(AN): Thank you to all who reviewed
Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Seed or Destiny.
Chapter Forty-Four
Battle of Boaz Part Three
Outside Boaz
As soon as the sun came up Kira and his army had finally arrived at Boaz. Kira instantly looked over the situation at the city. Kira rode up a hill with Mu, Lacus and a few royal guard members what they saw both relieved them and worried them. The city was still standing, but the gate was breached.
"They seem to be holding there own pretty well kid," Mu said.
Kira looked at him, "I am glad, but that will not last for long."
"You got any ideas?" Mu asked.
Kira smiled, "I will take three brigades and head into the fort, you lead the other two and keep the others from getting to the fort."
Mu took that in, "What about the guard?"
Kira looked over to Lacus and then back to Mu, "They will remain behind here, just in case."
Mu knew what he meant, "They are using a main squad, you know that correct?"
Kira smiled, "I know that, but it can't be the Duel, so it must be the Buster squad."
"That makes things easy for us since they are only long range fighters," Mu replied.
Kira looked at him, "Don't take them lightly Mu, if they decide to retreat, just chase them to the border."
Mu looked at him, "Will do kid, but you better keep yourself alive, I should be going with you."
Kira smiled, "I can handle myself in a battle situation Mu, and we have no time to waste so go."
Mu smiled and rode to the squads he was assigned to lead.
Kira looked back to Lacus who was right behind him, he rode next to her.
Kira looked at her, "I must go Lacus, you will be fine here with the guard."
Lacus slowly looked at him, "I know you have to go, just please keep your promise to me."
Kira reached over and lifter her head to meet his eyes, "I give you my word of honor, I will come back to you."
Lacus smiled and they leaned into each other sharing a short kiss. After a few minutes they broke it, and Kira rode off to the front lines.
Lacus watched him go hoping everything would be alright.
Kira rode to the front of the brigades while the knights never took there eyes off there King. Kira arrived at the front to see a few squad leaders waiting for his commands.
"Your Highness, the men are prepared," a leader told him.
Kira looked at him, "Well done, we will head straight into Boaz, tell your units to be alert and bring word to me if they start retreating."
The leaders smiled, "As you wish sire."
Kira smiled, "Stay alive and wait for my signal."
The leaders did what there King ordered and returned to their units waiting for a signal.
Mu did the same with the remaining brigades, he had faith that everything would turn out well.
Kira observed the situation for a minute and when he saw the third battalion of ZAFT knights ready to go in he gave the order.
Kira pulled out his sword, "Proceed with the charge!" Kira shouted out as he waved his sword for the knights to follow, and rode towards Boaz.
The knights saw their King give the order and followed him unsheathing their swords. The ground started to rumble as the massive cavalry charged for the castle.
Mu saw them charge and did the same with his brigades, his units were mostly infantry and heavy armed knights so it would take them a little longer to get to their destination but they did their best.
Boaz
Outside the Fort
Just as Dearka was about to give the order to charge in with the remaining Buster squad and the third brigade, they suddenly felt the ground shake but they didn't pay any attention to it.
A captain from the long range archers ran up to him.
"My Lord they are here!" Sai said he took over command of the archers while Dearka would charge in.
"It's good Yzac made it in time," Dearka replied.
Sai looked at him, "It is not Lord Yzac sir, Onogoro reinforcements are heading this way!" he shouted.
Dearka immediately turned around to see the massive army whose numbers didn't seem to end. Dearka stared at the massive army about to charge and knew his forces stood little chance.
A captain also joined him as he saw the army approaching.
"My Lord, by the flags they hold they are defiantly from Onogoro and it appears the ORB King himself leads them." the captain told him.
Sai and Dearka looked at him.
"I thought the ORB King was supposed to be dead," Sai said.
"He should be, but it looks like Yzac failed," Dearka told them.
"Are you sure it's the ORB King?" Sai asked.
The captain looked at him, "I was at the battle a few months ago, I saw the King with my own eyes it's him."
"What do we do know?" Sai asked frantically.
Dearka looked around at all his forces, they were outnumbered and if the charge got to them they would have to split there forces in half to fight a two sided battle.
"My Lord we don't have much time," the captain said.
Dearka knew what he had to do; the Buster squad was too valuable to lose. They were one of the best squads ZAFT had, but they were not hand to hand fighters, against a force like that they would be annihilated. Dearka had made a difficult decision but it had to be done.
"My Lord they are gaining," Sai said scared to death.
Dearka looked at them, "Have the Buster and third brigade shift to the north and make a full retreat." Dearka had no choice, he wasn't running because of fear, he knew it would be pointless to continue especially with the losses they took.
Sai looked relieved.
"What about the first two squad's sir, they are still in the fort?" the captain said.
Dearka looked at them, "Leave them, there is nothing we can do, we cannot wait."
The captain frowned but he knew he was right, "As you wish My Lord."
Dearka and the squads immediately headed north. The archers were given the orders to retreat and did so. The remaining catapult teams were given the same orders; they had to abandon the catapults to make a run for it. It only left the two remaining brigades to be sacrificed. They were in such a hurry that the slaves that were forced to load the catapults were left behind, but that was alright by them.
With Kira
Kira lead the charge when he saw the brigades and the main buster squad heading to the north he knew that they were retreating.
"Captain," Kira called out to him.
The captain rode next to him while they were still charging.
"Yes, You're Majesty," the captain replied.
Kira looked at him, "They are breaking their formation, take one squad here and one from Mu, chase them to the border."
"Do we engage them sire?" the captain asked.
"Only if necessary, get them off the land and remain near the border until morning just to be sure," Kira replied.
"It will be done My Lord," the captain replied as the squad and the captain took off.
They reached Mu and got a squad from him and immediately pursued them, they would make sure they got off the land.
They still had three brigades left for Boaz, but that was more than enough. They kept charging until they neared the fort, there were a few ZAFT knights still outside the fort but the cavalry instantly sliced through them. Kira entered the fort, while Mu remained outside to clean up the rest.
Boaz Fortress
"Were in trouble My Lord, they still have one more unit out there," the captain told Athrun.
Athrun looked over at him and then at Cagalli. "We must hold them off."
They were ready to engage but a few knights ran over to them, "Sir, over there!" they shouted.
Athrun and the captain looked over and there eyes went big at what they saw.
Cagalli looked over and gave a look of happiness and relief.
"What is that sir?" the captain asked.
Athrun got a better look, "It appears like there retreating."
They watched the ZAFT army retreat, but they soon saw the reason why.
"My lord isn't that Onogoro's units?" the captain asked.
Athrun smiled, "That is correct, he made it after all." he said referring to the messenger.
Athrun and the captain ran to the other wall to get a better look, it was then that the charging force was close enough for them to see.
They finally saw who was leading the attack.
Athrun smiled along with Cagalli.
"My Lord, that's the…" the captain got cut off.
"That's my brother, he's back," Cagalli said.
Athrun looked over at her, "That's not all either, just look at him it's like…" Cagalli cut him off as well.
"He is back to normal," Cagalli said as she could easily see his face as he entered the fort.
Athrun smiled, "Captain, get ready to open the second gate, we will let the Aegis squad infantry along with the King's cavalry finish this," Athrun told him as he looked over at Cagalli, "Remain here and you will be safe," Athrun told her as he gave her a quick kiss, and ran off to the opposite stairs to get off the wall.
With the ZAFT knights
The commander and the rest of the remaining units in his squad where regrouping when the captain of the ladder team joined him.
"Sir Lord Dearka has retreated, Onogoro forces are heading entering the fort," the captain said.
The commander looked over to him, "He just left, this is not good."
"That is not all sir, it appears the ORB King himself is leading the attack," the captain told him.
The commander looked at him, "I see, well that is one bright side."
The captain looked confused, "What are you talking about?"
The commander smiled, "We cannot escape, so I at least will fight my last breath with honor as should you."
The captain smiled, "Well said sir, if we can take out the leaders maybe this operation will have some success."
It was then that the main second gate opened revealing the Aegis squad infantry, the ZAFT knights were not trying to defend against the infantry and the cavalry, and they were losing.
"Over their sir," the captain pointed to two figures.
The commander looked and smiled, "There they are let's go."
The captain agreed and rode off towards the two figures.
With Kira and Athrun
As soon as Kira entered the fort he had to immediately fend off attacks, like the rest of his cavalry but they were easily able to push them back. Kira got off his horse and ran towards a few stairs he knew about only to run straight into Athrun and a few ZAFT knights.
Kira looked up, "Athrun."
Athrun smiled, "It's good to see you made it back safely, and I'm glad your back to normal."
Kira and Athrun engaged the knights easily disposing them.
"How can you be glad to see me after what I have done?" Kira asked.
Athrun looked at him, "Both Cagalli and I knew you weren't yourself, but we can discuss this later."
Kira smiled, "Your right, first we need to finish this."
Athrun agreed and they engaged two more knights.
The knight charge Athrun but he was easily able to dodge, and deliver the devastating slash to the man dropping him to the ground.
Kira ducked to avoid his attack and pointed his sword up to stab the man through the chest, also dropping him to the ground.
Kira and Athrun smiled at each other as two figures approached them.
Outside Mu was having a pretty good time dealing with the leftover's but there weren't that many, as they were all mostly inside the fort.
With everyone in the Fort
Kira and Athrun watched as the two figures approached them and Kira instantly recognized the one from the ambush sometime ago.
"You again," Kira said.
Athrun looked at him, "You know him?"
Kira didn't take his eyes off the commander, "When I was ambushed, he was one of the leaders."
Athrun looked over to him.
The commander looked at Kira, "It has been awhile young King; I see you have bested Lord Yzac."
Kira looked at him, "Take you're remaining forces and leave this land, no one has to die here, just be smart you lost."
The commander smiled, "You know all to well I will not do that."
Kira glared at him, "Than you are a fool."
"I told you that day of our last meeting, I follow ZAFT to the end," the commander replied.
"You serve a fool, who doesn't care about you or his soldiers," Kira told him.
The commander smiled, "Even so, it is still my country."
Kira raised his sword at him, "I guess there is nothing left to say."
The commander nodded his head, "I guess not."
Kira and the commander instantly charge at each other.
Athrun looked at the captain, "The same offer still stands for you and your men leave my city."
The captain smiled, "This is a useless conversation, and my answer is the same as the commanders."
Athrun raised his sword at him, "I guess we are wasting our time then."
The captain smiled, and they to charged at each other.
Athrun and the Captain
Athrun and the captain immediately engaged each other Athrun was pushing him back until they reached the stairs, they started going up them while there swords clashed back and forth. They reached the top of the wall and there sword meet again. The captain knew he would probably not win this battle but he had a few tricks to use.
Athrun went in for a slash but the captain blocked it, Athrun used his strength to push the man back and made a slash towards his leg which it connected, the captain felt the pain and fell down, with Athruns sword pointing straight at his throat.
"Give up its over," Athrun told him.
The captain smirked, "I will never surrender," the captain shouted as he quickly tried to stab at Athrun but it was to late, Athrun pierced his stomach and the captain was done.
With Kira and the Commander
There swords met in a thunderous crash like with Yzac, but Kira could tell this man wasn't as good as Yzac.
The commander had a slight strength advantage, this guy was huge, but Kira had a speed advantage.
There swords meet and Kira found himself being pushed back slightly, Kira jumped back allowing the commander to fall a little forward and Kira slashed at him, the sword connected only with his armor as a chunk of metal flew off, The commander stared at it.
"Not bad, but I will not lose," the commander said.
Kira looked at him, "You lost already."
Thy charged each other again, but Kira moved out of the way before the swords connected and made another slash this time connecting with the man's arm. The attack went through the armor and gave him a serious wound.
"Why are you fighting a meaningless battle?" Kira asked.
The commander looked at him, "Because I was ordered to by my Emperor, and I will follow his command.
That comment made Kira mad, "Then I will no longer hold back!" Kira shouted at him.
Kira charged at him with twice as much speed as before and the commander was a little shocked. The commander tried to raise his sword to block it put it was too late as Kira's sword went through his chest and out the other side. The commander looked in Kira's eyes as he fell.
"Well done…young King," the commander said.
Kira looked at him as he fell on the ground, "I will not pity a man who only fights for a worthless man like Gil."
The commander chuckled a bit, "Funny…you don't…remember me…do you?"
Kira looked at him, "What are you talking about?"
The commander smiled, "I haven't lived…in ZAFT my…whole life…I once severed your royal guard…in my youth."
Kira looked at him in shock, "You lie."
"I only tell…the truth…I served your father…until I couldn't…take his brutal ness…any more." the commander struggled to say a bit more.
"Than why…why would you go and sere another tyrant?" Kira almost demanded to know.
The commander looked at him, "He wasn't…always like this…until your father…destroy his…he had potential…to become a great…ruler."
"I still don't understand," Kira said.
"You're just as I remember… I suppose I should have stayed… it is every knight's dream to serve… a King worthy of the throne… and I'm glad to be killed… by that same worthy King…rule well…My King……" the commander said as he was able to say no more.
Kira stood up and looked at him, "I understand what you are saying to me, and I will honor it, I will always be a King for the people." Kira said to the corpse as he joined Athrun.
The Aegis squad and the cavalry had also finished off all the other remaining ZAFT forces. Once again Boaz proved an unconquered fort.
Kira was walking over towards Athrun, the city was once again safe and ZAFT was once again gone, Kira saw a cavalry member. Mu accomplished his task as well of getting rid of the remaining ones outside the fort; Mu finished up and went inside the fort.
"Inform the royal guard they can enter the city," Kira told him.
The knight bowed, "Yes, You're Majesty."
The knight ran off to complete this task and Kira walked over to Athrun.
"Glad your alright," Kira said.
"Likewise, thanks for coming," Athrun told him.
Kira looked at him, "I can never fully apologize for what I did Athrun."
Athrun looked at him, "It is like I told you, but I don't think you will have that easy of a time convincing your sister of that." Athrun said as they both saw Cagalli standing over towards the second gate into the city; she had both a relieved, happy and angry look on her face. She was happy to see her brother back to normal, but she still wanted her apology.
Kira sighed and he and Athrun walked over towards her.
To be continued…
(AN): I hope you liked this chapter; the next one will be out by Wednesday. Sometime during the end of the week or the beginning of next week, I will be releasing the next story I plan to do after this one, it won't be updated as much until this one is done, I just want to get the first chapter out. Bye for now.