82 Prince Haelan?
"What are you doing? Haelan?", Atrius called presuming that they are running out of time. Jac could probably be on the way to Achelous any moment from now. However, he understands how important the hilt for Haelan is - that she would even risk her life just to get it.
"Searching..." Haelan hushed Atrius as she focus. Within the area, fires burning can be heard with splashes of waters all around. People continued to yell for help, frightened ladies are screaming in fear, and burnout men working hand in hand. The knights in armors continued to run around, keeping Brandenburg in order... until another explosion was heard nearby.
"That's our last call, Haelan", Atrius worriedly said. "We really have to go", he pleaded.
Reaching the end of the hallway, Haelan stopped as she sense the dark aura that she's incisively tailing. As she turn her back, she saw a man in a brass armor - standing tall with piercing eyes oozing with dark vibe.
"The man of the hour. Haelan, or should I say... Prince Haelan?", General Rowan greeted as he stood alone in the middle of the hallway.
"Prince? Have the General gone blind?", Haelan squinted at the General's remark. Then, she pocketed her hand to wear the obsidian bracelet she took from Lord Harlan's chancery.
"Hmm? My my... The rumors are true, you are indeed a traveler. Son of Silvius, descendant of Tris", Rowan spitted with a sense of disgust as he notice the physical changes that have come into Haelan's being. "I'm quite sure you didn't look this way before", he added.
Atrius stood on guard and held the hilt of his sword. He thought, the mere presence of General Rowan, despite alone, can do nothing but absolute harm.
"Tch tch", Rowan clicked his tongue as he warn Atrius from drawing his blade. "I wouldn't dare do that, boy", he said with intimidation. Atrius halted as he clenched his jaw. General Rowan is believed to be one of the greatest knights this kingdom has ever found. He have mastered his skills, that he has been known for his deadly energy hits even from a distance. He's the general of the warriors, after all.
"Son of Silvius, you say? I guess the General have mistaken me from someone else. I am the child of Gaius from Caluso", Haelan said.
"Oh! You didn't know? Poor boy. It must have come up as a surprise to you. No apologies, that it has to come from me", Rowan smirked as he continue to mock Haelan.
"Give me my hilt back, and no one gets hurt, General", Haelan ignored Rowan's attempts on getting onto her nerves as she draw near.
"What a practical banter!", Rowan laughed sarcastically. "I know the likes of you. You shan't even cut a skin much more, kill. It's simply the balance of the travelers, is it not? You heal, but shouldn't kill. How terribly weak!", Rowan said with a smirk.
"You do not know what I can do", Haelan said as she fix her eyes on Rowan. "I said, give me back my hilt', she's getting infuriated in annoyance.
"You mean... this?", Rowan scoffed as he pulled out the hilt tugged from his waist. "You hold so much importance on this rubbish, when you do not know what this was exactly for", Rowan said.
"What do you mean?", Haelan asked.
"Well, let me tell you a story, if you are all ears", Rowan grinned. "This hilt was once a mystical wielder owned by the one and only, then, Prince Silvius. The same exact sword that murdered your entire clan of soul travelers. It's the only sword that could vanquish soul travelers, especially the dark ones. Prince Silvius adore your kind to the point he destroyed the only weapon that can be used to end the parasites like you", Rowan continued. "I'm surprised that you hold on to this, when the blood of your kind was shed because of this", he lifted up the dragon hilt and grazed it with his thumb.
"Lies", Atrius whispered. "King Silvius hates healer soul travelers", he answered Rowan.
"Not all people are what they seem, stupid boy.", Rowan said as he gritted his teeth.
"Why would I believe you?", Haelan asked as she shook her head.
"Because it's the truth", Rowan lifted his brows are Haelan. "The sword lost its blade when the delusional and rebellious Prince Silvius decided to break it, and chose to save his pregnant lover, Tris, and even let her escape with nothing but a hilt… It's like… showing his father that he doesn't approve of killing parasites like you… pesky travelers", Rowan said as he walk near the open arched window. "So if this is what you want, it's yours. It's useless anyway", Rowan carelessly threw the hilt out of the window.
Surprised, Haelan watched her hilt flew out of the window. She knows that the hilt, despite broken, isn't totally futile with the use of her powers. As she was about to run towards it, General Rowan drew his sword from his back and parried an energy blow towards Haelan. Swiftly, Atrius managed to draw his sword and block Rowan's energy attack as he push Haelan away. Mortally injured on the chest, Atrius slid back up as he fall on his one knee.
"Atrius!!", Haelan rushed towards Atrius who's bleeding the life out of him. Seeing Rowan's powers, Haelan realized that both of them cannot stand a chance against him.
"I'm fine", Atrius gasped. "You should go, I'll distract him", he weakly said as he struggle to get up. Haelan placed Atrius' arm over her shoulder as they face the invincible General.
Rowan returned his sword back on his sheath behind him as he stare at them both with glistening eyes. "Here's what I can offer you, boy. You see, I'm quite feeling generous at this moment", he said seeing that the warriors in front of him are no match for abilities. "How about... go with me peacefully, and I'll let your weak friend live.", Rowan smirked. He needs Haelan alive to extract the power of turning back the time.
Haelan swallowed a lump as she secured Atrius behind her. Atrius clung onto her with his bloody hands as he struggle to stand. "Haelan, don't you dare", he said as his face turn pale.
In silence, Haelan looked fixedly at the proud General. Her lips trembled at every breath. "Sorry General Rowan, things won't go your way this time", she said as she lift her hands and swirled them in the air reversing the hands of time.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<REWIND<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< p>
"What's this for?", Atrius asked as he fix his grip on the scepter.
With droplets of sweat on her forehead, Haelan opened her eyes to a new reality after turning back the time. She found herself and an unwounded Atrius in Lord Harlan's chancery where they were taking hold of the scepter and the obsidian bracelet.
It was then she knew what she had to do.
"Haelan?", Atrius squinted his eyes as he watch Haelan approach the door like a cat. She quietly walked towards the doorway, and waited until General Rowan come into picture.
As she sense the dark aura coming forth, Haelan didn't think twice as she call the strongest gust of winds taking General Rowan by surprise. She pinned Rowan on the wall, knocking him senseless. "Atrius, get the hilt!", Haelan told her friend who seemed shook up.
Atrius stood stupefied at Haelan's sudden yet accurate attack on the general. "Ahh, yes", he braved the winds and hurriedly took Haelan's hilt and moved to the side. Then, Haelan tossed Rowan to the other end of the hallway before leaving Brandenburg for Achelous.