NOVEL NEXT Chapter 16: Chapter 16: The Path of Shadows
Norway, 979 AD
Dawn had barely touched the horizon when Magnus led his brothers to a secluded clearing behind their home. At eleven years old, his movements carried a fluid grace that seemed to defy natural law - each step silent, each gesture precise. Seven-year-old Finn and five-year-old Elijah watched with rapt attention, while two-year-old Niklaus, despite his young age, observed with unusual focus.
"Today," Magnus announced, his violet eyes gleaming in the early light, "I will begin teaching you a new way of combat. One that I have been developing by combining Father's warrior teachings with something... different."
He moved through a series of forms that seemed to blend perfectly with the morning shadows. His brothers watched, transfixed, as he demonstrated techniques that appeared to defy both gravity and logic. The Ozunu style flowed through his movements, though none present could recognize its true origin.
"The Mikaelson style," he declared, giving new name to ancient arts, "is about more than mere combat. It is about understanding - yourself, your opponent, the very air around you."
Elijah stepped forward first, his dark eyes intense with focus. "Show me, brother."
Magnus smiled, gesturing for Elijah to mirror his stance. "Watch carefully. Every movement has purpose. Every breath carries meaning."
Finn joined them, already familiar with some of the basic forms Magnus had been teaching him in private. Young Niklaus sat nearby, unusually still for a child his age, his eyes tracking every movement with remarkable comprehension.
"The key," Magnus explained as he positioned Elijah and Finn, "is harmony between strength and grace. Like this." He demonstrated a move that seemed to flow like water while carrying the force of a hammer strike. "Each of you will develop your own balance of these elements."
Even as young as he was, Niklaus's attention never wavered. Magnus noted this with satisfaction - his youngest brother's focus spoke of the warrior he would become.
"Brothers," Magnus said during a brief rest, "must be as one in battle. Each understanding the other's strengths, covering the other's weaknesses. Watch."
He and Finn demonstrated a paired kata, their movements perfectly synchronized. The display ended with their family's forearm clasp, their foreheads touching briefly before they separated.
Later that day, as the boys practiced under his watchful eye, Mikael appeared at the edge of the clearing. He watched silently as his eldest son guided the others through movements unlike anything he had taught.
"Your own style, Magnus?" he finally asked, his voice carrying both pride and curiosity.
"Yes, Father," Magnus replied carefully. "Built upon the foundation you gave me, but adapted for our family's unique needs."
Mikael observed as his sons moved through their forms, noting how even young Niklaus seemed captivated by the practice.
"You teach them well," Mikael acknowledged, clasping Magnus's forearm in their gesture. "Though I've never seen its like before."
"That's because it was born from our family's needs," Magnus replied smoothly. "I call it the Mikaelson style."
As twilight approached, Magnus watched his brothers with satisfaction. The seeds were being planted - not just of combat skill, but of bonds that would need to withstand centuries of storms to come.