The Duke's Passion

"Catharsis."

"Lancelot."

Two legendary swords clashed, causing a strong force distorting the peacefulness and quietness of the night. One glowed in bright red, while darkness shrouded the other.

"The flames and darkness of hell colliding," Fabian murmured as he watched the sparks each time their blades heavily crashed against each other. "Lancelot."

His eyes fell on Stefan's long sword, Lancelot, a long sword, glowing in deep red, thirsty for its enemy's blood…  and life. The expression in Fabian's eyes flickered with thrill, as if watching something magnificent.

"Lancelot. A legendary sword wielded by the first king. It is said that Lancelot chooses its owner… to think it chose him." The corner of Fabian's lips stretched wickedly as he barely blinked, afraid he'd miss anything.

There weren't many people who had seen Lancelot and Catharsis. Fabian has only once seen Samael used Catharsis. That was centuries ago before the Duke of Grimsbanne entered his slumber. 

"Even after centuries, just its aura alone prickled my skin." Fabian's hands trembled as his thumb caressed his skull ring. "A spar like this…"

He trailed off as he cracked his neck from side to side. A spar like this was awakening his ardor in death, soul, and blood. 

"Fabian." A hand suddenly landed on Fabian's shoulder, squeezing it to calm him down. "Don't."

Fabian turned his head at Rufus, who appeared beside him out of nowhere. "Thank you, Brother."

"So, this is?" Rufus inquired as he shot his gaze back to the two monsters clashing, destroying their surrounding.

"A spar."

"A spar?" Rufus jeered. "A spar, and yet, it's obvious they were trying to claim each other's life."

Rufus' eyes glinted, prepared to intervene once things go awry. Samael shouldn't kill Stefan yet, considering Lilou was sired to him. Same goes to Stefan. He shouldn't kill Samael since the matters of the Undead haven't been resolved.

"Just what are those two thinking? Did they lose their mind completely?" Rufus muttered as this 'spar' aggravated him the most. He had been working tirelessly and hadn't had a wink of sleep for days, but those two fools were trying to kill each other.

"I don't know." Fabian shrugged, caressing his ring with his thumb. "But stopping them would be easier since they also came."

Fabian jerked his chin towards the people in their opposite direction. Rufus moved his gaze, seeing some princes came to check what was going on.

"Is it?" Rufus inquired as he studied the two devils fighting. "That aura they exuded… it's anger, domination. I don't think there's a single soul who dares comes close would leave unscathed."

"Isn't that what's makes things fun?" Fabian humored with a harmless smile, but people who knew him knew what lies behind that smile.

"Fabian, fighting them right now is not the proper time, especially with the matters at hand." Rufus frowned as he glanced at Fabian before setting them back to those two. "Enemies are lurking, waiting in the shadows, ready to take their chances if either of them died."

"My, brother. You should be the king!" Fabian humored as he chuckled.

"Don't speak such insolence. I'm just tired of dealing with them. I couldn't even attend my lady's wedding." 

"It's good you didn't." 

Rufus faced Fabian squarely, his expression quizzical. "Did something happen?"

"Nothing much." Fabian shrugged. "You'll only feel bad for the duchess to experience such a depressing wedding ceremony. Even a funeral is not that depressing."

"Well, I supposed that can't be helped." A sigh slipped past Rufus' lips, recalling Lilou's determined and kind words the last time they talked. 

"Indeed, it seems this wedding was already been set in stone the moment the King invited them to the Capital."

"The power of foresight," Rufus muttered. "What a troublesome ability, just like that kid's ability."

There was a long silence between them as the heavy sound of clashing of the swords and the strong winds brushed past them. Samael and Stefan seemed to plan to start a tornado with the intensity of their sparring.

"My brother, do you know what kind of deal His Grace had with His Majesty?" Fabian broke his silence as he watched the two. "And, do you have any idea of what sort of connection did the duchess have with the king? It's been bothering me ever since the Duke turned off his emotions."

Rufus didn't answer immediately, as he shared the same concern.

"Unfortunately, I don't have any answer for your latter question." Rufus' eyes glinted as they sharpened. Samael kept glossing over his words with vague answers, throwing them all in confusion.

"As for the former question? His grace had a deal with His Majesty?"

"It is…" Rufus trailed off as he massaged his stiff neck. "... it's about the matter of the Undead. His Grace will lead the case."

"A war will break out?" Fabian furrowed his brows as he shifted his attention towards Rufus. He studied his brother's side profile and immediately understood what those sharp eyes were telling.

"It seems the Spade Kingdom was involved with this. We're still unsure, but considering the history of both kingdoms, it's possible. I'm still looking into it." Rufus summarized, as he knew Fabian needed to know this much. "That's why those two should stop acting like kids."

Rufus fumed as he saw this incredible battle as a childish quarrel. In his eyes, those two should know better that the best course of action was not to kill each other now.

"They are just testing each other, brother. I'm sure…" Fabian trailed off as his eyes slowly widened as he immediately called forth, "Maleficent!" 

***

Moments before that…

"Aren't you a little rile up, brother?" Samael jeered through his gritted teeth as he launched another heavy attack which Stefan blocked. "Ugh… it feels nice to relieve some stress this way."

Stefan countered Samael's attack as he seethed, "I should speak the same, Hell."

"Are you that angry, Stefan?" Samael inquired as he returned the attack and leaned forward. "Is the thought of how she will moan my name and beg for more…"

Stefan's eyes darkened as he pushed Samael back, hopping several steps away. 

"Hell," Stefan stretched his neck in a circular motion as he closed his eyes. "I'll kill you. Bloodfield."

"Great, I also don't like to share." Samael laughed maniacally as he planned to end him. "Bloodfield."