Breaking Through the Village Walls

[Mihalis's pov]

The early morning breeze blew through my hair and I stood on the outside of the village. The trees that would surround me grew denser the more and more i entered. The humid smell never leaving no matter how far I travelled.

"Why am I doing this…" I would always ponder as I go deeper and deeper, sealing my fate or possibly opening a new path for me, that much was unclear to me...

"I could just leave- who cares what happens here–" Flashes of images crossed my mind, the sound of crying, the sound of screaming and crackling flames all rolled into one. My hands clenched into fists as I kept on going, finally coming to a stop when the sound of rustling grass echoed in the distance.

My glace fell to the side as I grabbed my claymore, my hands squeezing the hilt as I prepared to attack, the shadow moved briskly throughout the forest, my eyes slow but fairly following the path it had left behind.

 –Crack–

I heard something in the distance, my eyes snapping to the source and pulling out my blade, sparks soared and the height of battle had reached it's climax. My mouth left agape as I saw the same creature from before, it's obsidian scales and faceless appearance all to familiar to me.

I took a step back watching as the beast slowly inching towards me, it's head hung low, waiting for a moment where my guard is down. I started to hear movement all over me and before I knew It I was surrounded.

[Battle engaged…]

The semi transparent screen showed itself to me once more, floating infront of me as I braced myself.

 [Downloading data….]

One of the monsters leaped off the ground, coming straight to me, I pivot my leg as an anchor and blocked with my claymore once again, the beast hanging onto the blade it's weight pulling be down but I held strong. Swinging my claymore with all my strength, causing them to fall off and dig against the floor.

The rest of them started to close in, I got into my stance once more, I raised my claymore to my face, it's stainless steel showing their reflection as they approached me.

"Come at me…"

[Fran's pov]

"So, what's going on." the king pondered, sitting on his throne as I stood before him once again, I took a bow before looking up at him, my gaze would linger to the throne near him, my gaze searching for his daughter who would normally sit so attentivly by his side, yet she wasn't there.

"The threat was given from Mavia, the queen of Grafat-" I uttered, straightening my posture before continuing to speak. 

"There's no guarantee she will actually carry through with her threat, she's been eyeing this village for a while, I doubt that she'll stop at one man."

"What about this kid that intrigued her so I wonder," The king murmured, his hand perched his face on the arm of his throne. I nodded at his inquiry before answering, my face filled with sincerity as I spoke not wanting him to believe my outrageous words for lies.

"She believes he's a survivor of the Aether tempist…" The king's eyes widened slightly at my claim, his head raised from his hand.

"That's prosperous, they've been wiped out eighty years ago, he's way to young to even be that old!" He argued, fear laced within his words as he spoke what he wishes were true.

"Your highness, with all due respect, with what happened to your daughter all those years ago, do you really think the possibility isnt there?" I responded, my hand digging into my pocket.

The king raised his palm, stopping me in my actions, "Dont light that thing in here-"

I sighed internaly before nodding and continuing with my statement. "How long it lasts is still beyond our knowledge, besides it was in the proficy wasn't it? The divine storm will get here one way or another…"

The king hesitates, his eyes glued to the floor as he raced through his thoughts, "Go tell the guards we need to prepare for battle, no matter what happens we can't let her have her way, we already one the dynasty battle, I don't plan on losing my city now."

I nodded at my orders before bowing and walking out of the throne room. The giant doors made way for me, my eyes catching on to a peeping tom on the other side.

"What are you doing princess?" I asked, looking at her with a look of genuine confusion.

The took a step back and adjusts her dress, her face flushed from being caught red handed.

"Nothing! I was just making sure you didn't rat out on me, is all..." I muttered, looking off to the side, unable to meet my gaze.

I chuckled softly at her concern, walking past her with a soft smile. "I already told you that I wont tell a soul," 

"What's your goal anyway?!" She shouted after me, causing me to stop in my tracks and turn to her.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean you're doing all this! You act like you're on her side but you're not and i have a feeling you're not entirely on ours either…" I took a minute, my mouth slightly agape by her observation, that expression quickly replaced with a soft grin.

"You're right," I nodded, almost too proudly.

"I'm just on the side of who ever pays me the most."

The princess took offense to my words, her scowl evident even on a pretty face like her's.

"Then how are we supposed to trust you!?" She argued.

"You don't you just simply have no other option than to trust me, and to put your faith in me." I muttered, as i continued to leave. "Besides you're rich right? You'll be fine."

"You make me sick!" She shouted after me, in response I raised my hand.

"Yeah, I get that alot-"

[Ayla's pov.]

"Everyone rise the princess and king makes their appearance!!" One of their maid announced, everyone crowded the front of their castle as they watched both him and the princess step outside on the balcony.

The crowd cheered as they saw their king, bright smiles plastered on their faces filled with thanks. The king just lets out a mellow smile before raising his hand, everyone calming down the minute they saw.

"I wonder what's that important thing he had to do…" I pondered as I stood amongst the crowd, my mind wandering to the words Mihalis given to me last night.

"I wonder what we'll do tomorrow," I pondered as my hand went through my spoils for the day, we resided in the room we first gained our refuge, our stay permitted since we werent there for long.

"Ayla-" I heard Mihalis say, my head raised to the sound of my name. He turned to me with a serious look, his eyes look like he's been thinking about something for a while. "I won't be with you tomorrow, I have something to do–"

I smile softly at his words, "There's no need for that we'll be leaving this town tomorrow right? I won't keep you back I promise–"

"No, it's not that–" He interrupted. "Something, just came up-"

My face softened to his words, knowing there's nothing I can do to sway him, my eyes drifted to the floor for a second before I spoke up to him.

"If there's anything I can do to help, just say the word." My words caught him off guard as he turned to me, a look of confusion plagued his face. Though the room was dark, the moonlight did nothing to hide his expression, though his back is to me, I feel like i've known him my entire life.

"I don't know what you used to do when you were alone, but you don't have to do that anymore. " I declared, though he said no more after that throughout tonight, and now in the present day, his words continue to weight on me.

The king looked to his daughter and nodded, and with a shaky sigh she walked up to the crowd to deliver her speech to her future kingdom.

"Greetings everyone…" She started, her words quickly overshadowed by the sound of murmuring in the crowd, soft whispers and rumors that would catch my attention swiftly.

"Did you hear? Apparently the princess will never get to be queen," 

"Yeah I heard of that, though i never heard why."

"No one knows, man though it begs the question, what will happen after the king dies–"

"Hey don't talk like that! I don't want to think of him passing."

'Seems like people here really love their king-' I thought, my mind wandering to princess and her situation. 

"And with that out of the way, I'd like to thank you all for celebrating the final day of this festiva–"

The princess's words were cut off by the sound of an explosion in the distance, people who were preping their stands running away for dear life causing the crowd i was in to panic, pushing and tugging at people hoping to get the edge and run.

I looked up to the princess and king, their faces filled with horror as they were escorted inside, guards storming out to the scene.

As I watch the whole thing unfold before me, my mind couldn't help but go back to what Mihalis said..

"Mihalis-" I muttered, my gaze filled with worry. 

"Please, please, please…be ok-"