Upon turning, Kael found the grotesque creature chomping down on one of his father's guards. In the blink of an eye, Captain Kylo stood in front of the creature.
His arm was outstretched, with his sword firmly in his hand. Another blink, and Kael found the creature sliding in half.
BOOM!
A gust of wind exploded behind Kael, threatening to knock him off his horse. And off his horse he would have flown, had his father not held him in place.
Turning back, Kael found Ingoris — Captain Kylo's right hand man — cut in half. His insides spewing out as he crawled on the snow, leaving his legs behind.
Watching in horror, Kael could only glimpse a woman, swords in both hands which pushed against that of Kylo.
Had Kael not known better, he would have said he was going mad. Because only a moment prior, Kylo was behind him. But now, he was in front of him, holding back a strange smiling woman.
But Kael knew better. The speed, the power he felt pressing down on him, a weight that made him feel like his bones were about to disintegrate.
This was the power of a Moon Arcanist. And as of right now, there were two of them.
Even though Kael saw the woman for only a split second before she vanished into a blur with Kylo, the sheer weight of her power made his stomach churn. As though ready to relinquish to the forest what he had for breakfast.
Struggling to keep it together, Kael watched as Kylo and the woman collided with one another.
He couldn't see any of it, apart from enormous crackles of sparks, resulting from the clashing of their swords. And the explosive winds that tore at them.
'Encircle the King, make haste for Winterhaven, now!' Kylo's voice rang in Kael's head, so loud he felt like his skull was about to split open.
Everything happened so fast, Kael couldn't properly wrap his head around any of it. Before he knew, his father had pulled him onto his horse.
As Kael slammed into his father's horse, something cold and solid pressed against his back. Looking over his shoulder, Kael could see his father now clad in Arcana armor.
"Hiya!" Kael's father grunted as he kicked against his horse.
With one swift pull, he guided the reins so the horse made a complete turn. Their entourage did the same, turning their horse on the King's lead.
Without wasting any time, they rode away from the mighty battle that only seemed to grow more intense as the seconds passed.
Looking behind, Kael feared what would become of Captain Kylo, but he did not entertain this thought for more than a second. The Captain would survive this, he was the second most powerful Arcanist in Winterpeak, there was no way he would lose this fight.
Kael believed that much. Right now, they had to worry about their own safety. As his thoughts wavered, Kael remembered his Uncle. How saddened he was to learn Uncle Johnathan would not be joining them today. Yet as this chaos unfolded, Kael could not have been happier he wasn't here this day.
Not long after this thought ran across Kael's mind, a figure jotted out of the trees. In a blur, it crashed into one of the members of the King's entourage.
BOOM!
A pile of snow was kicked into the air as they crashed. Horse now absent of a rider.
"Dammit!" King Reginald exclaimed.
'Fools! Shield us and prepare a teleportation circle!' the King commanded, another bludging sound to Kael's brain.
Wincing, Kael tried to focus on what was important. He turned his gaze toward every direction, trying if he would be of any help.
With a gasp, Kael saw several figures above the treeline they were approaching.
'Stop the horses!' Kael shouted, and without hesitation, they obeyed.
Almost immediately the horses came to a stop, the figures fell from their purchase above the trees so they crashed into the snow below in a manner that one would assume they were dead.
Stretching out his arm, the King summoned a sword into his hand in a spark of light. Readying himself for anything the enemy would throw at them.
'What keeps you?!' he screamed, yet never once taking his gaze off the enemies ahead while being aware of his surroundings.
Kael turned his gaze to the Arcanist weaving the symbols in his mind for a teleportation Arcana. By the looks of it, the Arcanist had fumbled up the Weave several times and had to start all over again.
Turning his gaze around them, Kael bit his lip when he realized the other two Arcanists well-versed in Weaving teleportation Arcanas were all dead, leaving this incompetent Arcanist behind.
'Dammit.' Kael said in his mind, forgetting his thoughts were linked to that of his father's and their entire company.
By the time he had realized it, it was already too late. Yet, as opposed to what he had expected, him voicing his fear did not dampen the strength of his Arcanists, but seemingly gave them more vigor.
Almost immediately, a green barrier had encased them all. Also, the Arcanist Weaving his teleportation Arcana had picked up the slack.
Drawing Kael's attention was a grip on his arm. His father, ensuring him he would make it out alive.
Kael tried his best to keep his emotions in check, but the act of trying only seemed to highlight everything that was going on, highlight the fact that he was inches away from death. And this enlightenment frightened Kael the more he tried to quell it.
Which in turn manifested in the shaking of his hands. A shaking which was accentuated by the earthquakes emanating beneath their feet from the battle between Kylo and that strange woman.
And also, the figures which were just now getting on their feet, waking like corpses animated by Necromancy Acrana.
Kael tried to get a grip on himself, but every attempt was nothing but a failure.
In the midst of his panic, the King gripped Kael's hands tighter. Giving Kael a semblance of balance.
'Fear is not the absence of courage,' the King said, seemingly to no one. Yet Kael knew his father's words were aimed at him.
The saying sunk into Kael, giving him just enough strength to calm his nerves. And to control his quivering limbs.
He took in a deep breath, thinking to himself what his Uncle would do at a time like this.
The figures in the distance found balance, they stood as though watching the King and his entourage. Snow falling on them, covering them as though they were trees.
In the blink of an eye, they zoomed toward the group.
Kael gasped in shock, their speed so inhuman, all he could see was a blur and pounds of snow bursting off the ground in their wake.
The King wanted to scream at the Arcanist weaving the portal, but he knew better. Gripping his sword, he turned his attention to the Arcanists holding up the barrier protecting them.
"Endow the barriers with every bit of your Mana." the King commanded.
"Yes, your majesty," they responded before doing as told.
In that moment, the green hue of the barriers grew in intensity. The lights shining with a brightness that wanted to make Kael shield his eyes.
But he did not.
He kept his gaze steady on the blur that was now a feet away.
As Kael took in a deep breath, he could see a man above the barrier. His fist making contact with the spherical green light.
BOOM!
CRACKLE!
A mighty wind exploded in every direction once the man's fist made contact with the barriers. The ground surrounding the barriers gave out, cracking as though hit by a terrible earthquake.
The shockwave from the punch slammed into the surrounding trees, shattering them into chunks of broken wood.
The Arcanists holding up the barriers all let out a dreadful groan, as the impact ate into their very beings.
Just as the barriers were about to give out, the Arcanist Weaving the portal had succeeded. Pointing his palms toward the ground, an Arcane circle made of blue light appeared underneath everyone.
The light grew in intensity that Kael could not withstand it. Shielding his eyes, the light only seemed to grow stronger.
TING!
A sound reminiscent of a bell rang into Kael's ears, and before he knew it, the lights faded and he was no longer on a horse, but held in midair.
His time floating was cut short only microseconds after as he fell to the ground, a fresh pile of snow crashing into him.
Opening his eyes, Kael could see he was no longer in the same place he was seconds prior.
Here the trees were denser, the landscape seemed uneven and there were numerous lifeform buzzing and skittering around them.
'Get up.' the King pulled Kael onto his feet.
'Get up, all of you!' the King commanded. And all who could stand did as told. Yet there were some who couldn't.
Turning his gaze to the groaning Arcanists on the snow, Kael's chest tightened. Because he knew this was where their journey ended.
If Kael remembered everything his Uncle taught him about Arcana, then he was certain they had exhausted so much of their Mana and ate into their strength, building up a great amount of fatigue that they would need at the very least a week to recover.
Yet time was one thing they didn't have. They would have to get left behind.
As Kael ran his mind through the fact that these Arcanists had used up all their Mana holding up the barrier, his thoughts drifted to their assailant.
Every single Arcanist holding up the barrier were of the third rank, that being Star. Yet they couldn't hold just one assailant back. Which meant he was no doubt of a higher rank. In other words, there were two Moons who sought their demise.
As Kael realized this, his stomach began to churn. And before he knew it, he was hunching over and hurling.
It was impossible, the world had recorded the total number of Moons. There were only five of them in existence. Each of them publicly known, their faces plastered across books, portraits and banners.
Kael along with every other person in the world knew the five Moons by heart. Yet, these strangers, they were a mystery to even the King.
'We must be on our way.' the King said as he held Kael's shoulder.
Looking at what little men he had left, he frowned. Especially due to the fact that the portal summoning Arcanist was not strong enough to take their horses with them.
He turned his gaze to the Arcanist in spite. Yet when he met the Arcanist's face, his anger overturned to pity.
The Arcanist was just a boy, perhaps not meant to be here as a guard, but as a squire learning from his masters.
After all, this was not supposed to be a dangerous venture, yet he found the lives of the King and his only son in his hands.
What a shame.
As he watched the boy lie helplessly on the snow, the King wished it was possible to take him back to Winterhaven.
Yet he knew his and his son's lives were of greater importantance, so he dismissed the boy and shot his gaze toward the mountain before them.
Winterhaven was now in view, the great city built upon a mountain. Its presence looming over everything around it, showcasing its might and power as the capital city of Winterpeak. The greatest Kingdom in all the lands.
A Kingdom so great it couldn't even protect its ruler.
The King gritted his teeth. Whoever these assassins were, they weren't a force to be triffled with. Yet the King found anger overtaking him. No one had ever made him run before, no one.
They would pay for this no matter what.
Looking at the distance separating them from the city, the King estimated the distance to be at the very least half an hours trek.
As of now, their problem was getting caught by those assassins. And getting stuck in the snow storm that was brewing in the clouds.
Time was of the essence.
Turning toward his son, he discovered Kael was still hunched over. He needed time to regain himself, time they did not have.
Gripping his son's shoulder tighter, he called out.
"Kael," his call held fast, so Kael regained a semblance of himself. "We must go."
Kael did not respond immediately.
Letting out another hurl, he did his best to hold whatever he had left in his stomach in. Then he cleaned his mouth and erected himself.
The King turned his gaze to the six remaining members of his entourage. They were all he had, they had to be enough.
"We march." the King said, then pushed his son ahead of him as he marched.
His entourage surrounded him, each of them keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings. While walking with heavy hearts and they left their comrades.
Through an array of emotions flooding his heart, Kael still had enough room to feel pity and guilt for leaving the Arcanists behind. But what could he do?
***
Their trek toward the city was arduous and grueling. The snow on the ground was now thicker, making walking all the more painful. And the snow that fell had grown in intensity, so that the group had to shake off pounds of snow every few minutes.
Even the Arcana used to enchant their clothing was not strong enough to keep the cold at bay. Mostly because the Arcanist responsible for the enchantment was ordered to not use up too much of his Mana.
A result of which Kael could feel eating into his bones. He felt like fingers would snap, and his feet would shatter.
Lifting his gaze to the city, Kael could estimate the distance would be about ten minutes away.
They needed to pick up the pace, they needed to...
CRASH!
The ground reverberated and a pile of snow shot up into the air. In response the King's entourage did whatever they could to tighten up any gaps in their circle.
The Arcanists along with the King surveyed the entire forest, searching for where their assailants might ambush them.
Ignoring everything else, Kael stared at the object that was thrown in front of them.
Looking through an Arcanist's legs, Kael could make out a person. And when he defined said person's features, his heart rate spiked.
'Captain Kylo.' Kael thought, as fear began to eat into his bones.
Kylo was dead, body mangled and eyes sunken.
At once Kael' hands began to shake yet again, and his legs felt to give up on him.
"You're attempts at escape are fruitless," a sweet yet sinister voice emanted from all around them. "Surrender now my king, and I give you my word that your death will be painless."
The figures formed from smoke on the tree branches surrounding them. The woman with white hair formed last, her long hair swaying in the wind as her smile deepened.
"You dare threaten me?! The King of Winterpeak?!" King Reginald screamed.
The woman smiled, then cocked her head.
"King? You are King of nothing. Not after I will be finished with you." she grinned.
Fury became the King, yet he did not lose his composure.
As he conversed with the woman, he was buying time for his guards to execute the plan they had formed minutes pri...
"And it was a good plan. A shame I learned of it." the woman smiled, and the King and his men went numb.
'Can she...can she...?'
"Can she discern our thoughts?" the woman placed a finger on her chin while lifting her gaze to the sky, feigning contemplation.
The King gritted his teeth, then screamed.
"Now!" he commanded, praying to Eidolon that she was bluffing.
Almost immediately, one of the King's men grabbed Kael, then the others Weaved their Arcanas.
In the blink of an eye, the trees grew from the ground, surrounding everyone and filling the immediate area of the forest with trees.
As the trees grew, the guard holding Kael dashed away. While the others collided with the assassins.
Explosive winds erupted, the ground shock and the trees crumbled.
While the battle continued, the guard held Kael tight as he ran with everything he had.
"What are you doing?!" Kael screamed, it would seem it was left out of the plan.
"Forgive me young prince. But the King ordered me to take you to safety." the guard said, running with everything he had.
"No, we cannot just leave him." Kael protested. Though he knew deep within him that this was the most logical thing to do, he still fought against it.
"Forgive me prince."
"No, take me back. We have to help him. I know my uselessness is evident, but you could be of use. Return, help him!" Kael cried out, but his words fell on deaf ears.
***
Kael was still on the shoulders of the guard, who was vehemently racing for the city.
Kael could tell they were close, any minute now they would be safe. Yet, he could not say the same for his father.
As the memories of the Captain's corpse flashed in his head, Kael's heart sunk. There was no way his father would make it. This much was evident.
Biting his lip, Kael tried to stay strong. But just then, a blazing light erupted forth, and what followed was a great pain that shot out from his arm.
Before he could react to any of it, Kael had crumbled to the ground, crashing into the snow and rolling till he slammed into an outcropping rock.
Grunting, Kael felt a mountain of pain exploding from left shoulder.
Turning to it, he went numb when he saw blood gushing out from where his arm was supposed to be.
"Ahhhh!" Kael let out a pain filled scream, a scream that echoed throughout the forest.
Biting hard on his lip, he tried to hold in the pain. Then, peering through tear filled eyes, Kael tried to take in his surroundings. He gasped when he saw his guard cut in half. Insides pouring out as he laid on the snow.
Drawing his attention was the shadows forming in the distance.
It didn't take long before Kael could see the assassins taking shape as they drew closer to him.
Kael started at the sight of them, his heart thumping so loudly he could hear it filling his ears.
Though he was consumed by pain, he found fear overcoming his emotions.
Biting his lip harder, Kael shut his eyes, praying to Castello that all of this was a bad dream. And he would awaken any moment now.
Yet nothing happened. Instead, he began to see images of his father, his uncle. Portraits of his mother, and Clara's beautiful smile.
It was over, it was all over.
As this thought settled in, Kael began to cry.
"A shame we have to snuff out the embers of a child." a voice rang out from beyond the darkness.
Kael was hesitant to open his eyes, yet he listened. As his wail slowly turned to a sob.
"A shame indeed." another voice emanated, except this voice turned Kael to ice.
Confusion now begetting him, Kael slowly opened his eyes, as his heart pounded even harder.
Praying he was just mistaking, Kael opened his eyes. And when he beheld the person in front of him, he felt like shattering.
"A shame he had to be my brother's offspring." the man said, standing in the midst of the assassins.
Kael's heart pounded harder and harder, he couldn't believe what his eyes saw.
His Uncle — the man he idolized even more than his father, the man that taught him everything he knew — was standing with the people that attacked them.
It couldn't be.
"Uncle Johnathan?" Kael called out, as though hoping the person standing before him would say he was anyone but.
His Uncle did not respond, he just stared at Kael with an indifferent expression on his face.
He didn't hold Kael's gaze for more than a second before turning away.
"Finish him off." Kael's uncle said with a wave of his hand.
"Uncle, please don't..."
SLICE!
The smiling woman drove her sword into Kael's shoulder.
The sword ran through him and broke into the stone behind him, pinning him to the rock like a hunted boar.
Blood gushed forth from Kael's mouth, as pain bellowed within him.
Lying against the wall, Kael did not once take his eyes off of his Uncle. He just watched as his Uncle walked away.
'How...how could he do this...to us?' Kael thought, then coughed up a pound of blood.
'For...for a throne?' Kael thought, watching his uncle still. The assassins followed behind, leaving only the smiling woman.
Kael fell his gaze as tears began to swell in his eyes.
'I...would have given it to him...if he wanted it so. Why....why did he resort to this?' Kael began to sob.
The smiling woman stared at Kael, not even showing the small ounce of guilt. Instead, she grinned and rose her second sword.
'If I could survive this.' the woman's sword fell. 'I would kill him.'
Thunder erupted around Kael. Startling him.
As he stared at the snow, Kael could see a pair of feet suddenly on the spot he was staring at.
Looking up, Kael could see a strange man in ragged clothes.
While staring at the man, Kael could see out of the corner of his eyes the woman with white hair. Standing frozen in place, her sword only a centimeter away from Kael's neck.
"Who… who are you?" Kael rasped, blood filling his mouth.
"Who I am is of no importance, boy," the man replied, his voice layered with something strange, something unsettling. It sounded faint yet powerful, singular yet numerous. It was unlike anything Kael had ever heard.
Yet, amidst all the strangeness, Kael felt from the voice—warmth.
Listening deep, Kael could sense something dancing around the man's words. So he asked.
"Then… what is?" Kael forced the words past his pain. He lifted his gaze, trying to meet that of the man. And what he saw in his eyes was a sky full of stars.
"A bargain," the man smiled.
"Give me your soul boy. And I will give you the power to seek vengeance," the man said, a hand outstretched toward Kael.
Looking at the man's hand, Kael hesitated for a moment. But only a moment.
Discovering new resolve within him, Kael bit his lip and forced his one good hand to rise.
Stretching out his bloody hands, he grabbed that of the strange man, gripping tight.
"I accept your bargain."