We walked through the alleys as we passed Minotaur after Minotaur. I used the cloth that was in the broken down house to create cloaks for all of us. The cloak for me though just barely hid my body and made it look like I had a hump on my back. I found out both of their names while I made the cloaks. The female's cows name was Bell while the young filly was named Soft Heart. We were stopped multiple times as we were cornered in the alleyways. I had to quickly dispose of them with the P9 which thankfully Bell covered Heart's eyes when I was forced to do it.

Soon we made it to the only way we had to get out of the city... the harbor... "are there any ships here owned by ponies?" I asked Bell.

"Um... I don't know. I was always forced to stay in the clan house and do the chores..." Bell said sadly as I sighed and looked around. Soon spotting a ladder I turned to the two girls.

"ill be back. I'm going to get a vantage point to look over the harbor." Bell nodded as she pulled Heart into a pile of crates to stay hidden. I quickly looked from left to right and rushed over to the ladder. I stopped at the wall for another look around and quickly hid behind a nearby crate when a Minotaur walked past with a blade dripping with blood. I heard him sniff the air a few times until he started to walk away in another direction. Popping up I saw no one else nearby as I quickly ran over to the ladder and began to climb it as fast as possible Soon getting to the top of the building as I quietly ran over to the edge and looked out over the harbor. I heard screaming to the right as I saw a group of ponies being slaughtered by Minotaur's I looked at the group in sadness before I turned away as the last pony was murdered brutally. I looked around until I spotted movement to the left of the harbor. Grabbing my binoculars from my backpack I looked over to find a group of ponies working fast to load up a small ship. I could see a Minotaur watching over them as they worked so at least some Minotaur's disagreed with what was happening.

Looking around further I found that they were most likely our only hope. If by any chance they won't take us ill at least plead with them to take Soft Heart with them. I quickly slid down the ladder and landed in a crouch behind the crate in case anyone heard me. I waited for a minute before I charged towards the crates Bell and Heart were hiding. "Bell... Heart..." Bell popped her head out as she saw me. " I may have a way to get out of here... or at least get Heart out of here. A group of ponies are at the far left harbor along with a Minotaur watching over them." she gave a nod as she ushered Soft Heart out of their temporary hiding place as they began to follow me through the harbor. Stopping only every few minutes to hide from a Minotaur before continuing our way to the harbor. Soon we reached the group of 6 as we started to walk towards them. The ponies quickly hid as we approached them.

"Halt! Who are you?" the Minotaur asked stepping forward.

"the names Paul. This is Bell..." I motioned to Bell beside me as she took off her hood which surprised the Minotaur. "... and this is Soft Heart..." Bell calmly pulled off her hood revealing her red mane, pink face, and red eyes. The Minotaur's eyes widened as he quickly looked around and then looked at us.

"quickly..." we rushed with him as he ran behind large containers where the 5 ponies were hiding. They looked afraid until they saw Soft Heart hiding behind Bell. "where did you come from? Any news about the city?"

"I came from the large mountain in the city. Its where I woke up in this place. I picked up Soft Heart soon after the decree of war was given against ponies." I stated. "we then made our way here once we were able to." he gave a stern nod. "there were ponies who were slaughtered at the other end of the harbor. No doubt they will make their way over here soon." the ponies became worried while Bell gripped onto Heart's cloak as Heart did the same to Bell. "listen you need to get them to hurry up. I'm going to delay them as long as I can before it all kicks off." the Minotaur gave me a nod.

"where is your blade?"

"I have weapons from where I am from on me." I said as I pulled my L115 off of my back and took off the strap. " I just need a high place to keep them back." he put a hand to his gray beard before he shot his head up and looked behind me.

"the top of the water tower..." he pointed towards a large wooden tower. "it hasn't been used since winter is approaching and we are conserving water." I nodded at him as I turned and looked at Bell and Heart.

"Bell... please watch over Heart and help in any way you can." she nodded with a sad smile as I crouched down in front of Heart. "Heart... please listen to Bell and everyone else alright?" she gave a slow nod before pushing off of Bell as she leaped onto me. She began to hug me as I froze for a moment and hugged her back. She let go as I quickly got to my feet and began to run over to the water tower. Quickly getting to the top I began to look over the harbor as I narrowed my eyes. The large group of Minotaur's from before had gotten even larger... and they were making their way over here as the sun began to set.

I looked towards the group and saw that the Minotaur had seen the exact same thing I did as the ponies began to rush around. No longer caring about being seen. "there they are!" the lead Minotaur yelled as I took aim at his head. He gave a loud battle cry... before he was cut off with a bullet to the head. Blood spurted out of the back of his skull as he fell backward. They all began charging forwards as I fired one after another into the large crowd. Tripping the ones behind as I killed the one in front of them. Quickly reloading I fired again this time missing the current lead Minotaur as he slowed down and looked around until he spotted me. I fired again only for him to duck as he pointed at me. "kill him as well!" he charged towards me as well as 3 others. "uh oh..." throwing my L115 behind me I pulled out my Fad and began to only fire into the crowd of Minotaur's heading towards the ponies to drop down their numbers as I knew I could handle myself.

Hearing a loud crack under me as I took aim at the final two Minotaur's I quickly darted my head down to find the four smashing the pillars of the tower. "shit!" I yelled as I quickly grabbed my L115 and quickly turned and ran as the tower began to fall towards the edge of the docks. I jumped over the railing and slid down the wood struts before rolling on the ground. I quickly spun around and pulled out my magnum and fired once into the chest of a Minotaur in the air. Hopefully hitting his heart as I spun to the right to avoid the falling body as I fired again and again. Hitting the two other Minotaur's as I began to look around. I saw the old Minotaur fighting the other two as I looked around seeing no others. I took aim with the magnum and fired once into the head of the second Minotaur coming up behind the older one until a realization came to mind... wasn't there four that came after me?

Hearing a loud roar I spun around as my magnum was knocked out of my hand and I was kicked into the wood floor. I quickly attempted to move only for an ax to plant itself in the middle of my left leg. Going from my thigh to just below my knee. I gave a roar of pain as the Minotaur that stood over me looked at me with rage. He roughly pulled the ax out causing me to yell in pain.

I went with my left hand to pull out the P9 only for him to stomp on my arm causing the bones to break as he held my arm down as I gave a scream of pain this time. "die!" the axe came towards my head... until he was shoulder charged off of me and into the wreckage of the water tower. The old Minotaur gave a loud roar before beginning to beat the shit out of the younger one. I struggled to stand as I put all my weight on my right leg as I pulled myself up on a crate. After he was done he quickly rushed over to me. "are you alright?" I could barely respond as he looked around, grabbed my weapons, hefted me onto his shoulder causing me to give another yell of pain before he charged towards the boat where they were all waiting. As soon as we got onto the boat I could feel the wind on my face as he laid me against the center mast as he looked at my leg. "clean cut... heal in 3 months." he stated as he rushed over to a crate and ripped it open.

Heart was at my side in an instant as was Bell as they were on either side of me. "are you alright?" Bell asked in a worried tone as I looked at her through my helmet.

"I have a gaping wound in my left leg... what do you think?" I tried my best to say this as if I wasn't injured... surprised it worked, to be honest.

"sorry..." she said with a saddened smile as the old Minotaur rushed back over as the 5 ponies gathered around.

"foolish to think one so... weak... to take on a Minotaur in close quarters." the old Minotaur stated as he tore off the armor on my left leg in the affected areas easily and poured alcohol on the wound. Causing me to grit my teeth in pain as he then began to bandage up my leg tightly starting at the top.

"not my fault they took out my perch... at least if I died then you would of hopefully of gotten away with everyone else," I said looking up at him.

"very true." he simply said as he stood up. "now then... who are you?"

"I'm a human... I'm wearing a suit of armor I made before the decree was made for war. About an hour before with my people's technology. Although it isn't at full functionality." I said moving slightly as I grimaced in pain. "need some parts from hopefully another base if I can find it in hopefully good condition." I lifted my arms and slid my helmet off my head. Revealing my sun-blond hair and red eyes.

"a human you say?" the Minotaur asks surprised as I nodded. "they are but myths... but the tales of what they could all do are in nearly every single Minotaur's mind. We considered them great warriors."

"well thankfully not all of them knew. I had to lie to a few of them to protect Bell and Heart." I said as Heart hugged me. "or at least they did know but didn't connect me with them."

"you will need some rest to replenish your blood. I will prepare a bed for you inside of my quarters." he started to walk away as I called out to him causing him to stop.

"who are you?"

"the names Golden Will young warrior." he walked away again as I looked at Bell.

"was anyone hurt while I was... held up?" I said confused on what to say in the end.

"no... Mr. Will only suffered minor injuries. He had more fighting experience than the two males that had reached us. Giving him the slight advantage. It was your... weapon?" I nodded. "that gave him what he needed to win." the other ponies gave their thanks with smiles on their faces while Heart only continued to hug me. Tears in her eyes as she rubbed her head into my armored chest. I gazed at her with a sad smile as I put an arm around her.

"so what now? No doubt at least a single Minotaur noticed the ship with ponies." one of the ponies asked.

"I could take them out from afar if I got a good view of them. If not then we will be forced to fight." I simply said. "we will have to do all we can to stay hidden. We are going to have to get a hiding area for when we cant fight them. Attempt to settle it peacefully."

"I and my wife will handle that." stated the same pony as him and his wife walked down into the hull of the ship.

"the only ones who could be on the ship would possibly be only Bell and Golden Will. Since the two of them are Minotaur's but we will have to be careful with Bell considering her clan is hunting her down." I said looking into Bell's eyes before she looked away.

"so what if we just give her to them? It might deter them from looking through the ship." I instantly pulled out my P9 and pointed it at his head as his ears splayed back and he took a step back.

"I promised the two of them that no harm would come to them as long as I breathe and until I breathe my last breath I will keep that promise." I stated with anger in my eyes as he took a step back. "what if we gave you up in hopes they wouldn't search the ship? One pony is as good as none of them at the moment..." he paled as I put my P9 back into its holster and leaned back against the mast. It's going to be a long trip...