Chapter 63: Chapter 63

Gian

Kingdom of Howard

A duel, just like old times.

No holding back.

Despite it being a life and death situation, Gian found it amusing how his brother retained some sort of sick and twisted humor. He had to give it to Colter for being so dramatic.

Gian knew that in his current state, he would not be able to defeat Colter singlehandedly. Especially now that Colter seemed to be feeding off Dyron's dark powers.

"Be careful, Gian." King Malik called out to him. He must be worried because the last time they had a duel, Gian was easily floored by Colter. Regardless of his rigorous training, he was no match for the unpredictable moves of a rookie.

"How sweet. Tell me Malik, do you have any last words for your son?" Colter mockingly smiled at Gian.

"Don't engage him, Father." Gian said over his shoulder. "Don't give him the satisfaction of him getting in your head."

"Pathetic. Absolutely pathetic." Colter shook his head. "Tell me, Gian. Are you scared?"

Gian spat out. "You wish."

"Colter! Time is ticking! Finish them all!" Dyron yelled.

Colter lunged forward with remarkable speed. It was only by sheer luck that Gian was able dodge quickly. He immediately sidestepped and raised his sword just in time to block Colter's slash. The sound of metal hitting on metal was defeaning. Little sparks flew every time their swords collided.

Gian kept up with Colter's attack by counter-attacking. He did not dare make a move to act offensively, not when he did not have the upperhand. When Colter noticed how Gian would only deflect his attacks, he pushed Gian even further to his limits.

"Now, now, Gian. I don't remember you being this much of a coward." Colter yelled as he swung his sword.

Gian swerved in the nick of time. "If anyone here is the coward, Colter it's Dyron. He's controlling you to get to us."

"Lies!" Colter hissed.

He deflected another blow from Colter. "It's true and you know it! Don't succumb to whatever spell he put on you." If he could keep up with Colter, he might stand a chance in this duel. He just needed Colter to wake up from his ghostly trance.

Colter did another round of slashing and hacking, and Gian was there, ready to dodge and counteract his assaults. Colter was annoyed at how Gian would only act defensively. It was clear in his eyes that he was out for blood.

"I won't hurt you, brother." Gian said as he circled around Colter. "I'll do what it takes to make you remember."

Colter roared. "Fight me with all you've got, Gian! I'm not your brother and I will never be!" He looked even more merciless as he got angrier.

Gian did not know if he was able to continue this dangerous sword dance. He was getting tired and he was going nowhere, making Colter see reason. "We are your family, Colter. Fight alongside me and we can defeat the tyrant Dyron." Hack. "Think deeper, brother." Slash. "Listen to your heart and you'll remember us." Parry. "This is your home, the place where you belong." Dodge. "The place where you have lived all your life." Deflect. "Wake up, Colter." Block. "Don't succumb to the darkness." Repel. "Remember all the people that love you." Thwart. "Please, Colter. For the sake of Howard, of the Ecanus, of your family, of Vida!"

Colter had enough of Gian's babbling. He bellowed a cry so bone-chilling that all the other monsters attacking the other parts of the Kingdom followed suit. It was pure evil to see.

"You need to stop feeding me with your senseless lies!" Colter said, retaliating even faster and stronger. The dark power of Dyron consumes him, making him an unstoppable killing machine. Gian felt himself becoming sluggish. His body moves a little less slower than he would like. He did not know if he could hold out for much longer.

Colter seemed to notice the change in Gian's stance, so he smiled at him. "Getting tired now, are we?"

Gian panted. "Never."

Colter bared his teeth at him and charged at him with precision that only an expert swordsman could execute.

Gian howled in pain as Colter drew blood. He clutched his forearm, the fighting arm he uses, trying to staunch the blood from pouring out.

"My, my, Gian. You seem out of practice." Colter sneered.

But before Gian could respond, Colter snapped his fingers and a fireball appeared in his hand. He threw it over the air, towards Gian. Gian ran. It was the only thing he could do at the moment.

Colter was laughing, enjoying the little firework show he created. "That's it, Gian. Run all you want. Sooner or later, you will feel weak from evading the inevitable. You need to give up the hope of ever defeating me. Years of training amounts to nothing against pure and raw power, something that you definitely don't have."

Gian made a misstep and he fell down. He groaned and laid flat on his back. All he could ever do was to catch his breath, and hoped that Colter would not finish the job yet.

Colter walked up to him slowly, taking his sweet time. He tutted at Gian's form. "You are a disgrace, Gian. And you call yourself King-to be? Weak. You should be ashamed of yourself. You'll never amount to anything."

Gian looked up at his brother's eyes and saw nothing but pure darkness. It was hollow, an endless void that represented everything Dyron stood up for.

"That's it, Colter!" Dyron screamed from behind Colter. "Finish him."

"Please, Colter." Gian wheezed, his muscles sore to its limits. "Don't do this. Howard needs you. Vida needs you."

For a split second, his eyes flicker a faint shade of green, indicating that he had recognized that name. Gian found his way to buy time.

"Vida is here, Colter. She and her noisy human friend. She crossed the portal to come look for you."

Colter faltered. "What?"

"She's here and she's waiting for you to come home." Gian said rapidly. "She misses you dearly. She'd be more than happy to see you again, Colter. Not just like this. Don't ruin what you both have. She loves you so much that she faced her fear and went after you here in Howard."

"Vida?" Colter asked, his voice becoming normal.

"Yes," Gian nodded. "Please, brother. Stop this nonsense now."

It all happened so fast. For one moment, Colter looked normal but he immediately reverted back to his demonic self.

"I don't know a Vida." Colter rasped. "You stop with your pitiful lies, Gian. It won't save you now."

"Do it, Colter." Dyron egged him on. "Kill the man who made your life a living hell."

Colter pointed his sword at Gian's chest.

"Your life ends here."