The numbness of my body kept me from getting up right away. More Celeste soldiers had shown up and by now, the whole village was in chaos. I looked around but couldn't make sense of what was going on. I had no idea where Johan was or where I should go. I slowly pushed off the ground, wobbling as I attempted to stand on my own. The snake venom had nearly worn off. As I turned toward the mess of people I saw dead bodies being trampled on by citizens and warriors. I shook my head in disbelief. I had never seen anything like it... This was war.

"Nyx!"

I turned toward the voice and saw Lon. I didn't hesitate to run to him.

"Where is Johan?" I asked, gripping onto his arm so I wouldn't lose him as he led us through the crowd.

"He's fighting somewhere up East to clear the path for us. It's my job to get you out of here. Come on." He took my hand and pulled me toward him, apparently suggesting he carry me.

We headed straight East towards the main gates. I had refused to be carried and did my best to keep up with Lon's incredible speed.

"I'm impressed, Princess!" He shouted over the chaos.

I simply smiled and sped up a bit to his side. I was honestly surprised by my ability to run so fast but then again I hadn't given my body the chance to show what it was capable of. He kept clearing the way, cutting down anyone who tried to stop us. I looked at his blades. He didn't use swords like a normal guard. He's blades were strapped to his arms, reaching a little past his elbows. They curved outward and both ends were very sharp. I kept admiring them until we reached the gates. It was already nightfall and the temperature had dropped incredibly, although, it wasn't anything compared to the Village of Celeste.

As we approached the gates I saw Johan standing across from Lamia in a deserted plaza. She had two giant serpents beside her. I made a note to myself to ask why snakes are commonly used... by Lamia and the Queen.

"There he is!" I started running towards Johan, ignoring Lon who called for me to come back.

"Princess!" It was Hiroshi running toward me. "The exit is that way, it's too dangerous here."

"I came here to fight." I said, walking towards him.

"I will not allow such nonsense." he said, "Go back to the village."

Lon had caught up and stood beside me.

I glared at him, "Absolutely not! You wanted me to accept reality and I have. I want to fight."

He didn't budge though. "This isn't just about facing reality. Those two have full control of their abilities while you do not. You might feel empowered but you are not ready to deal with Lamia. Go back Princess."

The sight of them angered me. I didn't want to leave them there. Lon grabbed my sleeve and attempted to pull me back towards the gates but I snatched my arm away.

"Please! I want to help!" I begged desperately.

"Leave. I am here to interfere if it gets too dangerous. Go." He ordered but I just looked back towards Johan.

He was knocked back and skid across the plaza, separated from his sword.

"Johan!" I screamed and sprinted towards him desperately as I watched the snakes slithering closer to him.

Both Lon and Hiroshi shouted for me but I was too focused on saving him. I was so horrified at the thought of him dying and time nearly stopped as I continued to make my way towards him. Lamia stood behind both serpents grinning with such a crazed look on her face.

I ran to him and dropped to my knees at his side.

"Johan! Are you alright?" I shook him and he slowly opened his eyes.

"Nyx? What are you doing here? It's not-" He quickly cut himself off staring behind me with wide eyes. "Look out!" He shouted, shielding me. I was able to turn my head and saw both snakes lunging at us. I felt my eyes widen in fear and my body freeze, paralyzed. I looked into one of their eyes knowing it would be the last I would ever seen.

Suddenly, I saw a blur and the serpent I was watching collapsed on the floor, torn apart.

Lon had intercepted.

I looked over and saw Hiroshi who had also intercepted...

His back was towards me, fangs drilled into his body. I watched the blood drip off the tips and hit the floor.

"Hiroshi!" Lon shouted and was about to attack the snake only to be stopped by Hiroshi who held his hand up at him.

He grabbed the snakes mouth and pushed it back, attempted to rip its fangs out of his body. After successfully freeing himself, Hiroshi slammed his fist into the serpent, crushing its head. The floor shook from its weight hitting the ground and Lamia chuckled.

"Well at least I've managed to kill someone, right?" She watched Hiroshi struggle to stay on his feet.

Johan looked at him just as horrified as Lon who ran towards Hiroshi to help him stand up.

"Stay on your guard..." Hiroshi manage to spit out a sentence from his bloody mouth.

I noticed Lamia's foot shift and I quickly got up, reaching for Johan's sword.

Immediately, she flew at him with her gigantic sword and nasty smile.

"Look out!" I warned and dashed in front, swinging the sword. I prayed I'd make it in time or else I would be killed along with Hiroshi.

Metal scraped against each other and I felt Lamia's force trying to break through me.

"OUT OF MY WAY!" She continued pushing, evil smile begging to kill.

I pushed back, struggling at first but then managing to push her back a bit.

She forcefully swung her sword, breaking through but stepping back, ready to attack again.

Lamia lunged at me again but this time stopped by Johan wielding the same sword as in my hands.

"Johan!" I said surprised. How did he get another sword?

"Lon get Hiroshi out of here." He ordered and Lon quickly obeyed.

Just as he was about to tell me to go with them, a group of Celeste soldiers came.

Lamia looked around probably aware that she couldn't continue this fight any longer. She smirked and started to disappear.

"I'll kill you eventually... you brat." She glared at me until she was completely gone.

I exhaled deeply realizing I had been holding my breath this whole time.

"Johan... Is he really going to die...?" I looked down feeling the guilt and couldn't help but think this wouldn't have happened if I hadn't charged in desperately after Johan. What would have happened to Johan if I hadn't then?

He ordered the Celeste soldiers to send a medic team after Lon and Hiroshi then turned towards me.

"Don't think like that, Nyx. If you hadn't jumped in, I would have died. As for Lon and Hiroshi, they both would've died if you hadn't used your eyes to stop that snake." He put his index finger on my jaw and his thumb on my chin, making me look up. "In reality, you saved Lon and I. Thank you, Princess."

We met up with Lon and Hiroshi a few miles up from the village. Hiroshi was covered in bandages and was being tended to. Lon looked up and walked towards us then bowed.

"We don't think he's going to make it... Some of his internal organs have been punctured... His heart is barely beating..." He looked down trying to hold back tears.

"Then... he doesn't have much time, does he?" Johan asked, already knowing the answer.

Lon just shook his head.

I walked up to Hiroshi and knelt down beside him. He quickly grabbed my hand.

"Princess, I'm so glad to see you're alive." Hiroshi managed to barely put on a smile. I knew he was suffering.

I felt tears roll down my face. "I'm so sorry... I should have listened to you. I didn't- I didn't mean for this to happen to you." I grabbed a hold of his hand with both of mine and squeezed.

He just shook his head.

"...because of you, Johan and I are alive. Hiroshi knows that too." Lon kneeled next to me, placing his hand on my shoulder.

"I am honored to have served you along side Lon." He smiled again.

"You were from the fourth family, weren't you Hiroshi...?" I smiled weakly at him realizing he never told me where he was from.

He nodded.

Johan knelt on my other side. "Thank you, Hiroshi, for everything."

There was a small moment of silence as Hiroshi gathered the last of his strength.

"I have watched you three grow up into wonderful young adults. I know that as long as you three keep working together, our village will grow and maybe one day all six countries will be reunited again..." He took one last look at all of us before he finally let go. I felt his grip loosen on my hand and I quickly tightened my hands around his. Both Lon and Johan reached over and closed his eyes. We sat there in silence.

After some time, we decided to head back. The medic team surrounded Hiroshi's body which was placed on a stretcher-like bed and being carried by some Celeste soldiers. The three of us stayed in the back. I grabbed Johan's hand along with Lon's and we walked in silence back to the village of Celeste.