Chapter 9: Brother vs Brother – Clash of Blades, Clash of Fates

The Cathedral of Velgrath fell silent.

Sunlight filtered through stained glass windows, painting Lucius and Takeshi in fractured light—red on one side, gold on the other. Two figures born of the same world… now standing as enemies.

Lucius drew his blade.

Takeshi raised his own.

No words.

No banter.

Only tension—thick enough to crush the altar between them.

Then—

CLASH.

Steel met steel. Sparks exploded.

Shockwaves tore through the cathedral, shattering pews and knocking Claire straight into Zara's arms.

"What the hell kind of family reunion is this?!" Velda shouted, diving behind a statue.

Lilith stood frozen, whispering to herself.

They're not just fighting… they're trying to erase each other.

---

> [Combat Engaged: Lucius vs Takeshi – Duel Mode Activated]

[World Affliction: Divine vs Sin – All Reality is Watching]

[Skill Sync: Blood Memory (Lucius) vs Heroic Legacy (Takeshi)]

---

Lucius swung low. Takeshi parried high.

Takeshi lunged. Lucius twisted—ducked under—and slashed for the ribs.

CLANG! A parry.

THOOM! A blast of divine mana knocked Lucius back.

"You're holding back," Takeshi muttered.

"I'm remembering," Lucius growled.

"Of what?"

Lucius stepped forward, eyes glowing like fire.

"Of how it felt when you stabbed me in the back and called it mercy."

---

FLASHBACK – The First Life

Lucius, on his knees. Defeated. Surrounded by heroes.

Takeshi standing behind him. Blade drawn.

Lucius: "Don't do this…"

Takeshi: "You're too far gone."

Lucius: "I trusted you."

Takeshi: "That's why I'm the one who has to kill you."

---

NOW

Lucius screamed, aura exploding in black and red.

> [Skill Unlocked: Tyrant's Edge – LVL 1]

[Effect: The more emotional the wound, the deadlier the strike.]

His blade ignited with cursed flame.

Takeshi's eyes widened. "That sword…"

"Is the one you left me to die with," Lucius whispered.

---

Their blades met again.

Faster now.

Takeshi fought like a hero—clean, calculated, elegant.

Lucius fought like a demon—raw, brutal, unchained.

The cathedral cracked around them.

Claire sobbed. "They're going to destroy each other!"

Velda muttered, "He's not fighting for revenge anymore…"

Zara clenched her fists. "He's fighting for meaning."

Lilith whispered, "And Takeshi… is afraid."

---

CLANG.

CLANG.

SLASH.

CRACK.

Lucius disarmed him. Kicked him back.

Takeshi stumbled—down to one knee.

Lucius stood over him, blade raised.

"This time," he said, "you kneel."

---

> [Duel Outcome: Stalemate – Emotional Flag Triggered]

[You cannot kill what you used to love.]

[Takeshi cannot strike what he still regrets.]

Lucius's hand trembled. The blade shook.

Takeshi looked up, face cracked—not with pain, but confusion.

"…You're not the same."

Lucius pulled back.

"No," he said. "I'm worse."

Then he turned his back—and walked away.