Valoria was gaining an upper hand in the war despite their loss. Brandon especially was a force to reckon with. The mention of war had activated something in him that turned him into a beast in human form. Countless bodies were laying on the ship he was on board, drops of blood falling from the tip of his blade. He looked like a god of war that time. Even the Valorians feared him now except the commander who had fought on his side all the while. Brandon’s gaze shifted to the other ships when he spotted Alexander running over the water like Jesus. Surprise, he knocked his head slightly to make sure his eyes were not playing tricks on him. This was insane! And who was he chasing? The sound of a horse galloping caught his ears, spotting a fleeing figure cloaked in a royal veil. That must be Griffin! He had to help Alexander, especially with the other knight blocking his way. But how? He spotted the bodies floating on water, an idea instantly registering in his mind. And turning to the commander, he said, "His Highness needs our help. Propel the ship towards the land and secure the border." The commander found himself nodding despite the fact that he was the one supposed to give the order. He had fought with him and found him strong, not as they had thought of him. He was a force to reckon with. Griffin glanced behind but saw no one coming after him. Maybe the Knight was making it tough for him. After all, he was the best in his elite group. But he wanted Alexander to come after him! He had something in store for the Valorian king. " I’ll take care of this," Alexander heard a voice from behind. It was Sir Brandon. He looked at him skeptically before nodding indiscreetly. He had saved him the time he had to waste on this brat after all. In what could be termed as a blur, Alexander dashed into the forest. He could feel lighter as if the wind was carrying him and within seconds, he spotted a fleeing figure on horseback. Narrowing his gaze at his target, his pace increased even lifting him a few feet off the ground. He was tired of these chases with Griffin and wanted to end this once and for all. But to his surprise, Griffin came to a halt on a clear opening. Was he courting death? If he thought this would be another duel, then he was wrong. He landed softly on the fluffy grass, the gust of wind dissipating. He had learnt this technique just a while ago. What else could he be capable of? "Thought you’d run forever?" Alexander asked, his nails elongating an inch more. He was dying to hold Griffin’s beating heart in his hands. "Sometimes you just don’t have to run," Griffin said alighting his horse,"but work smart." He added flashing that annoying smile Alexander hated so much. He was such a blabbermouth who needed to be shut completely."Are you done?" Alexander asked disinterested. He would kill Griffin with his bare hands! "No!" Griffin said feigning fear. "I just thought you should see this before I... died.""See what?" Alexander asked but heard a soft rustle behind. He craned his neck and saw more knights coming from the forest. No, these were no ordinary knights! Their skin tone! These were witches! For some unknown reason, his heart skipped a bit. He brushed the alien feeling off. After all, he was The One!"Could you ever fight fairly?" Alexander asked a now smiling Griffin. "I just don’t like stressing myself. That’s why I added something else to annihilate you completely. The One will only turn out to be just but a fairy tale." He laughed sinisterly. ’Growl’ Alexander whipped his head to the other side, gasping in surprise. Griffin had gone this far as to make sure he would die! Was this what he referred to as something else? "You broke the rules Griffin!" "Didn’t Valoria break the rule as well? I just sought the help of the witches and this is what they had to offer. Why am I even explaining this to a dead man?" Alexander swallowed the lump in his throat. Fighting the witches alone would have been easy for him at least, but with a dragon! Victory would just but be an unfulfilled desire to him. Griffin knew no fair play!"I knew you’d defeat my men at the blockade but that was just to lure you to... is it hell? I can smell fear... death!" He added to his words by raising his nose in the air. "I’m tired of talking to a standing corpse. Kill him!" *****Brandon was having a hard time dealing with the Crescian knight. Little had he known he was the best, he wouldn’t have dared challenge him. "Pathetic!" The knight scolded inflicting an injury on Brandon’s left hand. He had thought he’d die in the hands of that monster of a king but Lady luck came smiling at him. He was given a human, an Arcadian at that! But he liked his zeal anyways. Brandon groaned in pain as his own blood stained his sleeves. Damn it! The guy was too fast to keep up with. Two injuries already but his enemy looked like he was having fun. This would not end well. The other knights had already gotten into the forest after he had assured them he’d handle the guy alone, now he was being handled!"You should have listened to your weak friends and kill me that instant," the knight mocked. He even had the luxury to walk around with his arms on his back. Brandon knew this was one golden chance he’d not waste. He supported his frame with his sword acting all weak. He wanted him to feel superior and come closer to his demise. He needed to work smart this time. The Knight, noticing a frail Brandon on the ground approached him, holding his chin harshly. "Tell me frail human, how do you want it?" Brandon smirked. "I should be the one asking you that?" He knocked the sword off the Crescian’s hand and drove his blade through his belly. The Crescian didn’t have the tiniest chance to react. "Tell me, is it how you wanted it?" Brandon asked, mockery evident in his voice. He stood and sliced the head off his body.’Growl!’ What the hell was that? And it came from the direction of Alexander! He had to get there fast.