Nathaniel shut his mouth when a sword appeared in Adrian's grip.
"Ian—"
"If you want to stop me, try with your sword."
Nevertheless, he began again, his voice shaking slightly.
"Ian—"
"Save your words. I don't need them."
Nathaniel clenched his fists, he felt a pang of frustration and desperation.
He didn't know how to get through to his brother.
Loosened his fist and let out a long and deep breath, Nathaniel tried once again.
"Ian—"
His words were cut short by a whizzing sound that passed by his face.
Sensing something wet on his cheek, Nathaniel raised his hand to touch it, only to find his fingers stained with red liquid.
"Ah…"
Nathaniel's heart sank as he realized what had just happened.
He looked up at his brother, who stood a few meters away, sword still at the ready, unwilling to step back.
"Ian… I don't want to fight you."
Nathaniel's voice was tinged with sorrowful lamentation.
"Then let me go."
Nathaniel shook his head.
"I can't."
"Then stop me."
"..."
Moments later, a magic circle formed in front of Adrian, and a giant fireball shot forward.
Nathaniel watched how the fire rushed at him with a face devoid of any expression, the taste of bitterness lingering in his mouth.
In a split second before it swallowed him, a sword appeared in Nathaniel's grasp and he unleashed a crescent light from his sword.
—Slash!
The fireball cleaved in half horizontally and Nathaniel could feel the searing heat of the flames brushing past him on both sides.
—Boom!
The fireball slammed into the wall behind Nathaniel, releasing a devastating explosion that shook the fort.
Readying his sword, Adrian charged toward Nathaniel, his sword glinted in the sunlight as he prepared to strike.
—Bang!
With a swift movement, Nathaniel blocked Adrian's attack, and sparks of metal burst as their blades locked together.
With a deft twist of his wrist, Nathaniel altered the angle of his blade and shoved Adrian's weapon aside.
"Urg!"
Adrian groaned whilst stumbling backward, and Nathaniel hastily closed in and swung his sword.
Quickly regaining his balance, Adrian immediately raised his sword.
—Bang!
The sound of metal on metal echoed through the air as their swords collided and rebounded.
Without missing a beat, they recovered and resumed their duel.
—Bang! —Bang! —Bang
With every clash of their blades, a shower of sparks erupted into the air.
In contrast to Nathaniel who was expressionless and relaxed, Adrian's face was contorted with anxiety and panic.
—Bang!
When their swords kicked away each other, Adrian hastily hopped backward to create distance.
Nathaniel, on the other hand, stood still.
"Haa… haa…"
Nathaniel's eyes were fixed on Adrian, who was panting heavily.
As Nathaniel's gaze moved downward, he noticed Adrian's hands were trembling.
Suddenly, a Magic Circle formed behind the blonde-haired boy, launching a volley of five fireballs hurtling at Nathaniel.
He watched with disinterest as the fireballs flew toward him.
The moment the fireballs entered his range, Nathaniel lifted his sword and began to slice through them with ease.
—Boom! —Boom! —Boom!
With a deafening roar, the fireballs collided with everything behind Nathaniel, sending debris and clouds of acrid black smoke billowing into the air.
"Tsk."
Adrian clucked his tongue in annoyance when his attacks failed to leave a scratch on his brother's skin.
However this time, Nathaniel decided to rush forward, catching Adrian off guard.
Adrian formed a magic circle on his extended hand and fired three bolts of lightning.
Nathaniel skillfully zigzagged to evade the lightning bullets.
—Boom! —Boom! —Boom!
Three smoking mini craters were created as bolts struck the floor.
Adrian's face grew stern and his heart raced as they drew closer to each other.
"Ah…"
He fired another bolt, but Nathaniel effortlessly dodged it by tilting his head.
As soon as he reached his younger brother, Nathaniel swung his sword, prompting Adrian to quickly raise his weapon.
Despite his efforts, Nathaniel's attack was too powerful, sending Adrian's sword flying from his grasp.
—Clank!
The sword spun on the floor as it fell and Adrian stumbled backward.
Adrian lifted his head, only to find a fist hurtling towards him.
—Whack!
Adrian's face threw sideways and his body fell near the parapet.
He could feel how pain exploded in his head and a metallic taste bloomed in his mouth.
"Cough, cough!"
And before he could regain his bearings, a hand clutched his collar and forced him to face his attacker.
Adrian's blue eyes locked with a pair of golden eyes in front of him.
Nevertheless, he hastily shut his eyelids upon seeing another fist come, bracing himself for the impact.
"..."
However, after a few seconds had passed, Adrian realized the anticipated punch never landed.
Slowly, he opened his eyes and saw Nathaniel's fist hovering just a few centimeters away from his face.
Nathaniel's fist shook with emotion and his grief was vividly displayed on his face.
He pulled the boy and embraced him tightly, holding him close.
Unbeknownst to him, tears streamed down his face.
"Please don't leave."
Nathaniel's voice trembled, piercing Adrian's ears.
"..."
Despite the silence from his little brother, he continued.
"You are the only one I have in the Palace… also, you know how much I despise my mother… and I have no desire to ascend to the throne."
Adrian drooped his head.
"I'm sorry."
—Rattle —Rattle —Rattle
As the clattering of armor came nearer, Nathaniel hastily wiped away his tears and released Adrian from his grasp.
"Haa… it seemed I couldn't stop you."
Nathaniel gazed at the pair of blue gems present before him.
"Promise me that you will call me from time to time and if you ever need anything just say it to me. Remember?"
The corners of Adrian's lips lifted.
"Yes, I—"
Adrian was abruptly interrupted, his eyes widening upon seeing a crossbow bolt hurtling toward Nathaniel's back.
Without hesitation, Adrian immediately shoved him away.
"Ian what are—"
—Thwack!
Nathaniel's golden eyes stretched wide in horror when he saw blood splattered in the air—an arrow pierced through Adrian's left shoulder.
The boy's body flung backward as the bolt was way too powerful to control.
And as if the time slowed down, Adrian could feel how his feet left the ground.
For a moment, he felt weightless, as if he were floating in mid-air.
"No!!!"
Upon gazing over the parapet, he caught a glimpse of Nathaniel extending his hand toward him in a desperate attempt to reach out.
But, it was too late.
He had already fallen too far away from his grasp.
"Ian!!!"
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