Rating: T

Warning: I am rating each chapter, based on language and scene content... The chapter includes. A little gore =P and Violence.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Thundercats series. Only the characters I created.

Author's Notes:

Hello, lovelies! I know...I know... I've been very bad. =( I made you wait too long when I originally promised I would update on a regular basis. My apologies! I truly didn't think life and writer's block would delay this chapter sooo much. I've had some hellish months... Plus I corrected and re-did this chapter like seven times! I kid you not... =( Insecurities, life, lack of inspiration drove me crazy. I so wanted to finish it... I really did! I guess things weren't supposed to happen until today. I'm finally happy with the result and I'm already working on finishing 26 =P. I hope you enjoy it, and I'll work hard to have the next ready and polished.

Thank you for the last reviews. The follows and favs! And to all who found this story worth their time. =)

As always, I appreciate instructive criticism and I so love your reviews! You're welcome to comment anytime and ask questions. You can also PM me if need be XD.

Hugs and lots of love to my current and future readers! Fighting!

Chapter 25

Hisses and whispers teased her ears. She could hear the incessant sounds all around her. They grew louder each time she tried to open her eyes only to be met by darkness. Mixed smells of blood, filth, and piss wreaked her nose. She groaned as the pain in her stomach and face tingled with life again. There was a stone under her belly, and she enjoyed the cool sensation of the floor. Everything hurt a little more as she slowly regained her senses. Opening her eyes and focusing didn't help much to recognize where she was. She sniffled, and her clammy hands reached for her mouth and nose, only to find a sticky liquid over her lips and chin. Tracing her jawline and cheek, she realized it hurt, but no bones were broken. The movement of her hand alone was exhausting. Grunting she resolved to check on her stomach later. Eventually, she would have to turn around because she knew she was facing the floor. Releasing a breath, she groaned low curses realizing sweat and loose hair were sticking to her face like a second skin.

The hisses grew louder and the whispers echoed.

Where am I?

The last thing she recalled was the fight, a huge fist landing on her cheek and pain.

She sucked a breath and forced her arms to push against the floor. The first two tries were useless. Regaining her breath and strength, on the third attempt she pushed harder and almost bit her tongue as she forced her sore muscles to cooperate.

Finally, she managed to turn around and her back slumped heavily over the stone. She breathed and smiled with triumph despite the crawling pain in her insides. The superficial cut under her ribs itched and stung a little. She just wanted to remain still until the aching muscles relaxed. For now, she was happy she wasn't suffocating facing the ground. Though it was unsettling to be in a dark space in such a vulnerable state, she decided to rest until she could manage to stand up and inspect where she was. A voice mixed with a hiss caught her attention.

"Calm down Rattler. We'll soon be free to enjoy the cat's squeals and screams"

"I can't wait any longer. I want my revenge! I want to see how they crawl on their knees and beg for mercy!" Another voice answered.

She remained silent taken aback by their conversation.

"I never wanted this…" A different voice spoke further away "I have a family… What if they never come for us Lizo?"

"Shut your sssnout Iguano! They'll come! And sssoon you'll be able to rip their hides and take what's rightfully yours. You will have more than enough for your family!" The first voice retorted. Apparently, his name was Lizo. The family guy was Iguano and the other thirsty for vengeance was Rattler.

Lizards

If their hisses weren't proof enough, their names were a clear confirmation of the race they belonged to. She bit her lower lip nervously realizing they were probably waiting to be freed.

"What if the cats find out? We will perishhh under their claws!" Rattler said with a trembling voice. He really sounded as though he didn't want to be here.

"We won't! Our master is alive and he promised us a sweet victory. I can't wait to see them kneel and beg for crumbs as we have for years!" Lizo assured.

"Quiet! The guards coming…" Another lizard warned.

Now she knew. She was in the dungeons with lizards.

Just my luck…

Closing her eyes she realized that although she might have managed to delay the inevitable. If she had known sooner, they could have warned Jaga and avoided all this chaos. And now she dreaded to find out what would happen when these lizards were liberated. But now there was nothing she could do about it anymore. A huge sense of guilt settled in her stomach remembering her failed attempt at saving thousands of lives.

There was no use in dwelling on the mistakes, but there had to be something more she could do. If only Jaga had come back to Rei on time… Things would have turned out very differently.

The kittens hid behind columns and walls as they guided her to the dungeons. Rei had a tough time following them with the two satchels at each side, but she moved as fast as her feet could take her. The sounds of screams and collisions rattled her senses as she peered over her shoulder. When they had left the town hall, the lizards hadn't escaped the huge stone yet. The place remained awfully silent as the regiment left and they followed the guards who had apprehended May. She was thankful the kittens were with her. It was comforting and a relief to have their streetwise knowledge.

The dungeons didn't seem far away from where they had been. When they stopped to hide in a corner Wily-Kat motioned them to stop.

"Stay here Rei. We'll take care of the guards at the door. I don't smell any more than those two around" She nodded as Kit spoke, and wondered what they would do. At this point, she didn't care about what was right or wrong. She simply resolved to trust them. Anything to get May back…

The sound of tumbling stones stirred her attention. The three of them turning their heads to the same direction. It sounded very close.

The town hall...

"Did you hear that?" Kat said focused on the distance.

"It doesn't matter Kat, let's go! We have to hurry!" Kit spoke a little desperate.

The two guards were looking at the same direction from where she assumed the noises came from.

"Wait!" Kat warned Kit as she was about to leave.

They heard them call other guards, who soon replaced them. The pair headed to where the tumbling sounds originated and a sick knot settled in her stomach realizing it was wrong to allow them to leave unwarned. If the lizards escaped the Ore gift, who knew how many of them were hiding in it? Two soldiers against an unrevealed and unnumbered enemy…

She closed her eyes feeling disgusted at herself.

They're going to die and I can't help them. It's either them or May…

It was a moment to make hard decisions under painful circumstances. It was either her friend or some strangers who would surely die. This was not supposed to happen this way. But now she had no other alternative. Her heart sank and she breathed deeply trying to suppress the distress.

"Okay, now Kit!" Kat said "Cover your ears Rei and stay here. When everything's cleared, we'll wave for you to come" He declared sounding more sure and levelheaded than her.

As they walked away with an unconcerned demeanor, she covered her ears and peeked at them. They walked straight to the guards. The tall cats didn't seem happy, but the kittens ignored there scowls. Kit took a round flute she always carried and to her amazement began to play and dance like a nymph. The guards seemed to protest at first, but soon their stance faltered and their heads swayed from side to side following the music. Kat pick pocketed their keys, opened the door and waved at her. The two guards slumped down on the floor with dreamy faces as she neared them. Another pang of guilt settled on her chest already regretting leaving these strangers defenseless.

Kat opened the barred gate and they moved into a square court yard. There were two watch towers and what looked to be exposed prison cells. They were three floors of cells and imprisoned lizards everywhere. There were also two doors across the yard. She assumed they would lead to the dungeons or some other section of the prison. And the kittens seemed like they knew this place all too well, because they walked to one of the doors as lizards hissed at them. She followed and ignored the scaly felons. They yelled and hissed relentlessly, but Rei moved quickly focusing her thoughts on seeing May again.

Once they were inside, she could only see a few torches. It was a room with a single round table, chairs, weapons, some food and many keys that hung in a line across a wall.

"Don't worry Rei, we've been here before. We just have to find May's cell and the key. Everyone must be outside fighting. Usually there are guards here…" Kat voiced.

He took her hand and called May's name and Kit remained behind.

"May! Are you here?" Kat kept on calling.

There seemed to be no answer. As they walked through the passageway it got darker and soon many hisses and growls answered Kat's yells.

"Who are you?" One of the lizards spoke in the dark.

Kat ignored him and kept on calling.

"I can smell her clothes. She's close!" Kat declared excited.

Rei's heart raced. She could feel every muscle relax in relief knowing they'd found her.

"Here! Kit bring the last set of keys on the right!" Wily-Kat yelled.

Rei could hear a groan and Kit's footsteps coming closer.

"Let us out mongrels!" A lizard shouted at them.

The sounds of keys and metal made her nervous. She felt a tingling sensation in her nape as if she was being watched. No doubt the lizards were seeing them in the dark. And apparently, cats could see much better because the cell door opened swiftly followed by the key chimes.

"May? Are you all right?" She heard Kit's concerned voice.

A familiar groan made her smile.

"Guys?" May asked bewildered and Rei moved towards the sound.

"Yup! You can thank us later though, we have to leave!" Kat urged.

"Okay, just give me a hand will ya?" She retorted and Reia searched for her in the dark until she caught a hand. They helped her up and she could hear the faint sound of her chopped breath. Once they moved out of the cell guided by the kittens, the creek of a door opening halted their steps, making her skin crawl and a mass off hisses wailed around them.

"They've finally come for us!" A lizard screeched.

Rei felt her pulse quicken and she held May's hand even tighter. The lizards had entered the dungeons and they were trapped. A small hand caught hers in the dark.

"Someone's coming…" Kit whispered.

"Backdoor then and up the steps…" Kat answered as if he had memorized the place.

They ran into the dark path, guided by the kittens until they found a fading light and followed it. Soon they were met by torches framing a spiral staircase. Her head snapped back when she heard the many steps that came from behind them. The kittens seemed to ignore it, because they pulled on their hands frantically, showing that they had to keep moving.

"That sounds like a lot of lizards… They must have left the trojan horse. Rei did they follow you? Did you see them get out of it?" May breathed heavily while they went up the stairs and looked back at her. Her denial made May frown instantly "Then we don't know how many of them were in that thing and what weapons they´re carrying… That's just great!" Maryam lay a hand on a wall, and Rei realized she was catching her breath and regaining her balance. She could see May's swelled cheek and blood stains from under her nose, crossing her chin and sliding to her neck. She also noted the cut fabric of her cloak and the slit shirt on her side was soaked in blood and sticking to the skin. Sweat and lose strands hiding her eyes, her chest rising up and down forcibly.

"I'm fine Rei… Don't look at me that way. It's just a scratch. I'm a little dizzy but that's about it." Rei frowned and looked at her sternly "Really, just catching my breath… Stop looking at me like that" May smiled and push away from the wall.

"Come on! They're following us! Move!" Kat yelled at them looking behind him.

"Right!" May nodded and pulled on her hand slightly.

They continued to go up to the point they were met with another door. A big one.

"Fuck!" May spat while trying to open it "It's locked! I don't think my hands are steady enough to open it…"

"We'll take care of it!" Kit assured smirking.

A mass of slapping feet and hisses sounded too close. In seconds two lizards faced them four steps away. The kittens still hadn't opened the door and Rei froze. Gazing at their shimmery scales, glassy eyes and silvery weapons, she cringed. Fear seeping through every pore in her skin. One had a lance and the other a knife. Their pinkish tongues lapping the air and a cruel grin spreading on their faces as they moved.

"Guys… Rush it! We have scaly company!" May yelled.

"We're working on it! We don't have the keys for this one!" Kat yelled back.

Rei watched the pair of lizards advance slowly. Two more appeared behind them and she found herself numb to her toes. She could hear the sound of their synced raspy breath and she couldn't bring herself to move a finger. The scraping of metal and the kitten's grunts made her even more nervous. And before she could bring herself to move, May stood between the lizards and her in seconds. Her shoulders moved slowly up and down along with her breathing.

"What do we have here?" The lizard with the lance asked.

"Who cares? They're protecting cats. Seize them!" The other ordered.

Rei's heart raced and her hand slipped quickly into her satchel. It was a very narrow passage of stairs to fight against these lizards. It would be suicide. If she could manage to throw a pepper ball at the enemy they would suffocate as well. But then again, there was no space to physically fight against four lizards, no matter how skilled May was.

"It's open!" Kit yelled overjoyed.

She quickly grasped May's cape and lifted it over her friend's head. Pushing her aside, she lowered her own hood and threw the ceramic ball at the lizard's feet. Their squeals pierced her ears like nails scratching a chalkboard. She turned her back on the lizards avoiding the pepper smoke and pushed May through the doorstep. Disregarding her friend's curses and struggle with the cloak, she moved away and the kittens closed the door quickly.

"What the hell was that?" May said lowering her cape and moving the braided hair out of her face "What were you trying to do? Suffocate me?" She raised an angry brow.

No. I was trying to save you! You hot-headed bull!

"Hey! We need a little help here!" Kat groaned "Their pushing… We can't close it!" Kat croaked while trying his best to shut the door. Kit was helping him, but they were too small to rival the lizard's strength. Rei hurried along with May, both trying to push as hard as they could.

A lizard managed to sneak a hand in between the enclosed space and reached for May's face.

"Don't you dare touch me you filthy lizard! Come on people! PUSH!" May ordered with a strained voice that made Rei's eyes closed, willing all the strength she had. Finally, the door slammed shut and a vicious crack followed it, along with a painful howl. She opened her eyes simultaneously and recoiled at the sound. Pushing herself away she realized the rest were looking at the floor and gaping. And she soon saw the same thing they were looking at. A lose limb and green slime oozing out of it. The lizard's hand had been cut off by the metal framing. She could still hear hisses and yell on the other side. The hand squiggled and moved on its own making her jolt. She covered her mouth in horror and moved away.

"It's still moving…" Kit gasped and moved beside her.

May kicked it away and straightened her shoulders.

"That was close… Good job guys! We make a hell of a team!" May turned and smiled at them ignoring the very alive limb squiggling behind her "Thanks!"

Rei smiled back and felt a hysterical laugh building up inside her. They had broken into a prison, barely escaped a gang of lizards and they were still all in one piece. And she truly hoped it would stay that way. She sighed and hugged Kit smiling back. For now, at least one plan had worked.

May tried to distance herself from the dancing limb, carelessly stepping on the goo substance that had spewed out from it. Although she wasn't fully recovered and her side and cheek still ached, she was happy to see the kittens and Rei again. They had come for her despite her , the kittens never listened to her anyway, and she laughed as they stood on the wall victorious. Their faces looking at her as if she'd lost her mind. The gang was back together again and her heartfelt relieved just watching their stunned expressions. She didn't expect Rei to come forward so quickly and slap her head brutishly.

"Hey! That hurt! I'm a frail injured person and you're hitting me? What kind of friend are you?" She asked with one eye closed expecting another slap. But it never came. Reia simply stood there, pointing a finger at her with a determined irritated expression. Then she retracted the finger and sighed frowning as though she were trying to control her temper. May almost laughed again but decided not to.

"Look!" Kit called. She was leaning and looking at the prison square. Her ears flattening as if she were scared. It only took three steps to see what Wily-Kit was looking at.

Lizards…

They had opened the gate and were freeing the prisoners. And there was a defined difference between the two. The invaders wore armor parts, unlike the cat's medieval ones. Metal helmets with headlights, some had breastplates that looked like bulletproof vests, waistbands full of gadgets and pockets, reflective goggles and bracers that looked more for offense than for protection. Gulping and blinking, she realized they all had sophisticated weapons. Things that couldn't be mistaken for anything, other than guns and rifles. Flashy and stylish with laser sights and all.

From where did they get all that gear?

"There are so many of them…" Kat whispered in shock.

"I guess the rumors were true" Kit looked at her and back at the lizards.

Both of them looked scared. And May couldn't blame them. If they had those weapons, who knew what other advanced stuff they'd acquired.

Like bombs… and… tanks.

She clenched her fists at her sides embracing her anger and recognizing the disadvantage the cats had versus their enemies. It was beyond unfair really; it was a disgusting upper hand. There was no chance the cats would win. A carefully planned destruction of a nation with advanced weapons and machinery resembling the Thundertank. She bit her lower lip when she felt Reia gazing at the mass of lizards. A feeling of dread as she thought of the outcome of such an event. It would be…

A massacre…

There was no other way to put it. And they were stuck in the middle of it.

"We have to find Jaga… We can't sit and watch idly" She started feeling the bitter taste of her words.

Rei grabbed her hand and pointed at her wound with a pleading stare. But there was no time for healing now. A deafening sound came from the door as though it was being crushed. The lizards were trying to tear down the door with something heavy.

"There's no time for that Rei… We have to leave!" She pushed her friend away when she tried to examine the damage "No! Rei we have to go. They're gonna bring down the door at any moment"

"Yeah… It sounds like something heavy is hitting it" Kat stated.

"What options do we have? We can't go down there… There are still lizards blocking the gate. And on the other side of that door, there's company" Kit exclaimed pouting.

"We'll just have to climb down the wall on the outer skirts. Anyone have a rope?" Maryam surveyed each face and received blank expressions. She rubbed her forehead and sighed annoyed. Meanwhile, the lizards were still ramming the door and her fingers tingled. The sound of cracking wood made her cringe.

"We can climb down easily…" Kit stated scratching her head.

"Yeah, I know, you're cats… We, on the other hand, don't have claws Kit! And there are no pipes or anything to actually grab on to"

"What about these flags? You can tie them up and use them. You can slide down easily!" Kat suggested wi a toothy smile.

"Great idea Kat! Okay then... Get me the three flags. Rei, help me tie them as fast you can. That door is coming down soon!"

While the lizards clashed again against the door, the kittens managed to get the flags and Reia began tying them up. When they were making the second knot the door came down with a hole in it. Smoke and hisses invaded their space and May stood ignoring the pain at her side.

"Secure the knots and tie it to the pole Rei! Kittens help her; I'll take care of the scaly people!" She ordered as she stood in between the incoming party and her friends.

First, two approached with daggers. She grinned knowing that at least they didn't have fire weapons and that they were thin and about her size. As one charged she moved aside avoiding the blade and ducked aiming a punch at his stomach. These lizards wore no armor, so the weak points were easier to find. The lizard groaned and the other came from her right flank in an attempt to thrust the dagger into her neck. Smaller and lighter opponents were easier to expel from a fight or disable. So she grabbed his wrist before it landed and twisted her body to give her back to him. Using her legs as leverage she catapulted his body over hers. He flew over the wall. Her first attacker recovered quickly and whipped his tail at her, hitting her arm with force. The hit left her rattled but she moved away and watched another lizard join him. The one with a missing arm, who looked very pissed. Showing his tongue and fangs as a threat, advanced. At the moment she was about to engage them, Wily-Kat and Wily-Kit appeared behind the lizards. In an instant each grabbed a tail and sunk their sharp canines into the flesh and the lizards screamed in surprise.

"May run!" For an instant, she hesitated, but trusting the kittens she ran to Reia who was about to slide down. Her friend's eyes wide with fear.

"Down Rei! Now!" She yelled and Rei walked to the edge sparing a glance to the kittens and grabbed the flag rope. She jumped and slid down easily. May followed after her, the kittens were already running to their direction as she fell.

When she landed the kittens clawed their way down the stone wall speedily. And they all landed safely together once more.

"We did it!" Kit cheered.

"Yes we did it…" May smiled out of breath.

"We're going straight to the clerics! Give me my bag Rei" Rei handed a satchel and gave her wound another concerned stare "I'm fine. Let's get to the clerics!"

And so they moved with stealth, taking refuge behind walls while lizards scattered. For now, they were safe and a few blocks away from the temple. But she couldn't help noticing small squads of lizards fighting; at this rate she imagined hundreds attacking commoners or guards. Most of them were scattering like mice towards monuments and buildings. Oddly not fighting, but placing strange objects on their walls.

What are they doing?

She wondered as her eyes studied their movements. Some of them too distracted fighting what little guards remained. Thankfully, there weren't any civilians in this area. They seemed more focused on their deed than killing. May shuddered when she remembered they had tech and some didn't even need to get involved in the fight.

"Those things look like webcams… But something tells me they're not. It has to be something worse." She whispered and Rei's hand grabbed her shoulder "We have to pass through them to get to the clerics, we can't avoid crossing the town hall" She said while looking at her friend's wary expression "We will be attacked if seen. But we can't go around or hide because... It's not safe to be near walls or columns… If something explodes, we'll smashed like potatoes under grabble" She sighed while Rei turned her eyes to the floor as though pondering on the facts "We have to cross through, those things they're placing on the walls, may well be bombs."

A moment of silence enveloped them until Wily-Kit spoke.

"We'll distract them so you can get there." Kit proposed with a wicked grin.

"Yeah! Splitting up seems like the best option" Kat nodded.

"I don't like that idea…" May protested and she was immediately interrupted.

"We can't distract all of them… But it'll be enough so you can punch your way through May. We'll be fine!" Kit assured her with a smile "Plus, will find you anywhere!"

May frowned and kneeled in front of them. Staring at their faces and wondering if she should agree. Then again, the kittens would do it even if she didn't agree. Still, it didn't feel right to go separate ways, and Rei would back her up on that as well. And yet, what other option did they have? She couldn't think of anything better. The other side of her brain was advising her to listen and trust the rascals no matter the consequences. They had their ways, and they were experts in the art of deceiving and fleeing. Despite all those unquestionable truths, they were still children and she wouldn't forgive herself if anything happened to them. It was a great dilemma and very little time to resolve it.

Kat suddenly moved away and ran towards the group of lizards gathered near the stone.

"Wait!" May yelled trying to grab him, and before Rei could catch Kit, the little heathen threw some stuff on the floor and followed her brother.

While Reia froze looking at their fleeting forms, May realized it was her knife and her defective knuckle. She took them quickly and grabbed May's hand.

"Come on Rei! It's too late to stop them now…"

A group of twelve hunted the kittens. They raced in the opposite direction, heading to the temple and stealing the attention of other lizards. Five of them followed screaming and calling other lizards to join them. She urged her legs to move faster and pulled on Rei's hand fiercely. As she looked back for a glance four more lizards advanced on them and the kittens were nowhere to be seen. If they stopped, now they'd never reach Jaga on time. And even then, there was a possibility he wasn't even at the temple. Still it was worth the risk.

As they raced looking ahead, flashes of blue and green passed their line of vision. The lizards were firing at them. Thankfully none grazed her body, but she hadn't looked back to see if Rei had been hurt. She ordered her body to move on, as long as Rei's footsteps followed and her hand didn't falter.

Something sharp and hot touched her shoulder like a hot blade and she winced. She then looked back to make sure Rei wasn't hurt. Instantly her friend made an effort to reach her pace to be side by side. Rei's hood had been cut right on the cheek, but she couldn't see any other injuries while running. More lights pierced the air around them and her heart was beating so fast and loud she thought she'd faint under the adrenaline. As long as Rei was alive by her side she could go on.

To their advantage, apparently these lizards didn't have good aim.

"Rei there are the stairs… We're almost there!" She turned her head to look back again, and there were more lizards than before. Her legs ached and the exhaustion was making her sloppy. She could feel how her muscles trembled and burned under the pressure. She was aware of each bruise and cut while she moved further along.

When they climbed the first set of ten stairs she was already out of breath, sweating and considerably slowing down. At this rate, she wouldn't make it even if she wanted to.

A sound of a loud yawn caught her attention. A flash of light and white cloaks passed through them, like a river of gold crashing into every lizard and evading all their scattered shots. She blinked astonished and smiled as hope made her aching muscles relax. The clerics defeated the lizards with speed and an elegance she had never seen before. They resembled shaolin monks, every move hitting its mark like they could foresee the future actions of their opponents. A grace and agility beyond any knowledge of combat she had acquired. Things you would only enjoy in a movie. But here they were these graceful and beautiful artists of wind and speed, wielding defensive weapons as if dancing against their enemies.

When they crushed the lizards easily, they stood still and focused their gazes on them synchronized, as if connected to each other by thoughts. They didn't move and they suddenly bowed. A warm presence neared her side.

"I thought I instructed you to stay in my quarters… But I am glad to see you both alive. Thank the ancestors" Jaga's voice caressed her heart. They hadn't failed after all.

"You never came…"She stated looking straight at him as he towered over them with a serene expression "And I tried to warn the king but he wouldn't listen... Grune's got his trust, as you said and he threw me into the dungeons. We barely escaped…" She blurted out.

"Calm down child. All will be well... Even under the dark helplessness of war the light arises. Take a breath and be still" He looked at them pausing on the injuries.

"No you don't understand! There is no way of winning this war Jaga. They've got technology. Weapons of destruction! I didn't realize till it was too late! You were gone… They were hiding in the rock!"

He laid a hand on her cheek and smiled.

"Breathe child … I was speaking to the King and preparing my clerics" He paused frowning "But you say they all carry weapons like those? They seem weak… Even if they had stronger ones, I doubt lizards would be capable of wielding them" He sighed as he turned to inspect Rei as well "But I was afraid this truth would come to life, if only Panthro were still alive..." He swayed his head "The stories were true. Nonetheless you need to rest… We'll take care of the rest from here on. You have nothing to fear. You did well..."

May interrupted him almost desperately. She would say everything this time.

"You don't understand! The ones who were hiding in the ore gift seem trained and heavily equipped. They have a leader and I'm not sure if it's only Grune. They got out and freed the rest of the lizards that were imprisoned. They're moving around as if they had a plan. The ones in the ore seem to know how to use the tech weapons Jaga! Not like these guys…" She inhaled a sharp breath "Who knows what sort of other weapons they have… They seem very prepared and organized. I saw it! You have to warn the King!" She stressed the words while she fought to steady her voice. She needed air but she couldn't stop "In my world… this technology used by the wrong people, can cause destruction and kill thousands in a blink of an eye. They're going to exterminate every last one of you if you underestimate them!"

His eyes widened and his face paled, as if the words had cut through him. She stared at him for a long moment trying to determine if he had understood. And his lips tightened as he closed his eyes, seeming almost defeated by the gravity of her statement.

"All right then… If it is as you say. There is little we can do but survive and hope we can save as many as we can. Stay inside and recover until I return for you. This place is protected by great power" He waved his staff at his clerics and instructed two to stay behind "They will protect you in my absence and I shall return. If I don't, then they know what to do to keep you both safe. Your presence means more than I could fathom. But this time stay as I ordered" He said sternly with his brows furrowed.

"I'm afraid I can't stay here and watch you die… We can lay low and out of sight. But we're not staying. We can help even if we don't' fight." May whispered determined and Jaga frowned.

"So be it… But promise me you'll stay as far away as possible? There is no telling what could happen and I cannot protect you this time" he warned almost annoyed.

Maryam lay silent for a moment thinking of his warning but her thoughts were cut off by a piercing sound in the sky. First her eyes caught Reia looking above and trembling. Her arms shuddered and her knees buckled as though terrified. But her eyes were the soul expression of terror. Everybody but May looked at the sky as though shocked. She was about to comfort Reia, but as she lay a weak arm around her friend, a thunderous sound reverberated, followed by two more. The ground shook fiercely under their feet, and as she hugged Rei to protect her from the possible fire and grabble light covered them like a translucent shield. A voice chanted sweet low words. And as she saw fire and stones fly around them caused by the explosions, she realized Jaga was performing some kind of magical ritual. Not even the smoke reached them under the cocoon of golden light.

Rei still trembled, but May was thankful nobody got hurt. Without doubt Jaga was a powerful sorcerer. He had protected all with a single wave of his staff. And it was almost funny when she realized magic no longer shocked her. It was as natural as breathing air. Still the terror of the moment was too real and horrible to accept. Still she could not fall back on her word. They were unharmed, but the kittens were still out there and so many other cats and dog people that it stabbed her chest repeatedly.

"Clerics make haste! Hear the inviting sound and follow your duty!" Jaga exclaimed.

The clerics raised their staffs and began to run following Jaga. Two clerics took it upon themselves to carry her and Reia as they caught with the rest. So fast her stomach felt nauseous and the scenery was nothing but splashed blurry colors. Smoke invaded her nostrils and her hair collected enough dust that it felt heavy and chalky. Her eyes blinked in irritation as she clutched the cleric's cloak fiercely while he raced and jumped over roofs and walls. More explosions and quakes resounded like a cruel laugh of destruction.

Her stomach had risen to her throat when they reached the huge wall. The bridge had been destroyed and bodies were scattered all over the place. As she looked over to the city tears threatened to burst as she surveyed death and fire. What was once a beautiful city, was crumbling and turning into piles of stone. Ruins of a glorious place that would never be the same again. Her eyes went wide and she almost screamed when she saw a tank with a familiar figure hanging from it.

Panthro!

Reia's hand on her shoulder jolted her senses and all too late, she realized the gloomy sight had taken all her attention while the clerics had left them. There were no words to describe the feelings strangling her throat. It was too gruesome to describe in words. Panthro was being held prisoner. She gulped and studied their surroundings.

Lizards and machines were making their way through the huge hole in the wall and as she moved to check the other side, she saw King Claudus confronting Grune with prince Tygra at his side. Oddly Prince Lion'O wasn't there with them. Had something happened to him?

The King seemed ready to fight although they were outnumbered as he held a long sword with a red jewel.

Omens…

How could she help in such a situation, she could only pray the clerics would turn around the tables. And then she would see what they could do.

As if summoned she heard Claudus's voice and a serpent of smoke crisscrossed the field. As it cleared, she contemplated Jaga's form leading the clerics to aid their King. A surprising fast formation of speedy clerics running towards the enemy.

Grune wielded a spiked hammer against a cleric and failed terribly to strike back. Lizards fired at the incoming clerics and they smacked down one after another. They began destroying mechs and pushing through their enemy. She caught sight suddenly of the King and his son running to the bridge. As she followed them with her gaze, she realized the tank was gone along with Panthro.

"Rei they're going after Panthro!"

Reia nodded and they made their way to the stairs to follow the royals. But as they ran her heart was flooding with happiness, still she couldn't conceive how Panthro had been captured. Something didn't smell right.

What could be worse than this?

She wondered as they raced taking in the deaths and the fall of a nation. And now her friend was probably a negotiation tool to also destroy the King's will. As if it weren't enough with all the damage the lizard's had caused and the betrayal of Grune. And it dawned on her that was not only an invasion; it was a cruel extermination of a species.

Don't kill me ... Muahahahah! What did you all think? Let me know!

To be continued!

FYI: Listening to Battlecry OST & Shadowgate main theme.

EDITED