? The Path of Fire (Path of Light and Fire Book #1)(Completed) ?

Chapter 10.1: Payback

Sabin shook his head. "No, I'm here to give you a dose of humility."

Sakima laughed and raised his blade. "You're welcome to try."

Sabin and Sakima charged at each other and slashed. The clash of the swords echoed throughout the arena as the impact snapped each blade in two.

"You fight above your station," Sakima said.

"Or do you fight below yours?" Sabin retorted.

Sabin was two servants running with replacement weapons in hand. He eyed Sakima warily, knowing the man might not wait for a blade to strike.

*

Alaina watched Sabin and Sakima fight, willing Sabin to win. The man sitting to her right wore a military uniform with a complicated series of bars on his shoulder. Alaina couldn't tell what it meant, but he was clearly important. His aura swirled in a rainbow of colors, but the black of pride was most prominent. He likely had a lot on his mind.

He waved a fan. "Who do you favor in this contest? The Yuan or the Prince?"

Alaina smiled. "Sabin, of course."

He smiled back. "What is your name, my dear?"

"Not available," Kianna cut in.

I can handle myself.

Kianna was always smothering her. It was much worse since they'd left Feral and even more so after entering Covica.

"I assure you that I am not interested in your companion in that fashion," the man said to Kianna, black eyes blinking with shock. "I will go first. I am Major Hatsuto of the Knights of Acadia."

"Alaina," Alaina said. "And this is my sister Kianna."

Hatsuto inclined his head to each of them in turn. "Charmed."

"And your choice?" Kianna asked.

"My heart says Sakima," he responded. "Same outcome as last time."

At the mention of Sakima, the red of passion flared in Hatsuto's person.

I guess he loves duels.

"I hope you're better at war than predicting fights," Kianna said. "Not only will Sabin win, he will make Sakima beg for..."

Alaina followed Kianna's eyes to Sakima. She nudged her, hoping to break her from her daze.

"It's him!" Kianna whispered.

"I know," Alaina said. "It's Prince Sakima fighting Brother Sabin."

"No, that's not what I mean," Kianna whispered again. "Sakima's the Serien."

Alaina eyes widened. "We'll get to travel with Prince Sakima?"

"Yeah," Kianna said. "If they don't kill each other first."

**

Sabin threw his second broken blade to the ground. Then he put his fists up and prepared to engage in hand forms.

Sakima sneered. "You've gotten better since our last meeting. Unfortunately, you're still uncultured swine without class."

What a pile of Guan's piss!

"Are you afraid I'll break that royal face of yours?"

Sakima held up his hand, stopping the servants with replacement weapons. "You can try, but you will fail. Just like before."

Sabin's mind told him to play nice, that he would need this man's help to find the fifth Serien. He searched for the right words.

Sakima slapped the front of his scale armor. "Come learn why I am your better."

Sabin gritted his teeth. "Strong words from an Incomplete."

The crowd gasped and Sabin regretted his decision.

Sakima's smile dropped. "Does everyone in Acadia believe this? I am not an Incomplete!"

Sabin smirked. "You're not a Serien."

Sakima roared and stomped.

Sabin felt the ground shift and his body felt heavier than before. He backed away to get his bearings.

Sakima made a fist, then mimicked a throwing motion. Sabin dodged on instinct, wincing as something sliced his shoulder. The second ripped his shirt, but the third Sabin dodged.

I have his rhythm now.

Sabin snatched the next one, a grayish brown shard of rock. He waved it at Sakima. "That's all? My turn."

Sabin's first shadow strike caught Sakima in the jaw with his fist. The second one was a kick to the ribs that made Sakima grimace. Sakima caught the third strike headed for his nose.

Sakima held Sabin's fist in his own and squeezed. "Beg like the dog you are."

Sabin felt the pressure of his knuckles being crushed, but he didn't scream. "I was going to tell you the same." He shadowed back a few feet and escaped Sakima's strength.

"Sakima!" a deep voice boomed throughout the stadium. Sakima gritted his teeth and turned to the stands.

The extra weight left Sabin's shoulders and he unclenched his hand. It still throbbed. The turned to the stands as well and was greeted to the sight of the king, Fenra Yoshiro kel Lanius. He knelt in place, still seething.

I would have beaten him.

Sakima stood with his head bowed low. "Yes, Heika."

"That's enough for today." Fenra eyed each of them in turn, before settling on Sabin. "You shall have the purse for besting my son."

There was a mix of murmuring and cheering from the crowd. Fenra gave a quick clap and the stands erupted.

"Thank you, Heika," Sabin said.

"You didn't best me," Sakima whispered.

"Your status saves you again," Sabin retorted.

"You should invite young Satin to dine with us tonight," Fenra continued.

Sabin gritted his teeth at hearing his name being mispronounced.

No one in Toro ever got my name wrong.

"Of course, Heika," Sakima said. He lifted his head and turned to Sabin. "Would you give us the honor of sitting with us tonight?" He motioned for Sabin to stand.

Sabin rose to his feet and bowed low. "I would love to Hidenka, but I have guests that are new to this place. I cannot leave them."

"Nonsense. Your guests are welcome." He paused for a moment, eyeing his father for confirmation.

The king nodded his head.

"If there are no more objections, then you will join us for dinner?"

"Yes, Hidenka."

"Then it is settled," Fenra shouted. "Satin and his guests will join us."

That got another cheer. The king waved his hands in dismissal and the crowd dispersed.

"Nothing is settled," Sakima said. "You will learn your place."

Sabin glared. "The next time, your father won't save you."