Endrian watched as the two priestesses decimated four of the city guards in the same time it took for his mothers to kill one. It was so fast that even with his enhanced eyesight it was hard to follow. Esalana killed the guard that looked like a wolverine as well as the squad leader that looked like a black bear. Gisvae killed the two on the right one looked like a squirrel and the other looked like an otter. She crushed whatever limb or attack came her way with those brutal mace weapons and then crushed their skulls. The one left most intact was the one that three of his mothers had killed that had looked like a snake. It was shocking and disturbing. He couldn’t help but flinch at the wound Esalana gave the first guard.

He heard Esalana say to keep moving and he heard some retching of gagging coming from one of his sisters. Looking at them he could see that they were all affected by what they had just seen. It made Endrian wonder why he didn’t feel anything about those deaths. It was hard to understand and now was not the time to ponder it so he put it to the back of his mind and moved on.

As they started to move out he picked up a spear from the fallen guard and then said, “We should take that one,” pointing to the guard that was killed by his mothers. The others looked at where he was pointing and then looked at him like he was speaking a different language.

“If it’s not a burden then bringing one along so we can see the mark and study it would be helpful,” he said.

Esalana nodded her head and Ratrece went over and picked up the dead body with one hand. Interestingly the bodies of the dead weren’t reverting back to their human form so Ratrece just grabbed its elongated neck and dragged it along. Which was another level of disturbing all on its own.

After Ratrece had recovered the body they quickly started moving. At this time Esalana decided to make this into a lesson. “Endrian, this is exactly why I always tell you to watch your stances. If I hadn’t been set when the squad leader came at me with the angle of her attack at the best I would have been wounded and worst she would have cleaved me in half. Now tell me what was wrong with her attack?”

“Is this really the best time to be giving out lessons?” Endrian asked with a slightly petulant tone.

“Of course it is, it’s the best time. Now, answer the question.” She responded firmly and with some joviality.

Endrian went silent as he thought about it. It was so fat and she only made one attack and then she was dead. After thinking about it he said, “The only thing I can think is that her timing was just slightly off.”

Esalana didn’t look back but you could hear the smile when she responded. “Well that’s true if she had been just a little quicker she might have caught me before I was set. But that wasn’t the only problem. What she did was underestimate her opponent and not plan for a backup if the attack missed.” She paused to for a second and then continued. “If it were me I would have had an elemental attack on my knee, or better yet bent my knees while attacking so I could respond faster. It would have lessened the power of the attack and wouldn’t have been aimed at a fatal area but it would have been harder to avoid and I could have jumped if necessary. So, remember that when you attack don’t assume that your attack will hit or that it will kill. Always leave yourself a way to retreat.”

Endrian listened carefully and what she said made sense to him. As he looked around he could see some of the adults nodding their head as well. He noticed that his sisters seemed like they were in shock and weren’t really comprehending anything but they were moving with the group. Sighing to himself he thought ‘They are going to need some help coping with this. Hmm, I’m probably not one to talk. Hell, I may even be worse off considering my lack of feelings.’

By this time they had made it halfway to the academy and so far they hadn’t run into any more guards. There were, however, lots of people moving through the streets. Some were carrying unconscious children others were in their combat forms and moving in tight groups heading to their destination as quickly as they could. Looking around he found that no matter where he looked he couldn’t see any guards. Most people were rushing perpendicular to their path heading to what Endrian assumed was their designated flying ships. There was a lot more panic here than in his old village. He even saw what looked like a small child that was lying on the ground its body twisted as part of it had tried to transform but neither side could be determined as anything he had ever seen before. He assumed it was a child based on the size and what was left of the clothes. The look of excruciating pain would probably haunt his dreams for many years, if not the rest of his life.

When he saw this he made sure to place his body between the corpse and Ethese so that she wouldn’t be able to see it. It was the first time he had seen a failed transformation and he hoped it was the last time he ever saw it. The adults shook their heads. Fortunately, his sisters were still too dazed from their earlier experience to notice what everyone was looking at.

After a little bit of time, they could finally see the academy. Unfortunately, there was another guard squad between them and the academy.

Esalana hefted her weapons and said in an excited voice “Endrian, pay attention and make sure you learn something this time. Everyone ready!” Without waiting for a response she moved forward slightly to give herself some room to maneuver with Gisvae and Vanya not far behind.

The girls huddled around Davian who was like a rock in the center of the children. Endrian had moved in front to watch the fight because he knew that Esalana would make him regret it if he didn’t pay attention.

As soon as Esalana engaged the first guard who appeared to be the squad leader and looked like a lioness Davian shouted out, “Ware!!!” At the same time, he moved his shield to protect Etopha and Lisyth.

A moment after Davian shouted ‘ware’ Allyce shouted “Ambush! Front-left upper tree!” Which was quickly followed by a staccato of metal ringing on metal coming from Davian’s shield.

When the sound of Davian’s shield sounded out Shyael shouted “Second, right-rear, ground.” a twang could be heard as she fired her bow. Endrian turned around and saw that she had launched 5 arrows at the squad so quickly that it sounded like one long twang coming from the bow. Less than a second later a wall of dirt about a foot thick and 2 meters high appeared in a semi-circle around the children covering the right rear. Moments after the wall appeared dull sounds could be heard from it indicating that something like arrows had just hit the wall.

It was chaotic and hard for Endrian to keep up with everything. In just a couple of seconds, they had been attacked from three different directions. Endrian then heard his father say “They’re aiming for the children.”

Esalana dispatched her opponent quickly and then moved back while shouting “Retreat!”

Allyce was supporting Vanya and moved so quickly that Endrian couldn’t follow her at all. Vanya was defending and tying up their opponent when that person, who looked like a black panther, started having blood spurt out from many wounds on her body. After which Vanya and Allyce both withdrew and moved to cover the kids. Gisvae shattered the weapon of her opponent and then withdrew as well.

Ratrece had her two-handed war-hammer on her shoulder and was supporting Shyael. Everyone was moving toward them and they were covering the right-rear of the group. The squad that was in the tree had three people drop down trying to land inside their group. Allyce saw this and called out, “Shyael, three falling easy.”

At Allyce’s words, Shyael turned and fired her bow again. In less than a second 6 arrows were sent out to the three people that had just jumped out of the tree. One of the guards blocked an arrow to the heart but then took the second one in the eye. Another shifted in the air but the arrows shifted with her and it was so unexpected that she took an arrow in the heart and one in the throat. Endrian wasn’t sure who moved the arrows but whoever did it, did it skillfully. The last guard managed to block one the arrows and then shifted at the last second only taking a graze to the shoulder. She looked like a red panda but her fur was brown and blue.

Esalana and the others had made it back to the group and Esalana said, “Let’s move we can’t fight them here there are too many sides to protect.” Everyone started moving as quickly as they could towards the rear-left away from the squads. Ratrece even managed to pick up the body of the slain guard that she had dropped for the fight.

They had retreated about 100 meters with the other squads moving in and harassing them as they moved. Esalana and everyone was looking for a place where they could slow them down or block them. Unfortunately, the city was designed with an open layout with trees being homes and no real walls or alleys so even though they threw up some dirt walls it did nothing to slow them down. There were the tree homes around them but if they stayed in the one then that would give more time for additional guards to arrive and wouldn’t let them escape like they needed.

When Endrian realized that the guards were keeping up easily he understood that it was him and the other children who were slowing everyone down. Zakoya was the only one able to offer any kind of assistance to the adult at the moment because she could shoot her bow, but she couldn’t generate the power that her mother could so the guards either dodged the arrow or batted it away easily.

“We need to separate,” Endrian said.

“No!” Both priestesses, Davian, and his mom’s all said at the same time.

“I know, but they are targeting us and we are slowing you down. If we are the targets then you can hit them when they come for us, and if they are just using us then we have a chance to escape and you can fight unhindered.” Endrian tried to explain to them.

Esalana spoke up after blocking another attack, “It makes sense, and we can’t keep this up forever.”

Vanya blocked another attack and said, “Fine, but Davian goes with you. You need someone to protect you and he is excellent on defense.”

With that decision made Davian said, “Alright, let’s go.” Before anyone could make a move though he suddenly yelled “Shit!” Raising his shield he caught the impact of a massive war-hammer on his shield that dropped him to a knee. At the same time, four more guard women landed in the middle of their group.

Ratrece who hadn’t been doing much fighting as she was leading the way turned and threw the guards body at the newly arrived enemies. She managed to catch two of them and knock them down. Shyael shot both of the ones that fell. Allyce turned and went after one that was still standing and making an attack at Elva. She moved as fast as she could but she couldn’t make it in time.

To Endrian it was like time went into slow motion. He could see that Elva looked dazed and was trying to figure out what was happening. At the same time, he could see the guard falling with her sword pointed right at Elva. Endrian wanted to move but he couldn’t he wanted to shout but knew it was too late. He watched as the sword slid into her upper chest and down through her heart. He could see the shock in Elva’s eyes as she started to register what had happened. It was a look he would never be able to forget no matter how much he tried.

Dimly he heard screams of no and sorrow. A second later his mother was there and she hit the guard so hard and fast that it was like the guard's body exploded. Vanya saw what happened and rushed to her daughter catching her before she hit the ground. The pain and anguish on Vanya’s face was impossible to describe fully.

Ratrece had engaged the last one standing in their midst before any more damage could be done. Still, it was too little too late. Endrian was shell-shocked. Ethese who had been holding his hand ran over to her older sister and mother. She was bawling as she ran towards her sister. In another part of Endrian’s mind, he understood that the fight was still going on. There were now 12 guards that had caught up to them and we laying into Esalana and Gisvae, Davian was fighting another one inside their group and Ratrece was fighting the last one.

He saw Elva raising her hand up to touch her mother, with sadness and pain and fear in her eyes. Then her hand fell and blood seeped out of her mouth. Vanya let out a pained scream as she cradled her daughter. While Ethese tugged on her sister's hand saying her sister's name.

It was at this point that something snapped in him. All the pain, the sorrow, the helplessness that he felt he balled it up and turned it into anger and rage. A part of his mind was coldly analytical but what drove him was rage and wrath. He hefted the spear he had taken from the guards earlier and launched himself at the guard fighting his father. He didn’t think about the steps that needed to occur just the result he wanted to see which was to kill the guard in front of him. He moved the cold part of his mind watching the movements of the guard and his father. As he moved the air resistance lessened, the ground shifted, the gravity increased, and his mana circulated quickly allowing him to use all of his power extremely efficiently. All of these little details were happening but Endrian was oblivious to it all as his mind focused exclusively on his goal. Unknowingly he started to emit a strong killing intent.

He timed his attack to coincide with one of his father's attacks. Coming from behind the guard he launched his attack it was aimed at the low back where a kidney would be. The guard couldn’t look back but the metal armor on the guards back shifted slightly to reinforce the area that he was aiming towards. At this moment his dad shoved forward with his shield to force the guard off balance. Endrian took advantage of this and shifted his aim up so that the spear was at an almost 45-degree angle to the ground. It was able to slide right above the reinforced area and into the guard's heart. Coupled with the shove from his father the guard toppled back towards Endrain who planted the butt of his spear and then slammed her as hard as he could into the ground. Breakin the guards head, neck, and her shoulder.

“Bitch!!” Endrian screamed in English as he slammed her down.

After removing his spear, that had slightly bent from the force, he turned and looked at his dad not saying anything as he used metal mana to repair the spear in his hands. Davian had a pained and angry expression as he knew what happened but didn’t have time to do anything. Ratrece and Shyael were able to take care of the last guard in their formation but the rest of the guards had already caught up. Esalana was being pressured and had multiple wounds on her. Gisvae was not doing much better.

Vanya stood with her dead daughter in her hands. Sorrow etched across her face as she carried her to Davian. “Take her and the children and go.” The loss that colored the tone of what she said was simply terrifying. Davian took Elva in the crook of his shield arm holding her like a baby despite her almost adult growth. He stretched out his hand and touched Vanya’s face looking deep into her eye while saying “Kill them all.”

Her eyes turned hard and she nodded and turned running into the group of guards that were being held off by Shyaels arrows, and the impressive display of skill by Esalana and Gisvae. Allyce with a pale face turned and followed tightly behind Vanya with a hollow look in her eyes.

Endrian was still filled with anger but he knew being reckless would just cause more suffering. He reached out his hand to Ethese who still had tears streaming down her face and held her hand. She was still crying but gripped his hand tightly.

“I know you’re sad Ethese, but it’s not over. You don’t have to think just hold on to my hand and keep up.” Endrian said as he tried to comfort her a little but anger tinged his voice and it came out harsh even to his ears. Still, she nodded showing she was listening.

Davian started to move and Endrian followed behind him at a trot with Zakoya, Etopha, and Lisyth trailing behind him. All of them had tears in their eyes and were gritting their teeth just trying to make it through.

“Dad I think we need to do something different. The guards know where we are going they have set one ambush and may have others. I think we need to get to a safer and more defensible location than the city.” Endrian said that but he wasn’t sure where they could go. There was a cliff on one side and imposing mountains that stretched up so high you couldn’t see the tops on the other sides.

“Let’s head to the mountains on the east side of the city. Your mothers told me about some caves there when they were exploring the area for wood and animals to hunt and the trees and bushes are dense so we should be able to lose anyone that tries to follow us,” Davian said.

Turning they started moving quickly towards the east side of the city as quickly as they could.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

During the time that Endrian and his family were fighting their way through the city, Isahlane had arrived at her quarters and took out a blue communication crystal. This crystal was specifically attuned to a communication with the Prelate of the Church of Azmera. She thought to herself ‘I can finally complete this task. I can’t believe that I wasn’t able to get that boy to go to the church prior to this. If it weren’t for the fact that we have to please him and not alienate him I would have just taken him and been done with. But Noo. I have to play nursemaid to this spoiled and arrogant little boy.’

Sighing to herself she activated the communication crystal. She only waited a brief moment before she heard a cold and imperious voice say “Report.”

“Esteemed Prelate I have some good news and some bad news.” She quickly related the issues with the controlled guards and the plans that they had made on how to escape. The Prelate asked a few questions to get a general sense of the situation and how Endrian was viewing the church and the priestesses.

After going over the details and her understanding the Prelate said, “Excellent! Make sure you make no mistakes we cannot lose this important tool to help our churches regain our power. I will send some ships with some high priestesses and their guards to meet up with you on your way. If all goes well you will be greatly rewarded for this service.”

Right at this moment, the citywide announcement sounded out. Isalahne quickly said, “Prelate we may have a complication here. For some reason, a citywide announcement just went out saying that an attack will be coming and that everyone is supposed to head to their designated escape ships. This was not our plan. I’m not sure what’s going on.”

Hearing this the Prelate responded “I will contact some of our people in the royal guard and see what’s going on. For now, proceed as you were and keep this communication crystal on you I will contact you with details.” After which the communication ended

Smiling to herself she thought ‘Goddess please help us out. I can’t stand to be in this goddess forsaken backwater anymore. I need to get back to true civilization.’ After her silent prayer, she gathered some things from her opulent room including weapons and her armor. Then she headed for the ship that Chiyo was getting ready.

Not long after she left her room she arrived at the ship. She could see some of the academy staff and students working on the ship. They were loading various supplies such as some food, tents, and bedding as well as weapons.

Isalahne found Chiyo. “Chiyo,” she called out. When Chiyo turned and saw her, Isalahne asked “I thought we weren’t going to notify anyone before we escaped. What happened? Also, is it wise to bring so many people with us?”

“I am not the one that made the decision to announce an attack. Not to mention that I have no information about any attack only that we have a bunch of controlled people.” She responded tersely and quietly before continuing. “I have also checked all of these people personally and found no mark on them that could be viewed as a symbol or glyph. Plus having these people with us will help if we run into problems.”

Nodding her head, Isalahne gave her agreement about the extra people. It was at this time Aubrin arrived. She was decked out in some impressive looking armor with a shield and a wicked looking one-handed war-hammer. Strapped to her back was a pack with some of her things and an impressive looking spear.

Aubrin quickly arrived next to them and asked “What the hell happened? I thought this was supposed to be quick and quiet.”

Chiyo gave a helpless smile and responded, “I’m not sure what happened I have been here checking the crew and getting the provisions for the ship ready so we could leave quickly.”

Isalahne could see Amalee on the ship checking off items as they were brought on board. Aanys wasn’t seen but was probably already on the ship.

It wasn’t long before the last of the supplies were brought on board. Isalahne was standing next to Chiyo watching everything that was going on. It was almost time to depart but Endrian and his family, as well as the two priestesses, were not back yet. Chiyo looked at Isalahne and asked, “Can you think of a reason why there would be an announcement of an attack?”

Isalahne had been standing next to Chiyo pondering that exact question. “I can think of a few reasons but the end result doesn’t make sense unless they think they can get a bunch of their controlled people into other cities in the confusion. However, even that is very short-sighted. The main reason I can think of is to create fear and chaos in the city but I’m not sure to what end.” It was at this time that her communication crystal started buzzing. She quickly pulled it out and activated it.

The voice of the Prelate sounded out “Isalahne I have found out what’s going on. The royal army has been dispatched to your location as well as the larger cities around you. They have received multiple reports from multiple cities about insurgents infiltrating the cities and causing chaos and starting a war against the royal family. I passed on the information you have given me but I’m not sure if they will listen. They did give permission for us to send a couple of ships with the royal army through the space passage to retrieve you for questioning. However, you are going to have to comply with the royal army when they arrive. I will do what I can to press the information about Endrian which should give us some more leverage. For now, do not try to escape.”

Isalahne gave a hollow “I understand,” and then the communication crystal went silent.

Chiyo had a horrified look on her face. “Oh! My! Goddesses! This is so much bigger than I thought.”

Isalahne had a shell-shocked look on her face and could only nod in agreement and horror. The fear of the unknown filling her.

It was at this time that a large vessel appeared in the sky. A huge voice sounded out from the vessel saying “All citizens and guards return to your homes and await further instructions. This city is under martial law. Anyone found trying to escape will be killed on site for the crime of treason against the queens.”