lt

Kingdom

as being

hat his brother mentioned y

eyes and ears on everything? The moment you stepped out

Ever since he got back from the forest yesterday, Colter could not sh

gardens, he locked himself in his room and spent the night reading books about the unexplored areas in the Kingdom. He had made it a hobby to research on those uncharted regions an

en gems and he sought to expl

never been visited before. The path was unclear. It wasn't even a path to begi

trusty steed, or else he would be dealing with a temperamen

and they towered over his head, leaving only small gaps between the leaves and branches to let the light shine thro

lunged deeper into the woodlands, the temperature has d

the open. He didn't know what creatures lie within the shadows and al

to him and determined that it had fallen for quite some time. He lightly placed a

d to look at the other trunks and found one not so far away from

ard onto the forest floor. He took out his canteen and d

m of Howard, then therefore, he could make this discovery his own. Colter finally found a place where he

feeling during his childhood, but the closest he could remember was when the King was away for a trip to a distant realm. The entire

ration to him. He could b

e willed the fireball to grow bigger. Conjuring fire has never been

bout the few Fotiá-Ecanus, Pyropaths, having a hard time harnessi

portant it was for him to control his power. However, for some reasons he could not explai

e fireball on a fallen tree trunk across him. It immediately

burning tree trunk and commanded the fire to burn brighter. There was tingling in h

sed to this ki

-

left at dawn, he went after him. It was true what Gian said yesterday. He knew it when Colter would leave the Palace and where he wo

did not deserve the talent he received. Undoubtedly, the King had a good reason why he gave Gian su

y a few select Ecanus was given the gift and Gian could not fathom as

in order to continue their father's legacy. And besides, Gian trained under the best tutors in the Kingdom.

tle fire show, made Gian's jealousy burned even mor

mself as he walked towards the light. One of

-

ame time alarmed to see Gian, of all people, walking towards him in a leisurely gait. His good-for-nothing brother had no other thing to do but tail him and purposely make hi

own. With Gian around, he had this constant need to be

ck down on the trunk and gathered all his thi

he drew his sword and poin

rs on Colter's back to rise. Is this what Gian was plann

s voice remained calm but in his mind, h

ian roared. "Don't m

life. It was as if the forest was openly watching them and waiting with bated breath.

ifferent. His heart was beating so hard and fast that he could feel it in

solution since Gian could easily manipulate the branches to drag him back do

ian when it came to swordfighting. Gian had been training even longer t

He turned around to find Gian's sword just in

something Colter could not com

sword and let'

he did not dare let it show. "I have

nce never backs down from a challenge, Colter. Or have you forgotten what father

ys drilled into their young minds that the most effective way to prove your claim to the throne was with a duel. Although, he was confus

bbard. He clasped it on his sword belt and drew hi

rries, brother. I've got a

yed dirty at swordfights and he actually wante

in front of him, taking in the dueling stance. Since no one was around to

t you're capable of." Gian said as he lunged

just in time. If he had been a second slower,

bit slow,

and did a wide swing. Gian effortlessly side-steps h

f now. He straightened up and recovered his bearing.

and counter-attacked with a slice. Colter leaped back and returned to feign an attack, b

s better skills than you." Gian circled Colter,

ely now and it wasn't because of the tussle. It was because of the steam ensuing from his body. He knew

e him even more mad. He stood up and once aga

nk their way up to his ankles and legs, preventing him f

u need a little help w

more took over the place. He met Gian's eyes

with fire, Gian cou

out this in advance, proceeded to direct the roots higher and clasped both

ese trees are over a thousand years old. You wouldn't want to raze our father's Kingdom to the ground." Gian

ing up his legs and arms, a

d right now?" Colter panted. He had troub

just like that?" Gian sm

nd fight like a real

real man? You're just a boy and a lousy one at that

ed all of his anger and directed the fire in him to his arms and legs, which caused the root

fire. He was in complete awe and at the same ti

et it." Colter said in a low voice. He fashion

renewed energy gave him a massive boost. He slashed and sliced at G

ether were not a good combination as Gian's defense was weakening. His dodges and counter-attacked were getting slo

attack too early that caused him a blow t

The front of his waistcoat was signed b

ry sword. Gian looked like a mess, another first for hi

's en

ade. Both boys looked up, expecting to see

King Malik said sternly and his projection

contained them in an orange orb. He absorbed it and

nudged it away and stood up indignantly on his own. With

clearing once again with ev