Helios stood on the edge of a cliff overlooking the mountain range. He heard hesitant footsteps behind him.

"What news from Govarostok?' he bellowed.

"Commander Helios," the squeamish voice answered, "we are meeting with some difficulties."

Helios' black eyes narrowed and then turned on the source of the bad news. The slight man was cowering, unable to look directly at the Commander. "What difficulties?" came the sneered reply.

"Our forces are laying waste to the city as you directed, but the citizens are fighting with the assistance of the 4th Mounted Kasnian Cavalry."

"And?"

"And, well, they are managing to inflict damage."

"Damage? Citizens wielding arms are inflicting damage on well-trained soldiers? Explain."

"The citizens, they fight, like, well, they are determined to win."

Helios felt his anger beginning to boil to the surface. "Idiot! They are defending their homes. Of course they want to win! But they should not be any threat to us. We are better armed, better trained, and had the element of surprise."

"Th-There is something else."

"What?"

"We are receiving reports that the city is about to receive reinforcements."

"What reinforcements?"

"The Queen's own Guards Regiment."

"The Guards? Really? Isn't that interesting? How many men do we have at the northern strong hold at Vratsa?"

"Seventy-five able, another fifteen in various stages of repair. Of those eight are capable of combat, though not at 100%"

"Mobilize them immediately. Send word to Govarostok that half of our forces should withdraw. But they must make it appear that they are fleeing out of confusion and desperation. They are to meet us at Kolarovgrad, and from there we will rearm, regroup, and make our move."

"Sir, I fail to understand. What is our objective?"

"The reinforcements that are headed to the city are the Queen's personal guard. That fool Leonid has left the capital virtually undefended. We will sack the capital before they even know what happened. This is my opportunity to make myself known. This is the test I have been waiting for."

"Test sir?"

"I will lead our men into the capital. We will destroy the will of the people by destroying the city, and the royal family."

"Sir, what about the Amazons?"

"They will not make it in time. We will have burned the capital, and ended Queen Audrey's reign before they get there. "

"I will send the word. We will do as you command."

Helios turned away with a sinister smile in place. "Victory will be assured today. Queen Audrey is about to draw her last breath."

Dmitri rushed through the hallway to Audrey's study. He burst through the doors, surprising the blonde queen. Immediately she addressed her husband, "What is it? What has happened?"

"We need to get you and Dane out of the city now! THE NKFR is headed this way as we speak."

"THEY WHAT? Why would they even contemplate attacking the capital? The regiment we have here is more than adequately armed, and are an elite force. Trying to take the capital is foolish."

Dmitri swallowed hard. "It would be if the whole regiment was still here."

Audrey's eyes went wide. "Where the hell else would they be Dmitri?"

"Govarostok. I sent them there to reinforce the 4th. I believed it was a sound decision. With the presence of the Guard, I thought we could tip this war in our favor. Intelligence reports from a half hour ago show that half of the force the NKFR sent retreated, regrouped, got reinforced, and are headed this way at break neck speed. You must evacuate now with Dane."

"The Amazons?"

"Too far out. It will be hours before they arrive. I need you to get to safety. Once they get here, you can coordinate the next steps with them."

Audrey gasped, "Dmitri, are you not coming with us?"

The general shook his head. "No. I am staying. We have some intelligence officers here, as well as the staff. They are being armed now as we speak. We are going to try and buy you time, but you must leave now. Do you remember how to use a gun? It may be necessary."

Audrey crossed the room, "Please come with us."

"I can't. This is my fault. Please tell Dane how much I loved him. I will not flee like a coward when I can stand and buy you much needed time."

Audrey's tears welled up in her eyes. "Do not leave Dane fatherless."

"There is no more time for discussion. Go to the nursery. Leave through the laundry chute. We never closed it off. It will take you to the lower floors. You should be able to escape through the underground tunnels. A very small convoy will be waiting to get you somewhere safe. I-I am sorry Audrey."

Dmitri pulled a small pistol from his holster and handed it to his wife. He kissed her forehead and pushed her out the door in the direction of the nursery. He watched with a heavy heart as she sprinted down the hallway towards their son's room . "I am sorry…" he whispered as his wife disappeared around a corner. He turned around and made his way to his staff.

Dmitri looked around the strategy room. He noticed the worried looks on some of the officer's faces, but for the most part he saw resolve. They knew they were in for a hell of a fight, and the determination that was present in their eyes made him hopeful.

"Mobilize the militia and the police. We are going to need everyone capable of fighting brought to the palace. Even if we can buy the Queen time, I would like us to take it a step further. We must figure out a way to hold the capital. We need numbers. Find any man or woman who is willing and arm them. We need to take out as many of them as we can. Position yourselves and those you command on every floor. I want guards immediately sent to reinforce the nursery. Make very shot count. Counsel those who are not military to stay as calm as possible, and perhaps we can fight off the NKFR. Make them earn every inch of ground. Give no quarter. Even if we are not successful, it is imperative that we buy the queen time. Gentleman, it has been an honor to serve with you. Long live Kasnia!"

Dmitri watched as a group of men left the room, preparing themselves mentally for the dog fight that lay ahead. Only one person lingered behind with him as everyone left.

"Illiana, I…" Dmitri stammered. He did not want her here, but knew she would not leave. It was one of the things that had drawn him to her. She was stubborn, and would fight to her last breath.

"Dmitri, I know what you are thinking. You know on training alone most of these people will not be a match for the NKFR. You are hoping that if we throw enough bodies at them, that they will run out of bullets."

"This is a war. Sometimes we make decisions that we know will bring death upon us. And yes," Dmitri closed his eyes and sighed, "you are right. I am hoping that the NKFR made this decision spontaneously, and does not have the necessary fire power to sustain a long engagement. We cannot afford to lose the capital even if Audrey escapes. Losing the capital would be a critical blow."

"She will get away. We will make sure of it."

Dmitri nodded, "Illiana, I know this is not the time to say it, but I love you. I wish that things would have been different for us."

The intelligence officer closed the gap between her and her lover, and embraced him tightly. She whispered her reply, "I know."

The people in the capital mobilized as quickly as they could. Illiana looked around as soldiers and citizens barricaded doors, fortified hallways, and crouched behind toppled over furniture. She scanned the room she was in. There was a large painting hanging on the wall of some Kasnian landscape. She studied the art intently. Dread crept up into her gut. It was sad, but the occupants of the room, including the work of art, would probably not survive the oncoming slaughter. Illiana closed her eyes, and stooped down behind a couch near a window. She grabbed a rifle that was against the wall, and leveled it over the side of the furniture. The young man crouched next to her gave her weak smile, his nerves causing his face to twitch.

"What is your name?" Illiana asked.

"Alexander, ma'am."

"Alexander, have you ever shot a rifle before?"

"Yes."

"Good." Illiana smiled lightly. "How about we have a friendly contest?"

"A contest ma'am?"

"Yes Alexander. Seeing as how we are about to have some very rude house guests, let's see how many you and I can keep from getting to the door."

The statement seemed to lighten the mood a little. The young man nodded and grinned despite his nerves. "I have no illusions about what is about to happen here…"

Illiana reached out and placed her hand on the man's arm. "But let's not have that stop us from giving them a warm welcome. Hmmm?"

The NKFR rained hell upon the capital. Buildings toppled under the fire power of the group advancing. Helios was at the front of the surge, firing upon anyone who stood in his way. The two platoons accompanying him circled the palace and slowly advanced inwards. Once the palace was breached, the entrenched defenders fired at the intruders. Their bravery was never more apparent as their numbers were reduced quickly, but still they continued valiantly to give their Queen the time she so desperately needed. The body count mounted up with the NKFR suffering losses as well. The troopers simply weren't prepared for the tenacity of the people defending the palace. And even as they managed to cut the resistance's numbers, the locals mixed with the militia did not give up. All through the capital, explosions were heard, and the gunfire never stopped.

Helios made his way carefully through the hallways, his destination in mind. As he rounded the corner, he came face to face with Dmitri. Immediately the general positioned himself behind a stone column and leveled his weapon at the Commander's chest.

Helios laughed, "You are no match for me traitor. Surrender, and I will give you a quick death."

"Go to hell." Came the quick response.

"Hell's fire is what I wield." Helios quickly raised his hand, and a broad solar shot of flames came spewing forth from his fingers. The stone column was obliterated and Dmitri was sent flying backwards, pain instantly surging through his whole body. His left arm was seered straight off, and he was writhing on the ground in agony. Two members of the palace resistance came clamoring around the corner trying to get to the fallen general. Before they could even level their weapons Helios' power surged through his hand and flames engulfed the newcomers. Helios walked forward and stood next to his fallen enemy. "Tsk, tsk, General Leonid. You should have been smarter and realized you were outmatched. I will tell your wife and son how I left you to die. A death that is so clearly in vain."

Dmitri looked up at his enemy and suddenly chuckled through his labored breaths. "The Amazons are coming. You were barely successful against a group of rag tag civilians. How do you think you will do against a military force of their might? You won't get out of the city alive."

Helios sneered and kicked the fallen man in the face. He muttered to himself, "I must make haste." He leveled his hand at the ceiling above him and his solar powers cut through the stone and concrete above him. "Two floors to the nursery…"

Inside the nursery, Audrey was arguing with the nanny.

"You need to go now! Take Dane down the chute and make your way out of the palace. I am not leaving this place. Go!"

The dark haired nanny shook her head. "No, I cannot leave without you. General Leonid was explicit with his orders. Please, your Majesty, we must all leave."

"We do not have time for arguing. GO. I am armed and will hold here for you both."

Across the room, four guards stood close to the door. "Queen Audrey, there is gunfire down the hall. Now is the time to leave!"

Audrey shoved the nanny to the chute and forced her down the hole. She was just about to send her son down the same route when the doors of the nursery were blown off. Audrey recoiled against the wall from the force of the blast. Instantly Dane began wailing, desperately clinging to his mother. Audrey struggled to stand and shifted her son behind her. The toddler grabbed his mother's leg as both looked upon the intruder. Helios stepped through the door and quickly and coldheartedly fired four shots into the heads of the guards that were still on the floor from the blast. He quickly leveled his weapon at the Queen.

"Your majesty," he sneered, "I am so happy to find you here."

"Wh-who are you?"

Helios stalked closer to the queen who in turn gripped her son tighter to her leg. The dark haired man lunged forward and grabbed Audrey by her arm. He walked her to the window and spat, "Look. Look at what I have managed to do to your palace, and to the capital. Aren't the fires beautiful? I will burn everything you have touched and corrupted. I will lead Kasnia into a new future, which is what your husband should have done. He doesn't matter though. His death is inconsequential."

Audrey's tears stung in her eyes, "You killed Dmitri?"

Helios leaned in and smiled with great arrogance, "I did. And you and your son are next."

A/N: Guys, I am sorry for the delay in posting this chapter. The month of June has not been kind to either myself or my co-author. I am hoping that most of our bad luck is behind us, although I really don't want to jinx either of us. Most of you know that I like to update with far more frequency, and I am hoping to be on that course again very soon. Thanks for the patience. Thank you for all those who review! For anonymous: So you felt bad for Audrey and Dmitri in the last chapter...how about now? And as for Helios' ass whipping, not sure that it is coming as quickly as you might think. For also anon: Good catch! Not teasing the readers at all the last chapter. But you pose a very good question, so I bring it to the group...WHO IS BEHIND HELIOS? Until recently my co-author and I had not decided, but since we like you all to have a say, leave a review and tell me your thoughts on the matter...thanks again guys.