After the doors were opened, hundreds of gladiators and slaves emerged from inside, their echoing footsteps resonating through the dark corridors of the dungeon as they headed towards the armory. There were no guards in sight; they were likely preoccupied with the chaos above or incapacitated by Ash's army. Seizing this opportunity, the gladiators and slaves pushed open the heavy iron gates of the armory.
When the doors creaked open, they were greeted by neatly arranged weapons and armor inside. Swords, spears, shields, and other war implements gleamed on the shelves. Chain mails and leather armor hung ready on hooks. The walls, faded and moss-covered from years of neglect and dampness, surrounded them, while the stones on the floor were slippery from humidity.
Once proud gladiators and weary slaves now moved as if reborn with hopes of freedom. Ash stood at the forefront, directing everyone.
"Arm yourselves quickly," Ash commanded, his voice firm and authoritative. "Choose what you know. Time is running short."
The clang of metal and the rustle of leather filled the armory. Everyone set about choosing their most suitable weapons and armor. A seasoned gladiator with deep scars on his face strapped on his old leather chest plate, while another former slave tested the weight of a sword, its blade menacingly gleaming in the torchlight.
The scent of dust and mildew, accumulated over years, pervaded the armory. Spider webs hung from the ceiling, shimmering like delicate silver threads amidst the flickering lights. Every corner bore the marks of years gone by, etched with memories of battles. The moss-covered and faded walls attested to how long this place had lain dormant.
"Listen!" Ash called out to gather their attention. "This is not just about escaping from here. It's about sending a message. We are no longer their playthings. Today, we fight for our freedom and our future!"
The assembled crowd was further motivated by Ash's words. Gripping their weapons and securing their armor tightly, they prepared themselves. Each person felt the gravity and importance of this moment. Some exchanged encouraging looks, while others remained silently focused. Ash knew every second counted.
"When we breach these walls, what you do next is up to you," Ash declared, his voice echoing off the stone walls of the armory.
The cold, damp surfaces of the stone walls combined with the metallic gleam of armor and weapons reflected the determination and courage of these warriors. Soon enough, led by Ash, hundreds of gladiators, slaves, and captives began ascending the stairs upwards. The stone steps of the staircase were covered in darkness and moisture accumulated over the years. With each echoing footstep, their resolve and determination only grew stronger.
As they ascended the dark staircase, each one was acutely aware of the steps they were taking towards their freedom. Ash led the way at the forefront, guiding everyone with his leadership. The stone walls, covered with faded moss and damp surfaces, seemed to close in around them with each step, but it could never break their resolve.
Finally, as they reached the last step of the stairs, light greeted them from above. Stepping from darkness into light, Ash and his companions arrived at the shield wall where the guards of the dark army stood, barring their entry into the dungeon.
Guards and soldiers stood defiantly against the dark army, attempting to hold them back. Ash stepped forward, raising his sword into the air. Gripping his sword tightly, Ash initiated the battle. "Now! Fight for our freedom!" he shouted, rallying everyone to join the fray.
Gladiators, slaves, and prisoners were further motivated by Ash's words. Each of them was ready to fight under Ash's leadership. The black army launched an attack against the guards under Ash's command. In the midst of battle, Ash took his place, standing alongside everyone and commanding them.
When Ash noticed the wounded amidst the chaos of battle, he immediately took action. Shortening the length of the shield wall, he withdrew the injured to a safer position. The members of the black army around him adapted to Ash's strategic move.
A moment of silence fell around the wounded. Ash began to tend to each one individually. Squatting beside them, he treated their wounds with the precision and skill of a doctor. He cleaned bleeding wounds with his own hands, carefully bandaged cuts, and did everything he could to alleviate their pain.
During the care of the wounded, Ash's resolute and calm demeanor uplifted everyone's morale. Despite the chaos of battle, his care and compassion for the wounded further solidified his leadership. Even while treating each injured person, Ash never lost sight of the organization of his army and the progress of the battle.
After finishing the treatment of the wounded, Ash returned to the head of his army. The shield wall was reformed, and Ash resumed commanding the army on the battlefield. Every move, every command he made, improved the situation for the warriors and strengthened them further.
Ash returned to the midst of battle, where the black army continued its resistance against the guards under his leadership. Each gladiator, slave, and prisoner fought for freedom under Ash's command, showing unwavering determination in this challenging struggle.
Ash's care for the wounded and his strategic intelligence on the battlefield enabled the black army to fight more effectively against the guards. Ash had earned everyone's respect and trust as both a leader and a hero, demonstrating his prowess as a strategist. Under his leadership, the black army steadfastly advanced towards freedom.
As panic spread and people realized they were nearing an inevitable end and facing harm, they began to run towards the gates in a state of panic. Escape routes were narrow and clogged in dark alleys, with frantic cries echoing everywhere. Amidst the chaos, hundreds of people moved towards the city's eastern gate, the main gate leading to the harbor, and the rear gate. Those reaching the rear gate, where the Prince's men awaited, grabbed whatever they could and hurriedly attempted to escape.
As the crowd became denser, panic escalated further. People pushed and shoved each other in a desperate rush for escape. Several fell to the ground, unnoticed by others who continued in their panicked flight. The fallen were trampled underfoot by the fleeing crowd, their cries of pain lost amidst the chaos.
As the crowd surged towards the gates, escape became increasingly difficult, and people struggled to move forward, sometimes crushing each other in the process. This hopeless flight through the city only heightened the chaos and terror. While Ash and the black army battled the guards, the city folk fought for survival, hoping to reach the gate leading to the harbor and the rear gate.
Footsteps and screams echoed through the narrow streets of the city, rising like a muffled roar between the stone buildings. Some paused to gather valuables, while others were solely focused on saving their lives. The congestion at the gates made escape even more challenging.
Those reaching the harbor gate attempted to board small boats heading out to sea while evading the approaching danger of enemy soldiers. Those heading towards the rear gate were met with the terror of facing the Prince's army men. Escape routes were blocked, leaving them overwhelmed with despair and fear, unsure of what to do next.
Secretary, one of the leading figures in the Prince's army, watched in astonishment. The intensity of the battle and chaos unfolded before his eyes, horrific scenes echoing in his mind. Soon, he noticed thick smoke in the air, initially thinking it signaled the onset of a fire. He began to look around carefully to determine its source.
Secretary stopped a passerby with concern. The man, breathless from the rush, looked pale with fear on his face. Leaning in, the secretary angrily demanded, "What's going on here? What's causing all this smoke?"
The man, trembling with fear, began to speak, avoiding the secretary's sharp gaze. "Sir, there's been a revolt in the dungeon! Gladiators and slaves have rebelled! They've armed themselves under a woman leader among the Whites and are trying to escape. The smoke is from fires and explosions in the midst of the battle. There's chaos in the city. People are fleeing in panic."
The secretary found it hard to believe what he was hearing. His eyes widened and his lips trembled. "A woman among the Whites? How could this be? Or could it be...?" After a few seconds of hesitation, he continued with a nervous laugh, "No, that's impossible."
The secretary was horrified by what he heard. He squinted to better understand the chaos beyond the smoke-filled horizon. Now, he could see the chaos and panic more clearly. He knew he had to make a quick decision. Moving swiftly, he headed to inform the leaders of his army. The rebellion of the gladiators had already worsened the kingdom's situation amidst the ongoing war, completely upsetting the balance in the city. It could lead to an even greater disaster at any moment.
Secretary quickened his pace, striving to reach his superiors. The smoke made the intensity and devastation of the war even more apparent, but he tried to suppress his fear and anxiety. He was acutely aware of the seriousness of his mission and knew he had to do everything in his power to stop this rebellion.
Hurrying to the prince's side, even though he was on horseback, he was still out of breath. As soon as he reached the prince, his voice trembled with the vibrations of urgency as he began to speak.
"Your Highness, there's a grave problem! The gladiators and slaves in the dungeon have rebelled. They've armed themselves under a woman's leadership and are attempting to escape. There's immense chaos in the city; people are fleeing in panic towards the gates."
The prince didn't want to believe what he heard. Frowning, he tightened his grip on the reins and stood up angrily on his horse. "This is impossible! A woman? What can a woman do on a battlefield? This must be a joke!"
The secretary emphasized the seriousness of the situation even more. "Your Highness, this is no joke. The smoke is from fires and explosions amid the battle. The gladiators are fighting the guards with an unknown organized force. The people are trampling each other trying to reach the harbor gate and the rear gate."
The prince, unable to control his anger, lashed out around him. He threw his water-filled flask to the ground and became wild with fury. "This cannot be! How could such a massive rebellion slip past us?"
The secretary patiently waited for the prince's anger to subside. When the prince finally calmed down, the secretary continued, "Your Highness, the situation is very serious. We need to decide on a strategy immediately. We must act swiftly to protect the city and its people."
Taking a deep breath, the prince spoke with a voice filled with rage. He raised his hand forcefully and pointed his army towards the city. His eyes gleamed with determination as he issued a single command: "Raze the city to the ground." This command underscored how serious the army's objective was and how strong their desire for vengeance had become.
The commanders beside him were shocked and concerned when they opposed the prince's decision. They made a sincere effort to stop him, considering the consequences of destroying the city. Some appealed to the prince, thinking of the innocent people within, while others addressed him considering the city's strategic importance and the potential outcomes.
"Your Highness, you must not take this step," said one commander, his voice trembling. "There are innocent lives we must protect."
However, the prince remained steadfast in his determination. His eyes gleamed with resolve and a sinister smile played on his face. Ignoring the objections of the commanders, he continued, "Now is the right time to finally accomplish New Amor."
These words not only indicated the prince's intent to destroy the city but also revealed it as part of a long-term plan. There was an uneasy silence among the commanders, but they knew they had to respect the prince's decision.
After the sounds from within the fires and down the stairs had quieted, two figures cautiously approached the edge of the stairs with careful steps. The flames before their eyes only strengthened their resolve. With bags filled with grey dust in their hands, they began to sprinkle it meticulously and methodically towards the fire. The grey dust crackled as it came into contact with the flames, releasing dense, suffocating smoke. As the dust covered the burning areas, the flames slowly began to extinguish.
During this process, they repeated their efforts for several minutes in the areas where the fire was most intense. The fire beneath the stairs was gradually being brought under control thanks to the effect of this dust. The intensity of the flames had subsided, giving way to weak smoldering where once raged a monstrous blaze.
The two figures at the foot of the stairs continued their relentless efforts to mitigate the effects of the fire. Their silent coordination demonstrated how effectively they could work together in emergencies.
The impact of the grey dust in extinguishing the fire helped them gain partial control over the blaze in the tower. In places, the flames had been extinguished or diminished by the dust, and the smoke had reduced. As the fire dwindled, the steps of the stairs became clearer. Red and orange hues faded into dying embers under the influence of the grey dust.
Later, they ascended the stairs, slowly progressing through the thinning smoke affected by the dust. Beneath their feet, ash and debris crunched with each step, echoing in the silence. They could feel the remnants of the fire's ashes and the lingering heat. They proceeded cautiously and deliberately.
Upon reaching the top step and stepping into the corridor, they saw Ely, who was trying to shield herself from the effects of smoke and fire. Ely had covered her face and mouth with a cloth, her eyes filled with fear and disbelief. She struggled to breathe amidst the flames and smoke that surrounded her. The air around Ely still carried the scent of smoke and burnt debris, but the intensity of the flames had significantly diminished.
The two individuals approached Ely cautiously, their every movement echoing on the stone floor along with the diminishing roar of the fire. As they reached Ely, she turned towards them and took a deep breath.
Ely squinted nervously as she looked at the two strangers before her. The smell of smoke and burnt debris still hung in the air, but at least she could breathe. Taking another deep breath, she tremulously asked, "Who are you?"
The first man looked into Ely's eyes, noticing her cautious gaze, and responded with a faint smile, "We're the ones who have been following you for years. We've come to get you out of here." Seeing Ely's skepticism, he continued, "Our sole purpose here right now is to rescue you from this hell."
Ely evaluated the man's words, torn between distrust and fear. "Following me? Why have you been following me?" she asked, her voice trembling with apprehension.
The second man approached the bars where Ely stood, knelt down on one knee, and drew a tool resembling scissors from his belt. Ely, trying to understand what the man was doing, took a few steps back. She tightly gripped a piece of wood she found and watched the man's movements with a threatening stance.
Seeing Ely's retreat and defensive posture, the man spoke calmly, "Don't worry, I won't harm you. I just need to cut through these bars," he said, before using the tool in his hand to start cutting through the iron bars. Each time the scissors-like tool touched the metal, it emitted a sharp metallic sound, but the tool efficiently did its job, quickly cutting through the bars.
Ely hesitated whether to trust the man, but she knew she had no other choice. As she watched him work, she noticed the tool he used, unlike any she had seen before. While similar tools existed, this one cut through the iron as effortlessly as paper. "Why are you helping me?" Ely asked, her voice still cautious and filled with suspicion.
While the man worked, the other kept watch over the stairs and surroundings. He continued working without looking at Ely and answered, "What if I called you the Ashen Princess?" These words echoed in Ely's mind, causing her eyes to widen suddenly like a divination stone. Thoughts raced through her mind, almost blinding her. How long had the Ashen Princess been here? Why hadn't anyone come to rescue her?
Shaken by this new information, Ely looked at the man. "Ashen Princess?" she whispered to herself. This name had been etched in her memory like a dark shadow, but now that shadow was slowly beginning to lighten. Who was the Ashen Princess? What was she doing here? And most importantly, how did these people who came to rescue Ely know who she was?
The man noticed Ely's shock and lifted his head to look directly at her. "Yes, the Ashen Princess," he confirmed.
Ely's mind was suddenly flooded with a series of memories, taking her back to her first encounter with the Ashen Princess. Back then, Ely was young and inexperienced. The kingdom lived in peace until the Ashen Princess's wrath threatened to engulf and destroy it all. In the midst of this threat, the legend of the Ashen Princess had been revived.
In the Shadow of the Past Years Ago: Ely stood beside the Ashen Princess in the Royal Palace, always serving her faithfully. It was a great honor for Ely to be by the Princess's side, and the two spent beautiful moments together. The Princess valued Ely not only as a servant but also as a friend, a confidante, and a warrior.
Events at the Royal Palace Beginning of a Day: As the first light of day touched the marble floors of the palace, Ely and the Princess would take walks together. These walks in the palace garden at sunrise were moments of peace and tranquility for both of them. The Princess would share her plans for the kingdom's future with Ely, who would faithfully accompany her.
Ely and the Princess were almost identical. With long, white hair, graceful facial features, and a strong demeanor, they resembled each other so closely that their servants often confused them. This similarity sometimes led to humorous situations. Once, Ely was mistakenly summoned to an important meeting as the Princess, but she quickly informed the Princess upon realizing the mistake. This incident became a topic of discussion at the palace for a long time and brought smiles to many faces.
The Princess was not only a friend to Ely but also a mentor. She taught Ely swordsmanship, strategy development, and an obscure technique. In the expansive training grounds of the palace, they often dueled and honed each other's skills. The Princess taught Ely that she needed to strengthen not only physically but also spiritually. These teachings played a significant role in shaping Ely into a strong and resolute warrior.
However, those times had passed, and Ely had given up fighting to dedicate herself entirely to the Princess. As a result, she grew increasingly weaker, leading to her current state. While peace reigned in the kingdom, Ely and the Princess enjoyed spending time together. They would sit for hours in the palace library, reading ancient legends and stories. The Princess would narrate the kingdom's history and important events to Ely, who in turn shared newly discovered books and interesting information with her. These moments further strengthened the bond between them.
The people of the kingdom viewed the Cinder Princess as a mystical and powerful figure. There were many legends about her, but only Ely knew the true story. The Cinder Princess had made great sacrifices to protect the kingdom, and these sacrifices had elevated her to a legendary status among the people. Ely always remembered the Princess's sacrifices and how strong a leader she had been.
As these beautiful memories played in Ely's mind, a moment of sadness flickered in her eyes. However, this sadness quickly gave way to determination and courage. Ely was determined to honor the legacy and teachings of the Cinder Princess in every way possible. The Princess's sacrifices were like a burning fire within Ely, illuminating the future of the kingdom. With her eyes focused ahead, Ely felt the warrior spirit within her and prepared herself for the struggle to preserve the Princess's memory. Unfortunately, since she doesn't know how to fight, all she can do is go to the princess confidently