"Hah?"
Steve exclaimed in disbelief, for as long as he'd known Crowley he'd never spared the life of an opponent. The man he knew was cruel, sadistic and ruthless, though he could guess it wasn't due to kindness he'd spared this boy's life.
Steve watched on helplessly as Crowley whistled loudly to which his wolf that was mid-battle turned and ran towards him. Crowley gave one long last look at Kailen before him before turning his back on the entire battle and walking away.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING? I PAID YOU TO KILL THEM!"
Steve screamed desperately as he saw his only ray of light fade away. Crowley gave him an embarrassed smile before turning and continuing to leave. Steve and Nilen stood and watched helplessly as their forces were slowly being defeated, Nilen finally couldn't supress the fear from showing.
Nilen looked at Kailen, who was still kneeling clutching his ribs painfully as a stupid idea occurred. Nilen grabbed a sword from the ground before recklessly charging at Kailen, the blade held overhead. Steve quickly noticed his son's intentions but was too late to prevent him as he saw Kailen raise his head.
"NILEN STOP!"
Nilen paid no heed to his father's advice as he continued his charge, he could finally kill the man who'd caused this mess.
"If not for him, none of this would've happened!"
Nilen thought as he gritted his teeth and strengthened his resolve, he refused to admit to himself that he was the cause of these events. Kailen prepared his footing and as Nilen approached he launched himself off the ground pinning him down with his body weight. Kailen instantly judged that Nilen had no martial skills and hence posed no threat, hence why he took such a reckless action.
"Idiot..."
Kailen remarked as he looked down on Nilen with a disdainful gaze, he proceeded to headbutt him square in the nose. Nilen squealed in pain as his nose was crushed, Steve quickly ran to intervene.
"DON'T YOU DARE!"
"Steve, I advise you to stop!"
William's voice brought Steve's attention back to the battlefield where he could see that none of his men were still standing and he was surrounded by William's forces. William and Kenneth broke through the surrounding men to face Steve, William's face beamed in ecstasy.
Kailen punched Nilen hard in the mouth which resulted in Nilen's head bouncing off the floor beneath. As he was about to continue, a loud woman's voice erupted from within the mansion.
"Please Stop!"
Kailen raised his head as he saw Nana walking out of the house together with an elegant woman in her forties, the resemblance between the two uncanny.
"Mary! Please run quickly!"
Steve spoke desperately as he saw his wife exit the mansion, his fists clenched in despair at the unfolding situation.
"Mr. Carth, according to our agreement you would spare my son..."
Mary looked at William sternly as she saw her son's beaten face underneath Kailen. Her words didn't immediately register with Steve as he looked at her blankly.
"Haah, Mary you realize what your son tried to do? Yes?"
"I am aware, but I would still like you to release him."
"In addition, you never mentioned that Steve had hired Crowley. If it wasn't for a turn of fate, we'd be the ones at the dead end."
"He did it behind my bac-"
"WHY? How could you do this to me!"
Steve eventually realized what their conversation alluded to, but he couldn't accept it as he screamed at his wife of twenty years. Mary's response was cold as she stared at him indifferently before replying.
"Why you say? After all these years of watching you abuse my daughter and me, you ask me why? I've been looking for this opportunity for years, you fool..."
"WHO ARE YOU? MY WIFE WOULDNT SAY SUCH THINGS..."
Mary sighed as she saw his pitiful actions, though the only things she felt for him were disgust.
"Then you clearly didn't know me very well... Oh, I should probably mention that I slept with your butler..."
Kailen whistled at her ruthless response, though from what he'd heard the man fully deserved the punishment. Steve clutched his chest as he physically felt his heartbreaking, the disgrace he felt overshadowing all else.
It seemed Nilen was in the dark on this matter as he strained to look at his mother, Kailen sighed before getting to his feet. All the fun parts had ended and he no longer cared about the result, though he'd of liked to kill Nilen. He didn't feel the need to put William and especially Kenneth in an awkward position.
"William, Kenneth. I'll be going, I'm no longer interested in what will occur..."
"Kailen, are you sure you're okay to walk back... that wound looks serious!"
Kenneth asked concerned as he saw the blood continue to flow through his clothes. I'll be fine, I need to head back and rest. After a few minutes of convincing, Kailen left and headed straight back to his room to begin his recovery. His mood was gloomy, however, recalling his battle with Crowley. It was the first time since the arena, that he'd been forced to risk his life on a risky move. His strength was clearly lacking, and he vowed the next time they meet would be Crowley's demise.
Though his focus needed to be on recovery, considering he was to leave town early in the morning. He didn't wish to disappoint Celia, by delaying their departure.