"Loose!"

A swarm of arrows barreled down at the knights as they fought in the courtyard. The defenses of this small fortress were decently kept up to snuff. The walls were well built and could withstand most anything an army could throw at them and more. They were well manned. Perhaps not a full armies worth, but the troops above them had the numbers to properly hold the line when it came to a siege. With a group as small as theirs, the soldiers in the fort could easily push aside them without breaking a sweat.

However, that wasn't the case here today. The knights riding up to the castle were no ordinary knights. They were the Knights Paladins under the command of the King Charlamagne of the Franks. Undefeated in the field. Undisturbed by the world's enemies who fought against them constantly. They had faced down beasts stronger then any walls a simple castle could fathom to put against them. It was made worse by the defenders just being simple mercenaries and peasants. The knights had more experience in thirteen people then hundreds had in their whole lives put together.

Yet the defenders didn't know that. They thought they could stop them at the walls. It was simple. They just needed to stall any attack until the mage inside was finished with his plans. No one could dare oppose them at the height of their power then. That's what he promised them. They would be invincible. With that in mind, they believed in victory.

That belief was dashed as the leader of the knights held up his sword. Charlamagne closed his eyes as he prayed to God. He needed strength. He needed deliverance. The sword started to glow. He grinned as he held it aloft. The blade Joyeuse was ready to strike. It was no normal blade for it was said to house the tip of the spear Longinus used to pierce the side of Christ. He would use its power to pierce their defenses.

"God is on our side," the young king cried out. "Against all those that harm the people I love, I will hold nothing back. Joyeuse!" With that he thrust the sword forward.

The people on the walls only had time to blink before it happened. A cascade of energy shot out from the sword and hit the walls of the castle. In no time, a hole was blown out from it. Men were sent flying, crying out in fear and pain before being snuffed out. Of course, if they weren't blown to bits by being at the center of the bout of destruction. So the knights rode through that hole and that's how they ended up in the courtyard.

Their blades, spears and lances slew swathes of their foes as they pushed into the castle foot by foot. The defenders tried their best but one on one they were no match. So numbers were the game. Something that even the best hero may find troublesome. So the knights did. They were no fools. The needed to get inside and not get swamped by these guys but life wouldn't always play it easy.

So the arrows came down. All of them ready to pierce their hides.

"I've got it," Astolfo shouted as he stood up on the back of his horse and brought up his lance. He struck aside each arrow swiftly and nimbly. Not one made it to his companions or himself. The strays of course were blocked shields or dodged by his companions.

"Good aim, Astolfo." He heard Roland, a blond knight who cut off the head of an opposing mercenary.

"Welcome~" Astolfo chimed as he stabbed another enemy in the chest. One tried to hit him from the side with a mace but he pivoted his feet around to block the struck with his lance. The foe was surprised for a second which was the time he needed to push him back and then stab him dead.

"Nice work," Charlemagne smiled as he bisected an enemy soldier, "Just don't let it go to your head. You have a habit of charging off on your own."

"Oh like I'm the only one here with that habit," Astolfo laughed and smacked aside a couple of more arrows.

The archers would be a sore spot for them but luckily for them, they had some more trump cards. As the archers nocked their arrows, a fierce cry came from the air. A large griffon swooped down and smashed into the line. Its claws and beak cut through a number of them before picking up another soldier and flying off, throwing him down onto the stone below. The soldiers panicked. Knights were one thing. A griffon? Most people had never seen a griffon. Some had never even heard of it. The sight and actions of the creature caused some of them to break and run.

Another set of archers stood their ground and took aim for the creature. Astolfo wouldn't have any of that. He picked up a loose stone and chucked it at them. It hit one in the eye, causing him to cry out in pain and stumble backwards. The other archers turned to him.

"Pick on someone smaller then you, cowards." He shook his fist at them.

One of the other twelve paladins used their bow to snipe a couple of the archers before the rest ducked or ran for it.

"This is our chance," Charlemagne cried out, "Get to the mage."


Vauquelin seethed as he heard the approaching sounds of battle. His magic surged around him as gems in his suit got fired up. He really didn't want to fight them. Oh it wasn't that he was weak or hated violence. He used it a lot to get his way in the past and you couldn't make it anywhere in this world with being weak. No, fighting against thirteen powerful warriors at once wasn't something he was keen on. This was especially so when he was so close to his device.

"So close," he scowled. "So close. I'm so close and they choose now to interrupt my plans? The nerve of these paladins and their king. I will show them the might of a true magus."

He turned to the shaking mercenaries and peasants he had collected. He thrust out his hands, "Go. Defend this room with your life. If they interrupt my plan, none of us will be getting what we want."

"But they're so powerful," one of them spoke up.

"So you want to die on your ass?" Vauquelin growled and one of his gauntlets turned red with energy, "Or would you rather die right here and now?"

The people in the room shakingly nodded and rushed outside. He turned back to his machine. They would buy him a few more minutes. If he could pull this off, that's all he needed. He nervously used his gloved hand to fidget with his long moustache. His eyes never left the glowing orb before him. It was humming as it twirled in the air. Energy keeping it up between the metallic pillars beside it. It was so close to perfection. The power emanating from it was just enough for his task. He just needed one more minute to complete it.

He grinned as he held out his arms, "Soon you pathetic paladins. Soon I will have mastery over this land, perhaps even the world if I play my cards right. You will not be able to stop me." He laughed.

"Not so fast villain!" A feminine voice shouted at the top of their lungs.

"Huh?" The magus turned around and everything was still for a moment. He quirked an eyebrow and shrugged before turning back to his machine, "Now, I- Gah!"

The doors were smashed open and in pounced a large griffon. Its growls sent shivers of fear down his back. However, this was contrasted by the small, pink, woman on its back. The woman pointed her spear at him, "Your reign of terror ends here!"

"Ha!" Vauquelin glared at the woman, "Are you really one of Charlemagne's twelve Paladins? If you are the standard, I weep for the Franks. Leave or I shall crush you into the dirt like the piece of trash you are. I'm feeling generous today so that will be your only offer."

"And let you trample on the freedoms of this land? Never!"

"Freedoms?" Vauquelin laughed, "Freedoms? Your land has no freedom except for the rich and spoiled. You exploit your people for your petty desires. I will give the people a land where those who are the strongest and work the hardest thrive while those privileged worms are thrown into the mud where they belong."

"Oh yeah," the woman rolled her eyes, "I'm sure it'll be so sweet and nice. Just one big party with you in charge, right?"

He twirled his moustache, "Well of course. I'm the only one fit to rule over these fools. Otherwise the system would return to its normalcy. So you should be-"

"Gonna stop you right there," the paladin woman raised a finger, "I only work for one guy and that's Charlemagne. You aren't as cute or as fun as him. Also, you're the basic definition of a bad guy out of an old myth. I may be crazy but I'm not stupid."

"Bad guy out of an old myth?" Vauquelin's temper rose, "How dare you compare me to those olden stories? I am new and improved. I am what this country needs. You dare to stand against the truth?"

"I dare to stand against stupid people who think they can steal my king's spotlight," the paladin shouted, "But enough talk, have at you."

That's when a noise hit the room. It was loud and vibrant as the machine powered up. Vauquelin laughed, "Yes. It's ready. You're too late, paladin of Charlemagne. Now I will have mastery over time and weave the world into what I wish it to be!"

"Not if we can help it," Charlemagne and the rest of the Paladins charged in.

"My men were supposed to hold you a little while longer," Vauquelin snarled, "Can't get good help these days."

"As my compatriot said," Charlemagne continued, "It's over. Surrender now and this will end peacefully."

"Says the men covered in blood," Vauquelin stated.

"Says the man who sent them to die," Charlemagne countered.

"Eh," Vauquelin shrugged, "You lose a few men now and again. Nothing to cry over."

"Heartless fiend," Roland snarled.

"Heartless?" Vauquelin said, "I prefer to call myself pragmatic when looking at the lives of others. They at least bought me enough time to activate my machine. Now-"

Roland wasted no time to nock an arrow and fire. It whizzed by the magus's head who stopped for a second to stare at him. He patted his cheek and felt nothing was off. So he laughed.

"You failed to hit your mark, paladin." Vauquelin smirked.

"I didn't."

The magus's eyes widened as he turned to see the arrow sticking out of the piece of 'controls'. Which were mostly just a series of runes over a tablet. It sparked and started to writhe alongside the rest of the structure, "No!" He jumped down and started to touch the tablet. More arrows came to piece him but his suit of armor seemed to deflect them. "No, no, no!"

"Come with us Vauquelin," Charlemagne said, "Your invention is destroyed. You have nothing left."

"I have everything," Vauquelin snarled and pushed his hand on the tablet which glowed. The orb sputtered and suddenly caved into itself, creating a swirling mash of energy. "My ticket to greatness is here." He rushed for it.

"Hey get back here," the woman paladin shouted as she rushed after him.

"Don't do it," Charlemagne called out for his paladin but it was too late. He had already rushed the energy with his griffon. He and the magus disappeared and it closed up the moment it happened.

It left the other paladins and the king staring at nothing. All of them fearing for their lost comrade and what lay in store for him. What hells would he be walking into now?


"Ugh," Minako groaned, "This is hell."

The sailor scout and her cat, who was sitting on her shoulder, were rummaging through the store. Which was honestly hard to do now that it was packed. Everyone seemed to be wanting to buy something. Not just women. There were plenty of men here too. For rings for loved ones or just general little trinkets for themselves. Never let it be said guys don't like some bling too.

"Well what did you expect?" Artemis said into her ear. Everyone was too busy to notice the cat with her. "It's a day off at school and a slow day at work. I'm sure everyone would be rushing here as soon as they could to save some money."

"You're right," Minako pushed past two ladies in her way who glared at her, "But couldn't they at least give me a little breathing room? Geez, talk about peacocks in a glass store."

"It's bulls in a china store and that has nothing-" Artemis put a paw over his face and took a deep breath. He was used to her getting sayings wrong, "Nevermind. How about we just get our things and go before a monster shows up."

"There isn't going to be a monster here," Minako said, "Stop being a worrywart. What are the odds that a being of mystical quality is going to just pop in here and cause havoc?"

It was at that moment that the store was filled with light. Everyone shielded their eyes as they couldn't handle it. As they finally opened them up with the light receding, they all taken the sight before them. There was an man in strange armor and a long wavy moustache on his face. He was rather tall and seemed as dumbfounded as everyone else. Then the man spoke.

"What the…" He seemed confused before he noticed everyone else. He also seemed to have a bit of a french accent. Well he did look french after all. He glared at them, "Who dares to gaze upon the mighty Vauquelin?"

Artemis opened his mouth.

"Don't say it," Minako scowled.

"... I told you so," the cat quickly said it and jumped off her shoulder before he was grabbed by a very angry sailor scout.

Thus was her life, it seemed.