CHAPTER FIFTEEN: The Duel of Sovereignty

The Duel of Sovereignty. The name itself carried a weight that made my stomach churn. It was a specialized match within the fencing club—it was a test of dominance, skill, resilience, stamina, and strategy. Unlike the traditional bouts where points were scored for touches and there was a time limit, this was a timeless match and disarming the opponent was the only way to claim a victory. It is a match where there was no room for error.The rules were simple yet brutal. Full and aggressive combat was allowed, but the target area remained the same as in a regular fencing. The goal wasn't to score—it was to claim sovereignty. To strip your opponent of their weapon, knock it from their hand until it clattered against the floor—akin to taking one's crown. Only then could the match end.It was a match that delivering a clean lunge or merely grazing one's arm wasn't enough. Precision and strategy were needed to create that one opening—a strong parry and a swift strike, enough to send the weapon flying. It was a dance of finesse and ferocity—one needed a boundless stamina to last—where any mistake could cost you everything.The duel of sovereignty wasn't for the faint of heart. It demanded more than just technical skill. It demanded resolve and courage. And as I watched the two stand there, holding their epee with such confidence and determination, I wondered how this would end."Who do you think would win?" Keiran whispered beside me, his voice was low but brimming with curiosity and excitement.I didn't answer immediately, my gaze was fixed on the two figures standing across the fencing piste, their postures tense and bursting with stifling atmosphere. Seeing Kai Alaric's calm yet intense stance—holding his weapon with the precision of someone who knew exactly how to control a match—there was no denying that this person was the exact epitome of his counterpart in my world. The way he carried himself only shows that he deserved the title Karina gave him.On the other side, Achilles Dimitri stood tall, his posture exuding a dignified, almost regal bearing. It was a far cry from the relaxed version of him I remembered from Karina's memory, though the intensity in his energy remained palpable—or rather say, the energy he projected resembles someone who had won countless wars. His stance clearly told me—he wasn't the aggressive and bold Achilles Dimitri the I only knew from someone else's memory—he seemed to be channeling the essence of Achilles Dimitri, the crowned prince—no, the King of the Aelius Empire.For a heartbeat, he looked at my way, even without seeing his expression behind that mask, it still sent a chill creeping down my spine. As if telling me one thing—he's not the same person anymore.When the two salute with a gesture of respect, the irrelevant noises echoing from the four corners of the room cease in an instant, silenced by their coach's command as she assumes the role of referee for the match."En garde."The two swiftly assumed their stances, feet aligned shoulder-width apart, with one foot angled forward and the other turned at a precise right angle. Their bodies tilted slightly for optimal balance, each extending their epee directly at their opponent. The free hand hovered gracefully, fingers poised upward to maintain stability and control."Prêt?"They both give a small nod as they enter a heightened state of concentration. I didn't realize that I was holding my breath until I heard their coach's next command."Allez!" The referee's command rang out, sharp and authoritative, signaling the start of the duel.Achilles and Kai sprang into motion, their bodies moving with the grace not of a seasoned fencer but rather of a sword master. In an instant, their epees came alive, slicing through the air with calculated precision. Each step they made was measured, each movement was deliberated, as they tested one another's defenses—like a real war general of rivaling countries. The metallic clink of colliding blades echoed through the room—like a rhythmic symphony of elegance and fury.Kai's eyes locked onto Achilles's every movement, his mind already calculating the next strike. With a swift motion, Achilles, without hesitation, lunged forward, his blade aimed directly at Kai's chest. Kai's sword gleamed in the light, a split second before Achilles's blade clashed against it, the force of the strike vibrating through his arm. Achilles staggered slightly under the power of the blow, but he regained his stance, quickly countering with a series of rapid, fluid strikes. Kai parried with ease—his expression unreadable as the two danced in the heat of the battle.After a few exchanges of blows, both paused for the briefest of moments, the sound of their heavy breaths mixing with the clash of swords—each knowing the next strike would decide it. Achilles Dimitri stepped back to reassess his approach. Kai Alaric's defense seemed impenetrable. But he wasn't simply blocking, he neutralized every attack and his balance was unshaken, his stance unwavering. He has been looking for any signs of weakness—any sign of hesitation. But Kai's composure remained perfect, every action was executed with great precision."He's testing the waters." I uttered, my eyes fixed on the two who were exchanging blows again, particularly to Achilles Dimitri, whose way of fighting was undeniably familiar.I've seen it before, a dance of strategy and control, each move executed with careful thought, not a single ounce of brute force wasted. I lost count of how many times I was defeated by the same tactics he was now showcasing again, this time right in front of me. My mind fell into chaos as I kept watching the duel.Achilles thrust forward, as Kai blocked the high thrust, his sword moving with fluid grace, but as Achilles lunged again, Kai's eyes narrowed—he was already calculating his response. Kai's blade shot forward. Achilles barely moved in time, his shoulder scraping by the edge. A breath away. But then, Achilles paused, taking a step back and adjusting his grip on the epee, lowering his blade as he began to retreat. To those in the audience unfamiliar with fencing, it might have seemed as though he was tired after the aggressive flurry of blows, they had exchanged. But the truth, he was setting the stage, waiting for the perfect moment where Kai Alaric will take the bait—like what I did with Keiran earlier."He's baiting Kai." I chuckled when Keiran stated the obvious. "Did you learn that baiting thing from my twin?" He asked that I find hard to answer.Indeed. I learned it from Achilles Dimitri—but from the King of Aelius kingdom. I thought to myself as I continued watching.The match raged on, each movement they showcased was precise, each strike was as sharp as the edge of a sword. Kai's sword moved with a fluidity that defied the weight of his earlier injury, the one Achilles had mocked during their last exchange. But for a split second, I saw Kai flinched—not from the action of the duel, but from something else entirely. It was the briefest flicker of discomfort that flashed through his movements, almost imperceptible, before his stance hardened again, a mask of focus settling over him. Kai's epee danced, his movements just as quick and powerful as before, each strike telling a story of control and precision. Achilles's eyes narrowed slightly, as if trying to discern something.Kai Alaric maintained his stance after taking a few steps back—focused and steady—eyes never leaving Achilles Dimitri. When the latter lowered his blade, he made a quick attack—Kai took the bait. Achilles suddenly shifted his weight, and in a blink of an eye, he lunged forward with lightning speed, his blade finds its mark. A sharp clink rang through the air as his epee lightly touched Kai Alaric's arm.The touch was swift and clean—a demonstration of skill and precision rather than brute force. Despite the suddenness of the strike, it was clear that Achilles had been controlling the flow of the match, testing Kai Alaric's reactions. However, just as quickly as Achilles made a touch, Kai—who seemed anticipating the deliberate bait—responded with a counteraction. In one fluid motion, he managed to coil his blade around Achilles Dimitri's epee, nearly sending it flying from his grasp.But with a sharp flick of his wrist, Achilles caught the epee midair, his other hand swiftly intercepting the blade before it could fall. However, in that split second, Kai Alaric took advantage of that opening. His blade moved with lightning speed, landing a precise and ferocious touché on Achilles Dimitri's exposed shoulder. The force of the strike was enough to make Achilles step back, his footing faltered for a moment as he tried to regain his balance.The smile that I've been trying to suppress finally escaped in the form of a soft chuckle, and the sound of it seemed to reverberate throughout the gym, drawing the attention of everyone present. Even the two paused for a moment, their eyes briefly turned my way. I quickly regained my composure, taking a swig from the bottled water that Keiran had swiftly handed me, as he apologized on my behalf, asking them to continue."What just happened someone behind me whispered, the confusion in their voice mirroring the bewilderment of the crowd.Everything had unfolded so quickly that most of them were still piecing it together."Captain landed a hit, but Kai almost won the match." A member of the fencing club explained, their voice tinged with awe."He baited the baiter." I murmured in disbelief, my gaze fixed on Kai Alaric. Even I, was fooled for a moment when he lunged forward after Achilles lowered his blade, thinking he was taking the bait. But if Achilles was tactical, Kai was shrewd—using Achilles' own bait to reel him in, turning the hunter into the hunted."Allez!" The coach's sharp command silenced the crowd once more, as the two continued with the match.Kai didn't waste time and made the first move, his blade flashed forward in a lightning-fast feint, aimed at Achilles' chest. But Achilles parried the attack with an almost instinctive precision. Achilles tried to counter, his movements fluid yet forceful, driving Kai back with a powerful thrust. For a moment, his calm demeanor cracked, his strikes fueled by something more primal, more urgent—driven by his emotions, becoming more reckless as the clash dragged on.My eyes narrowed as I watched the shift in Achilles Dimitri's stance. I could even tell through his thrust that he was getting impatient and frustrated. On the other hand, Kai seemed to deflect Achilles' attack with increasing ease, his movements flowing like water against the raging storm of aggression. Despite the relentless force behind Achilles' strikes, Kai remained composed, each parry and sidestep were executed effortlessly.It was as if the more aggressive Achilles became, the more in control Kai appeared. His blade moved with an almost lazy elegance, redirecting every strike, turning Achilles' ferocity against him.I frowned as I watched Achilles, his patience wearing thin each time they pulled away after a close engagement. It became clear to me that Kai Alaric was whispering something provocative during those fleeting moments of distance. Every time they broke apart, I noticed a flaw in Achilles' movements—his focus faltering, as though Kai's words were like fuel to an already smoldering fire, igniting his hostility to its maximum heat."So, this is how a savage hunter hunts." I remarked with a hint of amusement, picking up my things and preparing to leave. Keiran and the twins frowned, exchanging uncertain looks as I stood up from my seat."Not going to see the end of this?" Keiran asked, his voice had a tinge of surprise. Despite his words, the three of them picked up their things leisurely, as they debated whether to stick around or go with me.I turned to them with a pleased smile on my lips, "It's about to end. Why should I keep sticking around?"As if on cue, a sharp metallic sound filled the room, followed by the audience's collective gasp. The air thickened with tension as Achilles' epee skittered a few more inches across the floor before coming to a final, still halt—almost as if it were taking one last breath."Woah! What just happened?" Lila asked in astonishment, her eyes darting back and forth from me and the two fencers in front, confusion reflected in her shifting gaze."The match is over. Kai Alaric wins by disarmament." The coach, acting as the referee, finally announced.The crowd's murmur spread like wildfire, disbelief turning to admiration for Kai's victory. Praises for the former president and ace of the fencing club echoed through the gym, making it hard for me to suppress my smile."Didn't he quit because of an injury?" I was stopped in my tracks, just as I was about to leave, by the conversation behind me."I believe so. I think that was the reason why he just passed the position to Achilles without doing the duel of sovereignty.""Does that mean he's fine now? Is he coming back to the club?" My gaze shifted at the member of the fencing club who uttered those words. Their tone was filled with hope, as if the thought of Kai Alaric returning would rekindle the spirit of the club."What did you just say?" I couldn't help but step in after the word 'injury' left their lips. My voice was sharper than intended, and I turned to face them with a mixture of curiosity and concern. "He was injured?" I pressed further as the group fell silent, the energy around us shifting.They looked at me with surprise as if they hadn't expected anyone to question their casual remarks. I exhaled and asked in a lower voice—yet danger was clear in my tone."Tell me. What was Kairos—Kai Alaric's reason for quitting the club?"One of them, a younger member with bright eyes and a nervous smile, cleared his throat. "Uh...that his shoulder was injured...?"I bit the inside of my cheek, my jaw locking as I fought to keep my emotions in check. Striding purposefully toward Kai Alaric, I ignored Achilles Dimitri, who had stepped forward as if to intercept me. My focus was unyielding, my stormy expression enough to make anyone else hesitate.Kai, however, remained unfazed. He stood there, calm and composed, as though he had been expecting this confrontation."I'm not," he said, his voice steady and sure, answering the question before I could even ask. "What I told them was a lie."The fury building up inside me, extinguished in an instant, replaced by a wave of something I couldn't quite place—relief, perhaps, mingled with a lingering ache of worry. The thought of him fighting Achilles despite an injury, for my sake, sent a pang through my chest. It reminded me of the people I lost because of Achilles Dimitri.I looked at him, suppressing the emotional turmoil he had caused me with gritted teeth. "Don't you ever risk yourself for me, especially if Achilles Dimitri is involved, or you will face my wrath." I warned, my voice was low but sharp, before turning on my heel and walking away without waiting for a response.My mind was in a mess as I walked out of the gym, with no clear destination in mind. All I wanted was to be alone to clear my mind. Somehow, my feet carried me back to the Artisan's Den. But just as I was about to push open the door, Kairos' gentle voice echoed in my ears."Facing your wrath was easier than losing you."Kai Alaric's words froze me in place, his footsteps drawing closer behind me. His hand, warm and steady, landed on my arm—gentle yet firm, as though he feared I might vanish if he didn't keep me there. He turned me toward him, his expression soft yet resolute, his eyes holding an unspoken determination that tugged at my chest.I tried to pull away, but his grip remained, steady and unwavering. "Why are you doing this?"Kai let out a low chuckle, his fingers brushing gently against mine as he brought my hand to his lips. "If I answer that question, will you bear the consequences?" he asked, his gaze locking mine, a teasing spark in his eyes.Our gazes locked for a moment, neither of us able to look away—or perhaps neither of us wanting to. The silence between us stretched, heavy with unspoken words. His hand lingered on mine, his warmth seeping through my skin—yet all I could think about was the whirlwind of emotions inside me. I didn't know how to answer—I might know but didn't have the courage to. And somehow, I knew that at this moment, we were having our own duel of sovereignty.His thumb brushed lightly over the back of my hand, a silent challenge that echoed louder than any words could. The air between us was suffocating, thickening at the weight of everything we had yet to say. The pounding in my chest is deafening, my thoughts scattered, unsure whether to stop repelling the god of love's poisonous arrow or keep fending off to keep my heart safe. It was a kind of battle that I'd been avoiding. It was a duel where the stakes weren't about winning or losing, but about surrendering a part of myself—my origin, the life I lived, the betrayal I experienced—laying it bare to him.A realization dawned on me.Ah, I see...it wasn't because I was afraid that my heart would get hurt again. It was because I'm afraid that he wouldn't accept me if he found out the truth about me.The burden of that realization hit me with full force, even more suffocating than the doubts and overwhelming emotion that I'd been trying to bury. I wasn't just protecting my heart—I was shielding myself from the possibility of rejection, from the fear that once he knew the truth, he would see me as nothing more than a stranger, an imposter in a life that wasn't mine.Kai Alaric would never love someone like me. The woman he once knew was already gone. All that remained was a creation of her that she forcefully saved—trying her best to carve a place for herself in a world that she never truly belonged to.I fixed my gaze at him and offered a melancholic smile, "If I weren't me..." I pulled away from his grasp and added, "Maybe I could be."