INDIVA : ECHOES OF DESTINY Confrontation

The morning sunlight streams through the windows. Three brothers—William, Aaron, and Austin—sit at the dining table, sharing breakfast. The room is filled with the scent of slightly overcooked toast and scrambled eggs.

Aaron, determined to let William rest after a troubled night, has taken over breakfast duty. However, his cooking skills leave much to be desired.

Aaron, watching his brothers carefully, tries to mask his concern about William, who is uncharacteristically quiet. Austin, the youngest, is his usual cheerful self, cracking jokes and poking fun at Aaron's culinary attempts.

Austin Heart

(grinning, holding up a piece of burnt toast)😁: Are we sure this is edible? Aaron, I thought this was breakfast, not charcoal art.

Aaron Hope

(rolling his eyes, trying to defend himself)🙄: Hey, it’s not that bad! You’re still alive, aren’t you? Besides, someone had to step up since Chef William decided to take the morning off.

William Heart

(glancing up with a faint smile, his voice soft): I’ll take over tomorrow. Let Aaron experiment for once—maybe he’ll surprise us someday.

Austin Heart

(mock horror)😧: Surprise us? I don’t want to wake up in the hospital! Next time, William, please save us.

Aaron Hope

(playfully throwing a napkin at Austin): Very funny, brat. Maybe you should try cooking for once instead of running your mouth.

Austin Heart

(grinning wider)😁: Me? Cooking? Nah, I’d rather live dangerously and eat whatever you manage to burn.

William Heart

(chuckling, but his tone has a faint edge of fatigue)😌: Enough, you two. Just eat before it gets colder.

Austin Heart

(chewing, his tone more serious but still playful): You know, I don’t mind burnt food if it means spending time with you guys. Even if Aaron’s cooking kills me, at least I’ll die happy 🥰.

Aaron Hope

(pretending to be annoyed, but his affection is clear): Such a drama queen. Now hurry up or you’ll be late for school.

Austin Heart

(grabbing his bag and heading for the door): Okay, I’m off. Try not to burn down the apartment, Aaron. And, William, don’t let him cook tomorrow, alright?

William Heart

(nodding with a small smile): Don’t worry. Stay out of trouble, Austin ☺.

Aaron Hope

(mock stern): Yeah, behave at school, or I’ll send you burnt toast for lunch.

Austin Heart

(laughing, waving): Love you guys! Bye! 😄👋

The door closes behind him, leaving a moment of silence in the room.

Aaron Hope

(turning to William, his playful tone gone, his voice laced with concern): You had that nightmare again, didn’t you?

William Heart

(hesitating, avoiding eye contact): It’s nothing, Aaron. I’m fine.

Aaron Hope

(firmly, leaning forward): Don’t lie to me. I saw your face at the table. I know that look. You’re blaming yourself again, aren’t you? For everything that happened that night.

William Heart

(his voice sharpening, but still low)😔: It is my fault. I was the eldest. I should’ve done something. I should’ve saved them.

Aaron Hope

(voice rising, his emotions spilling out)😡: How can you even say that? You were just a kid, William! You couldn’t have done anything against an entire army. You got us out. You saved me and Austin. That’s what matters.

William Heart

(standing, his voice breaking with guilt and anger): Saving two lives doesn’t make up for losing everyone else, Aaron! Father, Mother, your parents—they all died because I wasn’t strong enough😡. I failed them. I failed you😔.

Aaron Hope

(standing as well, his voice trembling but resolute)😔: Don’t you dare say that. You didn’t fail anyone. If anything, I’m the one who failed. I’m the spiritual guardian of the royal blood. It’s my duty to protect you and Austin, and I—🥺

William Heart

(interrupting, his tone fierce)😡: Stop it! How dare you talk like that? You’re my brother, Aaron. My family. You’re more than just a protector. I don’t want you throwing your life away for some duty!

Aaron Hope

(emotional, his voice cracking)🥺: But that’s who I am, William! If I have to die to keep you and Austin safe, I will. Without hesitation.

William Heart

(grabbing Aaron by the shoulders, his eyes blazing with intensity)😡: No, Aaron. No one else is dying for me or for Austin. I’ve already lost too much. You’re not just a protector—you’re my brother, my friend. I’ll protect you, too. I’ll protect both of you, no matter what it takes.

Aaron Hope

(his resolve wavering, tears in his eyes): William, you don’t understand. You and Austin are everything I have. You’re my family, my purpose. I can’t lose you 🥺.

William Heart

(softening, his grip on Aaron tightening): And you think I can lose you? Aaron, we’ve already lost our home, our parents, our childhoods. But we still have each other. You’re not just my responsibility—you’re my strength. Together, we’ll protect Austin. Together, we’ll reclaim what’s ours.

Aaron Hope

(nodding, his voice barely above a whisper): Together 🥺.

The brothers share a moment of silence, their emotions raw but their bond stronger than ever. William pulls Aaron into a firm embrace, and Aaron clings to him like the brother he has always seen him as, not just a prince.

William Heart

William (pulling back, his tone lighter but still firm): Now, no more of this ‘dying for me’ nonsense. We’re in this together, Aaron. All three of us. And when the time comes, we’ll make them pay for what they did. We’ll take back our kingdom.

Aaron Hope

(smiling faintly, wiping his eyes)☺: Alright, alright. But for now, please resume cooking from tomorrow.

William Heart

(chuckling): Deal and from tomorrow you are on cleaning duty because I am not gonna babysit two kids. 😁

Aaron Hope

Copy that, sir! 👊

William Heart

👊

The two brothers sat back at the table, the weight of their shared past momentarily eased by the unshakable bond they share.