Chapter 1
DAISY DEGENERAL
I charge at him, but he is too fast. A knife slices past my face, and I am caught off guard. Before I can react, he lands a knee to my stomach, sending me flying backward. I scramble to regain my footing, my feet scraping against the ground as I struggle to get control.
I spot his hand coming at me and dodge just in time. I throw a punch, but he catches my wrist and twists it hard. Before I can break free, he punches me in the face, and I feel myself being sent crashing to the ground.
This time, I am pinned down, and I know I won't be able to get my footing in time. His grip is too strong, and I am at his mercy. I try to struggle, but it's no use. I am trapped.
"Mr DeGeneral, you are summoned in the meeting room," one of the guards echoes from outside the waiting room.
Dad looks at me for approval. I nod.
"You sure, love?"
"Yeah, I need to train anyways. I can see you but can't control what happens after that. " I smile. Dad ruffles my hair and leaves.
I walk to one of the benches and grab a towel. I dab my sweat off and sit down. I look behind me, and I don't see anyone. The door is closed. I touch my watch, and it shows me the meeting room. Seated are my parents, my older brother, Ian, and the five councils governing each island. Synthwave domain consists of five islands with councils as the head of each island, who in return reports to the Commander, who is Ian.
"We had a representative from the Verdant Isle over again. They asked for assistance. Again. They asked to enter our gate. They seem to be persistent. " Council Ayo of Aethoria island reports.
"Ignore them. They will leave. They come very year to try their luck. We know what they want. " Ian sighs.
"How do we make them go away, Mrs DeGeneral?" Council Serah of Northern Island asks, and they turn to Mum.
"That is left for our commander to decide. All I handle is war strategy and war formation." Mum states.
I end the live video and rest my head on my head in my palm. I stand up and resume my training.
What do the Verdant Isle need from us? They are already the talk of the world. Do they want dominance? Are we the only ones that are not their alliance, is that why? And mum, I know she has an idea to stop their shenanigans, why didn't she take it?
"Hey, Sis. Careful now. It is okay to rest. " Ian's causes me to tilt my neck to the door.
I throw a sword at Ian, and he catches it. He enters into the room and sits down. His lovely aroma mixes with the smell of sweat.
"I am not in the mood for that. Why didn't you join the meeting? You would succeed our parents, " Ian reminds me.
I sit down beside him. His brown eyes pierced deep into mine. I fake a smile and look at him.
"You know I can't sit amongst the leaders yet, I have to earn my spot,"
"No one has worn a match against you. Isn't that enough spot won?" he says.
"You and Dad have been undefeated for years now. " I arch an eyebrow, and his hoarse laughter echoes in the room.
"Years of experience. You will get there someday." he pats my back.
"Any issue currently? You interrupt dad only when it is important. Are our islands okay?"
"If it isn't, you would be strategying by now. You worry a lot. It is just some kingdom trying to poke without actually doing anything. Nothing dad and I can't handle. We can go one round. " Ian stands up and spins the sword with his other hand behind him.
Yeah, something is wrong. He only agrees to a training after refusing when he wants to keep me from asking any further.
"Yeah, I am good." I stand up.
"I reak of sweat. Maybe next time." I drop the towel on the bench and leave the training room.
~~
"So I will love for you to handle the security meeting today," Ian informs me as we walk to the meeting room.
We are in the hallway with armies patrolling the building. The hallway is spacious. We are dressed in formal attires.
"Really, Ian? Don't play with me. " I smile, and look up to him. He nods, his hands behind his back.
"And our parents?" I arch an eyebrow.
"Hey Ian and Daisy," Mum walks past us and stands before us.
"Hi, mum. I am anchoring the security meeting. I get to give the security report, " I say excitedly.
Mum turns to Ian and then back at me, "About that? You know you are not ready?"
"Mum, I am ready. How do I prove it?"
"You would one day. For now, you attend classes and train and create weapons, understood?" Mum darts her eyes to Ian and I.
"Mum, we will never know how good she is if we don't put her to the test." He defends me.
"We did, remember?" Mum raises an eyebrow, and he looks away.
"Wait, I don't remember that. I don't remember being put to the test. " I echo, and they are silent.
"Mum is right. Maybe next time, " he pats my back and walks away.
"Shall we?" Mum walks past me.
I fume in anger as I try to rack my brain. When was I put to the test?
~~
"Did you even listen to a thing I said?" Mum taps me, and I look up at her.
I stare at the board, Observation during combat is written boldly. I look back at her. We are in one of the classrooms. I am the only one who has been taught by Mum.
"When was I tested?" My voice is low.
"Not this again, Daisy. These are reasons why you are not ready. You are too driven by emotions. It never ends well on a battlefield. You can barely concentrate after hearing that" Mum bends down, her blue eyes staring into mine.
"I can't remember when empathy became a crime. You took over from Granddad when you were 22 years old. I am 23 already. What do I have to do to?" I question.
"That is enough, Daisy." her light skin turns red in annoyance.
"You are not ready. Now pay attention. " she walks to the board.
"Observation goes a long way during battle. Reading them gives you the upper hand. You can tell when they are weak and when they are exhausted and when an opening is left for a final blow. What did you notice in your training with your dad earlier today?" She asks.
"He was fast like always. I was about to read most of his attacks but couldn't strike or know when - I don't know, mum. "
"Think Daisy. Close your eyes and recall. " Mum instructs, and I close my eyes.
I am in the large training room with every weapon one can imagine hanging on the shelf. And the ring where trainings are held for the DeGeneral family. Dad and I are fighting. I remember thinking today would be the day, dad let's me win. I saw his hand, I saw what he wanted to do, and I was fast enough to send the punch back to him. At least I thought I was fast enough. Then he showed me why he is my dad and the head of security in all of Synthwave Domain.
"I was overconfident. I wasn't calculative enough. " I open my eyes.
"Exactly. Over confident breeds failure. Learn to observe your opponents, never leave all your cards in the open, and leave a few cards hidden. Don't show it until you are faced with death. Be very calculative. Let everything around you walk to your favor. The grass, the sands, the trees, your body parts. Don't rely on weapons. What if you are not faced with any?"
"Everything on me serves as a weapon. My jewelries are death machines designed by me. " I state with confidence.
"Overconfidence is the reason your brother and dad will always win. Yes, you help design our technology and weapons, and so what. What good is those if you can't use it properly? I can use your inventions better than you ever can. You know why?" Mum raises an eyebrow.
"Because you are observant and have more experience," I utter non chalantly.
"No, because I am smart. I don't rely on weapons to survive, unlike you. Without your inventions, you are nothing. With or without your inventions, I can beat you with my eyes closed. " Mum diminishes every confidence I have on my inventions.
"That is not fair. Those inventions helped our islands "
"I am not disputing that fac-"
"Then what are you doing, mum? I am trying, " my voice cracks.
"Honey -"
"Forget it. Can we pick this up later?" When Mum is silent, I take it as a yes. I grab my tablet and leave the classroom.
