Diana, at eighteen, had always lived in the shadow of her half-brother.
From an early age, rivalry between the two was inevitable. Constant comparisons. Expectations. The eyes of the tribe always fixed on him. In the beginning, she competed. She wanted to prove she was just as strong, just as worthy.
But over time, that rivalry transformed into something more dangerous.
Fascination.
Eron was perfect—or at least he seemed to be. He excelled in his studies, mastered the sword with grace and precision, and controlled his powers as if he had been born for it. His beauty drew attention effortlessly. His smile disarmed any tension. And his words… they were always kind, always firm, always right.
How could someone be so complete?
Near him, Diana felt something she couldn't name. Admiration… envy… and something warmer, deeper. A feeling that grew silent within her chest.
Until she understood.
And when she understood, she was afraid.
Because what she felt for Eron was crossing a boundary that shouldn't exist. A sin that could never be committed. Something that would destroy not only her honor, but her very family.
Since then, Diana had plunged into training with brutal intensity. Blow after blow. Cut after cut. She tried to stifle the feeling with exhaustion, pain, and discipline.
But it remained there.
So she decided to do the unthinkable.
She challenged Eron to spar.
She wanted to measure the difference between them. She wanted to see flaws. She wanted to find anything that would break the image of perfection she had built of him.
When he arrived at the training grounds, the sun reflected in his hair as if even the light favored him.
"Eron," she said, gripping her sword tightly. "Just for today… I want you to use all of your power."
He tilted his head, surprised.
"What do you mean? I always fight for real, Diana."
She held his gaze.
"No. You don't. You hold back. If you don't fight for real today… I'm going to be very angry."
Eron smiled in that way that made her heart stumble.
"Alright… anything for you, Diana."
The world seemed to stop.
The wind ceased. The sound of the leaves vanished. Her heart beat so hard it almost hurt. He had no idea of the weight of those words. Or perhaps he did—and that was even worse.
Diana took a deep breath and assumed her stance.
If he wanted to fight for real… then she would too.
And in that moment, she didn't know if she feared his power more—
Or what might happen if he realized what truly lay behind her eyes.