Silas's body sailed almost gracefully across the rugged landscape from the punch he had just absorbed. Missing three fingers and having at least twelve different broken bones, he forced himself to stand again. Maybe he was outmatched; maybe he should run.
"This is not what I expected from a Member of the Ardentis Family," a distorted voice echoed from the confines of the fog. "Much less the Heir himself."
Silas plunged his sword into the ground, struggling to remain upright. At this point, he was beyond beaten; his body was beyond broken, but there was nowhere to run. Through his swollen eyes, he could see a figure walking closer from the fog. Emerging from the mist was a man clad in dark robes and a mask, towering over Silas's battered form. The robed man swung his muscular foot, kicking away the sword that had been supporting Silas's weight. As he fell to the ground, Silas looked up, barely able to see the figure's smile through the mask.
"I've been waiting for this moment for years, Silas."
He flinched at the sound of his name rolling off the creature's tongue.
"What, are you scared of me?" the man goaded. "That's embarrassing. If it wasn't for me, you would have never made it this far."
"I don't even know who you are," Silas spat, blood pooling in his mouth.
"Oh no, no, no, Silas. You know me very well." The strange man leaned closer. "You know me very well; I'm always here for you. But how come you were never there for me?"
Silas rolled onto his back, feeling the sting of the cold concrete against his skin. He had no idea what the man was referring to, but it was clear that one of them was going to die here, and the odds were against him. Gathering every last ounce of strength in his broken body, he pushed himself onto his feet again. Each tick from the hand of his watch became louder in his head. He stared at the watch, then turned to look at the giant clock tower that chimed twelve times, signaling midnight.
"If everyone in your family is like you, we will take back this land from the usurpers with ease. You are beaten, my friend. I will allow you to die with honor. The All-Father will welcome you to his halls gracefully."
Silas sighed as the man walked slowly toward him, picking up the sword and admiring it briefly. He ran his hand gently over the blade.
"This is skyforge-steel. A pretty rare item to be carrying around in this dangerous place, don't you think, young prince?" the man jeered annoyingly.
"You will not get away with this," Silas said, his voice steady despite his exhaustion.
"I believe I have, little brother," the man replied triumphantly as he pulled the hood from over his head.
Their eyes locked, and Silas stared in shock, a malicious curl of his brother's lips forming a smile.
"Valen…" he managed to whisper, followed by a heavy sigh. The sting of betrayal cut through his mind swiftly and mercilessly, but he was already defeated, a cold steel blade pressed against his neck as he knelt, helpless. The ticking of the watch echoed louder in his head as memories flashed before his eyes in chaotic fragments. Valen loomed over his broken form, a triumphant smile spread across his face, his eyes shimmering with a traitor's deceit. Deep down, Silas could sense Valen's fear, and, deep down, he felt it too.
"I trust you understand why this has to happen, Silas," Valen said softly, his voice cracking under the weight of emotion.
"You will never defeat Ardentis. The only thing strong enough to destroy our house is our house itself."
"I know…" Valen replied in a gentle whisper. And with the swing of Silas's sword, his head fell onto the cold pavement, bringing the intense ticking to a sudden halt.
Valen stared at his brother's severed head on the ground for a moment, before kneeling and stroking Silas' chiseled jaw gently. He picked it up by a handful of his black hair, a few gray streaks, were noticeable in between. Valen stared at his brother's face, almost as if he was regretting his decision. He looked into Silas' lifeless emerald colored eyes that remained open and smiled triumphantly before dropping his head beside its dead body.