Akko prepared herself for a fight. Mr Blackwell beckoned one of the guards to give him a weapon. Akko gulped as a giant claymore was handed over. Louis stared wide eyed at his father as he snapped his fingers. Blue snarled before another bright light appeared and a gold dragon loomed over the master of Appleton. Both dragons circled around each other, snapping and growling. She had heard that he wasn't much of a fighter but this was new. It must have been the corruption of the hydra that caused this. He rushed forward swinging the blade around. Akko had barely enough time to dodge the claymore that struck the ground which shattered some of the tile. He had a wild look in his yellows eyes as he continued to swing and slash at the priestess. She held her sword out to parry many of his strikes. She didn't train for nothing.
Frank appeared behind Louis.
"Dude. What are you doing? We need to get the Luna Nova group out of here and get some of these guest out of here."
"It's my fault. I watched as they changed my father and I willingly was apart of this. I didn't do anything to stop it."
Frank punched him in the face. Louis looked at him in shocked.
"Well. Then fix it. You have the chance to fix your mistakes now. Help me free them." Louis could only nodded.
Frank slipped behind some of the guards before reaching Andrew, who had been pulled further away from the others.
"Hey. You okay?" Frank was untying Andrew as everyone watched the battle.
"What are you doing here?"
"Getting you and your friends out. We have all the dragons saddled and ready to go. We just need to buy some time before they realize what is happening."
"Thank you."
"No problem cutie. Now it's time to rally the troops."
The ballroom had soon evolved into a battlefield. It was either a clash between humans or dragons. Blue was actually doing better then Akko though. He had the pure gold dragon pinned to the floor, teeth dangerously close to the other's throat.
"What is with you?" Blue commanded.
"Nothing of my own choosing. I'm sorry. I vowed to protect Louis with my dying breath. Even if it means fighting you my king."
"Aren't you suppose to be his father's dragon?"
"Yes. But he has long since been gone. Taken by the hydra. I could only watch in horror."
"Then help me. You can avenge him and you can still keep your promise." The dragon shook it's head up and down.
"Yes my majesty. I will. The priestess isn't safe here. She must go."
The two dragon turned their sight on what was happening. Frank, Andrew and Louis has made good on their promise on freeing the others. Amanda was clashing with a few guards. Constanze had pulled a crossbow out and fired at any unsuspecting guard, downing many. Avery danced around, cutting guards down. Jasminka swung her hammer at a few, smashing them into nearby walls. Frank twirled his spear around, bouncing any stray arrows away and managed to stab a few that got too close. Even Louis had risen his own personal army. Many of the party goers had banded together and fended off the guards. Akko had moved in enough to dodge the sword but not before having he got a chance to cut her upper arm. Blackwell suddenly screamed. Sarah had split his shoulder with her sword. His attention soon turned to the red head. She blocked a few of his sword swings.
"Akko you okay?"
"Yes. Thank you Sarah."
"Don't worry. I got him. Go to safety."
Akko scanned the room looking for one specific person. She finally spotted her as she slashed and diced her way out. Akko ran over to stop one guard from getting to her. Her sword met his side, cutting it open. Blood sprayed but that was the least of her concern.
"Diana. Are you okay?"
"Akko. Are you okay?" Diana dodged one sword swipe and countered with her own, breaking armor and skin.
"Don't turn the question back on me. I watched you take a beating. You are not alright."
"I'm fine. It's enough for me to fight." Akko raised her sword up, blocking the strike and kicked the guy away.
"We need to leave now. The dragons are ready. And you are injured. More so then the others. You need medical attention now."
"What I need is to lead us. I am fine. I can wait."
"Can we not do this now."
"Do what? There is nothing for us to do. Your concern should be the others. Not me."
"Damn it Diana. I wish you weren't so stubborn."
"Just go with Sarah and the others." She pointed to the main door.
"Fine."
"Alright everyone. We're getting out of here. Head for the exits." Diana had made a run for it.
Despite her injuries, Diana still held command. Everyone made a run for it when they got their openings. Akko had went to join them till Teresa had grabbed her arm.
"Forgot about me outsider."
"No. I just lost you in the crowd. Why did you hate me?"
"I respect people who withhold the honor of a knight. You have no such pride. You claim you were going to be a knight. I just saw someone who was a blundering idiot and held no pride for it. I'm surprised you got the dragon king as your partner. It must be a mistake. You are a worthless outsider." Teresa's dragon bite Akko's ankle, bringing her to her knees. Blue had tackled the dragon and clawed at his face.
"I am not worthless." Akko slammed her body into Teresa. Her body hit the floor hard, knocking Teresa out. She felt another hand grab her arm. She spun around to attack whoever had touched her. She stopped mid-swing to see Diana.
"You're not a worthless outsider. Come on. We are not leaving our priestess behind." Diana pulled her away from the battle by hand. Their hands were intertwined for a while till they had ran to the main entrance. Sarah had soon joined them as they ran. Diana had let go at that moment.
The three were stopped by Blackwell. He snarled at them in an almost animalistic sound.
"Stop right there priestess. Can't have you running from us. You are very important to us."
"Who are you cause you are not Mr Blackwell?" Akko had stood in front of Diana to block Blackwell from getting to her. She knew Diana wasn't in the best shape to fight. At least Sarah wasn't too injured to protect Diana.
"I'm the Fifth head of the hydra. Sam here had a heart full of hatred. Made it easier to corrupt his body and soul. I have now completely overtaken his body. Sam Blackwell is dead and I stand in his place. Now, come quietly priestess. I promise that I will not hurt your friends. Especially your alpha." The fifty pointed to Sarah.
Akko stopped. Her hands shook which caused her sword to rattle.
No. No. No. He is a wrong. Sarah wasn't her alpha. Diana was. Diana was her only alpha even if Diana didn't want her anymore.
"I won't let you hurt anyone anymore. This ends here hydra."
"Akko, I'm here. You are not fighting alone." Blue and the gold dragon joined her side in their smaller forms.
"Then you don't have much of choice. We are taking you alive either way. Everyone else will be killed if they get in the way."
"Good thing I have the dragon king."
"Ha. His power can't help you now. You are a sitting duck. Better kiss your alpha goodbye cause this will be her last day on earth."
The fifth rushed at Akko. She dodged to the left to avoid the claymore from hitting her. Blue had jumped to the right. He misjudged and skidded on the tile, sliding right into the buffet table cloth. She heard a yelp come from him.
"Sarah. Get Diana out of here. I'll join you guys later."
"I'm not leaving you." Both alphas shouted at the same time.
Akko bit her lip. She spared a glance at her dragon before having to side step to avoid another swing of the sword. The claymore was a strong weapon but it was slow. Akko took the short window of time and ran at him. She swung her blade down into his elbow, slicing tendon. The man hollered as he released that hand from the blade. Blood seeped onto the suit and streamed down his limp arm. He growled at the girl. The claymore's tip scrapped on the floor as she circled the girl. He picked up the blade with one hand, shocking Akko as she thought he didn't have the strength in one hand to lift a sword that heavy. He slammed the blunt side into her side which sent her flying. She landed on her right shoulder as she skidded to stop. Pain flared in her shoulder as she struggled to get up. The omega could hear his footsteps and the sword dragging against the ground.
"Wow. You are so pathetic. Chloe was right. You are worthless."
"Stop harassing her." Akko had turned to see Diana had tackled the fifth. Diana had slammed her fist into his cheek. Sam backhanded her, launching the blonde ten feet away. When her back hit the floor, she gasped in pain as she twisted her head to the side to cough up blood. Sarah had ran over to help Diana up.
"And this alpha has no idea that she is fighting a worthless battle. The priestess doesn't want you. You are just throwing yourself for a girl that will never return your feelings. She has her alpha. You are just getting in the way of that." He started to walk over to Diana as she struggled to get up. Akko wasn't going to stand by and let that happen.
"Hey Fifth. You said you needed me. Take me. I will go willingly. Just please leave them alone. She's injured."
"Akko..no. Don't. Please….not…for. Don't risk your life…for..m…..us." Diana gasped out. She gripped her stomach as Sarah wrapped her arm around her shoulders.
"Fine. Come here girl. We leave to the First." He dropped his claymore on the ground.
The two waited in baited breath as Sam stood over the priestess. Akko went to stab him in the gut but the blade was stopped. He caught the blade in his good hand and shattered it, effectively breaking the transformation and her wand. Akko was left defenseless. She stared down at the remains of her wand as she tired to formulate a plan. Diana and Sarah were screaming at her to run.
"AKKO." They twisted their heads to stare as Blue ran at full speed towards Akko with the shiny rod in his mouth.
"Blue. No." She ducked under his arms as the Fifth attempted to grab the girl. She ran to her dragon. She picked him up as she cradled him in her arms.
"Use the rod. You have the power. Believe in your heart."
Akko held the shiny rod in front of her as Sam stalked towards her. Blue clambered up to her shoulders, snarling.
"You stupid bitch. You really don't know how to use that. You have two stones and your magic is sealed. It's useless. How the mighty king will fall."
"The King will stand. Stand tall against you. I will be the one who will help him stop you. Your rein of terror will end."
The rod shined bright as it materialized into a board sword that still had the coloring of the shiny rod but the guard held seven slots. Two of them already filled with stones. It was aglow with a green light. Akko's heart felt lighter as she held the new sword towards her. A sense of power washed over her and buzzing entered her head.
"How? How did you do that? You shouldn't have unlocked that. How did you manage to gain the power of the Claiomh Solaris?" He charged towards her in a final attempt to nab her.
"Believing is my magic." She thrusted the blade forwards the man. The blade connected, going through his stomach. She didn't relent as she pushed the blade all the way through. Blackwell coughed up blood onto her shunned face as his eyes traveled to the guard of the sword. The blade stuck out his back, soaked in blood and it leaked down in front onto Akko's hands. She looked up in shock as he assisted in pulling it out. Yellow eyes flashed back to a green as a bright light filled the room. The black stone shattered into tiny pieces. Sam Blackwell gripped the brunette's shoulder.
"Thank you, my girl. Good luck. You will need it."
He collapsed onto the floor. Blood seeped out under him as he laid on his back. Akko chocked back a sob as she stared at the man she had just killed. Warm arms envelope her. She didn't care who is was at the time but their alpha scent was enough to calm her down.
"Come on. We need to go." They tugged at her arm to get her to move. "You are not worthless." They whispered. "I love you."
"Frank."
"Louis." The young Blackwell had grabbed Frank's shoulder.
"Listen, go with them. I need you as a representative of Appleton. I need to stay with my people and make sure that any remnants of the hydra army is gone. They will need to hear the actual story of how my father died. Go Frank. They need someone on their side."
"Got it. Good luck man. You are going to need it."
"Thank you. And I'm sorry Frank. For this."
Frank had ran after the group leading the priestess away from the battle. Louis watched at Teresa came around and hollered at any guard under the hydra's command to help her bring them down. The gold dragon stared at his human's son.
"Thank you. Now go with them. They need help." Louis whispered to the dragon as it chased after the Luna Nova group.
The group was running through the streets with Frank at the lead. Many people guided them along. They soon heard footsteps closing in on them.
"Most of the guards had been corrupted by the hydra. It wasn't that hard to them into his vengeful army. You okay there priestess?" Frank looked behind him. Hannah and Barbara were helping Diana move.
"Yes. I'm fine." Akko turned to look at Diana. Blood covered the alpha's face and bruises had already started to formed. Red splotches stained the suit and the white undershirt. Akko wanted to be the one who was carrying Diana but Diana had pushed her away again. She was at Sarah's side as they ran. They had soon reached their dragons who chirped for joy at seeing their humans safe. Beatrix stretched her neck to Diana to help keep her balance as she wobbled over to her.
"Alright…..everyone…...We need to..go. If we get…separated, meet..at Glastonbury." Diana wheezed out her command. Akko watched as Diana struggled to get onto her dragon's back. Sarah tugged at her arm.
"Are you okay Akko? You look terrible."
"I'm fine Sarah. It's nothing."
Sarah pressed a brief kiss onto her lips. Akko looked down on the ground and watched as two teardrops hit the soil. She hated this feeling of that Diana was showing her.
The group had soon taken flight. They rushed out of they as fast as possible covering as much ground as possible. They had assumed they lost the other guards after awhile of no sighting after the first hour. Akko laid her forehead against Blue's back as they flew. It had been a stressful five days so far plus she had taken three lives today. That didn't sit well with her. She had also developed a headache that only seem to get worse as time went on.
"You okay?"
"No. My head hurts and I'm worried about Diana."
"Maybe Diana is right. You should go to Sarah. She would protect you. Diana isn't looking too good."
Akko lifted her head up to stare at her ex-girlfriend. The blonde would nod off and on before righting herself back in her seat. She was getting worse if they didn't land and do something. Diana had ignored Akko's concerns and even told her not to worry about her. Diana said that she had Sarah and that she should be concerned for the safety of her alpha. Akko didn't want Sarah. She wanted Diana. Something that wasn't going to change no matter she hard she tried.
"We need to land and get Diana checked before something worse happens."
"Well, Diana isn't going to listen. She's the captain of this expedition. Therefore, she calls the shots."
"I don't care who calls the shots. Diana will die if we don't do something."
"Then talk to her. I can fly as close as possible."
Blue hovered over to Beatrix, who had slowed down on her flying due to her human. Both dragons nodded in a silent agreement.
"Akko, what are you doing here? Sarah is up ahead. Fly by her side. "
"I don't want to fly by her. I want to make sure you are okay. I know you. You have a horrible habit of ignoring your own health. You are injured and bleeding. You need to order everyone to stop so we can make sure there is nothing serious."
"Akko I am fine. I am not your concern."
"Diana, I don't ca…."
The sound of an arrow whizzing by their head stopped the conversation. Teresa was closing in on them, with several guards close behind. Akko was shocked to see that the guards were flying on griffin like wargolis instead of dragons. Diana turned to look at Akko.
"Go. Tell the others. I will hold them off long enough for you all to escape."
"And let you die?"
"I'm already dead. Just go. Go find happiness with Sarah."
Diana spun Beatrix around to counter Teresa and the other head on. Akko gritted her teeth before urging Blue forward.
"Let's go Blue."
"What did she mean by I'm already dead?" Akko thought to herself.
Blue surged forward, tackling one of the guards off his wargoli and proceeded to kill two other beast. Beatrix managed to bring another three down. They were soon joined by Blackwell's gold dragon who took out the remaining guards.
"What are you doing here?" Akko asked the gold dragon. A sudden buzzing noise rang in her ears. She clutched her head in a bid to try and stop the buzzing.
"He said that he is here to help you escape. Louis sent me to you. His name is Aneirin."
"Thank you Aneirin."
The dragon nodded.
Only one guard and Teresa remained. Akko and Diana turned their dragons to join up with their friends. Teresa shoot forth to get in front of Akko.
"I'm here to take you. If you go quietly, I'll let Cavendish go alive."
"I won't go quietly. I will fight and keep fighting."
"You will have to go through me first." Diana stood in between Teresa and Akko. She turned her head to whisper at Akko. "Akko run. Please. I will distract her long enough for you to get away."
"Diana no. I am not leaving you behind."
"Damn it Akko. Just go. I don't love you anymore. Sarah does. She will be a better mate for you then me."
"No. No. I'm not leaving. Not till you explain yourself."
"I have nothing to explain. I hate you."
Teresa nocked an arrow into her bow before firing. It hit Diana square in the right shoulder. Diana tethered before slipping off Beatrix. Everything so fast for Akko to process what happen. Teresa made a grab at Akko. Akko materialized the shiny rod into her hands and arched her blade up. She sliced Teresa's face as she screamed in pain. Akko drove off of Blue's saddle to catch Diana. She reached for Diana's falling body. She pulled the woman close to her. Multiple voices shouted out to her and the buzzing only got worst. A bright green light engulfed everyone's vision. Akko stared at Diana's face and gently kissed her lips.
Before darkness claimed her.