The uproar from the crowd died down, replaced by an uneasy silence. Billy looked at his father, fear and doubt etched across his face.
"Dad, look, I don't want to fight him," Billy said,
pointing to his stepbrother Kai. His gaze pleaded for understanding.
King Morphine's eyes hardened. "You don't have a
choice, son. This is your destiny." He stepped into the center of the stage, his commanding presence
amplified by the murmurs of the audience.He looked at Kai and said to him.
"Kai,I want you to kick his ass. Prove him that you are my first born."
Kai smirked, his confidence radiating. "I won't
disappoint you, Father. I'll show him who the real heir is."
The crowd erupted into cheers and laughter as Kai
flexed his broad chest, exuding power. Billy shrank
under the weight of their scorn, his heart pounding in his chest.
The king turned back to Billy, his tone softer but firm.
"And you , prove to everyone today that you are the best and not a weakling. Make your mother proud, wherever she is. She's always watching."
The mention of his mother struck a nerve, but Billy
said nothing. His silence drew boos from the crowd but he ignored them.
King Morphine raised his staff, its tip crackling with
lightning. The stadium trembled as he struck it
against the ground. Dust rose, swirling into a magical vortex. When it settled, Billy and Kai stood on a raised boxing arena, stripped of their royal attire and clad in training pants-white for Billy, black for Kai. Kai was well built with big muscles and eye catching abbs.Billy too had a broad chest but was less muscular compared to Kai .Each held a long wooden sword.
Billy couldn't believe this was happening. He looked at the anticipating audience all around. He viewed the royal sitting place. Queen Elara was sitted on the king's left smiling like a freak. Her sat beside her too with anticipated expression.
' I wish mum was here ' Billy thought.
At that juncture, his mother appeared on the right side of the King. She was however standing. Billy rubbed his eyes and confirmed the sight. Yes, she was there.
"Wait, why's he looking this direction? Is he that nervous?" Ella asked.
"Hahaha. He just wants to run away. Kai had waited for this day. It's time Avans recognize the true heir." Queen Elara voiced out.
" Who do you think will win?" Ella teased.
"Don't get me started. Kai got this... wait,are you not supporting your brother?" She asked giving her a sharp look.
" But they are both my brothers" she said giggling at her dark stare " of course,am supporting my brother " she added chuckling.
Billy stared at his mom's dazzling appearance and encouraging smile. He lip-read and heard her whispers.
" I'm here for you my son. You got this "
The referee entered, holding a mic and flag. "READY?"he shouted. "The battle begins in 3... 2... 1... BEGIN!"
Billy barely had time to react as Kai's kick slammed
into his chest.
Pah!
The impact sent him stumbling back. Before he could recover, Kai's flying double kick connected again,launching Billy into the arena's corner. The crowd roared in excitement.
Kai sneered. "This is what I've been waiting for-to
crush your bones like crisps. Show me what you've
got!"
Billy staggered to his feet, gripping his sword. His
mind raced.
' I have no experience. I'll just mimic what
I've seen in movies.'
As Kai charged, Billy dodged to the right, but Kai was too fast, appearing behind him in an instant.
' Damnit, he's behind me ' . Billy calculated his attacks and employed his instincts.He crouched, narrowly avoiding Kai's horizontal strike,
and rolled forward. Kai's sword slashed down vertically at empty air. Billy now turned only to feel Kai's boot connect with his face.
Pah!
Blood dripped from Billy's nose. The crowd roared
with laughter as Kai loomed over him.
"Stay down, stepbrother. You're no match for me," Kait taunted, tossing his sword aside and backed away a little.
Billy rose shakily, gripping his weapon for support. He studied his foe and charged at full speed but Kai sidestepped, leaving his foot
outstretched. Billy tripped and fell flat on his stomach.
The crowd erupted in laughter again.
" This is amazing" Queen Elara said laughing heartly.
Ella watched pitifully as blood started flowing from Billy's nose. " His mom never took him to martial arts classes like us, Kai will definitely kill him," she said but no one heard her.
" Is this what you got? Stay down step bro, you are no match for me," Kai said throwing the wooden sword away.
Billy spat a mouthful of blood and rose supporting himself with the sword. He studied his for and charged at full speed. Kai smiled and evaded the attack leaving his left foot outstretched. Billy forgot to slow down and tripped over falling on his stomach.
The crowd roared with laughter.
Kai grabbed him and made him stand. He rolled his fist and rose high to the sky. The fist then swooped down swiftly like a falcon and connected with Billy's stomach. He was sent flying to the corner.
The crowd roared in excitement.
" You should stop this now dad" Ella shouted.
" But why, the battle just started" Her mom said stuffing popcorn in her mouth enjoying the show.
Kai took Billy's wooden sword and followed him where he lied on his stomach.
" Oh my gosh, what is he doing?" The crowd wondered.
He smashed Billy's buttocks with the sword's side and it shattered into two. Billy squirmed in pain.
" Is this what you mother made you?" Kai shouted grabbing Billy by the back of his neck. He made him stand on the arena's corner. The audience waited.
" I'm going to make you cry and your mother won't save you " Kai said and slapped him really hard .Billy only saw his mom's smile. Another slap followed and he saw her mom's eyes shining in a golden hue.
" It's about time son, wake up the beast inside you...my little beast " she whispered.
Kai raised his hand and rolled into a fist.
" Dad, you have to STOP him now!" Ella shouted and his dad rose hesitantly.
" You better sit Morphine " Elara voiced out. He turned to her and found her eyes beaming red..
" What?" He gasped and sat immediately.
Kai's fist swooped down aiming Billy's face. Bill's eyes shone blue and he catched the fist few centimeters in front of him. Kai was shocked. Billy moved it aside and twisted it making Kai wimp. He twisted it harder and Kai screamed.
Billy let go and punched him with open hands on the chest. The massive force sent him flying through the arena's holdings into the fields touchline.
The crowd were silenced by the turn of events. The referree fainted instantly seeing Billy's blue eyes. Billy looked at himself unsure of the inhuman strength he had.He wiped the blood on his mouth and spat on the floor. He then took the microphone from the lying referree. He scanned the audience showing his blue eyes.
" Oh my gosh, he's using magic," people murmured.
Elara watched in fear as Billy stared at her and moved to his shocked father. He cleared his throat over the mic and there was silence.
"Listen everyone. " Flying drones came close to him. His eyes turned back to normal and he continued.
" I didn't come here to fight for the throne." Silence loomed the stadium.
" I only came here to see my mother. And that's all." A murmur erupted.
" Billy, WATCH OUT!!!"
Ella shouted and Billy turned. He met Kai's wooden sword smashing his forehead and he fell down. His vision turned blurry. Before he completely blacked out,he managed to catch a few words from the dying reality.
" And I,Kai Morphine, I am here to defend and fight for the thro..."
Darkness.
To be Continued...