Will of the Battlefield

Every eye was now on the fiend. He was jerking and screaming like a wild beast hit by an arrow, his painful wails sent chills down the spectators’ spines.

Vidu glared at the nearest to him, Hawk.

His giant twelve-foot-tall frame stood with pride against the eight-foot man of diamond.

They were both enhanced by their transformations, but the bond of a cursed beast was on another level. There was a reason it was declared forbidden.

Hawk’s eyes met Vidu’s as he said, "Alright, brother. Let’s try that again."

With that said, he took a deep breath and lurched towards the red demon.

Vidu roared and threw a wide punch, his movement was not what it had been earlier.

Hawk ducked and shoved the knuckle claws into his red arm, magma-like blood oozed out.

Vidu cried. He was suffering from several types of pain from two battles he was fighting, one against Hawk and the other with the cursed beast.

Hawk gazed at the wound, to his luck, it was not healing like before.

A perfect opportunity for Hawk. He dashed, ignoring the killing pain in his leg.

He slashed at Vidu’s chest and dug into his thighs. Vidu cried helplessly, Hawk got behind and again struck at his back.

Blood akin to boiling metal fell from the wounds, blackness expanded within Vidu’s eyes with each passing moment.

Before long, a pool of magma had formed beneath the fiend.

There were too many wounds, cuts, and stabs, without any sign of healing.

Vidu crawled as he held his horns, he jerked them as if trying to pluck them out.

Hawk understood what that meant and climbed onto his massive shoulders. Vidu did not catch him, he was busy hauling at his horns.

Hawk’s hand changed, the knuckled blades combined into one, creating a jagged saw-like blade.

He hit at the horns and began to move it back and forth, cutting them.

Massively deafening cries echoed between them, and among them were the cries of the human Vidu. "Save me, brother."

Hawk heard a cry. He moved his hand faster in desperation. Deep down, they had both once been brothers.

And at last, a horn was gouged out. Cursed energy spread like a gust of wind, knocking Hawk back.

Reginald stood still, his long coat dancing in the wind.

Soon, the chaotic outburst stopped. The red skin began to shed, the remaining horn fell from his head before turning into black haze.

Vidu was now on his knees, several nasty cuts all around his body.

Hawk also limped towards him, his diamond body started to crack, he couldn’t keep his transformation anymore.

Otherwise, he would face tremendous recoil of blessing just like Vidu.

Vidu was gasping, he helplessly looked at Hawk, tears in his eyes. "Kill me."

Hawk nodded gradually. "I will. But, I have a question to ask first."

"I am not answering any damned question," Vidu retorted. He touched the wounds on his chest.

Hawk bent down and looked him in the eyes. "Then I won’t kill you. You will be sent to the authorities, where you’ll answer not only one but thousands of questions."

Vidu knew very well that he had broken a taboo. "Ask," he said.

"Why had you not supported me? I believed we were closer, like real brothers."

Vidu stopped for a second as he lowered his head before raising it up again. "I did, but not in front of you."

Hawk narrowed his eyes in confusion.

"When you told me how Morris murdered your mother, I decided to kill him on my own.

But now... I hate you, because... you poisoned me, destroyed our Blessed Knuckles, and killed Teo. He loved you more than me."

Hawk was speechless, he couldn’t speak a word.

He grabbed Hawk by his neck. "Do you remember my words when you informed me about Morris’s involvement in your mother’s death?" 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Hawk stopped and gathered his thoughts, he couldn’t remember it, he had vague memories clouded by anger. "I can’t remember."

"I will take care of it, brother," Vidu said as he coughed blood.

Hawk’s eyes widened, he remembered it now. Why didn’t he trust Vidu back then, why did he act on his own?

Several questions appeared in his mind.

"You should have trusted me... brother," Vidu said with a stuttering voice.

He said as he grabbed Hawk’s hand and placed it on his neck.

Reginald stepped forward. "Don’t kill him, Hawk. He is to be questioned by the authorities."

However, despite his words, his eyes told something else. He wanted Hawk to ease his brother’s pain, they had both been his nephews at one point in his life.

Hawk knew Reginald was a military man, bound to capture Vidu, and he paid no heed.

The diamond-made knife grew from his knuckle at lightning speed, thrusting into Vidu’s throat.

Vidu coughed for air, bubbles of red blood formed on his lips as he gasped his final breaths.

His eyes were locked on Hawk, tears fell from them, his lips stretched into a painful departing smile as he extended his hand to touch Hawk’s face and mumbled through his bloodied lips. "Live well... my little... brother."

Vidu Morris, the don of The Pit, the fiend, died in the arena.

There were no cheers, no slogans, or celebrations. As if everyone could understand what happened.

A brother killing another brother was not as exciting as they had assumed.

"Why did you kill him when I ordered you not to?" Reginald roared, his voice vibrating.

Hawk didn’t look at him and replied. "I didn’t hear it."

Above in the VVIP chamber, the guy in the silver mask commented. "He intentionally let him die, that crafty Reginald."

"What good would his life have brought?" asked the orange-colored mask.

"Intel! It’s your forte, you know better," the silver masked man replied.

The orange masked man shook his head. "There is someone else to get intel from. Vidu was an experiment."

"Silence." The king ordered.

He looked at Antonio Goldcaster and continued. "I have an offer for you, Mr. Goldcaster."

The king talked with respect, no showcase of power or unnecessary pressure.

"Just say the words, your majesty," Antonio replied.

"I will elevate your social status to that of a Baron."

These words shocked Antonio. He looked at the king in bewilderment. Getting the status of noble was his dream, the only thing he lacked.

But there should be a reason, a bargain. "At what cost, your majesty?" he asked.

The king looked at the screen. "I want that man in my service." He pointed at Hawk.

Max’s heart skipped a beat, a bead of tense sweat rolled down from his temple as he stood stiff.