With the start of a new week, the banquet hall was reserved for the royal family.

Elenar sat herself down at the side of a long, elaborately-decorated table. She moved the crown from her head and sighed as she settled in for a meal. She was just to the left of the grand throne placed at the end of the table; one which would remain empty. The queen gave a sigh as a servant poured her a clear glass of ice water. Elenar put a slice of lemon in the glass, and carefully lifted it up to gesture toward the throne.

"Good morning, my love." Elenar whispered sadly as she held the glass in the throne's direction for a few moments. "I'm always thinking of you."

Elenar brought the glass to her lips and drank. As she emptied its contents, she spotted two black dragons approach from a side door. Urobos was leading Cyrus toward the banquet table.

"You've made some excellent progress last week, Cyrus." The elderly dragon said with a chuckle. "Keep at your training, and I'm sure you'll leave quite a few impressions on your fellow students."

"If you say so…" Cyrus sighed. "I never feel like I'm any closer to that, granddad."

Urobos sand Cyrus sat down in the chairs across from Elenar. The elderly dragon nodded with a smile toward the queen before turning his attention to a mole servant. Cyrus, meanwhile, gave a warm smile to his mother.

"Hey, Mom." The prince said.

"Hello, dear." Elenar said with a sigh.

The prince frowned. "Are… Are you okay, Mom?"

"I'm fine. I'm just… settling in." Elenar rose her neck up and attempted to adopt a regal pose… but she soon slumped back in her cushion and groaned. She raised a wing-thumb to scratch her head. "That crown gives me such a headache all the time."

"Well, here's hoping we can do something about that soon." came a voice from behind the queen. Elenar turned her head to see Elza approaching with a smile. She was followed by Dona, who carefully strode forward.

There was a familiar, shifting bulge beneath Dona's cloak. Elenar pursed her lips, and nodded toward the guards. "Secure the room."

As Elza and Dona sat down next to Elenar, the guards rushed about to make sure that nobody could make their way into the throne room without being announced. Once the coast was clear, they nodded toward Elenar, who sighed.

"Alright, let the little one out; it's safe." Elenar said to Dona.

The shadowy dragoness just snorted as she pulled back her hood. The little form of Riven crawled her way out from under her mother's cloak and made her way down to the floor. Riven looked around at the big, wide surroundings, while Elza and Elenar watched her with warm smiles.

"Oh, she's such an adorable little thing…" Elza said. She glanced at Urobos. "Wouldn't you say so, sir?"

"Erm, uh… yes, of course." Urobos nodded.

Riven darted around the side of her cushion as her mother watched her. Riven made her way under the table and quickly came out the other side. Cyrus looked down and nearly yelped when the dragonling popped her head out from under the table to smile at him.

"Hi, Cyrus!" She exclaimed.

"Err, h-heya, kiddo." Cyrus put on an awkward smile.

Riven crawled out from the table and darted around Cyrus's cushion. He stiffened himself upon his haunches and wrapped his tail around his ankles as the dragonling began climbing up. He groaned as her little talons dug into his back, and she scampered up toward his neck, where she locked her wing-thumbs together around it. Cyrus blushed as the dragonling hugged him this way.

"Hmph. Good to know she likes you." Dona snorted.

"Yeah… good…" Cyrus coughed a little. "Geez, she's stronger than she looks."

Dona swelled with pride at that. Elenar and Elza just exchanged curious glances, while Urobos kept his attention on the few servants permitted into the room while Riven was about. The old drake was always uneasy whenever the little white dragoness was exposed to non-dragons.

A few moments later, the doors were opened up, and a few guards strode inside to stand at attention.

"Presenting Prince Rune, and Lord Albanion!" Declared one of the guards.

Elenar's expression perked up, and she looked toward the front of the room as the guards pushed the doors open. In strode Prince Rune, looking rather plain this morning. He was followed by Albanion of course, and the both of them approached the banquet table with hast. Dona gave a huff and stood up to move one seat down from Elza. This gave Albanion room to sit beside his mate, and he leaned in to kiss her before taking a proper stance at the table.

"Good morning, everyone." Albanion said with a sly smile.

Rune, however, just slumped into his cushion beside Cyrus without as much as a word. Riven gave a happy squeak upon seeing Rune and unhooked her wing-thumbs to turn and glide to him. Rune barely even grunted as she landed on his back to hug him.

"Runey!" She cried happily as she hugged him.

"Hi, Riven." Rune said with a groan. He reached down for a spoon to pick it up and stir some sugar into a cup of tea by his plate.

"Are you feeling alright, lad?" Urobos asked Rune. "You seem a bit out of it today."

"I'm fine, Grandpa…" Rune took a drink from his tea. "I just… had a rough night last night. Had trouble sleeping, just like when I was a kid."

"Oh, dear…" Urobos grimaced.

"Riven, come over here." Dona lightly scolded. "It's time to eat."

"Okay, Mommy." Riven unhooked her wing-thumbs again and hopped down to the floor to make her way over to Dona. Rune stretched his neck out and sighed, glad to have the weight off his shoulders.

Soon, everyone in the room spoke about their usual goings-on. Albanion and Elza talked about how she was coming along rather healthily. Dona explained that Riven's reading skills were developing to the point where she could start attending school. And Urobos was his usual jolly self; he kept everyone entertained and joked about his eventual retirement from being an Elder. Everyone was happy and content… except for the Elenar.

Every week when they had this family banquet, Elenar was reminded of how incomplete it always felt. The throne, the head of the household, was bare; nobody was to sit in it so long as there was no king of Warfang. But that wasn't the only empty seat; Elenar always kept a special spot open next to Rune. The spot reserved for her.

Elenar looked over at her sons and sighed; they were growing into such fine young dragons. Cyrus was looking more like his father every day, and Rune had a chip on his horn, and-

Wait, a chip?

"Rune, what happened to your horn?" Elenar asked.

Rune blinked and looked up at his mother. "My what?"

"Your horn." Elenar pointed at the silver horn at the bottom left on his head. " The end of it is missing."

"It is?" Rune asked, growing more astonished. He tried to bring a forepaw up to find it, but just couldn't reach it. Nor could he reach with his wing-thumb. "Uh, can I get a little help?"

Cyrus grimaced as he looked over Rune's horns. He stood up and reached out to clasp his forepaw atop the broken horn. "It's this one."

Rune shivered; the missing piece was small, but still there. When Cyrus let go of his brother, Rune doubled over and shook uneasily. Elenar looked him over curiously; there was something rather strange about his behavior.

"Rune, what's wrong?" Elenar asked.

Rune's eyes darted around for a moment… but then they lit up, as if he realized something very important. He locked eyes with Elenar and spoke as loud and clear as he could.

"What's wrong is that you named me after Runileon."

The table went silent. Elenar leaned back in her seat as an icy chill travelled along her spine. Albanion and Elza were just as stunned as her, while Urobos awkwardly coughed. Cyrus looked around in confusion, while Rune kept his steely gaze on his mother.

"…Excuse me?" Elenar blinked.

"Everyone I've tried to talk to about Runileon has dodged the question." Rune said. "They kept telling me it was something only you could tell me about. And this is the first chance I've had to talk to you about him, Mom."

"Rune…" Urobos cleared his throat and sat up taller. "That dragon isn't an appropriate subject to have at the banquet table."

"And why isn't he?" Rune demanded. "I can't find any information about him in the library. And if he's such a bad topic…" Rune rumbled in frustration. "Why was I named after him?"

Elenar just sighed and shook her head. She always dreading having this conversation with her son. After taking a deep breath, she locked eyes with him yet again.

"Rune…" She said forcefully. "You-"

There suddenly came a pounding on the far side of the banquet hall. Elenar and the others looked toward the back doors as a pair of guards stepped outside to investigate. Eventually one of those guards re-entered the room and rushed over to whisper into the queen's ear frill.

"Your Grace, Prince Lantel and Princess Sandra have arrived. The prince demands an audience immediately."

Oh, of all the times for an interruption… Elenar groaned internally. "Well, tell them to wait until I've made my way to the throne room. I'm in the middle of a meal with my family."

The guard grimaced. "The prince… claims to have a grievance. He's not taking no for an answer."

"Again, it can WAIT."

"He's… threatening to contact his father if he isn't spoken with right away, Your Grace."

Elenar groaned and rubbed her head with a wing-thumb. That Lantel boy can be so difficult most days.

"Dona, I'm sorry, but it looks like Riven has to be hidden away early." Elenar said to her.

"Right. Of course…" Dona snorted in derision. She then sighed and scooped her daughter up. "Come along, dear. Let's get you to your room."

"Aww, but I wanted to spend time with Rune and Cyrus." The little girl pouted.

"Maybe next time, kiddo." Cyrus frowned.

Dona opened up her shadow and sank down into it with her duaghter. As soon as Dona and Riven were gone, Elenar nodded to the guard to let Lantel and Sandra in. Everyone at the table sat up straight as the doors were pulled open. Sure enough, Lantel came striding into the room, with his sister Sandra hot on his heels. Rune's eyes widened upon seeing them, and he sank down into his cushion. Elenar couldn't help but raise an eye ridge at this; what had gotten into him?

"I can't believe you're actually going ahead and disrupting the royal family, Lantel!" Sandra snapped.

"Shut it." He snapped back. He then walked around the side of the table and ignored the odd looks from Albanion and Elza. Lantel came to a stop right before Elenar and bowed his head. "I need to talk to you, Your Grace."

"So I've heard…" Elenar turned around and glared at him. "It had better be important, Prince Lantel."

"I'll keep it quick…" Lantel raised his head and looked her in the eyes. "Your son Rune has dishonored my sister Sandra!"

The declaration made everyone else flinch in surprise. Albanion and Urobos glanced at Rune, who grimaced and looked away. Elenar, meanwhile, felt like she'd been hit on the head with a brick.

"You accuse my son… of WHAT?" Elenar demanded.

"I just told you! He came to my sister and-"

"He did no such thing!" Sandra growled at her brother. She then looked at Elenar and grimaced. "My High Queen, I'm really sorry that my brother felt like bothering you with such a load of-"

"You're protecting him." Lantel snapped at Sandra. "And I have proof!"

Sandra's eyes widened, but then she snorted and glared at him. "No you don't. You're just making shit up because you hate him."

"That's where you're wrong." Lantel declared. He looked back at Elenar and raised his forepaw up. "Take a look at THIS, your grace."

Lantel opened his paw and presented something, to which Elenar lowered her head to inspect it. It was a small, cone-shaped chunk of silver that seemed to be broken off… from… Elenar nearly fell from her cushion as she filled with dread. It was a chunk of horn.

"I found this on Sandra's bedroom floor last night." Lantel declared. He looked in Rune's direction; the black prince had turned his head to the side and averted his gaze. "And I can't help but notice that our dear Prince Rune is missing a chunk of his horn!"

With a heavy sigh, Elenar turned to look at her son. She placed the chunk of horn on the table and passed it forward to Urobos. With an uneasy expression, Urobos picked up the piece of horn, hopped out of his cushion, and walked over to his grandson to hold the chunk of horn up to his damaged horn. Rune shivered as the piece of horn popped into place perfectly.

"Rune…" Urobos said cautiously. "What have you done?"

"I…" Rune stammered. "I, uh…"

"He certainly didn't do anything WRONG!" Sandra exclaimed. She shoved her brother out of the way so she could stand before Elenar. "First of all, Your Grace, all we did was kiss each other. And SECOND of all, even if we had, uh…" She blushed a bit, even if it wasn't too visible. "The point is that he didn't goad me, manipulate me, or seduce me. I welcomed his embrace with open wings. So no dishonoring happened at all!"

Elenar slumped into her cushion again; what a fine, hot mess these rowdy teenagers had made.

"Alright, thank you for bringing this to my attention, Prince Lantel." She said to him with a nod. "I'll be having a long chat with Rune about this." She glanced over at Sandra. "And Princess Sandra, even though you are infatuated with my son, you need to understand that fooling around in the middle of the night could lead to trouble."

"But…" Sandra stammered.

"I urge you to use caution and reason in the future." Elenar said calmly. "You don't want to give the wrong impression to anyone that-"

"I challenge Prince Rune to a duel!" Lantel bellowed.

The declaration hit Elenar like a brick. She was momentarily stunned into silence, while everyone else at the table looked at Lantel in shock. Rune most of all was horrified as the red prince stood tall and proud, while his words echoed throughout the banquet hall. And the more they repeated in Elenar's mind, the angrier she got.

"This… this really isn't an appropriate thing to announce in the banquet hall." Urobos said.

"I don't care." Lantel stuck his snout in the air. "My declaration is binding."

"No!" Elenar snapped. "Absolutely not!" She rose up from her cushion and loomed over the red prince. "This isn't something to fight over, Lantel!"

"You can't deny me my RIGHT!" Lantel beat his chest. "I've been reading up on draconian bylaws!"

The fiery prince reached into his satchel and pulled out a big tome. He slammed it down on the table beside Elza and opened it to where the bookmark held. He then pointed down at a passage circled in red ink. Elenar, Albanion and Elza leaned down to study the page. Urobos grumbled as he rose from his seat to walk around to get a better view. And all the while, Rune and Cyrus exchanged uneasy glances.

"If a member of the steward family is unsatisfied with the behavior of a member of the black dragon bloodline, the former may challenge the latter to combat to determine who is right!" Lantel exclaimed. "And I am DISGUSTED with Rune's behavior! It's about time someone beat some sense into him!"

"Ugh, what a wretched law." Elza grimaced. "Who would create something like THIS?"

Urobos's eyes became grave, and he fell backward onto his haunches. "It… It was put forth by Spyro himself."

Elenar couldn't believe what she was reading. She fell back into her cushion and finished off another glass of water; it was far from strong enough for her liking. As her head felt like it was spinning, she glanced over at Rune; this just couldn't be happening.

"Where do you get off, Lantel?!" Sandra demanded. "You can't just pick a fight with whomever dragon I like!"

"This isn't just about YOU, Sandra." Lantel snapped.

"You've…" Elenar's eyes narrowed as she looked back at the red prince. "You've been planning on doing this for a while, haven't you?"

"Yes, I have." Lantel said proudly.

Elenar groaned once again, and shook her head. "And, you've wanted to use this challenge as a means to physically assault my son?"

"He shouldn't have to hide under your cloak, Queen Elenar." Lantel snapped. "It's about time he be a REAL dragon and face the consequences of his actions."

"What actions?" Urobos demanded in exasperation. "What has Rune done to you?"

"My reasons are my own." Lantel snorted. "I challenge his behavior, and he must fight me in the arena. If I'm denied this, then I'm going to report this violation of draconian law to every noble house in the land! They won't stand for a violation of a noble's rights!"

"Alright, ALRIGHT!" Elenar howled. She slammed her forepaws down and glared down at Lantel. "You want to have your challenge? Then you'll GET your precious challenge. You and Rune and will face off in the arena in two days' time, at high noon!" She growled in her throat. "Are you SATISFIED, Prince Lantel?"

The prince put on a sardonic grin. "I will be, when I'm the victor."

Elenar blew smoke from her nostrils and leaned back. "You and Rune are not to speak to one another until the battle starts. Now get out."

Lantel had a smirk of satisfaction despite the glares on the older dragons' faces. He bowed his head in respect toward them, and then turned around with a flourish of his cape. He silently cast an angry aside glance at Rune, who sucked in a breath and looked away. Sandra quickly shot Rune a sympathetic frown before following her brother out of the chamber.

Once the twins were gone, Elenar gave a quiet sigh. She looked at her plate and had to try hard not to get sick to her stomach; the shouting had ruined her appetite.

"Excuse me…" Cyrus said across the way. Elenar glanced up to see her other son rise from his seat. "I'm done eating. Is it alright if I-?"

"Just go." Elenar huffed. "I'll see you later, Cyrus."

Cyrus nodded to his mother, and then said his goodbyes to his other family members. Lastly he nudged Rune in the shoulder before taking off to leave through the same doors that the twins left through. Elenar took a deeper breath, and then glared at Rune.

"Why?" She demanded. "Why did you have to get intimately involved with Princess Sandra?"

"I… I couldn't help it?" Rune said awkwardly. "You and Grandfather have always said that some feelings just… happen." He flapped his wings. "And, well… they happened."

"But we never said that you should get so close to… to…" Urobos shivered. "No, I can't say it out loud." He wrinkled his nostrils and glowered. "You don't understand the risks involved in that kind of intimacy, young dragon."

"What risks?" Rune demanded.

"What if Lantel had burst in while you were in the middle of an act of intimacy, no matter how harmless it may be?" Urobos declared. "He might have attacked you right then and there. A lot of brothers have that instinct regarding their sisters."

"I just can't believe you would sneak into a dragoness's bedroom in the middle of the night." Elza declared. "That's not like you at all."

Rune sighed. "I know, Aunt Elza."

"So then WHY did you do it?" Albanion demanded. "What possessed you?"

Rune flinched. He fidgeted with his talons on the tablecloth and took in a deep breath. His eyes darted away, and his lips tugged back in a slight growl. But it didn't seem directed at anyone at the table; it was like the young dragon was growling at himself. The adults at the table all exchanged curious and worried glances. Elenar suddenly felt a bad feeling.

"Rune, look at me." Elenar insisted. Her son locked eyes with her yet again. There was something just behind his eyes… something that gave her a terrible feeling.

"Rune… did someone make you go to Sandra's room?" Elenar asked.

Rune took a deep breath. "HE made me go to Sandra." He flapped his wings. "He took advantage of my feelings for her, as well as my stress. But I managed to take back control before I… did the deed."

A chill crept through the air. Albanion and Elza fell back and grimaced, while Urobos became uneasy. Elenar did her best to remain calm and collected. For years, she'd known that there was a scar on her son's mind, left in the wake of the Malefor Ordeal. An altar-ego was always there in Rune's head; trying to influence him this way or that. But she couldn't tell anyone in the noble court about it; after all, that scar was left because Malefor has possessed her son and twisted his body to wreak havoc. And even if this presence had caused trouble for Rune… Elenar couldn't cancel the fight over it. It had to be kept a secret. Nobody could know.

"Rune, I want you to prepare for the challenge of combat." Elenar said plainly. "I don't expect you to throw the fight… but maybe Lantel should win."

Rune flinched. "Why?"

"Because he won't be satisfied until he wins." Elenar snorted. "I've dealt with his type before. He's not going to swallow his pride any time soon. Just let him have this victory; let him savor whatever vengeance he wants. Because if he loses, he's only going to try even harder to assault you."

"But what if he uses the victory to gloat?" Rune insisted. "What if he insists on fighting me again anyway? Am I just supposed to let him bully me?"

"If he goes too far, then of course we'll put a stop to it." Elenar stamped her paw. "But at the moment, he's got draconian law on his side, and all I can do is enforce the law…" She then sighed and frowned at her son. "And in the meantime, I want you to meditate with Spyro and Cynder as often as you can. Their presence is the best thing to help keep HIM from taking control of you."

"Alright…" Rune sighed. He rose from his seat and turned to leave… only to stop and cast a frustrated look at his mother. "But what about Runileon? I still don't know anything about him."

Elenar flinched, but then sighed. "If Lantel wins the challenge, then I'll tell you everything about him. Is that fair?"

"Alright; it's better than nothing…" Rune sighed. "Good day, everyone. I need to go and… meditate."

"Hmph, sounds like a good idea…" Urobos raised an eye ridge. "Perhaps Cynder can get through to you where we can't."

Rune just rose from his seat and made to leave; he didn't even bother with any goodbyes. Elenar watched as her son hade to leave the chamber. And once he was gone, she slumped in her seat and sighed. Just like that, her tiny speck of unease at the banquet table and grown to completely engulf whatever happy feelings she had. She put her forepaws on her head and sighed.

"Elenar?" Urobos asked uneasily. "Are you alright?"

"What am I to do, Urobos?" She asked as she looked at him. "No matter who wins that duel, King Horus isn't going to be happy when he learns my son has been fraternizing with her daughter."

"Maybe some good can come of the romance blooming between Rune and Sandra." Elza said. She placed a forepaw on Elenar's shoulder. "If those two become serious about each other, then perhaps Horus will give his blessings for them to be together."

"As if younger generations ever care if their parents approve of budding romance." Albanion snorted. The comment made Elenar flinch. Albanion saw this, and grimaced. "Err, I meant no disrespect, Elenar."

"It's fine…" Elenar just sighed and rose to her feet. "I… I think I need another drink."

Albanion and Elenar exchanged uneasy glances. They soon rose up to stand beside Elenar as she med to leave the banquet hall. Urobos, meanwhile, just fell back onto his haunches and grimaced.

"I suppose I'll tend to the arrangements for the arena match." The aged drake sighed. "You just… take it easy today, Elenar."

"Right…" Elenar turned around and made for the exit with Albanion and Elza just behind her. The guards saluted the queen and pushed the doors open for her. But Elenar didn't bother with a doorway; with a stamp of her forepaw, a great pool of shadows emerged around her. She shut her eyes and let herself sink down into the magic. It stayed open just long enough for Albanion and Elza to follow her down.

And as the magic whisked her off through the city, Elenar sighed and reflected on the past once again. Young infatuation always lead to trouble; who else but she could attest to that?

~~…~~

Lantel and Sandra walked down the corridor side by side. The princess shot her brother several nasty glares, but he wasn't fazed. He'd made his declaration, and now he looked forward to dishing out some well-deserved justice toward Prince Rune.

"I can't believe you're doing this, Lantel." Sandra snapped. "Why couldn't you just leave well enough alone?"

"Because there are injustices that need to be fixed, Sandra." Lantel snapped back. "And rolling over and letting the prince pound you in the rear isn't going to fix things."

The dragoness balked, and then snarled; tiny flames shot from her nostrils. "We weren't going to do THAT! You know that Rune's too much of a sweetheart to try something so vulgar!"

"And that's the only reason you that you two wouldn't do that?" Lantel scoffed. "Are you suggesting that you'd be perfectly fine with whatever humiliations the prince forced upon you if he had the backbone to try it?"

"You better stop before I rip out YOUR backbone!" Sandra growled and dug her talons into the floor. Lantel just puffed out his chest and loomed over his sister; She knew he was right, even if she didn't want to-

"Hey, asshole!" Someone shouted from behind.

Lantel growled. He exhaled through his nostrils and turned around, and saw none other than Prince Cyrus stomping down the hallway. Sandra saw him and turned around with a groan as he approached.

"Well, if it isn't the Princess." Lantel snorted. "What brings you out and about to-?"

"Where do you get off challenging Rune to a fight?!" Cyrus hissed. He came to a stop and dug his talons into the floor in the same manner as Sandra "You know damn well that he doesn't like fighting!"

Lantel just rolled his eyes. "Because he's a cretin who thinks he can do whatever he wants. Kind of like YOU."

"He doesn't think like that, and you know it!" Cyrus snapped. "In fact, I'm not entirely convinced that he even went to make out with your sister at all."

"Excuse me, I'm right here!" Sandra snapped. She stood in front of Cyrus and growled at him. "And I'll have you know that your brother is welcome in my room whenever he wants."

Cyrus just rolled his eyes and stepped around Sandra to keep glaring at Lantel. "So maybe Rune DID make out with her. Boo hoo for you, Lantel!" He scoffed at the big red drake. "How about you give me a REAL reason you want to fight my brother!"

Lantel's eyes narrowed. He leaned his head down and stared angrily at the black prince. "Because he's the closest thing I'll ever get to getting revenge on Baneth."

Cyrus blinked in surprise. Sandra turned around and looked up incredulously at her brother. "Excuse me?"

"That's all you're getting out of me, Sandra." Lantel turned around and whipped his tail around in her face.

Sandra glowered at her brother, but not with nearly as much anger as Cyrus. In the blink of an eye, Cyrus used his time magic to put himself back in Lantel's path. As Lantel recoiled, Cyrus fanned out his wings and put on the angriest face he could.

"So it's because he's a black dragon, is it?!" Cyrus demanded.

"Get out of my way, Princess." Lantel scowled at him.

"If you really have an issue with black dragons, if you REALLY want to get into a scrap, then challenge ME!" Cyrus growled. He stood up as tall as he could to glare daggers into Lantel's eyes. He surrounded his body with elemental lightning and stamped the ground in a show of force.

"You and I have been butting heads for ages!" Cyrus screamed. "If you want to fight someone, then fight me! FIGHT ME!"

Lantel glared back with just as much seething hatred as the black prince. But he didn't move to attack, and he didn't growl. He just rolled his eyes and casually walked around the side of Cyrus to continue down the hallway.

"I'm not giving you the satisfaction." Lantel huffed. "Come on, Sandra; we've got to send a letter to Dad."

"Fine…" Sandra just scoffed. She walked around Cyrus and made to follow after her brother. Cyrus's eye twitched; he was downright bewildered by how Lantel refused him. But he wasn't going to take that so easily.

"Don't you turn your back on me!" Cyrus bellowed. He stomped after Lantel and Sandra, who refused to look back.

"You're not worth it." Lantel said. He turned a corner, where some cheetah guards were standing by. Lantel leaned his head up to speak casually to the guards. "Prince Cyrus is being rather bothersome, and is trying to interfere with the scheduled challenge. Please inform Lady Elenar of his intrusion."

Cyrus flinched in disbelief as the guards saluted Lantel. They turned to glare at Cyrus, but he immediately vanished from the hallway thanks to more of his time magic. Once he was sure that Cyrus was gone, Lantel snorted in content and made to move on down the hall.

"Good riddance…" Sandra sighed. "I can only stand so many arrogant princes in one day."

"Oh, is that a dig at me again?" Lantel growled. "I'll have you know, Sandra, that I'm ultimately trying to look after you."

"Yeah, sure…" Sandra rolled her eyes. "As if I'm a princess that needs such love and affection from her darling brother…"

The two resumed bickering as they continued down the hall toward their rooms. The guards just shrugged and got back to standing at attention. And just down the hall, around a corner, Prince Cyrus was lurking. He scowled as he took harsh breaths through his nostrils.

Cyrus was so ready to leap into a fight with Lantel right then and there. He would have wiped that smug grin off Lantel's face and used it to wipe up the fiery prince's blood from the carpet. Cyrus imagined so many ways he'd use his awesome magical power to break the spirit of that imbecile… and yet Lantel refused to fight him. If Cyrus were to leap out and attack unprovoked, he'd look like such a violent jackass. Everyone would be chewing him out for abusing his powers.

So of course, it would be Rune who got the chance to beat some sense into Lantel… and he didn't even want to! Once again Rune was being given everything that Cyrus wanted: and Cyrus had no choice but to watch from afar as Rune didn't even appreciate what he was given. Even in hatred, Lantel preferred Rune's company over Cyrus.

"Damn it…" Cyrus scowled. "Why am I always rejected and denied?"

Cyrus made to walk back to his room. Even in his seething anger, tears rolled down his face.

"I'm a black prince, too!"

~~…~~

Two days went by faster than Rune would have liked.

The Deep Shadows quickly rescheduled their classes to make sure that Rune and Lantel never stood in the same room together, for fear that a fight would break out prematurely. Rune was relieved at first, but soon it became apparent that the Deep Shadows thought he would start trouble rather than Lantel. Getting the stink eye from Grail was bad enough, but from the entire roster of his teachers? How grueling.

For now, Rune had the arena challenge coming within the hour. He stood in his room and gradually prepared for the battle by putting on a set of silver armor. It had its practical purposes, to be sure, but everyone insisted that he have it polished to shine in the light of the arena. It would put on an interesting show, they said.

Before he left, he wanted to see if Spyro or Cynder could offer up some advice. So, he traced the circles on the floor and sat in mediation. It wasn't long before the smiling form of Cynder sat on her haunches across from him.

"Hello again, Sunshine." She nodded.

Rune looked around and sighed; still no sign of Lord Spyro. He sat down on his own haunches. "Just what could the spirit of a legendary hero have to do that keeps him so busy?"

"Oh, you'd be surprised what ancient spirits have to do, Rune." Cynder chuckled. "Now, shall I presume that you want to ask me for advice yet again?"

"Well… kind of." Rune sighed. "Honestly I was hoping that Spyro could tell me what to do for once."

"Well, sadly he's too busy right now." The black dragoness nodded her head. "And something tells me you're not in the mood to hear what I have to say for the third day in a row about your little issue with this Prince Lantel."

"Right…" Rune rubbed his upper foreleg and sighed; he'd come to meditate several times ever since the challenge was declared. Cynder mostly told him what he'd heard from the Deep Shadows: don't use this challenge as a means to beat Lantel to a pulp. That Rune should consider the consequences of the challenge if Lantel were to win or lose. But even after explaining that he had no choice but to fight, everyone always told Rune the same thing; that he shouldn't have gotten into this mess by fraternizing with Sandra.

"I'm beginning to think that I have to let Lantel beat me senseless over being with his sister…" Rune sighed again. "And I can't even tell anybody that Sandra and I almost…" He shivered and growled. "The point is that it was Runefor's fault; he took control and went after what he wanted!"

"Don't act like you didn't want it, either!" Runefor hissed from far at the back of the area. "You like her just as much as I do!"

"Hush up, you!" Cynder growled at Runefor. The white dragon yelped and curled up in a ball. The dragoness then sighed and looked back down at Rune in pity.

"If you and Sandra truly care for one another, then you wouldn't want to do anything that hurts the other." Cynder said. "Whatever the outcome of your arena fight, if Sandra still wants to be with you, then that could be a sign that you're meant to be together." She relaxed upon the floor and wrapped her tail about her legs. "Just remember to try and take things slowly; affectionate kisses and hugs are a fine way for young dragons to bond together."

"Uh… okay." Rune flushed and scratched his arm again; he tried not to think about moments of intimacy with Sandra.

Suddenly there was a distant knocking on a door somewhere beyond the glyph circle.

"Prince Rune!" Wraith's voice bellowed from beyond. "You're expected in the arena soon!"

"I guess I have to go…" Rune grumbled. He stood up and bowed his head to Cynder. "Thank you, Lady Cynder."

"You're more than welcome, Sunshine." Cynder chuckled. "Just be sure to tell your brother to pop in for a chat sometime; I haven't spoken with him in a while."

"Right…"

Rune sighed as he made his way down the long corridor toward the arena. He could already hear the sounds of an eager crowd as they waited for the spectacle to begin. Wraith walked alongside him the entire time; he constantly glared at the prince's back. The crimson drake went off on some lecture about how he expected so much more from Rune. The prince growled under his breath; how many times did he have to hear that.

They kept walking until they arrived at the doorway that led out into the arena from the western side. Chalice, Sandra and Cyrus were all gathered at the door and watching as Rune approached.

"Well, here we are…" Wraith snorted. "I'll be in the bleachers. Try not to get too messed up, Rune."

Before Rune could reply back to him, Wraith snapped his talons and disappeared. Rune just groaned and made to approach the doorway. Naturally the others were upon Rune the instant he got close enough.

"Hey, guys." Rune sighed. "You here to see the fight?"

"Why wouldn't we be here?" Sandra asked.

"Are you really sure you want to go through with this?" Chalice asked.

"I have no choice." Rune said. "Lantel's the one who made the challenge. I can't back out; he's not even taking a victory by default; he really, REALLY wants to fight me."

"Well, I'm off to the bleachers to watch the battle." Sandra said. "Technically I'm supposed to be rooting for my brother. But…" She leaned in and planted a kiss on Rune's cheek. "Try to go easy on him, okay Rune? Well all know how this is going to end."

"Uh… right." Rune said with a blush. He felt compelled to hug Sandra with a wing before she took off. But once she was gone, he sighed again and forced himself forward.

"Whatever happens, we'll be rooting for you." Cyrus said. He leaned in to whisper into his brother's ear frill. "Kick his arse, Rune."

Rune stiffened; he could see the fury hidden in his brother's eyes. "Uh… I'll do what I can, Cyrus."

Rune strode outward into the expanse of the arena and looked around. There was a full house in the crowd; the most he'd ever seen in the arena bleachers before. The area was wide enough to double as a coliseum, if Warfang didn't already have one. Across to the east, Prince Lantel strode forward from his doorway. The red prince was decked out in sparkling golden armor, with a visor that covered most of his face.

Rune gulped as he came to a stop and stood in a battle stance. Lantel stopped across from him and snorted; the red prince looked ready to throw down right then and there. But instead he turned toward the north to gaze up at a special booth in the side of the arena. Rune turned and followed Lantel's gaze up to Elenar.

The high queen stood proud and tall upon her cushion, with Urobos and Dona on either side of her. The rest of the Deep Shadows were gathered as well; it made Rune shake to see so many of them passing judgment with their eyes all at once. The only two who weren't scowling were Urobos, who was uneasy, and Dona, who had the faintest smirk as she leaned back to enjoy the show.

The high queen rose up tall, and everyone in the crowd went silent. She cleared her throat and stamped her paws as a show of dominance over everyone else.

"Prince Lantel of the Pyrus Volcanoes had issued a challenge of combat in the arena." Elenar said loud and clear. "As tradition goes, the challenger has one final chance to call off his-"

"Not happening!" Lantel shouted. "He's not getting out of this that easily!"

"Right…" Elenar snorted in frustration. "Next time, wait for me to finish speaking, Prince Lantel."

She looked over at Urobos, who cleared his own throat and stood up tall. "The rules for the battle are as follows…"

Rune took steady breaths as he listened to his grandfather give the rules. He struggled to psyche himself up for when he needed to spring into action.

"…Armor may be removed, but after it falls off, it's not to be used to attack your opponent…"

You ready to deal with this cretin once and for all? Runefor asked at the back of his mind.

Shut up. Rune snorted. He's going to win.

So you're just giving up? Runefor scoffed.

"…the match will end if either combatant is knocked out, or if the challenger yields."

"Yeah, right." Lantel gave a growl. The prince glared at Rune, who shivered.

Look, he's mocking you even now! Runefor exclaimed. Wipe that look off his ugly mug for good!

If he beats me, then Mom will finally tell me about Runileon. Rune declared. Your stupid mistake might actually pay off for once!

"..And as final precaution, no elemental magic is permitted during the match." Urobos finished.

Rune was halfway through sighing in relief before Lantel's muzzle fell opened.

"What?!" Lantel roared. Urobos blinked and looked down at him.

"We need to ensure that this is a fair fight." Elenar said. "We can't have your life be put in danger-"

"Oh, COME ON!" Lantel stamped his paw. "You think this challenge is going to have any meaning if the fight is rigged?!"

Elenar blinked. She exchanged glances with Dona and Urobos, who were a tad perplexed. The high queen then looked back down at Lantel. "If this match is rigged, then it's in your favor, Prince Lantel."

"Oh no! I'm not having any of that!" Lantel stood up and sucked in a breath. "I didn't issue a challenge just to be handed a cheap victory. If I'm fighting at my best, then HE should fight at his best! I am NOT Rune's lesser!"

The crowd muttered uneasily, while Elenar exchanged incredulous glances with Dona and Urobos. Soon all eyes were upon Rune, who stepped back and grimaced uneasily.

And look at that! He's just signed his own hospital admittance papers! Runefor chuckled. Rune just growled and wracked his talons on the floor; why wouldn't Lantel make it easy for either of them?

"Well, if you demand my son to fight unrestrained, then that's how it shall be…" Elenar said flatly. She cast a glance down at Rune, who shrank back. Elenar's eyes were sunken in, and she held her jaw in place. The black-hided prince could see the disappointment in her eyes. There was no getting out of this battle easily.

"Very well, then." Urobos sighed. "Elemental magic is allowed. But Furies are forbidden. Let's not destroy the arena, shall we?"

"Fine by me…" Lantel snorted.

"Enough dawdling…" Elenar stood tall and flapped her wings. "BEGIN!"

Cheers of delight erupted from the crowd as Lantel gave a powerful roar. He spread his wings and turned to glare right at Rune, who gulped and stepped back. Lantel blew smoke from his nostrils as he charged forward.

Dona snickered as she watched the fight unfold. She glanced at Urobos and Elenar, who sat back with uneasy expressions.

"What's gotten into you two?" Dona asked. "I would think you'd be pleased to see the future High King demonstrate his skill in a noble battle."

"What kind of battle is this?" Urobos snorted. "It's one prideful prince picking a fight with another prince who fooled around with the former prince's sister."

"Definitely sounds like something nobles do to me." Dona gave a laugh. Elenar flashed the shadowy dragoness a hateful scowl. Dona blinked in surprise; it was almost enough to make her shiver. But nonetheless, Dona stood tall to watch the show; it would definitely be interesting to watch.

~~…~~

Rune crashed against a wall as he struggled to evade a fiery blast from Lantel. He then dodged around the perimeter of the area as fireballs chased him up and down the place. The most magic Rune used was to shield himself from fire damage. But Lantel wasn't one to give up easily; he charged after the black prince and unleashed every bit of magic he could muster.

Rune panted and groaned as bursts of flames struck against his icy armor. He looked up at the crowd; most of the younger dragons were confused by how Rune wasn't fighting back. A few of them seemed quite disappointed.

"What's going on?!" Someone shouted. "Why is Rune being a coward?!"

Rune just snorted; he had to think of the bigger picture. He wanted answers from his mother, and if running was the best he could do, then-

"FIGHT ME!" Lantel screamed. He rammed into Rune's waist and knocked him onto his paws. Rune cried out as he rolled around on the arena floor and landed on his side. He gazed up to see Lantel digging his talons into the floor and extended his wings. "Fight me, coward!"

Rune scowled; he was quickly growing sick of that word. He forced himself to roll over onto his feet and rise up to stand his ground.

"What do you want from me?!" Rune screamed at Lantel.

"I just told you, imbecile!" Lantel growled. "I want you to FIGHT!"

He sucked in a breath and spat out a quick fireball. Rune ducked under the attack and beat his wings indignantly.

"Is this seriously because I spent time with Sandra?!" Rune snapped. "I can't help it if she likes me! I like her back!" He spread his wings out. "Just let it go, Lantel!"

"This is NOT! ABOUT! SANDRA!" Lantel screamed. He focused his eyes on Rune's and clawed at the ground furiously. "It's about YOU, and what your family has done to mine!"

"What?" Rune blinked. "What are you talking about?"

"Do you have any idea what the last four years have been like?!" Lantel bellowed at Rune as he blew flames from his nostrils. "The shame and humiliation my family has had to endure?!"

"What humiliation?" Rune exclaimed. "Isn't your family doing fairly well for itself?"

"No, you DUMBASS!" Lantel hissed. He stomped forward, while Rune stepped back a few paces.

Ooh, he looks pretty upset. Runefor chided, the first he'd said since the fight began.

Shut up… Rune took a deep breath. "Lantel, explain yourself!"

"My father Horus is a laughingstock among the noble court in Ignys!" Lantel snarled. "Ever since the day when your father attacked Warfang!"

"Wh-What?" Rune flinched. He dodged out of the way as Lantel unleashed several more blasts his way. Rune panted heavily as struggled to get away. But while he wasn't looking, he tripped over a loose chunk of rock and fell over onto his side. Before Rune could get back up, he was grabbed from behind and dragged across the floor by Lantel.

"My father gave up almost immediately before King Baneth." Lantel grasped Rune's helmet and smashed it against a pillar. Everyone in the crowd gasped in alarm as Rune cried out in pain. And while the air was silent, Lantel leaned in to shout into Rune's ear frill.

"My father, once the pride of Warfang and Ignys alike, turned belly-up. And then, when your MOM came back from the dead, he just up and handed the ivory crown to her in a heartbeat!"

Rune struggled to get free of Lantel's grip by sliding into his shadow. But the red prince grabbed Rune's neck with his jaws and pulled him out. Lantel swung his neck around and sent the shorter prince flying a few feet away. Rune landed with a thud and panted in pain as Lantel stomped toward him.

"To this day, they call my father a coward!" Lantel growled. "They say that he'll bend over and let YOUR Family do whatever the fuck they please!" He dug his talons into the ground as he loomed above Rune. "And worse yet, my father reassigned my sister and I to this damn school! Where we have to live with YOU!"

Lantel swung his talons down to slash at Rune's face. The black prince yelped and tuck-and-rolled out of the way as Lantel cut into the floor. Lantel just snarled and charged after Rune again.

"And if that wasn't bad enough, my sister decided to get into your study-group, where she's been hitting on you!" Lantel roared. "My own sister, trying to suck up to the same damn family who humiliated my father!"

"Screw you, Lantel!" Sandra screamed from the audience.

"Shut up!" Lantel barked up at her. Rune took this opportunity to scramble across to the other side of the arena. When Lantel realized this, he snarled in rage and spewed more fireballs in Rune's direction. Rune dodged around the bulk of the attacks, but was hit in the flank by the last one. He collapsed onto the floor yet again and watched as Lantel approached.

"Stop holding back!" Lantel snapped.

Yes. Stop holding back. Runefor said. Show him what you're made up.

"I don't want to fight you, damnit!" Rune exclaimed. He got up onto his paws and panted harder than ever. "I'm sorry that you've had to go through all of this. But fighting me won't prove anything." He forced a smile onto his face. "You win, okay? Let's just call this off already."

"FUCK NO!" Lantel roared. He spread his forelegs and charged up his magic. "You think I'm going to just bend over and let you do what you want?! You think I'm afraid of a black dragon?! Well I'm NOT!"

Lantel unleashed a torrent of flames from his maw, which flew toward Rune at high speed. Rune curled up and surrounded himself with a layer of icy magic. The ice barrier protected him from the bulk of the flames, but melted to near nothing right at the end. Rune winced as a bit of the magic stung his back. But before he could move to get away, he as struck in the side by Lantel and knocked over again. He landed on his belly and groaned as Lantel barreled after him yet again.

"Stop dicking around and FIGHT ME!" Lantel screamed as she smashed his fist down on Rune's back. "Use your full power, you coward! I want the world to know that I'm the first in a long line of fire dragon royalty to face off against a black dragon at his full might!"

Lantel forcibly rolled Rune over onto his back. He then took several paces back and flew hot steam from his maw. He panted heavily, letting his magic burn under his scales. Lantel didn't make another move to attack. He just stood waiting… and waiting…

Lantel wanted Rune to make a move. The black prince panted heavily as he forced himself onto his haunches. Rune's body ached; every movement reminded him of the beating he'd just taken. The air was achingly silent; Rune could swear that he could hear the heartbeats of the crowd.

All Rune had to do was nothing at all. Lantel would tire himself out eventually, or Queen Elenar could end the match prematurely. Rune didn't have to fight; he could lose, and finally get the answers he wanted. It didn't matter if Lantel gloated about this later; he could have his pride, and Rune could swallow his own.

So, then why was Rune so angry? Why did his blood boil? Why did he have to endure Lantel's ranting, raving, and beat-downs? He dug his talons into the floor and growled. Rune's heartbeat increased dramatically and he shook and writhed on the floor.

There was laughter up above. Rune's ear frills twitched; it was a familiar, mocking laughter he'd hear several times before. The prince that loomed overhead tilted his head back and cackled, just as he always did when he knocked Rune to the ground. Time and again, Rune could never beat him.

"Well, is that all?" Jonathan asked sardonically. "I'd expected more, Desert Beetle!"

More laughter came, but not from Jonathan alone. It came from the others in the arena; all the other students who joined Prince Jonathan in his torment of Rune. So many faces, so many other faces surrounded Rune as they took delight in his latest in a long line of humiliating beatings. Rune gasped his head as the laughter got louder; they were always mocking him. Always taking delight in the weak little fire dragon who had no other means of defending himself…

But he wasn't just a fire dragon, was he? Rune's core rumbled as realization dawned on him. Oh no, he was so much more; and he'd make it clear once and for all just who exactly they were mocking…

~~…~~

Lantel stood tall as he panted heavily. He'd never taken such a delight in a combat arena before. He watched as Rune just lay on the ground, refusing to move. It was satisfying, Lantel had to admit. But it wasn't how he wanted to end things. If Rune didn't finally unleash what he'd had, then how could Lantel tell anyone he defeated a black dragon in combat? Winning by default? How pathetic was that?

But after a while, Rune finally stirred; he stood up on all fours and shook in place as he gazed down at his forepaws. The crowed started to murmur as they waited for Prince Rune to make a move. Lantel blew more steam from his maw as his talons wracked against the floor.

"Well?" Lantel demanded. "I'm waiting, Scribbles!"

"I tried to play nice…" Rune said lowly.

The crowd murmured in confusion and unease. Cyrus, Tina and Chalice all exchanged uneasy glances. Sandra draped her forepaws over the side of the banister and wagged her tail. What was the prince doing?"

"What was that?" Lantel demanded. He turned his head and motioned toward an ear frill. "I didn't quite catch that, Scribbles."

"I said that I tried to play nice…" Rune repeated. He gave a growl from his throat as he lifted his head up… and glared at Lantel with his wicked, yellow eyes. "But I won't do it TWICE!"

Lantel flinched in surprise and alarm as Rune immediately leaped through the air, talons extended. The red prince dodged to the side as Rune sliced into the stone floor. A feint, purple aura surrounded Rune's back as he whirled around to snarl at Lantel.

"Wh-What's with your eyes?" Lantel demanded.

"You wanted my full power? Well you've GOT IT!" Rune screamed the last part of his sentence at full blast. A series of dark red waves erupted from his maw and struck Lantel full blast. The red prince collapsed onto the ground and shivered a bit as tendrils lapped at his mind.

"That was fear magic!" Wraith exclaimed from the booth.

When Lantel looked up again, his vision was clouded over by red mist. He looked around and rumbled uneasily as he tried to spot Rune. And when he finally did, two sinister yellow eyes barreled toward Lantel at high speed. The red prince howled and unleashed a burst of flames to protect himself.

But Rune counted Lantel's fire with a blast of powerful cyclones. The winds spiraled in such a way as to suck every bit of flame from Lantel's maw and dissipate them into nothingness. They also took some of Lantel's breath; he coughed and gagged as he struggled to keep breathing. And while Lantel was too busy gasping for breath, he didn't notice the arcs of lightning that flew from Rune's maw and struck him on the back. Lantel howled in pain and twitched so violently that he lost his footing and collapsed onto the arena floor.

"What's wrong, Lantel?!" Rune cackled as he spiraled around the injured prince. "I thought you wanted this!"

Lantel struggled to push the lightning away so he could fight again. But Rune didn't give him the chance; the black prince charged forward at speeds exceeding what he had before. Lantel cried out as he was knocked off his feet and sent flying several feet against the side of a stone pillar. The red prince collapsed into a heap on the floor as Rune bore down upon him in seconds. The black prince filled his forepaws with earth magic and slashed furiously at Lantel's armor. Talons scraped against steel as the gold plating was torn from Lantel's back. But Rune didn't even stop there; he jammed his talons into Lantel's scales and traced deep, nasty gashes into the flesh.

Lantel screamed and flailed his limbs about. He struggled to get free, But Rune climbed onto his back and pinned him down with his own weight. Rune also grabbed Lantel's head and slammed it repeatedly against the side of the pillar. Over and over Rune smashed Lantel's head into the stone, until finally parts of the red prince's helmet cracked and split open. Rune then let go and rose up from Lantel's body as he moaned in pain.

Rune loomed over Lantel a malevolent glee as the red prince looked up at him in fear.

"How's THAT for fighting you?!" Rune laughed.

"I… I'm sorry." Lantel panted. He struggled to force himself to look Rune in those hideous eyes. "I-I yield! I yield! You win!"

"It's too late for THAT, fucker!" Rune declared. He sucked in a deep breath, and the purple aura burned ever bright about his scales. The black prince extended his talons toward Lantel's neck as purple lightning danced across it. Lantel gasped in horror; his eyes widened as he struggled with all the strength he had left to escape. But Rune was STRONGER, thanks to his magic; there was no hope of escape for Lantel.

"No, please!" Lantel flailed about in Rune's grip. "What are you doing?!"

Rune never felt so strong in his lift. He beamed with pride as he gazed down at the cowering prince. Rune brought a talon down close to Lantel's face; he was going to make sure that the red prince, this little boastful PRICK, never forgot the day that he decided to pick a fight with a REAL DRAGON! He brought the purple, crackling talon down toward Lantel's eyes, and…

"ENOUGH!" Screamed Elenar from above.

Rune flinched. He pulled back his talon and looked up in time to see the high queen come to a landing a short distance away. He looked her right in the eyes and saw her furious glare as she stomped forward

In an instant, Rune's magic was gone. The purple aura faded away, and Rune's mind became rational once again. And in place of his pride, Rune felt fear. He scrambled backward a few paces and collapsed onto his haunches as his mother angrily loomed over him. Rune's blood turned to ice, and he lowered his head submissively before her.

Elenar held her scowl as she glanced between Rune and Lantel. The red prince shivered as he struggled to get back up onto his own feet. The crowd had gone silent again; one could hear a pin drop in the arena.

"This match is over." Elenar said coldly. "The both of you LOSE."

Rune didn't say anything; he just held his head down before the queen and shivered. Grail and Wraith flew down to land beside the queen; neither of them looked pleased with Rune.

"Get Prince Lantel to the medical wing and treat his wounds." Elenar ordered. She then scowled in Rune's direction. "And escort my son to his quarters; he's to remain there for the rest of the day."

"Yes, Your Grace." Grail and Wraith said. Grail went over to escort Lantel, while Wraith grabbed Rune by the mane.

"Come on, you." Wraith snapped under his breath as he snapped his talons. "Congrats on winning. I hope you're proud of yourself."

Rune just held his tongue and gazed down at his forepaws in shame. Runefor had taken control of his body again… and it nearly cost another dragon his life.

~~…~~

Greetings, friends and loved ones.

This whole chapter involved something that I wanted to add to the main story; Rune steadily losing control of his body to Runefor at pivotal moments. But it's not a switch; Runefor doesn't just magically steal Rune's body whenever he wants. It all has to do with stress; things that eat away at Rune's mental faculties and make him erupt into anger. You don't think rationally when you're angry… and you quickly come to hate yourself after you've calmed down. And that, my friends, is Runefor in a nutshell.

Tenebra ecce Veritas