I kept my eyes on the doors, waiting for any sign of a break-in—at least a shadow moving behind the blinds. But they still didn't come. It was starting to make me nervous.
"So where are they?" Vedana snapped. "Or is this just another one of your stunts? And you had to drag Astibor into it too… Have you no shame?"
It was obvious she was losing her temper. Her shouting must have drawn unwanted attention, because at that very moment there was a loud crack of wood and metal. The front doors burst inward with a thunderous crash, splinters flying from the hinges as the first attackers forced their way into the house.
While Vedana was still hurling insults at Matúš, he didn't hesitate for even a second. He grabbed the first man who came within reach by the shoulders and yanked him down hard. The man in the cloak screamed in pain and collapsed to the floor.
I didn't have time to watch any more—another attacker was already charging straight at me.
I dodged the fist aimed at my head. The man stumbled and lost his balance. I scanned the room quickly, looking for anything I could use as a weapon. I found it—a small piano stool. I lunged for it and grabbed it.
When I turned around, the house was suddenly far too crowded. It looked like I was the only one who hadn't yet taken down their first opponent. Matúš was fighting hand to hand with another man, and Vedana was currently holding one attacker and using him as a weapon against another who was rushing at her.
I had no more time to assess the situation. An audience was starting to gather around me as well.
I jumped onto the piano. As one of them began climbing up after me, I smashed the stool down on his head. He dropped like a sack of grain, blood immediately streaming from his scalp.
Another one came at me right away. This time I didn't react fast enough. He grabbed my leg and yanked, and I lost my balance, crashing headfirst into the keys. It hurt—but what angered me more was that he was destroying such a beautiful piano.
I kicked him with all my strength. His fingers cracked, and his wrist folded unnaturally under the force. Another thunderous howl of pain filled the room.
I got back on my feet and saw that the remaining two were trying to flee.
"Hm. Not a chance," I muttered.
I hurled the piano stool—still in my hand—after them. The timing was perfect. They were charging for the open doors, practically stepping on each other's heels. The stool flew between them, tearing through the space where their bodies overlapped for a split second.
Moments later, both were down.
The stool flew between them with perfect timing, tearing through the space where their bodies overlapped for a split second. Moments later, both of them crashed to the floor.
For a heartbeat, I just stood there, staring at what I had done.
A cold shiver ran down my spine as the realization hit me — that throw should not have been possible.
No ordinary man could have hurled a heavy piano stool with such force, let alone through two bodies at once.
My hands trembled as I looked at them, suddenly unsure whether the attackers frightened me more than my own strength.
For the first time since waking up in that hospital bed, I felt genuine fear — not of them, but of myself
I let out a breath and grabbed my head.
Someone sat down beside me and placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Well… thank you for helping me," Matúš said. "As you can see, I wasn't lying. I could've handled them myself, but you have to understand—unlike you, I didn't get such perfect training in fighting against superior numbers."
"That's no excuse," Vedana snapped. "You could've disappeared if you wanted to."
They started arguing again right next to me, and a strange wave of nostalgia washed over me.
"Astibor, don't ignore me! Hello!"
I looked up. Vedana was standing in front of me.
"Why did you go easy on them?" she demanded. "Can you explain why you didn't take them out one by one right away? Why were you playing with them?"
She didn't let up.
"You've always given your opponents far too much space—space they never deserved. Or are you saving your strength until you get home, so you can take on anyone who dares stand in your way?"
She was accusing me again of something I still didn't fully understand.
"Oh, come on, sister," Matúš cut in. "It's not that serious. He just wanted a bit of fun. Let him be. The frustration of the last few years must have taken its toll. Put yourself in his place—you'd spare your opponents too, just to make it last longer."
Matúš was trying to defend me.
"He's right," I added. "I spent years hiding, trying to live a normal life. And still, you won't leave me alone. How else do you expect me to burn off that frustration?"
From her expression, I could tell she believed it.
"Fine," she sighed. "Let's leave it at that. Go to the guest rooms—separately. I don't want you getting drunk here on top of everything else. I'll clean up the mess after this failed attempt to kick Matúš's ass."
I couldn't help but laugh. Matúš just snorted irritably and headed upstairs. I followed him, but at the last moment I turned back.
"Sorry about the piano!" I called out.
She waved her hand dismissively, signaling that she accepted the apology.
I quickly retreated to my room.
Lying under the covers, I thought about what kind of day it had been—and how it was even possible that I'd managed to smash through two men at once with an ordinary piano stool. And that wasn't all. Everything I'd done today… everything my siblings had done as well.
The immense strength we all apparently possessed.
The strange way we dressed—especially Matúš. The secrets that made no sense to me. A past I couldn't remember, yet felt in every movement.
And so, with my head full of doubts and fear of what awaited me next, I finally fell asleep.