4 CHAPTER ONE - A REMINDER FROM THE PAST (3/3)

Throughout the time Momor was talking, he had forgotten to keep physical contact with the prince. He got himself distracted. He had finally won, he thought. But the worst was yet to come for him. Taking advantage of the commotion, Atlan runs towards and dodges his way through the crowd. He immediately starts running towards Momor. Atlan jumps up and brings his hand above his head. Harold shoots right through it, untying him. He rolls on the ground and continues on his path towards Momor. Harold then fires an arrow with a small red package on its body towards the sky. As it gets high enough, it explodes giving off red smoke. It's a smoke arrow.

"I'll get you, Atlan!!!" Momor screams as he also charges towards Atlan.

Harold fires two arrows at Momor from behind but he dodges them without looking and without significantly changing his course. "They weren't for you." Harold says with a grin. Atlan catches the arrows.

He continues shooting Egorks that come towards him while also trying to get the prince to safety. Atlan adjusts the arrows in his hands, using them as daggers in a reserve position. In quick successive motions, Atlan dodges Momor's attacks while cutting different areas of his body especially joints. As the other Egorks try to interrupt their battle, Egorks are seen flying about at the rear of their ranks. Rickon is swinging his axe like a mad man charging head on towards the army of Egorks. Dianne is running right behind him. She jumps from behind into his path. As she took off, Rickon already retracted his axe, so he catches her midair and spins about four to five times before releasing her with a momentum that takes her close to Harold and the prince. Using her daggers, she cuts her way through the bunch around her and gets to Harold in no time. Rickon continues his 'sweeping' activity.

"I've got this Harold. Do you mind getting on my back?" Dianne asks the prince.

Without hesitation, he obliges. Harold shoots a green smoke arrow at the sky towards the direction of the gate. He then throws explosives towards the Egork army behind them. Atlan, Momor and Rickon notice and all go to the ground covering their ears. Harold shoots them, detonating them. After the smoke clears, Atlan and his group are nowhere in sight. Momor is enraged.

"Find them!!!" Momor says in anger before noticing that most of his men were either dead or seriously injured. He immediately gives off a large roar as if calling the last of his forces together.

Atlan and his group converge as they run towards the gate while being chased by Egorks. As they approach the drawbridge, Harold shoots another green smoke arrow and it explodes just above the drawbridge. It immediately starts dropping. Outside are two hooded individuals with a total of six horses. They immediately get on, with Atlan riding with the prince in front of him. One of the hooded men then shoots an arrow with fire on its head towards the castle after they are a considerable distance away and the whole place goes ablaze along with the Egorks there.

***

After escaping from the castle, Atlan and his group get to an inn and check in. Turns out his group comprises of four men and two women with the other two being Bill and Claire. They enter a room with the prince meeting five people there. Four are knights and one appears to be the king.

"Father!!!" The prince says in delight as he runs into the embrace of his father.

"I'm sorry it took so long to get you out," The king says in tears. The knights hand three chests filled with gold coins to them.

"We appreciate it. Reclaiming your kingdom might not be so hard anymore. We basically did most of the work," Atlan says.

"I thought you might want this," Rickon says as he gives the king a bag containing his crown and his ring.

"Well we found it. Not just him," Dianne adds.

"How will I ever repay you for all this? You've done more than we bargained," The king says in awe.

"Well, you already have. And I have to say, you really are wealthy, even after temporarily losing your castle. We'll be taking the horses though. You guys breed the best," Atlan replies.

The king smiles. "I hope we have more peaceful encounters next time."

"As long as it brings us money, we don't mind. We'll be on our way now," Atlan replies.

***

Atlan and his group approach a small city. As they get closer to the gate, they notice a man with his back against the gate. He is armed with two swords on his belt. He looks up as he notices their presence. He is a man most probably in his early thirties. Atlan recognizes him.

"Who's that?" Harold asks as he notices Atlan's expression.

"Gin. He's an old friend. You guys go ahead. I'll catch up," Atlan replies.

The guards on the wall notice arrival and signal for the gates to be opened. Atlan's team nod in greetings to Gin as they pass through the gate although there is a long stare between Harold and Gin. Atlan gets down from his horse. He shakes Gin and then they hug afterwards.

"It's been a while Gin. What brings you here?" Atlan asks.

"I came to see you," Gin replies.

"Right. You need something. Where's the group?" Atlan asks as he looks around.

"We dissolved last year," Gin replies.

"After the mega dragon incident?"

"You heard about it this far away."

"Yes, and Gin, that was a very stupid move."

"Going in at that time was. Clearly, we didn't account for their numbers well enough. But now, if we combine your genius and my experience, I'm sure we can work something---" Gin says desperately trying to convince Atlan but is cut short.

"And I thought you were stupid before," Atlan interrupts Gin as he is far from convinced.

"We need the dragon king and only your blood can get through."

"I'm not going anywhere Gin. At least not now."

"You're just going to hide here forever and be what, arms for hire? You're a prince, Atlan!"

"And I just saved one yesterday so what difference does being a prince make!"

"Our prince," Gin says calmly.

"You really think I've done nothing? You've heard of Losvayne I'm sure. I, alongside their new king built. We won it back from the Egorks and the dragons. I've been doing that for a lot of places now. I charge money for it because we need to survive. And if my plan is to work, we'll need a lot of money and allies. And yes, I have a plan. I came to a city I thought I'd settle, make it my base maybe. One dragon was what it took to uproot us. One. All because we were ill-equipped. I trained all the soldiers there. My team used to have more than fifty of us, a number of us were special humans. Now, six of us I what remains of that incident. We came to a barren land and made it this city you see now. It'll take years before my plan will set into motion---"

"We don't have that much time," Gin interrupts.

"And why is that?" Atlan asks.

"My sources tell me that they are planning something big. Even bigger than when they first came."

"How convenient for you," Atlan says, still not convinced.

"You are the last Deharas. The only one that can get to the dragon king!"

"Yes, the last one! And it seems to me like you're trying wipeout the entire Deharas bloodline."

"Don't rush into a decision yet. We'll still talk and I'll wait around for a few days to see if you'll come around. If that's okay with that is."

"You don't have anywhere to stay do you?"

"Actually… I don't, I don't have a place to stay. I could really use your help for a few days."

"You're more than welcome to stay. Let's go inside."

"I'm grateful."

"So, what is this threat that's made you homeless? You said they were planning something big right?"

"A titan," Gin replies