Amaranthine

Chapter Thirty Two

 © Copyright 2011
All work is property of Leah Crichton, any duplication or reproduction of all or part of the work without explicit permission by the author is illegal.

Fratricide: (fra-tri-sahyd)

the act of killing one‘s brother

His steps were soundless.

It wasn’t until the grass moved, betraying his position, that Damien was even aware he was coming. “Ahh, that’s more like it, Orion. I’ve never known you to refuse a challenge.”

I held my breath, trapping air in my chest. I waited, expecting one of them to rush the other one, but it was eerily calm. Orion’s face was cold as stone. “Not really a challenge, Damien. I’d have to have a worthy adversary for it to be considered a challenge. This? This is more like an inconvenience.”

Damien stretched, cocking his head first to the left and then to the right. He straightened his shoulders and tensed, preparing for the battle he had been waiting so long for.

Orion made the first move, extending his giant hand in front of him and pulling his elbow back like a skilled archer. Swiftly, almost before I had time to realize what he was doing, he threw it out in front of his body. A deafening sound ripped through the air, like thunder. The impact of the energy he threw sent Damien barreling across the field, like he had been propelled by rocket fuel. He was momentarily stunned, then disappeared, using the thick brush as a shield. “Is that the best you’ve got?” His voice was condescending. His laughter echoed. It made me shiver.

Orion remained completely composed. Where was his notorious temper when he needed it? “On the contrary, Damien, I haven’t even started yet. Come out, come out wherever you are.” He mimicked Damien’s earlier game. “What’s the matter? You aren’t afraid, are you?”

The voice that responded was ominous. I’m sure it could be heard for miles. “Don’t insult me, Orion, you pathetic little fool.”

Orion looked around for any sign of his brother. His eyes shone brightly. I must have been half a mile away from him, and I could see the blue in his irises gleaming as it did yesterday. “Truly? You call me pathetic, but look at you. You, the vile soul collector. You’re weak.” He was being pompous.  He underestimated both Damien’s speed and agility.

I sat helpless and watched as he made a rapid descent from above, like a skydiver. I had no idea where he had actually came from, but he caught Orion off guard. His body hit his brother’s with force, knocking them both to the ground. I slapped my hand over my mouth to muffle a squeal. Orion was quickly on his feet, and he was angry. He rolled up his sleeves as Damien got to his feet.

Damien growled, his face distorted. Orion didn’t flinch. Damien held both hands down at his sides. His eyes rolled into the back of his head like a venomous snake. His arms started to shake, and the ground beneath him started moving like it was being shoveled away. Angry red flames quickly rose up from it and onto each fingertip. I gasped. 

Orion’s temper erupted; his voice was just as booming as Damien’s was a moment ago. “Come on, snake! This is what you wanted, isn’t it? Well, I’m right here, so come and get me.”

I was too shocked to cry. I wanted to. I wanted desperately to run to Orion and beg him to stop. Fear kept my body frozen to the ground beneath it.

Damien’s fingertips pointed toward Orion, and the fire that came from them was red hot. As his finger extended, the flames swirled and formed a pointed spear. He launched it. I watched, helpless, as it targeted Orion and penetrated his upper arm. I heard a hissing, searing sound, like he’d just been branded. He grimaced and ripped it out, tossing it back at Damien, who ducked. Orion’s aim wasn’t even close. “Tsk, tsk. I think perhaps you’ve underestimated me,” Damien growled. “What a shame!”