One last push and the city gates dropped with an enormous bang!!!. The fireballs thrown into the city ceased as the Ronans invaders stormed in like a surge, swinging their swords upon any who dares to stand in their way. The last of them to join the party were a man and a woman, both on steeds cantering upon the falling gates.
"We made it!" the young brunette said, thrusting a jovial visage at her partner. "Now let us go take what rightfully belongs to you!"
"I agree with you, Donna!" Naevus replied and then gestured his hand forward. "After you, my love."
"Thank you, my Lord" The ravenette took off running in pursuit while He trotted right behind.
He glanced at the environment as he cantered his horse through the boulevard, and like holograms, flashes of childhood memories displayed on the dark road with crumbled buildings caused by the fireballs. Memories of him and his siblings, Lucius and Claudia, running around with the other kids. They would play pranks, do hide and seek or simply run through town as if it were no time at all. He sighed softly, remembering a time when things were simpler and a time when they didn't have to worry about matters such as war or death. He could almost feel those happy moments again. But that would be impossible. They're dead now, with one's blood on his head.
***
Meanwhile, in the court, the chaos grew tougher and the people were out of control. By the castle gate, soldiers mounted on horses stood guard, waiting for the invaders to approach them. There was an uneasy tension filling the air due to the war cry and wailing from the city. However, there were more than enough soldiers to ensure this threat will not get past their frontlines, as long as the queen remained safe inside the castle.
Now they could hear hooves hitting on cobblestones, horse whinnies and chants of victory. They raised their swords, waiting for their foes to come closer. Before they could see what was coming, there were squeaks and thuds, the guards turned around and saw two soldiers fell from their horses with arrows gored on their chests.
With fear and rage combined, the guards advanced toward the Ronans into the streets. Meeting them not quite long, both rivals engaged in a battle royal with their blades clashing with each other. One of the guards was able to knock their opponents unconscious after using a skill called Stupefy.
"You may be strong, but we are far superior!" the enemy knight challenged.
"And why is that?" the chief guard asked tauntingly.
The knight threw a slash at the guard, but the skilled guard managed to dodge the blow, throwing him off balance and landing on the ground. He stumbled to regain his balance, and as he tried to regain his footing, the knight's spear pierced his heart from behind.
"Flawless" he mumbled with a sneer looking at the guard as his breath ceased.
He laughed, kicking the corpse before turning around ready to kill the next victim. It took some effort to stop the castle defence soldiers, but eventually, they strived to succeed. The remaining Ronan warriors arrived at the scene and charged straight through the castle entrance.
Meanwhile, Valeria and the others who stood on the pylon waited for a befitting answer from the guards, but time had passed, and no soldier had even stepped through the door of the court. Tension began to take its place in her heart, causing her to puff. What's taking so long? She thought. Just as she was about to utter a word, a large crash followed by shouting reached her ears. The Ronans! She gasped in terror. Her bodyguards and all the soldiers in the court moved forward to confront them.
"Your Grace, I think now it's time for you and his grace to go" Vitus took hold of her hands.
"No, we will not surrender to those bastards" She replied sternly, pulling her hands from his.
"But My Queen," Cameron stepped forward behind her, "Naevus will not hesitate to murder you nor Rufus, please consider this"
"Please, your Majesty!" Irene added.
She glanced at them and nodded, there is no point staying. Naevus will kill her son anyway, there's nothing else she could do but take orders from her subjects.
They began to hurry down the stairs, they scurried around aimlessly searching for a hideout. There was confusion among the escapees until they halted for no reason.
"Alright, where do we go?" Valeria asked panting. "The court, the castle gates and the city have been occupied"
"The Crypt!" Irene quickly replied and gestured, pointing in the direction. They took turns staring at her as she led the way. They followed her with the hope that there is a crypt. They followed her as she led them through secret passages and alas they found the crypt. A tomb with a round door made of stone.
"Oh, there is a crypt!" Vitus spoke, letting out a huge sigh of relief.
"How do you know about this place?" Cameron inquired.
"There's a tunnel at the end of this crypt" Irene explained, "My father showed me this place, he use here as a place for my punishment"
Cameron's expression bore suspicion while Valeria looked up at Irene confused.
"It's true!" Irene insisted. "Father used to use this very same dungeon as his prison cell"
Vitus placed his hand on Irene's shoulder and gave it a little squeeze.
"Thank you" he smiled warmly at her.
Valeria's eyes widened slightly as she averts her gaze from them, looking at the place. They entered the crypt and began to pace at the arts on the walls. Valeria thought to herself as she watched Rufus' facial expressions change.
"What is that?!" He pointed at the wall and everyone gathered around him. On the wall is a painting depicting a temple on a mountain and giants surrounding it. Suddenly, they heard thumps and hasty footsteps coming from the passage outside the crypt.
"Come! We must make haste!" Vitus shouted, "Let us go before they find us"
Irene led the way again, and they followed her as they progress towards the other end of the vault.