Upon opening a door along their descent, Artemis and Sir Luis were met with a shocking scene.
"Huh?! Everything's on fire!" Artemis exclaimed, witnessing the chaos and destruction that engulfed the area.
The distressing cries of soldiers in pain and pleading for help echoed through the fiery chaos.
In a moment of urgency, Sir Luis spotted a potential threat.
"Fall back, your Highness! He's not one of us!" he shouted, warning Artemis just as the prince was about to approach what appeared to be one of their own soldiers.
Sir Luis had quickly noticed something off about the soldier's attire despite it bearing the emblem of their kingdom.
Heeding the warning, Artemis quickly retreated. With remarkable agility, he dashed backward to gain distance from the enemy in disguise.
Artemis then conjured a fiery orb between his hands and hurled it at the impostor soldier.
The fiery attack, a testament to the extraordinary power of a pure Zodiac Leo, engulfed the enemy in an instant, reducing him to ashes.
This display of power underscored the lethal potency of Artemis's Zodiac abilities.
His fire, unparalleled in its intensity, could annihilate adversaries in a mere moment, a vital asset in the midst of the treacherous assault on their fortress.
Despite the immense power Artemis wielded as a Chyrum, his body was not fully adapted to handle the strain of using such potent Zodiac abilities.
Each use of his fiery powers took a significant toll on him, a fact made evident by his intense coughing fit after unleashing an attack.
Sir Luis, meanwhile, rushed to the aid of their fellow soldiers, hoping against hope to find survivors among them.
But, tragically, it was too late.
The soldiers who had been celebrating mere hours ago were now lifeless, their joyous laughter replaced by the silence of death.
Artemis stood amidst the carnage, his face etched with sorrow.
The stark contrast between the night's earlier festivities and the current scene of devastation was overwhelming.
"I saw them at the feast. They were laughing..." he murmured, his voice heavy with grief.
Sir Luis's discovery of the Velos Desi insignia on their enemy's armor brought a new layer of confusion to the already chaotic situation.
"This is Velos Desi's garb. But why would this kingdom attack us?" he questioned, unable to comprehend why Velos Desi would launch such a sudden and aggressive assault.
Artemis, realizing the gravity of the situation, insisted that they needed to find his father, the king.
Sir Luis, putting his thoughts about the Velos Desi garb aside for the moment, agreed with Artemis. Finding the king and regrouping with any remaining allies became their top priority.
As they continued their descent, the pair soon encountered another group of attackers. These assailants, unlike the earlier ones, wore no disguise but were clad in silver armor, proudly displaying the sigil of Velos Desi.
Sir Luis quickly charged forward to engage the attackers, providing cover for Artemis. Meanwhile, Artemis provided support from behind, raining down searing fire bolts upon the enemies. The Velos Desi warriors were skilled, but they underestimated the power of a true Zodiac.
When one of the warriors got close to Artemis, the prince unleashed a formidable skill: a circular flame that acted as both shield and weapon, slicing the attacking warrior in two with its intense heat.
This encounter further showcased Artemis's formidable abilities as a Zodiac Leo.
His control and power over fire were not only a means of attack but also a potent defense, making him a formidable force on the battlefield.
"Damn it! Bastards are everywhere!" Sir Luis exclaimed in frustration as they finally dispatched the Velos Desi warriors that had attacked them.
The sudden betrayal by an ally left them both stunned and confused.
"Why would the Velos do this? They're our allies!" Artemis gasped, equally bewildered and exhausted from the relentless use of his Zodiac powers.
The assault by Velos Desi was inexplicable, shrouded in mystery and betrayal.
Despite their questions and growing concerns, they pressed on with increased urgency, almost running through the chaos. The castle was now engulfed in flames, adding a dire urgency to their escape.
As they neared the bottom of their route, they stumbled upon a familiar and disheartening sight. Sir Troy, a fellow knight from their kingdom, was sitting wounded and weakened on the ground.
"Troy!" Sir Luis called out in alarm, rushing to check on his comrade.
Sir Troy was clearly in a dire state, conserving what little strength he had left, with a severe wound on his side that was heavily bleeding.
"Damn it! His wounds are deep!" exclaimed Sir Luis, attempting to lift and carry Sir Troy.
However, the severity of the injury was evident, as Sir Troy struggled for breath, clearly in agonizing pain.
Artemis quickly stepped forward, determined to save Sir Troy using his powers. "I can still save him," he assured, his voice reflecting both urgency and confidence.
With a swift motion, Artemis ignited his left hand with a blazing flame.
Unlike any ordinary fire, this was a healing blaze, a unique ability of the Chyrum. Carefully, he directed the fiery energy towards the wounded knight.
The flames, rather than burning, seemed to envelop the wound in a soothing embrace, their mystical properties working to repair the damage.
As Artemis concentrated on healing Sir Troy, the wounded knight weakly protested, trying to dissuade Artemis from expending his energy.
"Don't waste your strength on me, your highness" he gasped. But Artemis was resolute, his healing flames gently enveloping Sir Troy's injury.
"Don't worry. You're going to be alright," Artemis assured him, determination in his voice. He was fully committed to healing Sir Troy, his hands glowing with the healing power of the Zodiac Leo.
Amidst the healing, loud footsteps echoed nearby, signaling the approach of more enemies. Artemis glanced at Sir Luis, a silent communication passing between them.
Sir Luis understood immediately – he needed to buy time and protect them while Artemis focused on healing.
"I'll hold them off," Sir Luis declared, ready to confront the approaching threat.
He positioned himself strategically, sword at the ready, prepared to stall and fend off any attackers to ensure Artemis could complete his healing task without interruption.