Alexander urged midnight to travel faster as he threw a furtive glance behind. Some of the knights who were previously on foot were now climbing their horses and another batch was already running after him.

Oh Lord no! Other knights had already appeared in front blocking his way out. He turned to the other direction but it was still the same, knights everywhere. He was surrounded!

"Your Highness, or is it Majesty?" Griffin asked, alighting from his horse. He was surprised at how fast they caught up with Alexander. Seems the royal chase didn’t turn as entertaining as he had thought. So sad this would end soon.

Alexander tried to find a way but midnight gave up, lifting his fore legs and before Alexander knew it, he was falling on the ground.

"That hurts!" Griffin said, pretending to feel Alexander’s pain. "Help him up," he said, gesturing two of his men towards Alexander. They nodded, alighting their horses before they held Alexander’s both hands.

"I wonder what a crown prince is doing in the woods alone?" Griffin said, approaching where Alexander knelt. He nodded to the knights who forced Alexander up harshly, making him groan in pain. Alexander just stared at Griffin coldly.

"Leave him alone!" Griffin said, looking Alexander in the eye. The knights hesitated, looking at each other confused. "Are you deaf or something?" Griffin asked clearly irritated.

"But he is armed your Majesty," the general said. He was holding the reins of Griffin’s horse.

"I know," he replied. The knights let go of their grips on Alexander but never left in case he did something stupid.

"I challenge you to a duel, crown prince," Griffin said, grabbing Alexander’s jaw harshly. "If you win, you leave, alive and kicking. But if you lose, I’ll have your head fed to the wild animals," he whispered the last statement in Alexander’s ear.

He bent closer to his ear, his warm breath tickling Alexander’s skin,"I heard them say you’re The One. I want to confirm it." He drew back still smiling at Alex. Walking closer to his general, he handed him the armor but the general was skeptical about it.

"This was not part of the plan Your Majesty. What if something bad happens?"

"Are you suggesting that I’ll lose to him?" Griffin asked, adding a load of his helmet to the general.

"No, not at all Your Majesty," the general blurted.

"Then sit back and enjoy," Griffin said, a playful smirk printed on his face. He unsheathed his sword, it’s shiny blade reflecting in the rays between the trees.

"Even if I will lose, which is not possible, you know what you have to do," The general simply nodded at that.

Alexander had still not processed what had happened. Everything had happened so fast. He was talking with Lylla and the next thing he knew, he was attacked and now trapped in a legion of Crescian knights, a duel being the only way out. But he knew Griffin wouldn’t accept defeat. No sane Knight would watch as his liege get defeated. They would definitely kill him, whether he won or not.

Griffin walked towards the center of the clearing that had now been formed by the surrounding knights in blue. They began beating their shields with their swords while chanting his name.

"All hail King Griffin!"

"See," Griffin said spreading his hands to show the massive support he had.

"You speak a lot," Alexander sneered instantly freezing the smile on Griffin’s face. He smirked at him before he drew his sword from its scabbard. "Fight!" He threw the tantrum, making an already angry Griffin to strike relentlessly. Alexander was quick to block that strong attack, though he was thrown a few steps back. He stood up, quickly regained his footing.

Griffin’s face twitched in anger prompting him to launch a full scale attack at Alex. His attacks were precise, aiming vital weak points. Alexander was finding it hard to keep up with Griffin’s pace. He had been in the defensive side for God knew how long. But considering the fact that Griffin was Crescian, a king at that, he could only be proud of himself.

"Why are you smiling?" Griffin asked pushing the sword harder at Alexander’s blocked attack.

"Because I’m enjoying it," Alexander said before he dodged the attack, swaying Griffin to the side. Little did he know he had woken the devil in Griffin. He activated Griffin’s inner power.

A sudden drop of temperature made the Knights look at each other knowingly. They took a few steps away from the fighting scene. This was going to be bad! Even the leaves started clutching beneath everyone’s feet, and the area around Griffin turned misty, rendering Alexander unable to spot his enemy. That was the worst mistake that could ever happen in a fight; not seeing your opponent.

The mist continued extending prompting Alexander to stay alert. This was no fair fight! And since when had the Crescians been fair? He looked around confused when a blow landed on his cheek out of the blue, blood forming in his mouth instantly. He quickly regained his footing but there was no one around. Hell this wasn’t fair at all. These were dangerous hide and seek games he didn’t like.

"Show yourself you cows..." Before he could finish it, he got a cut across his chest making him groan in pain. A scarlet liquid painted his shirt as he stared this own blood in disbelief. Blood was oozing out uncontrollably. At this rate, he would collapse anytime soon.

"I’m here Your Majesty," Griffin said. Alexander lifted his face to stare at him. A knife was in his hand painted with the same Scarlet liquid, his blood!

"You are a coward!" Alexander screamed.

"Coward or not, I won. Is this the same person that Griffin is boasting around to be The One? How pathetic!" He scoffed.

"You’ll pay for this," Alexander said, pointing at his blood.

"I wonder how a dead person will take his revenge. Oh! Don’t tell me you’ll haunt me as a ghost?" Griffin asked pretending to be shocked. He knocked the sword out of Alexander’s hand and landed his fist on his stomach, making him to instantly cough some blood.

"I’ll kill you first and then go Valoria. I’ll kill your mother, Lord Richard and I’ll give your little sister to my men. I’m sure they’ll enjoy a pure one."