The Duke's Passion

Meanwhile…

"What are you fighting for, Rufus Barrett?" CLANG!

The spark caused by the metals lighted up between Rufus and Acheron. The latter's firm voice resounded after the piercing clash of metals, echoing in the howling silence in the air. Both of their swords rattled against in between two figures holding their ground in their fierce duel.

"I fight for what is right," Rufus breathed out through his gritted teeth, eyes glinting at Acheron. "What are you fighting for, Acheron Roseberg?" f𝗿e𝗲𝘄𝗲bn𝐨𝚟𝚎l.com

Acheron sneered, channeling his stretch to his grip to push Rufus back. Another piercing clang resounded in his ears, jumping up in the air, only to catapult Rufus to launch another attack. CLANG!

Rufus blocked the attack in the nick of time, but the ground underneath his feet created a hollow as a result of that attack. If Rufus was a little weaker, that attack would crush not just his sword, but also him. "I fight for the future," was Acheron's answer, warranting a ridiculing look from Rufus. "No," Rufus remarked, shaking his head mildly. "You fight for your damn king, not the future."

"Your king, Quentin Moriarty, doesn't want the future. He wants to destroy it. You and I know that very well, Acheron Roseberg," he added through his gritted teeth, spewing nothing but facts. "I feel sorry for those people born in this place to have such a cruel and selfish ruler as him."

"You don't know His Majesty!" Acheron pushed Rufus back once again, exerting more strength than he was supposed to. Again, Rufus slid back, harrowing the concrete ground with his feet.

Rufus assessed Acheron when he stopped sliding back. His expression was solemn, noticing the anger in Acheron's eyes that suddenly resurfaced. Even though both men had been fighting, there was mutual respect between them. They were warriors from opposing parties, and they were fighting for what they thought was right. But now, from the looks of it, Acheron was easily angered when Rufus mentioned Zero's name so easily. It wasn't like Rufus lied or he was trying to press Acheron's nerves. That wasn't Rufus's intention; he wasn't like his brother Fabian, who enjoyed annoying people in the middle of a fight. "You…" Rufus straightened his back, holding his sword to the side. Unlike Acheron's energy, which seemed to reach its peak so easily, Rufus maintained his calm demeanor. "... are deluding yourself just because you want to honor your knight's oath."

"My loyalty to my king is not something —"

"If loyalty is taking innocent lives just for the sake of your king's personal gain, then I applaud you for being loyal." Rufus cut him mid-sentence, letting out a short snicker. "I have no words for someone like you since it seemed you already decided to believe your twisted beliefs."

"You are in no position to speak and act so immaculate, Rufus Barrett."

"Indeed, I am not. I had sacrificed many things for my duty as a knight. However, what I can tell you is that even when I pledged to serve my master, Ismael La Crox, I will not tolerate any ridiculous orders such as killing the innocent." A layer of frost coated Rufus's eyes as his breathing slowed down. "My loyalty stems down deeper than you can ever tell. The meaning of loyalty isn't just following orders blindly, but knowing your master's heart and realigning their paths if they ever get astray."

"You knock some senses into them if necessary. My master might disapprove or get irritated, but in the end, I know he would understand," he continued. "We are their subject for a reason because the throne… the throne that people fights for and bathe with blood, is a dangerous power to hold."

"It changes people. I know because I owned one before." Rufus narrowed his eyes, covering himself with a thick aura that appeared to be a silver glow. "I don't think telling you all this will change your beliefs. You had already chosen to follow Quentin, so I assumed that's all that matters."

"It is only a shame…" his tone lowered, keeping his eyes on Acheron. Just moments ago, Rufus looked at the man with high regard, but after their brief interaction, Acheron was no warrior.

In Rufus's eyes, Acheron was a mere dog — a beast that would mindlessly tear anyone if his master ordered to. It wouldn't matter if Zero was in the right or wrong or if the order was for entertainment purposes. People like Acheron were no better than Zero. No matter how strong and capable they were, Rufus had no ounce of pity for them. "... really a shame that you had wasted such a talent for someone like him," Rufus continued under his breath. "But I guess that is the reason you are here fighting me."

Rufus raised his sword, sporting an offensive stance. "I will do as you wish and end you tonight."

"End me?" Acheron laughed weakly, assessing the light glow surrounding his opponent. "What a blessed creature."

Acheron didn't speak anything regarding everything that Rufus's spewed. Although it was annoying, nothing changes their situation. Only death would grant them the liberty to leave this area. Until then, they had to fight with all their might. "It is a blessing to fight such a blessed creature," he said, preparing his sword for another clash. "However, I am the person who will walk out of here alive."

CLASH!

Both men disappeared from their vantage point, meeting halfway as a spark lit up upon the meeting of their blades. This time, however, Rufus didn't let him gain momentum as he launched another attack… and then another one, followed by countless more. Since the beginning of their match, Acheron had been attacking Rufus while the latter mostly defended himself. But now, Rufus didn't stop launching attacks and each of them was more powerful than the previous one. His speed also picked up until Acheron was starting to feel the need to catch up. How was this possible? Just moments ago, they were equal in both strength and speed. Now, Rufus just kept getting faster and stronger, driving Acheron to the corner and giving him no room but to defend himself. As Acheron receive multiple attacks all at once, a realization dawned on him.

Rufus was simply assessing Acheron's strength to match him. Not that Rufus tried to tire him out, but more like, Rufus didn't plan to exert more strength than necessary as he needed to conserve his energy.

"Don't…" Acheron's eyes dilated as time seemed to slow down for him, gazing at the beast rearing in his direction with his sword glinting. "... zone out while in a battle!"

Acheron didn't have time to react before a searing pain across his chest stuck the ends of his nerves.