“General Amos!” Miles screamed to get his attention, “They’re after the Star Lord, aren’t they? I knew this would happen if we housed him here! We have to find him and protect him.” A small group that was huddled by Amos all nodded as they got ready to follow Miles.

“No! You protect our home first! Our people first! Get back in line and keep killing these son of bitch Barbarians!”

They all turned around confused by their general’s response. Miles moved through the group back in front, “But sir? I thought it’s our duty to protect our Star Lord at all costs?” A store behind them exploded causing all the windows to blow out. Everyone around the flaming building flinched then turn around and watched it go ablaze.

Amos turned back to his soldiers and yelled, “You all do as I say! The Star Lord brought this upon us! Forget about him and save Sage at all costs. We need to regroup and keep the enemy in the kingdom.” In that moment, another huge war carrier burled through the thick clouds flying over their heads.

“Look it’s another Barbarian carrier… we’ll going to get overrun if this keeps up! Where’s the commander? We need more men.” Another soldier yelled with worry and despair. An attack this magnitude has not happened on Sage in over five hundred years. Ever since Sage was chosen to fight for the Star Lord and the Council, they became protected. No one ever thought to attack the home of the most elite soldiers in all the universe. Tonight, the greatest of all time was being put through a true test.

Amos quickly walked over to soldier and grabbed him by his collar, “Get your shit together! Your commander expects you to still function without her! If you’re not going to fight, move the innocents to somewhere safe. Go! The rest come with me.”

There were still lots of people running through the battle trying to find safe haven. At the moment no where in the inner kingdom was safe. Most of them were stuck on the mainland with no way home back to their continents. It was all shut down and no one to hand the boats or air carriers. Sagens travel from all over to celebrate the festivals. Tonight, no one was prepared for what was happening. The screams of the innocent could be heard for miles as some screamed and cried over their dead loved ones. Others were just trying to escape being slaughtered like animals. As much as Amos tried to get his soldiers centered and focused, it felt impossible to keep them from being distracted. Their home was burning around them. Their friends and families hurt or killed and everything they knew and loved was destroyed.

Even after the horns went off signaling danger and trouble not every Sagen soldier was aware to what was going on. There was still about a quarter of the army missing and almost a quarter already dead. The Barbarians came out of every corner possible. Sounding the horns only brought them out of hiding, it didn’t stop the ambush. The Barbarians had already infiltrated the kingdom long before the festival began, they were just waiting to let loose.

As the sun slowly came up from the horizon no one could tell from all the smoke in the air. Thick dark gray smoke hovered low making it hard to breath. Buildings and many homes were engulfed in flames. If the Barbarians wanted Sage, they would have to make it theirs. Just a few hours ago the streets were filled with Sagens and the night came alive for the Warrior’s Solstice Festival, now the inner city of the kingdom resembled a ghost town. Stores and market stands that had been in business for generations were leveled to nothing. Many who ran for safety and were hiding for their lives, thought the same as Miles. Many believed Sage was under attack because the Barbarians were after the Star Lord.

Hundreds of massacred bodies of the innocent filled the stone floor as the Sagen army and the Barbarians fought around them. The screams were started to get less and less, something had to be done. Sage could not fall… Artemis and a few others focused on putting the fires out. If the engulfing flames got out of control it wasn’t going to matter who won the battle, everyone was going to die. They ran over the ocean line which was behind the festival and turned on the emergency holes. It was connected to the pipes running underground. As the thick tan water holes filled with water, Artemis grabbed the opening and ran back as quickly as he could. The holes weren’t long enough to reach every corner of the city but it was close enough to do a hail-marry. Artemis angled the holes towards the morning sky and water arched far across the market making the fire sizzle as it turned into white smoke.

The water rained on the battle underneath making loud clinging sounds against the fighter’s armor. The clashing of their swords and screams of wounded, made the kingdom vibrant again but a negative way. The sounds were not of celebrating and singing but of violence and death. The Sagens cannot lose the kingdom to the Barbarians otherwise the whole planet will fall with it. The kingdom was the stronghold… Countless of enemy soldiers poured in from all directions. Every time one wave of savages was defeated another one emerged. There were natural moments of despair from the Sagens, this was their home, their sanctuary. Many times, it was hard to sync and stay focused.

Even without their fearless commander, the Sagens knew what to do. They followed the next lead in command, Amos, who slung around his words like his sword. He yelled at his soldiers to tighten up the defense and screamed at the innocents who were still running by. He was hoping to just get a glimpse at Iya or Kal to know they were okay. Amos kept a close eye on Artemis and his volunteers as they put the fires out. They were unprotected and at risk of being attacked because there were no soldiers to spare. Artemis looked up and nodded towards the lead general when he noticed Amos had his back. That’s when he noticed Aiko running along with innocents to safety.

Artemis ran up to Aiko and pulled her arm towards him making her look back, “Where’s Iya?! Did you free her or not?”

Aiko turned around and replied, “She had to get her gear! I’m sure she’s close by! Cashius had her chained to the wall and she was dressed barely in rags. She was determined to grab her weapon and armor so she went to her room.” They had to scream at one another because of how loud the battle and roaring fires were around them. Artemis didn’t like Aiko’s answer but he knew Iya had her reasons.

Before he let Aiko leave Artemis asked, “Where’s Kal? Where’s my son, Kalvanius? I don’t see him either…”

Aiko put her head down and quickly back up, “I don’t know… he had to make a diversion so I can get inside the penthouse apartment. It was the only way to get Iya out safely. I don’t know what happened to him…” Artemis became more upset at Aiko’s answer and began looking around. He returned to the base of the water holes and handed to the person next to him. Most of the large fires had been put out but there were still a lot of little ones. After speaking with Aiko something came over him to which made him look up towards Iya’s bedroom. He knew her room was the only bedroom that had the balcony and that faced the ocean.

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When Artemis looked up and afar to Iya’s balcony, he saw her and Cashius facing one another. He was shocked to see them up there, he could barely see them with all the smoke but could tell they were talking. All hell broke loose for the Third born father when he saw Cashius lift up Kal by his hair and placed his sword at his neck. Artemis saw he was in trouble. Aiko followed Artemis’s stare and looked behind her to witness the same thing. She placed her hand over her mouth then turned to look at him. Before Aiko could get out a word, Artemis quickly dashed into the palace.

He had to duck and dodge through running people who were seeking refuge within the palace walls. Artemis had to cut through the main hallway in order to get to the Royal Quarters. The palace usually isn’t filled with so many people, they were looking for the king to save them. No one knew but King Jaron was in need of help himself… They were also looking for their Star Lord to save them. Many screamed and hollered for Cashius calling out to be rescued by their chosen. A grieving husband carried his wounded wife through the halls, dragging her feet through the debris on the floor. The people began to question where was the Star Lord and where is the king?

With all the chaos and commotion people forgot all the entrances to inner parts of the palace were locked for security purposes. Something Artemis had forgot as well. He found small pockets where there weren’t so many innocents roaming around. When he turned the corner leading towards the Medic Quarters, he noticed Jaron Jr. was getting attacked. Barbarians were chasing the people who were running through the halls. They were slaughtering them by the dozens. Jaron tried to interfere and defend them as they tried to escape.

Right away the enemy recognized him as royalty. Jaron still had on his thin gold halo crown around his neatly shaven head. Although his clothes were dirty and ripped, the Barbarians could tell it was fancy attire. Jaron knew the sacrifice he was taking he knew fighting was not his specialty. Still he chose to the well being of his people over everything. Just before Artemis arrived, the First-born prince waved down the savages by throwing chunks of bricks at them. He didn’t get that far when they caught up him. The three who lead this attack grabbed Jaron and dragged him to a corner.

The savages laughed and toyed with the prince, kicking and punching him repeatedly. Jaron did the best he could at blocking some of the hits but there were too many coming at once. Two of them stomped on Jaron as the last one watched. He was taller and bigger than the other two and acted as the leader of the small pack. He stood with his arms crossed as he enjoyed watching his men beat up the prince. Jaron laid curled up in a ball trying to figure out what to do next. One of them stopped and turned towards the leader and asked, “Sir, aren’t we suppose to capture the royal members not kill them, right?”

The ugly leader snarled then slowly turned his head and replied, “What the Star Lord doesn’t know, won’t hurt him. I say we kill the bastard and then we deliver his body, in pieces…” They all laughed as the leader drew his sword. He grinned as he waited for the perfect moment to slay his prey.

As the people ran away and cleared the majority of the hallway, Artemis saw a bow and arrow laying on top of a slain Barbarian. He picked up the bow and ran closer, drawing back the string. He loaded the bow and let the red feathered arrow whisper through air straight into two of the Barbarian’s heads. They were standing in the perfect angle for the arrow to hit them both at the same time. The leader quickly jumped back then looked down the hallway and saw Artemis running his way. He managed to dodge two of the arrows Artemis aimed at him, the third hit him in the leg.

The savage fell to the ground and attempted to crawl away. Artemis walked up behind the coward and thrush an arrow threw his back. He left the arrow sticking out in the center of his dead enemy and ran over to an also lifeless Jaron. Artemis slowly picked up Jaron’s head and noticed he was still breathing. It was faint but it was just enough for Artemis to be relieved. He scooped up the First-born prince, placed him on his back and walked down the hall. When he reached the front door to the Medics Quarters, Artemis banged on the doors demanding to be let in.

Jayce ordered everyone to stay away from windows so no attention would be drawn in their direction. A nurse who sitting the shadows peeked through broken blinds and saw who was at the door. She quickly ran to Jayce and told him the news. Immediately, he ran to open the only entrance the quarters. Artemis was relieved to find Jayce alive and well but Jaron needed medical help right away. He slowly placed Jaron on surgical table laying him flat on his back. The unconscious prince went completely limb and seemed to be fading away.

Artemis and Jayce screamed for the head nurse Amber to come save him from his wounds. As quickly as she could, Amber dropped her medical tools and ran towards them. She ordered her nurses to finishing patching up Patrisha, she had success in stopping the bleeding. Patrisha was going to survive and be ok… When she reached Jaron, the first thing she did was put her ear to his chest. Jayce was right behind her looking over her shoulder. He jumped back when Amber sprung up and started moving table towards another surgery room. Artemis and Jayce didn’t realize the table had wheels until Amber also hit them with it.

Again, fear and agony through him as he now watched his older brother fight for his life. As Jayce ran behind Artemis and Amber through the narrow hallway, he couldn’t help but ask, “Amber how bad is it? He’s going to make it right?”

Amber didn’t answer right away but she did glance over to Artemis with a look of uncertainty. Artemis took the look as it wasn’t a good sign. An explosion close by made the Medic Quarters shake and the lights to flicker. Amber hunched over Jaron to protect him from any debris that fell from the ceiling. The explosion made Artemis remember where he was originally going, to Iya’s room. He pulled Jayce aside and told him what he saw. Jayce was shocked and nodded his head, “Iya won’t Kal die trust me. She will kill that bastard Cashius. I know she won’t let Cashius win.”

“That’s what I’m counting on but I forgot I can’t get through. Everything is locked from the festival and now this siege. I don’t know how else to get through.”

Jayce pulled off a thick ban with a small silver bead in the middle. He handed it to Artemis and said, “Here take this… No one knows this but me and my family always wore master keys around our wrist. It’s a tradition passed down from the first king and his family to wear these pearls. Throughout the years we’ve just upgraded them to a piece of jewelry. They’re programmed to open any door anywhere within the kingdom and you won’t get far without it. They were made for these occasions alone. Take it but don’t lose it.”

Artemis slowly grabbed the bracelet and examined it surprised. “How come I never knew about this?”

Jayce laughed and replied, “Cause you’re not royalty, now go so we can close the doors behind you. We’re pretending not to be in here while we try to help those who are in need. I know Iya will save us… Her and Kal are the strongest soldiers I’ve ever seen. Now go!”

Artemis shook his prince’s hand before dashing out the main entrance to the main hallway. Once more he ran through crowds of people but this time, he managed to slip through a side door to the Royal Quarters without being noticed. It was empty and quiet because of the lockdown. Artemis ran as fast as he could across the last hallway which faced the Garden of Ospice. Once he reached inside Iya’s room, he walked slowly with his sword drawn and creeped up behind her without being noticed. When he peeked pass the curtains Artemis couldn’t believe his eyes…