Meera looked between the two Blazers with their glowing blades to the fortress that loomed to the side. The whole place was guarded by a new set of soldiers, one that wore red and gold. She wanted to ask why the Phoenix Protectors were here en masse. She identified the two pointing their swords at her.

[Phoenix Protector – Level 201]

[Phoenix Protector – Level 204]

"Is the king here, or do we have to travel to the capital?" She asked.

"The king is residing here and will pass judgment on you after the war is concluded," said the Blazer.

"I have a royal seal." Meera carefully took it out of her Belt.

"They said you had a fake one, pretending to pose as His Majesty's servant."

"Hmm, the war could go on for a long time, and I don't have time to waste," Meera said, pocketing the seal. "So, how about we say you never saw me?"

The one on the right squinted. "You think yourself funny, do you?"

"No, not really."

The other one had his fill of patience. "The king will be busy, so we'll expense his justice right here. Time to die."

He raised his sword to strike Meera down. She pulled off two chakrams. One she sent flying off towards the window in the fortress that led to Narikas' chambers. The second, she used to deflect the Blazer's blow.

The sword sparked as it clashed against her chakram, but she saw the difference of her increased levels and affinities as the sword nearly flew out of the Blazer's hand. Her last fight with a Blazer was somewhat one-sided for the most part. Where she had to practically hide from his devastating attacks, now she could meet them head-on.

The second Blazer moved, but Meera's chakram was faster. It zipped and wedged itself in his meaty hand, making him drop the sword. Meera caught it on a split-second decision and quickly put it in her Dragon Hoard Belt.

She winced as she waved her hand around, hoping her hand wasn't burnt. If I can't use it, I can always sell it.

"Give me back my sword!" The Blazer raged and came for her, forgetting his hand, which had been split in two.

The chakram she had thrown to the fortress was reaching its peak and was beginning to dip. She activated Druvis Power, punched him lightly in the stomach, and sent him rolling. The other's eyes widened. It distracted him enough for Meera to send her chakram toward his neck.

The Blazer's Pyro Warding blazed to life, covering him with fire. But it was no worry for her chakram, but he also teleported away in time.

Aw, dammit.

She recalled her chakram and Stepped to the other over the fortress wall. The next moment, she was suspended in the air, with more than half of the soldiers wondering where she had come from. There were no Steel Sentinels this time. Most wore dark clothing and armor. She figured them to be the Shadow Vanguard, along with the Phoenix Protectors.

She didn't wait for them to start chucking arrows. She flew from her spot to the window using Mirror Wing so fast that her eyes watered. I really need to get some goggles.

She landed on the small balcony and pounded on the window's metal sheet. Down on the ramparts, the soldiers had started to mobilize. Wings came out of the Phoenix Protectors' backs. They would take to the air soon. She could take one, maybe two, but not all of them.

She pounded some, adding new dents to the ones she left last time. The Blazers had taken to the air, and she was getting desperate. At least she knew the prince wasn't dying like last time. Maybe I should have just called.

Two Blazers shot two massive columns of flames. Meera erected three Mirror Shields, and they blocked the flames.

Just as she was about to turn around to fight, the metal sheet dropped into the floor. Meera jumped in without even looking properly. She barrelled straight into the Shadowsteel Warlord.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Running into him was like running into a wall. It didn't even faze him, though Meera was thrown to the floor. "Quick, close it. They're coming. The Blazers are after me."

He frowned. "Why can't you use the door like a normal person?"

"Can you just shut it? Please."

Narikas snorted and looked to the window, and the metal sheet shot out of the floor, closing the window. There were some thumps against it, but no one broke through.

Meera finally breathed a sigh of relief. "Thanks."

"What happened?" He held out a hand.

She took it, stood, and told him about the whole ordeal with the Blazers at the Gate. Just as she had finished with that. There was a loud pounding on the door.

"Oh no, more of them," Meera said.

"Relax, I'm a prince, aren't I?" He flicked a hand, the door opened, and another Narikas, or someone who looked like Narikas, walked in. He was followed by a mean-looking Phoenix Protector and about a dozen more. Two of whom looked familiar.

Meera ignored the Phoenix Protectors and looked between the two Narikas, and there were some noticeable differences between them. First, this new Narikas wore a rich silk outfit that looked like they were his sleeping clothes. He didn't have any scars like Narikas, and he didn't have sad eyes or dark circles.

Narikas tilted his head in a sort of bow. "Your Majesty, what are you doing up at this hour…and here? You should have sent for me."

"Save your faux respect. We both know you wouldn't have made it ten steps out of the room."

They even sound the same.

"Is that the one?" The new Narikas pointed at her.

"Y-Yes, Your Majesty," said one who was cradling his hand. It had a massive scar, and Meera realized this was the one she had attacked.

"Kill her."

"W-Wait, what? Why?" Meera blurted out.

"For the crime of attacking a royal protector," the new Narikas said.

"But they attacked me first, and who are you to order my death."

Narikas stepped forward. "Meera, this is my brother, Rokibor, the King of Azeria."

Meera's eyes widened. "Oh, that's why…" She wagged a finger between the two of them. "Oh, I get it now. You're twins."

"You have marvelous powers of deduction," the king said. "And equally marvellous lack of respect."

Meera was confused and realized what he meant. "Oh, sorry." She bowed at the waist, mimicking what people did in that one TV show, hoping it was enough.

Rokibor eyed her in a way that made her want to slash his eyes out with her chakrams.

"A Varshan comes into my kingdom and has the gall to kill one of my protectors and injure another," Rokibor said.

Before Meera could explain herself, Narikas spoke. "Your Majesty, I sent Meera to bring Prince Delkoris back per your instructions. But when she arrived in Nelees, she found the prince missing, and an imposter had assumed his identity. When she questioned him, it turned out it was one of his friends who had done so at the prince's bidding. Before Meera could learn more, the imposter cried wolf, and the Phoenix Protectors attacked, and in the skirmish, the one known as Garas perished. Meera was acting in self-defense. She bears no malice towards us or our kingdom. And when those two tried to doll out your justice prematurely without bringing her to you first, she had no option but to defend herself again. Alas, Your Majesty, it's all just a big misunderstanding."

Rokibor stared at Meera. "But why did you send a Varshan girl?"

"Firstly, despite her looks, she is not from Varsha, and secondly, she and Delkoris are close."

Rokibor scoffed. "That boy always had strange tastes." His lustful eye washed over Meera. "Tell me, girl, how close are you with my son."

"We're just friends…Your Majesty."

"Isn't that what they all say? But we all know what close friends do behind closed doors." Rokibor laughed, and so did his retinue.

Narikas, however, was not amused. He stood with fists clenched and shaking. He stepped towards his brother, and the laughter died instantly. "My king," he spoke normally. "I apologize on Meera's behalf for disturbing your sleep so late at night. I'm sure you must be tired from preparing for the war."

"I am tired, indeed." Rokibor nodded. His eyes flitted from his brother to Meera. "But how can we trust the word of this Varshan, Narikas? They would sell their own mothers to save their lives or take their enemies."

"I trust Meera with my life," Narikas said, looking at her.

The way he said it with such sincerity that Meera knew he was telling the truth, for it was the truth. She did indeed save his life the last time she was here.

"Oh, is that so?" Rokibor walked right up to Meera. "Then Meera, I charge you to find my son and bring him back here before Draros crosses into the kingdom with his armies, or I will send my best assassins after you." He leaned forward until she could smell the liquor on his breath. "And trust me, there is no world you can hide in that they won't find you. Brother, how long till Draros crosses the Mist Wall?"

"It's hard to say, Your Majesty," Narikas said. "Given the lack of communication from our spies on the other side because of the interference from the Mistblades."

"Give me your best guess."

"Three days."

"Three days, Meera or you and I will get really close, and I'll show you what I do to those who raise a hand against my men. Consider it your repayment for attacking a royal protector." The king looked at his brother and smiled. "And they say I'm not a just king."

He turned dramatically. The Blazers got out of the way as he walked through their middle and left. His entourage followed close behind but not before bowing to the Shadowsteel Warlord.

As soon as they were gone, Narikas cried out and fell to one knee. He trembled, and beads of sweat dribbled down his brow. She was so focused on the king that she didn't even realize he was in pain.

"Narikas, are you okay?" She went to him and helped him up.

He cried out again. She walked him to his throne and set him down carefully. He winced and cried out a few times before settling down.

"You should've told me you had an evil twin," Meera said.

Narikas snorted. "Since you're back, I assume there have been developments in your search."

"Major developments. But before that, why the hell are you in so much pain all the time?"