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As Ely's face lit up with the memories of better times, a catapult strike hit the already fire-damaged tower. The loud crash sent stones and debris flying in all directions. The violent impact threw Ely to the ground, knocking the wind out of her. As her vision blurred with dust and smoke, the acrid scent of burning wood and crumbling stone filled the air. With a groan of pain, Ely struggled to get up from the ground. Bruises and scratches adorned her body from the fall, but she had no serious injuries.
The catapult strike had caused a significant portion of the tower to collapse, and falling stones and wooden beams now blocked the narrow corridor. Reaching the tower's exit would be even more challenging. Despite these obstacles, her determination and will to survive grew stronger. Ash and the others must be waiting for her.
Ely carefully navigated her way through the rubble, finding and moving with the two individuals who had come to her rescue. Every step echoed amidst the stones and broken beams, and with every breath, she inhaled the dusty, smoky air. Meanwhile, the sounds of battle and the screams of people outside reached Ely's ears. The Prince's army had besieged the city, and the Pennon agents were trying to slow them down by spreading oil on the ground to make it slippery. Small spherical explosives were being hurled from the walls, detonating as they hit the ground.
Amidst this chaos, Ely remembered that she had a chance to escape. She knew she needed to move faster. With agile and determined steps, she continued to advance, aiming to reach a safer part of the tower. The urgency of the situation spurred her on, and she pushed through the debris with renewed vigor.
Finally, Ely climbed the last steps of the tower and reached the exit. Right outside the door, she was confronted with the brutal face of war. The city streets were in chaos. Businessmen fled to save their trades and lives, each carrying sacks filled with their most precious belongings, darting about in panic. Fear and helplessness were etched on their faces; the harsh reality of war had deeply ingrained itself in each one.
Navigating through this chaos, Ely felt the brutality of war to her core. The army of the Prince swung their swords and spears mercilessly, while the city's people and defenders fought desperately. Burning buildings, rising smoke, and cries exposed the savagery of the battle. Ely paused for a moment; finding purpose amidst such devastation and suffering was challenging. Yet, there was a glimmer of hope with Ash's leadership and the assistance of Pennon agents.
With determination, Ely gathered herself and looked around for a place to escape and find hope. With each step, she felt the weight of the destruction she left behind.
After laying waste to the last military defending the city with the dark army and rebels, Ash headed tower where Ely was located. The surrounding scene reflected the devastating effects of the war. Collapsed buildings, destroyed walls, and smoke-filled streets marked Ash's path. With every step, the victorious cheers of rebels and the disciplined march of the dark army echoed.
When Ash reached the front of the tower, he looked around. The tower had managed to stay standing even through the most intense moments of the war, but now it blazed with flames. Its stone walls were cracked and smothered in smoke. Ash took a deep breath and pushed open the door, entering inside. The darkness and smoke within made it hard to see, but from behind him, Ely called out in a tone of curiosity, "Princess?"
Despite the rebels around them experiencing a significant shock, there was no movement from the dark army, and no soldier's attention wavered
Ely stood behind Ash, looking at him with a face filled with the hardships and fatigue of war. Ash approached Ely and placed his hand on her shoulder.
"It's time to leave here now," Ash said with determination.
Ely took a deep breath as she looked into Ash's eyes. His presence gave her strength. Together, they decided to leave the tower.
Outside the tower, they saw that chaos still engulfed the city. Among the destroyed streets and ruined buildings, people struggled to survive. The scars of war were evident everywhere. Ash and Ely began to move swiftly towards the gate leading to the harbor. Meanwhile, the orange smoke from Aery's fired weapon indicated their direction.
Two soldiers led the way from the dark army, with three soldiers positioned on each side of Ash and Ely. The remaining soldiers marched in formation behind them, cautiously navigating through the streets of the ruined and blood-stained city towards the harbor. The streets were marked with the traces of war: burning houses, collapsed shops, and the harsh realities of battle. Every step echoed with the footsteps, reflecting the discipline and determination of the dark army.
The rising cries, crackling of fires, and the screams of people trapped under debris heightened the tense atmosphere. The dark army, their eyes alert, advanced cautiously. They were ready to react to any threat instantly. Walking beside Ely, Ash silently observed the situation.
The rebels, trailing behind in disarray, looked around in bewilderment and conversed among themselves. One gladiator leaped over debris and remarked to his companion, "Even though we're held captive in this hell, this city was once so beautiful, now it's turned into ruins."
Nodding, the other gladiator added, "Yes, but now we fight for our freedom. The reason for this destruction is their failure to treat us like humans."
Standing beside a fallen statue, another rebel muttered, "This was a symbol of the people. Now it's just a pile of stone."
Ash ignored these conversations he overheard. This journey was not just about escaping to safety but also about starting anew. As they moved towards the harbor, the orange smoke from Aery's fired weapon still glowed in the sky. It served as a beacon for Ash, guiding their path.
As the group carefully navigated through the rubble-filled streets, they began to catch the scent of the harbor growing nearer with every step. Upon reaching it, Aery and the rest of the group briefly savored the relief of reaching a safe haven. However, this respite would not last long, for the war was far from over, and new challenges awaited them.
Ash approached Ely, playing with her hair and whispering into her ear, "This is just the beginning. There's much more to be done."
Ely nodded in agreement, responding, "Yes, this city will be buried in history. Alongside us." The disciplined march of the dark army and the bewildered gazes of the rebels revealed the profound scars left by the war.
Aery appeared before Ash with his 20 Pennon agents, their heavy armor and weapons clinking as they walked towards them from a distance. Each step exuded determination and strength. A tense resolve marked Aery's face. The armor worn by the Pennon agents showcased their discipline and professionalism.
Just then, a thunderous explosion-like sound reverberated through the air. Everyone paused for a moment, held their breath, and looked up. They witnessed a series of catapult shots arcing through the air in parabolic trajectories over the city. Though these heavy stones seemed to move slowly through the air, upon impact, they unleashed destructive force, bringing death and devastation to different parts of the city. The air was filled with the smell of dust and earth mixed with the sharp scent of burning flesh.
Eyes turned towards the dust clouds created by the explosions. The collapse of burning buildings and the cries of people trapped under debris intensified the already grim atmosphere.
Aery shouted, somehow maintaining his composure, "Everyone stay alert and follow me!" His voice was firm and commanding. As Ely watched events unfold around her, she struggled to suppress her fear. Each explosion made her heart race.
Running in a direction, Aery raised his hand high, "Our way out is this way, follow me!" he yelled. They swiftly began advancing through the narrow and dilapidated streets of the city. Ely and Ash followed without hesitation. Soldiers from the dark army maintained their formations with discipline as they trailed behind. Meanwhile, the rebels looked around in astonishment and hurried to keep up.
They moved amidst the skeletons of burned buildings, collapsed walls, and houses turned to rubble. Occasionally, catapult stones glided through the sky. The echoes of explosions still reverberated in their ears.
Aery veered into a side alley. "Hurry up, we don't have much time!" he shouted. Ely ran after Aery, while Ash directed the soldiers beside him. "Everyone, stay alert and stick together!" he commanded.
Finally, Aery reached an old well at the end of a narrow street. The well was surrounded by stones and covered with moss. Aery extended his hand towards the well. "Here! This well will lead us to a hidden tunnel," he declared.
Ash ordered, "Descend quickly, one by one! Aery, you go first!"
Aery couldn't hide his surprise. He looked at Ash and asked with irritation, "Our priority is you and Ely; I can't go ahead and leave you behind." As Ash carefully moved forward, he suddenly halted. With a swift glance at the soldier beside him, he drew and took his weapon. The action was so quick and unexpected that the soldier found himself disarmed before he even realized what had happened.
"Aery was watching Ash when suddenly he received a sharp blow to his head and collapsed to the ground. Ely and the others looked at Ash in astonishment. Fear and confusion filled Ely's eyes. 'What are you doing?' she asked in disbelief.
Ash, looking calmly at the fallen Aery, said, 'I won't argue about this. Take Aery and go ahead.'
This statement left Ely even more bewildered. 'But why? He was helping us!' she exclaimed.
Ash replied with a cold expression, 'Anyone with me will not die without reason.'
While giving orders to the soldiers to carry Aery and enter the tunnel inside the well, Ely was still trying to recover from the shock of the incident. The soldiers securely held Aery and took him into the well.
Turning to Ely, Ash said, 'Now we must continue on our way. Time is short.' Helplessly, Ely agreed and stood by Ash."
As the soldiers descended into the well in an orderly fashion, a catapult shot landed just 10 meters away. Ely involuntarily screamed and leaned her head on Ash's shoulder, clutching onto him. Ash began to comfort her by gently stroking her head. "You don't need to be afraid while I'm here," he assured her, looking straight ahead.
After a slight tremor, everyone quickly regrouped and continued descending into the well. Rebels went first, followed by the army, and eventually 20 agents and Ely became the last to leave the city alongside Ash.
Inside the well, the air was cool and the stone walls were damp. When Ely reached the tunnel floor, she saw Aery holding a torch, waiting for them. "Let's go, we need to proceed. Be careful all the way to the end of the tunnel," Aery whispered.
The onslaught of catapult shots intensified, further devastating the already ruined city. Each falling stone and cannon blast echoed through the depths of the tunnel, instilling fear and urgency in the gladiators, especially Ely.
Ash turned back to look at the soldiers of the army. "Hurry! The explosions behind us could cause the tunnel to collapse."
Ely hesitantly asked, "Is this safe?"
Ash smiled reassuringly at Ely. She followed closely behind him in the darkness.
As the soldiers entered the rubble-strewn city through the destroyed walls, each silently wished the prince hadn't ordered this. Among the ruins of the capital, they wandered; with each step, collapsed buildings, burning houses, and devastated streets lay before them. The once lively atmosphere of the city had now given way to the silence of death and the harsh reality of destruction.
One soldier, gazing at the remnants of a collapsed building, spoke quietly, "So much destruction... Why would the prince command such a thing? So much death and suffering... Was it worth it?"
Another soldier, looking at a fallen body on the ground, replied, "I don't know. But such brutality... We must have crossed the limits of his wrath. To face this is terrifying."
Yet another soldier sighed as he looked at the remnants of a destroyed statue, "The orders that brought this city to this state... The prince's wrath is truly terrifying. We must do everything we can to avoid his vengeance."
As the soldiers pressed forward amidst the debris, with each step they felt the weight of the prince's anger more heavily. The ruins and dead bodies around every corner served as constant reminders of how ruthless the prince could be.
A soldier murmured to himself quietly, "If we incur the prince's wrath, we could experience worse things than what has happened in this city. We must remain loyal to his commands."
Other soldiers nodded in agreement. Driven by fear of the prince's anger, they continued to advance through the rubble. Every piece of debris, every corpse, reminded them of their loyalty. Yet, within them, fear and concern grew; not knowing who the prince's next target would be left a deep mark on their souls.
As they walked through the devastated streets, the soldiers continued to talk among themselves, increasingly understanding the strength and destructiveness of the prince's anger. This destruction and death constantly reminded them of how dangerous the prince's commands could be and how terrifying the anger behind those commands was. The prince had reached the hill outside the city, fixing his determined gaze upon the city on the brink of destruction. As the wind, infused with the scent of blood and smoke, brushed against his face, his attention was drawn to a silently approaching figure on horseback. When the rider reached the prince, a messenger swiftly dismounted and knelt before him. With a resolute yet concerned expression, the messenger bowed his head and began to wait.
"What is your report?" the prince demanded, his voice tinged with impatience and curiosity.
The messenger took a deep breath and began to speak, "Your Majesty, the city is in dire straits. The Black Army and gladiators, along with the rebels, have fled. Catapult shots are laying waste to the city, and many buildings have been destroyed. Panic reigns among the populace. The enemies were last seen heading towards the port."
The prince's face turned red with anger, traces of a cruel expression emerging. "We must find them. At any cost," he muttered. The messenger nodded in agreement.
The prince continued, unabashedly showing his fury and determination, "No matter what, they will die, and the new Amor plan will succeed. We have no use for this rotten opulace."
Upon hearing the prince's ruthless words, the messenger bowed his head and with a trembling voice said, "As you command, Your Majesty." Even the messenger shuddered at the prince's resolve and cruelty.
The prince turned his eyes back to the ruined city. Behind the collapsed buildings and rising smoke lay the harsh reality of devastation. Yet, he saw the birth of a new order rising from this destruction. "This people must understand the sacrifices required by the new order," he continued. "How far can the Black Army and gladiators hide, searching for escape routes? Each one will be found and destroyed. This will be the victory of the new Amor."
The messenger swiftly turned his horse to carry out the prince's orders. As he advanced towards the heart of the destruction in the city, he couldn't shake off the image of the prince's merciless will. With every step of his horse, he passed over collapsed buildings and burnt corpses. The screams echoing through the streets mingled with the flames of the fires.
Watching the kneeling messenger from atop his horse, the prince's mind was fixed only on victory. "This is not an end," he thought. "This is only a new beginning." The city may crumble, but his will remained unshaken. The people would submit to his ruthless determination.