Jayce recited a chant that made his body lighter than air before soaring through the sky. He had to act swiftly before the Imperial soldiers caught wind of his presence. The adrenaline surged through his veins as he sped towards the imperial fort located a few miles to the west of the Stormcloak villa.
From his aerial vantage point, Jayce surveyed the fort, observing its fortifications. It was heavily guarded by disciplined soldiers.
He felt a cold shiver run down his spine as he looked at the sight. Somewhere inside that building, his mother was trapped and helpless. His stomach clenched with dread and worry.
The fort's walls seemed too high, their stone surfaces too strong to fall easily.
Towers stood tall, armed with archers ready to pick out any intruders with a barrage of arrows. Saving his mother began to feel hopeless. What he needed was the illusion of a threat to engage the guards from a safe distance while he snuck inside while they were distracted.
Jayce's brow furrowed as he assessed the situation further.
The realization hit him like a thunderbolt. He couldn't rescue his mother without an army behind him assaulting the fort, yet storming the fort would result in dead soldiers, and no matter what pretenses they were led to believe, the soldiers were still citizens of the Fire Kingdom and killing them was a crime not just in the legal sense but in the moral sense as well.
The weight of responsibility settled heavily like boulders perched on his shoulders, his mind racing with the impossible dilemma before him.
Jayce's eyes scanned the area near the fortified walls of the imperial fort, his gaze sharp and focused. Suddenly, movement caught his attention—a group of figures hidden behind some foliage at a distance. Intrigued, he descended closer, his heart pounding with a mix of curiosity and anticipation.
As Jayce landed gracefully on the ground, he recognized the familiar faces before him. Master Yi, Headmaster Lucian, Chief Magus Elise, Poppy, Celeste, Ekko and Riven stood united, their determination etched upon their features. A surge of emotions welled up within Jayce—surprise, gratitude, and a touch of reluctance.
"What are all of you doing here?" Jayce questioned, his voice a mix of astonishment and concern.
Master Yi stepped forward, his eyes filled with unwavering resolve. "We have come to help you, Jayce," he stated firmly. "We left Grand Alchemist Shen in charge as the new Headmaster of the Academy. Goodness knows what that mad man will do with the students, but our concern lies with you and your family in this precarious situation."
The weight of their presence, their willingness to abandon their positions at the Fyre Academy, struck Jayce deeply.
Headmaster Lucian nodded in agreement. "We couldn't in good conscience allow you face this ordeal alone, Jayce," he said, his voice tinged with a mix of sorrow and determination. "We are here to support you, to help rescue your mother, and bring justice to those responsible."
Chief Magus Elise chimed in. "It is our duty to help our students in times of peril," she declared. "We believe in your cause, Jayce, and we are prepared to do whatever it takes to save your family."
Poppy, Celeste, and Riven nodded in unison, their expressions filled with unwavering loyalty and determination while Ekko looked away but his actions spoke more than his words, his commitment to Jayce's cause evident by his presence. Maybe after this Jayce will find it in his heart to forgive him for hurting Poppy the way he did.
Overwhelmed by their unwavering support, Jayce's reluctance melted away, replaced by gratitude and a sense of comradery. He knew that he couldn't face this daunting task alone, and the presence of his friends and teachers gave him strength, and a renewed sense of hope.
"Thank you, all of you," Jayce said, his voice filled with genuine appreciation. "I am honored to have your support, and together, we will face bring my mother back safely."
Together they strategized and as the sun began its descent, casting a fiery glow upon the battlefield, Jayce raised his hand and gave the signal to begin.
The air crackled with anticipation as Elise, her eyes aglow with power, unleashed scorching fireballs that soared through the air, leaving trails of flames in their wake.
Headmaster Lucian's used his inhuman strength to hurl massive boulders with unmatched force, shattering the silence of the evening.
Celeste, her bow drawn with precision, laced her arrows with holy magic, sending them soaring towards the fort, exploding upon impact and engulfing the surroundings in chaos.
The soldiers stationed within the fortress, shaken from their complacency, rushed to defend their stronghold from the ranged attacks.
They emerged from their positions, their eyes narrowing at the sight of the attackers. But before them stood Master Yi and to a lesser extent, Ekko, their blades gleaming with determination, as they engaged the oncoming onslaught. Riven, her twin blades a blur of deadly elegance, danced amidst the chaos, her blindness proving no hindrance as she struck with the accuracy of someone who could see.
Meanwhile, Jayce, accompanied by Poppy, soared silently through the sky, their presence concealed by the cover of shadows. With precision and stealth, they maneuvered over the fort, deftly evading the soldiers who frantically rushed to take their positions on the walls outside. Jayce's heart, beat in his chest, a mix of fear and determination fueling his every move.
They found a way in at the far end of the fort and within the depths of the fortress dungeon, they found Karma, Jayce's mother, her heavily pregnant form a cause for concern.
Relief washed over them as they made eye contact, and a glimmer of joy shone through the weariness in her eyes.
However, their elation was short-lived as Karma delivered the grim news. Karma said in a grave voice, "My water broke an hour ago. I have to give birth here, in this dungeon."
Poppy said to Jayce, "Please find some warm water and towels." He did as she asked and heated up the water with his fire breathing technique. Poppy then said to him, "Now stand guard and don't let anyone in." Jayce's resolve hardened as he nodded and stood guard at the door, ready to protect his mother and unborn sibling at any cost. He fought with fierce determination, using his skills to ward off the soldiers who stumbled upon their presence, ensuring their safety in the midst of chaos.
They heard screams of agony from inside the room, along with Poppy's encouraging voice. "You can do this, Karma. Push, push!" she said. Then, after a few moments of silence, they heard the cry of a newborn. "It's a girl!" Poppy announced. "You did it, Karma. You have a daughter!"
With a brief moment of respite, Jayce sealed the heavy metal door of the dungeon with his fire-breathing technique, ensuring their safety for the time being.
Determined to escape, he turned his attention to finding a way out. A small window with iron bars caught his eye, its view facing the outside of the fort. "What are you doing?" Poppy asked.
"Getting us out of didge," Jayce replied.
Jayce summoned his fire-breathing prowess, melting the bars, and with a surge of lightning magic, shattered a portion of the wall, transforming the small opening into a larger exit.
Stepping outside first, Jayce scanned the surroundings, ensuring their path to safety. One by one, he helped his weakened mother, then his newborn sister, and finally Poppy through the makeshift opening. They moved swiftly, putting distance between themselves and the fortress that held their precious memories of struggle and triumph.
As they reached a safe distance, Jayce glanced back at the fort, a mix of relief and determination etched upon his face. "Keep going," he said to Poppy and Karma.
He raised his hand, conjuring a burst of lightning into the sky, signaling the retreat to the others still battling the soldiers.
Poppy cradled the newborn in her arms, while Jayce supported his weakened mother, her body trembling from exertion and the loss of blood. With a sense of urgency, Jayce chanted the combination of three healing spells, weaving his magic to stem his mother's bleeding, his every movement infused with love and desperation.
Carrying his mother in his arms, Jayce pressed forward, determined to reach the rendezvous point where safety and aid awaited them. The weight of responsibility bore heavily upon him, but the resilience within him burned brightly, guiding his every step.