They amassed at the top of the bank, Archers in the front lines while the Calvary readily mounted the mares. The wind had picked up and the flapping of the flags was all that could be heard as the prince gave the instructions to launch the first wave of guards. Fire rained down upon the beach ahead as the enemy's trebuchets made the path to the Castle hazardous. His men were growing unsteady despite being ready for the fight that would undoubtedly be the end to most of their young lives. With a heavy heart and a burden that only a King in training can bear, he gave the approval as the men raced towards their inevitable doom. Blaine hoped that a few would make safe passage to the main gates stalling its closure just enough to give him access into the belly of the beast.

Screams could be heard outside his chamber window, a sound he grew to love. To him, it meant fear, power, and all that he craved. 'They thought you were weak, they thought you were nothing, yet watch as they burn in your passion' King Hummel thought to himself as he watched the men below ablaze in pain as the hot oil was poured from the castle walls. With a wave of his hand, his dark knights blinded the sun as they let lose a volley of arrows darkening the skies.

The thundering of horses could be heard far off in the distance as an army proudly displaying the colors of blue and red rode ferociously towards the towering black walls of Castle McKinley. An army of hundreds thundered on the sandy shores with determination as their fearless leader Prince Blaine Anderson led the charge. His dark curls stood out against his tan complexion as he sped onward atop his white steed. Stealing a quick glance up towards the high balcony he saw a lone figure standing there, body ridged against the backdrop of the castle walls. The King of McKinley was a cruel heartless man, who death even shunned. His beauty was a thing of legend; stories were told far and wide of how he retained his graceful allure but none lived to tell the true tale. However, Blaine knew first hand of King Hummel's flawless pale complexion; he had intimate knowledge of the eyes that once held warmth, care, love, hope, and desire but now were a cold, calculating blue empty of all emotion.

Ripping his eyes away from his former lover's glare he rode with purpose, not even the sting of the salty mist rolling off of the ocean waves could stray him from his task. Looking ahead to the large black iron gates, Blaine could see the silver armor of his men breaking the resistance that held them closed. Castle McKinley will fall this night and the evil that has held this land hostage will be eliminated and destroyed, he thought gloomily. Kicking the side of his stallion he galloped into the courtyard ahead immediately jumping into the fray of battle as his men funneled through the narrow fissure.

The clanging of swords meeting swords and the steel of armor sounded as both sides fought for the will of their leaders. A sea of black and silver swarmed through the castle as the House of Anderson pushed forward to reach the interior of the Royal chamber, stepping over the dead of both enemy and friend as they ascended the stairs. As the ranks before them broke, with a final charge, Prince Anderson made a beeline straight to the figure dressed in all black armor anointed with a black crown of spikes atop his perfectly styled hair. Blaine was speechless. He knew his first wave entered the castle minutes ago and yet here was King Hummel who looked like he just left his chamber room, not a hair out of place or a bead of sweat upon his brow.

With a flash of steel Blaine's attention was brought back to the battle as he was advanced on by four Knights of McKinley. Side stepping the first blow to his right he quickly parried the attack as he swung his blade making contact. But instead of blood what Blaine saw was worse than anything he could ever imagine. The knight shattered into millions of fragments of black glass. Only sparing a moment's thought, he averted another slice as his sword made its way home into his enemy's shoulder, swinging it wide to his left cutting a path through yet another dark knights throat, both erupting into piles at his feet, noticing now that the floor was littered with blood and glass, a contribution from both sides.

Across the antechamber King Hummel threw out his hand sending ten knights from the House of Anderson to the far castle wall with a sickening crunch, smirking in satisfaction before turning around to dispatch the rest of Blaine's men. It had been years since Hummel had to actually fight in battle but the lust for bloodshed ran through his veins like adrenaline, giving power to his desire to own the heart of one Blaine Anderson.

Metal clashed all around the young prince as he fought viciously against his opponents who came in masses far taller and stronger than him. However Prince Anderson was fighting for something more than power, more than himself…he was fighting for love, love of his people, love for his land and his home but most importantly love for…

"Kurt!" Blaine screamed as he witnessed one of his right guards pierce the abdomen of King Hummel a short distance away while the black knight that was in front of him collapsed into shards of glass.

TBC