Edited

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"All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them." ~ Galileo Galilei


Noises rose from outside the covered wagon that concealed Randolf and his brothers. The ride had lost drastic speed and jerky stops had become common.

"We are in town," Lysander spoke with disdain.

"It could be just a stop," Democritus suggested gently.

"No." Lysander shook his head. "There are many people here. Even from the sounds I can tell this town is preparing for something. If this is our destination, the fight we are participating in is a town spectacle."

"Well, we are going to be fighting in it. That in itself makes it a spectacle," Macabeth commented.

Lysander sniffed, obviously trying to decide whether he should be humored or offended. Randolf could see the worry lines on his older brother's ace. Lysander worried about their path ahead. However, Randolf was not worried. He had decided with every fiber of his being that humans could not bring them down. He would not allow it.

Randolf's heart was a cold stone for mankind. Not once had he met one in his twenty years that was kind or showed any sign of kindness toward him or his brethren. The only living beings that Randolf had a heart for were his brothers and Silvanus. Silvanus had taught them the ancient ways of fighting, but suddenly vanished seven years ago. All he left were weapons for the four brothers. Sias for Randolf, katanas for Lysander, a bo staff for Democritus and nunchuks for Macabeth.

These weapons were used solely for defense against wild beasts and gathering food. Never before had the four used their weapons for defend against or harm a human. A slight uneasy feeling to use their weapons just to kill was set within all of them including Randolf. He felt that he was adulterating Silvanus' purpose of these weapons by killing man. He would have willingly used his weapons against man had Silvanus not given them the weapons.

The cart continued its bumpy, jerky motion as the four brother's sat in silence, the sounds of the town filling their heads. Even Macabeth seemed somber for the moment.

"Excuse me." The four sat even more still as they listened to the old farmer's voice from outside the wagon. "Can you tell me where entering champions go to register?"

"Right beyond the temple, can't miss it. There'll be a line." A scarred deep voice replied. "Entering the fight, old man?" The voice turned mocking.

"No, of course not. I am representing." It was obvious that the farm was slightly frightened by the man he was speaking to.

"Then let us have a little peek at the competition shall we?" The man's voice boomed and an enormous shadow came to loom over the back cover of the wagon. A loud cheer erupted from the street as the shadow of a giant hand grew close to the fabric opening.

"N-no, that won't be necessary," the farmer said quickly, and with a sharp snap to the reigns, the wagon took off abruptly, throwing its passengers around a bit.

"See you in the fight, old man!" The words were nearly lost in the crowd.

"We're entering a show-fight," Lysander spat with disgust. "These people are here to watch others kill or be killed."

"Who would want to watch that?" Macabeth inquired.

"Disturbing people," Democritus muttered.

"What i-if they separate us? What if we die?" Macabeth's voice was iced with fear. Randolf became aware that Macabeth was holding his knees to his chest.

"We stand to protect all we have, and that's each other." Lysander assured. "If they separate us, we fight those that stand in between us."

"I shan't let them touch you," Randolf joined.

"They won't stand a chance," Democritus agreed.

"Promise we'll stay together?" Macabeth put out a hand.

The other three placed their hand over Macabeth's. "We promise."

However, Randolf was aware of the doubts and ifs of their promise.


I stretched and yawned from atop the grocery store. I was grouchy and irritated to say in the least. Leo had split us up since we hadn't found anything together. I was glad to get alone, but I had yet to get my fist into someone who deserved it. I supposed the punching bag back home would do – or so I kept telling myself. With my luck, everyone else would come home with a fight story but me.

Taking a glance down, I noticed a girl about my age holding two heavy looking grocery bags. I smirked. She looked like someone who'd get ticked at anyone who tried to assist her. She looked familiar too, with the dark brown hair and impatient looks, but I couldn't put my finger on it.

It happens to me a lot. Life pokes one shoulder when it's at the other. So many thingsI feel like I know, but I don't.

"It's frustrating!" I snarled, pounding my fist on the cement roof. I sighed and leaned back, slightly embarrassed by my sudden anger. Sometimes I am embarrassed by it. But I would never dare tell Leo that or anyone else for that matter.

A sudden muffled shriek caught me from my thoughts. I looked down. The girl was gone. I looked round seeing her in the alleyway being held back by a lean muscular man.

I leaped down and landed. Both the prey and the man looked at me. My narrowed eyes snatched the purple dragon tattoo on his arm.

"What? Alone and thought she'd be an easy target?" I growled, sliding my sias into my hands. "Coward!"

The man met my face with a snarl and pointed his metal pipe at me and spat. "Turtle scum!" He charged me.

"You'll be the scum when I'm through!" I dodged his first charge to see that girl had backed up; she was still staring at me. I was used to it so I thought nothing of it. I was surprised that she hadn't run yet.

I whipped around to face my opponent just in time. I put up my siases to just barely stop the pipe from hitting me in the head. He bore down to try and force my weapons out of hand. I bore back harder. There was a loud clang of metal as his pipe hit the ground.

That's when my favorite part of every fight happened. Fear was in the purple dragon's eyes because he knew he had lost. Sparing him his life, I gave that piece of turtle dung a solid kick in the head. He dropped to the ground.

Disappointing… I thought. I had hoped for a more challenging fight.

I pointed by attention to the girl. "I wouldn't stick around much. His posy might be here soon and they won't be as easy." She simply gawked at me.

Trying to fill the awkward silence as she stared, I glanced at my unconscious victim. "So, what are you doing alone at night?" I asked her.

More silence.

I sighed. "Look, believe it or not – your choice – I'm the good guy. And-"

She interrupted me. "Raph? Raphael?" I sharply looked up at her. The girl met my look, obviously awaiting a response.

It was my turn to gawk. "H-how do you know my name?" Then, it all came back. My life made sense.