Brothers II

#14 What Happened Then And What Will Happen Now

Odie continued, heading below, walking past multiple cells before arriving at the very end… He opened the door, finding Kired standing in the middle of the room, smiling at him. “Brother…” “Quit that smile.” Odie said coldly towards him, anger burning in every word he spits out. “I’m not here to release you.” Kired gave a gentle smile. “I know that.” He said with a tone the complete opposite of Odie’s, it’s gentle, welcoming but still not understanding, they still have their similarities. Odie *Shut* the door, glaring at Kired, his eyes burning red in anger. “This will be the last day of your life.” “Brother…” Kired gave him a sad smile, a fake one. “I know what happened… Killing me won’t solve your problem.” “So?” “I’m not the source of your problem.” “So?” “It’s the people, the public, everyone in the Kingdom. They’re–“ “Everyone in the kingdom includes you, Kired.” He took a step forward. “I can’t kill everyone but I can kill you… and a few others.” “Brother… I know you’re just jealous of me–“ Odie grabbed Kired by the collar, pointing a sword at his neck. “I should’ve done this long ago, I have no idea why I didn’t.” Kired struggled, flailing his feet at the blood coming out from his neck, being harvested by Odie’s sword. “Brother, people aren't fair– ah– they judge you for what they see first– Ah!” Kired grunted, hissing. “Brother– remember the time you first fought in a battle? Nrk– Everyone made fun of you for almost dying just after the battle started– ah– You were constantly being protected by Seran, making everyone see you as a burden. You didn’t like that so you charged ahead without thinking… You almost d-died… But no one knows what happened to me…” Kired confidently smiled at him. “Would you like to know?” Odie didn’t answer… He moved back his sword a bit. “I was fighting as usual but then my sickness attacked me, I was coughing so much, I couldn’t fight, I had to escape. But I was already in the middle of battle, and I was being attacked… Do you want to know what I did?” Kired looked Odie in the eye, anger and something couldn’t be described contrasting each other, but he’s sure that it isn’t kindness. “I used my soldiers as shields so I could escape.” Odie’s eyes widened. “I was the reason why we lost that battle.” Kired gave a small laugh at Odie’s disbelief. “Many people saw me, brother. I wonder why– Ack!” Odie’s sword continued slowly piercing Kired’s neck. “They favour you, that’s why.” “Is that fair?” “Absolutely not.” “I was sick.” “That’s no reason to use other people to die so you can survive. You’re selfish.” “It’s not an excuse to humiliate you, right?” “No.” “Is that my fault?” “...” Odie froze… He has no answer forming in his head. “I made no effort to hide what I did. Is it my fault they ignored it? Is it my fault that they humiliated you?” “…” “Brother…” Kired’s hand reached for Odie’s cheek– Odie slapped Kired’s hand away. “It’s still your fault that–“ “That what? What did I do brother? I never humiliated you, never once made fun of you… In fact, the only thing I did with your name is compliment you." Kired gave him a gentle smile. "Do you remember brother? Those time I remarked how strong you are? I always felt you never believed my compliments but what I have said is true brother. You can climb literal buildings after all and…" Odie stared at Kired in shock… He’s crying? "I  can’t… I hate you… I’m cursed with a body so sickly and weak while you’re so strong and healthy. I hate you, you have what I wanted in my entire life." Kired wiped away his tears. "...But I never showed my hate. You're what I wanted to be, Insulting you will do nothing but make you hate me." Kired glared at Odie. "But you still hated me, and it's not even my fault. I hated you even more because of that. ...You know? Hate seems to be the only thing we had in common… and the wish to be each other too… That’s so fucking hilarious. Haha!" Kired’s eyes widened and he grabbed Odie’s hand, clasping them in his own. “Brother, I have an idea! Let’s rule together! You’ll hand me your strength and intelligence in battle and I’ll hand you my knowledge on keeping the Kingdom stable! I’ll help you! Let’s spend time together! Let’s help each other! We're brothers anyways!” Odie pulled his hand away, glaring at Kired. “No. Fuck you.” “Why not? Don’t you want to avenge Aurus?” Odie froze… Revenge? “You never thought of that?” No, I didn’t… Why didn’t I think of that? That should be my first thought. To avenge Aurus. Bring justice for him. Bring Fillian to justice… Fillian… King Fillian… I’ll fucking kill you.