It was too damn bright. It was always too bright in the cities. That's why Rio preferred the dream realm. He felt more alive there.

Also when he was in the dream realm he didn’t get bored, with plenty of things to kill. Here the only thing he could kill was his communicator.

“None whatsoever.” Rio was watching the sensation of the network. An awakened who showed impossible feats in the dreamscape, not even using his aspect to dominate the competition. Rio watched the armored terror cut down countless enemies. Then he beat the Champion Queen Bee, and even survived some rounds with Morgan of valor. This Mongrel had Rio’s respect. Analyzing his enemies, and even replicating their fighting techniques.

Rio put his communicator into his short’s pocket when he sensed someone approaching. He touched the new memory on his ear. The man Rio was meeting was Mordret of Valor. You could tell by the names they were related. ‘I wonder if he did that on purpose?’

The feather glimmered on his ear, giving its protection from soul and mind attacks. Rio already had an aspect to do that, but he wasn’t taking chances with Mordret. The Prince of Valor copied or took over Masters with his aspect.

“Riollo Song?” The man asked. Rio regarded the man with cold eyes. A tall slender body with a mop of black hair. His skin was paled, and his eyes gave no hint of vulnerability. Rio always looked at eyes, to see a person’s true feelings. Rarely did he find someone who could hide them so well. Seeing Mordret made him truly think of Morgan, they looked identical with the former being older.

Mordret smiled and his eyes reflected the shimmering memory on Rio’s ear.

“Do I scare you, Rio?”

“Not really, that’s supposed to be my job.” Mordret brushed his hair. “We’re twins.” Rio said, and watched everything about the man. Mordret was at least five years older than him, and even though they were the same rank, Mordret had this eerie feeling around him, like he wasn’t fit for his body.

Rio’s fingers twitched and he grabbed his arm. Mordret eyed him, and Rio shoved his hands into his hoodie pocket. ‘Not now dammit.’ Rio summoned his storage memory and pulled out three shards. Mordret stood and watched the master absorb the shards before speaking.

“I would have thought you’d already saturated your core? Or are you using your aspect?”

“Why would I use my aspect on you? I already know you.”

“Do you?” Mordret tilted his head and Rio locked eyes with him. Danger. Rio felt a strange power within Mordret. The only other person to feel like this was the Heiress of the Immortal Flame clan that Rio saw. Nephis.

“I was wondering what kind of master they paired me with, what are you like?” The feeling vanished. Rio smiled, and took off his charm. Such a charm was useless against this person, only Rio's aspect could really protect him.

“I always get the troublemakers.” Rio turned and walked. Mordret stayed put until Rio was out of view, and finally decided to follow.

“Where are we going, Master Riollo?”

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

“You’re older than me, call me Rio. And I’ll call you Mord…Moret? Mort? More?”

“Mordret is fine.” Mordret repeated his question. Rio didn’t answer until they came out into a wealthy looking part of the city.

“Only a fool plays on a board they don't know.” Rio led him to a row of mansions. He pushed open the gates to a smaller one, with its lights out. Mordret begane to walk slower.

“I’m not trying to kidnap you, it's a little too late for that.” Rio opened the door and the lights flicked on.

“What is this place?”

“A house, usually a place where people live, but sometimes it's a sign of poor money management.” Rio led the prince down the empty halls. White walls, with nothing on them. Marble floor, with no signs of passage. And furniture that has no signs of use.

“Now, should we get started?” Rio pushed the dusty couches aside and cleared an area in the living room. Mordret raised an eyebrow.

“Are you asking to fight me?”

“No, I’m being your wingman for your next date, you completely sucked on your first one if they assigned me to be your babysitter.”

Mordret gave an odd look and Rio didn’t understand for a moment.

“Right, you’re a kid with daddy issues, you don’t get sarcasm. Yes, I’m asking to fight.” Rio’s clothes disappeared, replaced with a blue and green chiton. A spear of elegant silver shimmered into his hand.

Mordret put his hands into his pocket and an echo appeared, or at least it looked like an echo. This creature was glassy looking, and both human and nonhuman. A curve blade of obsidian manifested into Mordret’s hands, and he took a stance. The room that showed no evidence that someone lived there was now teaming with activity. The furniture and rugs blew apart to tiny pieces, the windows cracked from the aura and fierce conflict.

Rio slid Ocean’s wrath in between Mordret’s defenses and put it deep into the man’s shoulder. The echo moved, wielding a spear like Rio’s, however the image broke before it could

strike. Mordret looked stunned for a moment before raising his blade again. Rio slammed his body into mordret, getting up and close, looking into the empty eyes of the Prince of War.

“Fight damnit.” Rio growled. The floor was rupturing, and the ceiling shook. Mordret’s surprise turned to glee and he moved, faster than Rio.

Experience. That was the deciding factor to Rio’s survival. He blocked the black blade before it connected with his neck.

‘This bastard isn’t an ordinary Master.’ Rio reinforced his body with essence and the real battle began.

Mordret moved again, another echo appeared behind Rio. Rio ducked and shoved the but of his spear into the beast’s body. The echo flew back, landing in the only intact couch.

Mordret was happy. Rio could tell. Someone could hide feelings in their eyes, but never make them. Rio spun Ocean’s wrath, shoving the blade deep into Mordret’s arm. The memory shuddered against the Master’s hard body. Both of Rio’s attacks didn’t draw blood.

“I’m surprised. My aspects won't work on you. I’m intrigued, what did Song find?” Mordret moved again, this time Rio couldn’t block or dodge. The black blade reflected both of their grinning faces. The blade cut most of Rio’s side, threatening his spine.

Rio fell to the ground, the marble floor became slick by his blood. Mordret let out a cruel laugh and looked at Rio.

Rio looked back with a similar expression. Mordret probably didn’t expect this. Once would beg for mercy in this situation. But Rio could only smile. Why wouldn't he? He just found someone interesting.

“I like you, Rio.” Mordret said, the blade vanishing. The room was much better than before. Artistic cracks slithered through the floor and walls, the chairs and tables nothing but splinters, and the sun shining through the fractured glass.

“You’re no ordinary Master, Mordret.” Rio held his side, and stood up. Mordret had slipped his blade past his armor, truly skillful.

“Let’s go kill a saint.”