DIVINE BANE-Chapter 64: a duel

As the grand double doors to the main hall creaked open, a quiet stillness seemed to settle over the group.

Inside, at the far end of the vast chamber, sat Zed.

He was reclined casually in the Ravenhart family head's seat, one leg crossed over the other, arms resting along the ornate armrests as if the very hall belonged to him. His hair, slicked back neatly, gave him an air of sharp elegance, and the dark suit he wore hugged his frame just enough to look both noble and dangerous.

He didn't smile. He didn't even flinch. His calm expression radiated power.

He looked less like a child and more like a mafia don sizing up the room.

Evelyne stopped in her tracks. Her breath hitched for just a moment. Was that... really Zed?

Gone was the timid boy she remembered, the one who used to hide behind Aurora's skirt when strangers came near, who stuttered during formal greetings, who once cried because he lost his engagement ring in the garden.

Now, he looked like he could command armies.

Cid, too, was frozen in place. His usual smirk faded, and his eyes narrowed in disbelief. He had come here expecting to mock a meek ex-fiancé but what stood (or rather, sat) before him was a boy who carried himself with heavy weight... as if the air itself bent around his presence.

And then Zed's eyes met theirs.

Those eyes weren't warm. They weren't angry either. They were cold. Sharp. Measuring.

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Like a silent warning that said, Behave.

A chill ran down both their spines.

The silence was broken only by the faint clack of Zander's shoes as he stepped aside and gestured politely.

"The guests have arrived, young master."

Zed didn't move for a few heartbeats. Then, finally, he leaned forward ever so slightly.

"...Welcome to Raven hart," he said, voice smooth and low.

Evelyne gulped. Cid cleared his throat and stood a little straighter.

This was not the reunion either of them had expected.

Cid forced a grin as he stepped into the grand hall, trying to mask the growing discomfort he felt in Zed's presence.

Zed sat at the head of the table like a ruler on a throne, one leg crossed over the other, posture relaxed but radiating quiet authority. His black hair was slicked back, and the sharp angles of his face were framed in the morning light. But it was his blue eyes cold, steady, and unreadable that sent a chill through the air.

It was... intimidating.

But Cid wasn't going to let himself be cowed. Not by him.

With a scoff, he broke the silence.

"We're here on behalf of House Draven to formally end this engagement," he said, puffing out his chest. "Honestly, it should've never happened in the first place."

Zed didn't move. His tone remained composed and emotionless.

"I accept."

That was it.

Flat.

Final.

"If your business is finished," Zed added, voice calm as still water, "you may leave."

The air tightened.

Cid blinked.

It wasn't just a rejection,

it was a dismissal.

A brutal one.

And it burned.

Cid took a step forward, face twisting with anger.

"You've changed your clothes and started acting all high and mighty, huh?" he sneered. "But let's not forget who you really are."

Zed's eyes flicked up, still unfazed.

Cid grinned mockingly. "You're that same little crybaby who couldn't even speak during your own engagement. The boy who lost his ring in two days! Everyone knew you were pathetic!"

He stepped forward again, pointing. "So stop pretending to be something you're not. You're no tyrant. You're just a weakling in a big chair, playing pretend!"

That's when the shadow moved.

It was silent, sudden like it had always been there, simply waiting for a reason to rise.

A dark figure emerged beside Cid, almost like it had slipped from the walls themselves. In one smooth motion, it raised a blade its edge glinting with a cold, ethereal shimmer and pressed it gently against Cid's neck.

The steel kissed his neck.

The figure wore a red asura skull face. His eyes behind the mask glowed faintly with an ominous light. A black coat fluttered around him as if the very air moved to give him space.

Alex.

Or rather, what Alex became when he is serious.

The Soul blade in his hand pulsed with restrained bloodlust.

Cid's throat tightened. He wanted to step back. To scream. But his legs gave out beneath him, and he collapsed to his knees, staring up at the blade and the emotionless mask.

Evelyne's voice cut through the heavy silence. "I-I apologize for my brother's behavior, Zed," she said quickly, bowing her head. "Please forgive this insult."

Zed said nothing for a moment. Then he slowly raised a hand.

"Alex. That's enough."

The masked figure nodded and lowered the blade, stepping back as silently as he had arrived. He returned to Zed's side like a loyal phantom.

Cid gasped softly, clutching his throat, too stunned to speak.

Zed turned his eyes toward Evelyne not cold now, but unreadable.

"You, at least, understand manners," he said simply. "Thank you for that."

Evelyne lowered her gaze, heart still pounding.

This was not the Zed she remembered.

And she had no idea what he had become.

Cid couldn't take the humiliation any longer. His pride, already bruised, now screamed for retribution. With a sharp movement, he ripped the glove off his right hand and flung it at Zed's feet.

"I challenge you to a duel, Zed Ravenhart!" he declared, his voice echoing through the grand hall.

Evelyne gasped, reaching for her brother's arm.

"Cid, stop! This is foolish!"

But her plea fell on deaf ears. Cid's ego had already taken the reins.

Zed slowly stood from the head seat, his posture as calm as a sleeping storm. "Zander," he said, without even looking, "arrange a sparring ground. I'll take him on."

From the side, Zander smirked, bowing with perfect form. "As you wish, young master." Then he turned and strode out to make preparations.

Cid sneered. "Still playing the noble, huh? You're just a crybaby hiding behind new clothes. Stop acting all mighty you're still the same useless brat I remember."

Zed's eyes narrowed just slightly, like a lion assessing whether the ant trying to bite him was worth the effort. "I don't remember who I used to be. But if you're this confident in mocking me, then maybe I really was weak."

He took a slow step forward, gaze unwavering. "But make no mistake, Cid. I'm not that Zed anymore and today... you'll see exactly what that means."

With that, he walked past them, each step echoing with purpose.

Aurora, who had been silently watching, turned to Evelyne with a worried expression. "It's a bad idea... for Cid to fight Zed."

Evelyne blinked, surprised. "You're worried about your brother?"

Aurora's eyes drifted toward the direction Zed had gone. "No. I'm worried for your brother."

The Ravenhart estate's sparring grounds, nestled behind the main manor, had long stood as a place of discipline and tradition. It was a wide circular area, stone-paved and enclosed by high dark walls, banners of House Ravenhart fluttering silently in the wind.

The sun, now sinking toward the horizon, cast long golden shadows over the ground painting the arena in a dramatic glow.

Zed stood across from him, hands tucked in his pockets, sleeves rolled, hair slicked back. He looked more like a noble son lounging after tea than a young lord preparing for a duel.

Zander raised his hand. "Begin."

Cid charged like a bull.

Zed didn't even blink.

The swing came fast sloppy but fueled by ego. Zed ducked lazily, pivoted, and flicked the back of Cid's head with a finger.

Cid stumbled. "What the—?!"

Zed smirked. "You're too stiff. Loosen your shoulders."

Cid growled and lunged again.

Zed side-stepped and stuck out a foot, tripping him. Cid rolled into the dirt, sword clattering, a puff of dust rising behind him.

The spectators watched in stunned silence. Even Aurora winced. Alex was biting his tongue to keep from laughing. Evelyne... didn't know what to feel anymore.

Cid scrambled to his feet, red-faced. "Stop mocking me and fight like a man!"

"Oh, I am," Zed replied calmly.

Cid roared and came again, swinging wildly.

Zed ducked low, stepped inside his reach, and tapped his chest twice with his finger. "Dead."

Another swing Zed leaned back, dodged, then popped up behind him. "Dead again."

Zed was everywhere and nowhere moving like smoke, speaking like a teacher correcting a child.

Finally, Cid spun with all his might for one last blow.

Zed caught his wrist mid-swing.

And smiled.

Cid's eyes widened.

Crack!

A single clean punch straight to the face.

Cid dropped his sword and staggered back, a sickening crunch echoing as blood burst from his nose.

He fell to his knees, clutching his face, eyes wide in shock and agony.

Zed stood over him, gaze sharp and cold. "Let that broken nose remind you that some people aren't meant to be mocked. Next time, learn when to shut up."

He turned without another word.

Zander clapped slowly. "A graceful end, my lord."

Alex, still wearing his Asura mask, whispered, "That nose crunch was clean..."