As I watched my brother, Cid, struggle against my sword, a mix of frustration and determination crossed his face. His efforts to match my strength and skill were valiant, but he always fell short. It seemed like an insurmountable task to elevate him to a higher level, yet I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to him than met the eye.
"Hah... you're still as tough as ever sis!" Cid grunted, his voice laced with a mix of admiration and exasperation.
A small smile formed on my lips as I looked at him, my younger brother who seemed eternally stuck in my shadow. "You're not too bad yourself, but there's always room for improvement, Cid," I replied, my tone encouraging yet firm.
He sighed and sheathed his sword, a glimmer of determination gleaming in his eyes. "I know, I know. But it's not like I'm ever going to surpass you. You're the prodigy of our family."
I shook my head, dismissing his statement. "Don't sell yourself short, Cid. I've seen potential in you, more than you realize. It's not about trying to outshine me; it's about becoming the best version of yourself. Believe me, there's more strength within you than you give yourself credit for."
Cid scoffed lightly, as if not fully buying into my words. "You're just saying that to make me feel better."
I leaned closer to him, meeting his gaze with earnestness. "Trust me, Cid. I wouldn't waste my breath on empty praise. I genuinely believe you have the ability to surpass me one day. But it takes hard work, focus, and the willingness to learn."
He nodded, with something glinting in his eyes. "Okay, sis. I'll keep trying."
I sighed. "Alright, let's start with your parrying technique. You see, the key is not just about blocking, but also about redirecting your opponent's energy..."
And so, I launched into a detailed lecture, sharing my knowledge with Cid, hoping that my words would ignite the spark within him.
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I couldn't help but feel a pang of frustration. I swear... He must have so much untapped potential, yet his progress seemed stagnant, like a flame struggling to ignite. It was disheartening to witness, but I refused to give up on him.
"Ah.. You're way too strong for me sis! I bet I could beat anyone as long as they aren't you!" Cid sighed with a tinge of resignation.
I offered him a reassuring smile, hoping to uplift his spirits. "I believe in you, Cid. You have the capacity to overcome any challenge, including surpassing me. But it won't happen unless you truly push yourself."
Well, he could definitely beat our egghead of a father, that's for sure.
He clenched his fists, determination flickering in his eyes. "Haaa? Fine! I'll give this one my all-"
'/
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I beat him again.
"I... That wasn't my all! This time, I shall show you my true strength!" Cid proclaimed, his voice brimming with determination.
But, alas, I defeated him once more, and the cycle repeated. It was disheartening to witness his repeated failures. I couldn't help but wonder if there was something hindering his growth, something I hadn't yet discovered. There had to be an explanation for his struggle to improve at the same rate as others.
"I can't beat you... maybe I'm just not meant for that kind of skill?" Cid's words cut through the air.
I couldn't bear to see him so downcast."Don't think like that," I said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You will definitely get to my level one day. I'm sure of it!"
Cid looked at me skeptically with his gaze, it's almost as if searching for the truth in my words. "Yeah yeah, but how can you be so sure? I haven't shown any good progress, right?"
"I'm just sure of it. I know I am," I affirmed, hoping to instill confidence in him.
"...whatever you say," Cid responded, his voice holding a tinge of skepticism, before he shifted his gaze towards the sky.
Leaving Cid to contemplate, I made my way towards our parents, who had been witnessing our sparring session. Their lack of understanding and discernment truly frustrated me. What could they of all people possibly know about combat and magical potential?
"Claire... I know you keep telling us about his potential and whatnot, but at this rate, I don't think he will even be able to..." My father, ever the egghead, began expressing his doubts about Cid's abilities.
I interrupted him. "I swear, and I'm telling you, one day he will outperform me. His growth may be slow, but it doesn't mean it won't happen."
My father shook his head, concern etched on his face. "But his current progress... I can only imagine the backlash he'd receive if he were sent to the capital."
I understood the potential challenges and scrutiny Cid would face if he were to be compared to me and, even worse, viewed in such a light that he begins to hate himself for it. It was a harsh reality, one I wanted to shield him from. I refused to let him endure that.
As I turned to catch one last glimpse of Cid, my heart sank as I saw the unmistakable misery etched across his face. It was a stark departure from the brother I knew. There was an unspoken longing in his eyes, as if he yearned to achieve something beyond his current grasp.
"Cid..." I muttered under my breath, my fists clenching in frustration.
I couldn't bear to see him like this, weighed down by what seemed like an insurmountable hardship. A look of someone who feels as though they themselves are a burden. I swore to myself, right then and there, that I would do everything in my power to help him improve, no matter how small the steps might be.
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I wonder what technique I should steal from my original world? Hmm... maybe that '𝘶𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘭𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘣𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘶𝘱 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘯𝘵' one?
Anyway, the years passed by as usual and I'm now twelve years old. I'm currently facing a problem and I have been since Beta joined.
Because, well, it turns out, I have stolen the luck of all the failed gamblers out there. My bad.
In the wild tango of a world, my innocent bullshitting that immediately turned to bullspitting birthed a flood of unforeseen fax.
The sheer magnitude of my words had entered the minds of Alpha and the others, propelling us towards the destined path... like a river current guiding a wayward boat, or like me trying to dance at a wedding after a few too many drinks... okay that didn't really make sense but I tried.
To my utter astonishment, the fabrications I once weaved with untamed imagination revealed themselves as real existences.
The Cult of Diablos, a creation previously regarded as a mere whim by myself since I swore I made it up, slapped me with the sharp sting of reality. In this realm where possibilities know no bounds, the line between what's real and what's make-believe blurs... I mean, this is another world, what did I expect?
Those bandits I relentlessly hunted, driven by the desire for my gains, turned out to be actual branches or members of the very Cult I inadvertently breathed life into. I can't help but question my own powers of perception, wondering how the puzzle pieces escaped my grasp for so long.
But hey, better at some point than never, right? It's like finding out that my one of my favourite snacks isn't actually the original, yeah, I'm looking at you Oreo... shocking, but at least I know the truth now.
With newfound revelation, I dove headfirst into a relentless pursuit of knowledge. Fueled by an insatiable curiosity and an unexplainable yearning...
I scoured countless sources, devouring stolen documents and subjecting both the willing and the unyielding to intense interrogations. It was an enigmatic force that propelled me deeper into the abyss of knowledge and let me tell you, it's a deep abyss, like the bottom of my laundry pile.
I toiled to master the intricacies of every written text known in this realm, embracing the challenge of comprehending the unfathomable... like a squirrel trying to understand quantum physics. I gathered facts from the annals of history and beyond, collecting them like those random bits and bobs I accumulated in my junk drawer.
And then... like a colossal wave crashing upon a lonely shore, realization engulfed me.
I stood face-to-face with the raw truth of a peril that spanned the breadth of the world... oblivious to its looming presence until now. The weight of this revelation pressed down upon me, shaking the very foundation of my once steadfast sanity... well not that much and at the very least, I'm still sane aren't I?
I grapple with the gravity of the truth, acutely aware of the repercussions that hang heavy in this bewildering landscape... like that time I accidentally microwaved a fork and had to face the consequences, massive consequences.
Right... demonic possesiom, a notion borne out of the church's falsehoods, is actually a curse of mother fucking Diablos, far surpassing my wildest imaginings... well not really considering at this point I imagined it into reality.
While my conscious mind remained blissfully ignorant at the time, there was actual shit going down, there was actual... right.. Alpha and the others. I saved them. Without me even knowing... WAIT!
Do they actually think of me as some sort of Shadow Leader who saved them out of the goodness of my heart? They were actually in a state of suffering and I literally didn't even give a fuck because I didn't know I was supposed to nor did my dumbass know anything about giving a fuck.
What if... they'd leave after they find out the truth of everything about me? How I was completely oblivious. How I didn't even know I was curing them of an actual curse... but I at least did have my suspicions. How am I... Why am I... ha... I- I've grown attached to them, haven't I?... wait.
I tackled this before already. Do I have dementia? I swear I had these exact thoughts from the start to here literally just yesterday... and the day before... and the day before that...
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...eh? I spaced out for a second- wh- what? It's already sunset? That's like... huh... did no one seriously bring me in and just let me stare at the sky for 2 whole hours?
"It's impressive how you can stay standing there looking at the sky for that long and not get bored." My oh-so-loving sister said out of nowhere, almost making me jump into the river.
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"A- ah... when did you get there, sister?" Cid stammered, caught off guard by my sudden presence.
"Just watching the sky with you, thought you might get lonely," I replied, offering him a small smile.
"...I- why didn't you bring me to lie down? Now my legs are stiff and weak from standing in the same position for so long!" Cid complained, immediately sprawling on the ground while facing the setting sun.
A soft chuckle escaped my lips. "Well, maybe I should've knocked you out of that staring competition with the sky instead of waiting for you to snap out of it yourself..."
"If you could ever go back in time, I order you to do exactly that!" Cid declared playfully, his spirit returning to its usual self. Though what he just said was quite intriguing for sure. Going back in time, huh?
"By the way, Cid..?" I began, hesitating for a moment.
"Hm..?" he replied, turning his head to look at me.
"...are you... ah... no, I mean, if you ever need any sort of help or assistance, you can count on me, you know? I'm your big sister, and it's my responsibility to care for you too."
Cid's expression was paused on the same old, until finally it softened, a hint of something in his eyes. He opened his mouth, choosing his words carefully. "...I'll keep that in mind. But... once I surpass you, just know that the responsibility will have transferred to me!"
A warm smile built up on my face. "Of course, Cid. I have no doubt that one day, you'll surpass me and carve your own path. And when that time comes, know that I'll be there to support you, every step of the way."
Cid smiled, and in that moment, I felt my heart swell with affection. His eyes, fixed on the vibrant hues of the sunset, seemed to hold a hint of calm contentment.
As we lay side by side, our bodies making gentle imprints on the grass, a sense of peace settled within me.
In the fading light, I made a silent vow to myself. From this day forward, I would do everything in my power to ensure his happiness. I would be there to share in his joys, to lend a helping hand in his troubles, and to protect him whenever he needed it.
The weight of responsibility sat comfortably on my shoulders, as I embraced the role of the caretaker, the guiding light for Cid. This was my unwavering duty, my privilege as his older sister.
I would be the keeper of his smiles, the protector of his dreams, and the unwavering support he needed on his journey.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, I silentlt hoped to be the rock that he could always lean on, the pillar of strength that would guide him through life's challenges. I shall do this all for Cid Kagenou, my dearest younger brother.
With that realization, I nestled closer to him, the grass beneath us providing a gentle cushion. The world around us faded away, leaving only the two of us, basking in the warmth of the current atmosphere between us.
And there, under the embrace of the evening sky, I cherished the sight of my brother's smile, knowing in my heart that I would do everything in my power to keep it shining bright for as long as he lived.
'/
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A year passed and this is when Claire had reached the age when all nobles go to the Royal Capital and study at the Midgar Academy.
She was supposed to be sent off this morning, but...
"The room was like this when I came in," my dad explained in a low, suave voice. "No signs of a struggle. But it looks like the window has been pried open. The culprit must have been skilled to do this without me and Claire noticing."
He gingerly touched the windowsill, eyes wandering to the sky with a wistful gaze.
"And?" came my mom's chilly voice. "Are you saying we're out of luck since the kidnapper was skilled?"
My dad stammered, cold sweat trickling down his temples. "Th-that's not what I'm saying. I was just stating a fact..."
There was a tense pause, the silence weighing heavily in the room.
"Shut it, baldyyyyyy!"
My dad let out a startled yelp. "Eep! I-I'm sorry! I'm sorry!!"
The room filled with a mixture of tension and exasperation. It seemed my mom's patience had reached its limit, and my dad, bald and apparently flustered, became the target of her frustration. I then walk away from all that.
But that's not what's important.
"𝗕𝗲𝘁𝗮." I call for Beta, knowing she is right beside me.
"Yes, Lord Shadow?" She answers back immediately.
"Where is Alpha?" I asked with a hint of urgency.
"Searching for signs and the whereabouts of Lady Claire." She responded back, answering immediately.
"...Is she 𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲?" I ask the question burning in my mind.
Beta looked at me for a bit and responded immediately after. "Yes, most likely she is."
I breath out a sigh of relief in my mind. "I see, is it possible to rescue her?"
"Not without your assistance, Lord Shadow." That makes sense I guess.
"Alright, then I shall join this. 𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘧𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘐 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮, 𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘢𝘺𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘭𝘪𝘮-"
"Eh?"
"Eh?" She didn't hear that, did she?
"Ah, nothing. As we'd expected, the perpetrator is the Cult Of Diablos— Presumably one of their high ranking officials."
I'll make sure to demote them to 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝟲 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝘁.
"A high rank... do they suspect my sister to be one of the heroes' descendants?" I ask her a question I already knew the answer to.
"Precisely." Beta answers back, clearly knowing I already knew.
'/
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We were now in my room and it's nearing evening, Beta gathered all the files that were immediately put together and put them on the table to explain.
"Take a look at this report. According to our most recent investigation, Lady Claire seems to have been brought to this hideout..." This is slow. I need to know now.
I poured magic into my eyes and slowed my perception of time by the millions. I read through every single document there and checked the map.
Oh, would you look at that. The cryptograms they were deciphering were nothing more than a ruse.
"𝗕𝗲𝘁𝗮."
"Huh? Yes, Lord Shadow?"
I proceeded to form a slime dagger and throw it at a specific point on the map.
"By cross referencing those reports, the location of the Hideout is clear to me. I believe that is where we'll find my sister."
"I- Huh?.. could it be.. the cryptograms were a bluff!?" Beta immediately began rummaging through her reports.
"Yo- you were right! I believe there is a hideout located right here." Beta exclaims, her eyes glimmering in respect and awe.
"No time to waste. Call the Seven Shades. We move out 𝗻𝗼𝘄."
"Understood!"
You bastards will regret this very day you did what you decided to do. In fact, 𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗱𝗹𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗜 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲.
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𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐡, 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰- 𝐬𝐨 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞- 𝐲𝐞- 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐎𝐂?