In a secluded area near the city's outskirts, very close to where Cassandra had come to rekindle her connection to the arcane, a colossal portal materialized, causing the very earth to quake as it sent foliage and debris spiraling into a chaotic dance. From within this magical vortex emerged a group of formidable figures – 12 knights marching two by two in disciplined formation, flanked by two skilled mages, all under the command of Prince Caspian.
The knights were clad in shining armour that reflected the rays of sunlight that bled through the forrest canopy. They stood in unison, two by two, armed with long swords that hung from their belts and shields that protected their fronts, with Caspian leading at the vanguard.
It was clear he was at a much higher level than the foot soldiers, evident by his lack of full body armour, dressed in lightweight armour instead, and a thin sword that clung to his back.
As the last of the soldiers emerged from the portal, it began to shrink and after a few moments it closed, causing all the debris that was swirling in the air to come to an abrupt stop and fall to the ground.
"Alright men, we have arrived. Remember this is an unknown land, keep your wits about you and remember your training." Caspian spoke in a definitive and authoritative tone, what one would expect from a Prince of a vast kingdom such as Ocoris.
Upon hearing him the knights saluted in tandom, the sound of chainmail and armour clanging together in a perfect symphony.
"SIR YES SIR!" They all shouted.
"FORWARD MARCH!" Exclaimed Caspian.
The platoon began, one foot after the other, it was evident that this group of knights and their Prince leader were well trained and highly disciplined.
* * *
"Sir! It's happened again!" A small statured man, clad in a black suit burst into his directors office.
"My goodness Coleman, haven't I told you to stop barging in like that." A middle aged man, clearly late in his years, evident by the grey highlights in his hair sat at his desk. His fingernails yellowed by the cigarettes he chain-smoked. His facial features were wisened by his years spent servicing his country. He was clearly an authoritative figure, evident by the location of his office that give him an overview of the city streets below.
A metal name card that read 'Director of Homeland Security - Martin Foyer' sat on his desk.
This was the home office for Homeland security, earths first line of defence against extraterrestrial/unknown invaders.
"Sorry sir, it's just... you've really got to see this"
The pair rushed to a room at a lower floor in the building, filled from floor to ceiling with computer screens. There were a number of people in the room, each operating and overseeing a different sector of operations.
When Martin entered the room they all stood to attention. A response that anyone who served in the military was accustomed to.
"At ease" upon hearing this they all sat back down and continued their given tasks.
"You recall the strange energy spike we witnessed a few days ago? Well another one just like it with a similar energy signature just emerged, but 50 times bigger" Explained Johnathan Coleman.
Martin stared at the large screen on the far wall for a moment, taking in the information that was presented.
"Jesus, how long ago was this?" Asked Martin
"Thirty minutes ago sir" replied John.
"Call Matthias in from the field, and signal the B-team to meet us there. We leave in two"
* * *
It was late into the evening, Maeve was in her dorm room getting ready for Sebrina's birthday gathering at the local bar/pool house.
Maeve wasn't one for wearing pretty dresses or anything that would make her stand out as a female, she preferred to dress casually, like most tomboy's would. She wore distressed skinny jeans that hugged her form, a graphic short sleeved tee that read 'Defnotes' on the front, paired with a black oversized, long-sleeved top she wore underneath that stretched to size, almost covering her petite but surprisingly thick thighs. Fresh white sneakers tied together the whole ensemble, and the cherry on top was her luscious golden hair that she let hang off her shoulders.
At first glance it would seem like she just slapped together a shabby outfit, but on closer inspection it was clear her choice of attire was an organised chaos.
Although not dressed like your typical girly girl, she was definitely a sight to behold.
"Okay, finally ready. I should call Cassandra before I go, make sure she knows where everyone's meeting."
After speaking with Cassandra for a few minutes, she grabbed a small black messenger bag and slung it over her shoulder, making her outfit look even more enticing. With her phone in hand she grabbed her keys and wallet and headed out.
Just as she opened the door she was greeted by a hoard of men clad in armour, stationed directly outside of her door.
"What the?" Maeve was completely taken aback by the party of strangers parked outside of her room.
"Uh, I think you guys have the wrong building, LARP'ing is held in the gym, and it's not even Sunda-"
"Now announcing, Prince Caspian of Ocoris!" Exclaimed one of the knights.
Upon these words being spoken they all parted ways, six with their back against one wall and six with their backs against another, creating a small passage way in the crowded hallway.
Caspian strutted through his party of knights and planted his feet directly in front Maeve.
He inspected Maeve for a brief moment then leaned back and turned to one of the mages. "What's going on here? Are you certain we have the correct location?"
A female mage emerged from the group of knights and stood next to Caspian. She was an attractive young woman, dressed in a mage's robe that fit her slender physique and flowed down to her feet.
A spell book hung from her waist signifying her standing as a magic user. Luscious bright red hair flowed down past her back, the color of her hair alone made her stand out from anyone who was from this realm. At first glance most would think it was artificial but this was natural.
"Yes my Prince, I am certain. The mana still emanates from her at this very moment, without a doubt, this is the Sorceress of the South's mana coming from this young girl." She said.
Maeve was no fool, she could discern what they were saying, and judging from the phrase 'Sorceress of the South' they kept throwing around, she knew immediately they were talking about Cassandra.
"Look, I don't know who you people are, but you've got the wrong place." Maeve retorted.
The mage woman held out her hand and when she opened her palm, a bright gemstone sat in her hand, like nothing Maeve had ever seen before. Then a bright flash enveloped the hallway briefly and after a few moments a hologram floated above the gemstone, and there hovered a translucent 3D image of Cassandra, from head to shoulders. The image slowly rotated in a 360 degree turn.
Maeve couldn't hide her shock, her face betrayed her and Caspian caught onto this immediately.
"So it seems you're fully aware of who we speak of after all." Caspian held is hand up, signalling to the guards without saying a word.
Two guards peeled away from the neat line they had formed, Caspian stepped back to allow them to take a hold of Maeve, but the series of events that transpired next would leave all who were in that hallway that day in complete shock.
Just as both of the guards approached Maeve, she took a step back into her room. She knew the environment well, having lived here for almost 3 years. She knew her doorway was only narrow enough for one person to fit through at a time, let alone two fully grown men wearing armour.
They both reached for Maeve at the same time but due to the amount of armour they were wearing and the shields that clung to their sides they were both halted by the door frame.
"You fool, move aside!" shouted one guard to the other.
"You imbecile, you've mirrored my movements exactly, so if I'm a fool what does that make you?" Retorted the other guard.
Maeve took advantage of the confusion and readied herself in a defensive stance. Knees slightly bent, feet planted, her centre of gravity lowered and arms by her side and face for protection. Then in one swift motion she delivered a kick, the sole of her foot connecting with one of the guards sending him flying backwards into Caspian.
The Prince was quick to react, he adjusted his stance in order to lessen the impact of the heavy armoured knight coming hurtling towards him. The knight collided with Caspian and they both fell to the ground, the sound of metal clanging together.
"You impudent girl! You dare strike the Prince!" The second guard, now freed from the confines of the door frame, dropped his shield and charged towards Maeve. With his arms stretched out he lunged to grab Maeve but she had read his movement already, in one fell swoop she ducked below the knights reach and spun around as her leg swept at the knights footing, lifting him off the ground momentarily. This gave Maeve the opportunity she needed to strike at the knight as he fell to the floor, she delivered a final heavy axe kick to the knights chest as his body hit the floor with a loud crash.
Just before Maeve could reach her door handle to shut the door she was lifted into the air by an unseen force and thrown backwards into the far wall of her room, shattering the mirror that hung on her wall. The impact also caused the wall behind the mirror to crack slightly, signifying just how much force was used on her.
Rather than falling to the floor Maeve was held suspended against the wall, the invisible force still pushing her into the wall, she couldn't so much as raise a finger. It felt as though gravity had broken the very laws of nature and was now pushing her into the wall with immense force.
"You little bitch! Assaulting royalty is a grave offence punishable by death!" The red-headed mage woman stepped into view from the hallway, standing in the doorway with her arm held out towards Maeve. She was using a telekinetic spell to keep Maeve pressed against the wall.
"Now DIE!" She exclaimed.
"Halt! Slow your anger Pell, I'm fine" Caspian said as he stood from the floor dusting himself off.
He was able to redirect most of the damage, coming out of the altercation completely unscathed.
"But my Lord, this impudent welch-"
"We require her assistance Pell, she's the only one who knows where the Sorceress of the South is located, we must be patient" explained Caspian
"As you wish my Prince, forgive my immature outburst." Pell said as she knelt on one knee and bowed her head.
"Now come, bring her along, we mustn't dilly dally" Caspian turned and walked down the hallway.
As he did so each knight he walked past on either side of him took a step forward and then turned and followed, each pair neatly forming the two by two formation.
Pell walked into Maeve's room and approached her, still propped against the wall.
"Count your blessings, if it wasn't for lord Caspian you would've met your maker this very day." Said Pell
Maeve put everything into turning her head she could look at Pell directly in the eyes. With a strained voice that was clearly fighting against the telekinetic force that held her she said
"Loving someone that doesn't love you back, I know how shitty that feels." Maeve said with an arrogant smile.
These words immediately caught Pell off guard, her face turned bright red as she gritted her teeth in an attempt to hold in her frustration. In a single motion she swiped her hand to the left and Maeve flew into another wall head first, immediately knocking her unconscious. She fell to the floor, laying there with no movement whatsoever.
"My Prince said I shan't kill you, and I honour his wishes down to the letter, but he said nothing about beating you into a bloody pulp."
Using her telekinesis Pell lifted Maeve off the floor and floated her out of the room.