Blood Tied (Galtean Klance)

- THIRTEEN -

Keith's POV
Keith watched Lance run, barely avoiding Melvark's swings. He could see that Melvark wasn't trying very hard, but neither was Lance.

What are those idiots doing?

Lance ducked under Melvark's swing, and scrambled away. He circled around Melvark until he stood in between the Red Paladin and the Galran commander. Lance paused, catching his breath.

You idiot! Don't stop in front of him!

"Lance--" Keith called out. "Look out!"

Lance turned his head to glance at Keith. From behind him, Melvark swung, hitting Lance with the staff of his axe.

Lance tumbled backwards. The lieutenants leapt aside, avoiding collision with the falling Paladin, but releasing their hold on Keith. Lance fell onto Keith, the impact sent the two rolling until they hit the wall.

"Hey man," Lance whispered into Keith's ear. "You don't need to worry about me, okay? I'll be fine."

"Hey-- Lance--!"

Did you get hit by Melvark intentionally, in order to tell me that?

Melvark grabbed Lance by the back of his collar, and he threw him over his shoulder. Lance hit the ground, armor scratching on the floor.

"Lance!" Keith rose, but two kicks to the back of his knees stopped him. He was forced back o the ground, the lieutenants' hands on his shoulders.

Lance received a kick from the commander, sending him skidding across the floor.

"Lance!" Keith growled. "Keep your dirty hands off him."

Melvark turned his head, smiling impishly. "Oh? Were you talking to me?"

"Stay away from Lance," Keith gritted his teeth. "Melvark."

Melvark's grin turned sinister. "Why don't you stop me, then?"

The commander's grin evaporated quickly, replaced by a look of shock as he was swept off his feet. Melvark fell to the ground.

Lance stood, brushing off his Paladin armor.  "Don't underestimate me -- just because I'm down, doesn't mean I'm out."

Melvark growled. "It wouldn't fare well for you either, if you underestimate me. Tripping me once will not solidify a victory for you."

"Well, I guess I just have to trip you again." Lance smiled mischievously.

The two flew at each-other again, but this time the Blue Paladin had the upper hand.

Melvark seems shaken after falling like that. It looks like he didn't even expect Lance to get back up after being thrown across the room so many times. To be honest, I didn't even expect him to get back up either.

Keith smiled inwardly.

That was almost like the time we fought Sendak in the Castle of Lions.

Keith looked back up at the fight just in time to see Melvark lunge at Lance, grab him by the neck, and shove him to the ground. Melvark lifted his axe off the ground; he twirled it around his fingers once, and then he stabbed it downwards.

The axe only grazed the tip of the Paladin armor, but arcs of electricity shot from the axe, stabbing into the Paladin.

Lance screamed.

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~ A/N! ~

Hi everyone!
Thank you very much for 1K readers! I can't believe there are so many people that would take an interest in reading this! Thank you very much!

To the people who write comments, I do my best to reply to them all, but for some of them, I can't think of the right words to say. Apologies to you if you're still waiting for a response. And thank you for all the motivation and praise - it makes my day!

Thank you for reading!
Best wishes,
Latté