Sorry for the holdup! I was busy with schoolwork, but I am back!

R&R!

Note: I would like to dedicate this chapter to Lao Who Mai and Ultimate Aries, whose OCs appear in this act.

Act 5: Desperate Times

A day has passed since Princess Lena departed from the smoldering ruins of Wellest. Though low on supplies, the party nevertheless pushed on to reach the borders of Terabius. In order to avoid any possible attacks from the rebels, they used deserted roads, and traveled through forests. The moral of the entourage was low, but nevertheless, Lena tried to be cheerful. Yet, her heart grew heavy from the horrors of war they witnessed so far.

Still, many things did change in her subjects. While Lena was happy to engage in interesting conversation with Celine and Lester, Evan was now getting at every opportunity to stay away form Alyce. Alarmed by his new discovery of her talent, he grew increasingly silent and quite miserable, while Alyce used this chance to pay back most of what he had done to her in the past years. Of course, it didn't also really help that Sasha was here as well. Now, she was occasionally throwing Alyce some tips how to torment him most painfully.

"Oh, by the light, why did we ever stop at Wellest? Why? Why?"

Evan sighed, as trotted down the path.

"What's the matter, big boy? Chicken? Who's your mommy now, heh?"

"Well, has he ever been a big boy? I think he's merely a baby."

Alyce and Sasha giggled merrily, while Evan buried his face in his hands.

The party was currently not so far from the border, according to the map. They all had fresh hopes in Terabius, though they did not know what future had in store for them.

As they were trekking through a plain, Ronald suddenly perked up. Running up to the nearest hill, he began to scan the horizon. The rest stopped, surprised.

"Do you see anything, Ronald?"

Lena shouted to him.

"A rider is approaching from the west! He is all alone though."

"Is it one of the rebels?"

"I can't say yet...He has blond hair and wearing a heavy armor, though."

Lena's heart suddenly gave a jolt, and she quickly scrambled up the hill. As the rider drew near, her suspicion bloomed into a joyful surprise.

"Nelson! Is that you? Is that really you?"

The Cataphract drew beside Lena, his horse snorting heavily. Nelson smiled weakly at the joyful princess, and toppled forward onto the ground. Two arrows were sticking from his back.

"Nelson!"

Panicked, Lena quickly tried to raise him up. The others rushed forward to help.

"Geezus...It's commander Nelson! Is he still alive?"

Sasha gasped, and Lester quickly checked his pulse.

"Thank the light, he still lives! Quickly, we must tend to his wounds!"

The party soon set up a camp, and Lester and Celine went about using staves and medicine to apply to the open wounds. Nelson groaned from time to time as the arrows were removed carefully, and Lena could not have been more anxious. He was a family, a friend, and a teacher to her for all her life. If he died...she would not be able to bear it.

It was late afternoon when Nelson finally came to. He sat up slowly, and drank water from a bottle.

"Are you well, Nelson?"

Lena asked, and he smiled.

"I am well, princess. It warms my heart to see you safe and sound. I heard of your departure, and rode day and night to find you."

"Nelson... To see you well makes me so happy in this time of darkness..."

Nelson suddenly frowned.

"I wish that you would be happy always, but...I bring grim tidings about the revolution. Things seem unwell."

"Sir? What do you mean?"

Alyce asked.

"The castle held out only a little longer after your escape, princess. Though we fought bravely, I was one of the few who survived the slaughter. The king and the most of the loyalists...did not survive the fall."

The apprehension gripped the faces of the rest.

"After that, I fled from the capital in search for you. But I heard the bad news continuously. It seems...that a great slaughter went up in Salone. Everyone who did not believe in Rionism was killed, and the streets were awash in blood. At least that is how the rumors went."

"My god..."

Lena closed her eyes, overwhelmed with emotion.

"Merovine now controls the capital and all of the cities with an iron fist. He will take no time organizing an army to seek you out, princess. We must flee as quickly as we can."

Lena silently nodded. As she feared, the situation seemed to get worse as time wore on. They would need to cross the borders.

"We shall leave at sunrise. Get some rest, everyone."

The morning came quickly, and Lena and her subjects prepared to continue their journey. Nelson, looking better, now trotted beside his liege, constantly looking out for danger.

"Only a bit further, princess, and we shall be at the border of Terabius. I am sure the Duke will greet us with much aid."

"I hope so, Nelson. I hope so."

Yet, problem seemed to present itself much quicker than she had expected. As the party was passing a small forest, a rustle sounded from the nearby bush. Alarmed, Lena turned as a man suddenly darted out, looking out of breath. He had a short, auburn hair with green eyes, and was wearing a robe. On his back, he was carrying a small child, who seemed asleep.

Frantically running, he nearly ran into Lena, who jumped out of the way.

"Ah, I am so sorry!"

"What is the problem, traveler? You seem troubled."

Nelson asked, and the man's face again was seized with sudden fright.

"My...uh...nephew and Iare being pursued by Rionists! I thought I had evaded them, but..."

Scarcely had he said so when three figure emerged from the woods. They wore black robes and hoods, their faces hidden.

"Ah, what's this? The princess and her company, I see... Today is a lucky day, I suppose."

One of the figures chuckled.

"The rebels!"

Lena drew out her sword, and the rest of her entourage quickly attended to their weapons.

"Please, princess...Surrender yourself and the man there, and we shall let you live."

"Never, you black-hearted fiends!"

Evan growled as he threw a javelin. It struck one of the figures, who fell with a groan.

"Ahhh, being impudent here, I see...Then please, allow us to entertain you...to death!"

The remaining figures vanished, and Lena suddenly saw that enemies were approaching from all sides. Many were militias, brigands, and guards, but there seemed to be archers and dragoons as well. Amongst them, Lena could see some robed figures she saw earlier.

"Ah! Cultists! Be careful milady. They will use dark magic from afar."

Nelson shouted, but Celine suddenly stepped forward.

"I...I will help, milady. My light magic will certainly be in advantage above the darkness they wield."

Lena smiled, and assessed the situation. They seemed quite outnumbered and surrounded, but she reckoned they will be able to hold.

The man approached Lena with an apologetic face.

"I am so sorry, milady. I never meant to get you into trouble."

Lena smiled back.

"It's all right, good sir. I will not tolerate my people's suffering, nor will allow the rebels get what they want."

"I am so...thankful, milady. I would usually assist you, but I must tend to my nephew. He has been unwell for past few days."

Over the hill, the cultist leader, whose name was Sampson, appeared. Far off, he could see the princess and her lackeys ready to defend themselves. Sampson smirked. This will indeed be a fine game.

"Attack!"

Meanwhile...

In a nearby forest, another soul, who was not yet embroiled in the conflict, was wandering around. Strangely, she--for it was a girl with black hair, blue eyes, and freckles--was staggering around in circles, squinting and waving her arms in front of her. She was wearing a sleeveless shirt, puffy pants, and a headband around her head. She also had a black-and-gold armband.

"Come on. Where did my glasses go! They should be around here somewhere... Gah! I should not have walked straight into that tree!"

She dropped to her knees, and sighed.

"Come to your senses, Yenee. You can't just go around making such silly mistakes, such as dropping your glasses in the middle of the forest! A true adventure awaits you, with gold, glory, fame, villains, and an ultimate cause--"

She suddenly looked up, having heard a shout from far off. Squinting outside of the forest, she barely made out few figures, holding weapons. A triumphant grin appeared on her face.

"Aha! Villains! Thieves! YESSSS! I shall smash those who dare come close, for my fists forgive no one!"

The girl slowly prepared herself, cracking her knuckles, one by one.

At the same time, on the other side of the battle field…

The rebels were too busy charging ahead to notice a slim figure walking up the road. He was a scrawny-looking teen, with his brown hair tied in a ponytail, a pair of dark-sunglasses covering his green eyes. He was wearing long-sleeved, dark-green shirt, and a loose navy pants. Casually sauntering up the road, he was currently singing a song he made up for himself.

"Ooooh, My faaaair Laaady. If you happen to be in looove with me, grace meeeeee with a siiiiight of your sexy Unnnnderwear! If you don't wear one, thaaaat is even be-tter for meeeee. Ooooh-"

The boy suddenly came to stop at a high hill. Quickly taking off his shades, he surveyed the battle before him. He saw a group that was trying to defend themselves, and among them were-

"YEAAHOOOO! Ladies! Not just one, but four hot-looking chicks! Oooooh, I must be blessed today..."

A strange light seemed to glimmer in his eyes, and smiling, the boy drew a sharp-looking saber from its sheath while replacing his sunglasses onto his face.

"If I save them from this distress, I will certainly be... Oh, yes. I must be there at once!"

Swiftly, he charged down the hill.

Lena braced herself as the first wave of the attackers bore down onto her. She leapt the way out of a charging dragoon, and lunged upwards into his torso. The rapier pierced the light armor, and the man fell, coughing his blood. A militia, sensing a chance, charged at her with an axe. Lena winced as axe bit her shoulder, drawing out blood. Quickly, she slashed across, leaving a deep gash across the militia's chest. He didn't have enough time to groan in pain, as Ronald shot an arrow through his head.

The others were fighting on as well. Alyce, with her new iron lance, stabbed a Hunter through the stomach and lobbed him over her head. Turning, she planted a direct kick at the groin of a Soldier, who buckled in sheer pain. A slash across his head ended his misery. Sasha, meanwhile, saw a militia lunging at Ronald, who tripped back into the ground. Charging, she slashed at the militia's back as she rode by. However she didn't see a Guard extend his lance in front of her, and next thing she knew, she was falling from her horse as it tripped.

Lying dazed on the ground, Sasha managed to parry a blow from a Guard who decided she was quite vulnerable. Quickly, she slashed across the enemy's ankles, which were instantly severed. Killing him with a stab, she quickly mounted again and charged. Evan, meanwhile, was charging ahead to an enemy dragoon, who was charging back towards him as well with a lance. At the last moment, Evan switched to his javelin and threw it, instantly dismounting him.

"Great job, Captain Evan. Keep it up."

Nelson rode up, his armor and sword drenched in blood.

"Thank you, sir! I shall do my best!"

Not far off, Celine was surrounded by two cultists, who were chanting their dark spells. Celine was casting her own spell as well, but one of the cultists almost finished his, putting Celine at a slight danger. Suddenly a rock flew and slammed into the cultist's face. The cultist lost his balance and fell backwards, interrupting his incantation.

"Now, Sister Celine!"

Lester shouted, running up with another rock in his hand.

"In the name of the light...Ray!"

The sparkle of light exploded in front of the unlucky Cultist, who was instantly killed by the blast. The other cultist cast his own spell now, but gasped in surprise as his spell did almost nothing to Celine except to singe her sleeves.

Quickly, Lester lunged and began to whack him with blows from his staff, while the cultist screamed at no one to save him from a mad healer. Then, Celine saw a militia with an axe charge at him.

"Yeep!"

Celine toppled backwards, while the militia triumphantly raised his axe for a final blow. She closed her eyes tightly, expecting a very painful death.

Instead, she heard a quick slash, and a harsh scream. Opening her eyes, she saw a strange teen standing over the dead foe, with a curved sword in his hand. He was kicking at the corpse, muttering something about, "being rude to the ladies."

"Um, Th-Thank you, sir, for saving my life."

The stranger suddenly had a strange and almost dreamy expression, and he glided over to Celine and grasped her hands.

"What is your name, oh, beauteous one? Would you be so kind to grace me with your underw- I mean, your identity?"

The teen smiled at her, flashing his white teeth.

Celine panicked, but nevertheless blushed.

"I-my name is Celine..."

"Ah, Celine! What a name for such a beauty! My name is Mike (Fencer Lv. 6), Mike Harper the Gallant, protector of fair maidens and the defender of love! Surely, you have heard of me?"

"Well, actually...no..."

Mike continued to smile.

"That's no problem, lady! Now, allow me to fight for you and for other ladi...I mean for your companions! My virtuous blade will protect you to the end!"

Celine, who was now quite bewildered and freaked out, just nodded.

Mike gave her a wink, and charged back into the fight, slashing and stabbing at the enemy. Celine just stood there, her eyes wide and her face distorted with confusion.

"Who was that?"

Lester asked, as he run up to her.

"I'm not sure. I think he's on our side now...but he sure was creepy."

Lena let out a yell as she stabbed into a cultist with her rapier. Though these magicians were powerful, they seemed more vulnerable when it came to matching strength. She was now using that to her advantage.

As she was passing a nearby forest, Lena suddenly saw a strange spectacle. There was a sound of serious smacking and crunching, and a militia suddenly flew out of the forest, landing in front of her in a bloody pulp. As Lena approached the source of commotion, a hunter came flying screaming, covered with blood and bruises.

Getting even more curious, Lena walked through the bushes to get a better look. There, in the middle of a clearing, stood a young girl who was fighting a Guard, who seemed almost knocked out. Landing few punches to his jaws, the girl executed a powerful spin kick that instantly slammed the Guard into a tree. She beamed, and suddenly turned to Lena.

"Ah! Another agent of evil has arrived to test my mettle! I shall purge thee!"

The girl shouted, and began to slug at Lena wildly, while squinting her eyes. Startled, Lena stepped back away. In doing so, she suddenly spotted something shiny on the ground.

"A pair of glasses?"

Lena held it up, and instantly, the strange girl lit up.

"Ah! My glasses!"

Snatching her glasses from Lena, the girl placed it on her face, beaming.

"Ah, that's better. Thank you so much for finding my glasses! Surely, you must be one of the forces of good, since you have done such a kind deed to me!"

Lena was surprised at the sudden change in her attitude, but nevertheless smiled.

"I am Yenee (Martial Artist Lv. 5), a traveling warrior seeking adventure! If it wasn't for you, I would have been stuck here for eternity, never to see the light of glory ever again!"

Lena held out her hand.

"Nice to meet you, Yenee. I am Lena, the former princess of Meticia. We are now fighting against the Rionists who have attacked us."

Yenee gasped.

"Wow! A royalty! And fighting against evil, too! Then, please allow me to join in your cause, princess. After all, a great adventure starts from enlisting oneself for a worthy liege!"

Lena nodded.

"I would gladly appreciate your help, Yenee. Welcome aboard."

Mike smirked as he scanned around the battlefield. All those wonderful chicks, fighting around him, and how graceful they are, too! He couldn't wait to get his hands on all of them. He soon ran into a militia who was holding a sword. Mike snorted at the way his enemy wielded the sword so clumsily. Leaping into the air, he did a series of rapid summersaults while holding his saber. As the blade spun rapidly along with him, it shredded the militia's head into a pulp. Mike landed gracefully on his feet, smiling.

On the other side of the field, Lena and Yenee were quickly making their way towards Sampson, cutting through any enemies that stood between them. Though Lena could not believe how anyone would fight without a weapon, she had be surprised at how enemies went flying from series of quick punches and kicks Yenee executed with ease. Soon enough, most of the enemies were down, while the rest of Lena's entourage cleaned up the rest.

Sampson could not believe how quickly his minions fell. Perhaps he underestimated the princess's powers. Nevertheless, she will die, he thought. And the fugitive and especially the child he protected will be led back to the capital. Sampson began to weave an incantation, dark runes forming in his hands.

"For the power of darkness...Shadow!"

A beam of pure darkness shot towards the princess, who barely moved out of its way. Grinning, Sampson began to weave another blow...until Yenee, who snuck up quietly, kicked the tome away from his hands.

As Sampson looked, dismayed, at the tome falling into a nearby stream, the last thing he heard from behind was, "I hate anyone who attacks ladies..."

Then, nothing.

Mike grimaced as he sheathed his saber into its scabbard. This cultist was indeed unpleasant, he decided. Whistling, he slowly walked back to the group, who gathered around a hot chick called Princess Lena. Mike knew he will stay with this group for some time. After all, there were many chicks in this party, and who knows how many more ladies he will encounter as he traveled?

The group now gathered to take an assessment of the situation. Luckily no one was seriously injured, save some cuts and scratches. Lena spoke to the tired group.

"Thank you all for fighting today. I also give thanks to our new companions Yenee and Mike for their help."

The man who was tending to his nephew went up to the princess.

"It is with my sincere heart to express my gratitude to you, milady. My nephew and I are indebted to you. Oh, and my name is Tobias. I am a traveling preacher making a living all around the world."

Lena smiled.

"I have done what must be done, Master Tobias. Is your nephew well?"

"I am. I give you my earnest gratitude, princess."

A child made his way into the group.

Though he was an ordinary child with titanium-blond hair and red eyes, the child seems to have a strange force around him that made him almost unnatural. Lena was quite surprised how a child could speak so eloquently.

"What is your name, child?"

"My name is Raphael, as other people call me. You can address me however you wish though, milady."

The boy smiled innocently, and Lena couldn't help but to smile back.

The Sun was high when the party finally parted ways. Lena watched Tobias and his nephew, Raphael, slowly walk towards the horizon.

"Don't you feel uneasy, princess, how strange that boy was? And what could the Rionists possibly want from them?"

Nelson spoke quietly beside her.

"We may not know yet, Nelson. But I have a feeling that this meeting will not be our last."

Lena replied.

"In the meantime, shall we continue our way?"

Lena turned to join her entourage as they made their way towards the border, with hope shining for their future.

Meanwhile...At Salone, former Metician capital...

The throne room was dimly lit by torches that looked over a lone figure sitting on the throne. Merovine, the leader of the Rionists, sat there contemplating the recent events. They have secured the entire kingdom, and the number of followers has been increasing steadily. However, the news of the princess's escape and the failure to catch the boy vexed him even more. Without the boy, the mission would only be half complete.

"So, you have failed to capture him?"

A cold voice spoke, startling Merovine. At the corner of the dark room, a figure stood, almost invisible but to the prophet. Merovine knew well enough who it was already.

"We will capture him, soon enough. He cannot have gone far."

The figure chuckled.

"Remember Merovine. This task must be carried out promptly. You know the importance of our mission...as well as the way how our master will react to this news."

Merovine flinched a little, and spoke once more.

"I will get him. I can promise you that."

The figure smiled once more and as he started to vanish into thin air.

"But, once the boy heads for the eastern lands, remember that it will be I who will take over the duty to capture him."

With that, he was gone.

Merovine began to contemplate once more, but sighed. This task seemed to get more difficult as the time went on. The prophet decided to send more men into the countryside to scour Meticia.

All shall be done for the glorious day he awaited in the future.