Chapter 13: Dual Wielding

                                    

                                          
"Kill him" echoed in Keith's ears, his happy expression morphing into a numb one. His body stiffened as his hands gripped the sword, raising it. 
                          
Lance paused, the excitement draining from his face, backing up slowly. 
                          
Keith launched himself towards Lance, his sword swinging down swiftly and with force. 
                          
The altean broadsword intercepted his attack, the swords inches from Lance's cheek. "Keith, please." He whispered nervously, looking into the emotionless eyes in front of him. 
                          
The marks on Keith's hip and neck glowed brightly, making Lotor chuckle. "It worked." He whispered, unsheathing a sword at his hip, his eyes settling on the yellow paladin, who was trying to focus on the fight and on Lotor. 
                          
Lance was busy trying to keep Keith from slicing him apart, barely keeping up, tears falling quickly from his ocean-blue eyes. "H-Hunk, let's fall back!" He kicked Keith as hard as he could, turning and sprinting down the hallway, Hunk following his lead. 
                          
"Wait. Take this too." Lotor told Keith before he followed them, tossing his sword to Keith's free hand. 
                          
Keith caught it, walking down the hallway after the boys, knowing he could take his time.
                          
Hunk and Lance ended up at a split hallway, one they'd seen before. They were trying to figure out which one to go down when the lights went out, making Hunk whimper anxiously. 
                          
A light scraping sound echoed down the hallway, both boys looking towards it. 
                          
Sparks danced away from the blades Keith dragged behind him, his galra eyes glowing a bright yellow, the rest of his face hidden with the darkness. The bite marks still glowed purple, seeming to trap Keith in the orders he was given. 
                          
Lance took a shaky breath, looking down the hallways again. "Hunk, go right." 
                          
"Okay." Hunk started down the hallway, then looked back at Lance. "Come on, hurry!"
                          
Lance shook his head, his armor glowing a soft blue. "Go, Hunk. I'll hold him off."
                          
Hunk hesitated, the scraping going away. "Lance, let's switch. You go, and I'll hold him back."
                          
Lance watched Keith's eyes get closer, the sword shaking in his trembling hands. "Fine." He turned and booked it, running past Hunk.  
                          
Keith broke into a sprint, running right past Hunk, obviously after Lance only. 
                          
Hunk cursed himself, running after them, calling to Shiro, Pidge, and Allura to tell them what was going on. 
                          
Keith caught up to Lance easily, delivering a swift slice to his calf, making Lance cry out and fall onto the floor. 
                          
Keith stood above him, his eyes cold, the swords pressed to the ground on either side of Lance's head. 
                          
"Keith, snap out of it!" Lance whimpered, his sword held down by Keith's boot. 
                          
"Run!" Hunk yelled, barreling into Keith, knocking him off of Lance. 
                          
Lance nodded, and got up, limping, but trying to run down a different hallway. 
                          
Keith snarled and growled, fighting roughly against Hunk's arms, the swords a few feet away. 
                          
Hunk held Keith to his body in a tight hug, his arms trapped. "Stop, Keith. This isn't you."
                          
Pidge ran in, shinning her light on them, yelping at the sight of Keith. "Where's Lance?" She asked, looking around.
                          
"He ran off. Keith is only after him, and he won't snap out of whatever trance Lotor put him in." Hunk groaned, feeling Keith try to kick his shins.