How does one keep a man alive? In a maze of chaos, you sprint to the center of a chaotic maze and gaze in defeat's blank space.

The sun sets behind a dark, enraged cloud, the day grows gloomy, and the residents of Econa are afraid of the streets.

Days like this have never been seen or thought of by the people. The Bell of Hinger rings aloud for attention and protection.

The Vindogrims remained inside the castle, which Econa's guards had locked. The High Knight Rellic vowed to defend and guard the fortunate city of Econa.

"It is my duty to serve the people and the nation from the foe, my children!" His voice.

"Not everything needs to be a battle, father..." Hulianna answers.

The tension inside the castle increases as the bell rings louder. "The streets have never been this empty; I fear we have been outplayed," Ereza says as she looks out the window.

"We can't be outplayed when we haven't even tried to go out and face the Herinodors." Valeria adds.

Rellic tightens his boots and gathers all of his armor and equipment, saying, "I will put an end to this." He is adamant.

"Wait, father! How about the Eight Knights? Do they not have a voice in this matter? Should we not dive right in and fight it alone?" asks Krimosta.

People are running toward the castle's doors, and Ereza exclaims, "People?! They're sprinting in the direction of the doors. "It's the Eight Knights..." she suggests, concentrating on her vision.

Rellic hurriedly opened the door and invited the Eight Knights in.

Valeria notices that Chutti has a cut on his shoulder, Luciano doesn't appear well at all, and Fandor is afraid.

"What has happened?!" Juliana asks.

"They've captured Alonzo and Terron! We haven't seen Rael, Piono, and Galisto!" Luciano answers out of breath.

"What can I do to make sure everyone is safe?!?" Rellic asks.

Krimosta walks towards Rellic, and softly pats his back, "Father, I fear there's nothing we can do..." She implies, "We have never faced such a matter that we don't know what we shall do..."

"There is always a way!! No one gets out of here until you hear the first bell of dawn!" Rellic says.

The Eight Knights tiredly said, "We shall go and end this with you! The road is only the path to a better and more secure fate of Econa!" Fandor chants.

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

"Father, I will call my gladiators to come and join as well. This is our time to create havoc!" Hulianna states.

Rellic and The Eight Knights nod.

NIGHT

Ereza and Valeria sit out by the window watching and hearing screams like hell has risen from below. They confidently wait, "Hail, Holy, save our beloved city..." Ereza mutters.

Valeria walks down and stands in the middle of the big, airy, empty castle. She's adamant that she's going out to help.

"You're not going..." Krimosta says, walking from behind. "Father has told you no one leaves. Don't try to be a hero now, Valeria," she adds.

Valeria looks back and stares blankly at Krimosta, Ereza coming down the stairs also. "Do not let such a stupid idea run you out, Valeria, whatever you might think of doing," she implies.

"This might just be the calling I have been needing to do; I fear this is the only way I can prove to everyone that I am just as important and powerful as all of you!" She answers.

"Father and Hulianna are already out there, Valeria!" Krimosta yells.

A loud banging sound, almost like someone attempting to enter the door, is heard by them. "It's Helena! Dineress and I are together. "Open up!" they yell.

When Ereza quickly opens the door, she sees blood streaming from their clothing and tears streaming down their cheeks.

Shocked, Ereza asks, "What has happened?!?" Helena falls to the ground, wetting and smearing blood on the concrete floor. "They've invaded our homes down there!" she answers, crying.

"The Herinodors... They've killed my father... In front of me and my mother..." Dineress answers in shock.

Valeria catches dineress from almost fainting, resting her on a chair. Valeria hurries and grabs a sword she's kept hidden in her room.

Valeria dashes down and quickly exits without turning around. She bolts.

Krimosta stops Ereza as she tries to run behind her, urging, "Let her be..."

She eventually makes it to the town center after running hard in the rain, tears streaming down her face, and her clothes and hair soaked.

"Oh... my... God..." She cries.

Dead bodies strewn everywhere, houses destroyed and burned. "Please... Please... Please," Valeria says, scanning the bodies in front of her in terror.

A blade comes rushing from behind; her senses made her dodge it. She turns around and sees Estrello, "You?" She questions.

"Princess! This is the outcome of your father's leadership!" He laughs villainously.

Valeria stands her ground and checks her surroundings. "For what is the reason that you have such a foe towards the whole Econa?" She screams, "Do you not see?!? The bodies?!? The homes you took from innocent souls?!?"

Rain pours down so hard, Valeria is face to face with Estrello. Standing tall and mighty, ready for an attack.

"Show me what you're made of, princess," he mocks.

Valeria runs toward him and tries to stab his stomach, but he dodges it like a feather in the air."Try a little harder!" He comes running from behind.

She quickly turns around and uses her sword to defend herself, then she dodges his attack. As she's dodging him, she takes out a small dagger and slashes his rib.

ARGHH

In pain, Estrello slaps Valeria from the back of his hand so hard, Valeria falls to the ground. As Valeria tries to get up, Estrello rushes toward her with his sword. Weakly, she tries her very best to avoid being attacked.

"This is the end of you Vindogrims!" He whispers.

The pain and anger gave Valeria the strength and power to overcome it and kick Estrello off of her. As soon as she sees him fall, she rushes to his side, grabs his hair, and drags him down the wet path.

She firmly pins him by the neck to a wall, making it difficult for him to breathe. She reached for the dagger and drove it straight through his skull.

"Now you know what I'm made of." As she lets go of him and lets him bleed to death.

"I'm Valeria Vindorgrim. Daughter of Rellic, The High Knight, and I'm no princess." She whispers.