Time seemed to fly by, and it was only another year later before something rocked their world.

The two boys were nine and eight, almost to the age when their magic would be officially revealed. Goddard still considered it a victory for the future that he had convinced Paxton to hid their magic powers.

However, tensions were starting to rise even further between the brothers as they probed for secrets. It was plainly obvious to both that their brother was hiding something, and it was a secret that the two hoped they already shared. Unfortunately, they continuously gave each other "tests" that failed every time.

It was maddening, especially since they wouldn't talk to anyone else about their troubles. Being two grown men in the body of children meant that the innocence they needed to portray was wearing their respective patience as thin as parchment.

Paxton wanted to start advancing this world to make things more convenient. For someone who was driven cars, planes, and trains; wooden wagons were just infuriating. He had already planned how to build a rudimentary go-kart with magic technology, but he feared the rapid change would create chaos.

Goddard wanted to make a plan for the demon's arrival. He had acquired maps of the eastern coastal mountains where the invasion began, and was putting together an elaborate military manuever to close the portal five years early. His plans were growing, including setting certain things in motion beforehand to get special weapons prior to the war beginning.

With so many things to say, the brothers could scarcely hold a conversation without derailing to ask obscure question.

Despite the tension, they trained daily. The wooden swords had long been abandoned to be replaced by metal rods treated with magic. The strength and durability were comparable to steel despite being pure iron. The heavier training swords also meant that the boys were getting stronger at an incomprehensible rate.

Showers and changing clothes had to be carefully hidden lest the servants walk in and accidently see muscles so taught, you could pluck them to make music

The training was now at a point that the two boys had left the courtyard to train in the woods. The lack of boundries added more layers of strategy, and they wouldn't have to explain to their mother why they can swing iron bars with enough power to kill a man.

Paxton still held the undefeated title as better swordsman, but Goddard had finally found the depth of his brother's skill.

Even now that Goddard had caught up to his brother's ability, Paxton hadn't done anything new. When preivously he would pull out some fancy footwork or simply move faster, Paxton was now just matching his brother.

To Goddard, this meant that there were no more tricks up Paxton's sleeve. No more aces, jokers, or trump cards; this was the top of the lake.

Then, one day, it happened.

The two brothers fought like demons, switching effortlessly from parry to strike to block to fient. The clanging metal filled their ears like music, clashing notes out of tune and without proper rythem. Head to head, they had been fighting for ten minutes already and a neither had a clear advantage. Paxton was watching carefully, matching Goddard's pace while trying to throw him out of rythem. Goddard was keeping his magic steady, utilizing low level applications to save for a window of opportunity.

Which he saw when Paxton pulled back for a stab, but hesitated; leaving his side undefended.

It was only for a fraction of a second, but Goddard reached through the tiny gap and pulled it wide open.

"GAH!" exclaimed Paxton as an iron bar dug painfully into one of his ribs.

Still in the fight, Paxton parried the bar and returned to the offensive.

Goddard had a smile, but he wasn't being cocky. He knew that underestimating his brother would take away his advantage.

Paxton was fighting off his brother, but the pain in his ribs was already starting to affect his performance. His eyes were watering from the stabbing feeling, but he couldn't properly heal himself without breaking concentration from the fight.

It was during this time that Paxton gained a new appreciation for his brother's magic control. It took great effort to use magic while also paying attention to an opponent.

Finally, Paxton managed to close the distance between the two, locking his brother into a grip. With his opponent under control, he let his mind travel to magic control for exerting the energy to heal the wound.

Goddard saw the fire-like white energy around Paxton's rib and knew that he needed to strike, so he took a shot.

Throwing his head forward, Goddard smashed his brother's nose with his forehead.

Paxton broke control, feeling pain shooting through his tender skin as the cartilage was forcefully bent.

Paxton leaned a bit too far back, giving Goddard the upper hand to lean in and force Goddard to the ground. The two brothers tumbled down, and Goddard managed to switch his iron bar so that it hit Paxton's neck on the way down.

On the ground, the two brothers still gripped tightly to their 'swords' and each other.

"I win," Goddard declared between labored breaths. "I got your neck!"

"I still have some time left," Paxton argued, "you haven't won until I've bled out!"

"Fine then," Goddard agreed, then he released his grip on Paxton.

The older brother immediately took the advantage to get an arm around his sibling's neck.

Seconds away from declaring his own victory, he was suddenly met with the sight of a small rod in his face. It was the same one that Paxton hid on his person to potentially use in case of emergency.

Goddard had discovered the hidden rod (which they agreed was a dagger), and had stolen it during the choke to stab Paxton in the face.

"I-I... win...." wheezed Goddard from under his brother's choke-hold.

Paxton looked at the dagger with a feeling of deep discontent, then let go of his brother's neck.

Goddard breathed, keeping his breaths manageable; but also got well out of range of his brother in case of another suprise attack. Once at a safe distance, Goddard looked up to see Paxton still laying on the ground, arms spread out and a distant gaze in his eyes.

"I won," Goddard repeated, stating it as fact in case his sibling tried to discount the victory with some rule. "I won this round."

"You win," agreed Paxton, putting a hand over his nose to magically move the cartilidge back into place.

"How can I be sure?" Goddard asked credulously.

Paxton was infamous for coming up with things after-the-fact to make it seem like everything was a part of his plan. Making up rules, declaring an end and then suprise attacking, even arguing that he would have won if he had done a 'one-hit-kill'.

Goddard eventually realized that Paxton just hated to lose, and would do anything to give himself the win.

"Like this," Paxton said, sitting up and rolling over to his brother.

Goddard kept his wits about him until an arm grabbed his leg, and then a green fire spread lightly across his body. He was recieving a full body heal, something Paxton would never do against a real opponent, but Goddard still kept his guard.

Once he was finished, Paxton let go and rolled away. Goddard tested the works to find that nothing hurt; he had actually been healed.

"Oh my gods," Goddard gasped in disbelief, "I actually won?"

"You did," spit his brother, who got to his feet and 'sheathed' the iron rod in the back of his jacket.

As a sign of good sportsmanship, the Paxton the loser offered a helping hand to his worthy opponent.

With a smile that could cross a river, Goddard accepted the gracious victory.

The two brothers dusted themselves off, hid the iron rods inside of a hollow log in the woods, and returned home with mixed feelings.

All tension from the lies and secrets were gone. They no longer felt like an assassin from another world or a hero from a nightmarish future. The great secrets they guarded no longer mattered in those moments.

Right now, they were just a proud younger brother, and a slightly bitter but still proud older brother.