The Absolute Surrender

Chapter 25: Into the Witch's Lair

The morning sun cast a golden hue over the castle grounds as Kalen and Noah prepared for their duel. The warmth of the day seemed to heighten the anticipation of the fight, with the prince's challenge hanging heavy in the air: Land a single blow. This was Noah's only ticket to persuading Kalen to join their quest for the Babylon candle.

Noah paced the palace halls, his mind racing. He knew he couldn't face Kalen head-on; the prince was renowned for his swordsmanship, a skill Noah lacked. Lost in thought, he barely noticed when he collided with the wall, his distraction evident. He winced and fell to the floor, momentarily dazed.

"You are distracted," Roma noted, observing the clumsy mishap with an air of detached concern.

Noah sighed deeply, frustration evident in his expression. "Kalen will only agree to join us if I can land a hit on him. And yes, I'm distracted because I have no idea how to achieve that." He slowly stood up, brushing himself off.

"If you can't win through strength, use your wit and cleverness. There are no rules for this fight. Be imaginative," Roma advised, though his words did little to alleviate Noah's mounting headache.

Later that morning, Noah was gearing up for the fight, donning his armor. The clanking of metal and the weight of the gear were unfamiliar, adding to his nervousness. As he adjusted his helmet, a knock on the door interrupted his preparations. Lilian burst into the room with a worried expression, her eyes widening at the sight of Noah's armor.

"What are you doing, Noah?" she asked, puzzled.

Noah managed a sheepish smile. "I've been invited to spar with the prince. It's part of a plan," he fibbed.

"Why agree to this?" Lilian inquired, sensing there was more to his story.

Noah's awkwardness betrayed him. "Roma found a way to get us home, but it requires Kalen's help. I know you're focused on your duties here, but once this is over, if you want to go back, we'll have the means to do so." He spoke earnestly, hoping she'd understand.

Lilian's concern grew. "You're going to get hurt."

A realization struck Noah. Perhaps there was a way to win after all, and it involved a bit of luck.

"Lilian, can you do me a favor?" he asked, grasping her hand.

She nodded, though unsure of what she could do.

"Watch the fight and cheer me on. If you see that I'm losing, offer me words of encouragement," Noah requested.

Lilian agreed, albeit confused about how her support would help.

The crowd gathered for the duel was electric, their energy palpable. Noah faced Kalen, who stood confidently, his movements fluid and poised. Noah adjusted his stance, feeling the weight of his armor and the intensity of Kalen's gaze. The prince looked like a model warrior, his grace in stark contrast to Noah's awkwardness.

Kalen's initial attack was swift and unexpected, forcing Noah to retreat. Each clash of their weapons resonated through the arena, and Noah struggled to keep up. He was on the brink of dropping his sword under the relentless assault when he managed to kick Kalen's legs, causing the prince to stumble. Noah seized the moment to catch his breath, the soldiers' jeers and cheers fading into background noise.

"You can give up now, Noah," Kalen taunted, his voice dripping with disdain. His eyes narrowed as he watched Noah, the flickering torchlight casting sharp shadows on his face. The room was tense, the air thick with the stench of smoke and the oppressive weight of looming defeat.

Noah's lips tightened into a firm line, fighting the urge to lash out. The words stung, but he forced himself to focus, his gaze sweeping over the cluttered surroundings in search of any possible advantage. Sweat trickled down his brow, mingling with the grime of the battle, but his resolve remained unshaken.

Kalen's voice was cold and unyielding. "You can't win," he continued, matter-of-factly, each word cutting through the silence with icy precision. The confidence in his tone was palpable, like the certainty of a storm gathering on the horizon. His posture was relaxed, almost casual as if he were discussing the weather rather than sealing Noah's fate.

Noah's jaw clenched as he continued to scan the area, ignoring the taunt. His breath came in steady, controlled bursts, each exhale a testament to his determination. He knew that any slip in his concentration could spell disaster, but the resolve to succeed and prove Kalen wrong fueled his every movement.

Desperation drove Noah to initiate an attack, but Kalen effortlessly blocked it. Noah was forced to back down, panting heavily, sweat streaming down his face. Just when hope seemed lost, Lilian's voice cut through the crowd's roar.

"Noah! Don't give up! I trust you and I believe you can win this!" Her voice cut through the haze of despair like a beacon of hope. The fervor in her words wrapped around Noah, providing a lifeline amidst the encroaching darkness.

Noah turned towards Lilian, her earnest eyes shimmering with unwavering faith. Her encouragement rekindled a spark within him, illuminating his path forward. In a swift, decisive motion, he sprinted towards her, closing the distance between them with a desperate urgency. He pressed a tender kiss to her cheek, Lilian momentarily stunned, her cheeks flushing a deep crimson.

Returning to the fight, Noah seemed reinvigorated, his movements sharp and decisive. He noticed the shift in Kalen's demeanor—jealousy and frustration flickered in the prince's eyes. Kalen attacked with renewed aggression, but his recklessness created openings.

As Kalen's blade swung wildly, Lilian's voice cut through the chaos, offering a lifeline of encouragement. The sound of her support guided Noah's actions, helping him evade the prince's desperate strikes.

"Noah!"

Kalen hesitated, distracted by Lilian's shout. At that moment, Noah seized the opportunity, driving his blade to Kalen's neck. The prince's eyes widened in shock at the realization of his defeat.

A hush fell over the arena until Roma stepped forward, confirming the outcome. Kalen's reaction was a mix of disbelief and amusement.

"I may not match your strength, but I can create distractions," Noah said, barely standing. Exhaustion and relief mingled in his voice.

Kalen's surprise gave way to laughter. "Clever—evil but clever," he conceded, shaking Noah's hand. As Noah collapsed from fatigue, Kalen's respect for him was evident, their duel ending with an unexpected camaraderie.

**********

Noah's curiosity was piqued as they ventured deeper into the dark forest. "Tell me about this witch, Galinda," he asked. The journey had been swiftly arranged following Kalen's defeat in a public altercation. They needed to move quickly, as Kalen was expected to assist his brother in preparing for the impending attack on Lavitica.

As they rode through the dense, shadowy woods, Noah found himself uneasy despite his usual fearlessness. In his world, monsters and beasts were mere myths, easily vanquished with a well-placed punch. But in this realm, the air grew thicker and more pungent the further they went, setting off alarm bells in his senses.

"Legend has it that Galinda terrorizes villagers and innocent beings," Roma explained, his voice grim. "She delights in causing chaos. She's a malevolent witch of extreme danger."

Noah's unease deepened. "What powers does she possess?"

"Witches wield powerful magic, and the extent of harm they can inflict varies," Kalen chimed in.

Noah swallowed hard, trying to process the gravity of their situation. "Have there been recent attacks in this part of the forest?"

"No one knows for sure, but those who stray into this land rarely return to tell the tale," Roma replied, sending another shiver down Noah's spine.

"This quest seems perilous. How do we defeat Galinda?" Noah asked, seeking clarity.

"They have a few weaknesses," Kalen said. "Decapitation, stabbing, and ripping out their hearts. They're not immune to physical pain."

Noah considered their predicament, understanding the necessity of Kalen's presence. Yet, he worried that if the witch was as formidable as they claimed, approaching her would be almost impossible.

"We're almost there," Roma warned. Kalen grimaced as the horses stepped onto the muddy trail.