"No!!!!"
Raio bounced up the dirt and hurried over to his father. His hands shovelled into the rubbles restlessly, shards of tiny bits of rock ate into his palms. But he didn't cease.
The wailing of the kingdoms' horn blared out as the streets stormed with guards armed with different weapons, all rushing to their emergency stations. The archers had decked up, taking cover behind the unhinged walls.
"Aim!! Fire!!!" The command echoed loudly accompanied by a swarm of arrows as they meandered overhead the walls and through the skies.
Tears lurked at Raio's eyelids but he fought back against it and continued shovelling deep. The patrol guards earlier on, tore into the streets where Raio was. Their silver plated armor rattled noisily as their feet made contact with the ground.
"Father! Father!!"
Raio's cries caught the attention of Desnix.
"Get going! Arm all post!" He ordered then scurried over to Raio. "What're you still doing out here?!" He said as he pulled Raio by the shoulder but he didn't budge. He looked down at Raio and observed his fingers clothed in blood and dirt. He rolled his eyes towards the empty bakery and back to Raio. A scowl wrinkled his crown. "Where's your father?"
Raio gave no response. He finally moved the last visible piece covering Stlran.
Desnix's eyes widened in trauma.
Stlran was still in one piece but had his left leg crushed underneath a boulder.
Desnix fell to the dirt and checked Stlran carotid pulse. "He still lives."
Raio rushed to the boulder and arched his knees before it. He pushed his hand beneath the boulder and tried hoisting it, but his strength wasn't levelled to it.
"It's no use." Desnix said to Raio.
Raio gave yet the silent treatment and put his back into the lifting but no positive result yielded.
Desnix rose to his feet and forcefully pulled Raio back by the shoulder. "I said it's no use!" He flared at him.
Angrily, Raio took the opportunity and threw a right hook up Desnix face, colliding into his nose. Desnix fell backwards in pain, his left hand held to his broken nose as he regained balance.
"What do you care?! Our lives mean nothing to you or this kingdom!" Raio roared. Another wave of arrows scaled over the walls, but this time, fewer than the previous for the archers had reduced in numbers.
Desnix gnashed his teeth and made a run for Raio.
Raio had his arms up in defence, ready to counter any surprise attacks that would come upon him. He saw yet another opening in Desnix and launched his left fist forward aimed at his jaw, but Desnix swerved past, underneath his outstretched arm and swept clean behind him in a rush. The deadly morning sky came face to face with Raio as Desnix had both of them fall to the dirt. Desnix fastened his legs around Raio's waist and his hands bound behind his neck.
"Let go off me!!" Raio snapped as he ran his left elbow into Desnix' ribcage.
Desnix shook in pain but held firm.
"Will you just calm your nerves. Don't be a fool to end your life here." Desnix said fiercely under his breath as he tightened his grip around Raio's neck.
"Let me-" The words escaped out Raio's mouth almost in a whisper as his face turned pink.
The whistling sound of another boulder broke through Raio's speech and ran itself into the bakery.
Desnix had predicted the incoming threat and jumped in to save Raio. Broken wood flew off the shattered bakery at all directions like stakes lancing ill fated villagers. Fortunately, Desnix had barred Raio to the floor behind the boulder on Stlran which sheltered them from the rainy splinters and crushed rubbles.
He let go his grip after the noise had died down. He arched the left side of his abdomen as it ached bitterly from Raio's punch.
Raio regaining consciousness, unsheathed Desnix sword and jumped up the floor quickly. An ordinary baker's son having not an ounce of combat training, stood before Desnix, his stance told evidence of his inexperience but he didn't give a hell about it as long as he had the sword up at Desnix. "Stay away from us!"
Desnix could see the anger and detest through Raio's impetuous eyes. His nose had begun to bleed. "If you have so much will to fight. Then prove it now! Out there! Against the abnormalities of human nature and tell me if you possess the will to stand before the weakest monstrosity!!" Desnix paused and gave a sharp snort. Blood flew out his wounded nostrils and splattered on the dirt.
"Sir!" A guard rushed over to them, he stood steps away from Raio and had his sword up, ready to charge at Raio.
Raio veered the sword to him and back at Desnix unsteadily.
"Else. . .put that weapon down or be held accountable for treason!"
Raio still motioned the sword between the duo. Desnix stole the opportunity as soon as Raio's gaze turned away from him and made a run at him. He ran his right shoulder into Raio, sending him tumbling to the dirt. The sword flew off his hands and Desnix caught it midair. Raio crawled backwards fearfully until he had his back up against the boulder. Stlran still laid unconscious beside him.
"I warned, you'll be charged for treason—and it is punishable by death." Desnix rose his sword in the air and in a swoop, brought it down.
Blood splattered, smudging the boulder.