(This is a Joint Post Starring: TheLoneGentleman and Cinia Pacifica.)
Suddenly a burst of fire flew at Alma and Charlotte forcing them to retreat next to Emma. Leona ran, and stood next to Nero to cover him. Zhou and Fenfang dashed out in front to lend their support, but mainly to protect their queen.
“Sorry we took so long,” said Leona. “The commons are clear, we’re ready to move on with the plan.” As Leona entered the area her spirit form was canceled. “What is this?” she asked.
“Move back, your Majesty - your spiritual energy may be negated even further here,” Louise stated, warning her apparent Queen. She then looked back towards her opponents, not quite certain how to deal with the situation. All she could conclude with certainty was that the stain in her dress was making her agitated with each passing moments.
“Yes,” answered Leona as she moved back away from the representatives.
Arkasia breathed a sigh of relief. With Nero down, she wasn’t sure how much longer they would have lasted if they didn’t show up.“It’s a relief to see you, my Queen,” said Arkasia as she stood next to the royal guard ready to continue the fight.
Alma and Charlotte looked at each other before taking off with Emma into the royal section of the city.
“Dammit! After them!” yelled Arkasia,
Louise sighed deeply. “Haaah, I really need a new dress. May I go home and get changed real quick, my Queen?” Louise said, glaring at her injury.
Leona looked at her with a blank stare. “What? You are worried about that at a time like this? What about your wound?!”
“Of course, the dress makes the lady,” Louise replied - as she walked past the Queen - instantly without a spec of hesitation. Dumbfounded that Leona IV didn’t think the same. “Oh? This?” Louise asked, pointing at her wound after turning to face her. “I intend to provide medication before I change.”
“We kinda need you now don’t you think?” said Arkasia turning to watch Louise walk away.
“You do? I believe my spellcasting squad is good enough, for now. I’ll be back after I… uh, change and bandage this annoying little wound,” Louise answered, frowning at her tarnished dress, not quite affected by the cut itself. She started casting her teleportation spell regardless of the stares and replies she received. Not willing to listen, she’d take leave to get a spare change of clothes regardless.
Arkasia was blown away by the sheer lack of responsibility shown by Louise. Her opinion of the woman was beginning to change. “Ignore her, lets press our advantage while we still have one to speak of!” said Arkasia. Two soldier ran up to her, and saluted.
“Orders, sir?” said one of them.
“Take Nero to the healers, and get him taken care of,” she said before turning to Nero. “You fought well, we will take it from here.” Nero knew he was in no shape to refuse, but he couldn’t help but feel useless
“Yes sir,” he answered as the two soldiers came to both side of him. Nero kept pressure on his wound as he was helped off the bridge, and back to the commons. Arkasia looked out to the forest. She hoped that Owain’s unit was at least still alive.
“The rest of you follow me! We move to take the royal sector!” order Arkasia raising her sword into the air. Her army cheered behind her as they moved to follow her command.
The royal sector was all but empty save for a few soldiers here and there. Arkasia expected to find an entire force here ready to fight, but all she found were ransacked buildings and trashed streets. Still on her guard, Arkasia kept her swords drawn as her eyes darted back and forth to each window, and doorway. The ambushes she expected never came.
“Half of you spread out, and check every building. Report back if you find anything of interest,” ordered Arkasia. “The rest of you are with me. We will clear the castle.” The knights divided up the groups, and moved out to follow orders. Leona, Zhou, and Fenfang walked cautiously with Arkasia’s group towards the castle.
The walk there was uneventful aside from a few soldiers that had literally lost their minds, and were wandering the down spouting nonsense. Arkasia had her men put them out of their misery just to shut them up. As they reached the castle, the looked in at the front doors broken in. Upon entering the stone caste they saw ashes blanketing the floor.
Zhou kneeled down taking some of the ashes between his fingers.
“Fenfang, this is the same as the figures in Masario town,” said Zhou. His voice was deeper than his appearance showed. Fenfang walked over and took a look.
“Then there might be more of them around here. We need to check the rooms carefully.” replied Fenfang. Her voice was still that of a young girl.
“Then we will need to split into two groups,” said Arkasia. “One to clear the upper floors, and the other with me. We need to check on it still.”
“I will lead the group to clear the up floors. You can check on what you need to,”[/color] said Zhou as he rounded up his men.