Kingdoms Divided

Chapter 20

The journey to the next battle is longer than what Jiban is used to when he fought with the Kingdom of Lun. He realizes most battles take place farther from the Northern Kingdom, probably because most know that the Northern Kingdom would have a great advantage if they were to fight in the climate that only they are used to. Him and his brother keep exchanging looks throughout the journey, almost like Jiro is making sure he stays in line. Jiro knows how Jiban feels about fighting for their kingdom now, but he has to have him here. Jiban knows that he needs to be on the battlefield as well. He hopes that maybe if he can prove himself and that he can change the way things in the North are run. He is finally slowly starting to accept his fate as king, and is planning on changes to make. It might have been his father's near death experience, but he knows the day will come someday, and he will take over the Northern Kingdom.

Jiban's old friends are trying to talk to him, but all he can think about is how he may be able to change the Northern Kingdom. He'll be king, so it's not like there's much people can do to question it. The people already hate him, so if he got enough on his side so that he could be protected, he could make a real change. 'I'll have time before father passes.' He thinks, knowing there are at least some who would stick to his side. He also knows that there are some people who would prefer the way of life that the Kingdom of Lun has in comparison to what the Northern Kingdom currently has.

"We stop here." Jiro calls out and everyone stops their horses, holding themselves in place. Many soldiers once again listen to Jiro's verbal commands, but others wait for Jiban to stop his horse before they follow along. Jiban looks back at his brother who is now looking away from him. Jiban goes over to his brother to try and have a conversation, but an arrow is shot, hitting a soldier by Jiban. "They're here!" Jiro shouts and the battle begins.

It takes only a moment before Jiban reacts and rides closer towards the opposing kingdom, but the closer he gets, the more he realizes that it is not the Kingdom of Lun. The red uniforms are easily seen as they charge towards the Kingdom of Red. This lifts a pressure he's been hiding, he couldn't kill the ones he once trained with. The ones he once fought with, but at least the Kingdom of Red, they are a common enemy.

Jiban is quick, and a lot better than what he once was before leaving the Northern Kingdom. Some soldiers are shocked with how much he's changed, but only some notice his style of fighting is completely different. Jiro sees Jiban's fighting off multiple soldiers at one time and makes his way over to him. "Need some help brother?" Jiro asks as he joins his brother in the fight. This makes Jiban smile, it is just like before he left. "Glad to have you back on my side brother." Jiban says and the two proceed to fight the Kingdom of Red off together.

The two then see two individuals with blood across their faces, one being an older man, and the other is trying her hardest to protect the older man. The older man is leading the army which makes Jiban and Jiro understand who the man is quickly. They look at each other and both make their way through the crowd to the two red royals. "You take the girl, brother. I'll take the king." Jiban intructs and Jiro nods before breaking from Jiban to distract the girl.

Jiro fights with her for a moment before the girl gets far enough so that she is distracted, leaving an opening for Jiban to go in and take a strike towards King LeForce. The king is slightly caught off guard from this encounter, but he quickly turns cold and they both start to duel one another. They take different approaches at what tactic to go for, trying their best to slash the other, but only end up striking swords every time.

Jiban notices that the battlefield is getting bloodier and he is an obvious target. The noise is growing and before he even can blink he sees the white and silver uniforms joining the battle. He doesn't have time to make out any faces, and tries to not let himself become distracted from the duel he is currently having with the king. He realizes that if he doesn't get away that he doesn't have enough people on his side to defend him now. He knows that the Kingdom of Lun won't see Ji, they'll see his uniform and shoot. His own kingdom's soldiers aren't all on his side, he doesn't have enough coverage to stay out in the open.