Part 1

Rayman sat atop his horse, trotting near King Xerath and his generals. They moved swiftly but couldn’t risk exhausting the horses to death. Kevin, Wolkin, and Billy trailed behind him, their armor slung over their saddles as the heat of the day was too hot to wear them.

Their attention turned to a rider approaching from the east.

“A scout?” Amira rode up next to him.

Sighing deeply, Rayman looked at her. “Probably.” he scratched his head.

Amira had insisted on coming. Her words, “I’m a physician. You will need my skills when the fighting is done.” She was right of course but Rayman still found it stressful to have her here. If anything were to happen to her, Erik would have his head. So to speak.

He had made it extremely clear to her that she was to stay as far away from the fighting as possible. Even then, Rayman couldn’t help but worry for her safety. But… she had insisted, her desire to see Erik again brought on little caution from her.

As the rider drew closer, however, Rayman squinted his eyes, realizing it wasn’t a scout but a young boy, not in uniform.

Xerath lifted his fist into the air, signaling the riders to halt. It took several minutes before Xerath commented on the identity of the boy.

“Henry?” he frowned. “Why is he out here?” he asked no one in particular.

Rayman did not know who Henry was but he was riding fast and headed straight for them. Whoever he was, he was looking for them.

“King Xerath!” the boy shouted as he came into range.

Xerath waved him to approach, urging his horse forward to meet him. Rayman pulled out from the group and followed behind the king.

“Stay here,” Rayman told Amira.

“King Xerath!” Henry shouted again, pulling on the reins and skidding to a halt. “Kyburn is in trouble. Unari is under attack as we speak.”

“We know,” Xerath said. “I separated from the main army with my horsemen in order to travel faster.”

“Please sir…” Henry paused, taking deep breaths. “There are thousands of them. At least ten, maybe more. They don’t have much time. I’m afraid they will be overrun within the hour.”

His eyes shone with the onsets of panic.

“Calm down, son.” Xerath held up a hand. “Speak clearly. The letter didn’t explain much. What are these Thrak? And did you really wake the Ancients?”

“Yes, sire.” Henry sucked in a breath of air, realizing his hastiness was barely coherent. “The Ancients call themselves Emarine. They are not what you think but that is for another time. The Thrak, we previously called the Prowlers, as the Historians dubbed them, they too are an ancient race of aliens. But unlike the Emarine, they are here to destroy us all.”

Rayman and Xerath glanced at each other, both thinking the same thing. “This boy was mad.”

“Henry…” Xerath pursed his lips in thought. “You know how this all sounds, right? Aliens... Emarine?”

Henry looked at them both as if he had explained himself perfectly. “Yes? Th-that doesn’t matter right now.” he shook his head. “Kyburn sent me to find you. We must hurry. They are all in danger and if the Thrak get through Unari, we won’t be able to stop them.”

“Is Erik in Unari?” Rayman butted in.

“Yes. He is fighting on the walls with Kyburn, Yvlana, and Lamir.” Henry looked at him.

“Who?” Rayman raised an eyebrow.

“The Emarine.” Henry looked frustrated that they weren’t getting him. “Yvlana and Lamir are the “Ancients” from the ruins.”

“I’m glad they are on our side then.” Xerath cut in, the urgency obvious. “Tell us all about it on the way. For now, we ride.”

Xerath raised his arm and shouted, “Advance!”

“A lot has happened, sire,” Henry said. “There was an enormous battle in Riqun and the Kligirian’s are fleeing to the safety to any stronghold.”

Xerath motioned for him to ride along with them, and Henry whipped his horse around in the direction he came as they began to move.

“What of Trygve?” Xerath asked. “Is he there as well?”

“Yes, sire,” Henry replied. “Along with his remaining soldiers from Riqun. Many Kligirian’s died along with our own. Captain Arne and a few others survived. Everything happened so quickly and the shock of seeing such creatures stunned us all. Though I am ashamed to admit it, I was not a part of the fight.”

“Don’t worry about that.” Xerath comforted him. “You weren’t there for your skill with a sword, you obviously did your job and it sounds like the Ancients… excuse me, Emarine.” He corrected himself to Henry’s delight. “Are on our side. You did well, Henry.”

“Thank you, sir.” Henry smiled. Looking overjoyed to be praised by the king, and that he had listened to him. But his face went dark a moment later, and Rayman wondered how bad it truly was.

“Don’t worry boy,” Rayman said. “We will get there in time. I only know Kyburn by reputation but he is a man to be reckoned with.”

Xerath chuckled in agreement. “He is indeed.”

“No man can stand against these things,” Henry shouted as they rode with great speed, his voice nearly inaudible over the wind.

Rayman felt his gut twist and his worry only grew.

Part 2

They arrived in Unari with an enormous smoke column stretching into the sky. It looked to be from burning oil, often used in defense. Remnants of citizens were still fleeing and abandoning wagons and belongings scattered along the streets. Rayman stared in uncertainty at the sky as they rode through the gates.

His attention turned to the far right of the wall where several bodies were flung off the wall by projectiles and sent plummeting to their deaths.

They watched helplessly as the bodies fell.

One, in particular, caught his eye. It was a female, but too big to be human. Clad in full shining body armor. She crashed through a roof and disappeared for a moment, an instant later the figure leapt up and shot blue light from her left, flinging toward the last falling soldier. Expertly, the woman caught the man falling by the leg then set him down then leapt off the roof twenty feet into the air.

“That’s her!” Henry pointed. “That’s Yvlana, the Emarine.”

Rayman’s mouth dropped open at the sight of the figure nearly flying, the power of the jump was unbelievable if he hadn’t just seen it with his own eyes. Not only that, she had survived the tremendous fall from the wall.

“That was magnificent.” Xerath breathed, his face too, stunned from the encounter.

All the while this happened, black creatures with bright red eyes lunged over the wall and into the city, unhindered. The Emarine must’ve been holding them off single-handedly.

Many of the Thrak died on impact but most got up from the roofs and streets, stunned but not mortally wounded.

A massive explosion to their far-left grabbed everyone’s attention as a giant pillar of smoke and fire shot upward.

“Watch out!” soldiers from all around them yelled.

Rayman’s attention whipped back down to street level. Twenty or so creatures rushed for the party of horsemen, going straight for Xerath.

“They are targeting the king,” he whispered.

“Protect the king!” the Xerian soldiers bellowed in unison.

Charging forward, the soldiers pushed past Xerath, Rayman, and Henry to form a semicircle around them. Their horses screeched and bucked in fear at the sight but did as their masters commanded. Extending spears, swords, and axes, they rushed toward the Thrak with speed.

There weren’t many but their agility made the task of cutting them down more difficult than expected. The Thrak spread out and jumped to the roofs and walls on the streets. Many stayed in place as the soldiers charged, then lunged for the legs of the horses a moment before impact.

Screams and high-pitched squeals burst through the line of horses as they stumbled over each other. The Thrak focusing on the legs. The creatures on the roof and walls dropped atop the soldiers during the confusion and gnawed on the distracted men.

Horse archers picked several off before they could attack but it was too late for many. Xerath urged his horse forward as did the rest of his men.

“Charge!” he yelled. His sword rang as he whipped it out of its scabbard.

Coming up behind them, they made quick work of the remaining Thrak, supporting those on the ground or unable to control their horses. The momentary respite was short-lived as another dozen from each side crept over the roofs, peering down at them.

“We need to get out of these streets!” Rayman bellowed.

“Get to the clearing!” Xerath shouted with urgency. “Move!”

Before the Thrak could pounce, they were underway, racing toward the open ground. Their horses made it difficult to maneuver in such tight spaces but they managed.

Another ear-piercing explosion came from behind the border walls, creating a second pillar of smoke reaching for the skies. This one replaced the smoke coming from where they poured oil. The Thrak nearly ceased on the right side where the Emarine had fallen, stemming the flow of creatures making it into the city.

“What is going on?” Billy shouted as he rode into the clearing next to Rayman.

Kevin and Wolkin pulled up beside them a moment later, jerking their heads up then down.

The aliens on the streets were preparing for another attack while explosions rocked the ground beneath them.

“Stay focused on the enemy before us,” Rayman ordered. “We can worry about the explosions later.”

Horses sped past them and Rayman urged his own horse forward, Billy, Kevin, and Wolkin close behind him.

The Thrak were on their tails, keeping up with the horses and chasing them down. Quickly, Xerath split off to circle around as Rayman turned to the opposite way to come from the other side and attack in unison. Their charge was quick and effective, the Thrak, caught off guard at the sudden turn of the humans doubling back on them.

Barely able to react to the confusing formations, they halted and attacked head-on, leaping into the air to attack the riders, rather than the horses. Thankfully, most horsemen brought their spears up and impaled nearly all of the creatures. A few slipped through and caused insignificant damage to the lines and were trampled to death by the hooves of dozens of horses an instant later.

Rayman watched as two Thrak scurried away in panic, seeing their comrades butchered. Fortunately, Xerath spotted them too a moment before and pointed his sword at them. Archers took aim and nailed them in the back and legs, immobilizing them.

“Take one alive!” Xerath ordered.

“Yes, sire!” the soldiers responded by immediately steering the horses to the wounded Thrak.

Pulling out lassoes, three men roped one and pulled in each direction, keeping it from moving, whereas the second one was skewered through the skull.

“Watch out!” Henry yelled. “They can shoot spikes from their backs!”

It was too late, a soldier jumped on top of it, bringing up a collar to wrap around the neck. Instead, the Thrak shot out small needle-like bones upward, straight into the chest of the man.

Howling in pain, he was bucked off and tossed to the ground, apart from his cheek and hand, the spikes weren’t effective, his armor stopping most of them. Scrambling to his feet, he gingerly pulled out a bone from his cheek, then the one in his hand, which had punctured clean through his palm.

“Get it under control!” Xerath shouted. “And when you do. Throw it in the dungeons. We’ll deal with it later.”

Everyone ducked or dropped to the ground as a third explosion reverberated through the air. Rayman felt his bones shake inside him. His ears faintly rang for several minutes after.

“Henry.” Xerath raised his hand and looked for the boy. “Henry. Do you know what’s going on?”

A moment later, the young boy rode up next to the king and Rayman made his way over as well, wishing to hear what Henry had to say.

“Honestly, sire.” Henry started. “I’m not sure but if I had to guess, those explosions came from the Emarine. They have weapons that can shoot light from metal. They called them L.E.C. weapons. But that?” he pointed to the sky. “I haven’t seen anything like that.”

“King Xerath.” a thickly accented voice came running out from behind shelter.

Most of the Xerian soldiers tensed at the sight of more than two dozen Kligirian soldiers trotting toward them.

“It’s Hazam,” Henry informed them. “Trygve’s military commander.”

Xerath waved to his men to let them pass without trouble.

“King Xerath,” Hazam repeated. “We need help to protect city. Many Thrak have entered and try to escape into land.”

Xerath raised an eyebrow and looked at Henry who nodded.

“I thank you for protecting my citizens, commander Hazam.” Xerath bowed his head in respect. “My men will scour the city for further threat. Please continue to guard the gates.”

Hazam looked pleased with Xerath’s words, “Your welcome king. We guard gate.”

“Sire.” another voice shouted and a body pushed through the throng of men.

“Arne.” Xerath smiled and bent down from his horse to clasp the captain's hand. “It's good to see you are safe.”

“And you, sire.” Arne smiled back, taking his king's hand. “There is still fighting from beyond the walls. They still may need our help.”

Rayman scanned the tops of the wall, no Thrak were coming after the third blast had sent smoke into the sky and the Emarine woman had disappeared from sight entirely.

“Spread out and protect the city!” Xerath barked orders. “Protect the citizens fleeing to the other cities. I want every Thrak in the area dealt with immediately. Move out!”

The soldiers made their own groups, and split into four forces, each spreading out across the city, scouring the streets for aliens and citizens.

Hazam and his men moved to the gates splitting in two, one to the entrance of the city and one to the walls.

Xerath's commanding voice boomed through the clearing, boosting morale and keeping the men orderly.

“Arne.” Xerath addressed the captain. “I trust you can handle things from here.”

“Of course, sire.” he bowed, then started barking orders of his own.

Dismounting, Xerath urged the rest of the men to follow him up the wall. Rayman and his men instantly followed the king. Xerath was many things but Rayman was glad to have him leading when he himself was still shocked by the aliens on their doorsteps.

Xerath had immediately recovered, whereas he took several moments to wrap his mind around the fact that Henry’s words held truth.

On the ride to Unari, Henry had filled them in on specific details which Rayman scoffed at. But not now. Perhaps these creatures did come from distant planets and had come to Isulia to destroy them.

It wasn’t an easy task to accept it in one go, but Xerath led on, charging forward to support his fellow man, regardless of religion or race. The Kligirian’s, along with the Emarine were all fighting for survival. All past grudges were swept aside, focusing on one goal.

Survival.

Part 3

Taking the stairs two at a time, thirty soldiers raced up the wall, pushing themselves to aid their brethren at the top. Each man was huffing and drenched in sweat by the time they reached the top, inhaling in deep gulps, trying to keep pace with the rest of the men.

The gory mess that met them was horrendous. Blood was soaking the stone, small trails of blood dripped over the wall. Bodies lay strewn everywhere. Some torn to shreds, others, limbs, and heads missing.

Pools of thick black blood surrounded the bodies of the Thrak and some of the men puked from the sight.

Rayman didn’t bother, he scanned the wall for any sign of Erik. He couldn’t find him from here. He carefully stepped over bodies and peered over the side.

Three craters, still smoldering with fire and burnt flesh were filled with dead Thrak. Further away, Vog were still in combat with the remaining Thrak. The army of aliens mostly lay dead in piles below but there were a few stragglers left.

“The Vog,” Xerath whispered beside him. “They are fighting with us. Erik was right.”

“Perhaps.” Rayman flinched from the memories in the cave.

Rayman’s gaze rested on the same enormous beast he had met in the ruins. The beast who had killed Ben, Mark, and ultimately Zeph. Its massive hulking form stood next to the Emarine below.

Rage boiled inside him at seeing the Vog on the battlefield. Both disgust and hate filled his heart for a brief moment, all the emotions and heartache at seeing his fellow comrades be butchered by the Vog pushed him to the brink. His hatred was replaced with confusion and frustration.

He was unable to simply hate the Vog, as they fought for all of them. They too wanted to survive just like them. Humans and Vog were not enemies, yet the uneasiness and memories of his friends' deaths could not be shaken away so easily.

Images of finding Ben torn apart came rushing back, both Mark and Zeph suffering slow and painful deaths from infection.

Three Emarine were directly below, one seemed to be injured.

Henry stepped beside him, holding his arm over his mouth and looking sick. The boy must be horrified at seeing such death.

“That’s them. Yvlana and Lamir. The third is probably Kaladin.” Henry croaked. “And Felkuru. That’s the Vog leader who took Vulkira.”

He said that last part mostly for Xerath’s sake as he had yet to see such a beast of that size and was still mildly bewildered at seeing so many in one place.

Rayman and Xerath glanced at each other, wondering how Henry knew so much.

“We need to find Erik,” Rayman said, pulling away from the edge, unable to stare at the Vog any longer.

“And Kyburn,” Henry said quickly, looking worried.

“Spread out,” Xerath ordered. “There are men over there.” he pointed to a group of soldiers but they were so far away they couldn’t differentiate who was who.

A loud scream came from the direction in which Xerath pointed, followed by howls of pain and more yelling. Xerath and Rayman immediately sprinted toward the shouting, keeping pace with each other.

Several times, they hopped over bodies and nearly slipped in the pooled blood but they kept running.

They reached the disturbance just in time to see Erik lying on the ground, Kyburn kneeling over him, applying bandages to his left arm. Or what was left of it.