The Sovereign Chronicles novel Chapter 6

"Well, if it isn't Lady Moria. It's been a while, and it seems you're wearing less and less these days." Kaelen Stormridge smiled, but his eyes were ice. There was no awe in his gaze, only revulsion. In his mind, there was only one word for a woman like her: trashy.

"Watch your eyes, little beast," she sneered.

"If you dress like a tavern wench, expect stares. I'd be doing a disservice to your effort if I didn't look." Kaelen dropped the heavy stone vat he was carrying.

"Heh, arrogant little wretch."

"You dressed up so extravagantly today. Why aren't you out seducing the Sanctum Heir instead of visiting me? Let's get one thing straight—I have zero interest in a skank like you." Kaelen's words were laced with venom.

"Sharp tongue." Moria Vance's expression chilled, but she quickly recovered her seductive smile as she stepped out of the dense woods. "With a temper like yours, it's a miracle you've survived this long."

"Don't worry about me. Where's that idiot brother of yours hiding? Tell him to drag himself out here."

"What right do you have to act so arrogant, Kaelen?" Jaden Vance emerged from the treeline behind his sister, a cold, mocking laugh escaping his lips. He had intended to bring his sister to teach Kaelen a lesson last night, but she had been preoccupied, delaying it until today.

"The aura of the Third Phase of the Spirit Warrior Tier. Not bad. No wonder you've been so quiet these past few months; you were hiding in the storehouse secretly breaking through." Moria walked with a swaying, exaggerated grace. Yet, her tone was dripping with condescension. You endured humiliation for months, clawing your way to the Third Phase, only to be easily bested by my brother, publicly humiliated, and forced to flee like a beaten dog. Meanwhile, my brother not only passed the trials but secured the top rank and received special privileges. Sometimes, the gap between peasants and true talent is just that vast.

"You're the ones who ordered Overseer Fargo to set me up, aren't you?" Kaelen didn't flinch. He didn't even consider running. He stood calmly, facing the siblings head-on.

"You got lucky today. You weren't beaten out of the hot springs, and you weren't detained at Mount Veridia. I'm almost impressed," she purred.

"You play your little games well, but that's the limit of your capabilities. Let's hear it. What's the plan today?"

"Are you not afraid?" Moria's supple body swayed like a willow in the breeze, every smile and glance brimming with a predatory charm. So young, yet so dangerously alluring; one could only imagine the wars she might start in the future.

"He's just putting up a front. Inside, he's shivering in terror. Don't play tough, Kaelen. You aren't walking away from this in one piece today. Drop to your knees, grovel, and apologize. If you beg hard enough, maybe I'll go easy on you." Jaden needed to vent his rage today. If he didn't, he wouldn't be able to focus his mind when he entered The Vanguard Vault to study Martial Arts.

"You can bet your life on this—even if I were visiting your grave, I wouldn't kneel to you."

"Trust me, you will kneel." Jaden glared at him with pure malice.

"Kaelen, I actually admire you. Since yesterday, quite a few Prime Initiates have been keeping an eye on you," Moria noted.

"Is that right? I'm honored."

"I don't hold any deep grudge against you. I don't want to make this unnecessarily ugly. I have a compromise. Care to hear it?"

"Sister!" Jaden frowned deeply.

Moria smiled, her allure radiating like a venomous flower. "Return the Glimmerpearl Herb to Jaden, bow, and apologize. I won't even make you kneel."

"It can't be that simple. What's the catch?"

"Cripple your own left arm. Make it look like an accident." Moria's smile widened, but the ruthless edge in her voice finally bled through. Previously, she hadn't considered Kaelen a threat. But his sudden display of Spirit Warrior power had shocked many—especially since it seemed he had broken through entirely on his own, without Senior Lyra's intervention. Kaelen had once again proven his raw talent to The Azure Sky Sanctum, and rumors said he had already caught the attention of several elders and Prime Initiates.

Jaden grinned. Now that was the vicious sister he loved. Crippling Kaelen's arm and stunting his growth was far more satisfying than simply beating him to a pulp.

"I already ate the Glimmerpearl Herb." Kaelen knew Moria wouldn't just let things slide. She was a viper masquerading as a woman.

"So we have nothing to discuss?"

"I never intended to discuss anything with you."

"Don't play the fool, Kaelen. You know exactly who we are. Even if we snap both your arms, we'll only get a slap on the wrist. No one will touch us."

"Then cut the crap. Whatever you want to try, bring it on."

Moria laughed, a bright, trilling sound. "Where does your confidence come from? A mere Third Phase peasant thinking he can challenge me? Do you think I'm like the mediocre Initiates you usually scrape with?"

Just then, a few Initiates walked down the nearby path, laughing and chatting. Startled by the confrontation, they paused, but clearly having no desire to get dragged into the mess, they swiftly turned and hurried away.

Jaden urged, "Sister, stop wasting time with him. Finish him early."

Moria blew a clear, melodic whistle, her crimson lips curling into a seductive sneer. "I am crippling your left arm today. Are you going to do it yourself, or am I going to do it for you?"

"My left arm is right here. If you have the strength, come take it. If not, get lost." Kaelen extended his left arm, hiding his right hand behind his back.

"You insolent worm. Sister, break him!" Jaden was furious. The boy was too arrogant. He couldn't wait to see Kaelen whimpering in the dirt.

"Do you honestly think reaching the Spirit Warrior Tier gives you the right to act tough? Your barbaric brawling is a joke against true Martial Arts." Moria glided gracefully toward Kaelen. Her pale fingers twisted in a fluid, boneless motion. Wisps of fire materialized like dancing sprites, swirling playfully between her hands.

The Crimson Viper Strike! A mid-grade Spirit Martial Art.

Jaden had used this move yesterday, but in scale, temperature, and sheer speed of manifestation, he was completely outclassed by his sister, a powerhouse at the Sixth Phase of the Spirit Warrior Tier.

"You still have a chance to reconsider," Moria purred, her smile intoxicating. Suddenly, her hands clenched. The playful flames surged violently, transforming into twin serpents of explosive, roaring fire coiling around her arms.

"If we're fighting, then fight!" Kaelen sensed the lethal danger. He slowly clenched his extended left hand into a fist, his knuckles turning white as thick veins bulged along his forearm.

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