Ch1

Pileco the oldest and most prosperous kingdom in the world all comes down to a sword duel between two of King Donovan Vanrick's sons. Every generation a new emperor must be appointed through a rapier duel when the youngest son turns 20. The regulations of the duel are simple; it's a fight to the death, a contender can only surrender if he is found incapable of fighting, if the fighter strikes a surrendering opponent, it will be considered as a sign of weakness and the fighter will be stripped of his royalty, once the fighter surrenders they will later be executed.

The battle was hosted in a massive arena made from enormous stone bricks and handcrafted decorations. The arena was located in the center of Pileco's largest city right next to king Donovan's Pallas. Thousands looked on in silence witnessing as the two brothers hastened to the center of the stadium. As they met, they clasped their hands together, pulling themselves closer to create a firm handshake.

"No hard feeling alright Vince" Hiltson whispered to his brother

"Same goes for you and remember not to hold back just because I'm your brother... because I won't be holding back against you either got it."

"I wouldn't even think about it."

Vince held back a tear knowing that he might just have to kill his brother. All month Vince tried to win over his father to give up the fight and to find another way to choose the next rule that didn't involve killing a family member. All Donovan had to say about it was: "we can't stop a whole lineage of family tradition just because you don't want to fight."

The two brothers backed away from each other to draw their swords. As loud as a crack of thunder the crowd roared as the brothers whipped out their rapiers in a salute. Vince approached Hiltson with his sword arm ready.

"I've always have been taller than Hiltson so as long as I maintain this distance everything will be fine," Vince pondered to himself stepping away from Hiltson's attack which had fallen short and afterward began to initiate an attack of his own which landed scraping Hiltson's wrist.

"Damn it, he's too far," Thought Hiltson

"Nice one," Hiltson declared backing away "I see you've been practicing"

Blood dripped from Hiltson wrist, hitting the ground, and splitting up into thousands of pieces.

"I know what I'll do," thought Hiltson

Hiltson attacked one more time.

"He fell short again," Vice pondered preparing his counter-attack "no wait, he was provoking... I should have known that attack, he did was way too short he wanted me to counter-attack,"

Parrying the blade Hiltson lunged towards Vince, who sprang out of balance. Seeing this Vince jerked his head to the side. The tip of Hiltsons blade had planted its self on Vince's right cheek right below his eye.

"Holy shit that was way too close!!" Vice thought to himself hopping away blotting his cheek with the left sleeve of his expensive shit

"Damn it next time I'll make sure to kill him," thought Hiltson

Hiltson began another false attack to close the space.

"There it is, " Hiltson thought as he saw Vince's arm out once again almost as if it was asking to be parried. Until it dawned on him: "there's no way he'd fall for the same trick twice. He's way too smart for that" a looming shadow towered over him as if telling him to run and in an instance, a blade came swooping down the smacking Hiltsons sword making a metallic ring as it flew out of his hand.

"What?!" Hilts on thought in confusion as his sword skidded across the arena. "He went for the sword?! But why!? It makes no sense!! He could have ended it right there. No, why am I even confused, I know what sort of person Vince is and now that I think about it makes perfect sense. Vince can't kill me he's never had the guts to kill anyone in that matter."

"What now Vince you can't kill me. You don't have the guts in you to do it."

"That's exactly why I'm going to ask you to surrender. You can't do anything without your sword." Vince responded

"No Vice I think you have it backward. I can only surrender once I am incapable of fighting."

"Are blind how am I supposed to fight you if you don't have your sword," Vince questioned

"You are proving my point with your very own words, Vince. You were incapable of fighting the moment you stepped into the ring. Sure, you may put up a struggle for me, but you could never actually kill me." Hiltson said slowly making his way towards his sword.

Vince quickly realized what was going on and without a second thought, he raced towards Hiltson's abandoned sword. Hiltson crouched down as his hand slowly reached out towards the soil where his sword had landed but was stopped prematurely as Vince stepped on the blade of the rapier.

"Your right Hiltson I could never kill you... but..." Vince raised his sword as a tear rolled down the side of his left cheek.

Hiltson screamed in indignation as he pulled upwards on the grip of his sword snapping it in two and attempted to extend his shortened blade into Vince's torso. Vince took his hand down planting the guard of his rapier on the top Hiltson's head. Hiltson's hand went limp and his head leaned back pointing upwards towards the sky as he sat straight up on his knees perfectly balanced. The tip of Hiltson's broken sword had dug its way into Vice skin, but as he staggered towards Hiltson it clattered on the dirt ground making a metallic ring that sounded across the arena. Vince knelt wrapping his arms around Vince forming a hug. Vince was heartbroken and disgusted with himself. Vince could no longer keep back any more tears. He cried into Hiltson's unconscious body.

The guards quickly separated the two and carried Hiltson up to his room to prevent any more of a scene in front of the public that would hurt Vince's future reputation. Vince stood up and slowly set his gaze towards the exit of the stadium. Below the giant stone arch of the exit, Vince could make out a somewhat tall, well-built man with black hair and a firm jaw angrily trotting towards him. When Vince saw his face, he immediately knew who it was. Williams Balmer, the head servant of the Vanrick family. His bloodline has had a long historical connection with helping the Vanrick family in times of great need. The bond between these two families has seemed almost unbreakable because of the great friendship the past generations have possessed.

"What in the world are you thinking!" Williams yelled, grabbing Vince's shirt collar

Vince staggered forward as Williams began to force him out of the stadium.

"Excuse me... Williams, what are you doing. Could you please let go?"

"No, shut your mouth!! We'll speak about this inside!!"