空とロマンス

Sola to Romansu (Sky and Romance)

Return of the Legendary Heroes

3rd Arc: Attack of the Nightwitchers

Chapter 55: The Resolution of a Princess.

In the throne-room of Prairie, Terria´s Pov:

"Ahem…, well I hate to interrupt you guys, but I think we better get out of here if we want to make sure to safe our home…, also do we still have to go to the old Altar, I assume you know where it is, I`m sure Sebastian has told it to you, am I right?!" the Voice of Russel Ryebread stated from a corner of the Dining Hall, were he stood with the Children and a few Butlers and Maids, ready to go.

"Since the Town is in massive disorder we better get out through a back door, especially if we take the Children with us, as we know has the enemy already intercepted the Castle, it would be unwise to go out and endanger them!" Mr Ryebread explained and we nodded.

"According to Chamberlain is the Altar being found if we climb into the tower in the middle of the Garden and light some special Lanterns at its peak, they would show the way to us!" I explained and he nodded.

"Then what are we waiting for?!" He stated and we were about to move, as we suddenly heard a loud noise before the door was thrown open.

"Aaarrgh!" Suddenly Chamberlain came flying right at us, as he was kicked through the door by a new stranger.

"Well, well, well, seems like we found some rats in my Birthday-cake!" The man stated, as he entered the room.

He was a tall Black Lupycan with red Markings glimmering dangerously on his body.

"Would you all be so kind and succumb to your defeat already, if you bow down right now I might reconsider to kill you all!" The Man stated.

"As if we would let you, who are you even that you dare to name such a claim?!" Sir Garland asked with spite.

"My name is Vermillion…, Prince Vermillion Wolfenstein and I am here to conquer your land on behalf of my Father…, King Lycan Wolfenstein!" The Man introduced himself, making us shuddering in fear.

Even though his appearance seemed to be relaxed, did he showed to have enormous strength and most likely an excellent agility.

"My King, my Princess, my son…, please proceed further, you have to go and reach your goal, I will take care of the business here!" Sir Garland stated as he drew his sword.

"Oh, you do…, then I dare you…, to at least show me a good fight!" Vermillion Stated as he himself drew a sword as well, before engaging Sir Garland in a fierce battle.

"No, Father…!"

"Go Cyan, Go, you must defend the Princess, don´t look back just go forward with all your heart!" Sir Garland stated, as Cyan wanted to rush to his aid.

"Father…, grrr, if it is your wish, I vow to you to defend the Princess with my life, I will make sure she reaches her goals, wherever it will lead us, I promise!" Cyan stated, as he turned around and grabbed my hand.

"Princess Terria, My King, we have to go, don´t let him fight for nothing!" Cyan stated with a grim mine, holding back his own tears to not humiliate his father, he wanted to respect the resolve of the Man who raised him.

"Seems like you all have forgotten about me, haven´t you, well let me remind you of my Presence!" Suddenly that nasty vulgar voice re-appeared from behind us and I saw how from high above Maxy came jumping right at us.

"This time you will get down for sure, Princess!" He shouted as he landed and charged right at us.

"No you won´t get her, I will not allow this!" Chamberlain, having recovered from his wounds, shouted as he stepped in front of us to intercept Maxy.

"Ha, not this time Old-timer!" The same shouted with a nasty grin as he jumped over Chamberlain, kicking him on his back while using it as a springboard to accelerate his movements, in less than 2 seconds he was right over me, while Chamberlain tried to recover and turn around in time.

But it was futile, Maxy was right before me, ready to split my head with his Sword.

"NOT OVER MY DEAD BODY!" I heard Cyan shouting in murderous rage, as he rushed forward and tried to intercept Maxy with his old sword.

"You will not stop me, puppy!" Maxy shouted in glee, as he hit so fast and hard on Cyan´s sword, that the same broke in pieces right before his eyes, before he was kicked with a massive force right into one of the Pillars which stood all around in the room.

"CYAN!" I shouted in terror.

"You better think about yourself, Princess, not that it will help you much anymore!" Maxy shouted, as he once again readied himself to slash me.

"TERRIA!" I heard a voice as my eyes followed a sudden movement before me and faster than I ever deemed possible I saw the face of my Father in front of me, first fearful, then relieved before it contorted in pain as the sword made contact with living flesh, slashing right over his back.

"Father…., no!" I could only think as I saw how the blood spilled.

"Dammit, why does always someone get between me…., oh well one down one more to go, not that it matters in which way or sequence I kill them!" Maxy stated self-pleased, as he licked off the blood on his blade.

"How dare you, you Bastard!" Cyan shouted as he stood back up and attacked Maxy, in his rage he didn´t seemed recognize that his sword had been broken, not that it was necessary, even with a sword, Maxy would have easily deflected Cyan´s wild swings.

"You fight like a Pussy…., a good advice from me…., if you ever wish to beat me you better man up a little, hahaha, Huuuh?!" He mocked Cyan, kicking him backwards towards us, laughing evily, before apprubtly stopping and contorting his face in sheer pain, he looked down on his chest just to pale.

"And you better keep care of your Back, than to expose it to your enemy like that!" Chamberlain´s voice stated menacingly from behind, with a force and a violence I had never heard him using, blind rage blazing within his eyes.

The sword which was stabbed through Maxy´s heart dripped with the blood of the same and a fountain of crimson red sprayed through the air, as it slid back out of the hole in its victim´s body.

"How…., dare….., you!?" Maxy asked unbelieving before he fell to the ground.

"Revenge for my King!" Chamberlain stated, as he went for the last slash, before he was pushed away, right on top of the recovering Cyan, by unknown forces.

"You really are good for nothing…, yet you are still of use, maybe as a ghoul!" Vermillion shouted as he held Maxy by the throat, a display of his sheer power, and punched his hand right into the hole, left by Chamberlain´s sword.

"What…, are…., you…, doing?!" Maxy asked breathlessly as he looked with pain and terror at Vermillion, as the same took out something looking like a pitch black crystal and put it into the hole in Maxy´s chest, before letting the same go.

"No…, Noooooooo…..!" Maxy shouted before his voice broke off and a deep and living blackness, emitting from the crystal in his chest, seemed to eat away on his skin turning him pitch-black and deformed his body, it was as if a parasite took him over, which most likely happened.

"AAAARRRGGGHHHH!" He shouted in pain, looking as if he had been bathed with hot tar.

"Now Rise…, through the forces of Black Rano and the Devilscourge, Black Knight Maxwell!" Vermillion laughed as Maxy, half consumed by the blackness began to walk onwards, right towards us, as if controlled by Vermillion like a Puppet on strings.

His body had massively changed its original shape, he bore now scythe like limbs on both hands, like a Mantis.

"You guys have to hurry, you must get out of here, we will keep him at bay, my comrades…, take the King and make sure they all get away safely, go towards the Tower!" Chamberlain, standing back up, supported by Cyan, shouted, ordering his underlings to reason, they nodded as they each supported the king to put as less strain on him, while the maids tried to patch up his large wound on the back on the go, some of them seemed to be healers and medics for they had medical treatment ready, although definitely not enough for a full operation.

"My Princess…, I don´t know if I can keep my Promise to you, and survive this fight, but I will make sure to at least take one of these guys down with me, I swear this on the honour of my Family…., remember me, Sebastian Chamberlain, 15th leader of the Chamberlain Clan!" Chamberlain explained as he rushed forward to intercept Maxy´s attempt to attack us.

"Sebastian!" Mr. Ryebread shouted, as he witnessed how his old friend, fought.

"Russel, you must live, help the princess, you are perhaps the only one to decipher all of the ancient Text on the Altar, make sure she gets all the information she needs to fulfil her destiny, and as much as I know do you still have to deliver your own present!" Chamberlain explained as he came slithering backwards.

"I guess that´s true…, well, I guess this is the goodbye we always have talked about, going down with a huge impact, sparing nothing and regretting nothing…, I can hardly be happy about it though…, its nothing like I imagined us to part someday!" Mr. Ryebread said, as he held back his tears, while he held a slim but long package in his hand.

At first it thought it might be a telescope or something similar, some king of Archeaologistic instrument, but now it was quite clear that it must be a sword as well, it seemed that all of the Old Clans, the Seven swords, began to choose their newest generation, if what Chamberlain told us was right…., could it be that there is somewhere a new King, a legitimate heir towards King Wolvenra´s Throne?!.

Was Cyan going to swear his loyalty to him and should I do the same…., after all I only was a Princess due to my Ancestors becoming kings and Queens by her Majesty´s order….

Was King Wolvenra really still alive…., and if yes, I wonder how he looked, was he perhaps old with the longest beard in history?

I thought about endless possibilities, as I tried to take of my mind of what happened right here, the parting of a man so close to my heart you could call him a father, and the parting of our Kingdom´s most loyal Knight, the uncertainty about my father's survival.

And last but not least, my own escape out of the Castle.

I only recognized that we set ourselves in motion as Cyan gently took my hand.

"My princess, please…, we must go!" He stated with a serious mine and I nodded, knowing I could not change this fate, I looked back at Chamberlain and Sir Garland, how they fought this Demonical Knight and the Fiend Prince, to keep them from going after us.

In front of me walked the Butlers who supported my father, the Maids and the orphaned children and as the last ones, Russel, Cyan and Myself.

We made our way out of the Dining hall through the corridors, away from the fight, on our way we often encountered fiend soldiers, who were engaged into battle by our own soldiers and knights.

Even though most of these soldier attacked with guns and rocket launchers, seemed our soldiers to be barely harmed and always managed to evade their attacks, if it was not for their shields, it at least showed of their great skills as Knights.

"Those Puny bullets cannot penetrate Prairian Steel, so much is clear!" Cyan stated as he acknowledge how a Knight shielded us with his shield from Incoming bullets, as we passed through, he nodded to us, before refocusing on the battle.

Soon a small passage was formed where our knights put up their shields on each side and above as a roof to make sure that we would be unscathed.

"Please proceed Princess Terria, just like Sir Chamberlain and Sir Garland told us, we will escort you towards the Garden Tower and we will fight until our last breath to defend this Castle and our home, please do not feel bad for us, it is our greatest Honour to fight for our Fatherland, to make sure that our Children can grow up in a free Kingdom!" The Guards Sub-leader, Sir Garlands most trusted knight, Sir Charleroi, explained as he came up on us with a few soldiers, who all shouted in unison and approval.

"For the Fatherland, for the Kingdom of Prairie!" I heard them shouting.

"Long Live the King and our Princess!" Sir Charleroi stated as he bowed.

"I am most grateful!" I stated and deeply bowed, as their loyalty drove tears in my eyes, same as the acknowledgement that these men were ready to die, leaving their families behind, if it meant that they could take at least 10 man down to liberate the Kingdom.

"And we are most honoured by your words, on behalf of the entire Army of the Kingdom of Prairie, do I pray for your survival and bow to your unbreakable will, may you bring back the light to us, once you have grown strong in the upcoming trials!" he said as he kneeled right before me, which made me a little blushing, I wondered if he knew about the Cardinal Trials or just said it for the obvious hardships ahead of us.

"I thank you for your kind words and I will make sure to absolve my task with perfection, I will leave no stone unturned to find a way to liberate our Kingdom!" I vowed as I too bowed again before them and they all cheered in approving.

"Now let´s go, towards the Garden-tower!" Sir Charleroi stated before we marched on, making our way towards the exit of the balcony, which led us over a stair straight to the garden.

"Make sure to defend all sides, let no projectile through!" The Leader shouted at his man as new bullets were fired, sounding like a hailstorm.

As soon as we were outside I heard screams and explosion and I was nearly at covering my ears to shut the gruesome noise out.

"Sir, we soon have arrived at the Tower!" One of the Soldier explained.

"Alright, that was real good work my men, then you better get ready my Princess, once you are in the tower you are up to yourself, we will meanwhile defend the castle and the People still inside and try to support Sir Garland and Sir Chamberlain, I would hate to see these great men Dying!" Sir Charleroi stated and we nodded.

"Please do that, Sir Charleroi, safe as many as you can, I will make sure to bring peace back towards the Kingdom, somehow, even if I have to believe and have faith in old legends!" I explained as I patted Chamberlain´s Crystal Radio and he nodded.

"Legends are reminders and warnings of the past, we should not misjudge their meaning and deem them as worthless…, as we have seen 4 years ago!" Mr. Ryebread stated and we could only agree to that.

"Now go and don´t look back, only forward into the future, your path ahead will be rocky for sure, but as long as you don´t lose your heart you will make it through, I, Sir Reeve Charleroi, am sure of it and I have faith in you my Princess!" Sir Charleroi stated and it was the first time ever since 4 years that someone told me something like this, even more, that anyone impartially had faith in me.

"I will not disappoint you, I promise to you!" I replied as Cyan opened the door to the tower, while the men still stood around us, their shield raised high to defend us from the bullet.

"I am sure of that, farewell your Highness, your Majesty, I hope I can one day see you climbing the throne as our new queen!" Sir Charleroi stated while his men roared in agreement.

"I will make sure to live on until then!" I stated as I stepped through the door followed by the Butlers with my Father and the Maids with the kids, the last were Cyan and Mr. Ryebread.

"Farewell, you brave soldiers of the Kingdom of Prairie!" I stated, bowing before them once more and they all nodded reassuring, before they themselves closed the Door.

"So and what now?!" Mr. Ryebread asked.

"Well Mr. Ryebread, as much as I remember what Chamberlain told us, he said to reach for the top chamber of the Tower and then light Two specific lanterns, to open up a secret path towards the altar!" I explained as looked upwards.

The tower was way more spacious than the look from outside showed, a small spiral staircase followed upwards towards the top while in the middle a giant pillar supported the entire structure.

"Please Princess Terria, just call me Russel already, everybody does it, and it´s way easier to speak to me without having to always use honorifics.

As you have seen this afternoon am I not too shy to make a point for myself, showing everybody where I stand, even if it seems to be impolite to others, especially in front of the King!" Russel stated and I remembered how he spoke to father, as he defended Waffle from Father´s accusations.

"If you insist Russel, then I will do so!" I replied and he smiled.

"Anyways, how is her majesty doing?!" Cyan asked and I nodded, thanks to the on-the-run-healing by the Butlers and maids who knew a little about medicine, Father was as best as he could be in the current situation.

"For the moment things might be enough, but we need a doctor, for sure, if we do nothing the wounds will most likely infect and his health will rapidly get worsen!" One of the Maids, presumably our head-maid, explained.

"I see…, I hope we make it by the time we arrive!" I stated as I looked up the stairs.

"Do you think you can get him upwards?!" I asked the Butlers and they only reacted, by showing their muscles in a flashy way.

"No fear, Princess Terria, leave it to us, as long as we can breathe and move, we will carry our king towards a Doctor at a safe place, no matter what!" The leader of the group, Chamberlain´s trainee, explained.

"Well then, let's go, we got no more time to lose!" I explained to them and they all nodded, and so we made our way up the stairs.

"Where do you think the path towards the altar will be found, my Princess…, is Chamberlain really sure that it is here…, within this tower, not maybe somewhere in the Garden, in the near surrounding of the tower…, maybe he has jumbled up things in the heat of the battle?!" Cyan asked with doubt.

"I´ve no idea…, still I hardly can imagine that Chamberlain would be mistaken if things are already going downhill…, but if I would have to guess, I would say that the path must lie right within the pillar of the Tower!" I replied to him and he looked at it while walking.

"You probably are right!" He stated, although his answer seemed reluctant, if only a little.

"I just hope we are not here out of nothing and then sitting here like being presented upon a silver plate!" He murmured.

Of course did I thought the same, have I maybe misheard Chamberlain, or has he really jumbled up things in the heat of the Battle…, at least I was sure he would not fool us…, he couldn´t probably be on the side of the enemy, leading us in the trap…, no I didn´t even wanted to think about such a thought…, it just sounded plain wrong.

Chamberlain has been working for the Palace since about Fifty years, he has been there when I was a child and Father trusted him enough to make him my Guardian after my Mother died.

"Seems like we reached the top my Princess but what now, the door is locked and there is not enough place to take a run-up and break through the door, what shall we do?!" Cyan asked after a while, as he stopped by a door, which seemed to lead up towards a Platform, at least the ceiling was fully covered by stone this time, not like before only the stairs, it seems like we arrived high above, near the chamber right under the roof.

As I stepped next to him, I saw the door which stopped our path.

"Somehow…, this door…, it looks kinda familiar!" I though before I remembered something.

"This key leads to a secret which I have left behind for you, one day you will know what to do with it…, but for now, keep it safe, it can help when our Kingdom is ever in grave danger, find the Hidden Chamber and unlock the path, by the Light of the Green Lanterns!" I heard the voice of my mother as I remembered how she told me these words and gave me the key, hanging on a leather necklace, on her deathbed.

I never have taken the key of my neck since that day.

I looked at the Lock and it did resembled the structure of the Key, I took it out from between my chest, making Cyan blushing deep red.

I tried and surprisingly my thought was right, the door sprung up, almost instantly, beside all the time I hasn´t been opened anymore.

Inside we could see a circular Chamber, quite spacious and with Windows with painted glass.

"So we should now search for green Lanterns, we must find two of them, and lighten them up!" I stated, besides having the key and knowing about the tower and a Chamber inside, I never actually had been up here.

"As you wish my Princess, Kids can you help me?!" Cyan stated as he took a package of matches out, while the Children nodded and together with the few maids which did not looked after my father's Health, they searched the room for the specific Lanterns, I did the same, I looked through the shelfs and wardrobes inside of here.

Besides being empty since years was there hardly any dust…, I had the slight assumption that I was not the only one who had a key for this room, perhaps Chamberlain had an own one and kept the Room neat and clean for the day I would pay it a visit.

"Huh?!" I wondered as something caught my eye, it seemed to be an old book, considerably older than the rest of what lied here upon the desk.

"The King of 10 Moons, a collection of Chronicles, Tales and Legends about one of the most powerfull and famous Kings in the history of our world!" I read the title as I picked it up, as I said it was old, very old, most likely an original.

I took a look inside, only to get a cloud of dust right in my face, I coughed hard, my vision blurry, but in the same instant, I saw something interesting.

One of the pages was marked by a post-it, I decided to take a look.

"The Cardinal Guardians and the Trials of 6 elements!" The title of this Chapter struck me deep in my heart.

"Mother…, she too sought after the past and even might have predicted the future…, even after her death she still helps me!" I mumbled in acknowledging her effort.

I began to read, even though I knew I had to search too.

"The Cardinal Guardians are said to be mighty beast, as tall as the tower in this garden, Golems, created by her Majesty, King Maranell Wolvenra, after the Era of the Belligerent State.

Each of them was based off a Mythical beast, described in tales and legends of ancient times, from even before we, the beast-kind, came to be.

Despite being created as Machines, Mecha´s to be precise, do they have an own mind, it shall have be the very first attempts towards the reconstruction of an ancient Technology, the ability of a Machine to learn and to speak about their way of seeing things to us.

These Guardians were the very first AI´s, Artificial Intelligences, ever since the Construction of the Original Lares and Lemures.

But their role as executer of the Trials is only secondary towards their real task, the primary goal of them was to keep Ragnarök Safe as Guardian Deities.

While their AI is only active for during the Trials and only activated by the use of the Cardinal Key, they are also able to be piloted, however are their pilots not ordinary in every sense, since the Guardians themselves were also not ordinary.

Undergoing a harsh Training as well as the Guardian´s compatibility Trial, also known as the Cardinal Trial, the Pilots were able to fully control their Guardian Golem, through sharing a mind with the same, seeing what it sees as well as feeling what it feels, their own life-force fuelling the Golem.

Originally they roamed through the entire Continent, but with the start of the war, King Maranell ordered them back, to prevent them from being used as mere weapons, for even if they weren´t originally constructed for war, was their destruction Power only rivalled by C.E.D., The Crimson Emperor Dragon,an ancient Weapon, supposedly created during the Dragon War´s final days and lost ever since.

Ever since the War of Sun and Moon started 4 of the 6 Cardinal Guardians remained at Shangri-La within the 4 towers surrounding the Island, designating the 4 cardinal Directions.

While the last two of them were hidden somewhere in the Castle, in so called, trial Chambers.

Another aspect about the Guardian was their ability to judge fair, through their AI, they understood that only a certain kind of people were able to become good leaders to their folks, people similar to their Pilots, harbouring righteousness, compassion, kindness, wisdom, courage, endurance etc. in their heart.

This evaluating Process was with the time passing, known as the Royal Trial, held either individual or simultaneously when new Pilots had to be searched for the Guardians.

A King which has been approved by all the 6 Guardians, was said to be as righteous as King Maranell himself and he would be granted the Guardians Blessing, a special kind of recognition of each of the Guardians, the gift was from time to time different, either it were special abilities, or helpful devices.

However was the mastering of even one of these trials anything but easy, just as much Royals who came out of these Trials as successors, just as much have failed.

The Guardians are referred in many other books and old scripts and even though they have names, were these often forgotten or only their description was explained in the old Lore:…..!" I read as I turned to the next page, completely absorbed by the book, but just in the same moment a voice called out for me.

"My Princess, I think we have found something!" I heard it coming from behind.

"What is it?!" I asked confused before remembering my original task, while I put the book into my purse which I had grabbed on the go, as we escaped from my room.

"I think we have found the two lanterns, it is so dark in here that we didn´t saw them at first!" Cyan stated a he led me toward a certain wall.

A large mosaic was shown on the wall, a picture I had never seen anywhere else, which truly showed that this Tower was a relic of ancient times.

"What is this?!" I asked in awe.

"I think these must be the Cardinal Guardians!" Russel explained as we looked at the four Giant animals which were displayed in colourful mosaic, located on each of the Cardinal Directions.

A Dark green Turtle with a Snake as tail in the north, a Blue and silver scaled Dragon without wings in the East, a Fire red Phoenix in the South and a White Tiger in the West, they each where located around a Giant Island which spotted four smaller Islands in the direction of Each Guardian, a tower on each of them, while right in the middle a giant White Castle was standing atop of a hill.

Right in the Middle, above the Castle, was a Big Wolf displayed in a silver mosaic.

Above them all we could see a knight in a Silver and golden Armour, with a Royal-blue Cape and with outstretched Arms, as if he wanted to embrace the whole Island, which most likely had been the creator's intent.

"So this is the King of 10 Moons and his Five Guardians…., magnificent!" Russel stated in awe as we looked at the Mosaic in wonderment, at both sides we could see some holes carved into the wall and inside was some kind of strange liquid, with a strong odour.

"Cyan, would you please illuminate them?!" I asked since he still had the Matches, with which he had illuminated some Candles before, to better search.

Even though the fire in the town and the Lights of the fiend Airships brought us much light already, but it still was considerably dark in here, I just hope that no one sees the light from outside.

The constant small quakes gave an indication of what was happening outside, they surely must fire on the castle and some of the shocks hit the tower, I was not sure if they knew I was in here, or if they just wanted to destroy the tower as well, I believe so due to them destroying our culture, by burning down the church and destroying the various statues in town, from high above the tower you had a clear view down to the town.

But even if they tried to destroy this tower…, the same stood already since centuries and it was quite unlikely that a few bombs could bring it down, however it was better not to test that thought.

"Here we go!" Cyan stated as he took a candle and attempted to illuminate the liquid, even though we didn´t knew it was the right thing, I was quite sure that these holes must be the green Lanterns Chamberlain had spoken about and just as I thought that I might have mistaken it, the fire of the candle began to burn in a green flame.

"Its working, this must be the right ones!" Cyan stated as he used the candle on the other side of the wall.

But still the wall didn´t budged a centimetres.

"Oh c´mon you stupid wall, I know you are the right thing!" I stated as I pushed with all my might against the wall, hitting it in desperation, although it hurted.

"Princess, please stop you are going to hurt yourself!" Cyan stated as he stepped to me, but it was already to late, I accidently hit a sharp stone stuck in the wall and so I ripped up my hand a little, just enough for a few drops of blood to land on the wall.

"Owwww!" I stated as I looked at my hand which was all dirty from dust and stone.

"DNA-code gets proved….., please wait…., evaluation complete, blood-sample accepted, initiating opening of the Seal-chamber!" We suddenly heard a voice saying.

"Initiation complete, Welcome Princess Terria Hound!" The voice stated, as suddenly green lines began to form on the wall, before the ground began to shake lightly as the same was pulled inside of the stone behind and shifted to the side, giving way towards a spiral staircase, illuminated by Green Flames.

A large gust of wind rushed over us, as if it has been stocked since centuries.

"Now that surely is a show worth the wait!" Russel stated as he looked at the door with an interested look.

"Seems like it only worked with the royal Blood as blood-payment, for giving access to this hidden staircase!" He stated.

"Well we figured it might go downstairs again!" Cyan stated with a weak smile, as he eyed the many steps downward.

"Then let´s hurry, we don´t want to stay in a tower which is currently under bombardment!" I stated as the earth shook once again and the roof above us literally screamed.

"I guess you are right, alright everybody, stay close together we don´t know what will await us down there!" Cyan stated and so we made our way down, the Butlers still supported Dad as best as they could even though they already walked on small stone steps which were not all dry.

Flashback end:

And so we came to the current situation.

The Staircase was long and I was sure that we already had to be deeply underground.

"How much longer is this Staircase?!" One of the Kids asked after a while.

"No idea, but I too hope we soon reach our destination!" I stated and as if on call I felt a slight chillier breeze, the further we went downwards.

It lasted most likely another 15 minutes until we reached the ground, after approximately 1 and a half hour of descend.

The stair ended in front of a Wall.

"Wait, what the hell, what now?!" Cyan asked.

"No fear, I can feel a faint flow of cool air here, there must be something behind it, Princess Terria…., I think we will need your blood once again, in order to get further inside this Place!" Russel stated and I nodded, I used the wound on my hand, by pressing on it a little and so managed to bring forth a few blood-drops, which I smeared on the wall.

"Blood-payment accepted, welcome Princess Terria!" The wall told us, but this time it was merely a fluorscentic script which appeared at the wall, before the same parted in two and a large den which was illuminated by the same green flames as the stair and in my mom´s rooms, appeared behind.

"This…., is incredible…, who would have known that such a place lied deep underneath the castle…., and Sebastian knew about this…, all these years long he knew what for an Archaeological treasure has been hidden in here…, we could have learned so much about the old history from this place alone!" Russel stated as he looked at the walls which were each plastered in mosaic, showing different scenes, the floor for example seemed to show the establishment of the Prairian Kingdom.

While on the walls we could see the same scene like the wall upstairs, just bigger and with more details.

The beasts which stood before us on the walls were extraordinary, I never saw something similar, the Red phoenix was of far more colours than I previously thought.

"Suzaku…, the Vermillion Bird, Guardian of Fire and master over the Trial of Leadership!" I read the script which stood under the Picture which was located at the wall we came from.

"Indeed…, it´s incredible that you can read this…, how come?!" Russel asked me in awe.

"Chamberlain taught me how to, but I never really knew why or which Language it even was, or where to use it…, now I know!" I replied.

"That Sebastian…, this little bastard really fooled us all, even his best friend!" Russel stated with an amused but also quite annoyed smile, it was clear that for him as an archaeologist and historian, this Place was of so much value as a whole chamber full of gold for other people.

I looked at the giant portraits on the wall and recognized something within all of this red and vermillion and whatever shade of red the Mosaic of Suzaku was made off.

A Crystal which was painted, with the mosaics, right within the Phoenix, surrounded by an Oval sphere.

"Is this what I think it is?!" I asked, barely audible.

"Indeed, this seems to be one of the Crystals which Fool used to Power the Iron Giant, and this shape around it must most likely be the pedestal it was inside!" Cyan stated, discovering this, I looked at the other Walls which portrayed, in a similar fashion, the rest of the Four Guardians, each with a Crystal inside of them.

"Genbu…, the Black Turtle, Guardian of water and the master of the Trial of Compassion!" I stated as I looked up on a wall and a Portrait of a giant Turtle with a dragon-like Sea-serpent as extension of its Tail, resting rolled onto his shielded back.

"Byakū…., the white Tiger, Guardian of Earth and master of the Trial of Endurance!" Russel read from the other wall, on which a White Tiger with Black stripes and bluish Flames, emitting from his body, was portrayed.

"Seiryū…., the Azure Dragon, Guardian of the Storm and master of the Trial of Justice!" Russel read the last text, on the wall we could see a Wingless dragon, more like a serpent with four limps, a lizard-like head, his body was shining in many shades of blue and with orange-red scales on his back.

Russel was in sheer excitement, as he ran towards the other wall after taking a Picture with his Camera, which he always had with him.

"Princess look, up there!" One of the Children stated and I looked upwards, only to see a giant knight to look back at me, it´s portray took nearly the entire half size of the ceiling, the other part was not yet visible.

"Platinum Knight…, Guardian of Light and Master of the Trial of Friendship!" I´ve read the Script under the Portray, as far as I could see.

"And here on the other side!" another of the Children, a girl, perhaps a bit younger than myself, exclaimed as she pointed upwards from the other side of the hall, at the other half of the ceiling.

"Wolve….., Enra…., Guardian of Metal and Master of the Trial of Wisdom!" I read from here, as I looked up at a giant Wolf, coming over to the child.

"So this is the true look of Wolve Enra, the Wolven Guardian…., I always thought that Maranell himself was called this way, perhaps he controlled him…?!" Russell said in wonderment.

"Princess Terria, I think I have found something too!" Cyan stated as he shouted over to me.

"What is it?!" I asked as I came to him.

"It looks like an Altar!" Cyan explained as he stood in front of a stone table, in form of a Book, which a Wolf carried in his snout, it has been created as a Statue, out of stone, but there were some mosaics on it as well.

Right next to him stood a Tall stone Stature of a Knight, looking exactly like the Knight on the Mosaic.

This was most likely an ancient Sanctuary, for I saw sockets with many other Statues, surrounding this one, each of the Guardians was once again build as a statue made of stone and mosaic, right behind the two Statues of the Wolf and the Knight stood a Giant petrified tree.

"Incredible, this tree must be here ever since 1500 years, it is a wonder that I still stands without having water and sunlight at all!" Russell stated, his camera flashed like the strobe lights at a Music Show.

"Here stands:…, To all of those brave ones, who wish to participate in the Cardinal Trials, in order to sign your fate…., you must present the 5 Cardinal Crystals, only with the Cardinal Key you can open the gates to the four towers and the Last Trials at Shangri-La.

However you shall not receive the Key to your salvation, unless you can make it with your own strength, mentally and physically, and the ancient means given to you, towards the Castle in the Sky and absolve the trial.

But be warned, for only the alliance of both Royal Regions of the Free Nations and their Keys of the Gate-keeper, can open the path and bring forth the Altar of the Floating Fortress, on the Back of the Lord of the Clouds, the Sky-whale Sumear.

You will have to wander the Sky on your own and collect the Tones of Time, to create the Whisperer of Times, the only means to make Sumear appear before you.

In addition to the Cardinal Crystals, placed upon the Altar, you will be able to control Sumear and make your way to my Island.

If I am not at the Island, to open you the gates, you can only reach the same with Sumear and open the gates solely with the allegiance of my Bloodand the Blood of the Royal Family of Prairie, you must undertake the voyage towards Shangri-La on its back, there, in the ruins of Elysia, you will to get to know yourselves.

Deep within the castle you will have to take a look into the deepest Abyss of your souls, you will be put to the test and relive your greatest fears, sorrows and the hatred in your soul, manifesting and battling you in a form, fit of your inner Darkness.

Only those who can overcome them and remain unaffected by their inner Darkness, are fit to participate in the Trial of the Cardinal Guardians and to receive the blessing of the Guardians.

However from centuries to centuries, this Blessing can vary, what it will be in the time of the renewal of Your Shield, is uncertain and your future with it is yet unpredictable, if you save what you seek to save, or if you destroy yourselves, taken over by these forces or the Darkness inside of you, is entirely up to you, so heed my warning.

Ignorant and unprepared Souls, should not dare to try and carry the burden of these Trials and their consequences, only those who are ready to say goodbye to their old Life, can claim themselves as worthy to participate in the trial, either great deeds will await you afterwards, or you will soon fall into despair, the choice is yours, so choose wisely.

For the Salvation of the Kingdom of Prairie, in times of grave danger and chaos, only those who can call themselves, with every possible right, the Prairian Heroes, are able to overcome the Dangerous Trials, so you should not participate if you are unsure of yourselves, it may well cost your life!

1st Year of the Prairian Era, King Maranell Wolvenra to King Reinheart Shepherd!" Russell read the Ancient Text, which stood on the Stone Book in the Wolf´s Snout.

"It is a task as well as a warning, as I thought….., but one thing is for sure, If the Blood of the Royal Family of Prairie is needed, it can only mean that you or your Father must participate in the Trials as well, which might as well say that you are proved to become a righteous Queen!" Russel explained and we nodded, it was clear to me ever since I saw the Pictures on the wall within my Mothers Chamber and the chapter she had bookmarked in her Book of Shangri-La.

But even in here it should have become clear, for there were mosaics of tiny persons, which stood next to each Crystal.

The crystals would choose their Prairian Hero and these persons would have to absolve all of these Trials the Cardinal Guardians would require, so if the Trial was to either defeat or impress them, then it was unlikely that they could be concluded by just anyone, it must be Persons with special attitudes, similar to those of their Pilot.

"Wait…, what does that mean…, `my Blood´…, since this is written by him, does that mean that it requires the allegiance of King Maranell or what!" My Father, with a weak voice, asked, from where the Butlers have brought him.

"I think that with `my Blood´, he means, my Bloodline, which would go with our assumption that there might be a righteous heir of King Maranell, somewhere far and yet reachable…., if not it would be impossible for us to ever reach Shangri-La in the first place if he is not remaining on the Island all the time….., yet we have to remember, this text was written 1500 years ago, it not said that it might still be possible to do all the requirements of this Ritual, or if there still is a heir alive!" Russel replied after thinking about it.

"I understand…., that's why he spoke about the allegiance of `the Royal Regions of the free Nations´…., remember, before the Revolution, the Shepherd Republic had been a Kingdom as well, means that if there is a heir of Maranell, then he must live most likely in the Shepherd Republic in hiding and he must also bear the Second Key, this `Whispered of Times´…

Or at least hold knowledge of where to find the `Tones of Time´, which form this Key, whatever it may be!" Cyan stated after thinking for a long time.

"But one thing is for sure, before we can do anything here, we will need the Five Cardinal Crystals, which momentarily are in possession of Waffle and Alicia in Porto-Village!" Russel explained.

"Without them we won´t be able to get this Cardinal Key in the first place!" He continued while we nodded, I did overlooked the fact that Russel seemed to know a little more than he dared to say, after all it was impossible to know if Alicia was with Waffle at the moment…., unless one knows.

After all Alicia and the Black Cat Gang were once again on the run for stealing some of the Royal Jewels out of the Royal Jeweller's Atelier.

Could it be…., was Waffle hiding Alicia…., does this mean he is her accomplice in their stealing tours…, no I cannot imagine him to do that, sure he would do nearly anything to put her out of danger, but I highly doubt he would begin to steal for her.

Still, it was best to keep these thoughts at the back of my mind for now, we had way more worse things to think about right now.

"Then what are we waiting for, we better get going, we have to reach Waffle…, at least if Porto-Village is still unharmed and even if, I am sure that he is alright!" I stated as I rushed to the stairs, before I was suddenly stopped by a massive earthquake, which shook the entire room, and thrown back by a massive shockwave and Dust-cloud, which came from the exit, as the entire tower seemed to cave in and come down the stairs, blocking the way out.

"PRINCES….., PRINCESS TERRIA, ARE YOU ALRIGHT?!" Cyan asked in terror as he held me in his arms, catching my fall.

"Cough, cough, yes…, i´m just full of dust now, geez if I get out of this whole mess I definitely need a long shower!" I stated after coughing hard, I stumbled over to the others, supported by Cyan, my view blocked by a crust of dust and dirt.

"Guess this might be easier said than done…, the whole exit is blocked!" Russel stated after he looked for a way out.

"Guess we are trapped in here then!" Cyan stated.

"Not necessarily, remember, as we opened the door up in the tower, a strong gust of wind came upon us…, so that must mean that somehow is another opening, to let this wind inside to be stocked in here!" Russel stated and I remember how the wind rushed over me before.

"I guess you are right, it´s at least the best we can wish for!" I stated.

"Then go without me…, I am right now only a burden to you, if you have to carry me all the way through a war zone I will only slow you down, leave me here and make sure you can get out of here in one piece!" Father stated with a hiss, as he tried to sat up, his wound patched up as best as momentarily possible.

"But Father…, I could not possibly leave you here all alone!" I told him.

"Please Terria, listen to me, sometimes in your life you will have to sacrifice things for the greater good, such a time has come now, abandon me here, until the moment you return with the Five Crystals.

Without me as burden you have an easier way to stealthily get through this town without being spotted, as long as I am in here I will be as safe as one can be, but if this script is true, than you have to make sure to bring your friends and these Crystals here, you will make it, I am sure of it, you are strong, just like your mother!" Father stated.

"We will stay here with her Majesty and the Kids and make sure that her Majesty heals as best as possible right now!" Some of the Maids stated, while the maids who cared about the children nodded as well.

"Alright.., I guess that will be the best of actions to take, it´s easier to go in a small group anyways, especially if the Town is flooded by enemies!" Cyan stated nodding to himself.

"We will accompany you, Sir Chamberlain has not only thought us the correct way of a butler´s behaviour but also how to fight for our master, we will make sure you reach your goal, whatever it takes!" A few of the Butlers stated.

"I will come along!" A new Voice stated, we looked to see one of the Orphans standing up, apparently the oldest of them.

"But why would you get yourselves in such danger!" I asked the Girl who had spoken up, of course I appreciated her courage, but this was no time for uncertain decision.

"My mom always said that you should make sure, that your enemy will have it as hard as possible to bring you down and to never give in to fear and terror but to fight as hard as one can, which was a Principle she lived by since she was as young as me now!" The girl stated with an extraordinary will and a burning fire in her eyes, it was neither hatred nor despair which drove her on, but hope and determination.

"My mother always said that it is unwise to try and take revenge on an enemy you cannot easily beat, you should wait until the time has come, until they make a mistake and until you are strong enough to defeat them.

Right now I am neither strong enough nor do I have found the right one to take revenge on, but if I stay here I will never become either of both.

A principle she has learned ever since two years ago says that you should help those who have helped you, by any means necessary!" The Girl stated and it was as if I could see the ghost of her mother behind her, maybe it was just the sticky air in here, getting to my head.

"What is your Name girl?!" Cyan asked and I looked at him in disbelieve.

"Cyan.., you cannot possibly mean to take her along…, she´s just a little girl and we are supposed to plunge right into a war-zone, you should not…!" I tried to reason him but he silenced me with a finger on my lips, to which I blushed.

"My princess, the least we can do is hear her out, afterwards we still can decide whether it is a good idea to take her along, or if she might just run to her death this way!" Cyan explained to me and I nodded even if quite reluctant.

I just didn´t wanted to endanger the life of this young girl.

"My Name is Parmesan Peach and I am 16 years old, I was living in the Shepherd Republic prior to two years ago, my mother was Palmier Peach, originally a Sky Pirate, the Leader of the Pink Peaches, but she retired 2 years ago after her disbandment coup failed and after my grandparents, by whom I had lived for a long time, died due to age.

She has taught me much about fighting but even more about electronics, computers, Mechas and machines in general and especially about bombs, how to either build or defuse them.

Bring me metal pieces, a little black-powder, a thread and fire and I build you whatever weapon you will need.

Show me a machine of the enemy and I will do my best to turn it to our side.

Mechanic and electronic warfare, this is my speciality, for I once might have become the next Leader of the Pink Peaches if they would have not disbanded before my time.

I am sure that I can add to your team as a great help, even if only for technological and mechanical things…, although…., I also can cook a little!" Parmesan stated with a proud voice.

"Even if I cannot get my revenge on these Lycanians yet, if I can help you to bring an end to their reign and inconvenience them, I at least have something to tell on my mother´s grave…, and I have a feeling that I will get to know the one who released this creature, which killed my mother as she tried to defend me!" Parmesan stated with even stronger eyes.

"I think we should take her along, she looks like a smart head to me and she has the heart on the right place and a good portion of courage, also if we are in need of a technician, it is better to have one in our team all along, for example to short-circuit an Aircraft!" Cyan stated but I could only look at him in disbelieve.

Sure, his claim was all right and so…., but still, she was only a little girl and, most of all an Orphan now…., we should defend her, rather than endangering her.

But Cyan´s next claim made every such thought futile.

"After all Waffle and Alicia had been a year Younger than her, as they defeated the iron Giant…, if anything happens I will take full responsibility of it, I assure you, I will take her under my wing and help her to become strong!" Cyan stated a she stepped behind Parmesan and put a hand on her shoulder smiling reassuring to her.

"However if you come along than you will have to follow our every order, understood!" Cyan stated looking at the young girl with serious eyes and Parmesan nodded.

"I will follow as you order me!" She stated with determination, as she saluted in an incredible proper manner, as if she did it all her life.

"When I say, come, you come….., if I say stop, you stop….., and if I say get out of here and leave us behind and save yourself, than you will do so, have you understood?" Cyan questioned her further.

"I will!" Parmesan stated, not an ounce of doubt in her expression and the fire in her eyes still burned strongly.

"Guess I am over-voted here anyways, and if Cyan takes care of you than I am sure you will come by unscathed, alright but if we want to go we better do it now, who knows how far the enemy has already advanced into the city, if they got so easily into the Castle!" I stated as I agreed.

"Alright then gather your things together!" Cyan ordered and Parmesan saluted before she went and took a backpack with her.

"Alright, I better take that along, I just hope it works when I use it!" I stated as I carried the Crystal Radio of Chamberlain, his sword was strapped on my back.

"Now we just have to follow the flow of wind!" Cyan stated as he took a hand full of soil and lightly let it seep through his fingers, the flow of the wind pushed it into the opposite direction from which it came from.

"Alright everybody follow my lead!" Cyan stated as he marched forward.

"Take good care of my Father and the Children, and you take it easy for a while, you are injured, I swear to return as soon as possible and bring a medic with all the necessary equipment along!" I stated to my father who nodded before gesturing me to come closer.

"Terria, I believe in your courage and your strong will…, but even if I should not make it by the time you come back, then know that it was not your fault, neither everyone else´s, know that I always loved you and that I will have to push the greatest possible responsibility on you, the reign over our folk.

I hope that you soon will find a husband, a man which can help you with that task, be it Cyan or somebody else, I am sure that you will make the right choices in your future life!" Father stated.

"Don´t talk to me as if you are shortly before dying, I will make sure that doesn´t happen, I will come back as quick as possible, just believe in me Father, you will see, you will be back on the track in no time!" I assured him and he chuckled.

"I know you will, yet someday the time has come, when no medic of this world can help me anymore, be it from a wound or due to age, someday I will die and before that I will say the same to you again, I just want you to know it already yet!" Father stated and his words drove tears in my eyes.

"Now go, find your friends and save your folk, I know you have everything in you to make that happen, I believe in you, I always have!" He stated with a thumbs up, a gesture so totally unlike him but yet the sight of it, boosted my confidence highly.

"I will…, I swear to you that I will save our folk!" I stated as I stood up and made my way to my followers.

"Lean back, take it easy, watch my back and be proud of me!" I said as we got on our way.

"I will surely do that, while making it comfortable for me, after all, ever since my own youth and since your mother died, god bless her soul, I haven't been cared for by such beautiful maidens in a very long time!" He stated with a laugh and I sweat-dropped just like everybody else.

"Guess he´s as good again as possible, if he can joke like this I will hardly have to worry about him!" I staked as I went past Cyan who nodded with a smile.

"I guess so my Princess!" he stated.

"Well then shall we?!" I asked him as we reached the back of the den to see a long corridor driving us further inside these secret catacombs.

"Well we better hurry, if we want to save our home, you are our leader so we will follow your orders!" He replied confidently, as he took my hand, of course I blushed and I felt the curious gazes of several male butlers and one girl.

"Then let´s do this!" I stated and they nodded.

To be continued…..