Nina examined herself, checking for bloodstains that may have stained her body or clothes. She thoroughly wiped away any traces of evidence on her body. Her clothes managed to avoid getting drenched with the red liquid, however, she wore a red top so it wouldn't have mattered even if she did. She then put her hood back on, along with her scarf. She slowly put her armor back on, since she wasn't in any rush. She then walked outside of the room, making sure to close the door firmly behind her. It seemed like the maids that usually attend to the manor were sent home, probably because of the late time of night. She then made her way to the waiting room where she left Eve.
She fixed her hood, making sure it still obscured her features. She then began to feel like she had gotten a bit too carried away. She shook her head before turning the corner to see Robin and Eve sitting on a couch together. The scene managed to make Nina smile with happiness, rather than the sinister smile she had while accompanying Grantz. It seemed that Nina was quieter than she thought, as when the two finally noticed her, they both seemed a bit startled. "Lady Kate, you must be quite good at sneaking around if your able to sneak up on me." Robin let another of his boisterous laughs. "So, how did your meeting with the boss go? I trust everything went smoothly?" Nina continued smiling as she held up the contract for Eve.
"I would say that it went very well, especially considering this contract." Robin seemed to be pleased with Nina's report, though Nina wasn't focused on him, her attention was all on Eve. The expression on her face seemed more upbeat, however, she still had a look of uncertainty in her eyes. Nina then approached Eve, she kneeled down in front of her and smiled as she patted her on the top of the head. "It's going to be okay. From this day forward, I will watch over you and make sure you live a happy life." Eve looked into Nina's eyes and could feel a warmth in them that reminded her of her mother.
"Well kid, it seems like you've found yourself a new mother." Robin stood up from the couch and walked toward the entrance way. Eve looked at Nina with hopeful eyes, though Nina seemed to be a bit embarrassed by Robin's words.
"Well, I'm not quite old enough to be a mother just yet, but I will try my best to take care of you little one." Nina stood and held out her hand to the young girl. "Come on Eve, after we leave this city, we'll go home." Eve slowly reached out to Nina, her hand was slightly shaking. After she finally grabbed on, Eve stood up and hugged Nina. Robin was surprised at Nina's kindness, especially because of her job, however, he felt that she still had some morality left in her.
The two made their way towards the entrance after some time. Nina had only took out one target, but she managed to save a young girl from a horrible life. She knew that she could find a way to make sure she would stay safe and happy for the rest of her life, in case anything were to happen to Camelot. Suddenly, Nina could feel a wave of nature magic surge through her. Robin didn't react to the disturbance, so she knew she still had time. Nina knew a ranger must have used a seed from the dryads. Nina had to hurry, otherwise escaping would become more difficult.
"Well, I think it's about time for me to escort you to an inn nearby." As soon as Robin opened the door of the mansion, a knight appeared in the door way. Nina grabbed Eve with her left hand and pulled her close, while also positioning her right hand near her dagger. "Sir John, is there something wrong?"
"Sir, I have come to deliver you some news that a huge plant sprouted up inside the walls. One of the royal knights was found dead at the base of it. When we began to call on the other royal knights, a significant number had gone missing. There have also been reports of some of the royals and lesser knights being found dead. I was told to come find you and tell you to report to the knight captain for orders." The knight glanced towards Nina and Eve, before whispering something in Robin's ear.
"Blue sashes? Interesting, well, I will accompany you to see the captain." Robin turned towards Nina and Eve, "I apologize, I'm afraid there is some urgent business I must attend to. If you head North, you'll find an inn there, tell them I sent you and you'll be taken care of. Until we meet again Lady Kate." Robin promptly bowed before rushing off with the knight. Nina breathed a sigh of relief as the two hurried off. Eve could tell something was wrong by Nina's reaction.
"Alright Eve, we have to hurry and see my friends. We'll be safe when we get to them." Eve nodded as the two began to make their way out of the courtyard. As they exited the courtyard and began walking back to the warehouse, Nina's sword was thrown over the wall. Nina quickly caught it with her open hand. Eve was startled by the sudden appearance of the sword, she looked towards where it came from, and saw a mass off vegetation slowly creep out of sight. Nina held onto Eve's hand as they quickly made their way through the streets.
Knights and guards were running to and from the inner city. Nina then saw her rangers leaping from rooftop to rooftop, quickly and stealthily. She knew that it was only a matter of time until someone found Grantz's dead body. If she was lucky, no one would suspect it was her. Nina refrained from putting her scarf over her nose, as she preferred the dirty air over the smell of blood. After what felt like an eternity of walking, the two finally made it to the warehouse. Nina quickly counted all the heads in the warehouse, making sure everyone made it back. She then kneeled down and looked into Eve's eyes.
"Eve, I'm going to leave you with one of my friends. They will take care of you until I catch up to you, okay? Don't be scared, we aren't slave traders. I will explain everything after we get somewhere safe." Eve could tell something was wrong, she didn't feel comfortable being left alone. However, when Nina spoke to her, she could tell Nina wasn't lying to her. For the first time in a long time, she felt like someone was telling her the truth. Eve hugged Nina as she spoke to her.
"I trust you. Please don't get hurt. You're the only family I have now." As Eve let go, Nina could see her eyes begin to water. She smiled at Eve before patting her on the head.
"Don't worry little one, nothing will happen to me." She took Eve's hand and took her to one of her rangers. "Watch over her, she's very important to me." The ranger nodded before gently picking her up and placing her inside an empty carriage. Inside were the people who acted like slaves, now all fully geared up for the escape. Nina checked with the other rangers, telling them off the plan of escape. "The city will likely be on lockdown. They've surely found the bodies of most of the people we all assassinated. Everyone's made it back already, so I think now is the best time for us to head out. We'll leave through the gate we entered. I will be the distraction, you all will leave as they chase me. Head towards the archer division's location." As the group began to prepare for the departure, Nina made her way back towards the entrance of the warehouse, before looking back towards Eve and smiling.
The knight, John, made his way back to the mansion. He quickly walked into the mansion and made his way towards Grantz's study. John opened the door and was greeted by a sight that would shock anyone. The whole room was covered in vines and plants. John then saw Grantz, or what was left of him. The ground was covered with pools of blood, his body was suspended in the middle of the room, and his limbs had been removed. Wherever they were, they weren't anywhere close by. John noticed that his heart had been removed as well, placed on the desk on top of a blue scarf. The scarf had markings of a royal's sash. John felt like throwing up, but he knew he had to run and tell the knight captain.
At the gate, the guards were searching each person who entered and left. Nina watched from an alleyway, a blue sash around her waist. She walked towards the guards, who quickly stopped her. They immediately noticed her blue sash and went to arrest her, but as they reached her, they suddenly fell to the ground. The other guards all looked towards Nina, noticing the guards at her feet and the bloody dagger in her hand. They quickly ran to apprehend her and told one of the watchmen to ring the emergency bell and fire a flame arrow in the air. Nina heard more guards approaching and could feel more intense magical energy approaching.
"Well, I guess I'd better start taking this seriously." Nina sheathed her dagger and pulled out Joyeous. The runes began to glow with magical energy. With one swing, Nina had destroyed the watchtower. She turned and ran towards where the reinforcements were coming from. She held her sword at the ready and quickly began slashing through any person in front of her. She never stopped, only focusing on the person right in front of her. She never imagined she would fight inside of a city, but was glad that she trained with her cousin. He told her how to fight a multitude of opponents alone. She could then hear Ulrich speaking to her as she cut down enemy after enemy, parrying and slashing with amazing precision and ferocity.
"According to ancestor Leon's training manuals, the key to facing a hundred opponents alone isn't to fight all of them at once. You fight one on one a hundred times. Only focus on the enemy in front of you. Don't be distracted by nonfatal blows. Focus on dodging and deflecting the blows that will end up making you lose. Cut a line straight through the enemy then lure them into a favorable position, preferably a narrow pass where they won't be able to overwhelm you. With your sword and magical prowess, only focusing on the person in front of you won't be hard. I would suggest not trying this on demigod opponents unless your confident you are a better swordswoman."
As Nina cut through the guards, the carriage and her rangers quickly made their escape. With Nina creating a huge commotion, it was easy for them to slip by unnoticed. Nina managed to breakthrough the line of guards and quickly ran into a nearby alleyway. She planned on continuing but remembered that Eve was with the others. She wanted to thin out their numbers before returning but she felt like she should return as quick as possible. She quickly made her way through the alleys, cutting down any who stood in her way. She made it to the tavern where she met Robin and knew she wasn't far from the entrance. "Those stupid soldiers, they messed up my clothes and scratched my armor." Nina let out a sigh. "Seeing this city, I understand why Ulrich despises the gods as he does."
"What exactly is that supposed to mean?" a deep voice came from behind Nina. She turned with her sword at the ready. It was Robin, in his hands were a great war hammer that even made Artorius's weapon look small in comparison. Nina didn't want to kill Robin, so she had to try and convince him to let her go.
"Listen Robin, I don't want to fight you. I have fulfilled my mission here and I would rather leave this city unharmed. There is still a lot you don't understand Robin." Nina could hear the footsteps of the soldiers and guards that were still pursuing her. "You are a good man and this city could become great, but only with the right leadership. Right now, this place is headed to ruin. All of these people will become nothing more than slaves to the gods that you serve." Nina was about to continue before Robin interjected.
"Enough Kate, or whoever you say you are. You came into this city and had your people kill many important officials and knights. I can't see any part of this where you are justified. As you know, I am a knight of this city and as its knight, I am sworn to protect it. As you blaspheme the gods, I am also within my right as a paladin, to kill you where you stand." Robin readied his hammer and began to walk closer to Nina.
"My real name is Nina of house Kay, the cousin to the King of Camelot. I came here because we know that your city will begin launching attacks on us within this year. We don't want a war with you, we wanted to dissuade you the only way we could. You wouldn't listen to anything the King said because you all revere your gods as all knowing. You may not believe that, but I can tell you that in a year and a half, Camelot will come under attack by the forces of heaven and the gods. You're gods will be the first ones to lead that charge as you have many war gods that you worship. I don't know what god has blessed you, but if it is one you trust, then ask. We don't want this city to be pawns in the game of the gods." Robin stopped a few feet away from Nina.
"So, you're royalty then. Why put yourself in this position as royalty? Why have a war with the gods in the first place? None of what you say makes any sense. The gods think of us as their children, why would they come here to fight a war with humans? They need us to worship them. My goddess would never go along with such a thing." Robin's voice seemed to be shaken. His thoughts were jumbled, he had spoken to Nina during her entire time here. She spoke to him as an equal, not as a royal speaking down to a knight. Why put herself, a royal, in danger of being killed when she could have sent her soldiers. No royals he knew would lower themselves to such a thing. "Why does your king go against the gods?"
"He goes against the gods who view us as nothing. We have our own church in Camelot, our own gods. He doesn't go against the gods who love us, he goes against the ones who allow numerous atrocities to be committed in their names. Ares, Tyr, Aresh, Odin, Zeus, Set, and so many more who want nothing but to conquer this world for themselves. The ones who offer no help or guidance to the ones who worship them. The war in the heavens will be moved here, to our home. The casualties will be innumerable. They are coming against us because they are afraid of our power. They want a war that will not be intervened in, but Camelot has always been a kingdom that will not allow peace to be disturbed. You read about our King Leon, the ancestor of Ulrich. You know this to be true."
"If what you say is true, then why not ask the other kingdoms for aid? Why not come to us?" Robin's resolve seemed to come back, but there was still doubt in his heart. If what she said was true, then he would find out himself. His goddess would have the answer. "My goddess wishes for nothing more than for all races to love one another. She would never adhere to such accusations. While this city may indeed have many who turn a blind eye, I can say that what you speak of, may come to pass, but not without its own consequences." Robin seemed to look down at the ground, before looking up into the sky. "Maybe all of this is fate, and if it is fate, then man cannot fight against it. Meaning, I will do what I must."
"Robin, join us in this fight. You asked why we didn't come to any other kingdoms. We have allies from the fairy forest, from Babylon, and even Valkyria. All races are fighting against this." Nina removed her hood, revealing her silver streaked hair. Though Robin still had his helmet on, it was easily noticeable that he was surprised by the slight movement of his helmet. "We don't have many human allies because of Camelot's policies. Tell me, how many in this city would come to the aid of someone like me. This is why we didn't come to the human cities. They wouldn't ally with us." The footsteps began to grow increasingly close. Nina had to make her escape as soon as possible. She began to take a step back.
"I cannot join you Lady Nina, even if I wanted to. I also cannot let you just leave after murdering Grantz, who taught me how to fight. I don't want to fight you, because I do trust you. However, I am only one man. I cannot change the fate of this city. I guess, in the end, we are all just pawns when it comes down to it." Robin then began to move forward once again. Nina tightened her grip, frustrated at Robin's outlook on life. She had hoped that he would be able to change something in this city, but it was clear that he was blinded by loyalty to his city, but then again, Nina knew she was the same.
"You'll see Robin, that a man can change fate. My king will cut the threads of fate for all mankind. Then you will see that we are no less than the so called gods who try and rule over us." Nina readied her sword, but before she could even blink, Robin appeared in front of her. He swung his hammer with amazing speed, hitting Nina in the stomach. She flew backwards and hit a building on the other side of the street. Nina struggled to her feet, seeing the tavern on the other side. Her armor had saved her from being mortally wounded, but she still had multiple broken ribs. She looked down the street toward the inner city and saw multiple soldiers rushing towards her. "Well, that actually hurt a bit." Robin began to make his way closer towards Nina. She looked to the right and saw the gate, it was still open from earlier.
Nina closed her eyes and began to concentrate. Her green aura began to swirl around her, starting from her feet and going up to her head. It was like a blazing inferno engulfing her, before it condensed and wrapped around her extremities, giving her body an intimidating green glow. The silver streak in her hair began to glow brightly and her eyes began to emit a blue aura, an aura that had never emerged from her before, as it was the aura of a Pendragon.
Far off in the castle of Camelot, Ulrich sat in his garden, meditating under his sakura tree. Alicia sat nearby, drinking her tea at her table. Suddenly, she dropped the glass and it broke. "Brother! Did you feel that?" Ulrich opened his eyes slowly, a smile emerging on his face.
"It seems our big sister has finally tapped into the power of our blood." Alicia clasped her hands together and began to silently say a prayer for their cousin.
The runes on Nina's sword then began to glow blue. The muddy ground under her feet then began to sprout grass and flowers. Robin stopped in his tracks, as he had never seen the outer districts ever bear such flowers because of the stagnant magic. Even the soldiers, who had become close enough to witness it, were dumbfounded and were even frightened at the magical power. Not many people were capable of controlling aura in such a way. Before they could even move or think another thought, two of the soldiers fell to the ground. Nina stood in front of them, holding one of their heads up. The rest of the soldiers all moved to attack before Nina threw the head through one of the soldiers. Robin was awestruck at such a demonstration of power.
"I normally planned on not hurting you, but I have to pay you back for the ruined breastplate." Nina spoke calmly and coldly, as if she was in a trance. The sound of horses began to come from the inner city, the cavalry was now arriving. Nina began to slice through soldier after soldier, ducking and weaving through their attacks like a spectacular dancer. With ever swing of her sword, the shockwave generated from them, destroyed walls and rooftops of building nearby. The people inside of the buildings began to shuffle out of the houses, luckily avoiding any harm. Nina then turned and dashed towards Robin.
Robin quickly swung his hammer at Nina, his own purple aura beginning to manifest. Nina slid along the muddy ground, the hammer passing over her. Nina quickly jumped up and kicked Robin's back, making him fall forward but managed to catch himself with his hand. He swung his hammer with his free hand to where Nina was just standing, only to hit and see nothing. He stood and looked around, only to look up at a nearby rooftop, seeing Nina lifting her sword in the sky. "Joyeous, sword of many colors, shine your light upon these unworthy foes." The dark smog that filled the sky suddenly parted, and even though it was night, a bright light shot down from the heavens and engulfed the sword. The light wrapped around the sword, the blade seemed to shine with all the colors imaginable and unimaginable.
Nina then flew towards Robin, swinging her sword as she flew. Robin flew backwards, crashing through multiple brick walls and eventually landing on another street. His breastplate was completely shattered, as was his hammer. His whole body was numb and he could barely breathe. He managed to roll to his side before coughing up a large amount of blood. Nina stood where she had landed, she sheathed her blade and loudly yelled towards Robin. "Consider that payback. Be glad I stopped my swing before it reached you, otherwise there would be nothing left of you. Think about what I told you, before it's to late." A horseman reached her location quickly, Nina quickly threw her dagger and hit his throat. She retrieved the dagger and quickly jumped on the horse before riding through the gates.
She rode as quickly as she could, even using magic to enhance the horses speed, but the cavalry was still drawing closer. She noticed that many of them were royal knights. After riding for awhile, and having multiple spells and arrows fly by her, she reached the outskirts of the forest. The cavalry continued riding, before their soldiers began to fall from their horses. The cavalry leader then noticed that they were being killed by arrows. Robert's archers were now in range to rain their arrows down on them, just as planned. The leader ordered his men to retreat, before yelling loudly, "We'll see how long you can run! We'll be back and no amount of arrows or dirty tricks will save you! We will avenge our comrades you assassinated!"
Nina and the archers all made their way back to the camp after a decent hike through the forest. Nina was walking slower than usual, her magical energy was depleted and her broken ribs were worse than she had initially thought. The adrenaline running through her body stopped shortly after reaching the forest, so she was in a decent amount of pain. She had many cuts and scrapes from fighting the soldiers, but she didn't care about any of that. As she walked into camp, Robert and Laura both saw her and quickly ran over to her to check on her. Then, she saw Eve sitting next to a fire. Eve quickly jumped up and ran over to Nina. Nina smiled before dropping to her knees out of exhaustion. Eve quickly hugged Nina as she fell to her knees. Nina, ignoring the pain of her body, hugged the young girl in return before saying the same thing she told Ulrich many years ago. "It's all going to be okay Eve, your home now."