Ames:

Across the river, at dawn. This is not going to end well, the same ending as my last duel. I can still see my brother's eyes staring at me. He finds me each time I try to sleep. I can not escape the wrongs I did that night. I can not let the same fate hit Nathaniel.

Dawn comes quicker then you think. We meet Luke and Mike on the dueling grounds they set up in the middle of the woods. I bring the guns, both loaded with a single shell. One of these shells will hit target. Then everything will be over.

Do I really need to be in charge? Is it worth losing another brother? Is it worth the pain and regret? Is it?

"Here Mike." Luke grabs the gun from me, clicking it on, handing it to his partner. "It's live."

"Nathaniel." I turn to my brother, handing him his gun. "You don't have to do this."

"It would be my honor." He smiles, what's going through that kid's head?

Nathaniel, so young, yet has seen so much. How much memory did Luke wipe from this kid? It must of been up until the day he got his powers, when he was young and innocent before seeing the news of him going to war. That wall hasn't come down yet, I don't think it ever will. I needed this walk down now!

"Luke." I walk over to Mike's secondary. "Will you accept my apology? Let's form a compromise."

"No."

"Why not? We surrender."

"I want to see a good duel." Luke stares at Mike.

"But Nathaniel doesn't need to die."

"He is no good alive."

"Please just let this be over."

"No." Luke is determine to see a dead body.

He doesn't have a plan for how this will turn out. Luke has no way of knowing like I do the dangers of a duel. He just hates me.

I look around, these trees have eyes, like they are watching us. I lean against a trunk, balancing myself, preparing myself for what is about to happen. If I step in with my power, Mike and Luke will both take over me, then both I and Nathaniel will die.

"No powers." I boldly state. "Luke you can not turn back time, Mike you can not teleport, Nathaniel you can not fly and I can not use light."

"I accept those terms." Mike states, he fiddled with the trigger, anxious to shoot.

Luke nods at Mike. "Remember what I talked to you about."

"Got it." Mike replies. "I will do exactly as you say."

I study the tree next to me, there is a spot of blood. From who? I follow the dots of blood down to the grass below, dragging my fingers through the green. My fingertips hit something cold, spherical, I lift it up. It is a bullet.

We are in the same spot Azun died. What are the odds?

I look up. Luke hands Mike some glasses. I know Mike needs those to see long distance, but he hasn't worn them in years, not since he gave up being a sniper. Why would he wear them now?

Nathaniel stands ready innocent, like a deer in headlights.

Mike has his glasses positioned on his head. He and Nathaniel go back to back. Mike flips them down into his eyes, what exactly is he doing? It only takes me a split second to see why.

To take deadly aim at my little brother.
Nathaniel is going to die. It is us or them, the world is going to change. There will be one shot, a shot heard round the world.

"Nate!" I ran over to my brother. I have never called him that before. I have never been closer with him then we were now. I grabbed him, to give him one more word of advice.

"Ames, what is it?" His eyes are so big, so blue, so pure.

"Look at his eyes." I tell my brother. "Aim right between them. Shoot through and true. I am sorry I was a jerk to you. I promise after this I will never be mean to anyone again. I won't be narcissistic, I will be kind. I promise I will change." Tears fell down my face. "Just make sure I do not lose another brother tonight. I don't want to lose you too."

"Another?" Nathaniel nods, then moves back over to Mike. Nathaniel's face is dry as he positions himself. "What do you mean?"

I forgot. He doesn't know Azun Watcher Zodiac is dead. He doesn't know I killed him. I am going to be responsible to two souls giving up the ghost.

"Live or die." I states the Malison motto. "Always succeed."

Ten seconds.
Ten paces.
Ten counts.
I could lose another.
Mike or Nathaniel.