CHAPTER TWELVE

As the Prince climbed up a guard watchtower through one of the Resistance's secret paths in an old sewer (having had to contend with some of the local residents which had become infected by the Sands during Kaileena's initial sacrifice in the form of large, newly carnivorous lizards and bats a moment earlier), he reflected on the plan discussed back at the hideout.

Darius pointed at various areas on the maps scattered across the table as he laid out what he knew to the Prince and their collective forces, 'So if we approach the Lower City through this entry point, we can bypass patrols usually located down the following route here and reach the Coliseum without having to engage in conflict too regularly, where a large number of uninfected citizens are known to be housed.'

'No doubt for my duplicate's greater plans in taking over the rest of the known continents once we're out of the picture,' the Prince responded. 'But why keep a number of them away from the Prison, alive and unchanged? It doesn't make any sense.'

'Our sources tell us they are used as 'nourishment' for some kind of great beast who's taken up residence there, since your 'other' took over Babylon,' Darius confirmed. 'I don't expect this to be an easy mission, but... with you here among our ranks now Prince, I 'suppose' there's a slight chance of us succeeding than failing altogether.'

'That's 'kind' of you to state to the rest of the Resistance Darius,' the Prince responded in an equally slight passive-aggressive tone. 'But there's also the matter of these old cannons placed throughout the Coliseum, according to these map co-ordinate details. What reason would my duplicate have to house such artillery there?'

'Your guess is as good as mine,' Darius said. 'But either way, this would prove a major setback to your 'other's' forces. So I propose we set off at nightfall and house up shop in one of our other safehouses near this location here.'

'Very well. I will meet with you all there,' the Prince confirmed. 'I will take one of your shortcuts through the sewers here and ensure that there aren't any unexpected surprises before nightfall. Any questions men?'

The fellow Persian soldiers shook their heads, understanding what their major roles entailed.

'Good. Get some sleep now. Believe me, you're going to need it. Dismissed.'

As the Prince was getting ready to set off, Asha managed to stop him at the entrance.

'Prince?' Asha questioned.

'Yes, kind Asha?' the Prince replied. 'Is everything alright with the children under your care?'

'Most certainly, but that's not what I wish to discuss with you about.' she confirmed. 'Are you sure its wise to just go wandering off on your own again without some support? Not to dismiss your combat prowess, but there are strength in numbers after all, young Prince.'

'I understand your concern Asha,' the Prince stated sympathetically. 'But this is not my first invasion nor is it likely to be my last. Believe me, I'll be fine.'

'Very well. I suppose I can't stop you from doing what needs to be done,' Asha relented. 'But be careful. For each hour that passes, your shadow likely plots a workaround to keep his overall plan on schedule.'

'Thanks for the advice.' the Prince neutrally expressed, as he started proceeding down a secret hallway as the hidden door closed behind him, Asha resigning herself to worry as she returned to be with the children.

Back in the present, the Prince managed to reach the top of the tower and properly survey his surroundings. Admiring the view, it astounded him just how far he needed to go in order to earn a second chance at properly dealing with the Doppelganger, the Babel Tower seeming almost unreachable from where he was standing.

But he knew saving his people was the first priority and if it meant setting back his duplicate's grander plans a great deal, it would make the inevitable rematch much less daunting and all the sweeter.

Spying guards setting up chariots for transportation between various sectors of Babylon's city streets, the Prince braced himself as he carefully slid down the close wall inclines to the ground below, dealing with opposing forces silently as he set off for the Babylon Coliseum.