"Kill him."
Rian's command echoed across the battlefield.
The Ancient Court army charged.
BOOOOM!
Aeron raised his sword.
"Kael!"
"I know!"
They split apart.
Kael attacked the soldiers from the left while Aeron charged straight toward Rian.
A dragon landed between them.
Aeron's dragon immediately attacked.
ROOOOOAR!
Its claws tore into the enemy dragon's shoulder.
Black blood splashed across the ground.
Rian jumped from its back.
Aeron met him halfway.
CLANG!
Their swords collided.
Rian attacked again.
CLANG!
Aeron blocked.
Another strike.
CLANG!
Aeron was forced backward.
"Rian!"
No answer.
"Fight it!"
Rian's eyes flickered.
For a moment, Aeron saw his brother again.
"Aeron…"
Then the blackness returned.
SLASH!
A deep cut opened across Aeron's shoulder.
Blood ran down his arm.
Rian stared at the wound.
His expression changed.
"I'm sorry."
Then he attacked again.
Aeron blocked.
"You don't have to be sorry."
CLANG!
"You just have to remember who you are!"
Aeron kicked Rian backward.
Rian crashed through a stone wall.
BOOOOM!
Before Aeron could reach him
three Ancient Court warriors surrounded him.
Kael rushed toward them.
SLASH!
One fell.
CLANG!
Kael blocked another.
The third attacked from behind.
Aeron's dragon intercepted it.
CRASH!
The soldier was thrown across the battlefield.
Aeron looked at his dragon.
"Thanks."
The dragon roared.
Then Rian emerged from the rubble.
His armor was broken.
Blood covered his face.
But his eyes were completely black.
He raised his hand.
The black dragon behind him opened its jaws.
FWOOSH!
A massive wave of black fire exploded toward Aeron.
Aeron's dragon jumped in front of him.
BOOOOOOM!
The blast swallowed them.
"AERON!"
Kael screamed.
The flames cleared.
Aeron was kneeling.
His dragon stood in front of him.
Its scales were burned.
Blood dripped from its mouth.
Aeron slowly stood.
He looked at Rian.
Something inside him snapped.
"You hurt him."
His black mark spread across his arm.
Rian's eyes widened.
"Aeron…"
Aeron disappeared.
WHOOSH!
He appeared directly in front of Rian.
CLANG!
Rian barely blocked.
Aeron struck again.
CLANG!
Again.
CLANG!
Rian was pushed backward.
Aeron's attacks became faster.
Rian's sword flew from his hand.
Aeron raised his blade.
Then stopped.
Rian was on his knees.
Aeron could have killed him.
But he lowered his sword.
"I'm not killing my brother."
Rian looked up.
His eyes slowly turned golden.
For the first time, he smiled.
"That's why…"
He whispered,
"…they were afraid of you."
Suddenly
BOOOOM!
A black chain pierced Rian's chest.
Blood exploded from his back.
Aeron's eyes widened.
"RIAN!"
Rian collapsed.
The chain pulled him toward the palace.
Aeron grabbed his hand.
"Don't let go!"
Rian desperately held on.
"Aeron…"
"I'm not losing you again!"
The chain tightened.
Aeron's boots dug into the stone.
His dragon grabbed Rian's other arm.
Together, they pulled.
The Ancient Court soldiers began surrounding them.
Kael shouted,
"There's too many!"
Aeron looked toward the palace.
A huge black gate was opening.
Behind it was complete darkness.
Then a voice came from inside.
"Bring them both."
Aeron froze.
Rian's face turned pale.
Kael whispered,
"That voice…"
Aeron looked at him.
"You know it?"
Kael slowly nodded.
"I thought he was dead."
The voice came again.
"My two Warriors have finally returned."
Aeron stared into the darkness.
"Two?"
Rian looked at him.
Fear filled his eyes.
Then he whispered
"Aeron… I'm not the second Warrior."
The black gate opened completely.
Something stepped out.
A figure wearing ancient armor.
A sword hung at his side.
And on his face
was Aeron's face.
TO BE CONTINUED…