Forced to face the King, Luca trembles in his boots.

The King's magic is rumored to be stronger than that of the ancient Dragons in the storybooks. He's rumored to be immortal, to be akin to a god- and he's raised Luca, and Luca doesn't know if he's strong enough to be the one to finally seal The King's fate.

With friends at his side, maybe Luca would've had a chance. But where are they?

"Luca. Stop this nonsense, we both know I taught you better. Either quit cowering and fight me or leave."

Luca readies his magic, fire swirling around his blade. He knows The King is unreasonable, will never turn around- The King's been a dictator for far too long, and Luca knows he won't let it go.

Thunder crashes and blades meet. Luca dodges spells and parries The King's sword, realizing it's hopeless; The King's magic is as strong as the rumors say, and Luca's stuck in a losing battle.

He can't run, not now, not when they got so close.

He can't let the resistance down.

His sword is flung away, and The King's is at his throat, electricity crackling down the blade. "Any last words, Luca?"

And then Luca remembered. Gran had told him if he could get The King's mask, The King would be left nearly powerless.

"..I may be a little traitor, but I am NOT useless." He grabbed hold of The King's mask and threw himself back over the edge of the balcony, crumbling the mask in his hands. Magic twirled through the air, released from its confines within the dragon bones that made the mask.

"Luca!" Someone shouted, and he saw someone rushing towards him- but he hit the ground before they reached him.

(REBELLION: A Story by Kit Gundy)

Is this synthwave? A friend told me it was probably dark synthwave and I'm taking their word for it, I've never been good at genres so let me know if I'm in the wrong area