Chapter 16

A few days later..

Gunner was walking next Prince Clyde as they neared the wall of the safety zone that they would be spending their following days in. The guards along the wall were all alert and with their weapons at the ready in case a wild beast was to try and break through the wall. Standing tall at fifty feet and build from stone the wall surrounded a huge portion of the city that held thousands of survivors that had divided among living quarters among various buildings. On ground level the guards were placed in sections while on top of it there were more guards who walked to scope out the area from above. Their weapons varied from swords to bows depending on their positions while some of the demi humans required no weapon at all due to their genetics giving them other methods to use in battle.

Nearing the massive gate it released a loud creaking noise as they lifted it just enough to allow Prince Clyde and the others with him and Gunner inside the safety zone. Shouts could be heard from the people on the wall as they gave orders among themselves to take control of the gate and watch for beasts who would try to take advantage of the opening. It did not take long for the sudden opening to attract the attention of random hell hounds who tried to charge the opening while bellowing out their growls. There were few beasts who died on a single shot or swing of the sword. Many of them took several strikes before they would fall to a blade.

Watching the men fight to protect the safety zone caused Gunner's heart to thud against his chest. Just opening the gate once to allow them inside had caused multiple guards to fall to the fangs of the beasts. There was no fall to morale, however, as the men had long prepared their hearts for the risks and took them of their own volition as they wished to give their lives for the sake of the survivors of Abaron city. Where one man fell to a beast another would charge and strike the beast down. As the gate closed once more with them on the other side the beasts began to retreat their charge, having missed their chance for the opening.

"We made it." Prince Clyde sighed out of relief for making it all the way to the safety zone without a problem. He did not like the idea of risking things by bringing Gunner along, but he was not willing to leave the man alone back at the mansion after the scare he had gave him.

"So this is one of the zones, huh?" Gunner thought out loud as he looked around at the place. The area inside the wall looked peaceful enough to calm his beating heart. People were walking around happily as they spent time with their friends, family, and other loved ones without fearing the beasts since they were being held off outside the wall. It all seemed almost normal as if there were no beast attacks at all.

"I have to take care of some things." Prince Clyde said as he turned to walk towards one of his Generals.

General Tao wore his suit with pride as he tossed his orders around to the men under him. His blonde hair being just long enough on one side of his head to hang over his right eye. The air he gave off was one that displayed his love for his job. Killing beasts and reclaiming the city once again was something he desired to see one day. When it came to fighting for the sake of the city he was more than willing to put his life on the line to see it happen.

"How is the wall holding up, General Tao?" Prince Clyde asked as he stepped up behind the man.

"Prince Clyde, pleasure to see you again." General Tao smiled at the sight of the prince before his expression faded into one of frustration. "They are still making attempts at the southern gate every so often. It's almost as though they are trying to test the limits of it. I've already had to replace the men down there several times these past few days."

"That's what I'm here for. I'll head down and check it out when I can." Prince Clyde gazed over at the wall. Giving it a once over with his eyes he could see that the northern wall they came through was still holding up very well. He did not want to see one of the safety zones fall under his watch after taking over the city of Abaron.

"Did you get the go ahead for the aid we need down here? I'm not sure how much longer we can hold them off on our own. Things are starting to get rough in this section of the city." General Tao pressed for answers on the aid of Apollo. He knew the prince did not like the man but for the sake of the thousands of lives in the zone they stood in they would need the aid sooner rather than later.

"Yes, he'll be here any time within the next few days with aid. He already swore we'd have it so if he backs out on me it's just another reason for me to put that man six feet under." Prince Clyde's face held a sarcastic smile.

Listening to their conversation, Gunner stood in silence as he wondered what was going on at the southern wall. From the words they were speaking he could only assume that things were not going well in the southern parts of the safety zone. After they were done talking however him and Clyde took to heading in the direction of the southern wall. He was surprised that the prince would allow him to follow but it was simply that the man was not willing to part with him so easily. Prince Clyde was not willing to let the man out of his sight when there was the risk of beasts breaking down the southern wall of the safety zone. If he had to choose between the fate of Gunner or the fate of the survivors with no other option given to him than he would abandon it all to run away with the man he loved.