Murder

Deafening silence surrounds me and my brother. It has only been less than ten seconds before the fog stirs again. A shadow darts out rushing straight for the crown prince.

There must be a catch. Why would an assassin not play any tricks?

The crown prince retaliates with violent flames which almost match the ferocity of Flame of the South. He is indeed greatly talented in magic!

Yet the assassin manages to break through the flames. He is engulfed in a layer of dark magic. His dagger aims for my brother, targeting the weak spot at the armpit.

But the crown prince is skilled with sword and shield as well. After a short exchange he manages to push the assassin away.

Just then the dark fog to my right and left moves slowly. It begins to creep along my brother's ice platform. Judging from its movements it has difficulties invading this domain which my brother made his own.

The assassin is forced to attack frantically in order to distract the crown prince. But I'm not afraid! I grip my sword tightly, pushing the flames to burn brighter.

Some form of suppression still affects Flame of the South, but it has weakened. Flames latch onto my clothes. As the dark fog comes into contact with them it sizzles being slowly burned away.

Yet the fog remains stubborn. An increasing amount surges towards me. Small, black, foggy arms reach out from the sinister dark magic, clawing at my body.

I have to focus to uphold the protective layer of flames as the fog slowly climbs up my body. A struggle between light and darkness ensues. My body slowly disappears within the fog. My vision gets obstructed.

But Flame of the South isn't so easily defeated! Light will triumph over darkness! I hear the clanging of weapons. It tells me that my brother needs me.

Now is not the time to consider anything else. I pour my will into Flame of the South. The sword trembles, resonating with the fire in my heart. Suddenly the flames erupt. The fog falls apart, dissolving under the brightly burning flames.

"AH!"

I let out a liberating shout as I free myself of those devilish claws. My brother is still fighting! I swiftly turn around.

"What?!"

My heart skips a beat as the one who stands behind me is not my brother but the assassin! I instinctively swing my sword. The flames burn brightly.

With a squelching sound Flame of the South cuts deeply into the assassin's body, almost cleaving him into two parts.

The world stands still. The flames around my sword dissolve. Blood runs down its blade, dying my gloves red.

The assassin slowly turns his head. It must take a lot of effort. He is dying after all. Slowly his facial features fall into my eyes.

Blond hair, a sharp profile. Kind, blue eyes. A... beardless chin. Tanned skin...

Why... does it look like the crown prince?!

Why?! What?! I don't understand!!!

My hands tremble. I let go of Flame of the South. The face in front of me opens its mouth but only blood streams out.

This can't be real! Make it stop!

My head spins. My thoughts... chaos.

"Endal!"

"Endal!"

Her voice? How?

I slowly turn my head, my vision shaking. I find a bright spot in this chaotic world. It is her face.

"My beloved..."

Such a hoarse voice, is it mine?

"Endal, what happened?"

"What... happened?"

"Look ahead!"

I comply instinctively. I look ahead. Look at the body now lying by my feet on a slowly melting ice platform. It is not the assassin.

"Brother... did I kill him?"

Lady Somme lands next to me. I can read the answer on her face. I feel two strong arms embrace me. Tears stream down my face.

From this point on everything becomes a blur. I hear the sounds of battle. The fight below us is coming to an end. We emerge victorious. The mages are all slaughtered. Is this the reason for the black sphere's disappearance? Did everyone see me kill the crown prince?

They did...

Someone suggests I should run away. But I'm still clear enough to refuse. I don't want the life of a fugitive.

Someone shackles my arms. A soldier takes away Flame of the South. I don't struggle. I barely even feel it. The only thing I feel is Lady Somme's care. Everything else is a void.

Noises barely register. The world moves past me. Suddenly someone pushes my back. I groan, kneeling down. I raise my head not knowing what was happening.

A snort echoes through the room. It rings like a thunderous bell in my head clearing up the clouds. Finally, I recognize the situation. I carefully raise my head. As soon as I see the familiar throne I don't dare to move any more.

A sigh rings out, containing a hint of pity. It is the familiar voice of Golden Blade.

"Endal Yntheno. Rising Basilisk Empire's second prince. You are accused of having killed the crown prince. What do you have to say for yourself?"

I remain silent. What can I say? Even now I am not sure what happened. At least Golden Blade hasn't condemned me yet. He continues:

"The soldiers saw you enter a sphere constructed from dark magic. What happened inside?"

"Yes. The sphere. I found brother fighting..."

"Hmpf. Still daring to call him brother?!"

A snort interrupts me. I recognize it as my third brother's voice. Is he here as well? Does he look down on me for killing the crown prince? Maybe he even fears me... His voice sounds like it.

But he is not wrong. How dare I still call others brother?

"... I found the crown prince fighting someone. An assassin. He moved like a shadow and fused with the dark fog. But he was no match for us working together.

Eventually I was engulfed by the fog. When I freed myself, I saw the assassin standing behind me. I... I don't know. I moved instinctively. I killed the assassin! But it... was my brother!"

My throat clocks up. Tears threaten to come from my eyes. But I hold them back. The emperor doesn't like weakness.

"This... barely counts as an explanation.", says Golden Blade.

"I don't know. Maybe it was an illusion? Right! The infernals used illusions before! On the mountain!"

"Illusions?", asked the third prince. "And how did you see through these illusions?"

"It was Lady Somme who discovered them."

"Tz. Are you aware that illusions belong to the most difficult sorts of magic? Instead of pure destructive power you also need a certain advantage in will to confuse others. This is the reason why illusions are often used by devils to confuse lesser creatures."

"Of course."

"So how can it be that Lady Somme can see through illusions?"

A heavy frown forms on my face. I glance over my shoulder to stare at the third prince. He shivers under my stare. Serves him right! He can say what he wants about me, but he shouldn't discredit my beloved!

Suddenly the third prince grins as he opens his mouth:

"Guards, bring in Lady Somme!"

I open my mouth wide. My head abruptly turns towards the door. It opens slowly. And it is indeed my beloved who appears. Dishevelled and in chains!

I can't care about anything else. I jump up and seek for the emperor's face. I don't shrink back as I meet his unfathomable eyes.

"Stop! Let her go! You can't do this! She has done nothing!"

My voice sounds hoarse and frantic. But I don't understand why they are treating her like this! Just because my beloved is talented in magic?!

"A prisoner should kneel!"

The third prince hisses into my ears as he viciously kicks my knee form behind. I groan in pain, but I won't fall! My eyes remain on the emperor! Muscles in my entire body grow tense. The shackles binding me let out strained noises.

I notice something in the emperor's gaze. Did I move him?

I have no time to find out as Golden Blade steps forward. The hand he puts on my shoulder appears gentle but is filled with an inevitable force. I have no choice but let him press me onto the floor.

Meanwhile Lady Somme reaches my side. I turn towards her, exchanging a tender gaze.

"Don't worry. We will get through this."

"Mhm."

I turn back towards Golden Blade, my calm voice masking the fire burning in my chest:

"Tell me. Why did you lay my beloved in chains?"

"Endal... ok.

After your return we naturally made large-scale investigations. We also searched Lady Somme, her father Duke Somme, and everything belonging to the Somme family. And we found... evidence of collusion with infernals.

This is treason, Endal."

"IMPOSSIBLE!"

I can't hold back anymore. All my emotions erupt at this moment. I push away Golden Blade's hand, jumping up. My arms fill with strength. With a crisp sound the magic-supressing shackles binding my wrists snap easily.