Chaper Seven: Unexpected Defeat...

Glovia had gone back to Prince Luther's room late the previous night. She was relieved to see that he still hadn't returned. She went to the sleeping spot allocated for her and went straight to bed with a smile on her face. She would finally be leaving the castle.

The morning came with its rays of hope. Glovia woke up very early and was surprised to see that Prince Luther still hadn't returned. He wouldn't stay the night on some occasions, but she would always find him in the morning, lying on his bed, fast asleep or reading a scroll. She wondered what had changed. Perhaps something important had come up, or it had to do with their last altercation. She sneered inwardly. That would be almost impossible. For the prince to feel guilt over how he treated her was something that could only happen in a dream. She quickly went about her daily activities, cleaning the room and preparing his garments should he return. She was looking forward to escaping with Prince Stev.

Their plan was simple. They would wait until everyone was in the fighting arena before carrying out their escape plan. Glovia prayed to the heavens above that their plan worked well and that nothing would come in their way. She took her time cleaning the room, waiting till she was sure everyone had gone. The fight would begin early, but only after the Supreme Lord had arrived. She finished dusting the last part of the enormous wall library and sighed, placing her hands on both sides of her hips. She looked out the window and saw that the sun was now high up in the air. Everyone must have gathered in the arena by now.

Finally, it was time.

She slowly took some of her personal belongings, making sure not to carry too much so she wouldn't be suspected should one find her roaming about. She walked out of the room when she was done, closing the huge doors quietly behind her. Then she began her silent escape to the garden where she and Prince Stev always met.

She arrived there fortunately without catching the eye of anyone. Prince Stev was already waiting for her, and once he felt her presence, he looked up at her, beaming widely.

Smiling, she walked towards him, shyly embracing him. He placed a kiss on her head and smiled.

"Are you ready to go?" he asked, moving back to stare into her eyes. She smiled shyly, happiness radiating off her as she nodded her head.

"Are you not taking anything?" she asked, looking him over.

"I am. I left them there." He said, pointing to a side of the garden. Suddenly, he paused, a frown marring his face.

"What is it?" Glovia asked.

"Someone is coming." He looked at her, pushing her gently away from him. "Quickly, hide!"

Heart pounding, Glovia quickly looked for a hideout. She picked up the few belongings that Stev had brought alongside him and went into the deeper part of the garden, where outgrown bushes were. It was big enough to cover her. Two guards walked into the garden a few seconds after she had entered her hiding place, with Prince Luther right behind them.

"Brother? What is all these?"

Prince Luther walked from behind the guards towards his brother. "Plans have changed." He said, coming to stand in front of him. Glovia couldn't see his expression well from where she was hiding, but even she could feel the cold aura he emanated.

"I would be fighting you." Prince Luther declared.

Glovia's heart stilled.

"What do you mean?" Stev asked, perplexed.

Luther folded his arms. “Ever since I defeated my last opponent, father was sure that I would beat the one meant for me to fight today. It was bound to be a boring match anyway." Luther said, looking at his nails.

"So to spice up the game, I asked that I fight all my brothers. Perhaps one of them would be strong enough to defeat me. It was about time he saw the strength of his sons for himself. He agreed, and suggested that I fight my immediate younger brother," he dropped his hands and leaned closer, "Which is you."

He leaned back, sighing tiredly as he dragged his hands through his hair. "The decision was made earlier today. I decided to pass the news to you, and to also escort you to the arena."

Fighting Luther was the last thing Stev had ever imagined. He could say that he had been preparing for it because it seemed unavoidable. Still, it just had to happen suddenly, and on the day he was to run away with Glovia, which wasn't something he had prepared for at all.

"What younger brother? Are you scared?" Luther taunted.

Stev faced him squarely. He thought of all the things he had put Glovia through and how much he wished to avenge her. Perhaps this was the opportunity he had been waiting for. He might not be able to defeat his brother, but at least he can leave him with enough wounds to scar him for life. That ought to make him satisfied, at least.

He puffed his chest and frowned. "Okay then. Let's go."

Luther smirked and turned around, leaving the garden. Stev followed right after, with the two guards flanking by his sides. He avoided looking at where Glovia hid to prevent them from suspecting anything. He could only hope that she held on. There was a high chance that they wouldn't escape that day.

Glovia had held her breath since prince Luther appeared, and once they finally left, she collapsed where she hid. Everything was going wrong. This wasn't what they had planned. She wondered what she would do, countless thoughts roaming through her head. She could perhaps leave the castle, but she needed the seal of someone of a higher power, like the head maid or even the prince. The guards at the castle gates would not allow her to leave without it. But even if they did, she couldn't leave Stev behind.

She sighed, dragging her hand through her hair. It was settled then; she had to attend the fight.

Glovia quietly walked through the pathway meant for servants that led to the arena. In the ring was Stev, who had taken off his shirt tunic, and was warming up with his sword. On the other side of the arena, just outside the ring, sat Prince Luther. He watched his brother with a dangerous intensity. Glovia stood in a place that wasn't too close to the ring but would still enable her to see the match very well. She silently prayed towards the heavens for Prince Stev's sake, hoping that no severe harm happened to him.

Suddenly, the loud sounds of drums filled the arena, signaling the entrance of the supreme Lord. Unlike they all who walked over, he flew to the highest point of the arena with his entourage right behind him. Once he arrived at his seat, the music stopped, and silence surrounded them.

"Welcome, my people, to another great battle between masters." The voice of the supreme Lord boomed. "Today is going to be a bit special. I had made a huge decision that would enable us to test the strength of the most powerful amongst us. My first son, Prince Luther, would battle my second son, Prince Stev. Unlike the previous match, they would be making use of their wings, but the use of magic is prohibited." He paused, looking out towards the large environment.

"This fight would be a test of swordsmanship. Our Enu realm is the best amongst all realms, and so I have to make sure that my own family, who are set to lead after me is worthy to take the throne. In any place we find them lacking, we correct them, so that our future enemies would not find a way to defeat us."

"This is not only about my family though, this is also about your future. You are here to see who is worthy enough to become your future king. This same match would take place between my other sons. It's about time we know who the fate of our realm lied on."

Dread, heaviness, and a little bit of hope passed around everyone standing. Glovia was sure, without a doubt, that the one whom everyone wished would win was Prince Stev. But they have all borne witness to prince Luther's might. It was almost impossible to imagine prince Stev winning the fight.

A large gong sounded, signaling the beginning of the match. Glovia watched as prince Luther walked majestically into the ring, his gaze solely focused on his opponent. Prince Stev, on the other hand, looked calm and collected, watching as his brother walked towards him. They faced each other, feeling themselves out. Immediately, they stretched their swords and assumed a fighting pose, slowly circling around each other.

Suddenly, they ran towards each other and clashed, their swords rubbing against themselves. Without waiting for the other to resume their attack, they walked back a bit, then ran towards each other again. They came at each other ferociously, the next strike more deadly than the previous.

Prince Stev flew up and landed a blow over Prince Luther, which he swiftly blocked. He pushed against the sword and retracted, pointing his sword straight at his brother. Prince Stev began to rain continuous attacks from the air, while Prince Luther kept walking back, blocking the blow. Stev's blows made it almost impossible for him to strike.

Opportunely, he had an idea. As Stev made another move to attack him, Prince Luther slightly dodged but not fast enough to prevent his brother's blow from landing on his shoulder. He ignored the stinging pain as his goal was finally achieved. The attack caused an opening by his brother, which he immediately took. He quickly lashed at it, dragging his sword through Prince Stev's torso. Prince Stev fell from the air to the ground in a painful drop, clutching his abdomen in pain.

Not one sound was made in the arena. Glovia clutched her chest, silently urging Stev to stand up. She watched as he struggled, pulling himself up just to collapse again. Prince Luther ambled towards his brother, his arms stretched out to deliver the final blow. Prince Stev still hadn't gained his balance and was very slow to his feet. Glovia closed her eyes just as Prince Luther raised his sword, unwilling to watch as he delivered the final blow to his brother. But the collective gasp that sounded around the arena caused her to quickly open her eyes again. She watched in shock, mouth agape, as Prince Luther staggered, clutching his abdomen which had a sword pierced through it.

Prince Stev had stabbed his brother. Prince Stev stabbed Prince Luther.

Prince Luther stumbled backward, then did the thing he had never done since the beginning of the contest; collapsed.

He fell on both knees, clutching his sides together. Blood flowed from his wound, staining the dusty ground he was on. He couldn't believe it; he had been fatally wounded. He had always thought less of this brother of his, as he was the only one amongst them who lacked the craving for blood. But it turns out that he had made a fatal mistake in underestimating him. He watched as his younger brother gained his balance and began to stroll towards him. When Prince Stev finally stood at his front, he leaned down and peered straight into his eyes, looking at him with intense hatred, before sharply drawing his sword out, worsening the wound Prince Luther sported.

Prince Luther grunted in pain, then slumped fully to the ground. The last thing he saw before he finally lost his consciousness was the proud way his brother stood above him, looking out to the arena as the horns of celebration blew and the people's shouts boomed, loudly announcing him as the winner.