I debated whenever I should continue this story or end it in this chapter but I decided to continue! ^.^

I mean I can't just end the story now...and you will see why ;)

*EVIL LAUGH!* :D

Menelaus side of the palace (Orpheus POV)

"What will it be, old friend?" Menelaus stands with his arms crossed not moving his gaze from mine. "Live a happy life with your wife in some distant land, or leave her fate in my hands." He takes Eileen from his soldier and holds her tight against him.

"Even though I can't let you get Eileen. I cannot turn my back on my subjects when I know what you have planned for them." Menelaus snorts not satisfied with the answer I gave him.

"Very well, you're the one to play noble aren't you Orpheus?"

He tells his guards to prepare this event and wants the whole city to witness our duel. I guess I'm not the one in charge anymore. Menelaus leaves with my Eileen and advised me to prepare for our fight. They also took the two young men with them.

What am I to do now?

...

I walk into my friend Mikolas office to ask for his assistance. He is there sitting behind his desk heads in his hands. I guess I'm not the only one who is concerned about something. "Captain Mikolas are you alright?"

He looks surprised to see me and asks what I'm doing here. "Menelaus is not the one I thought he was. He made me make a tough decision, I need your help to prepare for our battle." Mikolas says that he will gladly help. He tells me that Aria and the young guards under his charges have made contact with him and are in the palace.

"Then I must sadly tell you that two of them have been captured," I tell my friend what I know so we are on the same page. I also suggest that before we get ready, we should take Rachal with us.

We make a quick stop and we get Rachal's part of the story too. I think I have enough evidence. Menelaus is definitely guilty of many crimes and is partly to blame for everything that has happened to the young man Boreas.

On our way to the arena I wanted to free the prisoners in the dungeon, but as I thought so had Menelaus placed out guards so I couldn't free them.

"Just focus on winning first", reminds Rachal me. "I know he was your friend but he is clearly not like how he used to be."

The Arena (third-person POV)

As the event approaches. Menelaus and Orpheus stand behind gates on each side of the arena. Eileen is watching on the balcony with Socrates, Kyros, and one of Menelaus' best bodyguards. The citizens of the city have no idea what this dual will mean for the city or their future.

The announcer's voice is heard from a gramophone and the people are eager to get to know who wants to challenge Orpheus for the title of emperor. "Citizens of our great capital, we will witness something that has never occurred in our history!" He makes a little pause but continues.

"Someone has been displeased with our current ruler's decision and challenged him to a duel to the death! We will see which of the two who has greater strength and are strong enough to be our leader!" The crowd cheers out of excitement and the gates open for Orpheus and Menelaus to step outside.

Orpheus is wearing a gold armor that protects his chest and shoulders. His arms, legs, and face hasn't any protection. He is equipped with a long sword as his only weapon. Menelaus has a silver armor and helmet. His neck, arms, and legs is exposed. He is also equipped with a long sword as well as a shield.

The two fighters step closer to each other, holding their heads and backs high to their full length. Orpheus looks upon his old friend. For him, it felt like yesterday they were best friends and fought for the same cause. "Menelaus why do you want to do this?"

"Like I said. You are not worthy of the title of emperor, you are just the same naive weakling like you were before."

He was about to respond but the announcer interrupted him. "Let the fight begin! May the strongest man win!" Menelaus tightens his helmet, draws his sword, and takes his stand. Orpheus stands and shakes his arms to soften them up and rolls his shoulders. "On your marks!"

Menelaus walks to his place and taps his sword on the side of the shield. Orpheus takes deep and calming breaths, stands in position, and tries to stand as balanced as possible. The announcer takes a deep breath and screams at full throat;

"BEGIN!"

Orpheus watches Menelaus like a hawk. First, he doesn't move, instead, he continues to tap his sword on the shield. Then he walks slowly forward, thereafter he launches toward Orpheus and he can't help but pull back.

Menelaus laughs a little. "You know you can't win this Orpheus. I have won thousands of battles as my time as a gladiator! I'm familiar with battles like this!" Orpheus remains quiet. He must shake off the memories of the past and see Menelaus as his enemy and forget everything that can affect his concentration.

Orpheus takes a step forward and wields his sword, Menelaus is looking suspicious as he does that. Now it's Orpheus who launches forward and thrusts his sword towards Menelaus exposed neck. Menelaus block with the shield as expected and Orpheus tries to make a wound on his sword arm. Menelaus pulls smoothly out of Orpheus swords reach and now the two fighters study each other while catching their breath and planning their next move.

Orpheus rush forward again, to make the illusion that he will stab his sword into his opponent's throat. So when Menelaus block with his shield, Orpheus changes the angle of attack and manages to cut Menelaus' leg.

Menelaus shouts in pain and anger and sweeps his sword towards Orpheus' face. Orpheus feels the air when he ducks as the edge swept over his face. But Menelaus has enough time to thrust the sword toward Orpheus' arm. The thrust makes three wounds on his shoulder and Orpheus growls in pain.

Orpheus tries to stab Menelaus from behind but he has time to take a defensive position before Orpheus has enough balance for an attack. They watch each other again. Menelaus breaths hear loudly from behind the helmet, which makes him seem threatening.

Blood flows from the wounds Orpheus got from Menelaus and his arm begins to feel heavy. Gasps are heard from the crowd as they see the blood coming out of Orpheus' arm. Menelaus pushes him against a wall and Orpheus knows how dangerous that is.

Menelaus thrusts his sword and shield toward Orpheus and when Menelaus is about to go for the kill, he throws himself under the shield and quickly gets back up to his feet. Their swords meet and while Menelaus goes on the offensive Orpheus is more on the defensive.

"It's time we take our rightful places Orpheus as gods showing these people what real power means!" Orpheus continues to block Menelaus swings but he then punches Orpheus so he falls to the ground. He goes up to his feet again kicking Menelaus so he stumbles back.

"I am but a soldier Menelaus and you are a prisoner of your own twisted illusions!"

Menelaus roars and manages to knock Orpheus swords out of his hands. Eileen almost hangs over the balcony if the guard didn't stop her. Orpheus widens his eyes before Menelaus trip him and Orpheus fall to his knees.

Menelaus feel a little pride out of defeating the one he swore to kill many years ago. He smiles and raises his sword about to deliver the kill, the crowd gasps again and you can hear Eileen scream in desperation. "NOOO!"

"This ends exactly how I envisioned, with your head beside my new trophy!" Orpheus watches the ground. He has failed. He failed his subjects, his friends...his wife.

Menelaus will kill them and those he doesn't kill will be enslaved. If he only had seen through Menelaus charade he could have stopped all of this...

He can only hope that someone will continue where he failed.