I catch my eyes drifting towards Saanvi seated across the training field in a patch of wet grass. She binds her hand with a red cloth, carefully covering every inch of skin before doing the same with her other.

“Saanvi”, I call, walking up to her.

Her gaze shifts towards me, cut off guard. She sighs. “May I help you?”

I unsheathe my sword from my hip, pointing it towards her face. She doesn’t flinch. “Care to spar?”

What I don’t except as an answer is her laugh. Her genuine, unwelcome laugh startles me, to be honest. I’ve only seen her express the wicked giggle she has whenever the commander praises her over me.

“And why would I waste my time doing such?” She says. Saanvi has always seen herself above all the other guards. And granted, she has proven to be better than them all. But that doesn’t mean I will let her take the position I have killed for.

“Because champions never back out of fights” I responds, stretching my arm out towards her.

She hesitates, then reluctantly grabs my hand and takes her swords.

I grab my sword with both hands, quickly glancing over to make sure the commander is watching.

She comes towards me in a matter of seconds, sword pointing towards my chest. I knock it away with my blade, grazing the tips of the grass.

“You ought to refine your skills” I say,

swinging the sword towards Saanvi’s legs. She stumbles back, gaining her composure before I swing again.

“Refine my skills?” She asks, her sword clanking against mine. “Maybe it is I who ought to teach you a lesson.”

I block her strike. Twice. “There’s no lesson you can teach me that I don’t already know.”

She attacks again, her sword cutting through the thick air. “I can teach you a lesson on cockiness” she says.

Murmurs around us circulate, and I feel my lips curl upwards. If everyone watches her fail-

Our swords slam against each other as we start stalking in circles.

“I would rather call it charm” I say, twisting my blade.

Too quick for most to notice, her eyes dart over to the commanders, and her face darkens. This is no longer a game.

She swings at my shoulder and misses. I take a step forward and another one, piercing my sword forward.

Her breath soon become ragged like mine but nobody stops. Not when the commander is watching.

I strike twice, this time hitting her leg. She cries out, rage simmering through her sweat.

We advance and retreat, my hits getting more desperate.

“Give up Jacks” she gasps, her sword blocking me.

“You give up” I say, my breath ragged.

“But I’m not the one with that reputation” she whispers so only I can hear.

I freeze mid swing, and she takes advantage of that moment to knock the sword out of my hands.

I stare at her, dumbfounded. That dirty little cheater-

“Saanvi!” The commander exclaims, standing in between us. She doesn’t seem to pay much attention to him. “If you keep that up, the position of assistant commander will be handed in a silver platter.”

She lets out an awkward laugh, nodding her head. Then he turns to me, disappointment seeping through his pores.

“Commander Orson” I say saluting him.

He nods at me, and glances back at Saanvi once more. Then he leaves.

We stand in silence for a while, until without a word she picks up her swords and leaves.

But I don’t move, my feet planted to the ground.

I’ve always been exceptional. But even the stars are nothing in comparison to the sun.

After all, who would care for a coward.