October 16, 2009
Revised: January 8, 2011
By RahXephon [847246]

—Science makes us strong. Philosophy makes us civilized. But the Last Emperor was art.

The urban villa was spacious compared to the other dwellings of the merchant-noble class. Orange tiles of the finest quality rested atop massive slabs of granite that made up the walls. All around the exterior and in the courtyard, elegantly carved statues of the most exquisite Estoran marble imposed a further sense of greatness.

Deep inside, the massive central room was a marvel of Octos ingenuity. Numerous sturdy columns, carefully engraved in masculine patterns and devotions to the Eight supported the heavy ceiling. Several panes of extremely rare transparent glass interrupted the flowing murals of the roof, letting through just enough light to give some spots the illusion of a lighted garden. The abundant amount of potted plants and small trees, along with several decorative ponds only strengthened that illusion.

Upon one small island near the centre of the vast room was a child sitting on the floor. Her bright brown tresses, laced with several tiny braids, waved side to side as the girl hummed a tune. Dressed in a comfortable yellow dress, the girl showed no inclination of freezing. Warm water heated elsewhere in the villa provided ample enough warmth to heat the entire compound and fill the lavish baths. She rather liked the warmth, thinking it was just the house showering her with love. The thought made her giggle, interrupting her drawing and accidently creating a large black stripe on her papyrus.

"Oh no!" The girl let out, and carefully tried to rub the stripe away with her thumb.

Just behind, reclining on a luxurious cushioned lounging chair, another person began to turn. Brushing away her elegant curls of the same vibrant shade of brown, the older girl carefully put down the song scroll she was studying. She took one short moment rearranging her plain white academia uniform before hopping down on the floor to crawl besides the younger girl.

"What's the matter, Sandras?"

Sandras pouted, but continued to rub away the stain. "It's ruined!"

"Hmmm?" Curious, Lyssis leaned over Sandras' shoulder and tried to see what her sister had drawn. Unfortunately, her sister's tiny hands were in the way.

"Give me that." She said, gently but firm, and reached around to snatch the papyrus.

"Hey, that's mine! It isn't finished yet."

But Lyssis didn't hear her sister's complaints as she scrutinized the drawing. The image was innocent enough, depicting a city full of villas and temples. To the left of the page was a noticeably grand structure. Its huge domes and columns reminded Lyssis of Cassadia's grand palace, or the sketches of the old Imperial Palace in Tiros. What had initially caught her attention though were the large amount of stick figures kneeling on the steps and plaza just below the palace. Every figure seemed to stretch out their arms towards the temple, as if in tribute or worship.

'To who?'

And there, at the top of the stairs, stood a radiant figure. Drawn full this time and with colors, the figure seemed to be clad in orange. Its roundish head was topped with a large mop of yellow. The figure seemed to stretch one arm forward and up while holding the other behind his back in a heroic pose. A strange bluish spiral seemed to emanate from the figure's palm, streaked with several circular stripes to give it a suggestion of power.

If the drawing consisted of just this, Lyssis wouldn't give the paper another glance. But it was the thing that hovered over the city that gave her a chill. Instead of a happy tiny sun, Sandras seemed to have drawn a huge malevolent eye. The large cat-like pupil rested in the midst of a serrated flaming globe of black and orange. The orb itself radiated nine thick rays of darkened orange, which followed a vast spiral pattern that seemed to engulf the entire sky. Lyssis noted far more detail on the sun than on any other part of the drawing.

In fact, were it not for the large accidental stripe, Lyssis would have freaked out. She definitely felt ill at ease just staring at the chaotic swirl.

Gathering back her wits, she managed to break her voice just enough to address her sister. "I didn't know you had your history lessons. Is this the Last Emperor of Tirradon?"

Oblivious as ever, Sandras leaped besides Lyssis, stared at her drawing, and pointed towards the heroic figure. "That's my savior!" She then pointed at the orange eye. "And that's S—"

Before she could finish, Lyssis abruptly tore the papyrus in half.

"No! It's mine! STOP!"

But Lyssis didn't stop. Frenzied, she continued to tear the fragile sheet apart, shredding the image into oblivion until there was nothing left to shred. Still not finished, the older sister gathered up all the fragments and lifted herself up to head to a nearby brazier. Depositing the fragments into the fire, Lyssis continued to stare angrily into the fire long after the paper turned to charred remains.

Sandras, in a foul mood herself, stood up and went over to her sister. She kicked her sandal against her sister's leg hard, which wasn't much. She hoped for a reaction, but received none. When she was about to try a second time, Lyssis turned and grasped Sandras into a hug. Both calmed down.

"Why do you hate him, sis?" Sandras asked, genuinely confused about her sister's behavior ever since their return from Oimos.

Lyssis took a few deep breaths, using her new talents to enjoy her little sister's heartbeat. "He's a foreigner and a commoner."

"But he saved me! He gave you power! Why are you so mean to him?"

Sighing, Lyssis lifted up her sister and went back to her lounging chair. Fussing over Sandras' braids, she spoke, "That boy is just some foreigner who washed up the shore a year or so ago. Though no one in the village told me much about him, he's probably one of those Koronnians. You know, those warmongering island savages who eat other people's flesh."

Sandras wasn't convinced. "He didn't seem so scary."

"It doesn't matter. Even if he's not Koronnian, he might as well be a Velk with all that blond hair."

"Father is also a blond, and nobody says he's a Velk."

"His hair has a darker shade."

"Doesn't matter."

"Ugh!" Lyssis spat, frustrated that her sister couldn't just accept her words. "Even if he's not Koronnian or Velk, he's still a commoner. Do you remember what father said about commoners?"

Taking a moment to think, Sandras tried to recall but shook her head.

"Father said commoners are stupid." Lyssis stated, intent on teaching her little sister the right ideas. "Commoners are dirty. Commoners are lazy. If commoners had their way, everyone would never work, preferring to roll in mud or fight about all kinds of stupid reasons. That's exactly what's happening in Mulad and Delor. Never forget that commoners are primitive people, different from you and me. All they think about is themselves, and never about the society which allows them to live in comfort."

"Society?"

"Yes, our nation. Without civilization, Octos would be nothing more than a scattering of tribes. That's where those of privileged blood come in. Nobles like the princes and the wealthy such as us are needed to keep order and teach the peasants their proper place. We have to keep the commoners down because that's their nature. If they ever stooped high enough to gain power, our entire country would fall into riot and chaos. We can't let that happen."

"So you hate the boy because he's more powerful than you?"

"Sandras!" Lyssis scolded, and slapped her sister hard on the cheek. "Don't disrespect me! And don't think for a second that I envy his power. It's just that… ugh, he just doesn't deserve the Touch of Solaris. Why him, and not some other deserving highborn! That scruffy rascal holds the power to turn Octos into an empire never seen since the days when all of Tirradon was one. But what does that commoner do? He runs away! Just like all lowborn, he thinks nothing of giving back to the society that helped him up his feet. Do you get it, Sandras?"

But her little sister wasn't listening. Instead, Lyssis felt tears landing on her arms and moisture rolling down her skin.

The Songs of the Fox

Scroll of the First Wind

The Throne atop the Steps

Arakoi was screaming. The vast Octos city was suffering a rebellion. To one side of the conflict, desperate laborers and those of Mulad descent fought for their right to independence and prosperity. To the other side, loyal Octos soldiers sought to preserve their city, knowing that the fall of Arakoi could trigger a disastrous series of events that might well bring down the Federation to its knees.

The redhoods, despite their lack of preparation, enacted their long-held plans as best as they could. Those lurking in the city had immediately poured out into the streets, ambushing patrols and pushing many guards back to their compounds. Once contained, they rained down persistent volleys of arrows, not that all accurate but still effective in mass. When the blueshirts gathered their courage to counter-attack, the redhoods merely pulled away from the rooftops and windows to continue their fire from another position. Most blueshirts eventually gave up under the withering barrage, pulling back as they left the dead on the streets.

Meanwhile, larger groups of redhoods gathered outside the palisades, having put on their hoods and picked up their weapons from the many shacks just outside the city proper. The groups slowly turned larger and larger, hundreds of destitute redhoods impatiently waiting to take back the justice that was taken from them. All held a motley collection of knives, daggers, mining tools and farming implements. With nothing more than their courage, they intended to achieve what a multitude of Mulad tribes had accomplished only once before.

Arakoi would fall.

But not to the soldiers who live and fight for the mighty city. They made themselves heard as best as they could, despite their lack of numbers. Most of Arakoi's renowned armies were stationed elsewhere, patrolling the winter passes to discourage adventurous Mulad raiding parties. Those left were predominately city guards rather than field soldiers. While they had many hardened men amongst their ranks, few had seen large actions. Even the occasional riot beyond the palisades didn't compare to the uprising happening around them. The mere sight of massed redhoods was enough to waver their legs – a few unprepared soldiers even shook so much that they abandoned their posts immediately.

Nevertheless, most knew their duty and fought for more than just their country or an ideal. They fought for their comrades beside them, knowing each could trust the other to guard their flanks. They fought for their families, determined to see them safe from harm. Of course, some fought for less noble reasons. Money, for one thing. Hatred, especially against the scourge of Mulads and their offspring. The remaining handful fought simply for the sake of fighting itself, bloodlust coursing through their veins as they relish the coming bloodbath.

While the palisades and the wooden gates were nothing more than a bunch of wooden logs, the vast stone walls defending the Old District were far harder to overcome. The walls were as high as eight men stacked on top of each other, while the many guard towers were even higher than that. Not all of the walls were manned. On the parts that did held men, anxious blueshirts held their bows ready to repulse a massed attack. If the redhoods brought siege towers or battering rams, the ballistae on top of the guard towers would make short work of them.

Despite the large numbers of redhoods and blueshirts, the majority of the city's population sat silent, all huddling in their houses or villas. Some of them had caught the undercurrent of rebellion well beforehand, and had prepared their household in advance. Others were taken completely by surprise from the racket and were panicking as they barricaded the doors and windows. Everyone from beggars to nobles feared the rebellion would turn into a massive destructive riot. The redhoods were known to consist of many walks of life, with some not so reputable folk. Those ill-behaved groups might redirect their anger to those they previously coveted with jealous eyes.

Despite the excitement hovering over each participant, the truth was that there was a much larger undercurrent of fear. Was the redhood's premature rebellion too flimsy to succeed? Or were the severely outnumbered blueshirts about to be overwhelmed?

Ovro and Mikos knew none of these considerations. Forcibly thrust in the redhood's cause, they had no desire to fight and kill only for an entire population to fall under the rule of Mulads. But running away from a very powerful Shadow Guardian turned Renegade seemed to be a very unwise move, especially at night. At least the redhoods offered to return the favor. Getting help in smuggling them to Tiros was a very valuable service indeed.

'But is it worth the price?' Ovro thought as Bergros and his gang of redhoods escorted him very tightly towards the palisades. 'I hope Bergros is honest about all of this. I don't want to help a criminal or a liar, and I don't want to be responsible for the deaths of those who are just defending their lives and family.'

Mikos on the other hand simply didn't think about the specifics. 'I'm a soldier. I'm trained to kill. If it earns me a passage to the Enclave of Tiros, I'm not going to be queasy about this whole deal.'

Bergros didn't lead them straight towards the gates, as they feared they would. Instead, they converged on a non-descript part of the palisades where a large gathering of redhoods was already waiting. At the latest arrival, all the redhoods raised their hands in a cheer.

"Quiet!" Corun bellowed, his large frame and his confident tone giving him an instant measure of authority. Turning to Bergros, he said, "This is it, my friend. Good luck on the castle."

"Good luck on the walls, friend." Bergros returned, before facing the crowd of redhoods. "Now, do it!"

Loggers appeared from their midst with sturdy hand-axes in their grip. They immediately set themselves in position besides the logs and hacked furiously at the solid frozen wood. They labored for several minutes as many chips of wood fell away from the cuts as they got larger and deeper. Eventually, their intense pace quickly tired them out, reaching only a quarter deep.

But that was expected, and the loggers quickly pulled back. Knowing it was time, Bergros evenly approached the partially cut logs and raised his arms against the surface. He closed his eyes and mentally recited the song in his head, only whispering the final part of the verse.

"Dragon razor."

The sharp edgy shadows in the hacked parts of the logs immediately turned into solid triangular teeth. Bergros hastily pulled back his arms as the teeth tore into the wood, sawing it ever deeper and deeper until it completely cut through. As soon as the solid shadows disappeared, the tall logs fell over, leaving an opening. The entire contingent of redhoods poured through when they saw it was safe. Bergros, Mikos and Ovro, together with their escort, were the last ones to leave.

They followed a straightforward path into the city centre. With no guards on the streets and plenty redhoods running around, they encountered no obstacles, not even on the main streets. They jogged past closed shutters, barred doors, and the occasional encouraging citizen. But most of the time, the only noise that could be heard the streets were footsteps.

They soon reached the eastern edge of the Corbin District, close to the walls that separated the Old District. As they went deeper, the buildings they passed began to change from basic houses and apartments to workplaces and manufactories. Blacksmith shops and weaver shops lined the ever-widening streets. But as they closed the formidable walls, Bergros abruptly turned into an alleyway, leading his gathering through a small maze of obscure routes until they finally arrived at a large but decrepit warehouse.

Bergros tapped a pattern against the door, which quickly opened up. Entering, Mikos and Ovro could see there were far more than just goods inside. Milling around were many scores of redhoods, all spread around the boxes of goods and sacks of grain. All wore hoods, but their garments varied quite a lot. Most wore a motley collection of rags and warm cloaks and seemed more like street thugs than soldiers. Others wore heavier armor, such as chainmail or boiled leather that could not have been picked off the street. One distinct group preferred to keep their hoods lower than the others, and wore completely black.

It was dark inside, with only a small number of torches to keep the men warm. Everyone murmured silently to each other, but their chatter picked up in volume as Bergros strode to the centre. Mikos and Ovro were following just behind as they were prodded forward by Iq'shi. Meanwhile, a small group of distinct redhoods stepped forward to greet the newcomers.

"Furos."

"Bergros."

They stared for a few moments longer before they turned their attention to Mikos and Ovro.

"I would like to introduce you to our.. help. This is Mikos, a Fire Rogue. And this is Ovro, a Metal Rogue."

The lean but scruffy man scratched behind his uneven stubble, going over the two boys carefully. "Any good?"

"Well… they're awfully green for their age, but they know how to hold themselves in a fight."

"Are you letting us speak sometime soon?" Mikos mumbled.

"My apologies. Let me introduce ourselves. I am Furos, one of the senior members of the redhoods. I'm also a Wood Rogue."

That caught Mikos' attention. "How many more Rogues do you have?"

Beckoning his group of redhoods forward, Furos answered, "We were hoping of having ten when we planned to start our uprising. But with the situation as it is now, we only have seven, counting you two with us."

Turning to Bergros, Furos asked, "What happened out there? Some of the scouts mentioned there was a scuffle that involved your group. But that explosion in the inn immediately set off alarms all over the city, and together with another event, a few of our more excited members thought that our rebellion was starting tonight."

Bergros tossed a quick look at Mikos. "The scuffle got carried away. One of their officers arrived at the pub with four Guardians."

Furos' tired eyes widened. "Four? Out of Six? Just to capture you?"

Grinning, the Shadow Renegade shook his head. "No, not for me. It seems that our two new friends are highly sought after."

"You guys didn't have to stand up to us." Ovro spoke out. "I could have found a way to make a distraction and escape."

"With your legs? Any of those Guardians were easily capable of catching up with you." Bergros turned back to his friend. "Whatever triggered our rebellion early, it doesn't matter. We already made ourselves known, so there's no stopping now. How well are the men faring despite the lack of preparations?"

"It's a pathetic sight." Furos admitted. "We have the numbers, but we haven't been able to smuggle in enough swords or spears to equip all our stormers. They have to make do with knives or whatever else they can scrounge up for now. We haven't finished the battering ram either, and we only have half the ladders that we originally thought we needed."

"So we don't really have much hope taking the walls?"

Furos shook his head, his expression full of sorrow. "The only good thing about this timing is that a third of the winter garrison is sent away to reinforce the armies guarding the borders. Still, those remaining are all solid men with good equipment. They won't budge that easily, especially in their defensive positions. It's not so much about quantity, but quality, and plainly most of our redhoods just simply aren't fighters."

Sighing, Bergros counted the numbers in his head before approaching a different subject. "What about the serum? Do you have enough?"

"Batar has supplied enough for our efforts months ago. Come, I'll show you."

As Furos led Bergros down into the darkness, Iq'shi turned to face Mikos and Ovro and stated, "Don't go anywhere. The next step of our plan will start soon."

"Yeah, yeah, but what is the plan?" Mikos asked, frustrated with being kept in the dark.

The Mulad stared back silently for a moment, before letting out, "You'll see. But it's certain you're going to fight either guards or Guardians, so prepare yourself." He turned around and headed off to the black-clad redhoods, adding, "I have my own preparations to make. Why don't you meet with the other Rogues?"

As Iq'shi left the boys alone, an awkward silence reigned over those remaining. The three other Rogues simply kept staring at the two newcomers, from their shabby clothing to Mikos' scarring.

"Well, aren't you going to give us your names?" Mikos asked awkwardly.

"Hmph." One of them let out, and crossed her arms while looking at him with doubt. "Name's Mayal. You're not even from this city, are you?"

"We come from the coast." Ovro answered. "We were just passing by when this storm suddenly kicked up. Bergros made a deal with us for our aid, so here we are."

Narrowing her eyes, the woman stepped closer, intimidating the two boys. "Listen closely. We've toiled and suffered for decades under the rule of Octos. We've spent years preparing to take over the city and topple the dux, all in order to free Arakoi from its shackles. If you expect us to welcome you with open arms and let you benefit from all our hard work, then it just shows you don't know anything about us. Just seeing you wearing our hoods makes me sick."

The female Rogue stormed off, but not before spitting on the ground before Mikos, who took it all in stride. He had experienced much worse before. Still, he would have liked to have a better relationship with the people he was going to fight alongside with. If you couldn't trust the other to guard your back, then it wouldn't bode well for whatever they were about to do. Instead of mulling over the angry woman, Mikos instead turned to the others.

"Would any of you be so kind enough to tell me what in the name of Solaris is going on in here?"

"You've heard all you should know for now." The remaining male Rogue said. "I'm Tuemon, an Earth Rogue." Gesturing to the smallest Rogue, who was completely covered in a black cloak, "And this is Cyyl, she's Water."

"Isn't she a little young?" Ovro asked, looking surprised that the redhoods would use someone who looked barely over thirteen.

"Don't underestimate me! I've witnessed fourteen Solos cycles, not much less than you two have." Cyyl hissed icily, stepping closer for her sparkling blue eyes to shine through the two boys. "I could pull the blood out of your veins before each of you can finish a single verse."

"Hey, I didn't mean to sound like that. It's just that—"

"I'm young and I'm a girl?" Cyyl spat, anger blazing behind the folds of her hood. "Yeah right, go suck Solaris' flaming cock!"

After seeing Cyyl storm off to Mayal, Mikos remarked, "You guys sure aren't very friendly."

"My apologies, newcomers." Tuemon tried to offer a friendly smile. "It is just that many of us haven't led very happy lives. We redhoods have suffered much due to the whims of faraway foreigners and tyrannical princes, so we aren't very trusting of those not of our midst. The redhoods were originally just a collection of street gangs who helped those who were left behind, after all. But do not concern yourselves with distrust. We redhoods have a great need for Rogues like you, especially for what we have planned next."

"And this is all a big secret?"

"We can't have any leaks. If the blueshirts hear any wind of it, our entire plan is ruined."

"Right." Irritated, Mikos looked around once more before heading to an empty corner to wait, with Ovro sheepishly following in tow.

The wait was short but anxious. Many impatient redhoods tossed a look towards the two, most looking wary and suspicious. Mikos ignored the stares and kept examining everything in the room in detail, from the number of men, to the types of weapons. Ovro meanwhile was extremely conscious of the eyes landing upon him. He fiddled with his scabbard, hoping that the others would soon get bored.

Eventually, Bergros and Iq'shi returned to the centre. Adressing the crowd, Bergros raised his voice and proclaimed, "The time is now to reclaim our city from the greedy rulers of Octos! Each of you know your duties. Go now and inform the others to make for the walls!"

A huge cheer erupted from the men, who stood up and raised their torches and weapons.

"Remember our blood! Remember our city! United as brothers!"

"United as brothers!"

The large warehouse doors burst open as the large rabble of redhoods began to pour out into the street, rapidly emptying the interior. Mikos and Ovro stood up as well, and attempted to join the stampede, but Bergros motioned them to stay as the warehouse continued to empty.

"We're not participating in the assault?" Mikos guessed.

Shaking his head, Bergros admitted, "That's just a diversion. We don't have what it takes to throw the blueshirts off that Marokron-damned wall."

Ovro widened his eyes realization. "You're sending them to their deaths?"

Eyes burning, Bergros whipped his hand towards Ovro's neck and lifted him by his collar. "We do what it takes to bring justice to those who need it most! If we have to sacrifice some blood, then we do it! But do not lessen our men's courage. They are risking their lives for a better future for the rest of us."

Throwing Ovro back, Bergros turned to Iq'shi, who changed his beggar rags for a black leather outfit. "Pass the serum."

Nodding, Iq'shi turned to another redhood who was carrying a large box. Lifting the cover, the Mulad took out a single clay pot. The other redhoods filed in to take one for each in turn. When every black-clad redhood took a tiny pot and tucked it in their pockets, Iq'shi nodded.

"Let's go."

And with that, the entire remaining company left the warehouse and headed towards the walls. The Rogues, including Mikos and Ovro, were bunched close together, surrounded by redhoods everywhere. They navigated streets, passing many other redhoods on their way to join the attack on the walls. Already, Ovro could see arrows raining up and down the walls, the distant cries of challenge and agony echoing through the streets. A few ladders were raised in the distance. Dozens of desperate redhoods climbed up, only to drop down the ground as the ladders were pushed away or hacked by heavy axes.

When they were almost directly beneath the walls, the party suddenly split up. Half of the blacks and half of the Rogues ran off in another direction. Bergros, who remained with Mikos and Ovro, offered an explanation. "They're heading to the other side of the walls. If we're all jumping at the same time and place, the blueshirts are bound to notice."

"Jump?"

"You'll see."

Dread filling his blood, Ovro had difficulty keeping up with the firm pace. What was Bergros planning to do? And why did this deal sound less attractive by the moment?

The blacks began to trickle off as the dwindling party rounded around the walls. Eventually, only a small handful was left by the time they reached the northern most part of the walls. Bergros gestured to Iq'shi, who nodded to his men. Instantly, they took out their pots, pulled off the cover, and downed the contents in one gulp.

The potion acted fast. Not soon after they swallowed, they grasped their stomach in pain as their bodies absorbed the ingredients. The redhoods moaned in pain as Ovro stared on, utterly confused by their action. Iq'shi was the first to recover, spitting some sort of bile on the frozen ground, which sizzled at the contact.

"Lets go before it wears off." And before Bergros acknowledged him, Iq'shi lifted the heavy Shadow Guardian on his shoulder and took an enormous leap into the dark.

"Shiamon's tits! What in the name of—"

"Shut up!" One of the remaining redhoods hissed. "Don't alarm the guards. We have to go over silently."

"Go over to where? And for what reason?"

Grimacing, the redhood only said, "Most of the blueshirt attention is currently directed to the walls. That leaves the dux unguarded in his castle."

"You mean—"

"No time!"

Instantly, the incredibly strong redhoods lifted each of the boys over their shoulders despite their protests. To silence them, the redhoods quickly stuffed their mouths with a rag, and before the boys could spit it out, the redhoods jumped.

All around the walls of the Old District, vague dark shapes soared over the walls to land on gardens, streets, and rooftops. Some landed in the presence of guards or blueshirts. That was not a problem. The redhoods quickly disposed of their witnesses and moved down the darkened streets, all heading towards the castle looming over the city.

There was no warning at all.

They ran through one of several tunnels leading towards the Old District. Sturdy, fortified, and collapsible at several stages, no redhood would be able exploit them even if they managed to gain access. Many dozens of soldiers were currently running in front of and behind Seles, who was closely keeping behind Captain Broson. The wiry but sharp-eyed blueshirt guarded her well against any surprises that might pop up from narrow dark expanse. But even for Naruto keenly tuned senses, there was not a single threat. That didn't mean they were free from danger though, so he made sure his grip on Seles' arm was firm.

Seles meanwhile gave no indications that she was afraid. Her face remained stoic as her ponytail tugged left and right as she kept up with the men. In the time it took to gather enough men in the Trade District, she had cleaned up and exchanged her ragged dress for a sturdy warm tunic and a pair of thick breeches. She gave Naruto back his cloak and took a fresh woolen cloak dyed in blue. At the last, she exchanged her sandals for a sturdy pair of soldier's boots.

As Naruto took a sniff at his worn cloak, he quickly switched to the same blue cloak. Not only was it cleaner and warmer, the blue would further identify himself with other soldiers along with his shirt. Since he was the only outsider in this gathering, he wasn't about to risk provoking any mistakes from over-eager soldiers in the heat of battle. While he was at it, he grabbed a few knives from the armory. While they weren't balanced for throwing, it was better than nothing as most of his shuriken was lost. He declined to take a sword though when Seles offered one. It would only weigh him down.

"How are our defenses?" Naruto asked softly. "Do you think the battle will reach the castle?"

"I don't know, Naros." Seles admitted, but continued, "From what I've heard, the redhoods don't have near enough siege equipment. But we shouldn't underestimate their resourcefulness. It takes a lot of time and effort to smuggle the components, let alone hiding it well enough to avoid discovery. Questions would be asked if there was suddenly a large need of hardwood, and the guards have tracked every shipment. Still, if the redhoods managed to pay off some of them, we'd be in huge trouble."

After a brief silence as they ran on, Naruto asked another question. "How do they plan to take over the city if they can't capture the walls?"

"There is no other way." Broson supplied. "In every conceivable military sense, you can't control the city if you haven't taken those walls. Even if the redhoods managed to gain control of the surrounding districts, they still have to siege them and starve the soldiers out. However, they wouldn't have the time to do so, since the closest army is just a week away. I'm sure couriers are already on their way to recall all outlying armies to return to Arakoi, if they haven't been messaged by the rubies already. Even if the walls are in the hands of redhoods by then, they'll just be ousted within the month."

"But the redhoods surely know about that risk, don't they? Wouldn't they have plans when that would happen?"

Broson mulled over the question for a while before shrugging. "They've been actively seeking for Rogues for a while. While we assume they are foremost used to neutralize our own Guardians, the redhoods might be able to use their talents against the walls as well."

"But it's doubtful if they will. We have two Earth Guardians, and they have been hard at work for months imbuing the walls with their strength. The stones are resistant to any powers the Rogues may throw at it, for a good period at least. But there are other ways to overcome the walls besides destroying it, and that's what's worrying me. If they have a Wind Rogue, they might be able to fly someone over high enough to be undetected in the night. They might gain free access to the castle."

"They can't possibly get too many men over the walls." Naruto wondered. "How do they plan to capture the castle?"

"They don't need to capture the castle." Seles answered. "They only need to assassinate the dux to win the battle."

"What?" Naruto looked confused at Seles. "Is he that important?"

"You don't know, Naros?" She asked, suspicion stronger in her voice than ever. "He's the dux, and as the uncle of Octos Indus' prince, part of the royal family too. He's fifth in the line of succession. Capturing or killing him would be a heavy blow to Indus."

"It's going to hit the morale of the men as well." Broson added. "The dux fought often besides his men in his earlier days. While his strategic depth might be lacking, his ferocity makes up more than that. He might come off as ruthless concerning his rule over the city, but he is always dedicated to the Federation as a whole. The redhoods who are trying to take this city away from the Federation often misunderstand him."

Nodding, Seles spoke, "The prince isn't going to take his uncle's fall lightly, and neither will the other princes. Arakoi is an essential stronghold in holding back the Mulad threat. If Arakoi's outlying armies somehow aren't able to dislodge the redhoods and their allies from this city, the other Octos states will quickly band together an even larger army that will. They might have to draw off men watching the coast, but the princes will definitely come."

"Since the fall of the Empire," Seles said, her voice softening. "Octos was one of the few remaining regions where chaos and strife didn't gain the upper hand. Ever since they pacified the lands, the princes have ruled fair and just, neither taxing us too much, nor leaving us prey to bandits and Rogues. Our armies have defended us for ages, never stooping to mutiny or extortion. Octos warships have kept our coast safe from pirates and raiders while allowing trade to flourish. The Federation has made us one of the strongest, wealthiest and most stable nations on the continent."

"To see it fall apart…"

Naruto had nothing to add to such passion. In the one-and-a-half years he had stayed in Octos, he only saw a very small part of the nation. As far as he was concerned, Oimos was the entire extent of Octos, much as Konoha was the extent of the Fire Nation. Princes and Daimyos were distant figures, and so were their policies. He might pay a modest tax, but that was the price for a guarantee of safety.

As they reached the end of the tunnel, they all went up the steps and reached another compound, one of many in the Old District. Most blueshirts that accompanied them immediately headed out to reinforce the walls. Only Seles and her bodyguards were left, as well as Captain Broson who was having a talk with the local commander.

When he returned, he faced Seles and said, "There is no open redhood presence in the Old District, as expected. It will be safe to move you through the main road to the castle. Now come, we must hurry."

The blueshirt captain led the contingent out into the streets and carefully held to the main road, which was closely patrolled by the few remaining guards who weren't atop the walls. Unlike the other districts, the Old District was considerably smaller. On the other hand, it was also considerably wealthier as well. Naruto couldn't help but stare at the gorgeous gardens and expansive old mansions that lined the streets. When the castle got nearer, there were fewer houses and more temples and guild offices. They passed one final grand temple dedicated to Solaris before they reached the moat surrounding the castle.

The drawbridge was currently up. A troop of seasoned veterans approached the newcomers, and after a careful inspection of Broson and Seles' identities, were allowed to go through. It took a long time for the drawbridge to lower, but eventually allowed passage further into the courtyard. Broson didn't stop to greet the milling guards, and went straight through the front gates and into the castle proper.

There were candles everywhere that illuminated the interior. While the walls were barren grey, there were plenty of elegant paintings and murals. A few halls even had rich carpets and tapestries. Naruto tried to absorb the scenes depicted on the walls as he passed through the main hallways. Great ancient battles, spectacular duels between giants and a city overrun by an army of horses were but a glimpse of the epics depicted on them. Naruto guessed them to be some sort of history of Arakoi. A few other paintings showed great men, clad in plate and blue. Others were clearly religious in nature, showing the scenes such as the birth of Solaris, the emergence of Shiamon, their eventual clash and the ultimate primacy of the Fire God.

When they finally reached the throne room, Naruto thought it was much too soon. He would have liked studying those incredibly life-like paintings in detail were it not for his present duty. Broson had already approached the central throne, which was raised on top of an elaborate set of steps. On it sat a large, bearded man with a noticeable bear belly. The man was drinking heavily from a cup of wine, evidently oblivious to the new arrivals. Standing close around him on the lower steps were four impressive looking figures. Their polished bronze scales gleamed sharp in the abundant torchlight, while their helmeted plumes gave them an impressive visage.

Upon noticing Broson kneeling before him at the bottom of the steps, the dux threw away his half-filled winecup, staining the steps beneath. "What is it now, soldier. Speak!"

Broson took an awkward moment to collect his voice. "Your Grace, I have escorted Lady Seles to the castle here. She has been recently rescued, and in the ensuing chaos, we thought it prudent to bring her here for her protection."

Even in his apparent stupor, his head quickly perked up. "Seles?" He uttered, surprise etched on his face. "She's here?"

His eyes shook erratically as they frantically scanned up and down the room. Even though Seles was right in front of the throne, it took the dux a good thirty seconds to finally recognize her.

"Seles! You're safe! Thank the Eight!"

The overweight dux immediately lurched from his throne and lumbered down the steps in a dangerous rush that frightened the Guardians. Two of them quickly stepped forward and gently grasped their monarch's shoulders to steady his feet. When the heavy-clothed dux finally crashed against Seles, Naruto briefly thought she was crushed to death. He quickly breathed in relief as it appeared that the dux was merely hugging her close.

"Seles, how have you been?" The dux asked sincerely, brushing down the elaborate folds of his blue robes.

"I've been in worse shape. I'm alive and safe, and that's all that matters." Looking around the room, Seles spotted only six regular guards standing discretely against the walls. Recalling that she encountered fewer blueshirts than normal down the halls, a frown began to appear on her face. "Your Grace, where are the rest of your men?"

Waving a fat hand away, the dux absently replied, "Oh, I just sent those youngsters to join the fight at the walls. They deserve the chance to prove themselves in battle. After all, what kind of a dux would I be if I didn't have my soldiers' interests at heart?"

She didn't erupt. Not quite. Instead, Seles turned a measured look to one Guardian in particular, the only one who didn't hover around the dux and instead lurked under shadows of the walls. "Liras, did you do something besides giving him a bottle?"

The Life Guardian walked out of the shadows of the small alcove she was hiding under and respectfully bowed before answering, "It is.. difficult to explain. His Grace has had great difficulty sleeping over the past couple of weeks, ever since your disappearance. He would toss back and forward on his bed throughout the entire night, never passing into the dream world. In the last few days, he had begun to order me to give him a.. concoction."

"And you gave him this concoction this night as well…?"

"Unfortunately, yes." Guilt and sorrow strained her obviously aged but smooth face. "When this crisis hit, I had no choice but to use drastic measures to pull him from the dream world. This caused several side effects, one of which was a pronounced headache. He demanded wine, urgently so, a request I could not refuse. Alcohol softens the symptoms of pain, but as you know, it will also affect his judgment further than it already is from his sudden wake up."

The angry lines softened on Seles' face. Turning to the dux, she softly asked a question. "You've really been worrying about me all these weeks, have you?"

"More than anyone would think. You may have been my biggest mistake, and I can't do anything about your status. But you have always been the joy of my life. I could not bear to be away from you."

Smiling, Seles gave the dux another hug, before remarking, "But you really should guard yourself more thoroughly. What if an assassin slips through?"

The dux merely looked confident. "No one can get past my four Guardians."

"Four?" Seles took a good look at those around the dux. "Where's the other Earth Guardian?"

"He was heavily injured just before the rebellion erupted." The remaining Earth Guardian stated. "He was critically hit by a shadow spike."

"The shadows again!" The dux erupted, bashing his fists against a table. "That traitor gives me no end of trouble! I should have ordered you all to hunt him down and execute him despite his threats and blackmail. Now he plans to take the city from under me, but I won't allow it!" Turning around, his red face burned in fury. "Give me a torch this instant! I'll burn out every shadow I see until that Shiamon-spawned demon burns before my sight!"

Even as the dux scampered over to take a candle from the table, the Guardians quickly took his arms and gently pulled him back. "Unhand me! I'm the dux! You can't do this to me!"

"Shhh." Seles soothed as she approached the hysterical dux and calmed him down to a manageable state. "You're old now, Your Grace. Let others do the fighting." Seeing the dissatisfaction on his face, she quickly added, "You don't want to be in the way of the young ones earning their own glory."

Staring at her young concerned face, the dux couldn't deny the truth in her voice. "You speak wisdom, my little bird. Perhaps it is time for me to let the younger generation take charge."

Filling another copper cup of wine, the dux slowly climbed back to his throne. "Let the rebel scum break themselves against the walls. Hordes of Mulads have tried before, so this time won't be any different. Let the next who come in carry the words of victory." Raising his cup of wine, he let out a ragged cry. "Strong as Steel!"

Hearing the Arakoian cry, the others, nervous and weary, only managed to return it half-heartedly. "Strong as Steel."

Seemingly satisfied, the dux downed the cup in one throw, and promptly glazed out, not quite falling asleep, but not quite staying conscious. Seles merely shook her head and went over to take a seat at the central table. She filled herself a cup of water and took a loaf of bread from a basket left behind from an earlier meal. Naruto stepped forward, and seeing that no one objected to his action, took a seat next to Seles and poured another mug of water for himself.

Seeing that it was safe to talk, Naruto began to ask, "Is he always—"

"Drunk and stupid?" Seles finished bluntly before she took a large bite out of her loaf. "Not always. He usually makes decisions before feasting himself drunk. Besides," Taking another chunk, Seles held her narrow violet eyes over Naruto's own blue ones. "Ever since the betrayal of one of his closest friends, he began to distance himself from military affairs. The army has many competent generals, commanders and captains. It can survive without the dux's direction."

Raising the cup to his lips, Naruto took a modest swallow before he answered, "Somehow, I don't know whether to feel reassured or nervous."

She didn't comment on that remark. Instead, she ate silently while she looked down in sadness. Naruto, feeling guilty, didn't say anything else, and instead kept his eyes on the room. Besides enduring the constant stares of the Guardians, there was nothing odd. The throne room itself was a large but isolated part of the castle, containing very few windows despite its impressive height. A large amount of torches lined the walls, illuminating many tapestries and war standards, some of them damaged and torn.

"They're captured from tribes and clans that Arakoi has defeated over the years of its existence." Seles helpfully explained. "These are just from the biggest tribes. The standards of the lesser clans are down in the halls." She then pointed to a prominent red triangular banner depicting a black skull from a horned animal. "That one belongs to the Tribe of the Xu'len Goat. They're the ones responsible for the mess we're in."

"So these are all trophies?"

Seles nodded slowly. "They're a testament to the fortitude of our city. But whenever I gaze upon them, I feel more as if Arakoi entrenched in its own glorious past. The city has grown up and built its accomplishments over a glorious period, but it won its last major battle over four decades ago. All this lavishness… don't you think it is merely an attempt to gloat over bones?"

Uncomfortable with her scrutiny, Naruto could only give a half-hearted answer. "Ehm.. I don't know. From where I come from, people don't brag about their accomplishments." This was certainly true since almost every ninja had a few bones in his closets.

"Once, I might have felt grateful that the dux chose to follow a policy of trade and peace with his Mulad neighbors. But now, with most of those with Mulad descent rising up in the city, I cannot help but wonder if it was better for Arakoi to pursue a harder stance instead. Even though I share half of their blood, the Mulads are completely incomprehensible to me. Do they all only think about earning glory in rape and slaughter?"

She finished munching on her bread, and drained the rest of her cup. Tired and full of sorrow, Seles looked as if the coming storm would break her apart. Her fallen expression seemed to echo in Naruto's heart, who was no stranger to grief and loneliness. He wished he could just give her a hug, but didn't dare to upset her delicate balance or attract the scorn of others, especially the dux. So Naruto kept back, finishing his own drink before resuming his calm study of his surroundings.

BANG!

That was, until a stricken guard crashed open the double doors.

"Redhoods in the castle! Redhoods in the castle!" Collapsing on the floor, the guard seemed to pass out. However, Liras quickly approached his side and did something that calmed him. "It's… redhoods, the elite, their bodies are clad in the darkest black. They came in the night, jumped incredibly high, high enough to pass over the moat. They're in the castle now, running over our guards. They've carried Rogues inside as well, oh Gods it's a massacre!"

"Intruders?" The dux murmered, recovering out of his drunken stupor. "Rebels, in my castle?"

When it seemed the dux would stand up and pull out his sword, Seles quickly hopped up the steps and pushed him down. "Remember! You are old, and you're the dux. You must let others have their chance of glory."

"Ah.. yes Seles.. you are right. I must wait…"

Addressing the Guardians, she said, "We have to keep the dux safe. Is there any escape?"

They all shook their heads. "The castle is completely cut off." The Earth Guardian supplied. "The only way to leave is by air or over the drawbridge. If the redhoods have come with sufficient numbers, they're bound to watch both."

"So we can't evacuate all of us?"

"It would be unwise, my lady. We cannot leave the city in any case, and stationing him at the walls will just expose him to further risks. I cannot imagine the redhoods coming here in larger numbers, so we should fight them off rather than risk the dux out in the open."

Not quite satisfied with what she heard, Seles turned to her personal guard. "Naros? What do you think?"

Surprised at being asked for his opinion, Naruto took a moment to collect his thoughts. "Ehh.. I don't know. I don't know anything about what the redhoods or blueshirts are capable of. I'd suggest smuggling you all out and hide in one of the many mansions outside, but if we won't be able to slip out undetected then there's no choice but to hide in the castle." Gazing around, he arched his arm around the room. "But is this really the best room to hide?"

The Earth Guardian grunted at that. "The throne room is designed to be the last defensible position in case of an assault. All the walls are twice as thick. The ceilings are high on purpose to discourage creating an opening and using them as an entrance. Only the cellars might be safer, but we can't risk going out into the halls."

"So we have to fight them off…" Seles trailed off, thinking over their situation. "Guard! Tell me, how many redhoods did you count?"

The calming guard looked hysterical, if a bit sleepy from the Life Guardian's effects. "Tens, dozens fell from the skies. They were so many, too many for those on the walls to fight off. They came from all directions and landed on different places. There might be more from the other side of the castle as well.."

"More than a hundred?"

The young man shivered a little, but eventually shook his head. "It's unlikely.. I mean, I don't know, but, maybe fifty to seventy, but I'm just guessing, so—"

"It's alright, you've helped us enough." Seles reassured him, before turning back to the Earth Guardian. "And how many do we have?"

"It's uncertain how many the dux has ordered away, but I am quite certain that at least the household guard has remained, which would ordinarily number to a hundred. But if these redhoods have managed to jump over both the walls and the moat, then they will likely comprise the elite of the rebels."

"Infiltrators." Seles whispered, bringing her arm closer to her chest. "Four of them attempted to assassinate me earlier this night. If there are seventy more, then…"

"Then the guards won't stand a chance." The Earth Guardian finished. Turning to his companions, he said, "If the redhoods are coming from all directions, then we can hold off or at least delay those coming from the east and west wings."

"I'll reinforce the west wing." The Wood Guardian said. "There's more furniture there."

One of the Wind Guardians volunteered as well. "I'll see what I can do in the east wing."

After agreeing to a basic plan, the two Guardians hastily left the room as the double doors were shut and barred. The guards were helping with moving tables or cabinets up to the door to barricade the way even further. The remaining Wind and Earth Guardian stood ready in front of the throne, ready to block any assassination attempts, whilst the Life Guardian tried to keep the dux coherent. Distant shouts of battle were already echoing into the room as Naruto took Seles' arm and forced her to the back of the room with his kunai ready.

"Why do you do this, Naros?" Seles asked, clutching close to Naruto's arm. Her eyes seemed to penetrate into Naruto's soul as she captured his gaze. When Naruto couldn't think of a reason, she spoke again. "I can tell from your eyes that Naros is probably not your real name."

"You know?" Naruto responded incredulously, wondering how he was found out.

Bringing her hand over his chest, she smiled and reassured him. "It doesn't matter. You're not involved in all of this. You don't have to protect me with your life. If there are too many attackers, you should give up on me and try to make a run for it. I'll give you a ring that—"

"Stop! Don't talk any further!" Naruto whispered harshly, shutting Seles up abruptly. "Again, I'm not doing this for money or for a free ticket out. I'm doing this because what the redhoods are doing just isn't right."

His voice was filled with determination and truth. Ever since he landed into this new and unknown world, his sense of purpose had been completely scattered. For a long time since he rebuilt his life in Oimos, he believed he had no more part to play in the struggles of the world. Velk incursions, Mulad raids and the Brond threat were merely distant affairs in the almost idyllic village. But it wasn't until he saw what was happening in Arakoi that he realized even this new world was fraught with chaos and conflict. How could he stand by when atrocities were carrying out before his very eyes?

He couldn't. As he tightened the grip on his kunai, he swore that he would protect Seles as best as he could. He might not have the chakra to fight like a ninja, but that didn't diminish his other skills, as well as his new talent. Though he didn't exchange a single word with the Velkish fox, he knew in some level that he had earned its respect. If he was facing more of those infiltrators, then the use of his strengthened teeth would give him the edge he needed to hold off their incredible leg strength.

The doors ripped apart as solid masses of shadows tore at the flimsy barricades in their way. Everyone present shielded their eyes as splinters and dust rained over them. As the debris settled down, three prominent figures emerged, followed closely by a dozen infiltrators.

One of the figures, a solid-looking man, immediately charged at the Earth Guardian while calling up an earthen hammer to clash against the Guardian's heavy shield. The other, a small teenage girl, silently approached the floating Wind Guardian, drawing water from the air in order to bring the Guardian down. The remaining leader ordered his infiltrators forward to engage the guards before he finally faced the dux directly in the eye.

"Bergros." The dux spat, anger roiling through his body as he sat straighter on his throne.

The simply dressed man scowled in return. "Dux Roranos. You cannot imagine how long I have been waiting to avenge my beloved."

The dux threw a hearty laugh, mocking Bergros' challenge. "You presume to lay a hand on me? I am the dux. I do not tolerate treason and treachery from either you or your foreign bitch."

"Don't start on me with your twisted notions of life!" Bergros barked back, stepping closer towards the throne as his infiltrators began to engage the guards. "What you did to my wife was despicable even for a despot like you. I'll kill you first," Bergros then pointed towards Seles, who was doing her best to look small. "And after I have spilled open your guts, I'm going to kill the spawn you so brazenly conceived."

"You won't touch Seles, traitor! I won't allow it." The dux seemed to be making for his sword, but the Life Guardian firmly pushed him down.

Bergros only shook his head at the pathetic sight before him. "You've fallen even further than I imagined since that day." Pulling his sword from his sheath, he pointed it towards the dux and claimed, "I'll see you dead before the night is over."

The dux sneered disdainfully at the brazen threat. "You're wrong. It's you whose traitorous head will roll."

"We'll see about that." And with the same breath he added, "Silent arrow."

Before the dux could blink, a tiny sliver of shadow shot out from Bergros' outstretched sword. The dux released a yelp as his eyes managed to spot the approaching apparition. But just before it could penetrate his chest, a sudden blast of wind knocked the arrow out of its path and splattered harmlessly against the wall.

The Wind Guardian floated towards the steps and shielded the dux from Bergros. "I stand ready to defend you, Your Grace."

But the Wind Guardian's assistance left the Water Rogue unhindered. Angered, the girl approached the throne from the side, ready to utter a song to attack the dux from the side. Bergros took his time to edge closer as well, calling up his energies for the coming moment of battle.

Off to the side, Naruto was still keeping Seles behind his back. As yet, no infiltrators had approached them, but that could change at any moment. The guards in the throne room seemed surprisingly resilient so far, but the weight of numbers favored the infiltrators. But that wasn't the only thing that gnawed at him. He glanced nervously as the Wind Guardian faced the Shadow Renegade down. The Life Guardian held up his own sword against the Water Rogue, but Naruto knew the older woman wouldn't stand a chance. He suppressed the impulse to help. He was here to protect Seles.

"Go."

"…Huh?"

"Go. I know you want to fight. Just go and help." Seles ordered, steeling her mind as she pushed Naruto away. "If the Guardians fall, no one else can stop the traitors. Go!"

Spurred on by Seles, Naruto made up his mind and shed his cloak before sprinting towards the Water Rogue. When it seemed as if she was conjuring a power, Naruto quickly took out a knife and aimed the weapon at her back. He hoped he would be lucky and take her out in a single shot.

But without even turning her head, the young Rogue had already broke off her incantation and ratted off a different one instead.

"Submerged in the wall of water!"

Moisture suddenly solidified around the Rogue, encasing her in a cylinder of water. Naruto's knife sliced in the fluid wall with ease, but didn't have the power to escape its watery prison. A second later, the wall lost its shape and drenched the floor, with Naruto's knife clattering harmlessly on the floor. Angry eyes burned as the Rogue turned to face the Naruto directly.

"Cyyl!" Bergros shouted as he readied to duel with the waiting Wind Guardian. "Don't waste too much time! Remember our objective!"

The girl only growled in acknowledgement before facing off against Naruto. "I'll smash your body apart."

"You can try."

Naruto didn't really care for her taunts, nor for the struggle around him. Though he knew very well that he was outmatched, he felt he needed to lift his part. His conscience wouldn't tolerate anything less. If it meant beating or even killing a girl younger than him, then so be it. As he stared at her scowling face, he tried not to think of the reasons why a girl so young could possess so much anger. She had her reasons, he knew, but regardless of that, she was still an enemy.

'This isn't any different from fighting female ninjas. She chose to follow this path. She has to face the consequences of her decision. I have to stop feeling so guilty.'

Still, why did he feel so horrible at what he was about to do?