The Duke's Passion

"Darkfield."

Alphonse grinned wickedly as he glanced at the dark shroud surrounding them. But this didn't stop him from attacking Samael as he extended his claws, aiming at his heart.

Before Alphonse could reach Samael, a hand grabbed his arm, which instantly crushed his bone. He could feel that his bone didn't just shatter from the area Samael held, but it continued up to his shoulder.

"Did you know how I defeat father?" Samael inquired, looking down at Alphonse with no emotions in his eyes. "I sold my soul to the devil, Alphonse."

His dark hair slowly changed its color to white, while his one sclera changed into black. Alphonse's eyes dilated at seeing this hideous appearance of his brother. 

"I abhor Father for he had been cruel to his children, but I respect his leadership." Samael tore Alphonse's limbs as if he was simply tearing a piece of paper. He tossed it to the side and, in a blink of an eye, grabbed Alphonse by the neck.

Alphonse held on to Samael's arm while digging his nails into it, but that didn't face the latter. His feet left the ground while struggling under his brother's grip.

"You had been putting your life into those twenty bodies all this time, Alphonse. You can't defeat me."

Although Samael's voice was cold, he looked at Alphonse with poignancy. The latter gazed back at him with mockery whilst trying to find a way to survive; like a trapped animal trying to break free, but to no avail. Samael had decided to end his madness, so he would.

"Caecilius, Hell! haha! Ha --!" His waves of laughter faded into a deep gasp for air. Alphonse coughed as Samael tightened his grip around his neck. 

"Ah... this is the end, huh?" he uttered in between his heavy panting. "It seems you've fully recovered your strength... no wonder, she..."

Samael's brows creased as his jaw clenched, choking him to death. His gaze never left Alphonse, keeping his resolve firm. 

"I'm sorry that I took so long to notice your sufferings, Alphonse," he apologized under his breath, with eyes burning. "Thank you for loving us, brother."

Stunned, Alphonse's eyes dilated momentarily before they relaxed. A subtle smile resurfaced on his lips as he gazed back at Samael, seeing the tears that were rolling down his cheek. 

"What... a sight to... behold," came out a whisper along with his last breath.

His eyes slowly closed while his grip on Samael's arm loosened until his hand fell down on his rear. No one could judge if Alphonse's ways were wrong or right in this twisted world they moved in. He did what he did because he was fighting for something.

And for that, Alphonse passed with a subtle and peaceful smile on his face.

He died fighting until the very end, with no regrets.

The irony was, the person who had delivered him to hell wept for his death. 

Samael carefully put down Alphonse's body, squatting down beside him while tears dripped on his brother's cheek. Alphonse, although wicked, had loved his siblings in his own way. Even if those same people whom he protected detested his action, his plans for them to have a better life didn't change.

"You always tell me I am the one who is stubborn..." he muttered with a shaking voice, planting his palm on Alphonse's chest. "... I guess you are the most stubborn among us, brother."

If only Alphonse hated them all and simply wanted destruction, this would be way too easy for Samael. But no, Alphonse did every wicked deed, thinking of salvation for his siblings.

"You had fought enough. Rest in peace, Alphonse."

Samael gazed at Alphonse for a moment until his skin wrinkled and dried up. Deep in Samael's heart, he truly wished that Alphonse would find his peace and salvation after death.

*******

The palace wing where Klaus and Alistair fought looked like a storm had taken place. There were cracks and holes in the wall and roof tile, broken furniture, and hallows on the floor. They fought intensely, but the result was obvious. 

"Hey, you." Klaus patted the flat point of his sword against Alistair's chin, making the latter look up at him.

Alistair couldn't overpower Klaus, and now he ended up cornered back against the wall while his brother stood in front of him.

"All the nonsense you said just now... it's touching, but you and Alphonse don't get to decide our lives," Klaus expressed with a deep sigh. "We can blame Father for what we are now, but we never truly tried to change the course of our lives. Dyrroth and Lucia did — Hell as well, but us? We accepted this kind of life and this situation is the outcome of that decision."

"Tch. You speak so much, Klaus," Alistair chuckled in mockery, wincing when his lungs constricted. "You are a bunch of fucking ingrates."

Klaus opened his mouth but ended up closing it again. Killing Hanz was easy, as that fellow had no deep reason for his madness but the pleasure of destruction.

"You know... you will regret this." Alistair let out a series of coughs until blood flew out of his mouth. His breathing also grew heavy, gazing up back to Klaus. 

"If you think killing us means it is over, you are wrong." He slipped his hand into his waist secretly, smirking weakly at Klaus. "You are so pitiful, so I will give you some slack since you're stalling. You're welcome."

Alistair mustered his remaining strength as he grabbed the knife he kept on his waist. Klaus couldn't react quickly because the second he blinked, Alistair had already pierced his own throat.

"No..." Klaus tossed his sword and bend down, reaching for Alistair but hesitant to touch him. "Hey, shit...! Why would you..."

His breath hitched as his hand mid-air trembled, watching the life in Alistair's eyes slip away. Everything happened so fast, so now that he was looking at Alistair, his mind momentarily malfunctioned.

Klaus had still a lot of things to say. He wasn't done with him just yet. He hadn't cursed him enough and bantered with him for a little longer. 

"You..." he balled his hand into a fist, punching the wall where Alistair's body was leaning on. "...are so fucking selfish until the fucking end."

He ground his teeth, hanging his head low. Alistair and Alphonse had schemed for years, and yet, the former would die just like that? It was unfair. They should be restrained first and reflect on their sin, or just stay stubborn and lose their minds in the oubliette.

"You... are..." Klaus froze upon feeling the small hands on his shoulder and followed by Claude's soft voice.

"Uncle..."

His teeth clenched even more, unable to face his nephew right now. Claude frowned and pursed his lips while he gazed down.  When Claude raised his head once again, his eyes glinted with determination.

"Uncle!" he called and pounced on Klaus's back, wrapping his little arms around his uncle's neck. "Uncle Alistair chose death over your sympathy. It's not your fault."

Klaus's brows creased, holding his breath while gazing down. 

"Claude is safe, thanks to Uncle! So Claude doesn't blame Uncle." Claude's eyes softened, feeling a bit sentimental knowing Klaus's pain and feeling how his back trembled. 

Klaus took a deep breath with his eyes closed. He patted Claude's little arms as he opened his eyes.

"Thanks to you, Uncle has a purpose." He didn't waste a second as he carried Claude in a piggyback, gazing at Alistair for the last time. 

"Rest in peace, Ali."