242 Battle Of Pride (1/2)

An Ruo's voice was high against the calm breeze. ”You see? I can be merciful, Sun. It's a simple request, really. One person to spare the lives of thousands.”

An Sun's body stiffened. He clenched his fists tightly until his nails dug into the palm of his hand, but he barely noticed. The only thing he was aware of, was the sound of his heart throbbing against the cage of his chest. With hands clasped tightly to his reins, he finally restrained his erupting emotions.

”Why? Why do you want him? This is between you and me. Not anyone else.” An Sun's voice was thick, his dark eyes shining in his hardened face.

”Would a battle between our armies be of greater satisfaction to you? I did not take you to be such a prideful man.” An Ruo's mouth tilted upwards into a mocking smirk.

An Sun grimaced, his tone assertive. ”You speak of pride as if you do not know it yourself.”

The look on An Rou's face was still, and he did not retort. But now, his face was dark, back straightened. An Sun stared at his brother—the man he had been raised beside all his life as family. And yet, he hardly knew who this man was anymore.

Competitive fights as children…to a war against one another.

For a long time now, he had given up the hope of rekindling a brotherly bond. But still…

”There's no need for a battle. We can both turn around and leave. Take what you have and leave everything and everyone else alone.” An Sun said, his tone hoarse. He labored for a moment with something in his throat, and afterward added, ”Another thousand men do not need to die.”

An Ruo stared at him incredulously, then gave a bark of laughter. ”You're right, they don't have to die. But they will. That is unless you agree to give me your strategist and I will turn around and leave as you wanted.”

An Sun's lips pursed together, forming a thin line as his expression turned colder and colder. The hands on his reins slowly tensed into fists.

Not once did An Ruo try hiding his smile. ”Now, considering it's such a difficult choice, I—”

”You're going to die, Ruo. And it's going to be under my hands.” An Sun spat out just one sentence that was cold as frost, his gaze not having moved an inch.

When An Ruo raised his gaze, a pair of eyes filled with cold, murderous intent were staring back at him. He did not expect the alarming shiver that crawled up his spine. At that moment, a trace of coldness flashed across An Ruo's black eyes, and the smile on his face melted.

An Ruo shifted his hands on the reigns, turning his horse to depart from the figures. Watching from afar, An Sun's eyes never left him. The same way the boiling, dreary sensation resided in his heart.

…

Standing on the balcony above, Rin's eyes scoured ahead. Waiting for the familiar figure to appear before the horizon. When she heard the door opening behind her, she turned.

”Any sign of him?” Manchu said upon arriving at her side.

”No,” Rin answered quietly, eyes still ahead.

”It's only been two hours.” He said.

”Four hours.” She corrected.

”Keeping track, huh?” Manchu chuckled.

Rin turned her glare on him, who held his hands up in surrender. After a few seconds, she retreated her stare to see a brilliant flash that flickered and died within the clouds.

The sky above her was the color of corpse flesh, dull, white and heavy. The sun was hidden behind a mass of unbroken clouds that scattered across the horizon. Another flash burned into her dilated pupils, followed hotly by its cracking boom.