The Marino estate stood on the western edge of Valdoro, where the town slowly gave way to fields and winding riverbanks.
Unlike the tall stone houses in the centre of town, the Marino home had been built close to the water itself.
A narrow river curved past the property, its surface reflecting the pale blue of the morning sky as it flowed quietly between smooth stones.
For the Marinos, water was not simply part of the land.
It was part of them.
The air was cool near the river, carrying the steady sound of flowing water through the estate’s open training grounds.
At the centre of the courtyard, Marco Marino stood with his arms crossed, staring at the river.
The water rippled slightly under his gaze.
Then, with a flick of his hand, the river rose.
A narrow stream of water lifted from the surface, twisting upward like a living ribbon.
It circled the courtyard once before crashing back into the river with a loud splash.
Marco smirked.
Better.
But not perfect.
Across the courtyard, his younger brother, Davide Marino, watched quietly.
He sat on the low stone steps near the garden, his sleeves rolled up as he carefully wrapped a cloth around the injured wing of a small bird.
The bird had been found near the river earlier that morning, struggling to fly.
Davide moved slowly and gently, his hands steady as he finished tying the bandage.
Marco glanced over.
“You’re wasting your time.”
Davide didn’t look up.
“Helping something isn’t a waste.”
“It’s a bird.”
“It’s injured.”
Marco shook his head slightly.
“You’re the heir to one of the Pillars of Valdoro, Davide. You should be practising your control over the river, not playing healer to wildlife.”
Davide finally looked up, his expression calm.
“Someone should at least care about things that aren’t power.”
Marco laughed softly.
“That’s exactly why you’ll never lead this family.”
The words were blunt, but Davide didn’t react; he was used to it by now.
He simply placed the bird carefully on the ground beside him.
The small creature flapped its wings once.
Then again.
After a moment, it lifted gently into the air and disappeared into the nearby trees.
Davide watched it go before standing.
“Power isn’t everything, Marco.”
“It is when you’re responsible for protecting an entire town.”
Marco walked toward the river again, his boots crunching against the gravel.
“The Pillars don’t exist to be kind.”
Davide followed more slowly.
“They exist to protect people.”
Marko waved a hand impatiently.
“Yes. By being stronger than anyone who threatens them.”
The river responded to his irritation.
Water lifted suddenly into the air again, spiralling around him before crashing down with another heavy splash.
Davide sighed quietly.
“You’re trying too hard.”
Marco turned sharply.
“You say that like it’s a weakness.”
“No,” Davide replied calmly.
“I say it because you’re angry.”
Marco’s jaw tightened.
“I’m focused.”
“On what?”
Marco didn’t answer immediately.
Instead, he looked toward the distant hills beyond Valdoro.
For a long moment, the only sound between them was the river flowing past the estate.
Then he finally spoke.
“Everything changed when Father died.”
Davide’s expression softened slightly.
“Marco—”
“And now everyone expects me to step into his place,” Marco continued.
“To lead the Marinos. To stand beside the other Pillars as if nothing has changed.”
Davide stepped closer.
“You don’t have to prove anything.”
Marco scoffed.
“Of course I do.”
His gaze hardened.
“Especially to the DeLucas.”
Davide frowned slightly.
“Chiara isn’t your enemy.”
Marco let out a short laugh.
“She might as well be.”
The memory of their former engagement hung unspoken between them.
Years ago, the arrangement had been announced as a symbol of unity between the two powerful families.
The future marriage of fire and water.
A stronger alliance for the Pillars.
But everything had changed the night Isabella DeLuca and Vittorio Marino died.
The engagement had quietly ended not long after.
No one spoke about it anymore.
But the tension never truly disappeared.
Davide crossed his arms.
“Chiara never wanted the engagement either.”
“Neither did I.”
“But you still care.”
Marco’s eyes flashed.
“I don’t.”
Davide raised an eyebrow.
“Then why do you still compete with her every time the families gather?”
Marco didn’t respond.
Davide gave a small smile.
“I thought so.”
Marco turned away sharply.
The river rose again under his command, this time forming a swirling wall of water that hovered several feet above the ground.
“Watch,” Marco said suddenly.
Davide stepped back slightly.
Marco lifted both hands.
The wall of water twisted violently in the air, forming sharp, spinning arcs that cut through the air like blades before crashing back into the river.
The splash echoed across the estate.
Marco lowered his hands slowly.
The water returned to its calm, steady flow.
“Strength,” he said quietly.
Davide studied the river for a moment.
“You’re powerful. No one doubts that.”
“That’s not enough.”
“What do you mean?”
Marco turned to face him again.
“The Pillars are changing.”
Davide frowned.
“Changing how?”
Marco didn’t answer immediately.
Instead, he glanced toward the direction of the DeLuca estate across town.
“I saw Chiara training yesterday.”
Davide tilted his head slightly.
“And?”
Marco’s voice hardened.
“She hesitated.”
Davide shrugged slightly.
“Everyone hesitates sometimes.”
“Not leaders.”
The words were sharp.
Davide watched his brother carefully.
“You’re still trying to prove you’re better than her.”
Marco didn’t deny it.
“The Pillars need strong leaders,” he said, “Not people who doubt themselves.”
Davide stepped closer again.
“Chiara is stronger than you think.”
Marco scoffed again.
“She’s emotional.”
“She lost a parent.”
“So did I.”
Silence fell between them again.
Davide’s voice softened slightly.
“That’s exactly my point.”
Marco looked away.
The river flowed quietly beside them, reflecting the pale sky above.
Davide finally spoke again.
“Strength doesn’t mean pretending you feel nothing.”
Marco turned back toward him, his expression hard once more.
“No.”
His voice was firm now.
Cold.
“The Pillars need strength.”
He paused.
Then added quietly,
“No hesitation.”