Chapter Thirty-Three: To Escape Mille Voix

Lexiana, Aaron, Lei, Stiletto Fred, Duryss, Iymp, and Beau. Hurry through the Mille Voix streets. Screaming can be heard as explosions bang in the distance. Rain falls as the clouds have finally reached Mille Voix. Reaching the gates of Mercer Mansion they ring the bell. Notifying Constant as he orders his servants to open the gates of Mercer Mansion. All of Constant's guards and servants are being told to be prepared for battle. As weapons are taken off their racks. Opening the doors to Constants' home as everyone dashes inside, except for the dragons who go straight to their stables.

Aaron warned Mali, Constant, Eidith, Avery, and Stein. Iolene is in the greatest danger. Without much discussion, Everyone storms into their individual rooms. Waking up Eleya in full emergency to prepare to leave. Fetching their bags and personal items. Iolene already getting her peasant dresses, Laelia's letters, journal, blood cloths, healer supplies, repleo quill. Leaving a few items of no worth behind.

Eleya sleepy and confused as she had a hard wake up call. The old lady was enjoying her sleep. Iolene shouting at her to run.

Lexi gets her priestess traditional outfit as she quickly changes clothes. Dropping her destroyed gown like a heavyweight. Her battle axe resting on its holder she grabs it. Full well knowing she will need it. Nuria and Prince Elias will be fine she prayed to the Phoenix repeatedly. The legendary titan's blood flowed through her veins. She can feel it burning as it flowed through her body. She grunts with frustration, kicking the stool for her vanity. It will be a long time before she can return to Vulkania. Leaving her room she made sure she has everything as she slammed her door one the last time.

Lei runs to the stables to get his blind dragon Ponderrah. Soothing the dragon as he leads him away from the stables. The blue dragon knew something is wrong. He can sense it in the air and Lei's uneasiness. Lei felt as if he needed to remain with his people. But they insisted on him leaving... Like him, he hopes they fight for their escape. It is too dangerous for anyone to stay. He thought of how Lan-Se could have ended up much like this. At first, he was confused... But unlike Lan-Se, Mille Voix has multiple black draconium portals that functioned. They had them for thousands of years... Putting the pieces together the gala was a perfect cover. Everyone from around the world is here... Seeing an excessive amount of black empire soldiers is nothing shocking.

Fred grabs his large bag of regalia and fancy clothes. Fighting his urge to stay and fight, he sheathes his hammer away. Wanting to kick himself as Aaron saved his life. Another insult to him... But as Duryss said to him on the ride over from the palace. There is no time for this... Focus on running away. In a moment Fred remembers the night of Demir... Father was killed that night, as Gauthier and his siblings had to escape. Thinking that a flying dragon could possibly be lurking around.

Aaron being the easiest had few personal belongings. Only his two swords and a few sets of clothes. Including the Hanfu Lei gifted him. He overhears Constant shouting for everyone to head to the kitchen.

"Let the dragons inside!" Constant demands to his steward. Letting the dragons inside the mansion destroy the interior, due to their large sizes. It made no matter to Constant now. Duryss walking through broke all of the door arches with his massive shoulders. Beau and Iymp follow

Everyone gathers in the kitchen as Constant pulls the lever. A secret door is revealed as Mali goes down first making sure the coast is clear. Aaron notes to Iolene that he knew of this secret passage. For he and Mali used it once before when they were speaking of Stein possibly still alive. It was one of the rare moments he saw Mali cry. Aaron looks at Mali as the small man refraining from his fury. But he knew there was nothing he could do.

Everyone climbs down to the sewers. Iolene shivers with terror as Aaron gives her a quick hug.

Stein makes a bauble of draconium gold light above his map. Gazing at it he tries his hardest to remain calm. Bringing back memories of the night of tears. It felt complete Déjà vu to him. He glances behind him and sees Laelia and Aelius behind him. Heartbroken he freezes as Marina gently takes the map off him.

"We will go in this direction. It should hopefully lead us to the east exit of the city." Marina points out, breaking Stein's thoughts. Everyone agrees and begins to move. There is no time to waste.

Sewers are cold and dark as everyone is squeezed into a single line. The path edge is short and slimy as everyone is trying not to fall into the river of sewage. Iolene and Aaron rode on Beau as he offered. The young girl held onto Aaron's waist tightly. Clenching as she thought of her using her powers in public. They now know...

Lexi helps Queen Avery onto Iymps' back. Just managing to hold on. Avery groans in pain as Iolene used her powers to ease her pain. Her massive gown is destroyed as she is only wearing her bodice and petticoat. Only shredded fabrics of her first layer remain. She remains quiet as she shed silent tears about her home. Her husband... Now her home... She loved her husband as his face appears in her mind's eye. She did try to kill him five years ago... Because she is selfish and wanted power for herself. Gauthier planned multiple times to murder her as well. The tea... Good thing her servant tasted it and died. Yet through their years of animosity, she respected him... And she knew respected and loved her. It is the game they played... Now there is neither King nor Queen. Gauthier flew too close to the sun and burned for it... In her heart, she knew... If Gauthier succeeded in murdering her and helping the Black Empire get what they want. They would have killed him...

It is at least an hour before they finally reached the exit point. The sewage poured into the mud that formed its own little lake. Screaming and shouting can be heard in the distance. Fast dragon footprints can be heard approaching as everyone prepares themselves for a battle. Remaining just out of sight Mali walks forward alone to check if anyone is approaching.

A group of five Black Empire soldiers with their dragons stop as they see the tiny man. Laughing they throw an apple at Mali's head. Mali catching and eating it. Then without a moment of thought he uses a mag pish to leap high into the air with his dagger. Before any of the soldiers could blink he stabs the humans and dragons in the neck. Leaping on one after the other. They all collapse dead as Mali gives the group the safe signal. Waving his hand as everyone leaves the sewers.

Everyone breathes the moist air after the rain and the smoke is very heavy as it can be seen blanketing the sky. Marina leads the group up to the meadow where Iolene and Aaron had their lunch. From the hill, you get the perfect view of the city. Once a place of opulent beauty and green meadows it is now bright with flame as people and dragons fight for their lives and homes.

"Constant, Eidith... I am so sorry..." Iolene says solemnly. Eidith cries hysterically as Constant comforts his daughter. Their mansion is on fire as can be seen in the distance. Constant sighs as he remembers this feeling... The night of tears he had to escape the same way. They spared him last time due to his influence, money, and acts. Now he is a fugitive, no disputing it. Thinking of how the banks will freeze his accounts, now formally a penniless man... However, amongst it all, he prayed to Gaia that his dragons and workers are alright. He can only hope they make smart decisions to live another day.

The group gaze at Mille Voix for one last time as they flee into the dark forest.