Fan Fiction ❯ Interitus ❯ Murder and Redemption ( Chapter 2 )

In the clearing of a deep forest, below a full moon, a young man waited, waited for something, or someone. Finally, after what seemed like hours, another young man appeared out of the gloom and spoke.

"My friend, you know it does not have to end like this-"

"Draw your sword." The other man abruptly ordered, cutting off his friend's offer. "I told you before, I want it this way."

"I know what you told me, but I do not believe that is what you truly want. Karagon, you were always a just man, I can explain everything-"

"I know what I saw Korinth." Karagon said, cutting off his friend once more.

"It's not what you think. I swore along time ago that I would never take anything away from you that rightfully belonged to you, especially Illidell." Protested Korinth.

Karagon winced visibly and took a while to answer again. "Never," Karagon said fiercely through gritted teeth. "Never, say that name to me again."

Korinth studied Karagon's face, seeing the pain, sadness, and anger written all over his best friend's face broke his own heart. "Karagon, please, it pains me to see you like this, why must you end it this way? There is still a chance, to resolve this without blood being shed."

"No Korinth, there is no other way, not for me." Karagon said solemnly. "I could never love Illi-her again after I saw what happened tonight."

"I didn't kiss her Karagon." This was answered by a rude sound.

"And I am to believe you? I saw you together, against the wall, locked lips. I saw the evidence, there's no way of denying it Korinth."

"Karagon, she confronted me."

"Oh, so now you blame the girl for your betrayal? I thought you were an honest man."

"Karagon! Listen to yourself! You aren't thinking! Your anger is clouding your senses. Don't make the mistake that could ruin your life Karagon."

"Enough!" Korinth, startled, looked up into the face of his best friend. A man who he had shared all his secrets with, a man he had confided, a man he had stood up for, a man he thought he had known so well. "This ends now!" Karagon said with a steel cold voice that matched his ice blue eyes. And without another word he drew his sword.

Korinth watched him sadly and bowed his head. And murmured sadly.

"It has already ended."

Slowly, the sad, young man drew his sword. Karagon, hearing Korinth's remark tightened his grip on his sword.

The duel began. It started with a clash of steel. Clang! Clash! Bam! Karagon tripped over a trunk but was quick to his feet. Expressionless, but determined, he threw all his heart into the battle. Slash! Bash! Clang! Both were skillful fighters and both were evenly matched. Karagon quickly seized offense and began backing Korinth into the trees. Korinth half-heartedly parried and blocked, having no intention to fight his best friend. Steel grated steel, sparks flew, and hilts locked. Minutes passed, and Karagon was beginning to tire, but his inside pain drove him onward. Korinth on the other hand was nowhere near exhaustion. Quickly he glanced at Karagon's face. Though he had hid it well, Korinth could see the devastating pain that had seized his heart. To see his friend in pain hurt Korinth's heart as well. Illidell, Karagon's lover had no right to break his heart like this and place them fighting against each other. She had fallen in love with him, while Karagon was away on a quest. He had done all that he could to turn her away. He had told her politely, and he had told her forcefully, but despite his efforts, he was unable to prevent the jealousy from growing in his beloved friend's heart. Not only that, he was unable to prevent Illidell, from kissing him, and sparking Karagon's anger. He could no longer stand the agony. He finally pleaded one last time.

"Please, don't do this." His plea was answer by a defiant bark of laughter.

"Blood Brother Wolf," Karagon visibly tensed at the mention of his special name, that Korinth had given him. "I know the pain that you are feeling and I know you are suffering. You know that I would do anything for you, to take away your pain. If killing me will make your pain go away…" Tears welled up in the devoted friend's eyes. "Then I willingly offer my life to you, my blood brother." As soon as these words left his mouth, Korinth dropped his sword and opened his arms to his friend, preparing to die. So sudden and surprising was his friend's actions that he was unable to stop his sword from thrusting his sword forward, into the chest of the man he had once called brother.

Karagon fell to his knees, dumbfounded. A bloodied sword fell clattering to the ground from his shocked hand. He sat staring into the lifeless sorrowful eyes of a young man, stabbed through the heart by a sword, his sword. Karagon stared at his sword. It had been his fathers, carved intricately in swirling designs. Now the carvings, once bright and gleaming, were dull and stained with drying blood, blood that would never wash away. For this sword had done sin.

"Korinth?" a young woman with long black hair rushed out of the darkness. Her brilliant purple eyes widened with horror as she knelt by her dead brother.

"Korinth! Korinth! Wake up! Korinth!" the woman was shaking the young man sobbing and crying out his name. Finally she whirled around to face Karagon.

"You," she murmured. The woman thrust her finger out and pointed at the guilty young man. "YOU!" She screamed. A burning hatred filled her heart as she grabbed her dead brother's sword. "I'll KILL you for what you've done!" She screamed. And surprisingly, she handled the blade quite well, stunning Karagon as he dodged to the side. Korinth must have taught her how to fight with a sword. Karagon found himself suddenly fighting for his life as the raging woman flung at him a series of difficult moves that often found their mark. He winced as she stabbed him in the arm a third time. Finally, knowing that he was going to die otherwise, he leapt up on a ledge and sprang upon the girl, pinning her to the ground. A long struggle commenced. The sister, whose name was Relena was determined not to give up, but Karagon was of heavier build and stronger than she was. Karagon finally spoke.

"Relena, I am sorry about your brother. I had not realized what an awful thing I had planned to do until it was too late. He was a good friend and I will do anything to get him back. I am sure there is a way. But in the meantime, I plead with you, for Korinth's sake, to set aside your anger and hatred for now. I do not wish to make the same terrible mistake I have already made again."

And with these words spoken, Relena could bear the pain no longer, and burst into tears.