The bridge of the carrier turned into an all-out melee before I had the chance to even comprehend what exactly happened. My Royal Knights were in a circle around me with melee weapons drawn, a good choice seeing as how there were friendlies all around the bridge.
Folduin was quick to act, he quickly drew a saber that was redder than a cherry, and had quickly cut down three approaching Yurian Stalkers. Zurlian wasn't too far behind as he drew his sword and cut began dueling what looked like a higher ranked Elite.
As fascinating as the duel was, I had to focus my attention on the hoard of enemies that rushed my defensive circle. My guards held steadfast, engaging the Elites in a vicious melee.
They were the lucky ones, as the other Galian Knights and regular soldiers were almost no match against the Elites. The Regular forces were overpowered or being overpowered fast enough, and I felt my heart shudder every time a Yurian blade pierced a Galian.
I fumbled with my sheathed sword and drew it, summoning the blade from its sheath. Luckily, this was much lighter to use than the sword I had at the mansion.
"Get his Majesty out of here!" Ordered Folduin as he cut down another Elite.
I wondered what happened to Giren, and looked through the cracks of the perimeter and saw no sign of the guards the suppressed him, nor the man in question himself. I could only assume the worst.
My knights gently ushered me back, out of the bridge and into the hallway. Several soldiers down the hall heard the song of battle and rushed to reinforce us.
"We have to get his majesty out of here," said one of my knights. There was scattered blood splots throughout his body on his armor, I don't believe he was wounded.
"What about Lord Commander Folduin?" asked another.
"He'll be fine, and Sir Zurlian is there with him as well. As long as we can get the Emperor out, we'll be fine."
The Knight said no more, as we encountered our first amount of resistance.
That strike must have been a coordinated attack from all over the ship, as enemies from secured portion of the ship were engaging our troops.
Or, what we thought of was secured at least.
My small group of escorts we forced into battle against a large mob of enemy soldiers, and the lines were stretched to the limits.
These guys were wearing lower grade armor than the elites, and I even recognize them as the basic footsoldiers of the Yuria.
Well, at the very least, these guys weren't elites. I fared a far better chance.
He swung at me, but it was so slow. Why?
Surely he knew I'd dodge it, and I did just that. I easily sidestepped the swing and swung my sword. It was an attempt to knock his blade away, as I had seen in movies.
He easily parried, and I made my first mistake.
My opponent saw my strike coming and focused more on changing the direction of his strike, his sword swung down at an awkward angle. I staggered back from the awkward exchange, but my opponent gunned straight for me.
I gasped and attempted to jump to the left out of the way, and I made it.
Well, partly.
The blade clipped my shoulder as I narrowly missed my chance to evade the strike unharmed. For the first time in my life, a sword, or anything for that matter, had pierced into my shoulder
I howled, and the only thought that went through my head is this is what he must have felt when he took a knife for me.
The enemy withdrew his blade from my shoulder and tried to come in for the finishing blow.
This is where I made my second mistake.
I in a desperate attempt to defend myself raised my sword, which happened to be with the arm that was just pierced. And the consequences nearly overwhelmed me. I've never felt anything so hot. My shoulder felt like it was on fire.
My life flashed before my eyes. Gaming with Allen, chatting at lunch with Alison, Tirieal, Kirieal, Nyzal, and Vourn. My mother's cleansing smile.
I was dead.
"Emperor Sebastian!" Yelled one of my Knights as a blade pierced through the enemy's chest and stopping. I subconsciously realized I knew the voice, it was the Knight that spoke to me earlier when Folduin told me about the Royal Knights.
I watched the tip of the blade like a hawk and realized that I was saved, that this man who spoke up for me and inspired me, had just saved me.
And I watched as a cold fear gripped my heart as a Yurian footman rushed his lance from behind through the man's neck. I watched as he went limp, and as his weapon fell from his hands and harmlessly hit the floor.
I felt the rage flow through me as I took up my own blade and rushed at his murderer. The man fumbled with his spear, trying to withdraw it from my comrade's neck. But he was too slow, and I was upon him before he had a chance to draw his sheathed sword.
And for the first time, I killed my first man in cold blood.
My sword pierced through what I hoped was his heart.
I heard him gasp, he tried to whisper something. I cared not, couldn't afford to care what it was. I would show no sympathy here.
After a second of my sword entering his body, I withdrew it. The man's body fell to the floor with his legs no longer having the strength to support him.
And I still found myself unable to care.
Until it hit me that I just killed someone. My stomach moved, but nothing happened. I wanted to get sick, but I didn't. I held my uninjured hand up to my mouth for a few seconds. And when I felt like I'd be okay, dropped it.
The lack of fighting drew my attention to my surroundings, anything to get me away from the body at my feet. Right now, I would look at any other body but this one.
"Reiylan!" yelled one of my knights as he approached and knelt beside the man who saved my life.
I ached at the sight. If only I knew how to defend myself, this wouldn't have happened. The wound in my arm was temporarily forgotten as the wound in my heart dug deeper. My teeth ground together as I pushed back the tears.
I would not show weakness in front of these men.
"Emperor Sebastian!"
I heard a familiar voice and turned to see Folduin accompanied by Zurlian and a few Knights.
"Are you unharmed?!" Folduin asked, desperation seeping in. I blinked a few times and nodded.
Zurlian stepped forward and gently inspected my wounded shoulder while taking my sword that I still gripped. "He was wounded, a blade pierced through his armor. Not life-threatening as it didn't go far, let's apply first aid and return to the ship."
Folduin nodded and Zurlian ushered forward a soldier with a large backpack. The man already held a kit in his hand and approached me. After mumbling "excuse me," he began working on my shoulder.
And oh, did it hurt. I sat through it without any complaints. I was alive, while others weren't. I could say nothing and had no plans otherwise. Maybe I was already muturing, I wondered if mom would be proud of me.
A thought suddenly popped up, and I turned to Folduin. "Giren?"
"Dead, Zurlian slew him in the ensuing melee. All of the elites in the plan died."
Zurlian nodded, "It was a last-ditch effort to kill you. There was no way any of them were making it out of this alive so they took one last gamble."
I nodded, while Folduin clicked his tongue.
"It nearly worked too, I was careless." he bashed himself, the man looked pretty upset. I felt bad for him.
"It was my fault, I insisted on coming."
I spoke up, and it was the truth. I had the chance to safely reside on the Flagship but risked myself because of my anger. I got lucky, but others hadn't. And they paid the ultimate price while I got away with a slap on the wrist.
I shook my head, clearing the thoughts.
I took the initiative, "Let's return to the ship. I want to get off this death trap."
Folduin nodded his agreement, placing his hand on my uninjured shoulder reassuringly. Not too long later, we were well on our way back to our ship.
***
I watched from the bridge as the enemy carrier was blown to pieces. The wreckage sunk into the ocean, along with the enemy dead.
"Folduin, are you sure the prisoners are secured?" Captain Teluria asked as she turned in her chair towards the tall Lord Commander.
He nodded, "I have posted several Knights to make assured they'll behave." Folduin was reading something off an electronic pad in his hand, except the whole thing was pretty transparent besides the words.
Definitely reminded me of a sci-fi movie, which I thought was cool. I'd definitely get me one of them. Wonder if I can play Temple Run on it.
"And besides, if they do cause trouble, I've ordered the men to put them to the sword."
I glanced at Folduin, and it didn't look like he was kidding. And honestly, I didn't care enough to give my sympathy. As long as they complied with us, they would be treated fairly, and if not, well every action had consequences. As I well learned a few hours earlier.
Once we returned to the ship, the battle had already died down. The fleet was already beginning to regroup, and Teluria proudly reported to Folduin that our loses weren't as high as they could have been.
The same couldn't be said for the Allied Fleet. The States lost an Aircraft Cruiser from Yurian mechs and a few destroyers alone. It'd take them years to rebuild it. I didn't even want to bring up the full loss of life.
I remember Folduin commenting that it was going to be a political nightmare, and I for one was glad I wouldn't have to clean it up.
Or so I hoped.
I sighed as I examined my shoulder again for the hundredth time today. It was wrapped tightly in several layers of bandages and I was given several injections upon returning to the ship.
Apparently, these injections would greatly increase recovery speed. They were the same ones that Allen received when he was wounded.
Speaking of Allen, I asked the ship medics about him earlier. He was still in serious condition but expected to live, though he hasn't awoken yet. They promised to inform me right away. I even told them to wake me if I was asleep.
We secured prisoners from the ship into the cells on this one. The ambush had costed several more Royal Guard, and Folduin was not pleased. He grumbled endlessly, complaining about the lack of men.
Zurlian appeased him, telling him it could be rebuilt now fairly easily. I kept out of the conversation, It held no place for me as I didn't want to act like I knew everything after a few hours of knowing a tad bit.
And now, we found ourselves preparing to return to Galia. The fleet was ready, and even though it would take a few days to just arrive on that side, I was very excited.
This was about to be a new chapter, a whole new beginning for me and my life. And though I don't know what awaits me, I do know that I will not let it stop me.
For the future, I'll press on.
Soon after, Folduin said his goodbyes to the nations of this side, as did I. I promised to return after three years, enough time for me to get through the Academy. We made the deal to not come back until I was officially crowned. And I liked it.
Our fleet entered through the tear in the sky, the same one that the fleet came through.
I wouldn't forget the time I've spent over here, but I had more important things to think about now.
Yes, a whole new adventure awaited me, and I was ready.