A few months had passed and the horns were blown signaling an enemy invasion has taken place and the citizens have retreated to their homes. The army came out and got their weapons ready for battle and headed to the battlefield.
"Lord Astros! Where is Aria?! We are short in power against Ignis!" A knight said.
Lord Astros was sitting on his throne and he gave a weak smile. He looked up and directly at the knight.
"This is a battle...She doesn't want to fight..promise me...She's too pure for this region..I sent her off to get items I don't even need.." Lord Astros said then stood up, grabbing his sword.
"My lord.." The knight stepped aside.
"Now..head to the battlefield my knight. Let us defend our kingdom." He walked outside the throne room.
Hideyoshi jumped off his horse and stabbed his lance to the ground and chuckled the looked up. Sefia and Joshua were on the front lines. They were prepared for this moment.
"Where's Aria..? She shouldn't have been gone for this long.." Sefia said.
"I don't know..but let's hope she comes soon..Hideyoshi has his sights on taking down Lord Astros..for good and taking over this kingdom." Joshua said.
Meanwhile in Asyio, Aria sat along the shore and looked at the sky. Phoenix looked at her and rubbed her wing against her head. Aria looked at Phoenix and smiled.
"Something troubling you?" Phoenix asked.
"Not really..It's just...I have this bad feeling...A new darkness is ahead of us..A Black Tide...one force of power I fear will end up destroying Genten.." Aria said.
"Oddly specific..but why do you feel that way?" Phoenix asked.
"There's this legend floating around the entire region of Genten...One who controls all 18 Kingdoms will have the chance to venture into this unknown country full of Dragons..there are only 4 kingdoms on that land..I feel like that legend will end up being the destruction of Genten." Aria said.
"What do you want to do about it?" Phoenix asked.
"I don't know.." She hugged her legs and placed her head on her knees.
Phoenix looked at her and felt the conflict within Aria's heart. Aria always knew what to do and had a positive answer for everything...but now she's completely lost. Phoenix looked a bit disheartened.
"I..I just don't want to lose any of my friends...I know there is something I can do to prevent this..but what..?" Aria asked.
Meanwhile on the battlefield in Auroria, Lord Astros and Hideyoshi were in a heated battle. Hideyoshi was blocking all of Lord Astros's attacks with his lance. Sefia used her light magic to summon phantom blades and shot it at the enemy. The enemy blocked her attack then dashed for a counterattack.
"Sefia!" Joshua pushed Sefia out the way and blocked the attack.
"Sorry! I-"
"It's fine! Just flank the left side." Joshua said.
Sefia dashed to the left side of the enemy army. Joshua kicked the enemy out the way and went for the right side of the army. The archers from Auroria fired arrows all at once. The mages from Ignis used some of her magic to make a barrier against the arrows.
"Don't you see Astros? You are no match for me! Your power will never be as good as mine!" Hideyoshi said.
"You do talk big for someone of your caliber.." Lord Astros said and his sword shined brightly.
"You think using your Ultimate Skill will save you from defeat?!" Hideyoshi bellowed.
"Ultimate Skill: Shining Slash!" Astros bellowed and teleported to the enemy army and slashed at them, blowing them all away.
Hideyoshi was surprised and looked back. Astros just defeated a quarter of Hideyoshi's army, but didn't kill them. Lord Astros never fought to kill, he fought for the soul purpose of defending. Hideyoshi was pissed at this point.
"You bastard!" Hideyoshi bellowed and flames surrounded his lance.
Lord Astros turned to Hideyoshi and blocked more of his attacks. With every clash, an elemental collision released a force of energy. Sefia and Joshua ran to Astros's aide but the force of energy kept pushing them back. Astros parried all of Hideyoshi's attacks perfectly but not once went for a counterattack. He tried to make Hideyoshi waste all of his energy, but his own energy was being wasted as fast as Hideyoshi's. Hideyoshi stomped his foot down and bellowed.
"Ultimate Skill: Phoenix Flame Twister!" Hideyoshi said and spun as he twirled his lance and slashed, releasing a huge tornado of flames.
"My lord!" Sefia yelled, she tried to run to him, but Joshua held her back.
"Sefia stop!" Joshua said.
"What the hell are you doing?! Lord Astros is in danger!" Sefia said struggling to get out of his hold.
"If you go in there you will die!" Joshua yelled.
"I live and die by his command and word! Release me!" Sefia yelled.
Lord Astros used his Warlord Ability: Origin Shield, and blocked the flaming tornado with his magic shield. He grunted and the tornado slowly pushed him back. He yelled and pushed through, making the tornado vanish.
"You're finished!" Hideyoshi bellowed and went for the finishing blow.
Astros was surprised and got stabbed in his chest and grunted. Hideyoshi glared and gripped his lance then pulled the blade out of his chest. Astros fell on his knees and fell forward face first.
"Aria...I am sorry...I had to send you away...I don't need you dying this early..the children love you..when you return...the fate of this kingdom...lies...in your hands..." Astros said to himself before he died.
Sefia fell on her knees and looked destroyed. Joshua closed his eyes and balled his hands into fists. Reud watched from the tower and sighed.
"I told him to not send Aria away..but he never listens..now we have lost our kingdom..." Reud said.
"Listen up people! You are now a part of my kingdom of Ignis! Auroria is now mine to rule!" Hideyoshi said in triumph.
Joshua picked Sefia up and went to the barn. He got on his horse and helped Sefia on. The horse then galloped off. He went to find where Aria was located. He wondered if she was even still alive.
Meanwhile with Aria and Phoenix, Aria laid back on the ground and looked at the sky. Phoenix watched over Aria.
"Phoenix...I am ready to head back.." Aria said.
"Mmm?" Phoenix woke up from her nap and ruffled her wings. She flew down and spread her wings.
Aria hopped on Phoenix's back then Phoenix flew off. Aria smiled and leaned on Phoenix.
"Have you come up with a plan?" Phoenix asked.
"Yes..I will conquer all 18 Kingdoms and unite the entire region of Genten." Aria said.
"Uhhh...That task sounds easier said than done.." Phoenix said.
"I know..but I want the fighting to end before it even begins. Plus, there are so many amazing and strong people in Genten, I want to meet and challenge them all to a battle. It's what Lord Astros trained me for." Aria smiled.
"Who is Lord Astros to you..I never asked. Does he take good care of you?" Phoenix asked.
"He's like family to me..An older brother..always worrying and looking out for me. He's taken good care of me this past year since I've met him. He even made me a junior Warlord..I can not repay him enough but to follow his lead. I can't wait to see his face again and show him these diamonds." Aria said.
"Please return to Asyio one day and tell me and Talamat about all your adventures." Phoenix said.
"I will. Don't worry." Aria giggled and closed her eyes, falling asleep.