https://i.pinimg.com/564x/ce/3a/0b/ce3a0bc1cb13470a26b0968c18dbc10e.jpg

"That fucking weasel his body isn't even cold and he is causing trouble", Luna slammed his fist on the table. 

"What do you mean that the passing isn't complete? The preening weasel is dead, it cant be any more clear cut than that!"

The judge was a small man, he didn't really want to be here, he had planned on going away with his family this weekend but someone had gotten sick and here he was having to argue with a psychopath and explain a rule that had hardly ever been invoked.

It had never happened in his lifetime, but it was now his mess to clear up.  It was fairly clear cut though, one of the siblings had to kill the other in the arena to be declared winner. Since Henry had been killed by some assassin and not by Luna then the passing was not complete. Simple but complicated  as this father and son were soon to find out.

He was luckier than most small men, he was a judge and would not be pushed around by this family no matter how important they were, he had the full might of the emperor behind him and no one was going to push him around.

He spoke slowly and with no small amount of menace. "It would serve you well to remember who you address", a chill fell over the room and for a moment time appeared to stop for everyone. Luna had stepped over a line and in the next few moments he had to find a way back over that line and he had to find it quick.

"Your Grace", began Lunas father. "Please forgive my son, he forgets who he addresses, he is young and is quick to temper".  There was a slight thawing in the room.

The judge relaxed and continued, "This has happened before on occasion, but certainly not in my lifetime or remembering. There is a clause in the passing to allow for such a situation, it is normally invoked where a sibling dies by another hand other than a family member in the arena"

"and what would this clause be?" Luna asked.  His father glared at him, Luna locked gaze for a brief second, but was quick to avert his eyes and he added to his request "if you would be so kind judge, I would appreciate your judgement on this matter"

"It is a rule that has been invoked rarely" the judge paused,  he was going to enjoy this and took a sip of his drink.

"The male parent and sibling must battle in the arena to satisfy the passing."

There was a stunned silence in the room.  Luna always knew, that he would have to kill his father to assume full title and ownership of the Monde family empire, but he did not expect to have to face him in the arena, that was a very different matter altogether, the old man was hard as nails and as dangerous as any man (or woman for that matter) that Luna had ever met.  The passing with Henry was kindergarden compared to this upcoming battle....