Chapter 17: We are Brothers

After the battle with Edengaz, Zed slept for two days. Then one morning, Zed opened his eyes and woke up, he said:

"It's morning already? How long have I been asleep?"

Suddenly someone beside him replied:

"You've been sleeping with me for more than two days."

Zed turned to see Edengaz lying next to him. Zed said:

"What the hell?"

Zed kicked Edengaz hard off the bed. Zed said loudly:

"Bastard, why are you sleeping next to me? Where am I?"

Edengaz replied:

"Since this is my room, you idiot. You're in the kingdom's castle, don't worry your soldiers are all fine."

Zed said:

"Thanks for your help."

Edengaz replied:

"It's okay, if you need help then I..."

Suddenly, a girl lunged at Edengaz and kicked him in the face, knocking him against the wall. She said loudly:

"Stupid big brother, our father knows you let the Horseman in the castle."

Zed gasped and thought to himself:

"What the Hell?"

Edengaz stood up with his head bleeding, he said:

"Hey, he's not doing anything to the city. Trust your big brother, Horseman is a true warrior, he won't hurt us."

That girl was Lamalia when she was fifteen years old, she replied:

"That's the Horseman of Death, the enemy of the Continent and the most ferocious of the Gloria kingdom."

Edengaz said:

"Calm down Lamalia, I'll talk to father."

Edengaz said to Zed:

"Zed, this is Lamalia Corpur, my little sister. Lamalia, this is Zed Whitney aka Horseman of Death and my friend."

Zed said:

"Hi, just call me Zed."

Lamalia looked at Zed and was immediately captivated by his coolness. Lamalia calmed herself and said angrily:

"Father's calling you in the Throne Room anyway, so take him with you so he can see him."

Edengaz replied:

"Thank you, little sister."

After Lamalia left the room, Edengaz said to Zed:

"Let's change and go see my father."

Then Zed wore a traditional Sandx outfit with long sleeves and a long coat to his feet. Zed then followed Edengaz to the throne room of the castle, stepping inside was immediately more than a dozen warriors surrounded Zed and put spears to his neck. Edengaz hastily said:

"Stop, he's not the enemy."

Zed replied:

"Don't worry, this is normal."

Zenhector said loudly on the throne:

"Edengaz! you brought the enemy into the city!"

Edengaz replied:

"Yes father, I have brought the Horseman of Death into the city. But I assure you, father, he is not the enemy."

Zenhector said:

"Have you forgotten who the Horseman of Death is? The god of death, who slayed so many Dark Elves in one night, wherever he went he brought disaster and death to so many people there. He and The army of Wolves has come to invade our city."

Edengaz replied:

"When he got here, he immediately surrendered to save his people. When you fought Zed he fought with honor and skill and didn't cheat."

Zenhector said:

"Maybe it's his ruse to gain your trust. Soldiers! Capture the Horseman of Death."

Edengaz said loudly:

"I said no!"

Zed summoned the Dante sword and slashed the spears freeing him. The soldiers were scared and backed down, not daring to attack Zed. Zed walked up to Edengaz and said:

"Your Majesty, I have surrendered to Edengaz so I will not attack this city. Let us stay here to rebuild our forces for a few days and then we will leave. I promise with my life."

Zenhector replied:

"How can I trust your promise?"

Zed stuck his Dante sword on the floor and said:

"Take my legendary sword, I won't get it back until I leave."

Edengaz picked it up and replied:

"Are you sure?"

Zed said:

"Yeah, it's okay. I won't fight at all."

Edengaz replied:

"Then just to be sure I'll keep it."

Zed nodded in agreement. Zenhector said:

"All right then, Horseman, you and your warriors can stay here and leave as soon as they're back to normal. If you dare attack, you'll be put to death."

Zed smiled and replied:

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Many of the generals in the room were still suspicious of Zed. Zed and Edengaz then went to meet the Wolf Army, They were at the Sandx army camp and were being helped. Zed was reunited with his warriors, they surrounded him out of concern for him and their fate here. Hatai asked:

"Sir Horseman, are you all right?"

Zed replied:

"I'm fine, I've been working with the Sandx king. We'll recover here and head back to the kingdom."

Hatay said:

"What about King Vansing's orders? We will have to attack this city."

Zed replied:

"Now it's my order. Don't start a war, we're in the enemy's heart and the numbers on both sides are too disparate."

Hatai said angrily:

"Are you going to disobey the king's orders?"

Zed replied coldly:

"No, but I promised the Sandx king we won't go to war to save our lives."

Hata argued:

"It's disgraceful that we, once the Wolf Army famous throughout the Continent for our power to decide who lives or die, are now not allowed to kill when the enemy is in front of us."

Zed replied:

"Then who is the leader of the Wolf Army Hatai? What did I tell you? Fighting with the honor of a warrior, it is humiliating to fight when the enemy is not ready and even more humiliating to cheat in combat."

Hatai couldn't argue anymore, he grumbled and left. Zed said to Edengaz:

"He's Hatai Wix, my left-hand man. He's a strong warrior, but he's too aggressive and only fights. He would have been better suited to the army of the Horseman of War."

Edengaz replied:

"I can see that. So who's your right-hand man?"

Zed said:

"Of course it's The Knight."

Then Zed said to his warriors:

"Brothers, I know this may be against the king's word but this is the only way if we want to return to our families alive. So after we go home, who doesn't want to be involved in the matter that I voluntarily surrendered unconditionally? Then leave me the armor and the Wolf badge."

Not a single warrior left the Wolf Army, they swore allegiance to Zed and understood their character to fight for his and the others' honor. Zed nodded and said:

"Okay then, everyone get some rest, we'll be leaving the kingdom in five days."

The warriors chanted:

"Howl! Howl! Howl!"

Then Zed and Edengaz trained together in the vineyard behind the castle. The duo went shirtless showing off their muscular muscles and six packs. Zed picked up an iron sword and said:

"Why did you bring me here?"

Edengaz replied:

"I've watched you fight, you swing your sword really hard but it's too slow. I've been able to parry it many times."

Then Edengaz picked up a big iron shield. Zed said:

"Yeah, it's true that it was my fault. Because I think slashing hard is enough."

Edengaz replied:

"So destroy this shield as quickly as you can. And in the meantime you must."

More than a dozen archers pointed their bows at Zed, Edengaz continued:

"You'll have to keep dodging the arrows."

Zed replied in surprise:

"Shit!"

The archers shot arrows at Zed, who repeatedly dodged the incoming arrows. Zed jumped up and spun in midair and slashed the arrows in half. Zed ran faster than a flying arrow and rushed towards Edengaz. Edengaz raised his shield to shield himself. Zed slashed hard at the shield but it didn't take any damage. Zed whispered:

"Damn it."

Edengaz pushed the shield causing Zed to fall back. Immediately there were arrows flying behind him. Zed turned around and swung his sword to smash the arrows. Zed and Edengaz looked at each other and shared a smile, the duo said:

"Continue."

Zed and Edengaz continued to train like this all afternoon and afternoon. Lamalia watched them practice from the balcony, she watched Zed intently, she thought:

"He's not really the Horseman of Death everyone says. I thought he was a true tyrant but this is a knight fighting for his people and he's only here on orders from the king."

Lamalia watched Zed's handsome face, she said:

"He's so hot, I like him so much."

Returning to the duo, Zed rushed to slash at the iron shield but still nothing, he whispered:

"How can I hit harder? He said I have to hit harder and faster, but..."

Zed jumped to dodge the arrow and thought again:

"In that case, I'll listen to you."

Zed landed on the ground and slashed repeatedly at the iron shield. The arrows flew, Zed immediately turned around and swung his sword around to break the arrows and turned to slash repeatedly at the iron shield. Zed's slashes became stronger and faster by the day, causing Edengaz to slowly recede. Edengaz thought to himself:

"Very well, but..."

Suddenly Zed slashed so hard that the blade broke. Edengaz said:

"The blade is broken, you can't cut anymore."

But Zed used the broken blade left on the sword and stabbed the iron shield repeatedly. Edengaz was surprised, he thought:

"Didn't he stop?"

Zed stabbed harder over time and scared the archers. Edengaz looked at Zed, he saw him stabbing his shield like a wild beast. Zed pierced the shield and sliced it in half, seeing Edengaz he wanted to attack even more. Edengaz then grabbed Zed's head and said:

"This is enough, you take a break."

Edengaz punched Zed hard in the stomach, returning him to normal. Zed vomited and said:

"What the hell?"

Edengaz said to the archers:

"Okay, you guys go take a rest, I'll take care of him."

Zed grumbled in pain:

"Did I almost turn into a wolf again? Sorry."

Edengaz replied:

"What does it mean to turn into a wolf?"

Zed said:

"Probably from living so long with The Knight's dark powers. The Knight and I fuse together a lot in many battles and I seem to have a bit of its wildness. Only when I fight, I feel it. I got excited, the feeling of wanting to kill increased and as a result I became even more crazy about fighting. That's part of the reason I became the Horseman of Death, to fight."

Edengaz replied:

"Then let's go get some stress relief, maybe you need something to drink, wine?"

Zed said:

"Yes thanks."

Zed and Edengaz went to the vineyard and sat next to a vine. Edengaz took a jug of wine and said:

"Drink some."

Edengaz gave the bottle to Zed, he accepted the bottle and drank. Zed took a few sips, he looked much more relaxed and comfortable. Zed said:

"What makes this wine so delicious?"

Edengaz replied:

"Grape, I grow grapes to make wine."

Zed said:

"Of course, do you like grapes?"

Zed handed the bottle of wine to Edengaz. Edengaz said:

"Yeah, after every opponent I beat, I plant a vine."

Edengaz drank wine, Zed replied:

"Why?"

Edengaz said:

"To pay tribute to them, although they lost and cost their lives, they fought with all they had. Those warriors deserve to be remembered. Many have challenged me. But they were all dead. Until I met you Zed, you were the first person I drew in a battle."

Zed replied:

"Huh, really? I'm just like you, maybe aside from protecting my people, I probably fight for nothing. I've got glory, money, loyal warriors, everyone admires me for my feats and much more to come. But I always feel like something is not right I fight for nothing, killing with me makes me one devil, I'm losing my humanity if I keep fighting like that."

Edengaz said:

"You can just give up."

Zed drank the wine and replied:

"I know, but if I give up who will lead my army. I can't leave them, other generals will make them like weapons of war."

Edengaz drank wine and said:

"I understand, but when the war is over what will you do?"

Zed replied:

"I want to own a shop, sell weapons to hunters, and drink through the day. Oh yeah, and find Elf wine too, you know it? The taste of spring, the feeling of cold in summer, the smell of season Autumn, warmth in winter. It's perfect."

Edengaz said:

"Hmm, maybe I should try drinking it too."

Zed replied:

"Yeah, so what do we do next?"

Edengaz said:

"Let's have dinner, let's eat together with our soldiers."

Zed replied:

"Very good."

That night in the common dining room of the soldiers, the soldiers of the two kingdoms Gloria and Sandx had a small party together. They let go of the fact that they used to be enemies and ate and drank together. Zed and Edengaz drank and wrestled each other. Zed said:

"I've never lost an arm wrestling match."

Edengaz replied:

"Let's see."

The duo strained and tried to push the other's hand down. Soldiers on both sides cheered for them. Edengaz pressed Zed's hand down hard and won. The two sides chanted celebrate and had more fun. Zed and Edengaz shook hands, Edengaz said:

"Drink more brother. Tonight must be comfortable."

Zed replied:

"Yeah!!!"

While everyone was eating and drinking, Hatai didn't join the party. Hatai looked at Zed and Edengaz who were very close to each other, he thought to himself:

"Sir Horseman has betrayed the kingdom. I have to do something to be the next Horseman of Death."

That night Hatai secretly rode out of the city into the desert to return to the kingdom. That night Zed took Edengaz to his room because he was too drunk, Zed said:

"He's the most passionate, but he's already drunk by ten mugs."

Zed threw Edengaz on the bed and he fell asleep right away. Zed said:

"I'm so tired, I need to rest too."

Suddenly Lamalia appeared at the door of the room, she said:

"Edengaz, are you back to your room? Oh Zed."

Zed replied:

"Hello, Lamalia. Aren't you going to bed yet?"

Lamalia said:

"Yeah, I'm here to see if Edengaz is back in his room, every time he gets drunk he walks around the castle and always wakes up in some unexpected place."

Zed replied:

"It makes sense for this idiot."

Lamalia said:

"Ah, can I talk with you for a minute?"

Zed smiled and replied:

"Yeah sure."

Lamalia blushed at Zed's smile but it was just her imagination. Zed looked at Lamalia who was covering her red face and thought:

"What happended?"

Zed and Lamalia stood outside on the balcony and looked at the stars in the sky. The bright stars sparkled and formed a galaxy in the night sky. Zed looked up at the sky and said:

"What a beautiful star"

Lamalia replied:

"Yeah, the stars in the Sandx are brightest and most beautiful in the Continent. By the way, what do you think of Edengaz?"

Zed said:

"He is very friendly despite his wild personality. Edengaz is also very brave when he dares to challenge me to a fight and has great respect for his opponent. In general, Edengaz is a good person and has a heart and a mind. the will of a warrior."

Lamalia replied:

"Boredom! You talk like everyone else about him but you're right, big brother is such a great person. You two are close, aren't you?"

Zed said:

"Yeah, we're really close. Maybe this is the first time the two strongest guys on the Continent are friends, I have to respect him."

Lamalia replied:

"Tell me, what kind of person do you think I am?"

Zed said:

"You're cute and a good little sister too. Sorry but I only know a few things about you but I think you're a good person."

Lamalia blushed, she replied:

"Don't say such embarrassing things. Do you have a lover at home?"

Suddenly Lamalia froze, she thought:

"I'm dead, why would I ask that question? He'll know I want to be his lover."

Zed said:

"Well, I haven't had anyone love me yet. I lived in the army camp and fought in the battlefield for so long, so I haven't known any girls yet."

Lamalia replied:

"Is that so?"

But in the heart was:

"Oh yeah! I'll be his wife!"

Lamalia sighed to calm her mind, then she said:

"Do you want to love me?"

Zed was surprised, he replied:

"What did you just say?"

Lamalia said:

"Actually, when I first met you, I fell in love with you."

Zed froze, he thought:

"What the hell? A fierce princess like her accidentally fell in love with me, what did I do?"

Lamalia quickly hugged Zed, she said:

"Marry me as your wife and you will be king of the realm and no longer the Horseman of Death."

Zed replied:

"Hey wait, I don't know what to say. Oh my god Edengaz is going to kill me."

Lamalia raised her lips to kiss Zed, he tried to dodge but she hugged her too tightly. Suddenly there was Edengaz's voice:

"Zed? Lamalia? What are you two doing?"

They looked into the room and saw Edengaz looking at them, he said:

"Zed, what are you going to do to my sister?"

Zed hastily replied:

"Don't Edengaz I haven't done anything yet."

Edengaz snapped his fingers and summoned The Warrior. Zed gasped and then he said to Lamalia:

"Sorry but I have to run first."

Zed immediately jumped onto the roof and ran off with Edengaz and The Warrior chasing after him, he said loudly:

"Forgive me Edengaz."

Edengaz was drunk and said angrily:

"I will kill you!!!"

And Zed and Edengaz's friendship grew stronger over time. The two strongest guys made friends and considered each other as brothers side by side. But...