Shining

"You didn't tell me, why only two weapons?" Arthur said to me while we were in front of the weapons storage door.

"We are insects that have evolved to the level of rats because of what we did. But in the end, we remain rats, so I don't want to risk asking for a bigger reward so I won't be killed... or us being killed." I didn't take my eyes off the door.

Arthur nodded in understanding. I looked at him and said with a simple smile, "We don't want to risk it now either, so I'll be the only one to go in. Don't worry, I'll bring you something nice."

As soon as I entered, I felt a different air pressure. I felt as if someone was watching me. This means that they either want to know my next steps because I impressed them, or they have something they think I don't deserve here. I think both options are correct.

I need to pick two things that will increase our chances for the next step.

I wandered around looking for weapons. I didn't want to waste too much time here since they could throw me out at any moment.

I wonder how my mother and sister are doing. I haven't seen them in a week... I wonder if my sister decided to forgive me.

This isn't the time to think about such things, I need to focus on the main goal.

---

"This is much better than what I had," said Arthur while examining the new pistol in his hand. He then looked at me questioningly, "But didn't you say you don't know how to use any weapons?" he said while looking at the short sword in my hand.

"I have an idea," a wide smile appeared on my face automatically after I said this. I feel like I'm starting to get along with Arthur more than Alex, who I used to call a friend.

A gang member guided us to a new cage, if guidance is the right word. I then said to Arthur, "At that moment, when the sword user attacked me, I would've died if it weren't for your smart move."

Arthur smiled, "That's what I was supposed to do."

Arthur fired the pistol, launching a small rock ball for distraction, then used earth manipulation to restrain the enemy. Even if his body wasn't frail, I don't think he would use another weapon since his aim was accurate, even though his target was in the air.

A week passed, and we were inside the cage. We ate two meals a day at best. But it's okay, today is the execution day. A gang member guided us to the battle arena. But this time, the smell of blood filled the place. There were small openings in the ceiling, meaning that the previous fights had been violent enough for their effects to reach this extent.

"The eighth match of the first stage is about to begin," said the announcer. In the worst case, 14 people have died in the previous matches. Now, there's no loophole in the rules. And so, "I bet that none of the four will die," I said loudly to the announcer. The annoyance was clearly visible on his face, even though i didn't see him.

The battle began.

Arthur fired with his pistol, but this time, the rock ball was not a distraction; it was ammunition better than what the gang had available.

He hit the opponent's arm even after he tried to dodge it. I attacked him with the sword, but his companion came to block me. I used fire on my sword and spread the flames in front of me with a wave, causing them to retreat.

My training in the cage over the past week was the best thing I could do. I took advantage of the small openings in the cage by slightly extending my sword through them to practice focusing the flames on the sword, and if my power went out of control, the flames would exit through the openings.

One of them used air to weaken the flames, and then the other advanced, but Arthur hindered him with a stone wall, which allowed me to circle around him. But before I could attack, the wind user blew me away, but Arthur fixed him with rocks from the ground, which gave me the chance to trap the other inside a ball of fire.

Everything stopped for a moment, even the spectators' gazes. And in a moment no one expected, I threw the short sword into one of the openings in the ceiling after I had filled it with fire, then fired it, causing the ceiling to collapse. Arthur quickly approached me to lift us up.

One of the supervisors tried to stop us with an air vortex, but I shot fire at him, turning the vortex into a fiery one, reversing its direction.

The place was organized, and of course, the battles would have a special and organized order, meaning that our next match would take a few days. Since the prisoners in the gang are all Despaye users, this would certainly result in strong attacks affecting the place, and that's why I chose the small sword to be enough for the openings in the ceiling.

Once we left the place we thought was hell, our minds were almost about to explode. The ground was completely destroyed. A war had begun against our homeland, Luxaria.

---

"Yes, thank you." I heard Arthur's voice as I slowly opened my eyes. As soon as I woke up, I remembered everything that happened.

We tried to escape the situation we were in. The questions were flowing endlessly. How did this happen in a week? How didn't we hear anything while we were underground? Are my mother and sister okay? Will we be okay? How did this start? And more..

We were immediately protected and taken to this shelter by the Luxaria knights, and now we are heading to the capital of Luxaria, Elyora. My mother and sister must be waiting for me there… I hope so.

The atmosphere was strange. The smell in the place was almost nonexistent as if we were in a dream. The weather was slightly hot, maybe because of the nearby war.

Arthur approached and sat next to me. "We survived," he said as he looked at the tent exit, and so did I when I said, "Yes. Almost… do you have someone dear you want to see in Elyora?" He looked at me with shining eyes, "Yes. I think so."

The shine in his eyes reminded me of my sister. I looked back at the tent exit. "I hope you meet them in peace." At that moment, a man entered wearing an armor that clearly indicated he was one of the knights. An iron armor with some sharp edges. It had golden engravings forming the letter (L). He spoke in a firm and steady voice, "You are the only ones here who can control the Despaye and possess weapons, so may I know your story?"

We started telling him everything that happened from the beginning of each of us falling into the trap to this moment. His facial expression did not show anything clear.

When we finished, he said, "Understood. Your weapons will be confiscated and sent to the main Despaye Association in the capital. You won't retrieve them until you pass the Despinors test."

I felt a bit upset, and so did Arthur's face show it slightly, but this was the logical action. The knight stood up to leave the tent, but before he left, he looked at us and said, "Since you both want to take the test to become knights or adventurers, I will ask you something. Can you kill a person?" Words we never expected at all. He continued before we could even think, "I want you to think about this until you reach the capital. After that, you may become what you want."

He left the tent, and many conflicting thoughts entered after him. We really haven't dared to kill anyone yet. Or should I say Arthur? Because I killed my brother.

Arthur looked at me and spoke; at first, his voice was shaky, but he quickly regained his steadiness. "Ethan, we really can't kill a person." He wasn't steady like the knight, but a steadiness to soothe the soul.

Time passed slowly after the knight's question. We felt like our journey to the capital would never come, but eventually, the time to take us to the capital arrived.

Arthur and I discussed what we would do when we arrive, and in the end, we agreed to take the association's test. We weren't sure of our ability to "kill," but we won't gain anything by sitting around.

Upon arrival, we found many people waiting for their loved ones, but I didn't see my sister or mother among them no matter how much I searched, and Arthur also didn't find the person he wanted to see.

The capital of Luxaria is a special place with a usually clear atmosphere due to the many fountains and plants around. A beautiful blend between advanced technology and simple nature.

The grayish-white color dominates the place and harmonizes with the water in a way that's soothing to the eyes.

As soon as you arrive in the capital, you feel a refreshing breeze that brings a bit of hope, even if it's little compared to the current situation.

We got off the transport vehicle and didn't say anything. The only thing on our minds was finding our loved ones and holding onto the sliver of hope that they are alive.

Soon we arrived at a crowded place due to the princess of the kingdom touring the capital. We didn't care much about it, but when Arthur saw the princess for the first moment, I saw his eyes widen and shine as if tears were about to fall. That was before she turned, and he saw her face, and his expression turned into disappointment and sadness.

I was about to speak to him, but everything inside me froze when I saw my little sister with the princess. Holding her hand and walking around together. I moved forward and left Arthur behind me involuntarily. When I approached, the princess's guards stopped me, but when my sister saw me, she ran into my arms immediately with tears falling from her eyes. "I'm sorry. Don't disappear again, please, brother."

I hugged her tightly and patted her head. "I won't scare you like that again."

The princess approached and looked closely at me. I didn't care much about her. I quietly kissed my sister's head.

The princess said, "Come with me."

I didn't know exactly what I should do at that moment. My mind was confused. But my sister pulled me and said, "It's okay. They saved us."

"They saved you?" I repeated.

"Yes, mom is in the palace." Shock after shock, but the matter was settled.

Arthur was listening to us. He said, "Go. I will continue my search."

I smiled, relieved by Arthur's understanding. Of course, he would understand. "See you at the test in two days."

After this simple farewell, the princess decided to take us in her private car instead of walking. I can't believe I'm sitting next to the princess of the kingdom. Even though my sister is sitting between us, it still feels unreal and....Illegal. Am I doing something wrong? I don't think so.