"HOLD THE LINE!"
Explosions of magic and the clash of steel roared across the front lines where Arcadia defended itself against Eidolan and the demon forces supporting them.
Aris moved skillfully, slashing and thrusting his blade into enemy knights. His eyes scanned the battlefield rapidly, studying movements and reading the direction of incoming attacks.
A strike from behind was quickly blocked. He twisted his body and delivered a hard kick to the opposing knight's torso.
His breathing grew heavy from exhaustion, and enemies kept coming without pause.
"Damn it!"
Aris's eyes widened instantly. He dropped low, narrowly avoiding a swift slash that almost severed his neck from behind. He rolled forward to create distance.
"Impressive reflexes, Sir. Few can avoid my blade like that."
One of Eidolan's knight commanders stepped forward. Fael, leader of the Fifth Kingdom's knight division.
Aris let out a bitter laugh. "So this is how it is? After Aven is gone, you just follow your trash king's orders even though you know he's wrong? Pathetic for a knight as strong as you."
Fael burst into laughter.
"Oh please, why does everyone keep saying Aven? My lord, he is dead. Stop dragging his name around or he will not rest peacefully."
"Our king's command is absolute. No one dared oppose him except Aven, and now that he is gone we have no other choice. Besides, the king offered something worthwhile for all of us knights."
He smiled. "Why should we refuse?"
Aris shook his head "So you remain a servant dog?" He spat to the side
"Disgusting."
Fael's eyes darkened. "Do not compare our lives to yours. You are King Cain's son. Your life is secure. And us? We are nothing. Just lucky men who became knights."
"Our lives were never as easy as yours, heir of a kingdom."
He shook his head "We have no choice but to follow the king's orders to survive."
Fael smiled faintly, his gaze empty.
"I know Krai is wrong. But I have no other option. If I had power and my life was secure, do you think I would live like this?"
Aris tightened his grip on his sword, unsure what to say. "I am sorry your days have been so heavy."
Fael shrugged.
"It is not your fault. Fate is unfair."
He lunged at Aris, swinging his sword. Steel rang loudly as Aris blocked the strike.
"Duty is duty. Forgive me, Sir."
Fael kicked Aris hard, sending him flying backward, then bombarded him with sharp ice magic.
Aris swung his sword, cutting through every shard of ice flying toward him. He dashed to the side, avoiding the relentless assault.
"How long will you keep running?"
Fael raised his hand toward the sky.
"Ice Cubes."
Dozens of magic circles formed above, dropping massive blocks of ice onto Aris's position.
One by one, Aris avoided them. The ground cracked and trembled violently as the ice blocks smashed into it.
He ran in zigzag patterns to evade the falling ice.
"Got you!" He appeared from the left and swung his blade.
"Too bad" Fael dodged and slashed upward.
Aris froze as he realized his sword had been knocked from his hand.
BAM!
A heavy punch struck his cheek, sending him crashing to the ground. A blade pointed directly at his face.
"Surrender your kingdom and I will spare your life and your father's."
"In your dreams." Aris swept Fael's leg while he was off guard, knocking him down.
He immediately stood and ran toward the palace protected by the barrier. As he ran, his eyes scanned the battlefield, watching his knights fall one by one, overwhelmed by numbers.
Aris shouted.
"RETREAT! WE HOLD THEM FROM INSIDE!"
His voice echoed across the battlefield. In seconds, Arcadia's knights withdrew into the kingdom.
Fael rose and chased after him.
"Where do you think you are going? We are not finished."
Aris avoided another slash. He stopped to kick Fael back, but his leg was caught.
Fael pulled him down and slammed him into the ground.
"Agh!"
"We are not done. If you are truly a man, finish what you started."
Fael threw him again.
Repeated impacts made Aris's head spin. He yanked his captured leg with force, pulling Fael forward.
Aris kicked Fael's face, breaking free. He rolled backward, stood up, and ran into the barrier's protection.
His breathing was ragged. Knights supported him, helping him remain upright.
Outside, Fael wiped the blood from his nose and stared at Arcadia thoughtfully.
A demon commander appeared beside him.
Gin.
"Fael, what now?"
"Can you destroy that barrier?"
"I can."
Fael pointed forward "Do it. Once it falls, my troops will storm in. Support us with magic."
Gin smiled "Understood."
He spread his wings and rose into the sky.
Both hands extended forward. A purple magic circle formed in his palms.
"Limit Breaker Technique Three: The Light Disappears."
A violet beam shot out, striking the barrier protecting Arcadia with devastating force.
The explosion created violent winds that threw Aris and the knights inside the kingdom. The mages maintaining the barrier were blown away and collapsed unconscious.
Aris coughed as he slowly opened his eyes. His ears rang. Blood trickled from his forehead.
He forced himself up.
Arcadia's main gate was shattered. Knights staggered to their feet, barely steady.
One knight beside him spoke hesitantly.
"L Lord Aris… forgive me, but…" He paused.
"It is impossible for us to win or even
endure."
Aris let out a long, frustrated breath.
"I know."
Fael raised his hand "ADVANCE!"
He charged through the dust toward Arcadia. His soldiers followed.
Gin signaled his troops to begin bombarding the kingdom with magic.
The demons unleashed their spells without hesitation.
Aris looked forward at Fael and his approaching forces, then up at the dozens of spells ready to fall upon them.
"So this is it…"
BOOM!
The spells exploded in the sky.
Fael slowed to a stop, his troops halting behind him. His eyes narrowed.
"What…?"
Aris, kneeling, slowly lifted his head. His eyes sparkled as he saw the figure standing before him.
"When did I ever teach you to kneel in surrender like that?" Aven glanced back with a faint smile.
"Aven…" Fael muttered.
"Aven? You… are still alive?"
Aven snorted. "Of course I am alive."
He extended his hand "Get up. I never taught you to kneel in despair."
Aris smiled and stood with Aven's help.
"You came ba–"
His words were cut off when Aven punched him hard in the stomach. Aris staggered back but did not fall.
"You have gotten weaker. Looks like I need to train you again."
Aris smiled "Please."
Aven stepped forward, revealing himself fully to Fael and Eidolan's forces.
Fael stared sharply "I thought you were dead."
Aven laughed "Me? Dead? Zain could never kill me. And you, Fael, even less."
Fael grinned "We shall see."
Aven pulled a sword from the ground beside him "Keep dreaming."
Fael hesitated for a brief moment when meeting Aven's eyes, then raised his hand, ordering his troops to advance together.
Gin, still hovering in the air, watched carefully. For a moment, fear crept into his chest upon seeing Aven's arrival.
"SUPPORT WITH MAGIC!" he shouted to his forces.
Once more, he stared at Aven.
"This human will become a problem."