A Dance of Dual Swords

But soon, she'd learn that her once-failed younger brother… was no longer the same boy she remembered.

The news of Robert's cultivation progress took a moment to settle in.

Eissa squinted, her eyebrows knitted together in disbelief. "He's cultivating? That quickly? How… when did this even happen?"

Her mother let out a soft chuckle, her eyes sparkling with a sense of quiet pride.

"You'll have to hear the full story from your brother himself."

"But believe me—he's not the same boy you left behind. He's changed."

Eissa folded her arms, still processing the information. 

She'd left when everyone thought he was a fool, unable to sense even a trace of qi. And now? He'd reached Level 7 in Body Tempering.

"If he's come this far on his own," she said at last, "I want to see for myself." I'll guide him—and the others—for the competition. 

I want to know how strong they are. Their cultivation, their instincts, their battle experience... all of it."

Before her mother could respond, a soft knock came at the door.

They both turned toward the sound.

Standing in the doorway, framed by the light filtering in from the corridor, was Robert.

He smiled gently, nodding to both of them. "Mother. Sister."

She kept smiling as she gestured for him to come inside. "Well, look who shows up right when we're talking about him."

Eissa's eyes flicked over him. Calm aura. Steady stance. A subtle pressure in the air around him.

He gave a slight bow before stepping inside. For a brief moment, they just stared at each other—sibling to sibling, years apart, and now suddenly face-to-face.

Then Eissa broke the silence with a grin. "So. The failure turns warrior."

Robert smirked. "Nice to see you too."

They sat together as the early morning sun painted golden streaks across the room. 

Robert's mind wandered through the path he'd travelled—the awakening that shifted his fate, the gruelling cultivation sessions, the moments of breakthrough, the rare alchemy pill that had sparked new hope, and the unwavering determination to reclaim the Osborn name.

Eissa's eyes stayed on him a moment longer, surprise flickering beneath a quiet pride. Her lips curved into a slow, steady smile—one that felt genuine and unforced.

Robert's words faded, and she just nodded—slow, steady. No rush, no big show.

"You've come far," she said low, like she was reminding herself as much as him. "If this is truly your path, I'll stand by your side."

For a moment, it wasn't about family or titles. Just two people, standing together.

They stepped outside side by side, siblings bound by something neither needed to say.

 No grand words—just a steady pace through the cool morning.

The sun had risen, though its warmth had yet to reach the earth. The scent of damp soil and faint smoke lingered in the air.

Morning sounds were quiet—almost like the whole place was holding back, waiting for something no one could name.

Within the hall, wooden swords clashed—sometimes with a crisp strike, other times with a dull thud. The cultivators worked in small groups, their breaths heavy and uneven.

The elders remained motionless, their weary eyes fixed on the scene.

Robert glanced at Eissa. She didn't say anything, just tightened her grip on her sword. He did the same.

The moment Robert and Eissa stepped into the training hall, everyone there came to a halt.

Whispers rippled through the crowd.

"Lady Eissa…"

"Robert has returned too..."

Without hesitation, the younger cultivators straightened and bowed respectfully.

"Greetings, Elder Sister Eissa. Brother Robert."

Robert returned the gesture with a nod, and Eissa offered a warm smile. "Continue your training," she said.

With quiet reverence, the others stepped aside, forming a loose circle around the centre of the hall as the two siblings moved toward the open sparring platform.

They stood across from each other—brother and sister, swords in hand, surrounded by watching eyes but focused only on each other.

Eissa let out a slow breath, golden qi swirling faintly around her before dimming as she suppressed her cultivation to match Robert's Body Tempering Level 7.

"I'll match your level," she said with a playful glint in her eyes.

Robert smiled, unsheathing his sword. "Just try to keep up."

The air stilled for a heartbeat.

They sprang into motion.

Metal screamed against metal, sharp and sudden in the quiet hall.

Robert shifted on his feet, eyes sharp, his sword flickering up just in time to meet Eissa's blade.

He held a single sword, his grip firm and movements sharp—but despite that, the tension in his stance was hard to miss.

He exhaled sharply. Twin Dragon Fang Art—First Form!

He released a powerful burst from his sword as the technique's initial form unfolded. The air shimmered briefly, qi coiling like a spectral dragon around the sword edge.

Eissa's eyes sparkled with interest. "You've been practising that, haven't you?"

Robert didn't reply—he lunged forward instead, his sword slicing through the air like a silver fang. 

But as the form continued, his motions grew stiff. 

That move only works when you've got two swords—each one moving in sync with the other.

With only one sword, Robert's timing slipped. His steps stayed steady, but without the second sword, something felt off—like a missing beat in a familiar song.

Eissa didn't hesitate. Her sword slipped through the air smoothly, flowing around his strikes like water around a rock, effortless and sure.

She didn't make fun of him or put him down; instead, she just smiled and encouraged him to reach his full potential.

"Not bad," she said as their swords locked. "That move only works when you've got both swords out. Are you holding back? Or hiding something?"

Robert clenched his teeth, took a step back, and shifted his stance, trying to shake off the doubt creeping in.

With practised ease, he brought his second sword free from its sheath.

Gasps rippled through the training hall.

He stepped forward again, both swords now gleaming under the morning light. His posture shifted—balanced, refined.

The stance of the Twin Dragon Fang Art was unmistakable now. A form meant for two blades, perfectly mirrored in his grip.

Whispers broke out among the clan members watching from the edges of the hall.

"Dual swords…?"

"Is that the Twin Dragon stance?"

"There are only a handful in the world who can wield dual blades without faltering…"

With both swords in motion, the Twin Dragon Fang Art truly came alive.

He moved with quick, deliberate steps, sharp and controlled. His two swords cut through the air—one lunging upward while the other swept down low, working together in perfect balance between attack and defense.

Steel clashed. Sparks flew. The hall erupted with energy.

For the first time, the clan watching felt a spark of the warrior Robert Osborn was shaping into.

Eissa didn't flinch.

Eissa moved without sound. Her sword flickered blue. She flowed through her motions fast, never holding still.

Robert hit hard and steady. She stayed light, always shifting. Keeping him off balance.

Their swords met. Clang after clang. Metal against metal. The hall filled with noise. Dust rose with every step. The battle pushed them to their limits.

Eissa twisted around his dual strikes, her blade glancing past his ribs by a hair's breadth. Robert countered with a low spin, both swords aiming for her sides, forcing her to leap back, hair whipping in the wind.

Around them, the training hall had fallen silent—only the sharp sounds of combat remained.

Eissa's smile grew with every exchange. "You've improved, little brother."

Robert, gasping slightly, returned the smile.

With a final clash, both stepped back at once, swords pointed down in mutual respect. Neither had come out on top. Neither had faced defeat.

The clan members erupted into applause.

At last, they saw more than a boy chasing after his family's name. They observed a young swordsman advancing with growing skill and promise. To Eissa, Robert had already started to match her skill and resolve.

This fight was more than just training; it marked the dawn of a new journey.

The Osborns were rising again.