Timeless Assassin - Chapter 1097 The Skyshard Brothers
Chapter 1097 The Skyshard Brothers
(Skyshard Family Mansion, Late Night, Caleb and Mairon’s POV)
Under the quiet glow of the night sky, Caleb and Mairon sat side by side on the porch swing outside the Skyshard mansion, their bodies swaying gently as their eyes remained fixed on the dark horizon above.
A cool artificial breeze passed through the open grounds, brushing against their faces as the silence stretched comfortably between them for a moment, until Caleb finally spoke.
“So… did your Commander tell you the same thing as mine?” Caleb asked, his tone casual, as he waited for Mairon to pick up on the context behind his question and respond.
“About the war? Yeah…”
Mairon said, nodding lazily as he leaned back against the swing while scratching his head.
“It was boring, so I sort of slept halfway through the briefing, but I got the gist of it.”
He continued, as Caleb’s expression stiffened slightly.
“We’re preparing for some big war a year from now, yeah?” Mairon asked, shrugging his shoulders as if the matter carried little urgency.
“Doesn’t seem like a problem to me. I think we’re ready…..
He said, however, before he could finish-
*Pinch*
Caleb pinched him hard on the side of his stomach, as he yelled in pain before grabbing his side as his face twisted into an immediate frown, his eyes snapping toward Caleb in irritation.
“You slept in the briefing again?” Caleb asked, his voice firm as he stared at his younger brother with clear disapproval.
*Cough*
Mairon coughed lightly and turned his face away, suddenly finding the distant trees far more interesting than his brother’s gaze.
“Mairon,” Caleb said, his tone lowering as he leaned forward slightly, his expression growing more serious.
“How many times do I have to tell you this? Just because we are our father’s sons does not mean we can afford to be careless.”
Mairon stayed quiet.
“I know you don’t care about our last name,” Caleb continued, his voice steady. “But others do. And that changes how people see you, whether you like it or not.”
He paused briefly before continuing.
“I know very well that even if your name was something else, you would still behave the same way.
That is just who you are.
And you have made this argument a thousand times.
But right now, that is not the reality we live in.”
Caleb explained, as Mairon let out a quiet sigh, though he still did not turn back.
“When a Commander is briefing you, you pay attention,” Caleb said, his tone sharpening slightly.
“You are no longer just another soldier in the ranks…
You are a lieutenant now.
There are men who fight under you.”
Caleb pointed out as Mairon’s fingers tightened slightly around the edge of the swing.
“Your mistakes will affect them, your lack of awareness will cost them, and your carelessness will not stay your own for long.”
Caleb reminded, his gaze turning sterner as he felt the urge to pinch Mairon yet again.
“You must pay attention. Every time. Especially in briefings like these where important matters are discussed.
This was an all Lieutenants briefing and you were representing your men there.”
Caleb said, as he expected an apology from Mairon, however, when it did not come….
*Pinch*
He pinched again, as almost immediately-
“Ahh! Okay, okay!” Mairon snapped, turning back instantly as he raised his hands in surrender. “I hear you. I’ll do better next time.” Caleb studied him for a brief moment, then nodded in quiet approval as the tension between them eased.
For a while, neither spoke, as the swing continued its slow rhythm.
“I wonder how dangerous this war will be,” Caleb said eventually, his voice softer now as his gaze returned to the sky.
“I wonder how long it will last.”
Mairon tilted his head slightly but said nothing.
“From what the Commander said, this feels like the beginning of something much bigger,” Caleb continued, his thoughts unfolding carefully.
“A shift. A push against everything that has held the Cult back for so
long.”
He exhaled slowly.
“I have not seen much of the outside universe….” he admitted. “But from what I understand, the mana out there is thinner than what we
are used to here.”
Mairon’s brows lifted slightly.
“And the people out there…” Caleb continued, his voice tightening just
a bit, “they do not see us the same way we see ourselves.”
A pause followed.
“They see us as threats. As disgusting terrorists. So even after we take
control of their worlds and dismantle their armies, it’s the common
men who won’t accept us.”
The wind brushed past them again.
“There will be resistance. Unpredictable situations. Complications
that we cannot prepare for fully.”
Caleb’s gaze lowered slightly.
“And for us… it will be worse. People will watch us more closely. Judge
us more harshly. Because of who we are.”
Mairon listened quietly.
Then he shrugged.
“I think we’ll be fine,” he said simply, leaning back again as a faint smile formed on his face. “Honestly, I’m more excited than anything.”
Caleb glanced at him.
“I want to see the outside universe properly,” Mairon continued, his
voice carrying a hint of eagerness now. “I remember bits of Ixtal, but
that’s all it is. Fragments.”
He looked up at the sky again.
“This time, I want to experience it as I am now. As a proper warrior.”
His fingers clenched slightly.
“I want to fight the strongest people out there. Test myself. Push
beyond what this conservative Stilled World can offer.”
A faint grin appeared.
“If there are challenges waiting for us… then good.
Let them come.
If there is death waiting on the other side.
Let it try and claim me.”
Caleb watched him for a moment.
Then smiled.
He reached over and placed a hand on Mairon’s head, ruffling his hair
gently.
“I know you’re excited,” he said quietly. “Just… be careful.”
Mairon did not respond immediately.
“You tend to rush into things,” Caleb continued, his tone softening
further. “And out there, there won’t always be someone to cover for
you.”
The swing slowed slightly.
“In a year, everything will change,” Caleb said, his voice carrying a
quiet weight now.
“Our lives won’t be the same anymore, and we probably won’t see
each other as often….
So…. Just mature faster and take care of yourself, okay?”
Caleb expressed, as Mairon nodded happily.
“I know…..”
He said simply, as Caleb gave him one last look before leaning back
again.
“Dont worry big brother, I will be ready when the time comes.”
He assured again, as both him and Caleb smiled while looking towards
the night sky.
