Chapter 27- Rescue

As steel met flesh the first enemy was cut down by my sword. We held them back for nearly half an hour swinging our swords again and again. Blood pooled down the sides of the wall and covered me from head to toe. I gritted my teeth and kept on defending what was mine.

The first of them broke through our ranks making their way on top of the wall. This made an entryway for others to follow. The battle then continued atop the stones that protected our borders for centuries. These were the first enemy forces to make it this far past our defenses in a very long time. I watched out of the corner of my eye the way they fought against my guards. Once face to face these troops fought differently than the others we had first encountered at our camp. They were far more skilled and precise in each of their movements. They seemed to be moving faster and faster as I watched.

We tried to stand our ground but were soon overrun. We had to make our retreat to the watch tower and pray for a miracle. Images of those lost at Lossariel's post flooded my mind. I would not allow those monsters to dismantle us like that. I would fight until my last breath.

Our remaining numbers made their way into the watch tower. We locked the doors and barricaded ourselves in. The enemy pounded away trying to make their entrance to finish us off. I said a quick prayer to Mother Earth before steadying my sword. With Fraren and Sabasmus at my sides I said a few final words,

"No matter the outcome today, I am honored to have you two by my side and to be able to call each of you, my husband. Although shortly lived it has been some of the best moments of my life." I said with a tight lip smile. "I love you, both of you." I concluded.

Fraren gave my arm a warm squeeze saying, "I love you too Fanariel, it has been an honor to devote my life to you." he said sadly before returning his attention back to the wavering door boards.

Sabasmus looked at me grinning ear to ear.

"Well you sure look in good spirit considering our current predicament." I said curious to his actions.

"You really think I would let either of you die? After we were just married and have yet to even have our wedding night?" he laughed before continuing. "I've been stalling up until now so that my energy could re-balance itself. I am ready now, simply waiting for the right moment to strike." he said confidently.

"Do tell, when you might think the perfect time is. Would it be before or after my mental breakdown? I asked half joking half serious.

He dropped his sword to the side saying, "stand behind me."

We did as he instructed waiting in suspense. Just as the doors burst open Sabasmus put his wrist together spinning his hands close to his chest before pushing them forward towards the mass of soldiers in front of him. Bright flames swooshed from his palms engulfing the enemy. Those at the front turned to ash while those behind were caught on fire. He held his pose for nearly thirty seconds turning his body into a flame thrower taking the enemy by surprise.

They retreated briefly giving Sebby a chance to take a break. A few seconds passed before we heard worsening cries of agony. I took a step forward before Fraren stopped me.

"It could be a trap, let me take a look first," Fraren said taking the lead. He walked towards the chard doors stepping over the burnt corpses. Once he saw the scene unfolding outside the watch tower, he raised his sword in alarm. A gigantic black beast was tearing through the enemies forces outside. I quickly ran to join Fraren to see what he was seeing. The blue flames whizzed by in a blur. I knew immediately who it was.

"Asmodeus!" I yelled with excitement. He had come to save us! I watched in awe as he sliced effortlessly through his opponents. He winked at me before continuing on.

Movement from up above caught my eye. There was an eagle flying down lower. Mounted on top of the eagle I saw Asterion. He transformed into his Minotaur form jumping down before his eagle could land. He was dressed in his full battle amor ready to fight. The ground around his landing cracked.

"Asterion!" I yelled in excitement once more. He nodded at me before turning to charge into the crowd helping Asmodeus clear a path. I watched in awe for a moment before gathering my wits.

"Guard! Attack!" I yelled signaling those who were with me in the watch tower to rejoin the battle. At that moment I saw my father up above on his white dragon. His personal guard were in triangular formation on the rest of his collection. Following them the eagles flock we had sent over with reinforcements.

Father and his guard flew over the wall taking on the remainder of the army that were still on the ground. They ignited the battlefield sending the men scattering. The eagle troops picked off the enemies one by one from the wall. Their talons wrapped around them before sending them flying down to their deaths.

With Asmodeus and Asterion furiously barreling through the enemy, Fraren, Sabasmus, and I chopping them down with all our troops. We had the wall cleared within minutes. The troops all cheered raising their swords. We had done it; we had defeated the forces that dared to oppose us. I looked down as father finished off the army one by one. Within mere hours from start to finish we had handled an army numbering in 10,000 troops.

I was proud of us, little preparation had gone into this victory giving it was a surprise attack. But I had still handled it, that is of course with the help of my new husbands and my father.

I waited for father to return to further discuss matters. Surely, he would know more about who these men belonged to and what purpose they had for turning against us. We were peaceful people at heart. We haven't gone to war since before I was born. The people were happy, or so I thought.

"Fanariel," I heard calling my name drawing me from my gloomy thoughts.

"Asterion, your here!" I said happily spreading my arms to give his charging body a hug. He ran quickly over wrapping his arms around me and picking me up from the ground. He breathed in my scent not wanting to place me down.

"Asterion, I can't breathe," I said trying to laugh off his crushing force.

"I'm sorry," he said quickly placing me down.

I saw Asmodeus standing to the side staring down at the ground. He wasn't acting like his normal cocky self today. I wonder what had gotten to him.

"Asmodeus," I said approaching him, "is everything okay? You seem off today." I said with concern.

He looked up at me with flaming eyes that quickly smoldered to embers. I could sense great emotion coming from him. I hesitantly took a few steps closer to him testing it out. When he didn't act, I closed the space between us enveloping him in a hug. His whole body trembled slightly before slumping into mine and embracing me back. He kissed the top of my head stroking my hair lovingly.

"You don't know the turmoil I've been through over these last few days Fanariel. I had to find out from your father that you left to the border on a secret mission only to hear a few days later from a messenger that you were under siege. I fear if I didn't show up at the moment I did you would have..."

I stopped him from speaking placing my fingers to his lips. "But you did show up and that's all that matters." I said placing my forehead to his.

He closed his eyes inhaling deeply before saying, "you must promise to tell me from now on before you leave." He said sternly.

"I promise." I said reassuringly.

He took my word for it opening his eyes to look me over. "Your covered in blood, let's get you cleaned up." He said leading the way.

I followed him along with Asterion, Fraren, and Sebby. We all made our way to the bedrooms and bathing area set up for the emperor and their companions. Each of us took off our armor washing up and getting dressed in clean clothes. We then gathered in the conference room to reconvene with father.

We all sat around the table, father, my four husbands, and myself. Looking at them all I felt pride. These men were my strength, my comfort, and my heart. With them by my side I knew I could conquer anything this life had to throw at me. With that thought at mind I said,

"Where's Jaio-Long? Did he not come with y'all?" I asked in surprise realizing I indeed had five husbands.

The others looked at each other in confusion. Where was that man?