The Borrower and the Fairy Prince

Chapter 44: Ignis is a Party Pooper

"Are you okay?" Roman asked when he was sure they were far enough to be heard.

"I... no. This is wrong, it's horrible," Virgil said, looking down at the ground. "But more importantly, what if this means he's stronger?"

"You're afraid." Roman resisted the urge to hug Virgil, instead just holding his hand as they made their way back to the colony. The sooner they get there the better, they're safe there.

"I don't... I don't want him to hurt anyone." He didn't want to get hurt again. If he faced Ignis and lost again, then Ignis would do everything to make sure he dies this time. The twisted plants give him a huge advantage over nature fairies, if the dark plants hurt them then no one can stop it. "Seeing that bush... it made my stomach turn."

"You've been training really hard, you've gotten stronger! I'm sure he won't even be able to put a scratch on you," Roman said. He knew exactly what Virgil was thinking. "You'll be able to protect me if you ever need to."

"I don't know... I don't think I'm strong enough."

"I know you are, you just need a win." Roman stopped walking and looked back to where they came from. "Let's ask Remus to spar with you."

"Alright," Virgil agreed.

"And hey, let's do it at the river. We haven't been there in awhile! I miss our spot."

The prince loved the way Virgil's mouth tugged. "I thought it was just your spot?"

"It's yours as much as it's mine, love. And you're gonna beat my brother in a fight there today!"

"Well, I'll do my best."

Roman gave him a kiss on the forehead. "I know you will."

~~~

"We're here!" Remus called, bringing Janus and Patton behind him. The green prince had gone to get Patton before meeting up with them at the river, since Logan was at the meeting they didn't want Patton to be alone.

"It's about time," Roman huffed, crossing his arms. Virgil had them hide under a bush until they saw them, he wanted to avoid any encounter with Ignis until he was sure he could beat him in a fight.

"Oh please, I'm sure you two kept each other entertained." Remus smiled suggestively, making Roman blush bright before Janus smacked the back of his head.

"We did no such thing!" Roman shouted.

"Roman laid his head in my lap," Virgil told them.

"Aw!" Patton gushed, folding his hands up.

Roman folded his arms against his chest and pouted, "Traitor."

"Okay, let's get started," Remus said, his wings fluttering slightly in excitement. "Get ready to have your ass handed to you!"

"Good luck," Virgil told him, pulling out his knife as Roman backed away, deciding to stand in front of the still frozen river. Janus and Patton quickly went over to him, Janus standing as Patton sat cross legged and began to melt some water to play with.

Janus sighed before shouting, "Begin!"

Virgil ran forward and Remus raised his arms, making roots tear out of the ground in just one second. Roman gasped at how fast they moved, the roots going to stab Virgil only for the borrower to dodge easily.

Remus hovered in the air, but Virgil just climbed a nearby tree and tried to jump at him. The prince dodged him and Virgil grabbed a root before dropping to the ground.

He jumped and rolled when roots shot towards him to grab him. The borrower ran to the side, jumping and ducking to avoid the plants. He felt something grab his ankle and found himself hanging upside down, but cut the root with his knife on instinct.

He dropped to the ground and started running again before any of the roots could grab him. Virgil tried to once again go after Remus, but the roots slowed him down as he fought them or dodged them.

"It's not really fair that Remus is flying," Roman commented.

"Ignis won't fight fair, and Virgil told Remus to fight however Ignis might," Janus told him. "If Remus didn't fight dirty then Virgil definitely would have won by now."

Patton twirled a ball of water around and continued to sit cross legged. "He could probably beat me in a fight even if I did fight dirty."

"You're not much of a fighter, dear."

"I could be, you never know."

Roman winced when Virgil was hit by a root, knocking him back. The borrower got up and continued the fight as if nothing happened.

He climbed another tree, managing to avoid the branches that Remus tried to use against him. He jumped once again at Remus, who used a branch in an attempt to hit him but Virgil just landed on it before jumping again.

The three spectators winced when Virgil landed on Remus, bringing him back to the ground. The prince groaned but Virgil just held his knife to his throat, keeping him pinned.

Virgil was tense, waiting for something to happen but instead Remus just sighed.

"Well, you won." The prince laid back into the dirt, putting his hands under his head.

"You won!" Roman repeated, flying at them and pulling his boyfriend off of his brother and into a hug.

Virgil smiled before laughing, hugging the prince back. "I finally did it!"

"I told you that you could! You gotta give yourself some credit! You're an awesome fighter!"

Remus sat up, rubbing his head. "Roman, your boyfriend hurt me!" he complained.

Roman laughed, but let go of Virgil and held his hand out to Remus. His brother grabbed it, and the crown prince pulled him up while letting his magic flow into him to heal any injuries.

"You'll be fine," he said, a smile still on his face. "But I'm so proud of him! He beat you with no magic!"

"You both fought great!" Patton added. "Right Jan?"

"Yes, and I imagine that because of all of this training Virgil will be even more interesting to spar with," Janus agreed. "I'm going to have to train harder if I want to keep my score of beating you in every fight. This win is proof of your growth."

Virgil scratched the back of his head and sheepishly said, "I just used a dirty trick, I don't know if it would even work on Ignis."

The victory was short lived since the roots that Remus used in his fights turned black, twisting into spikes. Both prince's and guards felt their hearts drop, and Patton was both concerned and confused.

Janus grabbed both Remus and Patton, looking around for where Ignis might be as Virgil grabbed Roman and did the same. The borrower gripped his knife tight and Remus made two spears grow out of the ground, giving one to Janus.

"No, that trick won't work on me," a voice said, grabbing their attention. They looked over to see a bush shrivel up as Ignis walked by. His wings and eyes were completely black, and dark veins trailing down his face as if his cheeks were cracked. He seemed to look at Virgil and smiled, "Why hello again. I'm afraid I have some unfinished business with you."