Swords clashing, knights shouting, blood splatting. Blick and Harold held off the invasion on the west wall with the help of knights.
"Get out of here!" Blick shouted at Harold.
"Not without you!" Harold shouted back.
"I will cover your retreat!" Blick shouted.
"Go! Go! Now!" Blick shouted at Harold, who was reluctant to leave him behind.
"WE will cover you!" a knight shouted.
"Protect the lords!" another shouted.
They quickly were overwhelmed and had to retreat into the city. Civilians ran into their homes and barricaded their doors and windows. Some male citizens grabbed leftover weapons and fought with the knights. Loud bangs echoed through the city as rams bashed into the gates. Harold stopped and Blick did as well.
"What are you doing?" Blick asked.
"We are completely surrounded." Harold said.
"And?" Blick asked.
"I didn't see Opius anywhere, and neither did my scouts." Harold said.
"What are you getting at?" Blick asked.
"None of the knights are using Energy. Opius is a master of Energy and can use multiple types at a single time. If we charge out there and use our Energy, then we should be able to easily beat them. We have to try." Harold said.
"It's a bold plan, assuming the knights can't use a lot of Energy. I'm still recovering." Blick said.
'You can't win like that. They have an ace up their sleeve. The man in the forest. He has some people with them. I recognize them,' Zorn said, 'He is close.'
'Who's with them?' Blick asked.
'It's- oh no.' Zorn said.
'What?' Blick asked.
'It's your siblings.' Zorn said.
'Impossible! You must be wrong.' Blick tried to reason.
A loud horn shouted from outside the walls. The knights from Ivorius retreated back into the forest. Harold and Blick rushed to the north wall and scanned the field in front of them. A bald man walked into view. Behind him were the children of Kael chained together. He tied them to a nearby tree and began shouting.
"Blick Yeal! I have captured your siblings! Surrender your kingdom and you may have them back! If you do not, I will kill them! Your other option is to duel with me! If you win, we surrender and you save your siblings! If I win, you lose everything! You have two hours to decide!" he said.
'How strong is he?' Blick asked.
'Do not underestimate him. I have a feeling he is stronger than he looks.' Zorn said.
"What are you going to do?" Harold asked.
"I'm going to fight him." Blick answered.
"If you lose-" Harold was cut off.
"I won't." Blick said.
"Listen to me, Blick. Everything is at stake here. If you forfeit, then we can reclaim it with King Johan's help." Harold said.
"By that point he might as well just destroy the damn city. It is just a burden." Blick said.
"We have no idea who that man is! I've never seen him! He could be crazy!" Harold said.
"Or he could be overconfident." Blick said.
"So could you. You told me about Felix. He overpowered you instantly. This could be just like that!" Harold said.
"If I lose the kingdom, then all of this was for nothing." Blick said.
"If you die, then there will be nothing." Harold said.
"Let's hurry to Daniel and get his opinion before you do anything." Harold said.
"Sure." Blick said.
They quickly rushed to Daniel's room and knocked on his door. A maid opened it and let them in. Daniel was standing on the balcony. He turned and saw them. He gestured for them to sit.
"What a mess..." Daniel said.
"It just keeps getting messier." Harold said.
"I heard the man shout. I assume you are here to talk about it?" Daniel asked.
"Yes." Blick said.
"It is quite the pickle. Give up and live with your siblings, or fight and have a chance to lose it all." Daniel said.
"What do you think we should do?" Blick asked.
"I think you should forfeit, so we can run away to the capital. Tell Johan the somber news and have him march to Ivorius and crush Opius and reclaim Wetherden. I saw what he is capable of. He could save everyone." Daniel said.
'There's something off about Daniel. I noticed it before, but now it's clearer.' Zorn said.
'What?' Blick asked.
"That's what Harold suggested." Blick said.
'It's hard to put into words, but I feel like his aroma is weighing down on me.' Zorn said.
'What does that mean?' Blick asked.
'This doesn't feel right. Something is wrong.' Zorn said.
"My strength is slowly returning. I can fight that old man." Blick said.
"If you think you can, then the only limitation is your ability. Do not overestimate yourself because he looks old and feeble, for he could be the strongest man in this country." Daniel said.
"I will declare my answer now. Excuse me." Blick said exiting the room.
"Mind if I stay here with you?" Harold asked.
"Don't want to watch your lord be killed?" Daniel asked.
"No, not really. But I have faith in him." Harold said.
"Your faith is misplaced." Daniel said, stabbing a knife through Harold's chest.
"Why?" Harold asked.
"Something interesting is about to happen, and you are going to miss it." Daniel said with a wide grin.
"Who... are... you?" Harold asked.
"I am Ailas Scion. A powerful foe to many, and an ally to none." Ailas said, twisting the knife and releasing it from Harold's body. He placed his palm over the wound and absorbed the life force of Harold. He held out his hand and did to the same to the maid that was frozen in fear.
The north gate opened and Blick walked out alone. He raised his hand, and the knights closed the gate behind him. The bald man stood up and walked towards him.
"I assume you are going to fight me?" he said.
"I am, but can I trust you will do what you said?" Blick asked.
"Assuming you are going to win? How naive... Opius is not one to go back on his word, so neither am I. It would ruin is reputation." he said.
"What is your name?" Blick asked.
"Kyle." he said.
"I'm ready when you-