Azun:

After the war I went back home.

Dad ignored my pleading as usual. Nathaniel has been dead for almost three months now. In that time, I finished up the last year of my schooling. By now, Nathaniel would just be starting in college if he went to be a doctor.

I graduated with a law degree, having practiced law for the past month. Ames also decided to go into law. He now worked next door to me, constantly trying to one-up me on every debate, even if we were on the same side.

Even though Ames started school years after me, he rose higher, became a better lawyer. But I didn't care. He could become king of this land and I would never be jealous of him.

What bugs me the most is that he claimed to go to school. When in reality, he watched a five minute crash course video on Law, and still does better then me on the floor.

But I really don't give a crap.

That's my attitude on everything lately. I just don't care.

"Gentlemen of the jury." Ames started a case in which we were rivals. "Bear with me through all this, are you all aware that Azun, my assistant lawyer, is nothing compared to me? This is a dueling trial and I am sure beyond a shadow of a doubt that Azun will lose this very case. It is because he is unfit, a disgrace in every eye. If he couldn't fight on the front line, how could you expect him to defend you in a jury court?"

"Ames, sit down." The Judge stated. "Your client is not yet claimed innocent, call your first witness."

"Is that all you have to say?" I whisper to Ames. I know I'm earning my own strikes every time I talk to him. But like I said before, I don't care anymore. Nathaniel was he only thing keeping me straight.

"Azun!" Ames stood up, knocking his chair to the ground.

"Ames." The judge banged his hand against the table.

"Yes, your honor?" Ames faced the judge and jury.

"Close the door on your way out." The judge pointed to the exit.

Ames glared at me as he grabbed his briefcase and walked away. I just don't understand why he keep on talking out of turn? He was a better lawyer than me, that was for sure, but he rambled on and on, making a murder case a competition to establish that he is better then me. We took a break an hour later, and the next time I saw Ames was after the recess.

"One more thing-" Ames stated in our trial he next day as he rambled on more about me then our client.

He did it for six hours. We got nothing done. Afterwards, he met me outside to establish more than what he already had inflicted upon me.

"Why do you have to be the smartest in the court?" Ames sneered at me. "You are always correcting me. "Oh Ames, is that all you got? Sit down, call your witness!" He mocks me. "You just won't shut up! I can promise that if you keep talking like that to me, this will be your downfall."

He left me before I could correct him.

The next day was the same.

"Corruption is stronger now then ever." I declared my closing remarks. "With the war ended and every military person not getting paid, people will do anything for money. People of the jury, I tend to see that a murder case is not something we need. We need some laws and people to inflict it, our government is doing nothing to help the poor and wicked. I practice the law to make sure everyone has a say-"

"Well, I practice law as well." Ames cuts into my statement. "I am the face of the law! I too see these problems and a member of the counsel to the king, I can assure you we are doing everything in our power to help."

"Oh, one more thing-" I got up on the table and walk over to my brother, stepping on papers, pens, cups of hot cocoa. "What makes you assume that you have to be the best in this room when there are clearly others way more qualified? I know I said before that I didn't care what you did, but now I do. Why do you have to conflict everything I do? Do you want me to admit that you are just better than me? Wait, is that why you joined law in the first place? To be a better lawyer than me? "

"You're causing a scene." Ames crossed his arms.

"I don't care." I snapped. "I haven't cared since Nathaniel left."

"Then maybe you should have made him tougher."

I launched at him, tackling Ames to the ground. We wrestled around till two security guards pulled me off. I let go of my fists, releasing a clump of Ames's hair onto the floor.

Although my case with my younger brother was perfect in all matter of defense, I was kicked me out of the job and I was fired on the spot. Ames just had to ruin my life, he probably was the reason Nathaniel was gone as well.

I see him smile a glare at me as I carried my things from my office. He wanted this, he wanted to keep me from the action.

"I'm just transferring offices." I try to give myself an excuse as everyone watched me walk away.

"Attention, citizens of Malison." The speakers in the office came on. "The King has declared war on Alberich. We are now accepting paid volunteers for the army."

"What did I say, brother?" Ames rolled around me in his revolving chair. "I told you, father and I would solve this problem of unemployment."

"This is not solving a problem!" I snapped. "You are just repeating history."

"Keep on debating." Ames rolled back into his office. "Oh... wait a moment- YOU can't!"

I huffed as my younger brother rolled away. Really, dad? I thought to myself. Making another war? Who is going to die this time?

I talk a lot about death. I think about it as well, fascinated by the subject. My mind always wanders on what comes after this life, what is before. If only I could remember or understand anything beyond my own mortal state.

I hope my thoughts of death didn't rub off on Nathaniel. I would hate for death to be his main topic in his mind.

How long would it take for my father to see that what he was doing was wrong? Keep on fighting, yeah- that's all this planet would do with my father and brothers in charge.

Non-stop fighting.

I was the only rebel left on this planet.
Alone in solitude.
A lonely loner.
Nathaniel and Vestry were gone, Dustan was off at sea.
It was just me against the world in this non-stop fight between the planets.