Kleftis

Release

They broke the grip of their hands to a large creak of giant doors swinging open.

"Kleftis!" Rang a deep and solid voice, "You should be applauded! You bested me in battle many times!"

Kleftis turned to see a huge, cloaked man. His cloak was white and his hood was up.

"A whole five times! That's more than anyone has ever done! You should be proud of yourself. You are more than a rusty sword in combat."

Kleftis tried to sound brave and call out "When have we met?" But what came out was more of a "Whinvveeut......"

"We met the very first day of your life as I remember. When 'Mama' saved your baby-self. Really, babes shouldn't be left to drown like that. What was their problem?"

"Whowhatwhen?"

"You mean no one ever told you? Poor Kleftis. You are of royal decent, the rightful prince and heir to the throne. It was instructed unto the doctor that delivered you that you were to be destroyed. If I were you I would thank 'Mama' for saving you.

That was when we first laid eyes on each other. Your first dance in the arms of tragedy."

Kleftis was filled with courage "If what you say is true, then I want revenge! Who wishes for my mortality?"

Pulchritudo chimed in "Kleftis, revenge is not the way. You passed and it's over."

Kleftis snapped back "I'll say what I do with my afterlife!"

"I've tried to hard to bring you here and you just up and leave like that!?"

The white-cloaked man interrupted "The deal was to never mention that! It's over!"

The giant spoke some chants that echoed through the hall and Pulchritudo's skin began to whither.

Kleftis shouted "What have you done?" As he ran to his love

"I'm off into eternal damnation. Goodbye, my dear." Pulchritudo leaned forward to kiss Kleftis as she faded away into dust.

Through soft tears, Kleftis screamed "WHY? WHAT DID SHE DO THAT YOU HAD TO DO THIS? IF I BEAT YOU FIVE TIMES BEFORE, I CAN DO IT AGAIN! BRING IT!"

The hood shrunk into Kleftis' size and threw him a sword "En Guard!"

Kleftis swung first but it was easily deflected by the hood. Kleftis remained the attacker for quite some time when he delivered the first blow. The hood hollered and then he became the offense.

They continued like this, blow for blow, for a long while before Kleftis stabbed the hood through the chest.

"Death cannot die." Declared the hood

He then ripped out the blade and claimed it for his own. Kleftis charged forward and tackled the hood which knocked both swords away.

Kleftis repeatedly punched the hood's face until he tired of it.

"Give me Pulchritudo before I make death die."

"I can do you one better." Exclaimed the hood as he rose to his feet.

Dust began to gather by Kleftis' feet when this dust became Pulchritudo.

The hood made this statement "You must make a choice, competitor. Mama or your beautiful rose. One of them will be risen up to the over world along with you to exact revenge. One will be sent to eternal damnation, and never to return. This choice is mandatory, there is no backing out. Choose wisely."

Just then, Mama's and Pulchritudo's lips were sown shut by some magical force.

Kleftis was made to make this decision without any influences.