Chapter 25. The Final Battle
Fighting was second nature to Louis. From the time he was born and every moment after, he'd fought for his miserable existence. At the time, he didn't know why. Why allow the pain and suffering to continue? Maybe he'd been too much of a coward then, to take his own life. He glanced briefly at Corinne fighting alongside him. Or maybe, just maybe something inside of him knew that he was fighting for this moment. She swung her sword with deadly precision at those who wished them harm.
She panted, sweat heavy on her brow. "There's too many of them!"
"Just keep fighting, we're almost through!"
She nodded as they slashed and fought their way through the guards, inching slowly towards his cousin's door.
"Cover me!" Louis shouted, turning his back to the guards. Corinne leapt behind him. He fumbled with the lock for a moment before stepping back and kicking the door open. "Now, Corinne!" She threw the smoke bomb he'd given her at the guards. As they coughed, he and Corinne dashed through the open door, Louis locking and barricading it behind them.
"It's time, dear cousin," Philippe's voice reached his ear. Louis spun around to face him, "to finish what we started long ago."
He was waiting for them. Philippe and his friend with the eye patch, Bertram, were waiting for this. For them.
"Yes, cousin." Louis snarled. "Let's finish this." He lunged forward, swiping his blade at his cousin. Philippe jumped back.
"You'll have to be quicker than that, cousin."
Louis grunted and renewed his attack. He looked over to see Corinne engaged in battle with Bertram.
"Too much of a coward to face me one on one, eh?"
"The same could be said for you and your companion."
Philippe snorted. With the flick of his wrist, several knives flew through the air. Louis dodged them with ease. "That won't work this time, cousin."
"Freak!" Philippe hissed, striking wildly. Louis fought to keep up. "You should never have been born!"
Louis chuckled. "Freak? Is that the best you can do? I've been called worse by lesser men than yourself. Surely someone with your education could do better."
Philippe yelled, his attacks becoming more reckless. The angrier he became, the less focused he was, made his attacks sloppy. As long as he kept this up, it would be an easy victory.
A yelp from Corinne drew his attention. He looked over in time to see her holding her arm. Red trickled through her fingers. Blood, he realized with horror.
"Louis, watch out!"
Too late. Philippe's fist connected with his jaw. Louis stumbled back. Philippe kicked him in the stomach and he fell.
"NO!" Corinne screamed. She rushed to help, but Bertram grabbed her and pulled her back. He held a knife to her throat. Louis struggled to get to his feet.
Philippe stepped a foot down in his chest. "I think not, cousin." He dragged the tip of his blade along the unmasked side of Louis' face. Blood ran down his cheek. "Such a pity I haven't a mirror, for yours is truly a ghastly sight. I should kill you. However, I think I've found a more fitting punishment.
"There's a special cell in deep in the dungeon. Where the not even the light dares to touch upon. This is where you'll spend the rest of your days. And as for you," his eyes wandered to Corinne. "You, my dear, will become my queen." Her eyes widened. She struggled against Bertram.
"Who knows, cousin? We may even come to visit to you in your cell. Perhaps with a little prince of our own. A sweet reminder that all is now mine. The kingdom, the throne, your beloved…" He licked his lips.
Louis glared at his cousin, rage swelling inside him. Never. He would never allow this to happen. He swept his leg under Philippe's feet knocking him to the ground. He reached for his blade. "I think not, cousin." With a swipe of his sabre, he slit the other man's throat. Philippe coughed, a wet gurgling sound, and lay still. Bertram took one look at his comrade, then at Louis. He gasped and released Corinne, running madly towards the window.
Nice try, Louis thought and whipped his blade through the air, catching Bertram in the back. He fell. Louis ran to Corinne.
"Ma chère!" He threw his arms around her. "You're hurt! I'm so sorry! I should have-"
"Me? Look at you!" She tore a strip of fabric from her skirt and wiped the blood from his face. "Better."
He smiled.
"You did it," she whispered. "You really did it."
"I couldn't have. Not without you. When he started saying those things-"
"Shhh. It's all right now." She kissed his lips. "Everything will be all right." She kissed him again.
They broke apart when the door burst open and several guards entered the room. One locked eyes with Louis.
"Monster!" He screamed and fled. The others followed at his heels. Louis' hand flew to his face. Sometime during the battle with Philippe his mask must have fallen off.
...
After twenty-five chapters, Louis finally did it. Philippe is dead. *sobs* My trash son is officially dead. The story's not over yet, though! There's still two more chapters. What do you think will happen in those two chapters? Hopefully something good. ;) Find out next week.