Both young men's waves of laughter brought harmony to the quiet night. The night sky they were staring at sparkled with a thousand glorious lights.
"How glorious," the young Abel, lying flat on his back on the vast green within the royal palace, grinned from ear to ear. "I can lie down here for days and stare at it."
"Pfft —" Maximus chuckled, glancing at the young man beside him. "How is that possible? The night only lasts for a few hours."
He slowly set his eyes on the sky, smiling. "Then comes the day. Do you know we vampires once couldn't stand under the sun?"
"Isn't that the reason we are fond of the night?" Abel also set his eyes on the sky. "Sun took away our freedom, but then, the night give it back."
"But more than the natural sentiments we have for the night, shouldn't we appreciate daytime more?" The corner of Maximus's lips curled up into a candid smile. "Because basking under the scorching heat only reminds us of how we were able to regain our freedom."
"I don't see the point, but I respect your perspective."
"Haha."
There was a moment of silence between the two of them, keeping their gaze on the sky full of stars. Their lips were still curled up into a smile, indulging in the peaceful silence that would constantly get disturbed by the humming of the wind.
Back then, Abel and Maximus had a great relationship. It wasn't Maximus's delusion, for they were each other's dearest friend. Well. Maximus was Abel's only friend on the mainland.
There were days and nights the two of them would simply idle just like this time, appreciating the scenery. No fear of anything and just relaxing. During these times, there was never a second Abel would think that the two of them would have some bad blood. They were compatible and mostly agreed on most things.
At least, for Abel, fighting Maximus around this time didn't cross him. He wasn't sure about Maximus. Either way, even if Maximus wasn't genuine all this time, Abel wanted to preserve this memory.
A memory of his first friend.
*
*
*
Abel and Maximus exchanged blows. Each time their swords make contact with each other, their attacks grew stronger. For several long minutes, only the spark of their swords could be seen, until Abel sent Maximus flying by kicking the latter on his abdomen.
Maximus flew out of the concrete wall, crashing to the ground, creating a long hollow line. However, just before he could stand back on his feet, a sword was pressed on his nape.
"Hah…" Maximus scoffed, kneeling on one knee while his arm was resting on his other thigh. "Do it. Kill me."
Abel pressed the tip of his red sword against Maximus's nape. "Do you think I won't?"
"If you plan to, you would've done it," Maximus spat out, smirking wickedly while Abel maintained his emotionless countenance. A full minute later, Abel withdrew his sword from Maximus and took a step back.
Taking it as an expected action, Maximus let out a serious of devious laughter. While laughing, he slowly assisted himself up, turning to face Abel.
"Abel Grimsbanne," Maximus laughed, shaking his head mildly. "I must admit I would've died thrice if only you planned to kill me. However, you can't."
His smirk stretched broader, raising his own sword to the side of his neck. "Because if you kill me, that means you'll kill her. We're in a blood contract, my friend. Did you think I wouldn't make the most out of it?"
"Not only she has to give me a portion of her life and powers, but her life is also connected to me. If I die, she'll die. If she dies, I will still live," he continued with a tinge of jest in his voice. "I honestly overestimate her. I mean, I thought she would negotiate… but she didn't."
"Do you know why, my friend?" Maximus's eyelids drooped as a glint flickered across his eyes. "It's your fault. I can still remember how she begged me on her knees just so I give back your heart. It was funny! Who would have thought carving out your heart was enough to make her beg?"
"I mean… it's not that that matters. I can cut your limb, and you'll just grow it back. Isn't that what makes you special, Wrath?" Maximus added, this time, hissing as if this particular topic brought forth the deep resentment he hid for a long time. "Still, it works in my favor. She signed the blood contract, thinking she was saving you. Little did she know, she was saving no one."
A wave of loud and evil laughter followed Maximus' remarks until he was hunching in. Meanwhile, Abel didn't bulge. Instead, Abel simply let out a shallow breath, waiting for Maximus to recover from laughing.
"Overestimate…" whispered Abel when Maximus's laughter slowly subsided. "... I never met someone who knew my wife and would claim they overestimated her. It was usually the opposite."
"Huh?" Maximus lifted his sharp gaze back at Abel, grinning. "Well now, you did —"
Maximus froze because Abel suddenly appeared in mid-air and right in front of him. Abel's sword was pointing back, ready to slash Maximus' face at the drop of the hat. This time, Maximus's breath hitched.
Since starting this duel, this wasn't the first time Abel caught Maximus off guard. However, Abel would usually change his mind or hesitate. This was the first time there was no hesitation in Abel's eyes as his shoulders moved slightly, hinting Maximus he would cut him now.
"You do not understand, Maximus…" was the last words Maximus heard before a striking pain from the sword that went from his left shoulder down across his hip bit him as if it had razor teeth. "You do not know Aries. She was well aware I cannot die, no matter what."
SLASH!
Blood splashed on Abel's face as the tip of his sword left Maximus' flesh, making the latter drop to his knees, followed by an overwhelming shriek.
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