[THE AXIS -- SEVEN YEARS EARLIER]
The Axis. A beautiful realm of lush red forest stretching as far as the eye could see. It boasted the Ash Trees: dark red perennial plants impervious to flame that grew only in its magically enhanced environment. Within it, a small family -- no bigger than four -- inhabited the space and lived peacefully alongside the forest-critters.
However, what made the Axis so unique wasn’t its strange ecosystem, gorgeous woodlands, or even the family that lived there. No, the Axis was a separate dimension altogether. It existed on the cusp of the fourth dimension, both intangible and untraceable to those outside it as long as Sanctum Energy wasn’t used.
The children there were warned on multiple occasions regarding the dangers of leaving and what awaited them outside. So, in addition to locking away resources that could trigger Sanctum Energy exposure, the children’s uncle, Matsuda, sealed away an ancient landmark deep within the Axis through a veil of darkness, ensuring their security.
With no knowledge of what it was or how to enter it, the kids were forced to steer clear and keep to themselves. But they were kids. And kids don’t listen.
CLANGK!!! CLANGK!!!
Within the Axis, Jacender and Aleximus, twin brothers nearing their twelfth birthday, sparred in a sun-kissed meadow. Their wooden swords flew through the air, humming with sounds of fierce battle.
CLANGK!!! CLANGK!!!
Sweat rolled down Jace’s face. He inched forward every so slowly, attempting to gain the advantage by encircling his brother. He was confident; A bright glow of determination emanating from his eyes as he edged closer. Opposite him, Aleximus mirrored his every move, matching his focus and intensity.
"HA!" Jace lunged, bringing his blade down.
Aleximus side-stepped briskly, darting side to side as he slipped through Jace’s swings. Suddenly, with an air of calmness, he feinted, making it like he would throw his sword, only to deliver an incredibly fast kick to his brother's stomach. With the speed and power put behind it, Jace flying back was a given.
"Agh!"
Aleximus didn't stop there. Pressing his advantage, he charged forward and aimed at his brother’s head with a curved downswing. Jace ducked, rolling onto his side, and used his body weight to spring upwards into a crouching position. He smirked, understanding that Aleximus's wide swing had given him just enough time to counter with a physical blow. And he would not pass up the opportunity.
Triumphantly, Jacender brought up his arm, clenched fist in tow, and aimed to lift his brother off of his feet with an uppercut. Aleximus foresaw the action, straightened his toes at the last possible second, and rose with the punch to mitigate the blow’s effects.
“What the–” Jace blurted.
Regrettably, it was much too late to be shocked. Aleximus forcefully twisted his own body in midair and brought his right leg crashing atop Jace’s face.
Jace raised his arms and braced himself with a block, but the kick threw open his guard and knocked his arms to the side. Aleximus landed with a cocky smirk and let his left leg cut through the air. “Bad move.” he laughed, cementing a devastating kick onto Jace’s Jacender’s lower mouth.
It was over.
THUD!!
Jace nursed his reddened, stinging face. He was on the verge of tears. "…Did you have to hit me that hard..?" he moaned, cradling his nose.
"Packed a punch, didn't it?" Aleximus snorted. His lip pursed up, and instantly, his cheeks inflated, filling with air. “Or in this case,” he snickered, holding back a laugh. “A kick!”
He cackled loudly and held his belly. His laughter only grew louder once he pointed at the mark he had lodged on Jace’s face -- A black footprint.
And by the look of the blood exiting Jace’s bent nose, it was a painful injury indeed.
"That wasn't funny!" Jace snapped back, blushing uncomfortably. "How'd you like it if I went for your face, damn it?!"
Aleximus smirked and extended his hand. "Aw, come off it. It's not my fault you don't know how to dodge." he teased.
"And before you say it," he added, noticing Jace's mouth open, "Your endurance problem isn’t my fault, idiot. You have too much wasted movement."
Jace stared daggers at him, but then after a moment, he smiled and took hold of his hand. Their relationship, though frustrating at times, was for better or worse, built based on their inherent friendship and rivalry. Carrying a desire to help one another was what made them inseparable. It’s what made them brothers.
"But seriously, we do need to do something about this!" Jace groaned, pinching at his broken nose. His voice had changed slightly due to his swollen nostrils. "Uncle Matsuda's gonna go crazy if he sees this!"
To that, an image of a screaming maniac surrounded by lightning bolts filled both their minds. They shivered immediately, realizing the severity of their actions.
How could they come home with injuries inflicted on one of them by the other? "R-Right." Aleximus gulped, nodding furiously in agreement.
Behind them, he heard a shuffling in the forest and turned towards it. His eyes narrowed, trying to pinpoint what it was. "Oh," He sighed, fixing his posture. “Looks like you’re in luck.”
Curious, Jace faced the forest and watched as a small figure emerged from the trees.
"Anna!"
A girl slightly younger than them, clutched a small basket filled with varying fruits. She had violet-colored hair, and resting clumsily above her right ear was a small, white, swallowtail headpiece. She looked out of breath.
Jace's worried face shifted from delightful surprise to worry. “...Did you run all the way out here?"
"I-- huff,” she wheezed, trying to collect herself. “...I knew you were here!" Despite her heavy breathing, she managed to raise her hands, positioning them near her brothers’ heads. "Jeez!” She groaned scoldingly. “How many times do I have to say it?!”
Her hands flashed across both their faces, striking them fast with every word she spat. “Stop! Being! Dummies!"
Jace yelped, his nose burning more now than before. "Wha–?! We--"
"Shut up! You two came out here to train again, didn’t you?!” Anna scoffed.
She had sass not often found in young ladies her age. She stepped forward and continued to berate them.
“Even though Uncle Matsuda doesn't want you fighting, you’re still being knuckleheads! I’m tired of having to heal you guys every day!"
Aleximus crossed his arms and sneered. "You shut up! What would you know? You're just a girl, thbpt!!" he shouted back, blowing her a raspberry.
Speedily, without a moment for thought, Anna grabbed his collar, pulling him down to her level, and rained upon him a flurry of slaps. "Excuse me?!"
Aleximus’s face became littered with swollen bumps. “S-Stop hitting us— AHK!” Jace cried and tried to escape her, but she quickly grabbed him by the ear and backhanded him.
"Okay, okay!” Aleximus relented. Even he had his limits.
“I’m sorry! Look, just... Do the thing. Please?"
A flicker of annoyance twitched in Anna’s eyebrow before she decided to turn back to Jace. He was sprawled out on the floor after the beating she gave him, but the moment he heard Aleximus’s words -- “Do the thing.” -- he jumped up and took several steps back.
"W-Wait," he pleaded. "I don't think that's really--"
His heart nearly leapt out of his chest when he saw her raise her arms again. Amazingly, though, this time it was a purple glow that exuded from her palm and pressed onto his face.
"Shaddup."
The gleam traveled down to the base of his nose and he braced himself for what came next. “Anna really, it doesn’t even hur–”
His fractured bone made a cracking sound and realigned itself back into the center of his face. “Ooh, that’s gotta hurt.” Aleximus winced.
Jace bawled and fell to the ground. He clasped his nose tightly as if it would stop anymore energy from coming through. Ironic as it was, the pain of healing was exponentially worse than the pain of a broken nose.
Once the redness started to fade and the swelling subsided, Jace thanked her, pouting angrily to himself in a corner. "No problem," she responded bitterly. She took a seat on the ground and began to rub her temples. Perhaps it was due to exhaustion, or maybe even irritation, but every time she would use her abilities, Anna was greeted with frequent headaches. She quickly rubbed her temple again and picked at the blades of grass below her.
Jacender locked eyes with Aleximus, communicating non-verbally. You do it.
No, Aleximus’s eyes narrowed. You do it, idiot.
Jace stuck out his tongue and shook his head. Nuh-uh!
Uh-huh!
Nuh-Uh!
Uh-huh!
Nuh-Uh!
Uh-Hu–
Hey!! Aleximus's eyes widened. Jacender, unwilling to do it, went to the length of bolting away and hiding behind the trees in the forest.
"That little..." Aleximus grumbled. But it couldn't be helped. He took a seat near his sister and released a lengthy groan. Anna side-eyed him, ready for another argument.
Jeez. So rude, this one. he thought.
He cleared his throat and scratched his chin. "Listen, Anna,"
"I don’t understand why you’re so angry about our training. You don’t have to worry about us."
Anna ripped out a handful of grass blades, slowly letting them fall, and sized him up. A veiled threat.
"Ah, who am I kidding?" He scowled. “Listen, you don’t get a say in what we do, okay? You’re not even supposed to be here!”
“Why?! ‘Cause I’m a girl?” She asked, hoping he would say no. He noticed her lip begin to quiver and paused his response. She watched him hesitate, already aware of his answer before he even nodded and burst into tears.
“I–I…” he stammered, trying to console her. She rose to her feet and turned away from him, covering her booger-filled nose. “Where are you going?" he asked. She broke into a sprint and put distance between them both. "Anna, stop!”
Jacender sheepishly emerged from behind the trees and watched his brother stop himself from following after her.
“Well, that went well,” he said nervously, trying to alleviate tension. Aleximus clenched his fist. “It’s for her own good. Let her go play with her imaginary friends or something in the forest.”
“Hey! That was a bit too far.” Jace warned. “I think you should tell her the real reason we’re doing this. It makes it easier for everyone and doesn’t make her hate you. I just don’t understand why–”
“--Shut up!”
Aleximus averted his gaze and stared at the ground. “You know why. You do. And she’s better off not knowing anyway, got it? It’s better than way.”
Jacender rubbed his eyes tiredly. “Now come on,” his brother commanded, picking up his fallen sword. “Let’s finish up.”
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