Chirp.
The birds made the same sound they made every morning.
That's what woke me.
I hopped out of bed and walked toward the door—and immediately heard my mother yelling at my father.
Something about the horses. Again.
"—leaving them out all night, Zero! Every single time—"
I walked into the kitchen.
She stopped mid-sentence and turned to me.
"Noah. Go put your shirt and pants on. You'll be late for your lessons."
I stood there. "Can I eat first?"
She gave me the look.
I stopped talking, turned around, and walked back to my room.
After getting dressed, I returned to the table and started eating.
My father cleared his throat.
"Alright, Noah. Your mother and I wanted to tell you something."
I looked up. "Okay. What?"
He glanced at my mother. She took over.
"You're going to be a big brother."
I froze.
A sibling?
Now?
"...Why?"
She scolded me for the next two minutes, then told me to leave for school.
I grabbed my things and walked out.
The whole way there, I couldn't stop thinking about it.
A brother. Or a sister.
I didn't like the idea.
School
When I arrived, something felt off.
Students were missing.
I didn't think much of it. Just sat on the floor, leaning against the wall, waiting for the teacher.
Then my friend Karr walked over.
He had that sneaky, pestering tone he always used when he knew something I didn't.
"Hey, Noah. Guess what?"
I didn't look at him. "What, Karr?"
"Guess why some students aren't here."
I sighed. Sat up. "Why, Karr?"
He grinned.
"Some of them snuck out. They're having secret sword battles with the training swords."
My eyes lit up.
"Where? Let's go."
I jumped to my feet—but Karr grabbed my arm.
"We'd be skipping. You know how your mom gets when you don't do well."
I paused.
Thought about it.
"I have an idea," I said. "We just go. She won't find out."
I made my way across the room, slow and quiet.
The teacher was focused on his papers. Didn't notice me.
I was almost at the door—
"Alright, students! Time for class. Take your seats on your rugs."
I muttered under my breath.
"Dammit."
I turned and walked back to my rug. Karr followed.
Aubrey
A whisper from behind me.
"Noah."
I jumped.
My heart slammed against my ribs.
It was Aubrey.
Karr's twin sister.
I stayed frozen. Silent. Shaking.
"Quit being silly," she said. "I know you can hear me."
I forced words out. "H-Hey, Aubrey."
She tilted her head. Put her hand on my chest.
I flinched.
"Did you hear about the sword battles?" she whispered.
I nodded quickly. "Y-Yeah."
"I'm going to join sometime. Take everyone down."
I sucked in a breath and found some courage.
"I w-was going to join too."
She smiled.
"Really? We should go tomorrow."
My brain short-circuited.
"We? Both of us? Go?"
"Sure." She raised an eyebrow. "Is that a problem?"
"No! I just—I didn't expect you to want me to—"
I started rambling. Nonsense. Words that made no sense.
She looked creeped out.
"Just... come with me tomorrow, okay?"
I nodded too fast.
"Okay."
Lessons ended.
On my way out, Karr caught up to me.
"Hey—just so you know, Aubrey was messing with you the whole time. Making you nervous on purpose."
I stopped walking.
"But," he added, grinning, "she does want to go to the sword fights with you."
That made my whole day better.
The Market
On the walk home, I stopped by the market.
Ran into my cousin Amber—though he goes by Tag now.
"Amber doesn't sound manly," he always says.
"Hey, Tag. What are you doing here?"
He barely looked at me. Something about work. Said hi, then rushed off.
Normal for him.
Still kind of weird.
I bought bread and kept walking.
The Bullies
Home was in view—just a few yards away—when I saw them.
Ace. Quire. Lok.
The school bullies.
Ace stepped forward.
"What are you looking at?"
I didn't flinch. "You looked at me first."
"No one said to talk, Earthquake."
Quire laughed.
They called me Earthquake because I shake when I'm nervous.
And right on cue—I started shaking.
They all laughed.
Ace walked closer.
"Have you heard about the secret sword battles?"
I didn't answer.
"I started them," he said. "And I've beaten everyone who showed up." He tilted his head. "Everyone except you."
"So what of it?"
He smiled coldly.
"If you come tomorrow, I'm going to beat you. Know that."
Then he shoved me to the ground and walked away laughing.
I stayed there for a second.
Then I got up.
Bread in one hand.
Fist in the other.
I walked home without a word.
That Night
Everyone was asleep.
I slipped into my father's armory.
The walls were lined with blades—legendary weapons from a life I only knew through stories.
I reached up and grabbed one.
The Blade of Fury.
I held it carefully. Felt the weight of it.
"We'll see who gets beaten tomorrow."
I cast the sword onto my arm—felt it merge with me, joining my arsenal.
Then I walked back to my room.
Ready.