Ultas teleported away to Academy, where he was promptly greeted by an angry Zeno.
"Why the hell did I ever follow you? Becuase I was angry? Because I wanted the assassins dead? You're all bastards, and I will make sure they kill you. I could do it myself, right here, right now. You're still bleeding from that wound."
"All it takes is a snap of my fingers, Zeno. I've got the Beacon Stone."
Zeno backed away carefully. He knew this was not a battle he could win at this time. He stared him down then left, knowing Ultas had nothing to gain by chasing him down. Zeno went up into the support structure of Academy's keep, watching and waiting for the Protectors to arrive.
The Protectors gathered all the men they could. Mark and Samuel gave gallant speeches to the people who survived the fall of Silverstone. They rode to Lionsgate, gathering all the support they could. Most of the city was too weary that Ultas would destroy them, but a few braved the challenge and joined the Protectors. Sorrian and Jessica rode fast to gather troops from Helorion. Agripian and Cansoulian rode together for a while, then broke off to go to Castillia and Werinvas. They gathered all the men they could, and sent word to Mark and Samuel at the helm of the army just outside of Lionsgate. They began their Marches, intending to strike Academy from three sides, and they rode fast. Mark and Samuel where the first to make it, beginning the seige as soon as they arrived. Ultas had fortifications ramped up by the Beacon Stone's power, so Mark and Samuel would not be able to break through alone. As they continued their bombardment, they were greeted by the charge of Agripian and Cansoulian from Werinvas and Castillia. They still waited on Jessica and Sorrian to join them from Helorion, but Rachel was able to ride in with the last support of men from the western wasteland. They broke down the gate, only to be rushed by Ultas' forces. They fought, the screams of battle deafening their ears. They were beginning to lose and get pushed back, until Sorrian and Jessica made it into the battle with the might of Helorion following them. They charged through, intending on making it to the keep. The assassians stayed with the rank in file in order to evacuate and subdue- they wanted less bloodshed, not more. Mark, Samuel, Rachel, and Jessica charged into the keep, were Jessica was cut off from the other three as Ultas tore down one of the supports.
Jessica got up, bow drawn, ready to kill whoever it was that was going to kill her. A familiar voice echoed to her.
"ZENO!" she shouted, eager to see her lover, even if he was slipping away from her.
"I really wish you didn't come here. I don't intend to let the others take the Beacon Stone. I only intend for them to kill Ultas."
"What are you saying? I can forgive you for what you've done, just please, come back to me."
"Do you support the assassins as the others did? So willingly allowing them into our ranks, for redemption? They deserve nothing but death, and they will get it."
"You really have fallen from grace. I didn't want to believe it, but you did, you fell. After you and Paul and Rachel went on your little mission. You were different when you came back. You let Ultas destroy Sillsing, and Silverstone. PAUL DIED YOU BASTARD!"
"Tragic," Zeno replied, before slipping away in the darkness of the keep. Jessica fell to her knees, tears in her eyes. She got up and wiped them away, searching for a way back to the others.
Mark, Samuel, and Rachel encountered Ultas as Jessica confronted Zeno. The four engaged, Ultas powered by the Beacon Stone.
Mark and Samuel were in sync, almost dancing as they traded Ultas' blows to each other. Rachel was just angry, and determined. She searched around Ultas, looking for something to get them the edge. She saw his steps, the right leg wouldn't go down as far as the left. She looked at his hip, and saw the wound.
"Samuel, his left hip, it's wounded!"
Samuel kicked Ultas, and pain shot through him, causing him to drop the Beacon Stone and bounce out of their view. Zeno watched it, then grabbed it as it rolled into the shadows with him.
Mark, Samuel, and Rachel fought Ultas, trading blows between each of them. Rachel sliced down, taking out Ultas' left leg. Samuel and Mark synced up, driving their blades through each of Ultas' lungs. As Jessica found them she drew her blade, anger in her eyes, as she drove her blade through Ultas' heart, and they had done it. They freed the land from Ultas. The searched around for the Beacon Stone, but they could not find it. The assassins found them, informing them the battle above had been won, and neither Ultas nor his forces would harm the free people of Yerdinfall. They rejoiced, knowing a great evil had been stopped, but Jessica had to inform them of Zeno's betrayal.
"I'm sorry all, but I've terrible news. Zeno betrayed us. He worked for Ultas, and he is responsible for all I care for Paul's death."
The party stood shocked. Rachel spoke up, "when did you learn this?"
"Just after we were separated. He came out the shadows and told me as I confronted him."
Samuel pondered for a moment, then realized what had happened.
"Zeno took the Beacon Stone! When we got it away from Ultas. He must have stayed behind and waited in the shadows to grab it."
They muttered around for awhile, bouncing ideas around, but they knew Samuel was right. They had no idea were Zeno could have gone to though. The Protectors were also without a true leader, and they debated around, but the outcome was rather clear. Mark would be made leader, with Samuel just under him. They had to clean up the city as much as possible, waiting for some word about Zeno's whereabouts. Jessica recieved the letter and rushed to gather the Protectors. Zeno was using the Beacon Stone to raise the dead in Necropolis. They gathered all the supplies they could. The full rank of the Protectors went, but none of the file. Mark, Samuel, Rachel, Jessica, Agripian, Cansoulian, and Sorrian gathered their supplies and set off to Necropolis.
They arrived shortly after they left, and were immediately bombarded by waves of the undead. They fought tirelessly, trying to get to Zeno to stop him. Jessica was angry, and she began to charge through the hoard. She made it to Zeno, and stood roughly twenty feet back from him, out of the way of his blade and the undead. The other Protectors were still fighting trying to get to Jessica and Zeno.
"You let Paul die. You became an enemy! You chose to betray us. You said that you would never leave me."
"I don't care what you try to tell me, bitch. You can't kill me. I am your superior in every way."
Jessica dropped all pain from herself, her eyes almost blazing with conviction. She drew her bow back, aimed, and fired. The arrow flew directly into Zeno's heart, twisting his flesh causing blood to stream unnaturally from his chest. Jessica knew this would happen, she wanted it to. As the blood poured out from Zeno, the Beacon Stone was coated in it. The undead fell and the Protectors ran to Jessica. Samuel grabbed the Beacon Stone, and a shockwave of power erupted away from it. They could all feel it. They knew exactly what was happening. Magic had returned to Yerdinfall.