My blood turned cold as I turned to look at Simon who had also followed us up. A sadistic glint flickered in his eyes as he held his sword. He grinned ear to ear as he faced us. Before we could say anything, he tossed a sword that had been hidden on his back to Dante's feet.

Dante picked it up in confusion and realized it had been the sword I had made specifically for him. He tossed the other sword he had been using as he closely inspected the blade for any abnormalities. He looked at Simon with a slight frown.

Simon only smiled as he stared at him, "I'm not going to let you go this time. Today, we will finally have our long-awaited duel. Last person standing is the victor."

Dante nodded, "Very well. Let us settle this once and for all."

Millie watched with a frown as if she was bored and wanted to leave. She believed that this fight was pointless. All she wanted was to return back to the Imperial Kingdom. If Dante died or survived, she could care less.

I panicked as I watched them square off.

Don't tell me they seriously intend to fight each other!? Dante is clearly not in the best shape for fighting!

It's not that I think he is weak, but I feel worried about his safety. It wasn't like he was getting proper meals while he was in the dungeon. Not to mention his neck is bruised from the rope and he is covered in cuts and bruises. He is clearly exhausted!

Simon, on the other hand, doesn't look tired in the slightest. Even though we had fought his father together beforehand, he didn't even break a sweat. I was panting after the fight, yet Simon was only smiling.

Behind that smile is a true monster.

It is clear that Simon had been hiding his true strength all along. It was a strength that would make you question whether a fully recovered Dante could win against him or not. Except Dante wasn't fully recovered. He was obviously weakened from the time he spent in the prison cell. Yet, the both of them intend to fight to the death.

I can't allow this to happen. Not when I just managed to get Dante back.

I can't lose him again.

I jumped forward to stop them, "You two can't fight!"

Simon tilted his head, "And why shouldn't we? This has been a long time coming."

"Because! I know you like challenges. If you face Dante right now you will have a clear advantage and he will be at a disadvantage. He is weak due to malnutrition and mistreatment from the dungeon. If you insist on fighting, just wait until he has recovered from his exhaustion!"

Simon chuckled, "I am exhausted from fighting the King. Why are you so worried? Do you believe that I will kill your precious Dante? Do you really have that little faith in him?"

I spoke in a panicked voice, "It's not like that! I-"

Dante held out his hand to stop me while still glaring at Simon, "Seri. It is fine."

"B-But Dante!"

He turned to me with a confident grin that made my breath catch in my throat. His strained voice echoed in my heart, "Do you trust me?"

I gave him a nod as I bit my lip, "Un. I trust you."

Millie sighed as she crossed her arms, "Cocky bastard."

Simon didn't give Dante any time prepare and jumped at him with a sudden attack. Dante blocked it with a frown. Simon smirked at Dante as their swords were pressed against each other, "Little boy… Do you even know how to use that sword? Admit your defeat and give me Seri."

Dante faced Simon with deadly determination. He knocked the sword back, "Seri is mine."

Dante charged forward and threw a succession of attacks. Simon blocked them effortlessly as he chuckled, "What's wrong little brother? Did I hurt your feelings?"

Dante's eyes widened in rage, "Brother!?!"

Simon laughed sadistically, "What? Didn't mother tell you? I know you were young, but I am hurt that you don't even remember me."

Dante clenched his jaw and tightened his hands around the hilt of his sword, "So it really was you."

Simon tilted his head, "So you do remember."

Dante charged at him once more. As he attacked, Simon blocked his swords with a grin. Dante shouted, "The moment I first saw that smile of yours, I knew."

Simon blocked while speaking calmly, "Then why didn't you do a thing?"

Dante put more force into his attack causing Simon to stumble backwards. He stared forward at Simon with a frown, "Mother said that my brother was a kind and loving person. She told me that I should never fight with him."

Simon frowned in irritation, "What a joke."

The two charged at each other with frightening speed. They clashed in the middle causing loud vibrations to hum in the air. As they fought each other, Millie and I could barely keep up as they attacked each other without pause. Sparks flew in the air illuminating the darkening sky. They fought mercilessly as they faced each other.

They fought for the one they loved.

They fought for their revenge.

They fought for the lives lost and the lives taken.

__________

The third Prince, who had ran away with the eldest, had been caught by the bandit chief as he had tried to escape with his brother. He was forced to stay behind as he gave time for his Eldest brother to run to safety. However, against the bandit Chief and the rest of the men, he was barely staying alive. He managed to slip out of their grip and rush away from their pursuit.

His blood dripped to the ground as he panted from exhaustion. He staggered to a room in the Palace as if possessed by an overwhelming force. Once inside, he went to his nightstand and opened a box that was in the third drawer. His eyes glinted from the sight of the unstoppable metal weapon.

The gift from his long deceased brother.

He grabbed it and forced himself to go to the North courtyard. As he walked, he felt himself getting weaker. He had sustained too many injuries and lost too much blood. He was in a weakened state and needed to rely on the wall to stand up. As he moved to the North courtyard to escape, he stopped when he saw the flurry of swords.

He paused to watch the two fighting atop the lookout on the wall in admiration. They fought flawlessly and ruthlessly. If one saw them, they would think that the two were always destined to fight. One in rags and the other dressed in a Princely outfit. Each one had the same look in their eyes as they thought. Their expressions were far too identical to be a coincidence.

The third Prince who had been caught up in excitement, realized just who was fighting. It was the war criminal and his half-brother Simon. He gnashed his teeth in anger as he glared at Simon. While he was fighting, he had heard something important. The men who chased him unrelentingly had been chanting the name of their new King.

Simon.

He knew that Simon had forcibly taken the throne and was behind the attacks. Simon was the reason he was barely clinging to life. Simon was the reason behind this bloodshed. The third Prince took out his already prepared weapon and cackled as he held it in his hands.

He pointed the polished gun at Simon with a demented look in his eyes.

He only had one bullet loaded.

But one was all he needed.

His finger twitched, but before he pulled the trigger, his eyes caught sight of one he hated most of all.

The one who had been responsible for this entire rebellion. The same one who caused his beloved brothers death. His brother was only supposed to kidnap her long ago, but instead he ended up dying. His eyes turned malicious as he watched her.

The young lady in question was standing next to the two fighting while watching with a nervous expression on her pale face. Her peach-colored eyes flashed anxiously as her brown hair flipped out from under her hood.

His hand moved to point the gun at her stationary figure.

The bandit Chief had finally caught up to the third Prince and saw where the gun was pointed.

He screamed out in vain, "Watch out!"

*BANG*

In that moment, time seemed to slow down.

The two stopped fighting and turned to look at the gun that had gone off. Their eyes widened as they all realized just who the target was.

Dante could only shout to warn his beloved.

For the first time, a look of fear showed clearly on Simon's face.

Millie rushed to Seri's side to protect her.

But she was too far away.

The bullet hit Seri dead center in her chest.

Her peach-colored eyes widened as her body was knocked backwards from the force.

In the crisp night air, her body was thrown over the wall and crashed to the ground outside the Palace walls.