Okay, really, really LONG post (seriously it's got to be the longest on this site... EVER...) but I wanted to go ahead and get it all in there. There was more I wanted to write about Riordan and Kain's past in these flashbacks but decided to just go ahead and get to the real despair part so... prepare yourself! ^_^
And it is manly to cry about certain things so don't be hating! 
P.S. Fixed the Farghul link. 
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* "Release him!" the woman demands again, the tip of the dagger she was holding to his throat now piercing the skin near his jugular.
Blazing green eyes meet the molten gold ones belonging to Mika and though his hands allow Ravi's own throat to slip away for their crushing grasp his eyes hold the same rebellion as always; refusing to submit.
"There's a good boy," Mika purrs charmingly as Kain falls to his knees, oblivious to the blood sinking into the fabric of his clothes. Mika's dagger moves away from Riordan's throat and she frowns at the dead mutilated bodies on the ground around the redhead. "You certainly do have a temper problem..."
Kain's eyes find the tiny trickle of blood streaming down his brother's neck and his eyes soften. "Riordan..."
"Shame that we will have to break that fighting spirit of yours," Mika continues, "but I do not tolerate insubordination from anyone..."
Kain glares at Mika, obviously not giving two shits about whatever it is the Farghul just said. "He needs ta see a healer, damn it! Wha' tha hell is wrong with you?! He's dyin'!"
As if suddenly realizing the only way to get to this barbaric man before her, Mika's hand moves to rest on Riordan's shoulder, her claws digging into the tender flesh which had been scorched by the Jedi's 'experiments'. Riordan flinches, closing his eyes and turning his head to hide the pain.
"Get yer f***in' hands off 'im!" Kain roars, rising to his feet.
He stops mid-way, however, when the woman's grip on Riordan's shoulder tightens, the boy groaning softly and leaning down in an attempt to avoid her touch. "Ah, ah, ah," she scolds. "We don't want you misbehaving and your poor little brother here taking the blame now do we?"
"You b**ch!" Kain spits, slumping back down onto his knees.
Mika smiles, her hand moving away from Riordan's shoulder, slipping around his neck to tease his other ear, the pads of her fingers dancing along his strong jawline. "Don't use such strong words. They only make you look weak," she criticizes.
Kain replies with a sharp growl and Mika chuckles faintly. "Shall we strike a deal, Akaijin? You are a man of incredible strength; truly formidable... I do not doubt you could have escaped my trappers without so much as a scratch. But your weakness, on the other hand, is not something you cannot easily protect," she adds, her fingers peeling away the cloth at Riordan's shoulders to reveal the damaged flesh there, "and that leaves you open to constant attack."
"No. You bastards all just 'ave f***in' death wishes," Kain snaps. "Anyone who hurts Riordan will die. I thought that was perfectly clear but it looks like I'll 'ave ta spell it out for ya. Those Jedi... hell will be f***in' paradise compared to what I have planned for them... and mark my words, Farghul b**ch, your days are numbered too."
Mika is nothing but amused by the threat. This would certainly be interesting. "Lend me your strength until that day, Akaijin, serve me... and I'll make you a king among gods. And as long as you do what I ask of you... we will not harm your brother."
"How tha hell do I know you'll keep yer end of tha deal, Farghul?" he questions.
Mika smiles. So... he's not just brute strength after all.
...
Five years. Had it been so long since they'd first come to this living hell? Loovria. They had learned its name well. It was a place as desolate and dry as Tatooine... but blood did not stain the sands as it did here. Blood. Here it was all that matter to these simpletons. That and the fight it took to obtain such a precious crimson treasure, thousands upon thousands cheering for more of it.
More...
But five years of it.... Within those five years it seemed he was seeing less and less of his brother with every passing day. The man had become like a god to these people; an unstoppable, bloodthirsty god of the sands. Riordan sighs heavily, taking his helmet off and wiping the blood away from his forehead so it wouldn't fall into his eyes. He stares into his faceless mask. What had they become?
"Riordan!"
Riordan looks up, his face remaining cold and indifferent as Ravi approaches him. He had quickly learned that emotion and attachments would not only hinder him but get him killed. It was like that within a prison were only blood and money mattered; mercy and compassion had no value. It was kill or be killed and he would not lie down and die for anyone...
"It has been some time, gladiator," the Feeorin says, patting the man on the back.
Riordan nods in agreement. "Indeed," he replies simply, adjusting the straps of the gauntlet on his right arm. "You need something of me, Ravi? It was my understanding there were no more fights for the day but if Mika commands it..."
Ravi shakes his head. The boy had certainly grown into a fine soldier: loyal and relentless despite the fact that they were basically holding him prisoner. But he and his brother were so close to their freedom they could almost taste it... and they would do anything to obtain it. What he found curious is that while Riordan and Kain shared blood, the first did not seem to possess such terrifying power as Akaijin.
But... if they shared the same blood surely they shared at least a portion of the same power. So what was Riordan doing hiding it? He grins to himself. Well... they just have to draw it out of him...
"We have a special treat for you," the Feeorin replies. "Rumors have spread about Akaijin's faceless brother. There are some frightening tales regarding the Hikonjuu... some even say he sacrificed his own soul to surpass Akaijin."
Hmmm... if only they realized how close they were to the truth... Riordan thinks to himself.
"They want to see you in a match together," Ravi continues.
"They... they want to see us fight... together?" Riordan wonders in astonishment. "But we haven't ever fought with each other before. How do they know of me beyond my own name?"
Ravi shrugs. "Ah, things get around. You know how it can be in a place like this. Mika is arranging the match as we speak."
And with that the Feeorin leaves. Riordan's gaze finds his faceless helm once more.
...
The massive, barred doors slowly open, pushing sand along the ground beneath them like tiny desert waves. Already the crowd begins roaring "Akaijin! Hikonjuu! Akaijin! Hikonjuu!", demanding their gods to come and face what awaits within the arena.
Riordan pulls on the blue strip of sash tied around around his belt, tightening the knot, ensuring it wouldn't fall off. Not that Kain wouldn't know it was him. Riordan begins the trek though the dirty chambers leading up to the gladiator pit. A figure stands in the center of the ring, waiting for him.
Kain...
As Riordan walks towards him, he takes in his brother's impressive stature as a gladiator. He dons a spartan-like war helm adorned with long, blood dyed hair; his body armor shimmers in the light, layered over to cover most of his upper body, hiding his abdomen from easy strikes. It was a sure sign he was indeed doing well within the arena.
A blue enchanted brand glows faintly on his left arm. Fighters often became religious and superstitious when they could die anyday. Akaijiin was considered a god of death himself and as such the brand was there to prevent the souls he slaughtered from being dragged into eternal damnation as the Farghul sage claimed.
When compared to Kain's armor, Riordan's left little to be desired. He had easily proved himself within the arena as well and as such donned armor to protect himself. However, Riordan's most prized piece of armor was his animalistic, faceless helmet. The "face" of the helm was covered by a diagonal bars which formed diamond shapes, hiding Riordan's face in the shadows.
Two horns protrude from each side of the helmet just behind and above his ears. Riordan was quite proud of it and it was this that gave him the name Hikonijin. A worthy name. He stands before Kain now, the man carrying a massive war spear. Many had been impaled and paraded about the arena on such a weapon.
"Brother... it's good to see you..." Riordan smiles though Kain cannot see it past his helmet.
"And you as well, Riordan," Kain answers emptily.
Riordan is taken aback by his brother's reaction but before he can speak with him further the crowd quiets as Mika stands on the platform above the gladiator pit. "Many have fought this day; many have died, their blood staining the sands. Yet this arena towers above all others in the Republic! It is a vast beast... and still it hungers!"
The crowd erupts into wild roars and cheers, demanding blood. "Akaijin and Hikonjuu... blood brothers. Five years ago they first stepped onto these sands and today they stand before you as gods! But... the gladiators can have only one they fear so. Now witness the fight of fights, one that shall be remembered for ages!"
Riordan shifts. He did not like where this was leading. What did Mika have planned?
"Akaijin and Hokonjuu shall face each other!"
Riordan's heart stops and his eyes widen, a coarse breath escaping his lungs. WHAT?! Was... was this her plan all along?! He'd have never agreed to it had he-!
"Only one shall leave this place alive," Mika continues, "the other slain merciless by his own brother's hand!"
"We never agreed to this, Mika!" Riordan roars, the crowd quieting to hear what the gladiator has to say.
Mika smiles and chuckles faintly. "You may not have, my dear boy."
Riordan gasps, immediately turning his head to look at his brother. "K-Kain?" the name comes out on a shudder of a breath. Kain's green eyes meet his own, holding no shame. It is then that Riordan notices the red sash tied around the other man's waist...
"You have lost your hold on him," the Farghul adds as Riordan's eyes find her again. "He is mine now and is no longer tied down by some petty human morals. Prepare yourself, Hikonjuu. He will show you no mercy."
Riordan's attention jumps back to Kain as the redhead twirls his massive spear, bringing it around to point the sharpened metallic end at his younger brother. Riordan takes a step back, unwilling to believe the situation. "Kain... you can't do this! We're brothers, damn it!"
Green eyes narrow and a growl escapes the monster before him. "I am a god. I have no brother."
"Begin!" Mika's voice echoes throughout the stadium, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
Kain grins, charging forward with a thrust of his spear, roaring as he attempts to impale Riordan. Instinctively in defense the younger gladiator sidesteps to avoid the first blow, quickly ducking when the blunt end of the redhead's weapon is twirled around in an effort to hit him when he's off guard.
Riordan continues to step backwards, trying to put as much distance between him and Kain as possible. He would not fight his brother! He refused! Kain, being the one advancing, is much faster than his younger brother, twirling his spear in both hands as he lunges for the other man, wildly jabbing at him with the head of his weapon.
Riordan dodges each attack and retreats again, the crowd roaring at the prospects of this match. Mika laughs over the arena speakers. "You should draw your sword, Hikonjuu! Then again... if it comes down to that I doubt even it would save you from your brother's bloodthirsty wrath."
Kain swings his spear around again, using it to gain momentum before he throws it at Riordan. The younger gladiator slides backwards to avoid the first strike and then to the side in order to evade the tip of the spear intent on piercing him through. Riordan growls. He couldn't keep this up forever and the longer they fought the more a rage became a possibility.
He'd have to beat Kain into unconsciousness if he could and then find a way to get them out of this mess. Riordan immediately changes his stance from defensive to offensive, surprising Kain, the younger man lunging forward and kicking the redhead in the face, sending the gladiator's helmet flying through the air.
The crowd roars at the first strike of the match, Kain stepping backwards and reaching up to wipe the blood away from his nose.
"Was that so hard?" Mika purrs over the speakers.
Riordan rushes forward again, Kain blocking his kicks this time with the shaft of his spear. The younger man uses it as an anchor to propel himself backwards, flipping in midair to land safely on his feet, immediately rushing forward again and dropping down. He swings his legs beneath Kain to catch him off guard but the gladiator reacts quickly, jumping up and swinging his spear at Riordan's face.
The younger gladiator rolls backwards onto his feet, evading the sharp weapon. The redhead growls, becoming increasingly more aggressive with each missing blow. He goes for stabbing Riordan's face, putting more power and speed behind the spear. Riordan ducks and when the spear thrust towards his heart he sidesteps, grabbing the weapon under his arm and yanking it away from his brother.
He twirls it and jabs it at Kain, using the man's own weapon against him. It was a weak attack. Though the power and speed behind it were as merciless as the older gladiator's had been it had no malicious intentions. Riordan expected him to easily dodge... wanted him to dodge...
The crowd goes silent for a mere moment. Riordan's breath hitches in his lungs and his heart pounds in his ears, the sound of the sudden uproar from the stadium around him going deaf in the young gladiator's ears. "Kain..." he whispers.
Kain's hand weakly wraps around the shaft protruding from his chest, blood dripping onto the sands at his feet, his breathing ragged and uneven as his pierced lungs scream for air and his heart desperately tries to continue pumping blood through his body. Not removing the spear, Riordan immediately rushes to his brother's side, the redhead groaning softly and falling to his knees, blood seeping from the corners of his mouth.
Riordan moves Kain's hand away from the pole of the spear when the man tries to pull it out. "Don't!" he snaps. He rips his helmet off, casting it aside as if it were nothing, frantically looking around, the sound of the roaring crowd completely drowned out by the sound of his panicking heart. "We need a healer, damn it!" he shouts.
His voice, however, does not reach beyond the sands of the arena, the people within the stadium oblivious to the young man and his dying brother, too busy collecting money from each other or reluctantly giving it up. Riordan looks back down at Kain, the redhead's eyes glossy and distant.
"Brother..." he murmurs as the redhead leans into him, blood dripping onto Riordan's golden armor. "I didn't want this..." he shudders, tears stinging his eyes.
Kain's breath comes out rough, the sound more like a growl. "Don't... cry... little brother," he manages, the act of speaking more than difficult, obviously putting more strain on the redhead's body. "I'm... I'm here... Riordan..."
Tears trail down Riordan's cheek, the wet drops landing next to the crimson ones left by Kain. "Brother..."
Kain closes his eyes on his last breath, understanding the unspoken words. *
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OMG! Done! I think I'm going to go die now... that took forever! o_O Well Riordan's despair... forced to fight his brother and then ending up killing him by accident. And Kain sorta apologizes in the end (it's the meaning not the actual words that count 
)... that's pretty harsh. *tear*
So for this one... the reason Riordan doesn't do much during Mika and Kain's first little chat is because he's under the influence of a nice little drug. Kain was given the same drug but really... the dude's a monster. He needed at least three doses.
Also I realize that Riordan may be seeming a little weak but he has been really roughed up bad by the Jedi's 'experiments' and he hasn't gotten healed so it's expected. He's not weak though as you see. Mika did end up using him as a gladiator. Riordan's flashback is not twisted until Kain turns on him. Just to clarify. The rest of it actually took place the exact way it was described.
Regarding Gladiator armor: Kain has short red hair otherwise it would get in the way. The hair connected to his helmet is actually that of a number of his opponents whom he killed... so they wouldn't miss it. It's died red [some claim it to be blood] to help mark him as Akaijin. Riordan's helm is supposed to match the color of his armor so just imagine it as goldish (and yes he is that buff beneath all those robes ) ^_^
Hikonjuu: Faceless Monster; the name given to Riordan Koga by the gladiator crowds... most likely a reference to his faceless helmet and fighting abilities.
