Chapter 10 – "Braver Than the Sun"
(Volume Finale )
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[EXT. VISAL KAI COLISEUM – DAY – POST-BATTLE SCENE]
The crowd was still in shock. Princess Valeria Flameheart, the pride of the Visal Kai Kingdom, known to end duels in under five minutes, had battled for twenty full minutes—and not just anyone, but against a commoner… Reyden.
Valeria's cold eyes narrowed as she turned away silently, her crimson cloak flowing behind her like a wave of fire. The murmurs among nobles and warriors grew louder—Who is this man? How did he last so long?
From the edge of the arena, a panting Kael ran toward his brother, panic in his eyes.
> Kael (teary-eyed): "Bhai!( Brother )Don't do this again! I was scared to death! You're all I have!"
Reyden chuckled softly, holding his side.
> Reyden (smiling, breathless): "The mind has to be brave, Kael. If I had lost to her in my head, the fight would've ended in three minutes."
As Kael helped Reyden up, medics and magic healers rushed in. A mysterious group cloaked in shadow observed from the crowd. One of them, face hidden behind a silver mask, smirked.
> Masked Figure: "So… this is the one who dares aim for the Princess."
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[INT. ROYAL COURTYARD – MOMENTS LATER]
The King of Visal Kai stepped onto the grand balcony, addressing the crowd with a booming voice.
> King: "Once again, no one could defeat my daughter! No new king has risen… but this year, Reyden, you've proven your worth. On my daughter's recommendation, I welcome you to the Royal Knights."
Cheers erupted.
Kael's eyes sparkled. Reyden clapped his shoulder. They laughed—happy, hopeful, unaware that fate was sharpening its dagger behind the curtain of destiny.
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[INT. ROYAL INN – NIGHT – A MOMENT OF PEACE]
The brothers sat at a lavish table in the inn with other newly-recruited knights. Golden chandeliers lit up their plates.
> Kael (grinning): "Now that we're knights, no more sleeping in barns, right?"
Reyden (laughing): "Speak for yourself, I kinda miss the rats."
But Kael's smile faded, curiosity creeping in.
> Kael: "Bhai… you're a former A-rank mage. Why did you vanish from the Monster Slayer Guild? Where did the money go?"
Reyden winked.
> Reyden (joking): "I spent it all on hair gel. Gotta keep up this messy hero look."
They laughed again—but the light was already dimming.
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[INT. ROYAL INN – LATER THAT NIGHT]
As dinner ended, two royal knights approached.
> Royal Guard: "Reyden. The Princess requests an urgent private discussion. Come with us."
Kael stood too.
> Kael: "I'm coming too."
> Guard (firmly): "Only Reyden was summoned."
> Reyden (gently): "Wherever I go, Kael goes. Period."
The guards hesitated—then nodded. But their path led not to the castle… but to the edge of a silent forest path near the castle grounds.
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[EXT. MISTY FOREST PATH – NIGHT]
Reyden looked around.
> Reyden (suspicious): "Hey... this isn't the way to the castle."
His eyes flared, casting Dispel Magic.
In a flicker of dark light, the "guards" shifted into cloaked black figures. The peaceful night shattered. Reyden had left his sword and armor at the inn—he was unarmed. But still...
Reyden, realizing the strange behavior of the knights, quickly distances himself from his sleeping brother, drawing the confrontation away from him. Despite being without his sword and armor, his sheer will and raw strength kept him standing tall. The two fake knights struck with blades, swift and lethal—but Reyden dodged, reading their moves like a seasoned warrior.
"Who are you?" he growled, his voice edged with fury. "What do you want from us? Why bring harm to me and my brother? What have we ever done to you?"
A low, amused chuckle echoed from the shadowed figure beyond the knights. A man draped in black, his face hidden behind a mask, stepped forward with eerie calmness.
"Answering your questions isn't necessary," the masked man replied, his tone cold yet amused. "Just accept the truth—that the moment you chose to fight the princess, your death was sealed."
Suddenly, Reyden's body faltered. He dropped to one knee, coughing violently, blood spilling from his lips. His hands trembled as his vision blurred. Panic flared in his eyes.
"W-What... what's happening to me?"
The masked man tilted his head slightly, almost mockingly.
"I trust tonight's meal was to your taste? We laced it with a special poison, just for you."
Eyes wide, Reyden turned to glance toward the direction where Kael rested, his heart sinking with dread.
"No... Kael..."
"Relax," the masked figure smirked. "The poison was meant only for you. We wouldn't want to ruin a perfect show with two weak performers."
Weakened, Reyden collapsed to one side. Blood trickled from a deep cut on his temple as one of the knights struck him from behind, the crimson trail running down his face and dripping from his chin. His breaths came ragged and shallow.
"You didn't have to do this..." Reyden choked, barely able to speak. "If you have some old grudge against me... then deal with me. Leave my brother out of this."
The masked man clicked his tongue and chuckled darkly.
"No, no... we can't do that. You see, no true assassin leaves behind evidence... especially not something as valuable as a younger brother."
With sheer will, Reyden clapped his hands and cast a shockwave spell, pushing the enemies back.
Kael wake up , confused. The magic blast had shaken him awake. When he looked up, blood trickled down Reyden's forehead.
In front of him stood three figures—two disguised guards, and one… cloaked entirely in shadow.
The pain from the poisoned dinner started setting in. Reyden's hands trembled, vision blurring.
Still—he fought.
He punched, kicked, slammed. Every blow hurt, every breath burned. But he wouldn't fall.
Kael's eyes widened at the sight of his brother bleeding and surrounded.
> Kael (crying): "Bhai!(Brother )Let's run! Please!"
Reyden, barely standing, looked back.
> Reyden (weak smile): "Where would I go without you? You're… all I have…"
One of the guards grabbed Kael from behind, pressing a dagger to his throat.
> Enemy: "Surrender… or watch your brother die."
> Kael (screaming): "No! Bhai, go! Please! Don't die for me!"
Reyden, face pale, staggered forward.
> Reyden: "You think I'll leave my brother? He's my heart… My only reason to fight."
He dropped to his knees, raising his hands in surrender.
> Reyden: "Let him go. Take me…"
> Kael (sobbing): "NO! Don't! Bhai, I'm begging you!"
But the dagger-wielding guard stabbed Reyden in the chest, right below the heart. The sound was quiet—just a thud. But to Kael, it was a thunderclap.
Reyden gasped.
> Kael (screaming): "NOOOOOOO!!!"
A sharp gasp escaped Reyden's lips as the dagger plunged into his chest. His body jolted in shock, and a wet choking sound followed as blood spilled from the wound, soaking his clothes in deep crimson.
"Reyden!!" Kael screamed, thrashing violently in the iron grip of the armored knight who held him captive.
Reyden's eyes, flickering with pain, managed to lock onto his younger brother. His vision was blurry, his body weak—but he still smiled. A faint, broken smile filled with pride and love.
"Let… him go…" Reyden whispered, his voice strained and barely audible.
Kael's heart pounded like war drums. He roared in desperation, slamming his elbow backward, trying to break free—but the knight's armor made it useless. Still, he didn't stop.
"Let go of me! Reyden!!"
Suddenly, something awakened inside him. His eyes shimmered with a vibrant blue light—Mana Perception. His vision shifted, allowing him to see the flow of mana within the knight restraining him.
From the shadows, the mysterious black figure let out a low chuckle.
"Well well… so he's awakened Mana Perception. Unexpected."
The knight holding Kael flinched.
"What kind of magic is this?"
"Don't worry," the black figure said calmly. "It's just a sensory type. Used by healers to detect abnormalities in the body. Nothing offensive… yet."
Kael wasn't listening. His glowing eyes traced the knight's mana flow—searching—until he found it: a vulnerable point, a weak pulse in the knight's magical circulation.
He remembered his brother's words:
> "Mana is life. It flows through the body like blood. If that flow is blocked… it can collapse even the strongest warrior."
Holding that truth close, Kael focused all his strength and slammed his elbow into the exact point—
CRACK!
The knight stumbled backward in shock, his grip breaking.
Kael didn't waste a second.
"Reyden!!"
He sprinted toward his brother. Another knight moved to intercept—but the black figure raised a hand.
"Let him go… Let the brothers have their final moment."
Kael dropped to his knees beside Reyden, his entire body trembling. Blood still gushed from Reyden's chest, staining the ground beneath him.
"No, no, no… stay with me!" Kael cried, his hands shaking as he gently pulled the dagger from his brother's chest. Blood poured faster, and Kael's face twisted in agony.
From his belt pouch, he pulled out a small healing potion—the one Reyden had made him carry "just in case." He opened Reyden's mouth and carefully poured the potion in, voice trembling.
"You're going to be okay… please… just drink."
Then, from a hidden pocket, Kael took out a small pouch of crushed herbs. He rubbed the strange powder onto the wound. The blood began to clot as the mixture reacted to the injury—slowing the bleeding.
Reyden's breathing was shallow. He opened one eye and forced a pained smile.
"Kael… don't waste it… save it for yourself… Run…"
"Shut up!" Kael sobbed. "Just shut up and let me save you for once!"
Tears streamed down his face, falling onto his brother's bloodstained chest. He gritted his teeth, trying to stay strong—but the pain was too much.
Reyden looked up at him, eyes hazy but filled with warmth. He reached up, pulling a sun-shaped pendant from around his neck.
"This… was Mom's. It's a symbol of courage and strength. Take it… and carry it with you… always."
Kael clutched the pendant like a lifeline.
"Why are you saying this?! You're going to live!"
Reyden's expression softened, and though blood ran from his mouth, he slowly sat up—blood dripping from his forehead and down his golden hair.
"Because… sometimes in life… we don't get to choose the outcome. But we do get to choose our final stand."
The nearby knight staggered back, eyes wide.
"How is he… still standing?"
The black figure laughed softly.
"Let them burn bright… before they fade."
Reyden rose to his feet. Blood soaked his clothes. His hand pressed tightly against his wound, and his eyes—narrowed and unwavering—locked on to the enemies before him.
He was broken. But he was not beaten.
Reyden coughed, blood dripping from his lips. He smiled through it.
> Reyden: "You're… my kind little brother. Don't cry. Be braver than me."
> Kael (sobbing uncontrollably): "I couldn't protect you… I'm weak…"
> Reyden (softly): "Then become strong… stronger than me. Chase your dream, for both of us."
He touched Kael's forehead gently, magic sparking at his fingertips.
> Reyden: "You've… got to live…"
He pushed Kael away—towards the river behind them. Kael tried to stay, but Reyden cast Paralysis Shockwave, his last spell.
Kael fell, unable to move, eyes wide in horror.
> Reyden (smiling through blood): "You always talk too much…"
With his remaining strength, Reyden used his magic to levitate Kael's body down the riverbank—far, far away from the battlefield.
Then, turning around, he faced the three enemies.
> Reyden (laughing, blood dripping): "Let's see how much of me I can take with you…"
He chanted the words of a forbidden lightning spell.
BOOM.
The area exploded with a divine thunderclap.
Two guards were reduced to ash.
The black-hooded figure barely dodged, his cloak burning slightly.
He stepped closer, looking down at Reyden's lifeless, smiling body.
> Mysterious Figure: "So this was your final move… impressive."you are worthy for my respect Reyden
The night fell silent once more.
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Kael struggled to breathe, his body limp as he was carried by the current of the river. The fast-moving water had nearly claimed his life, and , his injuries were too severe. His right arm had been badly wounded, and a sharp pain surged through him as he struggled to stay conscious. His vision blurred, and he could feel his life slipping away.
But then, as if by some miracle, he was pulled from the water and into the arms of an old woman, whose cottage stood just outside the castle. The woman had seen the tragedy unfold from a distance and had quickly rushed to help him. She had wrapped him in blankets and began to tend to his wounds.
Kael gasped in pain as he tried to lift himself, calling out weakly.
Kael: "Reyden! Reyden!" He shouted, but his voice trembled with weakness. The pain in his arm was unbearable, and his body refused to obey him.
The old woman quickly grabbed Kael's hand, pulling him back down.
Old Woman: "Stay still! You're in no condition to move. Your wounds are severe."
Kael: "But my brother... He's in danger! He risked his life to save me. I can't just lie here!" He groaned, trying once more to get up, but his body wouldn't cooperate.
Old Woman: "In your condition, you can't help anyone. Stay here, rest. You'll only make things worse for yourself."
Kael clenched his fists, his body trembling with the desire to save Reyden.
Kael: "I have to save him... I can't let him die for me!" He muttered, looking at the old woman in desperation.
Old Woman: "You can't help anyone if you're dead. You need to take care of yourself first."
Despite the old woman's pleas, Kael's determination didn't waver. With every ounce of strength he had left, he pushed himself to his feet, his body barely able to support him. He limped out of the cottage, determined to reach his brother.
"Thank you for your help," Kael managed, his voice hoarse with pain. "I'll never forget this."
The old woman looked at him with a sad, knowing expression, but didn't stop him. "Be careful, young one. The world out there is cruel."
With her warning echoing in his mind, Kael stumbled through the dense forest outside the castle. As he moved deeper into the woods, he felt the weight of his exhaustion, but he couldn't stop now.
The ground beneath him was slick with blood, and the air reeked of death. Broken trees lay scattered across the ground, as if a great battle had torn through the forest. The sounds of battle were still faintly echoing in the distance, but Kael's focus was solely on finding his brother.
As he continued, the sight before him made his heart stop. The body of a royal knight, charred and blackened, lay in front of him. Nearby, a yellow-haired figure lay lifeless on the ground—Reyden.
Kael's knees buckled, and he collapsed beside his brother's body. His heart pounded as he fought back the tears that threatened to fall.
Kael: "Why... Why did you do it?" he whispered, his voice breaking. "You could've left. You didn't have to die for me."
A sense of cold dread filled his chest as he looked around. The sounds of the battle had quieted, but the realization that his brother was gone made everything feel hollow.
Reyden had always been there for him. He had sacrificed himself for Kael, and now Kael was left to face this pain alone.
Kael heard footsteps approaching and quickly turned. Several royal guards were walking toward him, their expressions grim. They spoke of the terrible event that had unfolded, but Kael barely heard them.
The rage inside him burned hotter than ever. He looked at the royal guards with a cold fury in his eyes.
Kael: "Who did this? Who killed him?"
The royal knights tried to hold him back, but Kael's anger was unstoppable. He broke free from their grip, his fists clenched tightly.
Kael: "I swear... I will make them pay for this. No one will escape the wrath I will unleash on them. They will regret the day they took my brother from me."
His body trembling with rage, Kael made a silent vow to never forget this moment. He would grow stronger, never shedding another tear. He would find the ones responsible for his brother's death and make them suffer.
This day, marked with grief and rage, would be the day Kael's vengeance began. No one—no matter their power—would be safe from the wrath he now carried in his heart.
The road to vengeance had begun, and Kael would not rest until justice was served.
End of Volume _1