Zeno rode away from Helorion quickly. He was in full service to Ultas now and was the only thing that could stop the Protectors from killing him as soon as they found him. As he arrived in Silverstone, he greeted Ultas with the news.
"My Lord, the Protectors have swayed the assassians to their cause, and Voron lies dead in the ruins of Sillsing."
"What in the absolute fuck do you mean? I genuinely don't have any reason not to kill you here and now. How was it Voron died?"
"Oh, so conversation is just gonna be like that huh? The dumbass got pounced by the assassians."
"Oh dear, why do you have vocal chords? You really shouldn't speak, your voice screeches."
"What are babbling on about? Have you got the Stone? Do you realize my cover is almost blown and the Protectors will be here soon?"
"Yes. I'm aware that they will be coming. And I have found the Beacon Stone, but to remove it would destroy Silverstone. My plan is to remove it while they are in the city and kill them all."
"Sounds great. I'll let you do that. I have other plans. I'll be off to Necropolis."
Zeno left Silverstone and rode to Necropolis. Ultas began to coax the Protectors, trying to get them to attack prematurely. He went and found the body of Solomon, with fresh blood still inside, and wrote to the Protectors. He sent his face along with it.
"Protectors, you've all recieved something!"
Samuel, Mark, Paul, and Agripian walked out to recieve the letter and box. Inside they found their friend's mutilated face and the letter written in blood.
"There is no way out of this, Protectors. I have the Stone, and the lot of you will die here in Silverstone. I guarantee it."
Mark spoke up, "We still don't know where Zeno went, but unfortunately, that doesn't matter anymore. We have to move on Ultas now."
Paul stood silently as the other men discussed their course of action, then spoke up, "It's a trap you know. But I've got a plan. Gather the women, we're going to Silverstone.
The Protectors set off, riding hard into the city, seemingly out for blood. This time all of them where there. They wouldn't let Ultas get away this time. Paul lead the charge, riding his white stallion, as a reminder to Ultas who he made an enemy. The full standing army of Helorion marched with them, and they began to seige the city. Ultas dawned his armor, prepared with his plan for the Protectors.
"SAMUEL, MOVE THESE INNOCENTS AWAY!" yelled Mark as they broke down the gate to Silverstone. Jessica, Rachel, Sorrian, and Cansoulian rode together, a sisterhood of battlemasters, fighting with more vigor and youthfulness than the lot of the younger men in the rank and file. The four women flowed together effortlessly, yet their expressions showed they were not that fond of each other. They were like dancers, moving about each other with a supernatural grace and speed, slicing away at the lowly citizen soldiers brainwashed by Ultas. Mark, Samuel, and Agripian where fighting with a bond of brotherhood that makes little sense seeing as roughly a week before they were mortal enemies.
"Mark, catch the assassin!"
"What?!" yelled Mark as Samuel launched Agripian into the air, Agripian throwing blades into several of Ultas' men.
"Samuel, don't do that! Where are in a battle, not a performance!"
"My idea lad!" yelled Agripian as he was running towards more of the enemy.
Paul fought through Ultas' men, looking for Ultas himself. He spot him traveling down into a large hole in the city. Paul chased him down, tackling him off his horse. The two engaged, swords clashing violently, sparks flying as the metal slammed against each other.
"Paul are you positive you're leaving here?" mocked Ultas.
"Oh no Ultas, but you're not leaving here without something to remember me by. This is for Dante and Solomon."
Paul stabbed Ultas through the hip, not fatal, but it's not gonna be something that heals well. Ultas clenched his side as he stepped back. He grabbed the Beacon Stone, and was transported away. Paul knew magic was returning soon. He also knew he would not make it out in time. He yelled out with all the strength he could to the drowning sounds of the battle above, "LEAVE, THE CITY IS GOING TO FALL!"
Mark was close enough to hear, and he gathered the rest of the Protectors as they charged out of the city. Samuel and Mark looked vehemently for Paul as the city collapsed behind them. When the smoke cleared they ran into the rubble, searching for their mentor. They found Paul impaled by support rods, crushed under the stones from the keep above. The two fell to their knees, trying not to show each other the tears welling in their eyes. Agripian lead the others down as they went after Mark and Samuel, stopping them once he realized why they where on their knees. Rachel and Jessica pushed him out of the way, running by with tears rolling down their faces. Sorrian walked calmly and kneeled beside Samuel.
"I'm so sorry for your loss Samuel."
"Promise me you won't do anything like that unless I'm following right behind you?"
"What do you mean?"
"I choose you, Sorrian. Here and now, I choose you. I will always be fond of Rachel, but I love you."
Rachel smiled through her tears because she knew that Samuel didn't need to stay with her. Rachel was going on to better things. She valued her time with Samuel, but it was more physically stimulating than anything else. Jessica weeped without filter. A man she considered a teacher, mentor, and father lie dead before her, and her lover had left her behind. Vengeance was swelling inside her, and she didn't know what to do, her fists balling up ready to pummel someone to death. Mark took her in her arms, laying her head on his chest plate, comforting her as she let the tears flow.
Agripian pulled down his hood and removed his mask. He took a small flask and poured some of the sour alcohol on the ground, rising it up into the air and downing the rest.
"Peace be with you. A valiant and worthy adversary, and an amazing leader. My heart longs to battle you again in the Great Beyond."
The Protectors gathered together, sitting along a fire planning their next move.
"Where could Ultas have gone? His body was not among the ruins," Rachel questioned aloud.
"He's likely in Academy. He had plans to get all the knowledge he could before burning it to the ground. He was hellbent on destroying the old world to make way for his new order. It didn't matter how many died in the process. Between Sillsing and Silverstone, the death toll is in the tens of millions. We must go there, and he must kill him."