It was one hour until noon in the village of Aride, "Aeron, wake up it's almost time to go," said Pierre. They both grabbed all their things and got ready to go through with their plan to leave. Aeron and Pierre made their way towards the shopping district where local market traders would usually be. Alana and Rose were blending in and talking to some of the merchants. The boys walked over to them, "Hey, are you guys ready to do this," asked Aeron. "Yes, I'm ready," replied Alana. "Of course, I'm ready. Elise is already near the gate all we have to do is show up and she will cause a distraction and we'll be able to leave. "It's going to be sad leaving Elise behind, but it's what we have to do," said Alana. As they approached the gate, they saw two soldiers guarding it. Elise noticed Aeron and the others, so she quickly came up with a distraction.
She ran up to the guards breathing heavily, "Guards, a big fight just broke out at the tavern. We need your help to stop them." The two guards raced over in the direction of the tavern, leaving the gate unguarded. Elise made sure to check if she saw any other guards in the area. When she saw that it was clear, she signaled the group to go through. As they walked pass, Elise waved at the group "Goodbye, I hope you guys will be safe on your journey." Suddenly, a deep thundering sound could be heard echoing throughout the vast empty plane. Everyone in the group stopped dead in their tracks and the sound's vibrations made them feel as if their bones were trembling. The horns roaring faded out allowing the area to return to its peaceful silence of nature. Aeron and the others turn around to find out what was happening. A large group of soldiers marched their way towards the gate and formed two groups leaving a small walkway between them. The sound of slow clapping came from behind the soldiers. "Well, if it isn't the third prince," Sir Baldwin emerged from behind the soldiers.
Aeron thought to himself "We were so close we almost made it," his's legs started shaking from fear. "What, are you too scared to respond? I should've expected this since you're nothing but a dirty traitor. A prince who turned his back on his country, his people, and his family is nothing more than an insect," Sir Baldwins clenched his fist showing his frustration. Alana spoke "Sir Baldwin, please let us go. we were just leaving; I promise that you will never see us here again." Sir Baldwin looked at Alana, "Fourth Princess Alana it's an honor to meet you, I have nothing against you or the other two. Only your filthy brother." Sir Baldwin directed his attention towards Aeron "As a knight of this magnificent and glorious Empire, nothing would please me more than to have my men cut you down right here and have them place your head on a pike." He grabbed his sword, "But, where is the fun in that. Ever since I arrived at this rundown village, I've been itching for a fight," said Sir Baldwin with a sinister smile. "Let's make a deal. Fight me one on one and I will let your friends live after I kill you."
"Aeron come on we have to get out of here, he's just trying to bait you in," exclaimed Pierre. Sir Baldwin responded "I would never do such a thing. I'm a royal knight, I swear on my honor." Alana grabbed Aeron's hand "If we run now, he won't be able to chase us." Aeron was lost in his thoughts because he wanted to run away, but he also didn't want to put his friends in danger. Sir Baldwin could see that Aeron contemplating "It would make sense for you to put everyone else in danger, since you're a traitor."
Since when did I start giving up so easily, Aeron thought to himself. He started remembering times back home, where he was training with Alvis or his brothers. Time's when he shows his dad his worth and the king called him weak. Throughout all of that he never once gave up, "I always give everything my all even when people thought I was weak. I won't risk my friends lives just trying to save my own life." Aeron finally came to a decision. "Let me go Alana, I have to do this, I won't risk all our lives," said Aeron. Alana tried reasoning with him "But we can't let you die; we all came out here to help you." Aeron grabbed his sword and started walking forward towards Sir Baldwin "Everyone, make sure you let everyone know the truth." Alana quickly walked after Aeron "wait I'm fighting too," but Pierre grabbed her arm. He then whispered "He's doing this to protect us, so we have to let him do this. If it starts looking bad for him then I'll interfere." Alana became worried as she watched her brother go to confront Sir Baldwin.
"So, I'll take that you coming over here by yourself means your answer is a yes then, right?" Sir Baldwin laughed and pulled his sword out. "Men, I want you to watch this battle, this is what happens when you betray everything and everyone that believed in you." The soldiers cheered as the fight was getting ready to begin, "Kick that traitors ass Sir, kill him make him regret betraying us." Aeron got into his fight stance "Let's stop all this talking get started."
The soldiers created a circle, surrounding Aeron and Sir Baldwin preventing any chance of escape. The whistling sound of the wind could be heard as the cold northern air blew throughout the area. After the two fighters prepared themselves, a horn was blown to signal the begin of their duel. Aeron's plan was to stay on the defensive since he knew there was no way he could overpower a member of the royal knights on his own. He stayed back waiting for Sir Baldwin to make his move. Sir Baldwin taunted "Well since you don't want to start, let me show you how it's done." Sir Baldwin dashed towards Aeron like a flash of lighting, almost catching him of guard with a horizontal slash. Aeron narrowly blocked the strike, when Sir Baldwin threw a barrage of strong slashes, giving Aeron no room to try and counter. Sir Baldwin stopped his barrage and went back across the circle "looks like all of that training went to waist if all you can do is block."
Alana, Rose and Pierre were stuck watching this hopeless battle, unable to do anything to help their friend. "Aeron doesn't look too good," muttered Pierre under his breath. Alana felt useless as she watched her brother fight alone. If only I could help him, she thought. Rose yelled out "Aeron you can beat him. We believe in you," hoping her cheer would help give him strength to hold on. Even though the fight had just begun, Aeron look like he was significantly more fatigued than Sir Baldwin. Defending against those heavy slashes caused Aeron to use up a lot more stamina. Aeron looked over at Sir Baldwin with a sly smirk while breathing heavily "Is that all you got. Let me show you want I can do." Aeron let out a battle cry as he charged forward toward Sir Baldwin. He started swing his sword relentless at Sir Baldwin hoping that he would get a decisive blow. All of Aeron's strike were either being skillfully deflected or dodged by the masterful royal knight, showing the vast difference in their skill levels. Sir Baldwin saw an opening through Aeron's attack and kicked him the stomach, sending him flying to the other side of the circle. The soldiers cheered when they saw Aeron hit the ground, giving Sir Baldwin an extra boost in his already overwhelming pride "Pathetic, I guess I was expecting too much from a former prince." Aeron used his sword to help himself stand up, he tried to get back into a defensive position "This… is not over… yet" exclaimed Aeron whilst ready his weapon. "Good because I was just getting started, let me show you why I am one of the royal knights" Responded Sir Baldwin.
Elise was watching the duel for the village. Aeron was barely holding his own. I want to help him, but I'm weak so there is nothing I can do, she thought. She tried looking to see if there was a way, she could help get the some of the guards away. A person slowly walked up behind her and put a cloth over her mouth, "So, you were the one who was helping them huh. Unfortunately for you, now you're in danger too." Elise was rendered unconscious by the person and then was carried off closer to where the duel was taking place. When she woke up see was being restrained by two solider and a lady wearing a black cloak was standing in front of her. Her hood was down revealing her dark brown hair. "Let me go, or I'll tell your superiors" exclaimed Elise trying to break free from the soldiers. "These soldiers are following my orders, so shut up or I will kill you," replied the lady.
"This guy is really strong, isn't he?" asked Rose. "Yeah, being a royal knight doesn't mean you just get a title. It means your strength and magic are on a whole different level." Rose became a curious, "Wait, he can use magic? He hasn't used it once, he only been using his sword though." She looked back over at the fight then Pierre said "He hasn't used it yet because he knows he doesn't need it to win this fight. If he did use his magic the fight would already be over."
Aeron continued to defend against Sir Baldwin series of furious attacks, but with each attack Sir Baldwin added more power behind his attacks. "You've lasted longer than I expected, well even though i'm going easy on you," pridefully stated Sir Baldwin. Aeron laughed a bit "I thought you would be hard to fight but you couldn't win against anyone with real strength." Sir Baldwin charged forward at Aeron getting ready to strike him. Aeron went to block the strike, but Sir Baldwin was too quick this time and slashed Aeron's Left arm. Blood dripped down Aeron's arm tainting the pure white snow. "Looks like this fight might be over quick than I thought," Sir Baldwin wiped the blood off of his sword "Your disgusting traitor blood has tainted my weapon. Maybe I'll just end this quick." Sir Baldwin pointed over to the side of the ring and drawing Aeron's attention over to Elise and the lady "If you don't end this fight soon, I'll have my friend Damira, kill this young girl. I heard she was helping you, so that make her a traitor to me." Aeron furiously yelled "Don't you touch her, or I will kill you all!" Sir Baldwin laughed at him "At the rate this fight is going, she will meet you on your way to the afterlife." Aeron got a boost of adrenaline and charged at Sir Baldwin and cut him across left side of his face. Sir Baldwin touched the wound on his face and then looked at his blood covered fingertips. "How dare you strike me," yelled Sir Baldwin in a fit of rage, he kneed Aeron in the stomach cause him to fall to the ground. Sir Baldwin then spit on him "Filth, you just hastened your death. Since you want to die so badly, I'm going to show you why I'm am a royal knight, one of the thirteen strongest people in this nation."
Sir Baldwin sheathed his sword, and started to cast a spell. "Winds of the earth, hear my call and grant me the power blow my enemies away," Suddenly the wind speed increase blowing extremely fast. You could hear the roaring of the wind as it blew through the plane. "I, royal knight, Sir Baldwin have been given the name Tempest from my lord and king. I shall slay this traitor with the power of the wind." Sir Baldwin took out his sword and swung it at Aeron from across the circle. A blade of wind flew out from the sword cutting Aeron in the leg. Aeron let out an agonizing scream as he dropped landing on one knee. Sir Baldwin sent out slash after slash cutting Aeron all over. "I think it's about time for you to die. Farewell traitor Prince," yelled Sir Baldwin whilst laughing uncontrollably.
Aeron was staring at his impending doom as Sir Baldwin got ready to swing a final blow, when everything around him turned black. A familiar voice started speaking to him "Do you have the will to continue living?" Aeron's exhausted voice answered, "If I die my friends will live on without me, and the world will be a better place." The voice asked another question "Do you want to die without getting revenge? Revenge on the people who betrayed and cast you out of the country. Revenge on the people who turned you family against you." Aeron slowly became filled with rage "Your right, I... I…need revenge." Green fire surrounded Aeron lighting up the area around him, and a girl shrouded in shadows appeared before him. She then asked "Do you seek the power to defeat your enemies and bring wrath down among those who have forsaken you?" Aeron nodded as he felt himself slowly slipping unconscious. The girl grabbed his head "well with this I will complete our contract and unlock some of you power, but I will have to get us out of this dire situation," she then kissed him.