Kaid gripped the thin handle of the saber, feeling the roughness of its guard brush against his knuckles. It was far too small for his hand but Barnett insisted this was the best saber he could find that would be comfortable around his hand. It was not. Kaid knew a Guardian would have his own blade designed and custom-made, similar to how Payne's was a custom broadsword. But, he'd have to use this shitty thin blade to get to that point. It was Kiev's specialty: a quick, thin blade meant for quick slashes and pokes, whereas Kaid preferred something with a bit more weight to it.

He couldn't complain about a situation he got himself into.

The door to his small room to get ready opened, Kaid hoping it was the one person he needed to talk to right now. But instead of a woman with red hair and calm demeanor, Cadize walked in, a bit of a smirk on his lips, the action raising his glasses slightly.

"By that frown on your face, I'm not who you expected," Cadize teased, walking over, "the Empress was not allowed to speak with you beforehand. She must not show any favoritism...not like she already hasn't."

"No," Kaid lied, extending his arm out for him, "I guess I'm just nervous is all."

"I would be concerned if you weren't," Cadize spoke, taking his arm to press his thumb in the divot at the end of his bicep, "the first step in overcoming nerves is acknowledging it. Now, you must take deep breaths. Envision what you want to happen, and then make it happen. Only we can be in control of our destinies, Kaid."

"You make it sound so simple," Kaid exhaled, taking a long and deep breath soon after.

"I've had my fair share of disappointments in life, Kaid. But they've made me into the man I am today, under the profession I'm in, and working for an Empress I believe in. When you want something bad enough, you take it. If it slips from your grasp, you find another opportunity. Tell me something good about yourself, compliment yourself," he demanded, still monitoring his heart rate which was slowly lowering.

Kaid sighed, not seeing the point of this but he took a moment to think, "I guess...I wouldn't give up, not for the people I care about. I'd do anything for them."

"Do you care about yourself the same way?" Cadize asked, perhaps knowing the internal struggle Kaid possessed. While he was confident in his abilities, there wasn't a lot of confidence in himself in a strange world like this. How could he love who he is when he doesn't know who he would become?

Cadize noticed he stumped him, removing his thumb to glance up at him, "You are valuable to us all, Kaid. If this is something you really want, I know you can achieve it. Use every resource you have out there to your advantage. Time is on your side, my friend."

"You really think I can do it?" Kaid asked, wanting the truth and not some bullshit answer.

"I wouldn't have bet five hundred gold on you if I didn't," Cadize spoke, before realizing that probably wasn't a good thing to say, "don't tell the Empress bets were made. And don't...don't let that stress you out. I did the math and you have a good chance at winning. My calculations are never wrong."

Those words didn't help as much as he would've liked. Kaid knew sitting in this room wasn't going to help him any longer. He had to remember there were moments in his life that had felt impossible, Trials that in the moment felt utterly unbearable. Yet he survived them. Upon looking back at them they weren't as insufferable as they were in the moment. Time had a funny way of fraying the moments that worried Kaid so much about. This fight would be one of those things, regardless of the results.

Kaid followed Cadize out of the room and into the arena. It was not large by any means, just a section of the Guard courtyard that allowed room to fight. Arrangements were made to make it more spacious, but it was nothing more than a flat field of tight, packed in dirt and fences lining a perimeter. The sky was dark despite being mid-morning, a distant roar of thunder echoing from the sea. This fight would have to end within the hour, unless everyone wanted to be soaking wet.

Remembering what he knew of Kiev's ability, being stuck in the rain did not sound pleasant.

Kaid stepped inside, wearing nothing but a sleeveless white shirt and brown fighting pants. He unbuckled the sword belt that held its sheath, knowing all he would need is the sword as he tossed it aside. The damn sword still irritated his skin no matter the angle he held it. His eyes scanned the small crowd but Kaid didn't need any help finding Empress Jessamine. She sat amongst her peers, wearing a gold dress with a slit around her thigh, and thick gold bracelets around her arms. She radiated like the sun that so badly wanted to break through those dark clouds.

Kaid for a moment wondered if the gold dress was meant to symbolize something, if she even put much though into her appearance. Heart of gold? Or maybe just motivation for the so-called 'prize' for these men to fight over. Jessamine did not seem the type to enjoy watching men fight over her, especially in a fight so dangerous as this.

Kiev walked out with his father, the now disgraced Captain of the Guard, who knew this would be his last public appearance before his swift retirement in the North. He still possessed that awful looking black eye on his left side, Kaid wishing he knew what lucky bastard managed to do that. Kiev was confident, standing tall and proud without an ounce of fear in him. This was his home, his territory, and most importantly the moment he had trained his entire life for.

Kiev wanted to end this as quickly as he could, without dramatics or a battle of endurance. He knew if he got an early strike, this could be over in the blink of an eye. Kiev didn't know a blink could feel like minutes for Kaid, which was something he would keep close to his chest. While Kaid swore that he wouldn't cheat, he had to remember Jessamine's words.

Just how bad did he want this?

"The two candidates of Guardians must fight until a yield is called. Any use of Oblivion is strictly forbidden and will cause immediate disqualifications," Bridger stood up, shouting to them and the small crowd of delegates, "do both candidates agree to these terms?"

Kaid and Kiev both nodded in sync. Kaid felt his heart racing, like a galloping horse that wouldn't stop. It would run and run until it finally gave out. And then, it stopped. All those nerves vanished in a blink, Kaid only able to hear his own steady breath and his feet shuffling in the dirt. He got in position ten feet away from Kiev, taking one last deep breath before moving his feet into a fighting stance.

Light on his feet, tense in his thighs, fingers fluid and loose, and a clear mind. That's all he needed for this fight. His eyes glanced over at Jess very briefly, seeing a confident nod on her end. Kassandra and Christine who sat behind her didn't seem to share the same confidence.

"Begin!" Bridger shouted, Kaid glancing back at the man in front of him who had immediately closed the gap. Kiev gave a quick thrust of this sword aimed at Kaid's shoulder. A quick parry and clash of the blades stopped the immediate attack, Kaid remembering just how quick Kiev could really move that blade. They paced in a circular motion, Kaid knowing his advantage was to not be offensive. Kaid worked best on the defensive, finding the opportune moment to strike. It's why Kiev wanted to end this as quickly as he could.

Each confident strike from Kiev was met with a shaky block from Kaid. Kaid's eyes had to dart rapidly, one moment on Kiev's footwork to anticipate a lunge, the other on his hands to see what direction he may strike from. All of this was fluid and natural to Kiev, as if he didn't even need to think of his next steps. His knowledge and instincts alone would save him, or so he believed.

Kiev threw another lunge, this one Kaid not dodging all the way as he felt the sharp sting in his leg. Blood spilled onto the dirt, Kaid feeling the muscle in his left calf twinge and throb for a moment. Statistics showed in the books Kaid read that the first to draw blood was more than likely to succeed. Kaid shook that thought away just as he did with the pain, ignoring the blood for now. Kaid then initiated a weak attack, forcing Kiev to block before countering with a high strike. A quick duck was enough for Kaid to evade it, countering again with a much stronger thrust. It missed Kiev's hip by millimeters, only slicing through the fabric of his shirt and nothing else.

Minutes had passed, both men drenched in sweat despite the cold morning wind. Kaid was panting heavily, focusing on controlling his breathing. Kiev looked like he hardly had his heart racing, his endurance far superior than Kaid's. But Kaid wasn't going to give up. He had to make him slip, had to intentionally frustrate him. A thought entered Kaid's mind, an incredible risk he might need to take if he knew his stamina was running short. If he could get Kiev to use his Oblivion, Kaid would need every ounce of his own energy to win this. That meant letting Kiev think he was winning, even at the cost of a few scratches.

Kiev sliced an uppercut with force, not speed. Kaid anticipated it, but not strong enough with that guard still brushing his bleeding knuckles to stop the full attack. Kaid felt a sharp sting below his left eye, similar to that black eye his father possessed. Blood poured from the wound, Kaid stepping back to let his hands touch it. Jessamine was out of her seat at this dismay, knowing any higher and Kaid could have certainly lost an eye.

It gave Kiev all the false confidence he needed, and Kaid an unknown advantage. Kiev striked again, and again, this time with strength and not speed. Kaid feigned and parried, but wasn't strong enough to really counter attack in return. Finally all it took was one perfectly calculated and important slice for Kaid to feel his blade slip from his fingers. Before Kaid could bend down to catch it, Kiev kicked him to the ground.

The pain in his leg and below his eye didn't like the dirt and dust flying into the wounds, Kaid falling to his back before feeling the sharp edge of Kiev's blade against his neck. It wasn't with the same gentleness that Jessamine had given in their mock training. This was a threat. If he didn't yield, the next thing that would bleed would be his neck.

"Yield, Kaid," Kiev demanded, "It's over."

Kaid said nothing, glancing at his sword which was still feet away from his grasp. He knew he had promised to Jessamine that his life wasn't worth any part of this, that when given an option to yield he had to take it.

"Yield!" Kiev screamed, Kiev finally looking him in the eyes. He was just about done with this nonsense, wanted this victory as soon as he could and every second that passed it felt he was slipping further and further away. Kiev had him cornered, or so he thought. Kaid got Kiev to waste his energy in this moment while conserving his own, and now the risks had to be taken.

Kaid in a swift motion kicked the blade from his throat upwards, avoiding the sharpness with a tilt of his neck. With a quick rise to his feet, he tackled Kiev to the ground, hearing the blade fall to the dirt floor with a clatter. The men wrestled against each other, Kiev not realizing just how strong Kaid was in that moment. Kaid was pinning him uncomfortably in the dirt, both their bodies twisted but Kaid had just enough body weight to have the advantage. And then he felt it, the desperation. The smell of fear radiated from Kiev as his breaths turned rapid, his hands looking to grasp anything it could.

This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

His hand managed to find Kaid's open wound on his calf, Kaid holding back a scream of pain. When Kaid did not give up, the pain only worsened. He felt it, a shock of a cold, icy blast into his wound, freezing the blood exiting the cut. Kaid got what he wanted, the affirmation that Kiev would use his Oblivion. His entire body went cold, the sweat freezing against his skin, sticking like fine and painful needles against his neck and backside.

Kiev was slipping.

It wasn't enough evidence for anyone to notice and call the fight off. But the moment had filled Kaid with energy, the invisible permission to do what he needed to do to win this fight. The hairs on his arm stood up, and he knew the call was coming.

Kaid let Kiev go, only to rush to his sword. Losing the touch from Kiev, he felt the coldness in his veins leave him as he picked up his blade. Kiev managed to pick his own up, the hair sticking to the sweat around his cold, angry eyes. Should Kiev get another advantage, he wouldn't call for a yield. He would permanently take Kaid out of this fight, even if it meant slicing an entire hand off.

Kaid wouldn't give him that chance.

Kaid froze time as Kiev lunged, taking the moment to analyze the situation. With Kiev now feeling his destiny fade, his movements would lose both strength and precision. He'd be like an animal fighting blind, no longer in control of his environment. Meanwhile, Kaid would possess all the control now.

Kaid counted the strike a mere second after Kiev initiated it, the blonde man's grip loosening in his blade with shock. Kiev slid his left foot across but Kaid saw it coming, a timed dodge resulting in an off-balance soldier. It pissed Kiev off as he stumbled, screaming a war cry before wildly swinging behind him, hoping Kaid would be there. But he wasn't. He was right where he needed to be, in his blindspot.

Kaid gripped the handle of his sword tightly, tilting that guard and pommel up before striking it across Kiev's face hard. The action alone caused him to stumble, his brain jumping in and out of consciousness as the sword fell from his fingers. Kiev hit the ground which awoke him from the daze, seeing Kaid kick his precious blade ten feet away from him.

It had only been sixty seconds ago Kaid had been on his backside, facing a blade to his eyes. Now, it was Kiev, who was stunned and surprised by the quick turnaround. Most of all, he was beyond pissed. How on earth Kaid managed to predict his movements, know the best place to dodge and gain advantage, Kiev didn't know. Only a man who had trained for fifty years might have guessed it based on intuition alone. But this wasn't wisdom or intuition. It was fate.

"Yield," Kaid said, his voice soft as he held the blade towards him, but did not press it to his skin. Kaid did not want to hurt him, despite the fact his own body hurt and ached, blood pouring out while Kiev didn't have a scratch.

Kiev remained silent this time, shaking his head. He was out of energy and stamina now. His sword felt miles away from him, and the only power he had was the one running in his veins. He only had one chance, but in his anger and desperation, he would reveal himself to the entire audience.

"Yield, Kiev. I do not want to hurt you," Kaid repeated softly, seeing those words only piss Kiev off anymore. How could he lose to a man who didn't fight to kill? How could the Empress truly be protected by a man only willing to save?

Kiev tired to kick the blade away, Kaid stepping back before feeling a sharp unexpected spear against his chest. The edge didn't penetrate his skin, Kaid blinking and realizing all he saw was a javelin of ice, pointed directly at his heart. When Kaid moved his eyes to Kiev, he noticed fear in his system, no longer anger or hatred. It wasn't the fear of losing. No. His eyes rapidly darted but his body remained frozen, as frozen as the ice that would've pierced Kaid's heart and killed him if there wasn't interference.

Kaid turned his eyes to Jessamine, the muscles in her neck tight and strained. She had stopped Kiev from killing him, all the while revealing his use of Oblivion. Kaid won.

He won.

Jessamine finally let Kiev go when she felt him surrender, that ice melting into a puddle at Kaid's feet before he fell back to the ground, defeated. Kaid stumbled back himself, dropping his blade with relief and surprise. He had won. And he had done it without exposing himself. The risk had paid off. The battle had been won, and now a war had been waged.

Kaid felt his mind go blank, the world around him beginning to spin. Whether it was from the loss of blood, or just his own surprise he had won, he was beginning to lose his sense of reality. Cadize was running over, along with a few Guards to help support as Kaid finally felt he could rest. He fainted with the slightest smile on his face, letting the exhaustion finally consume him in a moment of peace.

It would be the last peace he'd have.

—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kaid finally reached the top of the stairs of Cadize's office, facing the long Vitross hallway feeling a bit more rejuvenated. Cadize's magic touch seemed to heal up the wounds rather nicely and they were luckily not deep enough to warrant further assistance. Cadize had managed to clean him up nicely, getting him some clothes, all the while gushing over how amazing the fight was. And the fact he was another five hundred gold coins richer.

Maybe his math really was never wrong.

When Kaid entered the hallway, he noticed the gold radiance standing near one of the tall glass paned windows. Her leg was extended on the window sill, exposing her thigh through the slit as she was nervously adjusting the straps that secured her hidden blades. Kaid took the moment to wonder how the fuck a woman's leg could be so attractive, and how smooth it must feel. Her nervous actions stopped when she spotted him in her peripheral, immediately covering her leg to stand straight.

She exhaled a big sigh of relief, "One of the guards spread a rumor you were going to lose that eye."

Kaid briefly touched the jagged scar beneath his left eye. Kaid had wanted Cadize to leave the scar there, a reminder of the battle he won, and a reminder how if he wanted to survive in this world he had to do whatever it took. And maybe Cadize said the scar would make Kaid appear a bit more menacing, which would be helpful as a Guardian. Kaid couldn't even wrap his head around the notion he would be her Guardian.

"I wouldn't lose sight of what's important either way," Kaid answered, walking over to her. She seemed amused by the words, but her eyes still flashed with worry. Kaid felt confident, knowing he had conquered the most skilled fighter in Vitross and now he had to conquer what was in his heart. He would have to break his first rule of being a Guardian, although it shouldn't count because he wasn't initiated as one just yet.

"Are you alright?" she asked, turning her body towards him as her eyes scanned him, wondering if the wound on his calf was bothering him.

"All thanks to you," Kaid replied, seeing the look in her eyes. She didn't want to interject in the fight, but Kaid was damn grateful she did. She hated taking control over someone, but if it meant saving the man she cared about, she wouldn't think twice about it.

"Fuck, Kaid. I can't believe you did it," Jessamine finally spoke, a surprised smile breaking through her lips, "I told you could do it. I believed in you. And I am so so proud-"

Jessamine was interrupted by the harsh pressing of Kaid's lips against hers. Kaid at that moment didn't want to resist anymore. He couldn't hide his affection any longer and winning this fight, winning it for her, gave him all the confidence he needed. Kaid felt her stunned against his lips, and wondered if he had been a bit too brash as she remained frozen in that moment.

He pulled away quickly, slight panic in his eyes, "Jess, I...sorry, I didn't mean-"

The soft plea in her eyes got him to shut up, Jessamine rising on her heels slightly to pull him close. Her hand wrapped around the back of his head, tangling in that black mess as she forced their lips together. The kiss was controlled on her end, gentle and sweet with a hint of desperation. It wasn't the uncontrolled harshness Kaid had given initially, Jessamine teaching him in that moment how to properly kiss a woman.

But by the divines, did she love the roughness of his lips against hers, like leather against the softness of feathers.

"Don't you dare apologize," she whispered breathlessly against his lips, feeling him eagerly return a small quick kiss after her words. She finally noticed his strong hand against her hip, holding her against him and she loved every moment of this. All the waiting, the suffering she forced herself to go through to withhold herself from this man, it was all worth it. He had kissed her, initiated the intimacy without even hesitating. That alone meant more to Jessamine than Kaid would ever know.

"Sorry," he whispered in return, a wide smile on his lips. The smile caused his beard to brush against Jessamine's jaw, the sensation enough to make her laugh and wonder how the hell she had resisted this for so long.

"When did you know?" she asked, withholding a sigh at the feeling of his breath on the edge of her neck. She didn't need to go into detail about what she was asking about. She just wanted to know the moment he knew, knew he wanted her.

"When you purposefully stayed away from me for almost two months, and just the sight of you melted me," he replied without hesitation. So he did know it was purposeful. Jessamine had distanced herself at that time because she felt she had to. She had to know if what she felt was just the beautiful attention from a man who didn't treat her like an object, or if she really truly cared for this man. When she saw him carrying all those heavy crates of food for those orphans, she knew the truth. No amount of distance would break what she felt for him.

"When did you?" he asked in return, their foreheads pressed together, eyes open to gleam happily at each other.

"When you went out of your way to save me from that lockdown. You, a man who knew nothing about me, risked his life and showed himself to me at that moment in an act of trust and determination I had never seen before. I just...I didn't know if you felt the same way. All my life, people saw me as an Emperor's daughter, or some Empress who had all the power in her hands, who could do whatever she pleased. The truth of it is, you saw me before all of that was revealed to you. And you never treated me any different upon the revelation of my truth. You trusted me as blindly as I trusted you," she whispered, "and trusting you is the best decision I have made."

Kaid couldn't help but keep that smile on his lips, his cheeks already sore from how happy she was making both his heart and soul feel. The aches and pains of the fight were long gone, replaced with the feeling of divineness that radiated from the Empress's lips and touches. Jessamine couldn't remove the smile on her own lips and she never wanted to forget the feeling of her heart pounding against his chest. For once in her life, she finally had what she wanted.

They kissed again, knowing no words would compare to the sensations of their hearts. Jessamine truly felt like an expert to Kaid, but with every kiss and touch he was learning how she wished to be treated. He loved the feeling of her smile widening against his lips when his hand met her hip, or cupped her cheek, tangling a finger or two in her sandy red hair.

"All preparations are set for tomorrow's initiation-" Kassandra spoke, turning the corner before freezing at the sight, her face turning red with embarrassment. Jessamine looked a bit flushed in the face as she pulled away slightly, clearing her throat before nodding.

"Thank you, Kassandra," Jess answered, realizing how out of breath she sounded, "How long will it take for Kaid's room to be moved next to mine?"

"Uh...given the extensive amount of books, a day at most. He will have it ready by tomorrow evening. I can try and rush some servants to get it ready by this evening, if you'd like Empress."

"There's no need," Jessamine answered quickly before realizing what that might imply, "I'm sure Kaid can enjoy one last night in his bed before he upgrades. It will be his last night of freedom, anyways."

"Sending me back to Caladin already?" Kaid teased quietly, feeling Jessamine reach behind her to squeeze his hand tightly, not appreciating that comment.

"Of course, and congratulations Kaid. You will make a fine Guardian. Shall we call you Lord Protector Kaid, now?" Kassandra smiled.

"Absolutely not, I am not in need of any titles. Kaid suffices," Kaid blushed slightly, knowing he would hate being treated as some sort of royal figure now. Jessamine figured he would say that, but it would be nice to introduce him by that title every once in a while.

"Kassandra, did you still need assistance with arranging transport to the Southern Isles?" Jessamine asked, her hand slowly slipping away from Kaid's neck and hand.

"It will be my first time implementing such into our budget, so sadly, yes. If you're busy that can wait," Kassandra admitted.

"That's alright. Kaid here could use a nice warm bath and some rest before dinner. I'll join you in my office shortly."

Jessamine turned slightly to place a short, quick kiss on his lips the moment Kassandra had turned her back. Kaid didn't have the chance to slow time to grasp another kiss before she turned to excuse herself. He watched her leave with Kassandra, vacating the small corner they had confined themselves in, but she never once left his heart. Her kiss and touch were like venom, a tingling sensation that Kaid knew would never fade now that he had a taste of it.

Of all women he had to fall for, it had to be Empress Jessamine Alexis Kruzika of Vitross, a woman of poisoning stings and soft bites. How long it would take to kill him, only time would tell.