The rising sun hid behind the oncoming storm clouds when Mido reached Alryn. Soldiers busied the city's streets and gathered together in formation. Mido rode to the castle where he found King Sloan among the knights.

“Where have you been?” he asked Mido.

“I checked on Calliope.”

“There's no time for this,” King Sloan said, frustrated. “Asmar has broken through the camps. Move your troops out now.”

Mido bowed his head and pulled his horse around. He found Prince Lucas and the other knights waiting at the edge of the castle walls. Soldiers yelled to one another as they prepared themselves for another battle. Screams from the city below confirmed what King Sloan had feared; Asmar's army had made it to the city walls.

“Don't let them into this city!” King Sloan shouted to his knights. He mounted his horse quickly, drawing his sword from its sheath and raised it in the air. The clouds opened up as they marched. The rain fell noisily on their armor, muffling the sounds of their footsteps on the wet ground. The horses charged forward, following their commander through the city streets. Soldiers had already begun closing the gates to the city, but Asmar's army was quick as their archers let their arrows soar, knocking the soldiers at the gate off their feet. Arrows flew through the air as the army pushed through the half closed gates and into the city. Soldiers threw their shields over their heads as they charged on, their swords drawn.

Mido watched in stunned horror as the army poured into the city streets. Within an instant, the two armies collided in brutal warfare. Librona's soldiers met them with brave force as the two armies collided into each other. Knights sprang into action, swinging their swords at the archers, taking out as many as they could. Mido's horse pranced and pawed beneath him, anxious to join the battle he was trained for. Mido pulled at the reins and the horse threw his head in the air. He inched backwards as commanded, all the while chomping at the bit and throwing his head in disobedience. Mido released the reins for a moment and the horse lunged forward.

Mido gripped his sword and let it come down hard on Asmar's soldiers as they galloped through the battle. The masked faces of Asmar's soldiers provided him some comfort as he couldn't see into their scared and dying eyes. He pushed onward, swinging his sword at the enemy, determined not to let them break through their barrier and into the city.

A flash of unarmored blond caught Mido's attention and he turned to see William and Jon, swords lifted, running through the city. He cursed under his breath and turned his horse around, only to be met by more of Asmar's soldiers. He swung his sword as they closed in around him. His horse pranced nervously, throwing his head into the air. He reared at the soldiers thrust their swords toward him and his rider. Mido clung to the horse's neck for a moment before throwing his leg over the steed falling to the ground. He felt a blow to his side as a flanged mace lashed against him, clanging loudly against his armor. His head spun, disorienting himself as he tried to get back to his feet. He threw his sword in front of him in an attempt to block an attack, but he was too slow, and the force of the blow knocked him backwards once more.

He regained his composure quicker this time, and without hesitation, his sword met his attacker's sword, steel meeting steel. He pushed forward with all his strength until the Asmarian soldier lost his balance, dropping his stance and opening himself up for attack. Mido didn't waste a second as he drove his sword into his target, just where the man's armor was weakest. He kicked at the body with his boot, pulling his sword out as the man fell to the ground. He spun around quickly, expecting to be met by more soldiers, but instead, William and Jon fought side by side, blocking the approaching soldiers from reaching Mido.

Mido pushed passed the two young, defenseless men, pushing the attacking soldiers further back until they found themselves away from the heart of the battle. Mido blocked the attacks successfully once more, pushing the soldier back forcefully until he found his opportunity; a dropped sword, a misstep, a hesitation. He threw himself at his prey as their fateful mistakes were made, forcing his sword into the gaps between the armor.

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He yanked his sword out of the final soldier and pivoted around, catching Jon and William as they exchanged excited glances. Mido's eyes scanned the battle; they were only temporarily out of harm's way.

“What the hell are you doing here?” he shouted to them.

“We're fighting,” William exclaimed, foolishly enthusiastic.

“Are you fucking crazy?” he fumed.

“Fortunately for you, or you'd be dead.”

Mido tensed as soldiers moved towards them.

“I swear to God,” Mido yelled to them, pulling at their shoulders and dragging them behind him, “If you get out of this alive, I will kill you myself.”

Jon laughed, raising his sword. “Bring it, old man.”

“Do not leave my side,” he scolded to them. “Do you understand? This isn't a game.”

The two boys nodded seriously at their trainer as their battle continued, another wave of soldiers closing in. Mido fought in hand to hand combat with one of Asmar's men, lost in the heat of the battle as he forced the soldier backward, waiting for his opportunity to deal his final blow. Finally, his chance came, and he seized the moment quickly. Once more, Mido heaved his sword out of the body and his eyes scanned the battlefield; William and Jon were no longer at his side. He cursed under his breath as he searched the chaos of armored bodies.

He turned around just in time to see another flash of blond. Jon's cries pierced the air, Mido sprinted forward, swinging his sword around him, struggling to fight his way through the battle. He swung his sword left and right, pushing through soldiers and stumbling backwards as they fought back. He ducked and dodged their blows until he found Jon standing alone, frozen in horror. His frightened gaze found Mido's.

Mido didn't notice the sword until William's body fell forward and the sword was withdrawn from his back with sickening ease. Librona's soldiers rushed forward in an attempt to save the young trainee, pushing the enemy soldiers away in combat. Jon lunged at his friend, his cries ringing through Mido's ears. Jon pulled his friend onto his lap; his hands scrambled over the wound in his chest in an attempt to stop the bleeding. Mido watched as the tears streamed down his face. Jon met Mido's gaze and called to him, but Mido was frozen.

A hand jerked him out of his daze and King Sloan's voice was strong in his ears. “Get them out of here,” he yelled to his knight.

Mido lurched forward, no longer in control of his own body. He pushed his way through the soldiers and dragged Jon off the ground. Jon struggled and reached for his friend, but Mido pulled him away as William lay bleeding out on the ground.

“What are you doing?” Jon shouted to Mido as he dragged them, half dazed, away from the battle. “Let me go.” He flailed his arms but to no avail. “Save him,” he cried. “Don't leave him.” He called to his friend over and over, but his friend did not move. Blood seeped out of his body and into the cracks of the cobble stone road.

Mido tightened his grip on Jon, dragging him through the chaotic blur of battle, swinging his sword with one hand blindly at anyone who approached. He struggled to see through the blur in his eyes as he continued to pull Jon away. He pulled and pulled as Jon flailed and shouted, his voice ripping at Mido's chest until he couldn't breathe.

Mido finally collapsed on the ground; Jon stumbled on top of him and cried into Mido's chest. Mido held the young man close as he cried. Mido searched the area around him; they were out of harm's way, but only for a moment. His head spun sickeningly as he tried to orient himself. He squeezed his eyes shut until the world finally stopped spinning around him. His chest burned in agony as the last few moments began to set in his mind.

Mido ran his arm across his face and cleared his throat before pulling Jon up off the ground. He held his shoulder and looked hard at Jon, hoping the young man couldn't see the pain his his eyes.

“Stay in the castle,” Mido growled fiercely at Jon, pushing him away and towards the castle as soldiers ran passed, ready to join the fight. Without a word, Jon nodded and hurried to the safety of the castle walls. Mido sucked in a breath. When Jon was safe inside, he hurried back toward the battle, sword shaking in his hand.