The Final Battle Begins

When the Hyperionite Steed had returned from a patrol to make sure that no aid was coming to the joint host of the Cambyses Empire and the Ulgen Khanate, no one would have ever expected that a false Hyperionite Steed had ridden through that gate with the symbol of a horse painted upon it. Lupus Khan had promised all the citizens that they would not be harmed and proclaimed that when all was over Ascanius would rule Hyperion, but alas, Leo had declared that if he must lose the throne of Hyperion then Hyperion would burn!

So it was, that Leo's soldiers proceeded to burn the city that was their home, even trapping citizens that were their friends and family indoors so that they might burn to death. They fought against the joint forces of the Cambyses Empire and the Ulgen Khanate and even Hyperionites who had sworn loyalty to Ascanius and when the true Hyperionite Steed returned, it seemed as if victory might have belonged to a burning Hyperion.

Then came a moment that caused everyone to stop what they were doing. Pardus and his panther Hector, outnumbered twelve to two, were slain. To some it might have been anti-climatic, but that was life. When Acinonyx heard of his brother's death, he knew all was hope for victory was lost and so he made his way to the palace where Rowena was being kept with the rest of the royal family and their court.

Seeing her false husband, her abductor, Rowena glared and began to speak when the Crown Prince of Hyperion grabbed her by the arm and said: "We are leaving here, my wife. I will be the founder of a new city you will be the dam of a new ling of kings and you shall never see your beloved Falco ever again!" Thus was Rowena dragged from the palace, hearing Leo's made ranting as he approached Pasiphae and their infant son.