating faster, though he couldn't understand why. There was nothing obviously dangerous around him.

"Get it together," he whispered to himself. "You're just being paranoid."

But even as he said it, he couldn't shake the feeling. Something was definitely wrong. His instincts had never been this strong before without good reason.

Just to be safe, he decided to turn around and check behind him. Maybe seeing that the courtyard was empty would help calm his nerves. As he slowly rotated his body, his eyes scanned the area he had just walked through.

That's when he saw him.

Hel was standing near the door leading back into the mansion. His face was completely expressionless, like a blank mask. His posture was rigid and unnatural, as if he had been standing there for a while, just watching and waiting.

For a moment, the two brothers just stared at each other across the courtyard. The silence stretched between them, heavy and uncomfortable. Lux felt his muscles tense up instinctively, his body preparing for potential danger.

But then, when Hel saw that Lux had noticed him, his entire demeanor changed in an instant. The blank expression melted away, replaced by a bright, friendly smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

"Oh, brother!" Hel called out, his voice cheerful and warm.

But there was something wrong with his smile. It was too wide, too forced. It reminded Lux of a predator showing its teeth before attacking. The contrast between his previous cold stare and this sudden friendliness made Lux's skin crawl.

Hel began walking toward him with casual, unhurried steps. His hands swung naturally at his sides, but Lux noticed they were clenched into loose fists. Everything about his brother's approach seemed calculated and deliberate.

"I was looking for you," Hel continued, still wearing that unsettling smile. "I thought we should have a little chat, just the two of us."

Lux's mind raced. This was exactly what his instincts had been warning him about. Hel had been waiting for him, probably planning this encounter. The timing was too convenient – Maskl was away, Mira was inside preparing his bath, and Lux was alone and exhausted from training.

"What do you want, Hel?" Lux asked, trying to keep his voice steady despite the growing alarm in his chest.

His brother was still several yards away, but the distance felt like it was shrinking too quickly. Lux's body was in no condition for a fight, and he had a feeling that's exactly what Hel had in mind.

The ominous feeling that had been haunting him all morning suddenly made perfect sense. His instincts had been trying to prepare him for this moment. Now he just had to survive whatever his brother had planned.