The Basilisks were all in favor of Zain usurping his father and taking his place as ruler. After all, they were all but eager to see the downfall of the humans that plagued the lands. Even those who were loyal to the King had their doubts. Bram had long reached his peak and his sons, Zain and Lamont had easily surpassed him. Zain, however, that much more due to him being the eldest son.

The humans also weren’t doing the world any favors. Although they had nearly reached the top of the pecking order despite not having any forms of magic the steps they were taking to get there weren’t kind on the environment.

The Basilisks loathed the fact that they were able to make use of the final gift that Chumana had left them. Using that gift against them to form a curse. While in return they gained only the leftovers of what they could produce.

They were sick of this. Zain as well, although he had a different goal in mind. The traitorous son could be seen smiling at his father who had managed to fight against his pain and rise to his feet. If there was one thing he could admit it was the fact that he had courage.

“I knew it’d take a lot to keep you down,” Zain muttered as he approached his father once more, flipping his spear around to strike his father with the blunt end of it, knocking him onto the ground.

“Naagh!” Bram fell onto the ground, lying helplessly on his back as he looked up at his son who stood over him, directing the bladed end of his spear towards his throat.

“I’ll give you one last chance to yield. Recognize that you have lost and save yourself some dignity.” Zain said coldly, watching his father intensely.

The King, however, returned his stare and gave off a smile. “You’ll have to kill me if you wish that title, I won’t be giving it away for free.”

Hearing this angered Zain, seeing his father even in defeat was still defying him of what he wanted. He had fantasized about this… but it never went down like this. He didn’t think his father would be so stubborn even in the end. He stiff chuckle left his lips as he drew his blade back before hearing his name being called out.

“Zain!!”

Was it the humans from earlier? Did they return so soon? No, it was his brother, but he wasn’t alone it seemed. There was another human with him, a female. Keianna.

“It’s about time you showed up. I was thinking you didn’t care about our dad.”

“What have you done? Where are the others? Don’t tell me…”

“Dead. They stumbled perfectly into my trap.”

“Jace dead? Give me a break.” Keianna scoffed. “He’s way too stubborn to die. And don’t you dare underestimate Yadon and Isaac.”

“Being stubborn merely permits a slower death.” Zain aimed his spear at the duo.

“Why are you doing this? You must have a pretty damn good reason for this.” Lamont stared at his brother, his eyes glancing around until they spotted his wounded father.

“King. That’s all this is about. I should be next in line, not you. You aren’t ready for this.”

“That’s not for you to decide! Dad made his choice!”

“Before he knew he had another son. That’s fine. We’ll decide who’ll have their moment in that seat. Place your life on the line and fight me.”

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“If that will stop this foolishness.”

“The throne room will be perfect for this. Guards make sure Bram gets a front-row seat.” Zain begins to walk off, heading into the castle.

“Are you sure you’re up for this? I’m pretty sure I can finish him off now.” Keianna states.

“It has to be me. This madness will end with my own hands. I wouldn’t want to complicate our relationship any further.” Lamont sighed.

Keianna shrugged, not caring for political stuff like that, but she didn’t want to cause more trouble. What Zain had said earlier on couldn’t have been true. Are the others dead? No, they wouldn’t lose to him.

Lamont had Keianna return to her friends while he met Zain in the throne room. The golden throne was bare with Zain admiring it before meeting to face his brother. Standing on the stands were the guards along with Bram who was still injured, but was being treated by his wife.

Lamont was presented with a blade by one of the soldiers before leaving to head towards the stands. He grabbed it firmly before looking up to glance at his father and mother.

“Are you serious about this? You can’t walk away once you make this decision.”

“I had time to weigh my options. I’m fine with this. Now prepare yourself.” Zain twirled his spear within his grasp before taking a stance, lowering his body somewhat as he inched himself closer towards his target.

It saddened Lamont. He still hadn’t gotten used to Zain’s presence in the castle, but he never expected things to turn out like this. He sighed before charging in, yelling at the top of his lungs.

Seeing this, Zain stabbed his blade into the ground… a green magic circle appearing underneath Lamont with spears prepped to raise in approximately three seconds. Lamont gasped before leaping backward, just barely avoiding the spears as they rose from the ground.

Zain wasn’t the only one formidable with his magic. Lamont’s fingers curled, a green hue shrouding them as he generated a few wires that flung towards his brother. Since they were crafted from his Mana they could be as strong as he wanted them to be. They were able to easily cut through metal, stone, and flesh depending on how much Mana he was willing to expend.

The traitorous son was quick, jumping to the side multiple times to avoid those wires. When he found an opening he thrust his spear forward to generate a stream of his Mana to knock his brother off his guard.

He wasn’t as fast as Zain was and he was completely left open… the stream of Mana ramming into him, knocking him back before he fell onto the ground, sliding back a fair distance. Seeing this Bram and Kiana were growing worried.

“It’s not too late to give up…” Zain approached his fallen brother, prompting him to return to his feet.

“You think I would? After all this?” Lamont clenched his free fist before he charged at his brother, swinging his blade towards him.

A loud clanging sound could be heard as Zain guarded against the strikes. Lamont was quick, but his strikes lacked power, unlike their father. When he prepared to attack again, Zain lowered himself, slamming his spear into his brother’s leg to knock him down onto the floor.

Lamont quickly rolled as Zain pierced the ground, cracking the wooden tile in the process. When he arose his wires attached to the prince’s leg, not wanting to sever it, but instead forcing his brother off-balance as he tossed him against the wall.

With him crashing into it, Lamont ran in, attempting to stab Zain in an area that wouldn’t be fatal. Seeing this, Zain moved out of the way, the blade getting stuck against the wall.

Zain followed up with a swift strike from his spear, stabbing Lamont indirectly along his waist, though he had managed to catch it with his free hand. He was still hurt, but it was better than having it completely dig into his flesh.

Wires could be seen wrapping around Zain’s spear, holding it in place. Slowly, but surely, severing the weapon into pieces.

“Damn it! You are rather annoying after all.” Zain clenched his teeth, losing not only his weapon but a huge edge since most of his magic relied on using that to cast it.

While Zain was busy yelling, Lamont charged in and went for a direct punch towards his face. The blow was enough to force his head back and send him sliding against the ground. Zain spat onto the ground after recovering.

“Even in straight up hand to hand combat, you were never able to beat me.”

“This time it’s different. I’m not just fighting for myself.” Lamont summoned more of those wires, attempting to overwhelm his opponent with strikes from every angle.

Zain’s speed and agility were impressive as he was for the most part able to avoid nearly every attack, however, even he fell prey to the ensnarement. His left arm became ensnared much like a snake strangling its prey. It was tight and if he truly wanted to then that arm would be gone.

Instead, he was pulled in with great force. His body jerked about as he was brought in towards another clenched fist that had his name on it. SMACK! His body echoed from the impact, feeling his brother’s fist dive into his gut.

“Gwah!” Zain attempted to follow up, but his punch was deflected and soon Lamont latched onto it before using his weight to aid in him raising his brother before attempting to slam him onto the ground.

With his brother grounded, Lamont stood over him panting softly before staring down at Zain. “Have you had enough, yet?”

“... I yield.”

“...”

“Without my weapon the chances of beating you are slim. Especially when you still have a bit of Mana left.” Zain slowly picked himself up.

“You’ll have to atone for your sins. We may never be able to look at you t-”

Lamont was cut off as he saw his brother swing something towards him.. Stabbing him in his gut as he groaned out softly.

“You think I’d give up so easily…? Don’t make me laugh! I’m willing to do whatever it takes to win!”

“Zain… you bastard…” Lamont winced before falling onto his knee.

“Lamont won’t be able to continue… not with a wound like that… I am your King! If you truly want change then you’ll follow my orders! Lock my family and those humans in the dungeon!”