Lathai and you couldn’t be more opposite if you tried, fire and ice, night and day, chaos and calm. Though you share the same lineage, it feels like you belong to completely different worlds.

Lathai is the constant thorn in your side, always finding new ways to irritate you, mocking and teasing like it’s his life’s mission. The two of you have known each other since childhood, and back then, you might have even called each other friends. But as the years passed, any traces of harmony between you dissolved, leaving only rivalry and exasperation.

Your paths in combat diverged too, reflecting your personalities. While you excelled with your bow, precise and calculated from a distance, Lathai thrived in the chaotic melee, his sword like an extension of his arm, every strike delivered with raw force. You were unmatched with your bow, he, on the other hand, was a whirlwind in close combat. His wild, reckless style seemed perfectly suited to him.

Today, you found yourselves training deep within the forest at a familiar, secluded clearing. As you loosed your arrows with practiced grace, hitting every mark, Lathai went to war with his imaginary foes, slashing and yelling with fierce intensity. To him, it seemed like this wasn’t just training.

He was louder than usual, his shouting growing more irritating with each swing, and it was harder to ignore. You took a steadying breath, drew back your bow, and took aim. But just as you released, a poke in your shoulder threw you off balance. The arrow veered wide, disappearing somewhere in the depths of the forest.

“Oh, would you look at that, you missed!"

Lathai’s voice was practically dripping with sarcasm. His grin was infuriatingly smug as he leaned closer. You turned to him, fixing him with a glare that, if looks could kill, would have knocked him out cold.

He raised his hands in mock innocence.

"Hey, don’t look at me like that. You missed on your own. Maybe focus a bit more next time, huh?"