Parker: [How far away is the Western battlefield?]

The five of them were still making their way to the battlefield farthest away from Hydra's hideout. Though Faith's team had completed their task, Team OJ hasn't even gotten started.

Paladin OJ: [Not far from here!]

After putting away his map interface, he continued to focus up ahead.

Paladin OJ: [Remember to keep your guard up at all times! You never know what could happen.]

Everyone: [Roger!]

Paladin OJ: [Once we reach the field, I want Parker and Abrianna to go to the infirmary and help them out a bit! Tell them you came under my command and they should let you through without a problem.]

The two of them nodded, though Abrianna seemed kind of against it. OJ turned to Anderson and Ali before continuing.

Paladin OJ: [The three of us will help out however we can on the battlefield. We're still weak from our previous battles, but we should be okay.]

Anderson smirked as his armor set ablaze.

Paladin Anderson: [Let's fucking do this!]

RK Ali: [We're close enough for me to teleport! Everyone, huddle up.]

Every one of them stopped running and formed a circle around Ali with one hand resting onto a part of his top half. Within the blink of an eye, the five of them vanished from the forest and reappeared at the entrance to the battlefield.

They watched from behind as the brutal farms-man annihilated the technologically advanced army with their sharp steel swords and rough armor. The dull atmosphere around the battlefield made things feel more depressing as a sharp pain suddenly struck OJ.

Anderson let out a sudden shout as he charged towards the battlefield and emitted beautiful red flames that illuminated his dull surroundings. The Aveay soldiers stopped fighting and turned to see the flame running straight for them. A big portion of them lowered their weapons, widened their eyes and their mouths in joy, while a few others started bursting into tears. The remaining soldiers used Anderson as a distraction and fought against some of the Hydra soldiers.

The word about Princess Ruby's arrival hadn't reached the western battlefield, so the fighting continued.

Paladin Anderson: [IGNIS FATUUS!]

An enormous flame in the shape of a gremlin's head formed from Anderson's flame aura and shot into the sky. As the flames that engulfed him flew with the gremlin skull, the shadow from his forehead blocked out his eyes from being visible from afar.

Paladin Anderson: [Burn out.]

The giant skull came darting down to the center of the Penn forces faster than a speeding bullet, and upon impact began to spread like wildfire on the hundreds of soldiers around it. Anderson began to hear the screams and cries of the enemy forces.

OJ ran past Anderson and towards the Hydra forces at the front of the line. With him he carried a blade of barely solid water and a strong sense of dedication. Anderson watched OJ with a grin.

RK Ali: [You two head to the infirmary!]

Ali turned to Abrianna and Parker.

RK Ali [It should be a tent a little over yonder.]

He pointed westward then turned back to the battlefield. Parker and Abrianna turned to each other and softly nodded.

RK Ali: [I'll go and give them a hand.]

Parker watched as Ali vanished and reappeared beside OJ which was taking out Hydra soldiers without working a sweat. As soon as Ali landed by his side, they split apart and began taking out Penn soldiers in groups. Anderson came charging in moments later with flames igniting on his blade.

Parker: [That's our cue!]

The two ran westward until they saw a large white tent that had been dirtied and stained from all of the commotion going on outside. No guards or soldiers had been protecting its exterior and easily allowed Parker and Abrianna to walk in. As they caught a glimpse of their surrounding area, a lady dressed in a white nurse's outfit with blood stains that made it look almost red approached them. Several young girls wearing similar clothing were next to soldiers all around the tent.

Lady: [You two don't look injured.]

Abrianna: [That's because we aren't. We came under the command of Paladin OJ.]

The nurse looked at them cautiously before smiling.

Abrianna: [We are healers.]

Lady: [He sent reinforcements?]

She seemed to have been containing her joy.

Lady: [Right! If you two don't mind, feel free to help however you can! We ran out of supplements early in the battle, so please make use of what we have.]

She bowed then ran back to a patient groaning on the ground.

Abrianna turned to Parker and noticed the nervousness riddled all over his face. His face seemed pale and his body couldn't stay in place. Abrianna giggled.

Abrianna: [You look like you're not ready.]

Parker embarrassed.

Parker: [Is it that easy to tell?]

Abrianna nodded.

Parker: [Sorry, this is my first rodeo.]

Abrianna: [It's okay, I can show you the ropes.]

She walked ahead confidently.

Abrianna: [I've been healing ever since my parents divorced. My mom was extremely sick, so I help aid her alongside my younger sister.]

Parker: [Sorry to hear about that...]

He walked towards her while walking passed several injured soldiers.

Parker: [My life has been fairly easy, with a health problem being my own reason to hate life. It all changed ever since I... arrived in this world.]

Abrianna: [A health problem?]

Abrianna stopped walking and looked at Parker as he walked ahead of her.

Parker: [Yeah... but that isn't important right now.]

Parker crouched next to a soldier laying on a white sheet and laid his large palms on his chest.

Parker: [We need to help the injured if we plan on winning this war. After we win, we can reunite you with Princess Ruby.]

Abrianna nodded and ran towards another soldier on the other side of the tent.

The two went into a state of confidence and focused on the task at hand.

-

The kingdom of Leviere was in a state of panic. Everyone, from the civilians to the royals were getting ready to pack their bags and leave the capitol. The gates were crowded with civilians trying to escape and guards blocking their paths under the command of the king. The timer continued to tick and made everyone freak out.

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King Didus watched the chaos going on in his kingdom from atop his balcony with his wife by his side. They both watched as the timer went down and the sky continued to change into a dark red hue.

King Didus: [I was afraid this would happen.]

Queen Nefrai: [Why is this happening now?]

King Didus: [He knew when we were most vulnerable, and is using it to his advantage.]

The door to their chamber bursted open and standing on the other side was Princess Hilda, breathless and exhausted.

King Didus: [What is it, honey?]

Hilda: [What is this timer?! What is going on?]

The king lowered his head before taking a breath.

King Didus: [The demon lord is getting ready to send in the first wave.]

Hilda's eyes widened in fear.

King Didus: [Once the timer strikes zero, the first wave will begin.]

Hilda: [Zack... Zack left to fight in the Hydra war! Who will stay and help?]

Her dad turned his cheek.

Hilda: [... The Royal Knights! They're still here right?]

Queen Nefrai: [I'm afraid they left to aid in the Hydra war as well.]

Hilda speechless.

Hilda: [We're defenseless?]

King Didus: [The others still have nearly three days to return. If they don't make it in time, the kingdom will be closed from entry and we'll have to rely on the magi-knights.]

RK Sophia in the distance: [I don't think that will be necessary.]

Raising his head with hope filled in his eyes, King Didus looked towards the door and saw one of his Royal Knights standing beside the leader of Hydra and the princess of Penn. Astonished to see her, he smiled. Surprised, Hilda ran towards Ruby and hugged her tightly for a moment.

Ruby nervously: [We-we beat the leader of Hydra.]

She confidently raised her head as Hilda released her hug and looked at Heirloom's pale and soulless body.

Ruby: [The others are dealing with the war.]

Hilda: [Woah!]

Her eyes lit up.

Hilda: [What happened to him?]

RK Sophia: [The sorceress and the wizard that visited the castle a few weeks ago were responsible of beating him.]

The king's eyes widened as Hilda took steps back in disgust.

Hilda: [The same one that was banished?]

Sophia nodded.

King Didus: [I knew she was a threat to be reckoned with.]

RK Sophia: [Regardless of what you think about her, be happy that she's on our side.]

King Didus: [That is true.]

Sophia pulled out a lollipop and unwrapped it before continuing.

RK Sophia: [Anywaaay, she said to bring him here so that you can justifiably punish him after I do a deep search into his psyche.]

She stuck the lollipop in her mouth.

RK Sophia: [We'll have to wait for him to become capable of thinking first, though.]

Queen Nefrai: [He's a war criminal though.]

Everyone turned to her.

Queen Nefrai: [My husband can't do anything about someone that terrorized another one of the kingdoms within the alliance.]

King Didus: [She is right. Without the consent of the other kingdoms, primarily Jime, I am powerless.]

Ruby confidently: [Shouldn't I be the one that handles any of the charges that Hydra has to face? I'm the princess of the kingdom that Hydra attacked.]

RK Sophia: [You're also the one that was kidnapped by Hydra, had your memory erased, and lived with them for nearly a month.]

Shocked, Ruby quickly turned to Sophia which was casually sitting on a sofa.

RK Sophia: [Because of that, we can't trust you to give the leader of Hydra a proper and just punishment.]

Ruby: [But–!]

RK Sophia: [No.]

She cut her off.

RK Sophia: [Your opinion on the matter became irrelevant the moment they treated you fairly. You'll either go easy on them, or go unreasonably harsh. It's human nature.]

She took the lollipop out of her mouth with a pop from her lips.

RK Sophia: [Faith was being smart when she said that the one guy not involved in any of this – the king of Leviere, should handle his punishment. This way, it'll be fair and just.]

Ruby looked at Heirloom from the corner of her eyes.

Hilda: [You heard father, didn't you?]

Sophia turned to Hilda.

Hilda: [He can't take the Hydra case without authority from the other kingdoms.]

RK Sophia: [I'm certain that the other kingdoms wouldn't mind the king of Leviere handling an urgent matter–]

Hilda's rage raised with every word coming out of Sophia's mouth.

Hilda agitated: [But they will! Believe it or not, the kings Devon and Keshab are far more political than they look. Just look at their kingdoms, for crying out loud!]

King Didus: [Honey, don't raise your voice towards the Royal Knight.]

Hilda pissed: [No! Matters like these require a Paladin's involvement! When will Zack come back?!]

RK Sophia angered: [ZACK WOULDN'T DO SHIT!]

Hilda flinched back in shock. The room fell silent as everyone fearfully stared at Sophia. She quickly read the room and took a deep breath.

RK Sophia: [He ran off looking for Heirloom.]

Sophia laid back on the couch as if it were a bed.

RK Sophia: [Once his mind is open, I'll know for sure where they split up.]

King Didus: [While you do that, I'll contact the other kings.]

Sophia let out a little grunt signifying her agreement.

King Didus: [Queen Ruby and I will use the quick travel crystal at the center of the garden.]

Ruby confused: [You're taking me with you?]

Didus nodded.

Ruby: [I thought my opinion was irrelevant...]

Hilda: [You rule a kingdom within the alliance. The capital might've been destroyed, but the kingdom is still running. You are still one of us.]

She smiled softly towards Ruby which made her smile back. Sophia got up from her seat and walked up to Ruby. She grabbed a hold of Heirloom's shoulder and walked towards the door with him in hand.

RK Sophia: [I'll take him to a cell while we wait. You two be careful.]

She left the room as quickly as she entered.

Ruby awkwardly: [So, what's a Quick Travel Crystal?]

King Didus: [Did they not have one in Penn?]

Ruby awkwardly giggled.

King Didus: [It would be easier to show you. Follow me.]

Hilda: [What about me?]

Didus turned to see his daughter staring at him with sorrowful eyes. The king took a big sigh before continuing without giving a proper response. He walked out the door and Ruby followed after, but she stared into the room before walking off. She didn't want to abandon Hilda, but she also didn't want to anger the king of a prosperous kingdom.

Ruby: [What was the point in leaving your daughter behind?]

King Didus: [I can't have her getting involved with this kingdom's politics. She's still far too young to learn about the warfare done in a conference room.]

Ruby: [It's better for her to learn now than later, don't you think?]

The king continued to walk without responding.

Ruby: [In her head: He has a habit of ignoring people, huh?]

The king lead Ruby out to the back garden of the castle, where a variety of flowers blossomed and purified the air. Organized yet scattered about, the flowers of different sizes and colors looked majestic in the red night sky. She stopped to admire the view before noticing the king pressing forward towards a building just on the other side of the castle. They followed a path that lead them to it.

Once King Didus opened the door to the building, they were immediately greeted with a shining blue light that illuminated the entire room. Ruby could hardly keep her eyes open as she walked in, but once she got in, she couldn't close her eyes. An enormous blue crystal about the size of two men sat on the center of the building, floating on thin air, and rotating slowly like Earth. It was in the shape of a thin diamond and was surrounded by a gold ring that resembled a crown. Ruby was rendered speechless.

King Didus: [We'll use the Quick Travel once we receive word from the other kings.]

Ruby nodded and sat down beside the door. The room was like brand new and almost seemed as if someone had been using this form of transportation frequently.

They remained in silence for half an hour, and received a response from both Keshab and Devon to meet up. King Didus let an arm out and rested it in the air towards the diamond and told Ruby to grab a hold of his shoulder. Once she did, she felt her body evaporating into thin air. The two of them suddenly disappeared without leaving a trace behind.

-

On the western battlefield, as the two bipolar Paladin's were making a mess of the Hydra forces and settling the score, they suddenly heard the flap of large wings above them and saw a large shadow cast above them. Unsure of what was going on, they raised their heads and stared up at the dark sky, only to see the crimson dragon soaring above them.

Paladin Anderson seriously: [The real battle is about to begin.]

Two figures jumped from the dragon and fell towards the ground at alarming speeds, only to cause dust clouds to fill the space around them. Once all of the dust blew away with the wind, the crimson dragon had disappeared, and the remaining Hydra members stood in between the Hydra forces and the Aveay soldiers. OJ tightly gripped his sword as Erma's iris' brightened up.

Erma teary: [Where is Heirloom?!]

Her entire tone was shaky and almost seemed as if she had just been crying. No one gave her a response which led to her repeating the question but louder. Her tears continued to slide down her face. After another moment of silence, Faith and Sean walked in from the forest and surprised. They heard Erma's cry from not too far away and were lead there by it.

Faith proudly: [We beat him!]

Hearing her and seeing Sean standing beside her made her blood boil. Zack later fell into the battlefield and faced Erma up close. Zack and Erma stared at one another face to face and were pissed off. If any of them had made a move, they might have poked each other with their noses.

Paladin Zack: [I've had enough of Hydra's shenanigans.]

His armor was torn apart, burnt, and tainted.

Paladin Zack: [I'll put an end to this miserable war.]