The Rebellion

The Emperor's death sent waves of mourning throughout the kingdom. Aria steadfastly remained by Mikhail's side, offering her unwavering support.

"They killed him... I'm a worthless son. If I had known this would happen, I should have stayed by his side and prevented anyone from reaching him," Mikhail lamented while clenching his fists.

"It's not your fault. Xerxes had already discovered the real cause of his death," she consoled him. The servant who had placed the poisonous flower beside the Emperor's bed had been apprehended. The flower was a rare, toxic species that only a few could identify. It thrived in the forbidden forest, and inhaling its pollen led to debilitating weakness, eventually rendering victims immobile. The poison was untraceable, even to the most skilled physicians.

"Please don't blame yourself," Aria whispered, embracing him tightly.

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Mikhail called upon his troops, setting in motion a rebellion to prevent Izekiel from ascending to the throne. Those traitors would face justice for the death of his father.

"Tomorrow marks the coronation day. Everyone, please be prepared. Our objective is to capture my treacherous brother, Izekiel, and Duke Wolfsbane," he declared. "My father's death was at their hands. We must not allow them to rule this empire."

Philip nodded.

"Stay vigilant. When I give the signal, you will attack Izekiel's knights. Anyone who tries to protect him should be dealt with swiftly. These individuals betrayed our empire; there is no room for hesitation. That is my command. Do you understand?" Mikhail's voice rang with authority.

"YES, YOUR HIGHNESS!" the troops responded in unison.

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Aria's worry was palpable as she spoke, "Are you truly going through with this? What if you get hurt? What if..."

Mikhail gently caressed her face. "Shh. I have won many wars before. I promise I will be all right. We must prevent the coronation, we cannot let that man become the new emperor."

"But..." Aria's voice trembled with concern, her tears fell.

Mikhail wiped them away and turned to Rasheen. "Please take her to Targaryan," he instructed.

"Don't worry. I have already sent a message to my father," Rasheen assured him.

"I've spoken to Arthur, he will assist us in our escape," Napoleon added.

"Please take Jenny, Cedrik, and William with you, Aria," Gawain insisted.

"But what about you?" Aria questioned, her worry deepening.

"We will stand with the Crown Prince in his fight," Xerxes declared.

"What?" Aria was taken aback.

"As members of a noble family, it is our duty to support the Crown Prince. We also share your apprehension about Prince Izekiel becoming emperor," Napoleon explained.

"Please, be careful," Aria pleaded, embracing each of them one last time.

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....

The Coronation Day had arrived, and the people had gathered to witness Prince Izekiel's crowning. Izekiel inquired about Aria's absence, and a servant informed him that she wasn't feeling well. He couldn't help but feel her disapproval of his becoming the new emperor. Frustration clenched his fists.

"Don't worry, Your Highness. Your life will change after the coronation," Duke Wolfsbane reassured him.

The ceremony was about to commence when Mikhail's troops arrived, accompanied by the Crimsons Blades.

Duke Wolfsbane demanded an explanation. "What is the meaning of this?" he shouted.

"YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO BE THE EMPEROR! YOU KILLED FATHER!!!" Mikhail shouted, unsheathing his sword. The people gasped.

Izekiel retorted, "How dare you accuse me! Why would I kill my own father?"

Mikhail responded, "Why? You know why, because you desired the throne! You and Duke Wolfsbane planned this!"

Izekiel gritted his teeth and turned to the Duke, seeking an answer. "What the hell is he saying?"

"Don't mind him, Your Highness. He's fabricating stories because he can't accept that your father chose you over him," Duke Wolfsbane dismissed.

"Tss... Whatever you say, I will not let you take the throne! Whoever dares to protect Izekiel will die!" Mikhail ordered.

Duke Wolfsbane glanced at Ludwig.

Ludwig signaled the knights to protect Izekiel. The knights went to the front to protect Izekiel and the Duke. The situation escalated, with Philip, Napoleon, Claudius, Gawain, Ryu, and Xerxes joining Mikhail's side.

"Everyone... KILL THEM!!!" Mikhail commanded. The terrified people scattered.

The battle between the brothers had commenced.

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In the meantime, Aria expressed her concerns to Rasheen. "Rasheen, I can't help but worry. What if something bad happens to them?"

"Stay calm, Aria. Please trust them and His Highness. Everything will be fine," Rasheen reassured her, holding her shoulders.

Valentine turned to William. "Take care of her."

William nodded.

"Aria, it's time to go. It's not safe if you stay here longer." Valentine urged.

They heard the sounds of the conflict outside.

"It sounds like the war has already started," Jenny fretted.

"We have no time. We need to hurry now," Rasheen urged.

Aria hugged Valentine and said, "Please take care."

"Don't worry about me. They won't harm me," Valentine assured her

She forced a smile. They left in a hurry.

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Back in the palace, Izekiel sat on the throne, watching the carnage unfold with a sinister grin.

"Your Highness, we must leave now. It's not safe here," the Duke implored.

"But it's so entertaining to watch. Look at them," Izekiel remarked.

"IZEKIEL!!!" Mikhail's voice rang out.

They saw him approaching, he kills anyone who tries to attack him. His body is now covered with blood.

"Protect the Prince!" Duke Wolfsbane ordered, and the knights relentlessly attacked Mikhail.

Ludwig discreetly whispered to Izekiel, "Your Highness, the Princess has escaped."

"WHAT?" Izekiel panicked. "GET HER! DON'T LET HER LEAVE THE EMPIRE!!!"

Mikhail overheard the command and, as he saw the knights departing from the palace, he pursued them.

"Follow Mikhail! Don't let him help the Princess escape!" Izekiel ordered.

Ryu's team blocked the path of the other knights. "Where do you think you're going?" Ryu questioned.

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"Your Highness, please run faster!" Cedrik urged, with Izekiel's knights hot on their trail.

"This way!" William led the way as they plunged into the forest.

"Tsk. Why does that Prince have so many knights, just like the Crown Prince?" Rasheen grumbled as they ran.

"Woof! Woof!"

"Hachi!" Jenny called out when Hachi jumped to confront the knights. The knights hesitated, momentarily halted by the wolf's imposing presence.

"Hachi come back here. It's dangerous!" Aria called to him.

"Grrrrr…." Hachi was in his wolf form, his growls sending a clear warning to the knights.

The knights continued to advance and soon surrounded them.

"This is bad," Rasheen muttered.

William drew his sword. "Cedrik, protect the Princess."

"What are you planning to do?" Cedrik asked.

"Let me handle this. Go... Arthur is already waiting at the river," William reassured them. "But we can't leave you!" Aria protested.

"Don't worry about me, Your Highness. I promise I will catch up," William said with a determined smile. He engaged the knights, clearing a path for the others. "Run now!!!"

"Aria, we need to go!" Rasheen urged, taking her hand as they fled, leaving William behind to face the knights.

As they ran, a masked man suddenly blocked their path, knights following closely behind.

"M-Masked guy?" Aria was taken aback.

Could he be the real masked man?

The man removed his mask, revealing himself to be Ludwig, Izekiel's most trusted butler. "Your Highness, you can't leave the palace."

"Ludwig! Why are you doing this? Is Izekiel really willing to kill innocent people for the throne?" Aria questioned.

"These things wouldn't be happening if you'd remained silent. It's your fault and the Crown Prince's," Ludwig retorted, signaling his men. "Get the Princess."

"No!!!" Cedrik, Rasheen, and Jenny tried to protect her.

A knight grabbed her, and she screamed. "Let go of me!!!"

Suddenly, someone appeared and swiftly struck down the knight. "Mikhail!"

"Kaye!" he exclaimed, embracing Aria. He shielded her and threatened Ludwig with his sword. "Dare to touch her, and I will cut your hands off."

Ludwig only smiled and ordered his men to attack.

While they fought, Ludwig noticed a cliff nearby and whispered an idea to one of his men.

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Rasheen and Cedrik battled the knights, while Aria held onto Jenny for comfort.

"AAAHHH!"

"Your Highness!!!" Jenny cried out as Ludwig grabbed Aria, holding a dagger to her neck.

Mikhail stopped dead in his tracks upon seeing this scene.

"Your Highness, if you want her to stay alive, then throw down your sword and surrender," Ludwig demanded.

"No! Don't listen to him!" Aria screamed.

Mikhail gritted his teeth, unable to let any harm come to her. He reluctantly threw his sword to the ground.

"No!" Aria cried.

Ludwig smirked. One of the knights took the opportunity to stab Mikhail.

Aria's eyes widened in horror. "NO!!! MIKHAIL!!!"

The other knights joined in, stabbing him repeatedly. A final kick sent him rolling off the cliff.

"NOOOO!!!" Aria wailed as she saw him disappear over the edge. Her heartbreak was evident, and she kept screaming, "MIKHAIL!!!"

William arrived in the nick of time, stabbing Ludwig and wresting Aria from his grasp.

Ludwig clutched his wounds, which were deep. "Tsk.." He glared at them.

"Run!" William shouted, carrying Aria away as they fled.

"Follow them!" Ludwig ordered, determined to capture the escaping group.

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Claudius and the others were taken aback by the unexpected alliance of knights, bandits, and mages supporting Izekiel.

"You were well-prepared for this," Claudius observed, grimacing as he held his wounded stomach.

Duke Wolfsbane laughed heartily. "Hahaha, do you think we didn't have any tricks up our sleeves? There are many who were disregarded by the imperial family, and they stand with us. I never anticipated that so many people harbored resentment against the Emperor and Prince Mikhail."

Xerxes glared at the mages, some of whom had been his former students. "How dare you help them?"

"We're sorry, Master, but we believe we need to change this empire. A new ruler, a new life…" one of the mages replied.

"Aaahh!"

"Gawain!" Napoleon cried out when he saw him fall, blood gushing from his wounds.

The combined forces of bandits and knights closed in around them. Claudius surveyed the grim scene, realizing that many of their troops were already dead. It seemed like they wouldn't survive this confrontation.

"You've lost, Duke Rembrandt. Don't fight anymore, or you'll all perish here," Duke Wolfsbane declared.

Meanwhile, Izekiel remained motionless on his throne, biting his fingernails in panic over Aria. He paid no attention to the unfolding situation.

"Xerxes!" Claudius called, seeking assistance.

Xerxes nodded and turned his attention to the mages. "Do you really think you can defeat me?"

He chanted a spell, immobilizing the mages in their tracks.

"Find them," Claudius ordered, holding his wounded stomach.

Xerxes, without further hesitation, seized Ryu, and they vanished from sight. Though Xerxes could assist the others in escaping, they were all gravely injured, and they would be burdensome to him. Ryu was swift and skilled at concealing himself, making him the best candidate to accompany Xerxes.

"Tsk. He escaped!" Duke Wolfsbane gritted his teeth in frustration.

The knights converged on Claudius and the remaining survivors, their swords poised for a final confrontation.

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In another part of the chaos, Ludwig's men continued their pursuit.

"Who's that?" Rasheen pointed at a man waving to them from a boat.

"It's Arthur!" Aria recognized him.

They sprinted toward the boat, and Arthur helped them aboard.

"Please stay safe," William implored.

"What do you mean?" Aria inquired, her worry evident.

"I will stall them. Now go!" William commanded Arthur to set sail.

"No! We can't leave you!" Aria protested.

"I need to find Prince Mikhail. Please don't worry about me!" William reassured her.

Aria had no choice but to let go. "P-Please... find him."

William nodded and sprinted back toward the knights chasing them. They finally managed to escape, and Cedrik let out a sigh of relief.

Aria wiped her tears, but the fear gnawed at her. What if Mikhail didn't make it? The image of him being stabbed multiple times haunted her, and she broke into tears.

No, he couldn't die. He couldn't leave her.