NationStates

En route to the Parasijava Palace

King Hojin was rethinking his and his nation’s relationship with Paras Kanatus and Patuania. The way he saw it, they couldn’t both be the the diplomatic loose cannons. At least, not at the same time. Hojin blamed the Paras’ emotional state. For a man who had such a fearsome reputation, it was clear to Hojin that the pretty Deritain boy, one Jean Yoyo had done quite the number on him. Which was inconvenient for Hojin.

Hojin hadn’t sat on his newly acquire throne a month and he was already acquiring more enemies than he liked. The domestic ones were numerous, though they grew smaller with each passing day, either finding themselves in a grave, or in exile in the far south, to the Celestial Empire of far away Zydos. Abroad things were more complicated. Hojin disliked Emperor Minixus and his wife, Marijani d’Aurelains, who’d waved a destructive campaign across southeastern Seoya a year ago.

Hojin, perhaps against the advise of more seasoned politicians had escalated tensions between Seoya and Minixus’s empire of Nemidia. To be fair, the more seasoned politicians of Seoya were all dead. Which was directly the fault of Hojin, as he had killed them. He had unfortunately realized that such a brain drain of people who knew how to run the country was bad when one was themselves trying to run that same country.

Thus Hojin had spent the last several weeks trying to catch his breath, deciding to completely scrap the old government and build a new one from the ground up. Or perhaps more accurately, from himself down. Hojin had only just finished the skeleton of his government when it became apparent that the Paras’ love life was going to cause problems. It seemed that beneath that icy exterior there was some semblance of a heart.

It was all the Paras’ fault, Hojin was sure. As he had tracked it, it began and ended with him. Kanatus had tried to get his cousin to marry the Crown Prince of Derita, had succeeded in getting an engagement and had even fallen in love with a breathtaking Deritain twink along the way. Win win for everyone surely. That was until the Emperor of Derita, the King of Imarati and the Queen of Imarati (Kanatus’ sister) had all died in quick succession, which Hojin found suspicious.

Things might have worked out if Kanatus, the short sighted fearmonger hadn’t come to the conclusion that it was better to have his cousin marry the King of Imarati rather than the new Celestial Emperor, in a ceremony so awful it was known as the Black Wedding. But everything was fine. That was until the Celestial Emperor had come of age.

As far as Hojin could tell, the Celestial Emperor not forgotten the thief of his fiancée, and had decided to keep Jean Yoyo, the aforementioned twink, away from Kanatus. Kanatus had responded by holding Yoyo’s parents, diplomats, hostage in all but name under the thinly veiled excuse of safety from vaguely assured assassination. It was all rather melodramatic as far as Hojin was concerned. He loathed this dynastic intrigue.

Which naturally brings into question why precisely was he or Seoya concerned or interested in any of this at all. The answer was more about proximity rather than direct involvement. Seoya was smack dab in the middle of the three concerning nation, Nemidia to its west, Patuania to its East and the Celestial Empire to its south. Marijani, the Celestial Emperor’s mother was Minixus wife, who’d both been on friendly terms with Hojin’s predecessor.

At which point it was relent to mention that Hojin had acquired his throne with a great deal of help from Patuanian bullets. And while Hojin was sure he could deal with the tension between Seoya and Nemidia, he was not ready for a conflict, certainly not one with the Celestial Empire, which was seeming more likely if this issue with the Yoyos was not settled in a way that the best preserved peace for Seoya.

Hinge the autocratic usurpers realization that he was going to have to be the adult here talk some sense into either the Paras or the Celestial Emperor. Hojin had ultimately flipped and coin and was prepared to take the wheel of the situation, one way or another.

Parasijava Palace

Kanatus paced the conference roo that he had set aside for his short notice meeting with King Hojin. He scowled, not liking how the Seoyese king had decided to invite himself to Patuania. He was beginning to suspect that he wasn’t going to be as easy to control as Na Changyol might have been. He could have perhaps worn the Na heir down. And King Taejong would still be on the throne. That part had never been part of Kanatus’ plan.

But life was full of lemons, it was up to Kanatus to create the lemonade. Though that was proving difficult. Andeja IV of Derita’s sudden strike had come unexpectedly and Kanatus had been angry. The Paras, a tall pale skinned red head man of thirty six, scowled at the thought of the emperor. A part of him knew this was that damnable Blavk Wedding coming back to bite him. Who knew that the twenty one year old emperor could hold a grudge?

But it was Jean who consumed the Paras’ thoughts. He never should have left him the Celestial Empire. But then, there had been no sign, no warning of the emperor’s plan. Holding Jean there. It was cruel. At least Kanatus had had reason behind his actions. Andeja was being spiteful. But Kanatus refused to back down. Even if that did mean keeping the Baron and Lady Yoyo in thdd we guest rooms in the palace under guard.

When Jean had been his guest at the it had been paradise. Well. Not paradise. Things had been quite rocky at the start. Exceedingly so. But they had found their rhythm, the way they fit together. And now it was all in jeopardy. Jean’s parents meanwhile were very different guests. They hated Kanatus and Patuania, that much was clear. Lady Yoyo at least gave only subtle hints. The Baron on the other hand was very vocal. Kanatus needed to figure out something soon.

He scowled again as on the of the guards in the cold Parasijava Palace poked his head in, announcing that the Seoyese autocrat had arrived. The Parasijava was not designed to be welcoming, imposing and blacked blue white it looked carved from ice, though it lacked much of its normal icy grandeur thanks to the summer season sending the snow retreating. This, Kanatus thought briefly, was the first time a foreign leader was visiting when there wasn’t snow around.

King Hojin stepped out the town car and looked up at the Parasijava Palace. He’s only ever seen pictures of this place. He wouldn’t have thought he’d ever see the place a few years ago. Unlike his predecessors, he intended on actually getting something accomplished while he was here. The Cabinet had met with Kanatus, along with Emperor Minixus, but they had all left convinced that Kanatus was not worth it as an ally.

Hojin too was questioning that, though he was sure that he could make use of Patuania if he could just fix this tangled mess of diplomacy. Hojin put his hand in his pockets and allowed the Patuanian soldiers to lead him inside. Unlike his predecessors, the bespectacled Hojin didn’t care for fanciful uniforms and national costumes. He instead wore simple black pants, a white button up with a black tie and blazer.

He considered how to best approach Kanatus. The two, while working together to overthrow the Cabinet and the subsequent Na Regime had done so from afar and through several layers of intermittaries. Hojin quite liked Temaye Narikid, the cousin of the Oaras who had been the arms dealer who’s supplied Hojin and his men. She was a smart businesswoman, if a bit soft hearted when it came to executions.

Hojin paused for a moment outside the door and scowled, then marched inside, glaring at the talker man. “Kanatus, we need to talk,” Hojin said darkly, a hint of anger pitched into his words as he stood at the table watching the Paras pace.

It took all of Kanatus’ willpower not to throw a conference chair at Hojin’s head. The Paras was not in the mood to be scowled at by a man who owed his throne to him. The Paras paused his place, his words coming out as something between a snarl and shout. Kanatus had a reputation for generally approaching conversations at first with a diplomatic facade, only for his temper to later come out. Here there was no pretense of the facade.

“I suspected that,” snapped Kanatus, “when you showed up in my country unannounced and all but demanded an audience. This is not exactly the best time.”

“Yes,” said Hojin after a beat, deciding to ignore the Paras snapping at him for the moment. He had found in the military that while shouting sergeants did a great deal to intimidate rookie recruits, in order to beat them into submission, he had no care for it. And in polite society a calm demeanor could be just as intimidating, and far more infuriating. Though if he needed to, he was more than happy to come to blows with the Paras.

“That’s why I am here.” Hojin put his fingers together in the shape of a small diamond as he studied Kanatus, searching to chinks in the armor. Weakness was good to know in enemy and ally alike. It could be pressed on, used in the right way it could cripple an enemy, or motivate improvement in a friend. Hojin at the moment preferred to do the later with the Paras. “You have to let the Yoyos go.”

A dark humor loud laugh, short and sharp left the Paras’ lips as he resumed pacing. That hadn’t been what he’d imagine the Seoyese king would say. It was a sentiment that echoed Kanatus’ own brother, Voarok. Voarok, who while tolerating, if not enjoying, Jean Yoyo’s company, for at least with him he had a fencing partner and a pseudo uncle for Kiayana. But Voarok didn’t like southerners. He didn’t like the Yoyos.

Voarok wanted them gone. And that was before the darkly vague warning of a response from the Celestial Empire. As far as Voarok was concerned, they were not, Jean was not, worth an international incident. But Kanatus knew that he was. Jean was unique. One of a kind. Something that had taken him far too long to truly realize. Not to mention he was vital to his own plans for control.

“You must be joking,” said Kanatus with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. The Paras paused, taking a breath, turning back to Hojin. “I am keeping the Baron and his lady wife safe,” Kanatus said the lie with shear confidence, if not honesty. “It is for their own protection.”

Hojin tilted his head as he watched the Paras. The Patuanian leader was like an animal, some kind of large predatorily creature in a cage. Not a great sign. Hojin couldn’t help but wonder which it was that truly drive him. Was it love? Genuine and sincere, if poorly directed at this vital most of overlapping international interests, that drive him to this insanity? If it was, then the Paras was a idiot. And Hojin wasn’t yet convinced he was an idiot.

Pride then, thought Hojin. He was being a prideful brat, wanting to have his cake and and eat it too. Which made him a fool. But a fool could be bettered adjusted than an idiot, as once the veil of their error was revealed they could correct course, while an idiot had to be taught from the bottom up. And Hojin had enough experience for that back home, he didn’t have the time to do the same with Patuania.

“You almost believe that don’t you.” It was a statement, not a question. “Do allow for me to enlighten you. You are the only one. Everyone else can see quite clearly that the Yoyos are your hostages. You’re losing your touch,” Hojin said, knowing that that particular barb was unnecessary, but hopefully it would be effective. “And you must know that with hostage diplomats, you aren’t ever going to win.”

A fist curled into form at Kanatus’ side as he froze mid step in his pacing. He felt as if he had been slapped at the assertion that his ruse was paper thin. With it was. He had been caught off guard by the Celestial Emperor’s recalling of the envoy. He’s only had a short time to prepare, to do something, anything, in order to prevent the Baron from leaving. Yes, he had faked the assassination attempt, but he had been desperate.

Even know he was desperate. He felt as if he were holding on by a thread, a thread it seemed was apparently far thinner than he’d imagined. Hojin’s words particularly stung. You’re losing your touch. That was concerning. Kanatus had built his power on his ability to craft narratives that gained the approval of his citizens. He was the great propagandist. His words curled into the minds of even those who disagreed with him.

Was he going soft? Had he been too gentle, smoothed like a stone under warm flowing water? Jean had tried to refine him. Had he let him do so too much? Kanatus was not sure how he felt about that just yet. “I will not give in,” Kanatus said finally. “I refuse.”

Hojin curled his fingers into a fist of his own, tapping it against the conference table, his annoyance coming out in the soft sound of his knuckles on the table top. Kanatus was being intransigent. That was bad. Hojin had been hoping for him to be annoyed but moved to reason. But the caged Paras was starting to lash out, to dig in his heels, he was starting to head down a path towards disaster. Pride was a foolish thing.

“Kanatus, for a moment,” said Hojin slowly, feeling as if he were trying to calm a bear. “Forget your feelings and consider the bigger picture.”

Kanatus scowled at Hojin, marching over to the head of the table, grabbing the back of the chair that would have been his if either leader had bothered to considered seating— it was clear that neither one of them wanted to invite the potential of a protracted conversation— and tossed it aside, the chair tipping over and hitting the wall. Kanatus glared at Hojin Rested his own knuckles on the table.

“I am looking at the bigger picture,” Kanatus growled. “My scheme may have been hastened, but they are doing what they are meant to. I am keeping safe, there is an assassin out on the loose, who I am tracking I assure you,” Kanatus said having practiced the line several times to give to it some sense of passable credence. “It’s a shield. The boy emperor can not do much with that being the story given to the public.”

Hojin shook his head. He was pleased that he could at least follow Kanatus’ logic. It confirmed his belief that Kanatus was not an idiot, only a fool. He had made a plan. Only it had been a bad plan. Oh, Hojin could follow the logic of it. Only it was flawed logic. Kanatus had played out one option all the way to the brink of it’s unfortunate but ultimately doomed obvious conclusion. An incident. A crisis. A war.

Hojin was not frightened of war. A part of himself wanted it. He carved the bloodshed. He had enjoyed the executions during the coups. A part of him had even enjoyed the torture of those he’s been unwilling to kill just yet. It was strange, addictive kind of bloodlust that last only so long as the act, leaving him always carving more. But Hojin preferred wars he could win. And he knew how to pick his battles. He liked being prepared before the slaughter.

Hojin was not yet prepared. Not yet. Things had to be in place before they drew first blood. They could not tumble backwards into a conflict. That was a fate better left for their enemies. Hojin took a step down the conference table, tapping his fist against it as he gritted his key then forced himself to relax. After a long pause he said simply: “No. “ he took a breath and continued, “That is not the bigger picture.”

“Andeja is not a boy emperor anymore. He is a young man, the Celestial Emperor of an old proud nation. You have made this the first incident of his reign. It will set the tone for the rest of it. And young men, with that much power, do not like to lose. They can’t afford to. Trust me. I have recent experience in the matter,” Hojin gestured to himself. “You insulted him once. Now you do it again. His mother sashayed across the continent with an army.”

Hojin, glared darkened at his own mention of Marijani d’Aurelains. That was one enemy he was not interested in asaging. He looked up at Kanatus, resting his fist on the table top, silencing the previous taps that had punctuated his statements. “What do you think her son, an emperor will do? I can assure you,” Hojin said with a tilt of his head, “I, in his position, would be unwavering in my pursuit of a punitive punishment for you.”

Hojin decided not to yet mention that he was more concerned about being caught in the cross fire of such a conflict. Seoya had experienced being caught in the net of attacks, like being dragged down beneath the waters of the sea following a sinking ship. He’d not see Seoya repeat that mistake. The Celestial Empire and Nemidia being dual enemies would at the moment be less than ideal. So he had to create a circumstance that was more ideal.

Kanatus straightened, his fists leaving the table as he looked down at Hojin, the words of the foreign king piercing through to make him think. He, though Kanatus would not dare admit it, did have a point. That damnable Black Wedding was truly haunting him. There had been those who had suggested, warned that the Deritains would wage war in order to regain their would have been empress. Was that what was happening now? A campaign of vengeance?

Kanatus had found dealing with Andeja III easy. Marijani less so, but still manageable. But the new emperor was a different untested matter. His parents had had reasons, agendas and interests that had aligned with his own. And in the course of that, Kanatus had, however unintentionally given Andeja IV several reasons to go in the entirely different direction. A problem that Hojin had apparently quickly come to.

Which was… odd. Kanatus wax used to being the one who saw several steps ahead, the alternate futures that looked so horrible that had made him do whatever it was that he must to avid the worst possible option. The fact that he hadn’t was further concerning. As was that the Seoyese had. Kanatus felt as if he had been underwater and he’d suddenly be brought up for air. Only for himself to find that all the ships were burning.

“Punitive punishment?” Kanatus echoed Hojin’s trying to imagine that what it might mean. Both by Hojin’s standards and Andeja’s. His mind went to coastal defenses and regiment movements. He recalled Marijani’s sojourn, how unwelcome did it had been. An invasion was not a high possibility, certainly not for success. But it was one. And it was one that could cause a great deal of destruction if it occurred.

“Ah,” said Hojin, a small cruel smile creeping on his lips, “Now the gears are turning. Yes. Reprisals of the likes that I doubt you will enjoy. Of course that is a chance, but the Celestial Emperor” or worse his mother and the Nemidian emperor, “embarking on a full scale campaign through the Northern Sea is not exactly one I am personally willing to take a chance on. Are you?” Hojin didn’t wait for a response, instead pressing on.

“Your actions have there own sense of logic. It’s just that logic is flawed.” Hojin removed his fist from the table and slide his hands back into his pocket, as if they were discussing a play in a football game. Not the fate of nations. “But it’s not too late to salvation the situation. You may have to have a bit of humble pie, but you’ve ruled for longer, I’m sure that you can handle a temporary change of less favorable winds. But I need you to release the Yoyos.”

Kanatus’ expression harden at Hojin’s words. The way that the Seoyese man said them was borderline imperious, and greatly insulting. Kanatus didn’t need to do anything that Hojin wanted. Certainly not on behalf of Andeja and his petty grudge against the Paras. In an instant his mind was made up on the situation. He needs to only find an escape the situation with the best position for himself.

“No.” Kanatus said, his voice low and filled with intent. This was a second type of test he realized. He was in a crisis not just when the Deritains, but also the Seoyese. He had been making more and more mistakes lately. What was clouding his judgement? He pressed his fingers into his palms, resisting the eager to punch Hojin. He was not a idiot like Besarion, which had been his reasons for striking his late brother in law, but he was a different kind of infuriating.

“I do not answer to you, Dohyun.” Kanatus said, using Hojin’s real name. It was a calculated, intentional usage. To remind him where he came from and who had helped put him on the throne he sat on. He had made mistakes in letting Temaye handle Seoya. He had been too hands off, and he had let Hojin grow too confident in his own position. “I will come up with something else for dealing with the Yoyos. You may return to Seoya.”

Hojin’s fingers curled into fists at his sides as he looked up at Kanatus, trying to bridle the anger sparked by the Paras’ comment and use of his original name. Names had great meaning in Seoya. By taking the name Hojin, he had reestablished himself as a person, no, as a leader above reproach. Hojin as a regnal name set a course for how he would guide the nation. Thus it was more incredibly inappropriate and insulting for Kanatus to call him Dohyun.

It simultaneously suggested a familiarity between them that they did not have and more importantly and more insultingly, Hojin knew that Kanatus was using it to try and belittle him, which was even more frustrating because Hojin knew that he was right. Hojin took a breath and took a step back from him. He had expected stubbornness from Kanatus, intransigence seemed to be a key feature. But he was prepared. Hojin fell into a fighting stance and punched the Paras.

Kanatus staggered back, more shocked than hurt, though he pressed a hand to his nose. It wasn’t broken, but he could tell imeadiately that he would have a sizable bruise on his face shortly. He liked at Hojin, blinked at him, his mind not sure whether to be more stunned, confused or angry. Had he just punched him? Had he just punched him? Very quickly his mind made up his mind and settled on anger. A blazing sun of it.

“What. The. Fuck?” The words came out with a growl from the Paras as he looked at the Seoyese King, his body carefully, subconsciously stepping just out reach of Hojin’s fists. A small part of Kanatus was a bit impressed. It had been a solid punch, a jab that had completely caught him off guard. But the majority of him wanted to kill Hojin. The Seoyese had already lost one king, what was another? Third times the charm right?

Hojin couldn’t help but grin a bit. He had been worried that the Paras might not be too stunned as to immediately start pummeling him, or worse call for an army of guards to swarm into the conference room. Hojin believed that, despite the size difference between him and Kanatus, he could handle his on in hand to hand combat against him. A half a dozen armed and angry Patuanian guards on the other hand… well Hojin didn’t like those odds.

“Great,” Hojin said, “now that I have your attention, shall we discuss terms?” The King of Seoya remained in his fighting stance, just as wary of Kanatus as he was of him, his feet shifted ever so often as he held up his fists in defense of his face. Just because Kanatus hadn’t immediately attacked didn’t mean that he wouldn’t before Hojin was able to get through his idea. As it was a very strange idea. But he had a feeling that the physicality of it would appeal to Kanatus.

“It’s seems to me that we’ve come to an impasse, and need to engage in how you say? Aggressive negotiations. So let’s settle this the old fashion way. You. Me. No weapons, no tricks. Just two men and their fists. First to submit loses. You win, I go home, leave you be and never come knocking uninvited on your door again. I win, you let the Yoyos go.” Hojin rolled his neck. It was a bit barbaric, but who ever say that barbarism was bad? “Deal?”

Kanatus stared at Hojin. This man was insane. He kind of liked it. It was rare that someone was so mad and so unabashed about it. He imagined that the Narumadans, bloodthirsty people that they were would have loved Hojin’s suggestion. Kanatus considered it for a moment. While Kanatus was mostly known for his words and his preference for handling things through diplomacy, he was not a bookish man.

The Paras was a position that was forged in the military. And he was no stranger to violence at the personal level. He was fit, muscular, and active. And he had several inches and pounds on Hojin. He could take him. Kanatus stretched his neck, tilting his head side to side, and rolled his shoulders. He hadn’t fought in a while. And when would he get another chance to do this? And there was the fact that Hojin had punched him. That effectively sealed his decision.

“Deal,” Kanatus growled out. He unbuttoned his military jacket, he always preferred to dress in the white and blue uniform when he was meeting with foreign leaders. He placed the jacket on back of one of the conference chairs and then pulled off his undershirt, tossing it onto chair next to the jacket. He saw no reason to get Seoyese blood on his uniform. Bare chested, he took up a defensive stance of his own, raising his fists.

Okay, thought Hojin, so we’re doing this. He had been pretty sure that Kanatus would accept. But a part of him had wondered if he would refused. He would have to certainly backtrack if he had. But Hojin was confident in his own combative skill. Kanatus might have been bigger, but Hojin was younger, leaner and faster than his opponent. He would simply have to work that to his advantage while avoiding being overpowered.

Hojin nodded, pulling off his blazer tossing it haphazardly across the room. He retreated a few steps further from Kanatus’ range of attack as he pulled off his tie, throwing it to the side. It sailed through the air like a black snake. It was followed, albeit less animatedly by his balled up dress shirt. It was good that he didn’t have the usual Seoyese taste for formal National attire, or they would been there for hours.

Hojin considered kicking off his dress suits, but decided against it as he took off his glasses gently and set them down. Hojin was nearsighted and the world grew slightly blurry. He’s however been through a great deal of training while visually impaired. He had no misgiving about his ability to still fight. Stripped to his torso and with his glasses safely put away, Hojin raised his fist once more and gestured for him to come at him with a dark sly grin. “Ready when you are.”

The Paras’ fists were moving before the words were finished leaving King Hojin’s lips. He crouched slightly, pulling his body down so that his jabs were aligned with Hojin’s eye level. Many made the mistake of trying to punch down when faced with an opponent of shorter stature, but that angling stole away power from their punch and created an extra unnecessary gap in their defenses. Kanatus struck out with two quick jabs before he jumped back, bobbing back to his full height.

Pain erupted like blazing starbursts behind Hojin’s eyes. His head snapped backwards as Kanatus struck him. His vision, already blurry, swirled with the starbursts. Okay, he thought to himself as his face stung, he deserved that. Then he felt another punch, this one half blocked by his forearm. Hojin stumbled back, shifted in the mindset of his movement and salvaged action. He bounced on his toes, holding his fists up high.

Hojin darted to the side, and swung his right fist in a short adaptive hook. He aimed not for Kanatus’s face, he was too tall for him to properly do that as easily as he had when the Paras hadn’t been expecting it. Instead he struck at Kanatus’s side. As quickly as he struck, Hojin jumped back darting to the left and right of Kanatus in a shallow arch trying to stay just out of reach as he plan his next strike.

Kanatus winced, but held his ground. He shifted slightly, ignoring the pain to follow Hojin’s movements. He planted his feet, squaring his stance and leaving only his eyes to dart back and forth, following the king. He wouldn’t chase. Hojin was faster than him, and that would only lead him to being tired out if he couldn’t pin him. He needed Hojin to come to him and then catch him with heavy blows. Through gritted teeth he waited, daring Hojin to come at him.

Hojin narrowed his eyes. Or more accurately squinted his eyes. He was trying to gage what it was that Kanatus was doing. He wasn’t moving from his spot. Now Hojin truly narrowed his eyes as he scowled. He’d forgotten that the Paras wasn’t an idiot. They both knew their strengths, Hojin’s speed and Kanatus’ power. They were both trying to get the other to do the opposite of what the other wanted. But a standstill wouldn’t solve the issue.

Hojin went for the attack. If Kanatus was going to hold his ground, that didn’t mean Hojin was helpless. He simply needed a work around. He stepped forward, his back foot anchoring him as he moved in a narrow ellipse, swing both fist one after another at Kanatus’s torso to hit gut shots. He completed the movement but using his back door to yank himself back, like a comet round a sun. A fury of fists and hasty retreat could get the same results.

Kanatus resisted the urge to step back, to avoid the first. But instead after the first hit struck his abdomen, he braced and stepped into Hojin’s punch. He grunted, sucking in air through his nose as he felt Hojin’s knuckles connect with his abdomen. There was bruise blossoming beneath the skin in a matter of seconds. His body tightened as Kanatus forced himself forward, twisting his arm and jutting it out so that his elbow would connect with Hojin’s face.

Hojin let out a yelp, one assuredly manly yelp of course. There was a sickening sound like a pop or a crack as his fist struck Kanatus hard, but sooner than he had calculated. He hadn’t thought Kanatus would walk into his attack. He yanked back his hand, winced, but his left hand was already curled in a fist moving through the air. He wax at least able to readjust in that last spilt second before he lands it squarely on Kanatus chest.

There was no time to celebrate the hit however as at the same time as his fist connecting with Kanatus, Kanatus’s elbow connected with his head, striking the left side of the king’s visage. Hojin blinked, starbursts flooding his vision. Suddenly he was looking upwards at the ceiling ad his head jerked back. He almost felt, his equilibrium thrown off. He pulled back his right hand, caught a flash of red. Blood from where his knuckles had spilt open. He retreated with a curse.