The Tale of Hera Hikaru

|Chapter Fifteen| |The Weight of Determination|

As Hera clenched the third sword between her teeth, the strain on her jaw began to take its toll. Every slice and thrust felt like a monumental effort, the weight of the blade testing her resilience with every movement. She pushed forward, ignoring the tremors in her jaw and the burning in her muscles. Her swings were slower than she'd like, but determination lit her gaze. This technique wasn't just about wielding three swords; it was her chance to carry on her father's legacy.

Suki watched her friend's perseverance with an admiring, supportive jealousy. Hera's focus and resolve inspired her, filling her with pride and a tinge of longing to reach new heights herself. Beside her, Ronji felt a warmth growing in his chest as he watched Suki's admiration for her friend. He had been sparring with her for weeks, getting to know her quirks, her humor, and her kindness. Now, his feelings for her were blossoming into something deeper, though he kept it to himself.

Gritting her teeth around the handle, Hera's focus only sharpened, her father's memory pressing her forward. Though she struggled, her vision was clear: she was ready to do great things, just as he had. 

Hera took a slow, deep breath and sprang forward, her first strike sweeping in a strong arc across the dummy's side. She followed it with a second slice from her other hand, but when she tried to bring the third sword forward, the strain in her jaw pulled her momentum off-balance. She stumbled, barely keeping herself upright as the weight of the sword in her mouth threw her swing wide.

Gritting her teeth harder, she tried again. Her strikes were growing steadier, though slower than she wanted. The third sword felt like an iron weight, each attempt adding to the throbbing in her jaw. But she kept moving, the drive to make her father proud fueling her. She whispered to herself, "Just one more time."

Hera managed to land three coordinated strikes, the rhythm of her movements improving. Still, every motion felt like a test, each swing a reminder of how much further she had to go. She could almost feel her father's presence beside her, encouraging her through her struggle.

She stepped back, breathing hard, wiping sweat from her brow, her jaw throbbing but her determination unshaken. She may have stumbled today, but she was certain of one thing—she would master this technique, no matter how long it took.

As the sun climbed higher, casting warm beams across the academy grounds, Kaito called out to Hera, "Let's take a break, Hera. Go hydrate, catch your breath." Hera nodded, her muscles aching and her jaw still sore from her attempts with the third sword. She made her way back to her room, eager for some rest and the refreshment of cold water.

But as soon as she opened the door to her quarters and stepped back out, she found herself face-to-face with Ronji, his frame filling the doorway, an odd look in his eyes. Something dark and intense radiated from him, his usually warm demeanor clouded over.

"Hera," he started, his voice low but laced with an eerie firmness. "I need you to understand something—Suki is mine. She belongs to me, not to you." His words were possessive, a strange edge she hadn't heard from him before.

Hera frowned, taken aback by his tone. "But ,Ronji... Suki's her own person. She can choose who she's with and who her friends are."

But before she could say more, her heart froze as she noticed the purple ribbon hung from his hand—the ribbon from her scythe, a precious keepsake from her father, given to her the day she received her gem. "You bastard!" Hera snapped. She reached for it instinctively, but he held it just out of reach, his eyes narrowing.

"No ,no ,no..." Ronji smirked as he humiliated Hera.

"You'll stay away from her, Hera," he warned, his voice soft but steely. "Or this ribbon goes up in flames." His fingers flickered with a small spark of fire, dangerously close to her cherished ribbon.

Hera's breath hitched, anger simmering beneath her shock. "Please, don't do that," she managed, her voice calm but her heart pounding. "Just... give it back, and I promise. I'll keep my distance."

For a tense moment, his eyes searched hers, testing her resolve. Finally, he smirked and tossed the ribbon on the floor. "Good. I'm glad we understand each other." He turned to leave, pausing only to throw a final warning over his shoulder, "Remember, if you don't keep your promise... I'll burn it. And that's a promise."

As he disappeared down the hall, Hera dived and held the ribbon tightly in her hands, her heart a whirl of fear, anger, and confusion. She knew now that Ronji's intentions ran far darker than she'd thought, and her resolve to protect Suki was stronger than ever.

Hera took a deep breath, steadying herself before heading back to the training field. She gripped the ribbon tightly in her hand, feeling the fabric's familiar softness, a reminder of her father's gift. She didn't want to let Ronji's possessive words bother her, but the warning he left her with weighed heavily. She knew she had to be careful around him—for Suki's sake as well as her own.

As she stepped onto the field, her gaze immediately found Ronji and Suki standing off to one side, deep in conversation. Suki was smiling, her laughter ringing through the air like a gentle melody, and Ronji stood close, a glint in his eye as he looked down at her. Hera felt a pang of discomfort and sadness, but she swallowed it, forcing herself to remember that Suki was happy—and that was what mattered most.

With a soft, resolute sigh, Hera lifted the ribbon, carefully tying it into her hair, winding it securely so that it wouldn't come loose. The ribbon felt warm, like a shield of sorts, a constant reminder of her father's faith in her and her own strength. She decided that this way, her father's memory and encouragement would stay close to her, no matter how alone she might feel in this moment.

With her head held high, Hera turned back toward her training station, hoping Suki wouldn't notice the faint sadness in her eyes. Despite the sting of Ronji's words, Hera was determined to keep moving forward, knowing her father's gift would guide her—even when her heart felt heavy.

The end of Chapter Fifteen

The Weight of Determination