PROLOGUE
Part 1
Diandra moved swiftly, pushing her feet past the bodies of the fallen foes in the palace. The night was not just covered by darkness but also blood, hostile magic and beasts that were attacking the place. Knights did their best to fight off the enemies but they were losing their end.
The halls were a warzone.
The grand marble floors, once pristine, were slick with blood. The clash of steels rang through the corridors as she carved her way forward.
She had no time to waste.
An enemy soldier lunged at her from the shadows, his sword aimed to separate her head from her shoulders. She ducked, and plunged her own weapon to his groin. That emitted a howl of pain from him. He crumpled with a choked gasp as blood pooled under him. Before he fell on the ground, she was already moving, spinning, parrying, striking.
Another enemy charged. The rest were still coming at her. She cut them down without hesitation.
Her breath came in sharp bursts. Sweat mingling with blood streaked across her face.
She had to get to the princess to escape the onslaught that was happening. The enemies did well in timing their attacks as the emperor were in the foreign country for negotiations. Either they wanted to kill or kidnap the imperial highness, she wouldn't allow both.
A screech at the side made her halt as she knew that a monster was waiting to jump on her but she knew better. She was trained in her whole life for this. She propped her sword up, ready for another blood that she would shed. She was already covered by the red and black liquid from the enemies. Her face had a sticky stain of whatever blood it was.
She had no other choice than to charge first. She had to make it quick to get Her Highness from her chambers.
Diandra jumped to the other side with her sword ready in front of her. Before the dark beast could attack her, she slashed its throat and black blood splattered the walls and her body again. She wiped her face by the back of her hand. The disgusting smell wanted to make her vomit but she had to carry on. The walls that were bright and lively in day time, turned horror at one night. Cries of help from the servants were heard through the corridors.
She couldn't save them all. Her priority was the princess. And she was doors away from her.
There were knights fighting off a surge of monster outside her door and they encouraged for her to get inside. They would take cover for her to get their charge out safely.
She owed it to them. Those knights were her friends and allies. It hurt seeing them fight to lose their lives but it was their duties the moment they entered the chivalry.
Diandra opened the door and the bright light of the room greeted her. The scent of lavender and parchment lingered in the air—a stark contrast to the blood and smoke outside from the burnt flesh of monsters that were killed.
She quickly approached the princess on the bed that was trembling in fetal position wrapped in silk and fear.
"Your Highness."
The girl screamed upon seeing her bloodied appearance.
"Your Highness, it's me."
"Diandra?" Her wide eyes, glistening with unshed tears, locked onto Diandra. She was shaking, clutching a silver dagger too small to do any real damage.
"Yes, Princess." She didn't have time to fully comfort her as the other knights were fighting for them.
"P-pray tell… are they gone?" The princess whispered, voice fragile.
Diandra's grip on her sword tightened. Outside, the battle still raged—screams, the clang of steel, the guttural roars of monsters. No. They were not gone.
But the princess didn't need to hear that.
"Not yet." Diandra said, steady but firm. She stepped forward, lowering her weapon. "But I'm here now. No one will touch you."
She was her personal knight. Chosen by the former emperor and empress to stay by Her Highness's side.
The princess let out a shuddering breath, clutching her dagger tighter. "They killed everyone," she choked out. "I heard them outside my door—my handmaids, the guards…" She shut her eyes, as if trying to erase the horrors from her mind.
Diandra sat beside her on the bed. "We don't have time to grieve, Your Highness," she said gently but urgently. "We need to move now."
The princess hesitated. "Where will we go?"
Diandra glanced at the door. Anytime, the knights wouldn't be able to hold them off. The monsters would surge inside, purging all their way to get to them.
"Somewhere safe." She said, offering her hand. "But first, you need to trust me, Princess Fiona."
"Of course. I only trust you, Dame Diandra." With a deep, shaky breath, she placed her delicate fingers in Diandra's calloused palm.
Diandra pulled her to her feet, out of the bed, tightening her grip.
No matter what it took, she would protect Her Highness. It was more than just a duty. They were friends despite the princess was 10 years younger than her. She was like a younger sister for her.
They went out through the other door that had been hidden by one of the walls. It was camouflaged with the wallpapers that even the princess didn't know there was a secret exit in her own room.
Diandra led her through the next empty space and exited the room. She didn't look back to the knights that were fighting for them. Her sword was raised, scanning every shadow. The moonlight from the windows, flickered against the walls, casting long, shifting figures. The scent of smoke and blood thickened in the air.
Then she saw them—her other fellow knights.
A small group. The armors were dented. Their faces were streaked with sweat and dirt. Relief flickered in Diandra's chest. But it vanished the moment she saw the grim expressions they wore.
"Diandra." One of them, Richard, called out. "We have a problem." His sword was slick with fresh blood.
She tightened her grip on the princess' hand. "What is it?"
"The secret tunnel." Richard panted. "They found it."
For a moment, the words didn't register. Then like a blade to the gut, reality hit her. The one escape route they had left—the passage meant to lead the princess to safety—was compromised.
"But we have another way out." Sera suggested.
"Speak quickly!" Diandra couldn't be more eager to hear it.
"The servant's exit." Sera's spear was at her side. "There are fewer enemies there, and the stable hands have left horses ready for escape."
"Are you certain?" Diandra turned to Richard.
He nodded. "The path is risky, but it's our best chance."
Diandra glanced at the princess. She was trembling but standing tall. Her small dagger gripped tightly. They couldn't fight their way through the entire palace. They needed to run.
She took a deep breath. "Then we take the servant's exit."
Richard and Sera nodded, rallying the remaining knights. "Fall back! We move now!"
With practiced precision, they shifted formation, shielding the princess as they retreated down the corridor. The sounds of battle raged behind them—screams, steel against steel, monstrous roars—but step by step, they moved closer to freedom.
As they neared the servant's passage, Diandra caught sight of the door—a narrow wooden archway, slightly ajar. Beyond it, the cool night air beckoned. And the horses.
The stable hands had kept their word. Strong, armored steeds stood ready, their dark eyes flashing in the firelight.
But just as hope sparked in Diadra's chest, another sound came from behind them.
A monstrous, guttural growl.
She turned—just in time to see a hulking beast push through the hallway's rubble. Its glowing red eyes locking into them.
Their escape had not gone unnoticed.
Richard raised his sword. "Go! Get the princess to safety!"
Diandra hesitated. "Richard—"
"Now!" He barked.
"Go, Diandra! Leave them to us!" Sera seconded and pushed her. The knights said their own bids for them to go.
Diandra ushered the princess to the waiting horses. The rest of the group stood their ground. The beast took a step closer, claws scraping against stone.
The cold night air stung against Diandra's skin as they neared the stallions. Freedom was only steps away.
Then the enemies surged forward.
Dozens of them—armored soldiers and monstrous creatures. Their eyes gleaming with bloodlust—poured from the shadows, blocking their escape.
"Damn it." Diandra cursed, stepping in front of Princess Fiona. "Stay behind me, Your Highness."