It was a shock to them all. The girl attacked them with her sword. She was using her huge sword like it was a fencing sword, with one hand behind her body and facing sideways. She plunged in like an experienced fencer with the large sword.

Edward was still in shock and wasn't able to dodge or block. Doreen came with her shield and protected Edward from the girl's attack.

"Snap out of it, you idiot. Don't die on me now!" yelled Doreen.

The girl was moving fast, and her footwork was elegant. Constantly facing her sword hand side to her enemy making herself into a smaller target. Rufus was fighting off the two knights on the other hand. Rufus then attacked one of the knights and killed him instantly with his divine sphere.

"You truly are lost, brother. This is the reason you must die. Die for your family. At least you can do that," said the girl and attacked Edward.

Doreen then made her spear grow and attacked with it and forced the girl to cancel her attack. She dodged easily the spear and then faced Doreen.

"You are forgetting someone aren't you," Doreen proclaimed.

"I would like you to stay out of this. This is a family matter," said the girl.

The situation was starting to be extremely chaotic.

"We can't stay here. More knights will be on their way!" Haley yelled.

Screams were being heard from everywhere. They had no idea where to run to without wanting to stumble upon more knights.

"Run towards the northern exit. There are fewer knights there," yelled a woman from the window.

They all looked up. A random woman from the city tried to guide them out of the city. They didn't know what was going on.

"Run! I can see more knights coming," the same woman yelled.

They started to run towards the northern exit. Rufus made the earth crack around them making it harder for the girl to chase after them. They were running through the streets and more people of the city were guiding them.

"Stop. I just came from that direction. There was a patrol of knights there. Use this street instead," said one man who wanted to help.

"Wait here. A group of knights is coming this way. Let them pass without noticing you," said a young woman.

Many people of the city, not only from the slums but from the commoner districts were helping them. They had heard that the knights were hunting down the black rat gang and boss of the gang. Word had traveled in the city, and everyone had guessed who the boss of the gang was when they saw Rufus using his divine powers. The black rat gang was loved by many of the citizens and so was their boss. Many were willing to help them escape.

They finally were able to get to the city's gates. No one was guarding the gate. They decided to flee the city knowing they couldn't anymore be there. Just when they were about to leave the city Rikard Plangent landed behind them. He was wielding his large sword in his hand.

He slashed his sword just once was able to bring down the gate from far away with just the air pressure of the slash. The four of them knew immediately they had no chance of winning. Edward was the most terrified, but mostly a huge hatred glowed in his eyes.

"You truly are a stain in our family," said Rikard Plangent.

"Sorry. I seem to be the forever prodigal son," said Edward.

"I will do now what I was supposed to do years ago."

Rikard attacked with his sword and Edward also. It was clear as day that Edward had no chance of winning. Edward still kept fighting getting torn apart. His eyes glowed with hatred and he yelled with fury with every attack, but he was still easily outmatched.

Rufus knew he had to get out of there. He started to gather his divine power again to his hand in the shape of a sphere. This time he poured all the energy he could into it. He started to feel weak while pouring so much energy into it.

"Doreen. Go get Edward out of there. I will create an opening for us to escape. When I do it runs like crazy. Haley, be prepared to carry me. I might not be able to stand after this," said Rufus.

Doreen didn't even question Rufus. He went to take a completely wounded Edward out who could barely stand with fatal-looking cuts on his body and blood spewing out of them. Rikard was completely unscratched. He was about to strike down both Edward and Doreen who was carrying him on her back. Then Rufus threw his sphere at him. Rikard blocked it with his sword, but it started to expand.

Rikard started to take steps back to avoid it, but it continued to expand. Rikard felt immense destruction from it. The sphere expanded over buildings and the streets. It was a hundred times bigger than his usual ones. It then evaporated everything in its proximity including building and creating a large crater on the ground. After everything disappeared a large tidal wave of pressure created more destruction and blew Rikard away and blew the four of them over the destroyed gate.

Both Edward and Rufus were unconscious. They were being carried by Haley and Doreen. They looked back and saw that Rufus's attack had caused huge destruction. Buildings were burning or turned into rubble. Still, the four of them were able to escape. The cost was just great.

From then on, the incident was called the purge of the black rats.

~~

The prince was looking from the window at the destruction that was left in the city. He felt like his plan was destroyed burning away with the city. The blast could be seen all the way to the royal palace.

Rikard Plangent returned to the palace. He had a couple of knights with him whom all were covered in blood. Edward's sister Joan was beside him. He entered the throne room and bend his knee in front of the king along with his daughter and the other knights.

"We have purged the city of its rats, but I am afraid the leaders have gotten away my king," said Rikard.

"They escaped? How could you let this happen!" the king yelled.

"I was unaware of their power. After witnessing it now, I will not underestimate them again. I will personally lead a search party and kill all of them myself," Rikard stated.

"Yes, do so. It is clear they are a threat! I could witness the blast from all the way here" the king yelled.

"I will ready the men. We will catch up to them as soon as possible."

The prince entered the throne room.

"I thank the great Rikard Plangent. You truly have saved us," proclaimed the prince loudly.

"Thank you, my prince," thanked Rikard Plangent.

"May we hold a feast today for our great savior," proclaimed the prince.

"What are you saying. They have an important mission. They have to catch these terrorists!" the king yelled.

"But my king. The enemy is running. They are broken. Wounded. Truly also a wise king will let his subjects rest after a hard day's work. They would catch them anyways faster with a little bit of rest," the prince debated.

"Well. I don't know…." the king mumbled.

"You taught me once a wise leader rewards his subjects. Is not this such an occasion?"

"What do you think Rikard?" asked the king.

"I would go after them right away, but after a little rest we can start the manhunt with more men," said Rikard.

"It is decided. We will let the knights rest. Tomorrow they will commence the manhunt."

Everyone applauded the king's decision. The prince then took leave. He wanted to buy some time for Rufus and the other to escape.

"Go look for them. They need to be saved," said the prince to August who immediately left to search for them.

er.