1 week ago…
The foils’ whistles and clinks echoed through the gymnasium. Two fencers dressed in full gear performed the deadly dance. They were Shar and Bulon, princes of Thyrion, and their siblings cheered them from the benches.They had risen early for this duel.
Jaysynn watched from just outside the door with his arms crossed, glaring.
Shar had the upper hand, like always. At least a dozen times he could have ended the duel with the wide openings Bulon gave him. Had he missed them? No, thought Jaysynn. Shar is toying with Bulon.
The duel dragged on. Bulon’s movements slowed while Shar’s seemed to quicken, as if he was sucking the life out of his brother like a parasite. Now the younger brother could barely swing his foil. Jaysynn thought he could hear Bulon’s heavy breathing all the way from where he stood. Sweat so drenched Bulon’s white uniform that it was turning a light gray. The cheers grew louder.
Finally, Shar swatted Bulon’s foil away and thrust his in the other prince’s chest. The duel was over. Bulon fell to his knees. His brothers and sisters shouted Shar’s name.
Jaysynn grit his teeth.
The eldest prince removed his mesh helmet and, holding it and his foil, raised both hands overhead. “Is there no one who can defeat me?”
As if on cue, Jaysynn shouted, “I can!”
Silence.
His siblings looked at him as he marched toward them. Jaysynn smiled at their shock. He stepped onto the dueling strip, picked up the foil Bulon had dropped, and looked at Shar, who was now smirking.
“So, you’ve come back for another whipping,” said Shar, laughing. “Didn’t you learn your lesson back then?”
Jaysynn clenched the foil tighter. “Seven years is a long time. A lot of things have changed.”
“Yes,” replied Shar. “I’ve gotten better.”
Jaysynn huffed. “Then prove it.” He whipped the foil.
“You’re better than you were last time, but not much bigger.”
“Size doesn’t matter.”
Shar snickered, shaking his head. “Quoting philosophy doesn’t win battles.”
“Then shut up and fight!”
The foil hissed through the air as Jaysynn swung it at Shar. The elder prince, startled, jumped back, dropping his helmet. Jaysynn did not relent—he thrust at his brother with ferocious speed. Shar barely raised his foil in time to parry the attacks. The younger prince forced him back. Shar did not know what to do. Jaysynn caught worried and shocked expressions from their siblings on the sideline.
Shar regained his composure and went on the offensive. He refused to take another step back and pushed back at Jaysynn with quick thrusts. The younger brother dodged and parried them with ease, but his retaliatory strikes were evaded.
I’ve gotten better, Jaysynn thought. I am Shar’s equal.
The two exchanged blows for over a minute until Jaysynn noticed Shar was slowing. But Jaysynn refrained from finishing him. Now Shar was the one being toyed with! Jaysynn smiled triumphantly.
Finally, Jaysynn thought, Let’s end this!
Time seemed to slow. Jaysynn bent his elbow slightly, bringing the foil back, and then it shot for his brother’s chest. But Shar’s grip on his foil tightened. Fire suddenly flashed from his hand as his glove burst into flames. His foil shot out to intercept Jaysynn’s weapon—and cut through it.
The younger prince’s eyes widened. He super-heated his foil to slice through mine!
Before the shock could fully sink in, Shar kicked Jaysynn in the stomach, launching him to the ground. With another kick, he swatted the broken foil from Jaysynn’s hand.
“How dare you insult me with this duel!” shouted Shar, thrusting his foil an inch from Jaysynn’s face. “I am heir to the Thyrian throne, the divinely appointed successor to my father! I am one of Elthor’s chosen Select, gifted with a portion of his power!” Jaysynn grimaced as Shar stabbed the blunted foil into his chest. “I will not be beaten by the likes of you! You are unworthy of the Kyzer name! You who were born untouched by magic! You who have remained in the Palace out of mother and father’s pity! You are no brother of mine!”
A growl shot through Shar’s throat and he threw aside his foil. It slid across the floor. Shar turned away from Jaysynn, his face covered with his hands, and walked away. His siblings immediately surrounded him, asking if he was injured or depressed. They did not even look at Jaysynn.
Tears swelled in the youngest prince’s eyes. He swallowed sobs. Still they ignored him.
Jaysynn shot to his feet and flew out of the gym. He ran through the halls at full speed, only looking ahead, dodging servants until he reached his room. He slammed the door behind him and locked it. His dark green hoodie lay on his bed, so he grabbed it and slipped it on.
Now his tears flowed.
Jaysynn threw open his window and climbed out into the early morning twilight, not caring if anyone saw him.
Thirty minutes later, the Cataclysm happened.
Don't miss a single word of stories as they are published! You'll also receive first notice of special sales and behind-the-scenes information.