"That was a very good fight, though a little short for my liking," Arthur comments like the asshole I know he is.

"Yeah, I could have dragged it out longer," I remark, though I never would have. I made it quick and as painless as I possibly could for him. I don’t think I will ever be able to forget tonight. Never.

"You usually do," Arthur says, patting my shoulder just like Harley does, but it's not the same. Arthur's is patronising, and a show of power, whereas Harley does it because he’s my brother and cares. It's a show of affection.

"Now, you promised me a reward," I say, keeping my words and expression playful when Arthur looks my way.

"That I did," Arthur says, nodding his head to the side. We walk down the empty corridor, and towards a door that Arthur unlocks as he talks. "Having you around reminds me of the times when it was just me and your father. Us against the world and he was a true brother to me until he lost his mind."

"I wish he hadn't had made those decisions in the end," I remark, not wanting to press on the delusional idea that Arthur thought his relationship with his father was anything like what a brother relationship should really be like. They weren't even friends, not really. Friends don't kill each other when shit goes wrong. Arthur pushes the large door open, holding it with a hand to let me in before locking it on the other side. Automatic lights turn on as Arthur walks down the steep stairs into the darkness below and I follow right behind him. At the end of the stairs is another corridor, though this one is pretty short and made of steel walls and dark wood floors. At the end of the corridor is a massive vault door, exactly what I wanted to see. Arthur presses a few buttons to unlock the vault before using his fingerprint to pass the security. When the door scans his face, I know we have a problem. I can copy his fingerprints and the passcode, but not his face. I will have to end this tonight, but I know the plan is set anyway. If I kill Arthur tonight, it’s not going to make a difference. Everything is lost for him. Arthur opens the vault door, which slides automatically to the side and lights switch on as we walk in.

“Do you like bombs? These boxes are full of them,” Arthur says, placing his hand on one of the wooden boxes. “At the back is a private jewel collection that was stolen from all over the world.”

“It’s over, Arthur,” I coldly say, and he looks back, his eyes widening in fear at the gun held in my hand, pointed right at him.

“A few weeks back with your brothers and you are doing their dirty work already?” he asks in disgust. “You’re a son to me, Luke. We can figure something out. You want Emilia? You want anything? I will give you the world, just put the gun down.”

“They don’t have a clue what is going on, and you can’t give me what I want,” I reply.

“Then why are you doing this?” he asks.

“Why?” I say, laughing. “For years, I’ve been doing your dirty work. Your toy to command as you wanted, and you called it affection. You said I was lucky when really, I was doing it to destroy you.”

“You’re making a mistake, kid,” he spits out. “A bad one that you will pay for.”

“I’m not a kid,” I say, emotionlessly chuckling. “As we speak, my spies are letting the police into every one of your business around the world, giving them the codes for the vaults and arresting everyone that helped you. It’s over.”

“You betrayed me,” he gasps, shaking his head. “You Kings are all the same! Betraying little bastards.”

“Yeah, we are, but you know what the difference between me and my father is?” I ask.

“What?” he asks as I fire the gun, shooting him in the leg. He falls to the ground, screaming in pain and I quite enjoy seeing him this way. I want to kill him so fucking badly, but it won’t do anything. I’m a better person than he has ever been, and it’s all over.

“I could pull the trigger and actually kill you,” I say as he stops screaming. “My father attempted it, but I don’t think he ever really meant to kill you. It was all a sick game like he loved to play.”

“I’m not dead,” he coughs out.

“No. The police are on their way, and you’ll wish you were. That’s enough for me,” I say, dropping the gun and walking out. I get to the vault door when I hear him laugh, a cackling laugh that makes me look back.

“I’d rather die.” The words come out from his mouth in almost slow motion as he grabs the gun he crawled to and instead of aiming it at me, he aims at the bombs. I turn and run, knowing there is no way I’ll get out of here before that bomb explodes. The gun fires as I get to the stairs and a blast from behind me sends me flying, smacking my head on something as I pass out.

Smoke and fire are everywhere, suffocating me as much as it burns my skin, yet the pain is refreshing. It reminds me that I am alive. There is nothing but swirling smoke above me as the burning parts of the ceiling fall, crashing near my head. The embers graze against my skin, though the pain is almost nothing compared to the rest of my body. It’s ironic to die in a place that looks like hell. I’ve lived in hell for so long, embracing the heavenly moments the last few months have given me, only to die in a place like hell in the end. Life is fucked up like that.

“LUKE!” I hear my brother scream, his voice panicked, though I can’t move. I can’t call for him. Tell him to get out of here. I did what I planned, and it is all over now. Harley should not be here. All my stubborn brothers should not have followed me. I know dying here is fitting for what I have done. I can feel my jacket on fire, my skin burning and the pain paralyzing me to the spot so I can do nothing but lie here. Suddenly arms are slowly lifting me, making the pain worse as I can’t see who it is that is trying to save me.

“I just got you back. Your girl is outside, and so is the rest of your family. Don’t you fucking give up on me now, Luke,” Harley voice growls, making me sure it’s him holding me even if I can’t reply.

“It’s o-over,” I manage to cough out.

“Yeah it is, but not for us. You are going to live, Luke. I mean it,” Harley says, his words are the last thing I hear as I look up, seeing the fire covered ceiling heading for us, a large chunk on fire falling down through the building. I don’t get time to warn Harley or do anything as it collapses on us, and everything goes black.