The Do-Over System:My Beloved is the Villain! - Chapter 105

Chapter 105: 03/23- Riven
Lucian moved like a phantom in the battlefield, his celestial blade a blur of silver and gold as he struck with precision and ruthless efficiency. Every slash found its mark, carving through the remaining monsters with a brutal grace that left even the seasoned warriors of Ironveil in awe. The battlefield was littered with the remains of their fallen foes, the air thick with the scent of iron and the fading remnants of void energy. Aeliana watched him move, her grip tightening on her weapon. He was a force of nature, unstoppable in his fury.

Kael, despite himself, smirked. “He’s showing off,” he muttered, sidestepping an incoming attack and driving his blade into the gut of a still-standing foe.

“Maybe,” Aeliana admitted, her eyes locked onto Lucian’s form as he weaved between his opponents. “But I can’t deny he’s incredible.”

As Lucian landed a flawless spin, his sword singing through the air, he prepared to deliver the final, devastating blow to the last of the creatures. The monster, weakened and barely able to hold itself together, let out a distorted screech as Lucian lunged forward—

And then, in an instant, the battlefield shifted.

A sudden gust of wind cut through the air, followed by a deafening *clang!* A blur of movement intercepted Lucian’s strike, a new force entering the fray with impossible speed. Sparks erupted as metal clashed against metal, sending a shockwave through the battlefield. Lucian was forced back, his eyes narrowing as he quickly readjusted his stance.

A man stood before him, his presence a stark contrast to the chaos around them. He was tall, with an imposing frame draped in a high-collared midnight coat, its fabric embroidered with silver runes that pulsed faintly with magic. His hair was a deep, smoldering auburn, tousled yet strangely elegant. His eyes—piercing, golden, like a predator watching its prey—locked onto Lucian with an expression of calculated amusement.

In his grasp was a weapon unlike any Aeliana had seen before: a black-edged longsword, its surface veined with streaks of molten crimson, as if it were forged from raw fire itself. A name lingered in the air like an unspoken challenge, his reputation preceding him.

**Riven Duskbane.**

The name sent a ripple through the group. Garrik tensed, his usual carefree demeanor momentarily slipping. Markus muttered a curse under his breath. Even Lirian, usually unimpressed by most, frowned in recognition.

“No way,” Dorian whispered. “*That* Riven Duskbane?”

Lucian held his ground, his expression unreadable. “What do you want?”

Riven smirked, shifting his stance, his blade humming with energy. “Oh, don’t look so grim. I was simply in the neighborhood when I saw you struggling.” His voice was smooth, confident, with a mocking edge that made Aeliana bristle. “I thought I’d step in before you embarrassed yourself.”

Kael scowled. “You call *that* struggling?”

Riven tilted his head, his golden eyes gleaming. “A fight isn’t over until the final blow lands. And, well—” he gestured to his sword still pressed against Lucian’s, “—it seems I prevented that from happening.”

Lucian’s grip on his blade tightened. “If you came here to gloat, leave.”

Riven chuckled, a rich, infuriating sound. “Now, where’s the fun in that?”

Before anyone could react, he moved. A mere shift in weight, a flicker of motion—and suddenly he was upon Lucian, their swords clashing in a deadly exchange of speed and precision. Their battle became a dance, steel meeting steel in a symphony of destruction. Sparks flew, their footwork impeccable as they tested each other’s limits with every strike.

Aeliana’s heart pounded as she watched. Lucian had always been skilled, but Riven… he was something else entirely. His movements were effortless, a perfect balance of power and grace. He wasn’t just fighting—he was toying with Lucian, pushing him, testing him.

Kael cursed under his breath. “He’s fast.”

“And dangerous,” Selene added, her hands twitching toward her weapons. “Should we step in?”

“No,” Aeliana said quickly, her gaze locked on the duel. “Lucian can handle this.”

At least, she *hoped* he could.

Lucian’s blade flashed, breaking Riven’s offense momentarily, but the auburn-haired swordsman merely chuckled. “Not bad. You’re quicker than I expected. But you’re holding back.”

Lucian’s eyes darkened. “You assume too much.”

“Do I?” Riven smirked, twisting his sword to deflect Lucian’s next strike with infuriating ease. “I’ve seen your true potential before, but I don’t see it now. Are you afraid?”

Lucian’s jaw clenched, his next strike coming harder, faster. Riven barely deflected it in time, the impact forcing him back a step for the first time since the fight had begun. His smirk widened. “There it is.”

The air between them was charged, the tension palpable. It was no longer just a fight—it was a battle of pride, of history, of something deeper that Aeliana didn’t yet understand.

Then, without warning, Riven disengaged, flipping his sword to rest lazily on his shoulder. “Well, that was fun.”

Lucian remained in a guarded stance, his chest rising and falling heavily. “You’re leaving?”

Riven exhaled dramatically. “For now. Consider this a warm-up. But next time, Lucian, don’t disappoint me.” He turned his gaze to Aeliana, his golden eyes gleaming with mischief. “And you must be Aeliana.”

Aeliana stiffened. “What of it?”

Riven’s smirk deepened. “Just curious. He talks about you more than he realizes.”

Lucian took a step forward, his voice dangerously low. “Leave. Now.”

Riven chuckled and sheathed his sword. “As you wish.” With a final glance at the group, he turned and vanished into the shadows, his presence lingering like an unshakable omen.

Silence stretched between them until Dorian let out a long breath. “Well. That was terrifying.”

Kael grunted. “Annoying is more like it.”

Aeliana looked at Lucian, who was still staring at the spot where Riven had disappeared. “Who *was* that?”

Lucian finally exhaled, his grip on his sword loosening. “A ghost from my past. And he’s not done with me yet.”

….

The battlefield had barely settled, the dust swirling around them like restless spirits. The presence of Riven lingered, his sudden arrival and departure leaving behind a weight that Aeliana could not ignore. The tension in Lucian’s frame had not eased, his fingers still gripping the hilt of his celestial blade as if expecting another strike.

Kael crossed his arms. “So, are we going to talk about what the hell just happened, or are we just going to pretend that wasn’t the strangest reunion I’ve ever seen?”

Lucian exhaled through his nose, turning away slightly. “There’s nothing to discuss.”

“Oh, there’s plenty to discuss,” Kael countered. “For one, you just told us he’s your *adopted stepsibling*. That’s not exactly something you drop and then walk away from.”

Aeliana watched Lucian carefully, sensing the internal war waging within him. His gaze flickered toward her, and for a brief moment, she saw it—the pain, the history, the unspoken words that trembled on the edge of his lips.

Finally, Lucian spoke. “Riven was taken in by my family when he was young. He wasn’t of noble birth, but my father saw something in him. Potential, intelligence, ambition. He was given everything—training, education, power. He became my vizier, my most trusted advisor. My closest friend.”

There was a bitterness to his tone, a sharp contrast to the reverence that once might have been there.

Selene frowned. “And now he’s your rival? What changed?”

Lucian’s jaw tightened. “Mal. Mal changed everything.”

Aeliana stepped closer, her voice gentle. “Lucian… what happened?”

Lucian hesitated, as if the past had wrapped its claws around his throat, refusing to be spoken into existence. But then he sighed, running a hand through his tousled hair. “Riven and I were inseparable once. He knew me better than anyone. He was ruthless, yes, but he was always at my side. Then Mal arrived, and the balance shifted.”

Kael raised an eyebrow. “Mal? Your former mentor?”

Lucian nodded. “He saw something in me that Riven refused to acknowledge. A power, a purpose greater than politics and strategies. Mal trained me, honed my abilities beyond what Riven had ever allowed. But Riven… he saw it as a betrayal. He believed I was abandoning him, that I was choosing Mal over our bond. He grew resentful, and soon, he wasn’t just my vizier—he was my competitor. He wanted control, and he didn’t care what he had to do to get it.”

Aeliana felt the weight of his words settle in her chest. She had seen Lucian battle before, had witnessed his skill, his unwavering determination. But she had never considered the fractures beneath the surface, the wounds carved by those he once held dear.

“So, what happened?” Garrik asked. “Did you fight?”

Lucian’s gaze darkened. “More than once. The last time… it nearly cost me everything. Riven left after that, vanishing into the shadows, forging his own path. I didn’t expect to see him again—not like this.”

Kael whistled lowly. “Well, he clearly holds a grudge. That little sparring match wasn’t just for fun. He was testing you.”

Lucian scoffed. “Of course he was. That’s what Riven does. He doesn’t act without purpose. If he’s here, it means something. And I doubt it’s anything good.”

Aeliana studied Lucian’s expression. “You still care about him.”

Lucian’s head snapped toward her, but she didn’t waver. The flicker of conflict in his eyes was brief, but she caught it.

“He was my brother,” Lucian admitted, voice low. “In every way that mattered. I didn’t want to lose him. But he made his choice. And I made mine.”

Silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken truths. Then, Kael exhaled loudly, rubbing the back of his neck. “Well, this just got a lot more complicated.”

Aeliana nodded. “It always does.”

Lucian sheathed his blade, his expression unreadable. “Whatever Riven’s planning, we need to be ready. He won’t stay in the shadows for long.”

And somehow, Aeliana knew—this was just the beginning of something far greater than any of them could have anticipated.