NightTime Roads

For this chapter, we bring you Antros and Idroa in a clash of titans! Brother against brother, who shall stand victorious! Well, read to find out, duh...

Thanks for the reviews again! After all, it's nice ot see someone review my work! And I've got ANOTHER idea to work with! But that one is after the sequel to Believing in Myself is done. For now, enjoy this while I get to work on a smut bit for the next chapter...

Chapter 12


Antros and Idroa stood on opposite banks of the river, each one tense and ready to strike. At least Antros was anyway. Idroa seemed to be acting as if he was watching someone entertain him, and doing a very good job at it. Suddenly, both ran and jumpped, colliding in midair and dragging each other back into the river. Once in the water, they struggled to try and break through each other's defenses, until Idroa gripped Antros' neck and started to force him downward.

Antros struggled, but the weight of his clothes in the water was working against him and he slowly sank to the bottom. Once he hit bottom, Idroa placed his foot over Antros stomache and kicked off hard, back to the surface of the water. The kick caused Antros to let out an involuntary gasp, letting out his breath. Realizing his mistake and knowing his would certainly drown if he didn't do something, he kicked off the ground quickly and swam upwards for the air he craved. Breaking through the surface of the water, he coughed up some water, as he desperately tried to get air back in his body while holding onto the bank.

He couldn't hold on for long, for almost immediately there was a pain in his hand, as Idroa tried to crush it with the heel of his boot. Ayisa seemed terrorized by Idroa's relentless attack, and would have gone to help Antros if she could. Evia too seemed ready to strike, but held back for now. Antros could still turn the tide of battle around... couldn't he?

"Hehehe... How does it feel Antros? Does it hurt? Come on, tell me it hurts... plead for me to stop." Idroa said, a twisted smile on his face.

"N-never..." Antros managed to say, before he released his grip on the bank and swam off to the other side. Lifting himself up, he coughed up some more water again before trying to stand. Idroa jumpped across to the other bank, meeting Antros with a fist. Antros just managed to block it, but was brought to his knees without much effort. "Damn you..."

"Tired out already Antros? Too bad, I wanted to play with you a bit longer before you died."

"Leave him alone!" Evia shouted, raising a bow, an arrow fitted into it. The bow was by no means special, but the arrow was. It's tip shined a silverish glow, yet the wasn't made of silver or any other kind of metal Antros knew of. Idroa looked to her a bit before turning to Antros again.

"If you want to die so badly, I'm afraid your going to have to wait your turn." Idroa knocked Antros aside, and walked toward his fallen body. Evia took this as a sign to attack, for she let the arrow fly out. Idroa seemed to see it coming, despite the fact he seemed to be paying no attention ot Evia, for in that instant he jumpped to the side, causing the arrow to strike a tree. "Now now... striking while your opponent's back is turned..."

Evia set in another arrow, but before she could launch it, Antros shakingly got to his feet. "Evia, stop! This is my fight... I will fight it."

Evia seemed disheartened at the news, but lowered her weapon all the same. She kept the arrow ready just in case. Ayisa watched, her feet numb.

"So, trying to play the hero, huh Antros? Well, you'll only regret it in the end." Idroa said, readying himself for another strike. Antros seemed also ready to launch an attack. Making the first move, Idroa rushed, and let loose a kick. Antros ducked and swept his leg out, knocking Idroa off balance. Straightening up, Antros readied to stomp his foot as hard as he could against his brother's chest, but Idroa rolled out of the way before getting to his feet.

"Still got some fight left, huh? Well, guess I'll have to crush it then." Idroa pulled out his weapon, a rather thin looking, worn out sword. It's edge gleamed as though it were recently sharpened. Antros recognized it at once.

"That's... that's my sword! You thief, how dare you touch it!"

"What can I say brother... you won't share with your family? You are as rotten as the guards think."

"Shut up! Your the one commiting all these crimes!"

"In your name dear brother, in your name." Raising the blade he rushed foward, slashing. Antros pulled back to avoid the attack, and strifed left and right to avoid the jabs Idroa sent his way. Antros knew that it was hopeless now, for Idroa had a weapon and he had none. He couldn't possibly last long against him. Idroa raised the blade and looked to be preparing for a downward strike, when a kick came from out of nowhere, knocked Antros to the ground.

Idroa stepped to Antros, the edge of the blade resting against his neck. "Well well, any last words dear brother?"

"Leave him alone!" Ayisa yelled suddenly, as thought and fear left her. Idroa looked to her, and seemed to be thinking something, for a moment later he removed the blade from it's spot and walked to her.

"Alright then, if that's how your going to be, then you can die first." Evia immiedately raised his bow and shot another arrow, but Idroa simply caught it in his hand and broke it in two. Walking stil closer, he knocked away Evia to the ground. "Stand aside silly girl." Ayisa tried to step back, but Idroa gripped her by the neck and held her up. "Hehehe... Antros... rest assured that you will die after her. Let your beloved princess' scream be the last thing you ever hear in your life."

As Idroa raised the blade, ready to priece her, Ayis ascreamed and struggled. Antros' eyes seemed to snap open, as strength seemed to return to his feet. Without thinking, he rushed up and delievered an unexpected kick to Idroa knocking him aside. He held Ayisa close to him, before letting go and facing his brother.

Idros got up, though it was a pained effort, for Antros' kick had seemed to take it's toll. He gazed to Antros, and saw in his eyes something he hadn't seem before. There was a fire there, a burning spark where once was desperation and weakness, now only strength and hatred. The two brothers stared each other down, Antros with his hate filled stare and Idroa with a curious spark.

"Don't you ever... ever touch Ayisa. Don't you dare think of threatening her."

Amazing... seeing her in danger... seems to have awakened something within him. But what... is it? And is that where that sudden burst of power came? Idroa put away the blade, much to everyone's amazement. "Fine. I'll let you live a little bit longer brother. But I assure you, next time we meet will be our last." Turning away, he ran off into the forest. Evia, stood shakily and watched him go, while Antros inspected Ayisa.

"Are you ok? Did he hurt you?" When Ayisa shook her head, Antros breathed a sigh of relief. "That's go-" But before he could finish, he collapsed at her feet, his body in complete exhaustion.