I moved silently to her side, watching her twist around to locate the source of the attack. The movement pulled her tight green-and-white trousers and sports bra taut against her body, accentuating her sculpted frame. Her firm, peach-like breasts rose with her breath, and the curve of her round hips drew the eye with magnetic allure. The abrupt turn sent her snowy white hair flying, strands catching the air like threads of silver light. Her wide, doe-like eyes, sharp with alertness, only amplified her beauty. Even in anger, she looked more captivating than intimidating, her frown striking me as irresistibly endearing.

The forest around us seemed alive, the grass and trees trembling as if sensing the tension. A branch suddenly shot toward my position, breaking the stillness with deadly precision. I raised my hand, channeling my essence into a shimmering shield that materialized just in time. The branch collided with a sharp crack, splinters spraying as I flashed away, vanishing before her gaze could lock onto me.

I landed lightly atop a high branch, hidden within the verdant canopy. From this vantage, I could see my mother and sister standing in the center of the clearing, their figures encased in a swirling fortress of dense branches and razor-sharp blades of grass. The shield pulsed with an otherworldly life, impenetrable to any ordinary assault.

Mother stood serene, her calm expression exuding a confidence that bordered on amusement. The faintest flicker of mischief glimmered in her pearl-white eyes, a stark contrast to my sister's tense stance, her body coiled like a predator ready to strike.

The air seemed to hold its breath. Then, with a sudden surge, the blades of grass shot upward, suspended for an instant before exploding into a raging, counterclockwise vortex. A tornado of green and earth tore through the clearing, the spinning fragments embedding themselves into tree trunks and slicing past me with terrifying precision. I conjured a silver shield once more, its luminescent surface meeting the storm's fury head-on. Each impact sent ripples through the shimmering barrier, a testament to the raw power behind the seemingly fragile blades.

Clever, I mused. This technique wasn't just an offensive display—it was a masterful area-of-effect attack, one designed to force an intruder into a defensive stance or outright eliminate them. However, the strain it placed on her was apparent; I could see the faint tremor in my sister's arms, her breath growing labored.

In the eye of the storm, they stood untouched by the chaos surrounding them. My mother remained still, a picture of unshakable composure, while my sister's hands moved in swift, precise motions, commanding the tempest with sheer determination.

I couldn't resist a wry smile. Diving into the eye of the storm had always been a temptation I could never ignore. A silver crossbow materialized in my grasp, its sleek, gleaming surface humming with power. Without hesitation, I loosed a volley of silver arrows. They screamed through the raging vortex, carving through the whirlwind of grass and stone, heading straight for the heart of their sanctuary.

Elara reacted instantly. The shield around them seemed to pulse with life, thickening as if sensing the threat. The branches intertwined more tightly, layers reinforcing themselves to absorb the relentless barrage. Each arrow struck with an explosion of silver light, splintering the barrier and leaving craters in its once-impenetrable defense. Yet, as quickly as they fell, new branches rose to take their place, mending the damage with stubborn resilience.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

My crossbow morphed, its form shifting seamlessly into that of a spear. I channeled more of my essence into it, its color deepening into a radiant, otherworldly silver. With a flash, I disappeared, leaving the remnants of my shield behind as the storm swallowed the space I had just occupied.

I reappeared on the opposite side of the clearing,Blades of grass and chunks of rock tore at me, slicing into my skin and drawing silver blood, which flowed down the spear in my hands, further fueling its brilliance. the spear now a blinding beacon of power. Gathering my strength, I condensed its energy further, the silver light almost warping the space around it. With a sharp breath, I hurled it toward the heart of their protective cocoon. The spear tore through the air, its passage distorting the atmosphere with a palpable, menacing force. The shield of branches rose to meet it, but the collision shook the clearing to its core, sending shockwaves rippling outward.

Elara spun toward Mother, her focus intensifying as she poured everything she had into strengthening the barrier. Branches stretched out feverishly, breaking apart the moment they met the spear's overwhelming energy, only to be replaced by more. The storm slowed, its chaotic dance faltering as her power began to wane.

I seized the opening. My figure vanished again, reappearing just outside the green sanctuary. A massive silver hammer materialised in my hands, the reaming arrows rained down on a same spot leaving a deep crater in their wake as I raised my hammer holding hand high. With a roar, I brought it crashing down onto the weakened shield. The impact sent a deafening crack through the air, breaking a hole in their defenses. Without hesitation, I slipped through the breach.

Inside, the hammer shifted, transforming into a sleek, gleaming sword. Its edge came to rest against the smooth, youthful curve of Elara's neck. Her breath hitched, her body freezing as I leaned close.

"Got you," I murmured into her ear, my voice low and dangerous as I was changing it on purpose. The shattered remnants of the cocoon dissolved into the air, and the spear I had thrown dissipated harmlessly, its true purpose revealed as nothing more than a distraction. I could never truly harm them—not my beloved family.

"Do you wish to know who I am?" I asked, pressing the ethereal blade just a fraction closer against her skin.

Her eyes burned with defiance, but she tilted her chin slightly. "What about I take your head and find out?" she shot back.

I felt the danger immediately—a spear-like branch poised behind me, its deadly tip aimed at my neck.

"You could," I whispered, my tone calm. "But you're nearly out of essence, and you know my blade would do far more damage than your branch ever could. Though we'd both recover, of course." My words brushed her ear, each syllable deliberate.

Her resolve didn't waver. "I will fight you to the end."

from the corner of my eye, I saw Mother watching with amused detachment, as though enjoying an unfolding play as our playful gaze locked .

"Oh, fight we will," I replied, the sword in my hand dissolving into shimmering mist.

"But ours will be a fight entirely different" I whispered as my hand moved to her waist, pulling her closer, my voice softening as the façade melted away.

"Bro—Brother?" she stammered, disbelief cracking her steely composure.

"Took you long enough," I said, my lips brushing the curve of her ear. Slowly, I trailed down, pressing a light kiss against her neck. I felt her shiver, her taut, battle-ready body melting slightly against mine.