95 The Last of us X

A large explosion occurred, demolishing the brilliant-looking Palace walls. There was no barrier in place to protect the Palace as no one would dare to strike.

After the flaming boulder slammed into the Palace, the sky was lit up with five more flaming boulders. Whoever was attacking them did not give the Palace guards any time to mobilize.

At the southern city gate, the guards rushed to secure the gates. Their enemy was unknown, but they were not inside the city yet.

Donned in silver armor and trained to protect the city, the guards were not afraid to lay down their life. Yet, as minutes trickled by, no enemy showed up.

They only saw the boulders rain down upon their city.

"Arlo, hurry and inform the watch commander. Tell her that the south gate is secure and to focus on the three other gates."

Arlo stood on the sturdy walls that protected the city. He was frozen as if he just saw a devil appear.

"Arlo! Move goddammit!"

The man screamed, urging the young man to move. Arlo did; his body plummeted down from the high city walls onto the ground.

Three more guards that were stationed on the walls fell.

"What in Nessa's name is going on?"

The man who seemed to be in charge at the south gate was utterly perplexed. His team was dropping like flies, leaving only three men on the city walls.

His heart beat.

These were not his men. The daggers in their hands were soaked in blood.

His hands trembled as he reached for the hilt of his blade. Quickly he looked left then right, noticing the remaining members of his squad were nervous. When was the last time they were in a predicament like this?

It's been peaceful for years, with no significant incidents arising in the city. Yet, before them were men not afraid to kill.

He was the leader here, and he had to show his subordinates there was nothing to be afraid of. Forcing his hand to stop shaking, he clasped the hilt of his blade tightly.

"There's only three of them, and there are five of us."

He shouted, trying to boost the morale of his squad members. It helped as he could see them all taking hold of their weapons.

"This is what we trained for. These fuckers are hiding, pretending to be us because they cannot move in the light. Well, we aren't scared. Their ambush failed. They lack the advantage. Now, let's go!"

The man roared as he darted up the steps leading towards the wall.

Behind him, the others followed, believing in their training, in their superior officer.

Ahead of them, a figure moved; the strength of their feet resulted in the ground cracking. The figure's movement was too fast. All the four subordinates felt was a gust of wind blow past them.

Their attention shifted as they peered behind them and saw two figures: their captain and someone sporting the same uniform as them.

Their captain was struggling as he tried to remove the hand that covered his face. His body violently moved like a fish out of water.

With a loud crack, his actions ceased.

Above their captain, the figure stood, releasing his grip over the captain's face. It was only a moment, but they all saw it. Blood.

This person crushed their captain's skulls with their bare hands. How many of them could do that?

None.

Fear clouded their minds—all thoughts of fighting escaped. In front of this person, it was useless even to fight back.

In a flash, the figure disappeared before reappearing before the four men. Underneath the helmet, they saw two crystal blue eyes that seemed to shine in the night.

"Surrender or die."

The voice was deep, informing the four guards that it belonged to a man—one of age at that.

He gave them two options, and from the sight around them, the former was undoubtedly the best. They all dropped their weapons at the same time as they raised their arms high.

Beneath the helmet, the man's crystal blue eyes narrowed. The dagger in his hand blurred as he slit all four of their throats.

"Cowards. Where is your loyalty?"

He asked as they all clamped their necks, trying to stop the blood from flowing. All their actions were futile as their vision dimmed and the vigor in their body started to fade.

"Open the gates and give the signal. Let the oppressors know what it feels like to live in fear. Tonight, we will be free."

The man told his comrades as he discarded his helmet, revealing a head full of long hair. Across his face was a scar, one that destroyed his looks.

The two others on the wall started to move as one lifted their hand into the sky. A few seconds later, a ball of light shot out from their hand into the atmosphere. It burst in the air giving the signal to their army that the southern gate was captured.

Moments later, three more flares shot into the sky. The gates were captured, the Palace was ruined, and the citizens were in shock. There was little anyone could do about it as the closest general would be tied up facing off against an ambush.

The night was theirs.

Inside the city, Jacob was shocked. All the plans he was setting into motion crumbled into dust. His mind raced, trying to figure something out.

"Get ahold of yourself."

Matthew shouted as he placed his hand on Jacob's shoulder.

"Get back inside lock the doors and windows. No one is to enter unless it is one of us."

Matthew told Jacob as he eyed both Jacob and Angelia. He swiftly turned to look at Jack.

"Summon the guards and watch the gate. They don't have much training, but you all should be able to hold them off until me, or one of the others arrive."

As Matthew started giving out orders, Jacob shook his head. Now was not the time to lose himself.

He still had a supply of food here, the warehouse he acquired was lacking, but with the barrier in place, it should provide able protection. The only downside was that Amber had yet to obtain all the supplies he asked for.

Still, it would hold firm and could be used as a second base if something went wrong.

"No. Jack, take the others to the basement. The estate has a minor barrier formation safeguarding it, so everyone inside should be safe. You and the other guards stay here and guard our home."

Jacob looked at Angelia.

"You stay behind as well. You're a mage and can be useful here if someone powerful shows up."

Jacob ordered her while also revealing to the others present that Angelia was a mage. A being powerful enough to take down a squad of knights by themselves if they were strong enough.

"Why would I stay here? It's the middle of the night, and the city is full of shadows from the lights posted all over. I'm more useful out there than here. Besides, where do you plan on going?"

Angelia questioned him.

Jack agreed with her. He did not want to stay here either. If the barrier did its job, staying here was pointless.

"Because I told you to! It's a minor barrier, not anything extravagant! It'll hold back the attacks of average men but against someone with the strength of a knight? It would crumble with ease. If the enemy has a mage, then even worse. Where I'm going doesn't matter. Just do as you are told!"

Jacob yelled as he clenched his fist.

"She's not wrong. A mage would be useful no matter where you are. It would be safer to stay here."

Teressa chimed in.

Jacob glared at her as he did not ask for her opinion.

"We do not know how many people are our enemy, but we do know who our allies are. I need to reach the headmaster with haste. I cannot do that with a large party. The guards will be hostile to anyone they do not know. The knights have to move."

Jacob explained.

"That's even more of a need. I should go with you. Who in this city does not know my family's name? You've been hidden away for years. Do you think the guards who will be more alert than ever will know your face? Besides, I'm not your subordinate. You don't order me around."

Angelia said as she stared into Jacob's eyes. He knew she was right, but he did not want to admit it.

"Do what you want."

Jacob gave up trying to have Angelia see things his way. In truth, he did not want her to die because of him. Same with Jack.

Jack had a family. He had to survive no matter how he felt about it.

"We do not know what's going on, but if the enemy is smart, they would have seized the gate. The city will be turned upside down as all those who have been holding back begin to take action. We head straight to the academy, group up with the headmaster, and check the western gate."

Jacob explained the plan quickly. It was not the best of plans, not comparable to something he would have ample time to figure out. Regardless it was a plan nonetheless.

He turned and headed towards his mansion. Before anything, they had to be equipped with their gear.

If he wanted to stop the rebellion before, he couldn't now. The Emperor was going to lose before he even got started.

How things got so out of wack, he could not unravel for the life of him. The academy had three hundred knights, but the rebels had thousands of soldiers.

Jacob was in the middle of an impossible task. Maybe he should turn tail and leave the city. That was doable, but all he set up would be for naught if he did that.

Not to mention Mikhal. He would be here, and that man would do whatever it took to make sure no one left this place alive.

Jacob could only groan, worrying about it. He did not even know how to deal with him. The only real hope they had was the Marshal. But, he was at the Palace right now, and from the initial assault earlier, Jacob was unsure how the Palace was fairing.

As Jacob's frantic steps entered the mansion with his mind set on getting his gear, he stopped. The maids were looking at him, and he could tell they were anxious. Wondering what was going on.

Daniel and Priscilla were shaking as they held on to one another. The brother and sister pair never knew war, but Jacob did not either. The loud explosions rattled them to the core, so much so that he could feel his heart cry for them.

Angelia's mother, Melina she was watching him calmly.

What was he doing? Why was he heading off without a proper plan in place? Without knowing that these people here would be safe?

He was not hot-headed, nor was he reckless. So why was he taking that approach?

Was it fear? Maybe.

All these people here were waiting on him, their lord, for directions. Yet, he was going to leave them without a word. Some noble he was.

"What's going on, Lord? Are we safe here?"

Ava asked him, speaking for everyone present.

How was Jacob going to answer her?