In shadows deep, a figure waits,

Paths entwined, a twist of fates.

A sudden attack disrupts the peace,

A hint is given, tensions increase.

A new face emerges, unknown yet near,

A reader of memory, whispers in their ear.

Where do these paths converge and meet?

In the heart of mystery, secrets to greet.

Direct Attack “MEMORY OVERLOAD…”

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

Jack's eyes shot wide open, his room trembling with the intensity of the explosion. He sat up in bed, heart pounding. A rush of cold sweat drenched his skin as he heard the shrill ring of a never-ending alarm, the noise piercing through the air like a relentless scream.

The tinnitus in his ears added to the chaos, a high-pitched shriek that refused to fade. It felt like a tea kettle whistling at full tilt.

In a daze, Jack stumbled to the window, throwing open the curtains. His breath hitched as he saw plumes of dark smoke rising from different parts of the city. Each plume was a stark reminder of the havoc unfurling outside.

Another explosion jolted him, this one dangerously close. He could see the shockwave ripple through the nearby buildings.

The alarm bells in the castle resounded with an urgency that sent shivers down his spine. They echoed relentlessly, battling against the cacophony of explosions, footsteps, and anguished cries.

Driven by instinct, Jack snatched his coat from the wooden chair, the fabric cold and heavy in his trembling hands. He bolted down the stairs, taking them two at a time. His mind was a chaotic whirlwind, and his body moved on pure adrenaline, propelled by the gravity of the situation.

Jack arrived at the training ground, his breaths coming in short, frantic bursts. The scene was chaos, soldiers scrambling to arm themselves, their faces a mix of determination and worry. Jack felt a shiver of unease crawl down his spine.

Then, relief washed over him as Ramon's voice cut through the chaos. Jack sprinted towards his friend, heart pounding in his chest.

"What's happening?" Jack blurted out, his voice a mix of confusion and urgency.

Kamil, standing nearby, chimed in, his face a mixture of annoyance and concern. "From what I saw, it's the same as last time, just like the royal Nebu. So, it's definitely them."

Jack's mind raced. "So, what do we do?" he asked, his gaze darting between his comrades.

Kasib's voice cut through the tension as he appeared, fully suited in his silver Armor, sword at his side. "First, we must help everyone."

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

As they discussed their next move, a voice echoed from above. They all turned to see Khonsu and Alfonse gracefully descending from the palace walls, using the bricks to slow their descent.

Khonsu's eyes scanned the scene, his expression serious. "Me and Alfonse saw some troops near the edge of the city. They're definitely coming in from there."

Alfonse frowned, puzzled. "But there's no artillery. How are the buildings exploding? The people I saw, they didn't even have Armor."

Jack's voice was determined and grim. "They use people to explode buildings. One of the people in the Royal Nebu has some sort of power to make people explode. It's definitely related to mind control."

Alfonse's eyes locked with Jack's, an unspoken understanding passing between them. "He's a sharp one," Alfonse thought to himself, impressed by Jack's quick deduction.

As the group gathered, Kamil took charge. "Alright, let's head to the place you guys saw those troops."

Alfonse's worry was palpable. "Wait, you're going alone? What if the enemy is too strong? You need someone to back you up."

Ramon's smile was confident. "We've got it covered. Kamil will shield us, I'll protect everyone, Kasib will handle offense, and Khonsu... well, he's got a new power that's going to come in handy." Khonsu demonstrated by creating a small spark of electricity between his thumb and index finger.

Ramon continued; his confidence unwavering. "And then we have Jack. He'll fight till the end. He's strong, even if he can't use his power at will. When he focuses, he's unstoppable."

"I wish I could help more, but I don't possess such power," Alfonse admitted.

"No problem. We'll catch up later. Goodbye for now," Khonsu declared as the group hurried towards the livery stable, preparing to board a carriage.

The group arrived at the livery stable, only to find no horses in sight. "Wait, there are none here," Kamil pointed out.

"I found a carriage!" Kasib's voice called out from a distant corner.

"Don't worry, I have a plan. A horse out of a fairy tale, the fastest in the world," Ramon declared confidently.

The group's eyes widened, surprised by Ramon's bold claim. "Show us," Khonsu urged.

They followed Ramon to a stable with curtains drawn around it. He gripped one of the curtains tightly. "I present to you... Kailo!" With a flourish, he pulled back the curtains to reveal the horse.

The group's expressions were a mix of disappointment and disbelief. Kailo, Ramon's black horse, was sprawled on the ground, legs up in the air, tongue lolling out.

Ramon turned to look at Kailo in shock. "No, Kailo, you're dead! How will I live?" He covered his face with his hands.

But suddenly, Kailo jerked upright, and Ramon's face lit up with joy. "Yay, you're alive, Kailo!" he shouted.

"Oh my, we have to go on this thing?" Kamil's disappointment was evident as he looked at Kailo's uneven eyes, staring right at him.

"Well, that's the only thing left. I guess we'll have to use it," Kasib conceded. "Alright, bring him to the carriage so we can get going."

The group secured Kailo to the carriage and began their journey through the city. It wasn't a smooth ride; explosions and debris constantly threatened them, but they skilfully maneuverer through the chaos.

As they expertly dodged a large piece of debris hurtling towards them, Kailo abruptly stopped, causing everyone in the carriage to jolt forward, squashing Jack.

"What happened?" Kamil shouted, peering ahead.

Ramon's voice cut in, grave and serious. "There are people."

A ragtag group in tattered Armor brandishing brittle swords stood before them, poised for an attack.

"They're probably with the Royal Nebu," Kasib deduced.

Jack, concerned, asked, "What do we do? We can't just kill them, can we?"

Ramon, conflicted and bewildered, stammered, "Well... uh... I don't know."

The enemy soldiers charged towards the group, and panic began to set in. "Oh no, what do we do?" Ramon fretted.

"We have no other choice but to fight," Kasib declared, drawing his sword. Khonsu readied his power, his hair standing on end from the surging electricity. Kamil, somewhat hesitant, prepared to conjure a shield with his Chronotex clutched tightly in his palm.

"Alright, we're really doing this," Ramon realized, his form now shrouded in a swirling darkness dark energy emanating from him.

But just as the skirmish was about to erupt, a voice echoed from a nearby rooftop.

"MEMORY OVERLOAD..."

A high-pitched resonance pierced through the soldiers' minds, and they clutched their heads in agony, sinking to the ground.

All eyes turned upward to the rooftop, and a wave of recognition washed over everyone in the carriage, except for Jack.

"It's you!" Khonsu declared, a wide smile etching across his face.

"Memnon, the Memory Keeper."

In the shadows, a malevolent force orchestrates these relentless attacks. As Jack and the others face the onslaught, a mysterious figure emerges - Memnon, the Memory Keeper. Friend or foe? His true allegiance remains shrouded in mystery.

Why did he step into the fray, and what secrets does he hold? At the edge of the city, an ominous presence looms, threatening to engulf everything they hold dear. Can they muster the strength to repel this impending menace?