A crown or this? | minsung

🌙the blood duel

Chan suddenly stood in the crowd, wide eyes and trembling bottom lip. He stood amongst all and watched Minho from afar stop breathing. They stood, facing each other for what felt like an eternity before Chan was given a one handed sword. He clasped the handle carefully and took a step into the ring, looking then at his father with furry in his eyes.

"You are asking me to kill my own blood...?" Chan furrowed his brows and stood his ground. The king laughed shortly and nodded.

"A duel for the crown. Fight for me, for your kingdom, for honour and loyalty." He marched towards his son and placed a hand on his shoulder. "It would make me so proud..."

Chan seemed to shift as he gripped his sword.

Minho stood quietly, waiting for an answer, or a refusal, but Chan turned to him and his eyes had changed. His hand was shaking, slightly, but Minho could notice it. It was not because he was nervous for the fight...it was because he knew how to fight. Very well. Minho knew how to fight, but since his medical condition was still very wary, he did not have the same abilities as he once did.

Both the brother stared into each others gaze, not once looking away.

Jisung felt his stomach drop, like he was watching a scene again. A déjà vu. He didn't show it on his face, but Minho could tell just by how the ground shivered at his feet, he could feel Jisung's heartbeat against it. He wanted to say "everything will be okay." Or even look his way and smile. But he couldn't.

"Did you foresee this?" Chan said lowly so only a few could hear, as they walked around in a spiral, gradually getting closer.

"No. Jisung had in one of his many probabilities...he had warned me this might happen"

"Then you do understand how this ends right? One of us must die."

"I know." The crowd screamed from every single corner, resonating in their ears.

"I know of your injury, this is not a fair fight." Chan said and his eyes softened for a moment before going back to stone cold.

"It's what i need to do."

"I do not want to fight you brother..." chan raised his sword and pointed it at Minho. "But I cannot watch by and do nothing."

"I understand. Nether can I." Minho hit his sword and the fight began.

"It must run in the family"

The second hit stuck send Minho backwards, a heavy blow he had managed to counter quickly. Chan was strong and very fast, he had never seen him fight the two months they had been in the castle.

He crow had flown again quickly before they started and went to Jisung's shoulder.

"You can fight." Minho spoke as he avoided a swing and backed away even more now.

"You sound surprised." chan clashed their swords together and they both held that position, fighting for the stability. If either made a wrong move, the blade would run through their hand like a knife in butter.

"I never once saw you train. Can you blame me?"

"I have trained since I was able to hold a sword"

"Jokes on you, I started when I could hold a knife" they split apart again and more cheers came for them. "When we're you born?"

"October of the year 1322"

Minho chuckled and kept avoiding his swings.

"Why are you laughing?" Chan asked, frustrated.

"I'm one month older then you" he smiled and he finally managed to get the upper hand on their sword exchanges.  He then heard his crow shout from afar and he smiled. Minho gave a quick look at Jisung and nodded, turning back to stare at his brother.