Chapter 13
Although a little unsteady on his feet at first, Cain soon fell back into the rhythm of movement. Moving alongside Abel and Kelgar, they ran the short distance towards the four tall towers. Throwing open a door and racing inside, Kelgar led them down a hallway and took a sharp left into a room; various weapons lined the walls, and he immediately reached for a steel axe. Abel and Cain both looked longingly towards the row of lances, but they'd be useless without horses. Instead, they grabbed large steel swords.
"Prince Marth and the others are taking care of the guards in the adjacent towers," Abel explained quickly to Cain. "We just need to grab Kel's sister and get out. Let's go!"
Nodding firmly, the other two followed the green-haired man back out into the tower's main halls. Almost immediately they were greeted with a group of guards; the armored men charged at them, stumbling carelessly with their drawn weapons. They met with the sharp end of Kelgar's axe as he ripped through the first of them, swinging the weapon with all of his might and not holding back. Cain and Abel soon joined in, hacking and slashing their way through the halls of the tower.
Cain felt breathless; the adrenaline pumping through his veins fueled his strength, and he let out a short laugh as he sliced off the arm of one of the guards that had foolishly extended it within Cain's reach.
Hearing the laugh, Abel stole a quick glance in Cain's direction to see him barreling his way through like he always did. Abel smiled; it was good to see him acting so lively. "Haven't lost your touch, eh?" The green-haired man yelled over the ruckus.
"You know I aim to please!" Cain shouted his favorite phrase as he grinned at Abel, waving at him with the guard's severed arm. Tossing it over his shoulder, he continued to fight, ignoring his protesting muscles.
With the latest batch of guards taken care of, Kelgar led the way down another hall. "We're almost there," he said with a quick glance over his shoulder to make sure the others were still keeping up. "Just a bit—Hey!" The door he was racing towards suddenly slammed shut, and he stopped short. Abel skidded to a stop as well, and Cain almost crashed into him.
"I believe you've made a wrong turn." A light and feminine voice seeped out from the shadows in front of the closed door. A soulless laugh followed the words, short and bitter.
"Who's there?" Kelgar demanded, gripping his axe with both hands.
The bitter laughter continued, and a tall figure slipped into view. "I'm hurt, Kel," she pouted slightly. "Surely you would recognize your own sister?"
Kelgar gasped, his eyes widening. "Krystal?" He stepped forward slowly, lowering his axe.
Cain looked back and forth between the two siblings. "Krystal is your sister?" Suddenly, he realized why Kelgar had seemed to be so familiar earlier.
Abel stared at Cain and Krystal in confusion. "Wait, you know her?"
Taking advantage of the confusion she had caused, Krystal grinned and raised her hands, flicking her wrists forcefully. Kelgar was lifted off his feet and thrown backwards; he sailed through the air and crashed into the ground. With a childlike giggle, she pointed her index finger at the two incredulous soldiers, her other hand poised to strike. "You're next."
Watching his servant's work through a large glass sphere, his leathery face split into a disturbing smile. The plan was going smoothly, and it pleased him. However, his mood turned sour as the door to the room swung open and the cowardly Jiol appeared.
"The Altean army has broken through the prison!" He gasped, out of breath as if he had run all the way to tell the news.
"Of course they have, idiot," Gharnef snarled in Jiol's direction. "You're supposed to be down there, dealing with the brat!"
The King frowned, wiping sweat away from his brow. "R-right." He hesitated before moving, but the harsh glare he received from the wizard sent him scurrying away.
Prince Marth led a small group of soldiers down the halls of one of the towers; they were searching for any surviving victims, but hadn't come across another soul that wasn't a guard. What is here that needs so much protection? Marth thought with a bit of frustration.
Wandering down empty hallways, checking every room in vain, they reached the end of the tower. One large room remained, and Marth entered it without much hope of finding anything. The moment he stepped over the threshold, the door slammed shut with a loud metal clang, blocking him inside and separating him from the others. Confused yelling sounded from the other side, but it was muffled from the thick walls. Not turning his back, Marth drew his sword from its hilt and grasped it tightly.
Suddenly, bright light flooded through the dim room, and Marth raised an arm to shield his eyes. Blinking against the harsh rays, he gasped as his vision settled. Surrounded by red-vested guards, King Jiol himself stood in the center of the room, a smirk settled on his face.
Not hesitating for a second, Marth launched himself forward, shoving the two bodyguards that protected Jiol's front out of the way. Raising a leg, he kicked the King in the chest, sending him sprawling backwards on the ground. Marth pinned Jiol by planting his foot directly on his chest, holding his sword so that its tip rubbed against the skin on Jiol's neck.
"Stay back," Marth warned the approaching guards, pressing the sword a little harder; Jiol gagged slightly at the pressure near his throat.
The king was surprised at Marth's strength, and he waved the guards off. "W-wait," he grunted, fearing for his life. His sword was in his hand, but he wouldn't be able to raise it before Marth reacted. "You'll regret it if you kill me…"
"You've committed atrocities of the worst kind against my kingdom and my people," Marth spoke firmly, but with an undertone of disgust. "I cannot forgive you." Rearing back slightly, he prepared to make the final blow.
"Wait!" Jiol yelled out once more. "Don't you want to know the fate of your mother and sister?" A sneer spread across his face as his words hit their mark; Marth hesitated for just a moment, and that's all that Jiol needed. Reaching up and grabbing the prince's leg, he heaved him to the left with all his might. With a grunt, Marth hit the ground hard, but jumped back up within seconds.
The distraction proved to be enough; Jiol was already on his feet and on his way out of the door on the other side of the room. Marth watched in frustration as the king fled the room like a coward, the guards trailing after him like ants. Racing towards the door as it slammed shut, the prince twisted the handle to no avail; it was locked tight.
Suddenly, the previously barred door on the opposite side burst open and the soldiers who had accompanied Marth poured in, weapons poised, but they faced naught but an empty room.
"Marth!" Merric darted up to the prince, his hands raised as if ready to strike. "Are you okay? What happened?"
He placed a hand on the young mage's shoulder. "Calm down; I'll explain later. We need to meet up with the others and get back, quickly."
Noticing the dismissive urgency in Marth's voice, Merric nodded firmly and turned on his heels. Frowning and giving one last look at the locked door that the king had disappeared into, Marth followed.
