Author's Note: I know I have left you waiting so long. And I am SORRY. I've been struggling with this chapter (please don't hate me ;_; ) It's...it's almost the end. ;_; I think the finale is coming up quickly you guys. Please review and let me know if you still enjoy this story. Much love to you all ❤

Riki dug his claws deep into the struggling man, tearing effortlessly through the flesh while crushing the traitor. He sank his teeth into the man's neck, his flesh ripping from the bone with an audible tear that surpassed his screaming.

"Riki!" Iason thundered, finally abandoning his Mother who was mildly gasping now. He rammed into the black pelt, trying to make Riki budge with little success. He slid his hand, forward, nearing the front of the mongrel to hit something cold and unnatural sticking out of the beast. Iason pulled his hand back as Riki yelped and jumped away, his hackles raised and his teeth bared. That's when the Prince finally saw the very edge of the blade glinting as it stuck out from within his mongrel. His blue eyes drifted to the mangled corpse, anger and hurt clouding them.

Riki whimpered loudly, trying to position himself in such a fashion in which he could rip out the blade that was stabbing into him.

"Easy, Riki," the Prince soothed, slipping into front of the beast. He grasped onto the large wolf face, stroking the fur beneath the big dark eyes that were staring at him. Gently he grasped onto the blade, securing his hold to ensure in one swift tug it would be out before he pulled it free. "It's out, Riki, it's out."

The wolf backed up abruptly, falling down as the limb failed beneath him. He growled and whined, his long pink tongue lapping away at the wound. He shot a warning glare and growled at Iason to leave him alone as the blonde stepped towards him.

Iason backed off, holding the bloodied blade in his hands and then looked to Prince Andrew—or at least what was left of him. He ground his teeth together, before stabbing the short sword straight into the ground next to man. "You got what you deserved."

"I...Iason..." Jupiter feebly rasped, lifting a hand to her son.

Immediately, he was by her side, his large hand enveloping her small slender one. "It's all right, Mother. Raoul will give you an antidote and you will recover." From what he knew of poisons, the one she ingested could be diluted and therefore she could recover from it's damage. "He'll be here any moment and you'll be all right."

Raoul scrambled around the room, blending the medicinal liquids with the proper accompanying fluids. Katze took the blends, mixing them around before sealing them off.

"Do we have them all?" Prince Raoul demanded, his veins coursing with fear and adrenaline.

"Yes, Sir."

Raoul grabbed the holding container and hurried towards the exit. Katze followed behind, carrying the other medical supplies.

The servants were trying their best to part the worried crowd of guests and relatives, allowing Raoul and Katze to hurry through. Their voices were raised and panic filled at the thought of their Queen dying, and there was yelling and loud bangs from her room which had them even more worried. But the servants prevented them from entering the area.

"Move!" Raoul demanded to the servant who was refusing to budge.

"I cannot let you," the boy answered, trying to push him back and then reached for something on his belt. "You shall not succeed!"

"How dare—" He was suddenly bumped to the side, Katze protecting him from the on coming blade that was just about to stab him. He blinked in confusion as he watched the redhead fall down, then realized. "Katze!"

Katze murmured something and the boy before him fell to the floor, screaming in agony as his body burst into spasms. "Get going!" Katze hissed. "The Queen will die at this rate!" He pressed his hand to his stomach after he removed the blade. "Go, dammit! I'll heal!"

Raoul gritted his teeth, scooping up the redhead and throwing him over his shoulder while hurrying away as a few female relatives started to scream and run away from the bloody mess. He burst into the room, freezing in shock as he saw the beast sitting the corner and realized the door was completely missing.

"Raoul!" Iason growled. "She's barely breathing!"

Katze pushed away from the green eyed Prince, falling down within a few inches of Riki. He flinched as Riki growled and was about to move away, but a large tongue met his body and started to lick his wound. The redhead winced at the impact to the wound, the saliva causing a burning sensation that almost had him in tears from the pain. He gripped onto the black fur, nearly screaming in agony, but then gasped as his pain felt numbed. He gasped for every breath, glancing down to see his wound healing up and was too stunned for words.

Prince Raoul forced Jupiter to ingest the next liquid, watching as her body began to regain its natural hue. "I think it's working." He readied the next one, pressing the vile to the shallow breathing lady. "You must drink it, Mother or you'll die."

Jupiter blinked slowly, looking at another spot that was not her son's. "...Leo...nard?"

Both Prince's eyes widened in fear and they worked together to coerce her into drinking the next of the remedies.

Riki grunted, standing up now that his wound had healed. He shook himself, his fur fluffing out before be padded to the smashed opening, and peeked his head out. A maid screamed at the top of her lungs as she saw him so he ducked back inside the room as she ran away screaming. He flipped his gaze over to the Princes, then to Katze who was wobbling to his feet. He huffed at the redhead.

Katze managed just to take a step forward as more shrilling screams echoed off the walls, and loud thudding and beastly cries sounded from somewhere within the castle. "We are under attack," he growled, gripping onto Riki for support. He glanced out the windows and saw Centrochelomolochs flying through the air. "Fuck..."

Riki growled, watching the flock of the beasts get closer. His head snapped in the other direction as he heard glass shattering and more screaming. He looked back at Iason and snarled for instructions.

"Go," Raoul hissed. "I'll deal with her. You take your beast and fend off what you can. When she's stable I'll join you!"

Iason nodded, hurrying over to Riki. "I have to get to my room, can you get me there Riki?"

Riki growled, nipping onto the Prince's arm and guiding it onto his back. Iason nodded, hopping up onto the wide back of the wolf and grasping onto the fur. "Let's go!"

Prince Andrew stared down at the two precious babies laying in their little nest of cloths. "Ah...such adorable little things you are..." he sighed. He reached out and stroked his forefinger along Iason's cheek, watching as the baby flinched in his sleep before opening his blue eyes. "You look just like your father."

"Mnnn..." Iason cooed, shrinking away from him.

Raoul opened his eyes, sensing his brother's distress and grasped onto Iason's hand before looking up to Prince Andrew.

"Ah...what a pair you two are..." He lowered his hands down around Iason's neck. "It's a shame that you must die..." He clamped his hands around the tiny neck, watching as Iason's tiny mouth started gasping for air before a distinct snapping sound reverberated through the air. "Ah..." he sounded, watching as Iason's mouth opened and closed frantically, before blood trickled out and he went very still.

Raoul started to whimper, but Prince Andrew wrapped his hands around his neck as well. He stared up at the evil man, tears in his eyes as he was unable to understand what was happening.

"Oh you poor thing," Andrew soothed, cracking Raoul's neck and then letting go to watch the baby suffocate just as the other had. "I'll end your suffering..."

Riki raced through the halls, dodging the pieces of destroyed walls and furniture that were scattered everywhere. He ducked just as an unnaturally big Centrochelomoloch flew in through the window, shattering the glass. He snarled angrily, leaping over another pile of rubble and making a sharp turn down another hallway, slamming into the wall from the speed.

"Oof!" Iason sounded, his body hitting the wall along with Riki. "Come on, Riki! Almost there!"

Riki skidded to a halt, fear taking over as he stared at the massive Xeatrilla beast that screeched and charged towards him. The creature was bigger than him, it's rumpled body covered with fine points that stabbed into it's victims. It had almost human like limbs to crawl on; long arms with large hands and claws, long and bulky back legs to stand on. Then there was it's incredibly long and armed tail that contained spikes that were oozing venom which was a constant threat. Riki stared into the creature's big eyes, snarling viciously and puffing out his fur to make himself appear bigger.

"How in the world..." Iason murmured. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined that an Xeatrilla still existed, as they were rumored to be extinct. The worst part was, there was very little known about them and therefore they had no known weakness. "Riki..."

Riki growled, charging towards the beast and swiping at it's throat. The Xeatrilla dodged the attack, standing up on it's back legs and grasping onto Riki and trying to snap his neck. Iason jumped off just before he was hit, falling to the floor and scrambling back. Riki dug his teeth into the creature's neck, chomping down on the tender flesh beneath the painful points that stabbed into his mouth. The Xeatrilla adjusted his hold on Riki, trying again to bring him into a deathly grip, but Riki pushed his paws against the creature, clawing his soft fleshed stomach.

The mongrel hit the ground as the Xeatrilla roared in pain and hunched slightly. Seeing his chance, Riki jumped forward, tackling the beast and relentlessly mauling it's stomach area. Bits of flesh and organs flew through the air, splattering onto the floor along with the creature's blood as the wolf continued to shred through the uneven layers of skin. Riki yelped as the creature grasped it's large hands around his throat, attempting to choke him. He desperately tried to shake off the hold and pushed himself back, but he had underestimated how much strength he had lost and couldn't escape.

Thud!

Riki suddenly pulled back his body, choking and hacking as the air returned to his lungs. He stared in confusion as the Xeatrilla started to spasm and shriek, trying to pull the arrow that was buried deep into it's neck and causing blood to splurt out. He looked back and saw Iason, now holding a familiar bow and arrow and dressed in a mesh tunic that would prevent swords from puncturing him.

"Are you all right?" he asked, coming closer and giving Riki's neck a gentle touch.

I'm fine. Riki could already feel his body working swiftly to repair the damage.

Iason blinked, wrapping his arms around Riki's body and gently stroking the fur. "I heard you just now..."

What? Riki pulled back, whimpering in confusion.

A scream echoed around them as more loud thudding shook the walls. "We have to go," Iason urged, grasping onto Riki's back and climbing on. "We need to kill off the beasts within the castle and assemble what ever is left of the military squad and attack the next wave that is coming!"

How do you know more are coming? Riki snarled, hurrying down the corridors.

"This is war, Riki," Iason answered, readying his weapons. "There will be more until the grounds are flooded with blood."

Katze watched as Raoul pressed his hands to the Queen's chest, murmuring cleansing spells. "Is...Is Her Majesty going to be all right?"

"She is rejecting the healing spells," Raoul growled angrily.

The redhead placed his hands over the Prince's. "Let me help."

Raoul blinked and then nodded before he continued, his chants were echoed by Katze and gained more healing power. He felt his Mother's heartbeat began to pick up a normal rhythm after a moment, then he leaned down and listened to her breathing. "She's as stable as she'll get. Help me get her to the underground chamber."

Katze nodded, helping Raoul carefully grab hold of the unconscious Queen and then following after him. "Where is it?" He watched Raoul move towards a bookshelf. "My God this home is rigged with passages." He pushed the bookshelf and rolled his eyes at the all too familiar secret entrance. "How many of these exist?"

"That does not matter. All that matters is that they are available for times such as this specifically," Raoul brushed off, heading down a carpeted staircase into a room that only had one slit of a window which lit the area. He laid Jupiter down on a plush bed, ensuring she was comfortable for when she awoke before turning away. "We must join with Iason now, before everyone in this house dies. I do not know who is all behind this, but if it was solely Prince Andrew, then I cannot fathom what his hope for the end result was."

Riki sliced through the Centrochelomoloch, then looked back at Iason who had just killed off another odd creature that he had no idea what was. Are you good?

"I am, thank you," Iason answered, grimacing as he saw a mangled body of one of his men from the security squad. "Seems my men acted without orders to protect the castle inhabitants." He gazed down the hallway to find more bodies scattered, his heart clenched when he saw blonde hair. "We have to keep moving."

Riki slipped past him, nudging one of the security men with his nose. Dead. He followed onto the next one. Dead. He then approached the blonde haired body which was bloodied, but still in one piece and sniffed. Barely alive.

Iason hurried over, pulling the body of Prince Aisha from the rubble. "Aisha, can you hear me?" There was a soft moan, and Iason grasped carefully onto his cousin and climbed onto Riki. "Keep moving."

Carefully maneuvering his way through the mess, he padded silently and swiftly down the corridors that were now free of the beasts. He was about to turn the corner, when he sensed life behind a door. He pressed his nose to the ground, smelling the crack under the door. People are in here.

Iason nodded, laying Aisha down before he hopped off. He knocked on the door, listening as there were scared soft voices on the other side. "Open the door, we are here to take you to safety." After a moment, the door opened and relief flooded over Iason as the majority of his relatives were squished in the barricaded room. "Come, we have to move quickly before the next fleet of enemies arrive."

"Iason!" Raoul called out, then noticed the relatives slowly coming out of the hidden room. "Bring them to the underground chamber in Mother's room. It can hold everyone."

The Prince nodded, but then his head snapped back to the group as Aunt Maia screamed. "What is it?"

"That...that beast!" she exclaimed. "Why haven't you killed it? It's going to kill us!"

"No, Aunt Maia, this is my trusted partner," he denied. "He has saved my life as well as Jupiter's."

Riki backed away from the others, nudging Iason's shoulder to signal him that they had to get moving again. I sense something on the horizon, we have to move.

Iason nodded, "Come everyone, quickly!"

Riki paced outside the room, until he grunted in aggravation and headed to an opening in the wall from where a beast had flown through. There was the scent of man and horse, lots and lots of it.

And then mixed in with it was the scent of an unknown beasts. And he didn't like that. It was moving fast, whatever it was; almost as if it were flying. It was hard to pinpoint it's exact location, as the scent was both in front of the men in a smaller quantity and then behind the men in a horrifically large quantity. Riki hoped his nose was messing up.

"Is it here?" Iason inquired. "What you were sensing?"

It's moving fast. Riki answered. There is a beast like scent in a small group, then the scent of man followed by the beasts again.

Iason ground his teeth. "So he deployed his Midas army." Now Iason wished that Riki had done more damage to Prince Andrew before he died, he wanted him shredded to a minced meat.

How many of your fleet are alive?

The Prince shook his head. "Not enough to take down an army and beasts."

Between you and me, we could probably take out the army. But I am very... Riki paused, catching another whiff of the strong scent. Scared and unsure of how large these beasts are.

"Iason?" Raoul called, hurrying down the hall with Katze on his tail. "What do you know?"

"The Midas army is on the way, along with several large beasts," Iason explained. "We are severally out numbered. But we stand a chance."

Katze leaned over and whispered something to Raoul.

"Do you guys have any power to add?"

Raoul looked at Katze hard for a moment. "Are you certain?"

Katze nodded. "I have confronted them upon our return about the possibility, and they are eager."

Iason looked from the blonde to the redhead. "What is your addition?"

Raoul smiled softly. "Seems we are going to receive some help from the dead."

Riki stood next to Iason. It's coming, whatever it is. Are you sure you shouldn't get me see what it is before you help fight it?

"Concerned about me, wolf cub?" Iason grinned, stroking the black pelt.

No, it's just if you die here I don't get paid. Riki denied, but then looked up to the distant sky and was filled with horror. Holy fuck...they're huge...

Iason stiffened. "There is no way..." He blinked in shock as two winged beasts flew through the sky, their eyes ruby red, their bodies the color of coal and their skin jagged with it's dagger like skin that could slice through virtually anything. "It can't be..."

What the fuck are those? Riki snarled, tensing up as he sensed Iason's panic.

"Zecsora dragons." He looked to Riki. "They are dormant until a blood sacrifice is provided and then they obey their new Master's commands with the promise of receiving more blood."

So how do we stop them? Riki growled, watching as the beasts flew closer, swooping down to the castle. Each one of the dragons bodies was about twice him size, but their wings stretched and doubled that, but he figured he could still take them.

"These ones are smaller than the tales, but they say the eyes and the neck area are weakest, " Iason answered, readying his arrows. The dragons dove down closer, laying their eyes upon the Prince and Riki and released a screech of excitement that shook the ground around them. Iason released an arrow, sending it straight to one of the dragon's eyes as it swooped in for the kill.

The dragon shriek, falling down to the ground and sending a tremor through the earth that sent Iason stumbling. Riki charged forward as the second dragon came straight towards them, breaking down the castle barrier and sending the stone wall flying around them. Riki ran forward, dodging the rubble and prepared to leaped upwards, going straight for the beast's neck.

Iason noticed the dragon's eyes flashed blue and suddenly was filled with terror as he knew what that specific shade signified. This wasn't a normal Zecsora dragon...this was a mixed breed! "Riki, wait!" he screamed.

Riki leaped up, and the dragon open it's mouth, sending a massive wave of venomous fire straight at him. He yelped in pain as he was engulfed in the scorching hot flames that not only burned him, but poisoned his flesh and then felt the weight of the dragon's body crash down upon him before he felt it's piercing teeth stab into his body.

"Riki!" Iason screamed in terror, running towards him and aiming his arrows for the beast's eyes. He successfully shot one eye, lodging it into the creature's skull and brain as the other one had. The dragon let Riki go, before flailing around in agony. Iason fell down beside Riki, panic filling him from head to toe because there was no cure for the venom that would eat away at the mongrel's movement abilities. The venom was so powerful it could even bring harm upon himself even with his immortal capabilities. "Riki!"

The dragon stumbled, falling down and sending another wave of flames straight towards the two of them. Iason watched in terror as if time were slowed down as the flames grew nearer and nearer with no escape. He suddenly felt weight upon him, then realized Riki was rolling over onto him to shield him from the fire.

Iason felt the heat from beneath the barrier Riki had made with his own body, using his last strength and pressing him into the earth so there was almost no gap between him and the charred wolf body for the flames to get him. After the light had faded, Iason struggled, trying to free himself from the dead weight that pinning him down. He managed to worm his way out from beneath Riki and stared into eyes that were once as dark and beautiful that were starting to lose their vibrancy. "Riki..." he choked.

To Be Continued