“I am sorry, Darius,” Gunther said as he stood calmly as all hell broke loose, “this was not my intent.”
“Save it, Gunther,” Darius said as he and the others picked themselves up from the glassy mess, “you better hope I never see you again.”
The Titans made a run for it, leaving Gunther standing alone in the atrium. A single teardrop was all Gunther could afford at this moment as he closed his eyes. There was nothing now that he could do.
I am sorry, brother, he thought, I have failed… again…
“Gunther, you must do something!” His queen beckoned but Gunther merely shook his head.

“Gunther, we have to do something! They are going to get killed out there!” Evelyn cried as tears trickled from her eyes, “they are going to kill my brother!”

“I am sorry, Your Highness,” he said with his arms behind him, “but their destiny is in their hands now… and there is no power in this world that can stop them.”
***
“HIYA!” Zeeq cried he smashed through a sea of Royal Guards. He held a golden-bronze hammer in his hand and with every swing, shockwaves bursts through anything that is standing between him and the exit. As he took one more swing through the palace walls, a massive hole amassed in its center.
“At least make it as small as possible, ya nitwit!” Raizo snapped as he ran through the hole. The others followed the trail of the chaotic mess that Zeeq is leaving behind as he slides on the floor like ice-skating and happily pounding through the security as if enjoying a game of bowling. Although Darius didn’t have time to see a clear view of it, Zeeq seemed to be wielding a large hammer with a flat head on one side and a blade on the other.
Darius didn’t want this, he didn’t want any of this but he could not accept the fact that he was lied to by not just one but three people. Aunt Joe lied to him that his parents had died when he was only days old, Gunther lied basically about almost everything and the guilt was clearly in his eyes even when Darius looked to him for clarification. And the Queen, his mother, had all the power in the world to stop it and tell him the truth but instead, she let it happen and Darius was forced to learn the truth the hard way. It was simply unacceptable.
“Darius, we have to split up!” Duke said since he noticed Darius was distracted.
“You guys go on ahead,” Darius cried, “no matter what, we have to get to the front gate!” The others began to move on their own.
Darius thought they were already outside but it turns out that they are in the inner gardens, located in the center of the palace itself. The Royal Guards and Altarian soldiers weren’t allowed to use Artes of any kind here but the Titans were going all out to topple anyone who tries to stop them and Darius was relieved that no one has been accidentally killed so far.
Raizo’s Catalyst was of Lightning nature and with every swing, he paralyzes any guard or soldier he comes across, and thinking back, this is the first time that Darius has seen Raizo fight before. Duke fought just as ferociously as he clashed with swords and spears and smashed shields while Igniz fought with mostly his telekinesis and freezes any man that touches him.
Darius ducked when he sensed a sword swung from behind and missed his neck by a clean inch, he thrust his palm and forced the guard backward to knock over the others that were close behind him. He looked at the stumbled guards and couldn’t help but feel guilty; even if he wanted to repent, it was too late, and if not himself then his friends would wind up in the dungeons. Something he will not allow to happen in this lifetime.
“Zeeq, keep moving forward!” Darius shouted and Zeeq saluted with a wink and bashed forward leaving a much larger mess in his wake. They all ran in Zeeq’s path of destruction as he kept bashing through wall after wall until he hit head first against a tapestry.
“Ow! I can’t hit through, I dunno why but it’s not working!” Zeeq said as he tried to punch and kick the wall but no budge.
“It must be enchanted,” Igniz said, “no time to analyze it, just move with the corridor.” They ran and disarmed or smashed anyone that tried to stop them and Darius was relieved that the servants and handmaidens had the right mind to simply stay out of their way but more soldiers are on their way.
They entered the library and, in their minds, Darius ordered them not to use their Psyonic powers in the palace anymore until they have completely left the plateau. Raizo and Zeeq both looked bored with that order but they were obligated nonetheless and Darius was extremely grateful that Raizo put his Catalyst away.
More of the Royal Guards poured into the library and combined all their strength on their former guests but one after another, their weapons, shield, and armor are smashed to pieces with every kick and punch the Titans dealt forth.
“Stay your swords!” shrieked a voice from far behind, “Stay your swords!”
Evelyn shouted from another corridor and as much as she tried to help, Darius doubted that they would take orders from her. They left the library and entered the main hall but were forced to stop as hundreds of the Royal Guard lined up to make a human wall, astonishingly, they bore no weapons whatsoever save for shields in front of them.
“Master Psyons,” the lead guard said as he took two steps forward, “by order of her Majesty, Queen Adryana, you are to cease resistance and follow us to the Inner Sanctum. Oblige now or we will use force.”
“Like hell, we’re gonna surrender to you apes! Try and take that force of yours and bring it!” Raizo said as he stood ready at the forefront.
“Tread lightly, captain,” Duke said as he joined to stand next to Raizo, “you are facing one of the greatest fighting forces on the face of this good earth. Prepare yourself, Guard of Arcadia!”
And slowly, the other three stood in one line as they stood next to each other with their chests high and fists crackling.
“So be it,” the guard said, “Men, stand ready!” he bellowed and the men with the shields simultaneously took a defensive stance to form another layer of the wall of shield. The guard waved once and sounded the charge, all at once, hundreds of silver shields ran rampant towards their goal, and in return, the Titans charged forward; raw fists and shields clash in an instant, and metal and bone smashed to pieces.
Kick after kick, fists upon fists and brawn clashed with metal, the Royal Guard fell one after another as the Titans smashed their way through their defenses until Duke reached the main entrance door.
***
“Alright, platoon leaders, here’s the situation. Five Psyons have made an insulting remark to Her Majesty and are now attempting to escape with brute force. The Vulcan Division has been ordered to contain the situation and capture the enemy as swiftly as possible. Our orders are to bring the Psyons down but because we will be on palace grounds, we are to strike by only shields or Bounded Artes and the formation will be like this,” A captain of the military said to his men as they surround him in the military carrier. In the distance, they could see and hear small explosions and shattering of rocks and glass. By the order of Pyro, the Vulcan Division of the Royal Armed forces are sent to capture the Psyons employing non-lethal force but if it were up to the Pyro himself, these Psyons would face the hangman or be shot on sight… Provided if they could perform such a feat.
“First Platoon will lead the counter assault by attacking the southern front. The Second Platoon will attack the main gate using shields and Stun Artes to provide support from the rear. Third and Fourth Platoons will make a drop from the air. You will not engage until only when First and Second Platoons can crack a hole in their formation,” the captain pulled out a hologram of the palace blueprints, “according to intelligence on the ground, the Psyons are highly mobile and has remained perfectly intact by moving in a closed circle. They are moving five to ten feet per second,” he then pointed to a point beneath the palace, “Second Platoon will enter from this point just behind their lines and will sneak in from the palace interior. You will cut off their route to escape should they choose to go backward.”
“Fifth and Sixth Platoons will come in through the waterfall passages and enter through the pipelines. They will use Arctic Artes to freeze the courtyard and immobilize them from the ground below, the palace itself uses multiple forms of barriers and enchantments so any attempts to use any Artes at all will be cut down to at least eighty percent so you’ll have to brace yourselves.” He continued.
“Under no circumstances, are you to split from your squads and divert from the main directive nor should any of the cover squads give away their positions. Aside from the platoons that I have ordered to use only the Bounded Artes and Shields, all other units are allowed to engage in arm-to-arm combat and no lethal methods are to be used. Any questions?” the captain finished.
“Yes, sir, the Psyons are capable of detecting energetic signatures if nearby. Wouldn’t the Second Platoon along with Third and Fourth have little cover from their ranged senses, sir?” A Sergeant asked.
“That is correct but I’ve been informed that they are only Fleshbornes so their capabilities are limited and not as widened as we would normally believe--we’re here! Everyone gear up and remember, mobilize blade-free.” the captain commanded and strapped his helmet on, his men followed suit as the carrier arrived by the front gates of the Royal Palace where hundreds more have already assembled.
“Remember, gentlemen, this is no open battlefield, this is the House of the Queen herself!” the captain shouted as the doors opened from the bottom deck, “every stone we smash is a stone that cannot be repaid. NOW, LET’S MOVE! MOVE! MOVE!”
Three more military carriers appeared from behind and descended at the front gates while four more went to the back of the palace to unload the men for the rear lines. As the soldiers stepped out and armed themselves with shields and Shock Gauntlets, the front door of the palace, the infamous bronze doors that has the drawings of Altaria’s noble history carved into it from top to bottom, and the very wall that stood for nearly eight hundred years, was blown sky high with violet fumes and liquid black smoke.
***
“What the hell, Duke! I thought I said no blasting through the walls!” Darius shrieked as the debris cleared the once perfect hall of entry, for all guests and hosts alike, of the Royal Palace, is now destroyed. Rubble is now flying everywhere and Darius, aside from the shake from the blast, has never felt angrier with Duke in his life.
“What the hell is wrong with you? Is it that hard to keep yourself in line?” Darius demanded as he shook Duke by the arm.
“We’ll need it to escape... We got more than one company right now.” Duke said calmly without averting his sight from Darius’s eyes. Darius turned to see hundreds if not thousands of military soldiers armed and in formation, Darius looked around to see at least three hundred soldiers in shields and maybe of that in line behind them; stunners.
“More are on the way,” Duke said, “believe me when I say, if you really wanna get out of here, you have to get a little messy sometimes,” Duke said as his hand and arms now covered with hardened Darkmatter.
“GO!” Darius shouted and the Titans were on the move again. As they ran forward, hundreds of Licht arrows were shot towards them and Darius could sense that they are not lethal but perhaps meant to stun. Since they are still Fleshbornes, being hit by these arrows would probably work ill in their favor.
“FOR THE QUEEN!” the war cry was sung as the soldiers with the shields roared as they charged forward with their all their might and clashed with the young Psyons. Darius heated his fists with fire and smashed the shields apart but he was met with a stronger force as a fist appeared out of a sudden and hit him square in the face. Darius staggered for a second but had time to get a good look that the soldier that punched him. There were several more soldiers closely behind, all of which were eager to taste Psyon blood by their hands.
Darius sped forward with his advanced speed and easily knocked the knights down but more of them kept coming and with the ongoing shots of the Licht arrows, it was difficult for him to get a clear view of the main gates.
An arrow hit Igniz on the left shoulder, one that he had seen coming but because of the ensuing chaos, he couldn’t avoid it. Instantly, his left arm became numb as the arrow dispersed and could no longer be used to fight. Although chaotic, he still had time to be impressed and commends Altaria’s finest for such exquisite planning. But all of this appears too simple, there are still a few elements missing such as the rear and aerial attack and their attacks are simply clumped together into one place but only now could he see what they are trying to do.
“Duke,” Igniz called out, “they plan to separate us. We must improvise!”
“Got it. Head’s up!” Duke returned and pointed to the sky right after dodging a swing of a shield and returning a blow to the soldier’s legs. Igniz looked up to see what Duke was pointing to and could see three military carriers hovering above them with their bomb-bay doors starting to open.
Raizo simply used his punches and kicks to paralyze the soldiers with electric shocks but there are too many and he is being surrounded. Even Zeeq is having trouble by smashing the ground and sending troops that come anywhere near him flying in random directions. But apart from the chaos ensuing around him, Raizo could feel the current in the ground changing as the energy flows now differ from when he first got here. It could be due to all the fighting but the change is too rapid and very sudden which left him with the only conclusion that someone is trying to either modify the ground or going to slow them from down under.
“Everyone, on my mark, jump in the air!” Raizo said to their minds, no one looked to even ask why but Raizo knew they all understood, “NOW!”
Darius, Duke, Igniz, and Zeeq simultaneously jumped up a few feet and Raizo punched the ground and sent a shockwave of lightning energy across the courtyard. Everyone standing on the ground save a squad of soldiers outside the courtyard was electrified and fell to the ground paralyzed.
“Move!” Darius said and they continued forward, they were now halfway across the courtyard but he could see that Igniz was limping. He must’ve gotten hit from the Licht arrows earlier but he’s not the only one, Raizo looks like he just got a fresh black eye and is already on one knee while Zeeq has bruises all over his arms and an arrow dispersing from his right leg. The only one that looks the most decent in this battle is Duke but the stress toll is starting to affect him too.
Darius looked around as more arrows are being shot from above and beyond the front gate. What's more, the soldiers from the carriers hovering in the air are starting to continuously cast rays of light energy, and judging from the way the lights form after landing and the ringing right after, these are Bounded Artes and they are all trapped in the center. He could sense more people coming from far behind them and they were running from inside the palace towards the courtyard; they were surrounded and outmaneuvered.
“Dude, still think we can get out of here without killing anyone?” Raizo asked his mind but Darius could feel this question is heard by everyone.
“We can still do it but to take these men out one by one is hell even for us... Darkai spawns are mindless creatures while these soldiers have formations, decisive maneuvers, and order. There is a big difference here.” Duke said.
“I agree... These men are amongst the best Altaria has to offer. Look at their banner upfront.” Igniz said and Darius turned around to see what else remains. He could not react in time and a Licht arrow hit him square in the chest (“Darius!” Zeeq cried). The arrow dispersed into nothingness but the damage was done, his body losing all of its strength quickly and he fell to his knees.
Whatever strength he had left, Darius tilted his head upwards to see a blood-red flag that bears a single shield, a sword, and a hammer that intertwines to take shape of an X. The Vulcan Division has arrived and these men are the best shield-bearers in the world.
“Looks like this is the end of the line for us, guys,” Darius said as he could feel his body going numb and his hearing is beginning to deafen, rays and ribbons of light began to form around them forming a giant dome and no matter how much lightning Raizo shot or how many ice missiles that Igniz launched, the lights became unbreakable.
“Do you really wanna give up already? I thought we were just starting to have fun...” Zeeq said until he slowly closed his eyes and fell to the ground after two arrows struck his back.
“ZEEQ!” Raizo cried and hurried to his side but the cage was already complete and Raizo couldn’t touch him. He retaliated by shocking the cage but it either absorbed all of that power or repelled it and shocked Raizo instead.
Darius’s vision slowly became a blur as he fell to his knees and watched the cage entangle them all but in between the lines, he could see hundreds of soldiers closing in from the palace, the air, and the main gate. He looked to the high walls and could see the Royal Guard standing still as they watched on below and right beside one of them, standing rigid and unnoticed as usual in this mess with his red cloak swirling around him, Rubeus watched on and did absolutely nothing. Was Rubeus part of the lie as well or is he here to help?
Have you forgotten me?
***
“You dare bring your soldiers into my house? Who do you think you are?” Queen Adryana shrieked with Evelyn in toe as she faces the Pyro on the palace veranda. He stood with two of his personal guards clad in silver and gold at his side and greeted the angered Queen quite calmly.
“Your Majesty, protocol dictates that should the Royal Guard fail to stop an intruder, Altaria’s military has the right to act accordingly to intervene and assume temporary control.” Lord Vulkan said.
“Yes, but that only applies if the person is an intruder or poses a threat to me. They have done nothing of the sort!” the Queen snapped.
“They have acted in an insurgency, broke all traditional rulings by turning their back to you whilst you speak, rudely spoken out of turn and questioned you without justification and based on what I heard, accusing you of a felony and,” Lord Vulkan said and then gestured to the palace remains, “they have virtually destroyed more than half of eight hundred years of history of the Royal Palace, your home and the greatest symbol our kingdom has.”
“That is my son! They are only children who are ignorant of our customs and traditions and yet you treat them like some S-Class war criminal!” Queen Adryana retaliated.
“Hence why I ordered the cage,” Lord Vulkan returned calmly, “I have ordered my men to capture them harmlessly without a single drop of blood spilled. If it were not for the virtue that this palace holds and of course, the prince in the centerfold, I would have had all of them shot or hanged.”
Queen Adryana wanted to say something but couldn’t. She knew this was all true and if anything, she should be grateful that the Pyro is simply capturing them but to use this type of method on her front lawn is simply overbearing.
“Don’t worry, Your Highness, they are strong,” Gunther said to her mind as he approached her, “it will take time to take it all in but he will understand and come to terms with the truth... Although as I’ve said previously, I should have retrieved him immediately after he was Chosen.”
“Ah, Lord Gunther, good of you to join us. Your students seem to have a rather nasty side in them, don’t they?” Lord Vulkan said.
“Indeed, they do... Young and wild, as they say.” Gunther returned.
“Don’t talk to him,” Queen Adryana hushed, “He’s the reason I had to send Darius into hiding in the first place!”
“Apologies, Your Majesty,” Gunther replied.
“Mother, look!” Evelyn said as she pointed at Darius who is on bended knees as golden flames begin to envelop him.
***
“Rubeus, did you know who I am? Are you part of this great lie as well?” Darius said in his mind but Rubeus isn’t answering. No matter how hard he tried, Rubeus has either turned a deaf ear or simply blocked him from entry.
Do you not remember? A Psyon’s greatest weapon is not knowledge nor power but his memories...
Whose voice is this? Darius thought as the cage completes its form and soldiers surrounded them with restraining cuffs.
Who are you? Darius asked in his mind.
A Psyon’s greatest weapon is not knowledge nor power but his memories...
The voice repeated the same message again and again and Darius could only utter a single noun at the tip of his tongue, “Zar...”
The cage was still being enforced layer after layer as Duke, Igniz, and Raizo still tried to smash their way out but their space to move was shrinking and mobility began to fade. Darius closed his eyes and he felt temporarily being spirited away, he was in a dream-like state like how he first met the fiery angel but this time there are no stars or galaxies to be seen and the fiery angel was nowhere to be felt save for a certain presence.
You have seen your comrades summoning their Catalysts... Why do you refuse to do the same?
Because I don’t know how Darius answered to the dark.
A Psyon’s greatest weapon is not knowledge nor power but his memories.
“You keep saying that but I don’t know what you are talking about...”
Remember... What is my name...
“Zar...” he uttered.
What... Is... My... Name...
“Xarcadeas!” Darius bellowed at the top of his voice. Golden fire erupted and covered Darius completely, he opened his eyes and his body instantly gained their feeling and control. He could feel in his hand that he was holding something but didn’t look at what it was, all he knew was to swing whatever he was holding and upon doing so, the cage dispersed into the air and a shockwave of golden flames sent every soldier in the vicinity flying backward.
Darius slowly stood up straight while the others followed suit except for Zeeq who was completely unconscious on the ground. In the newfound silent chaos, Darius noticed that from Zeeq’s closed eyes, liquid Darkmatter began to pour out like tears and dispersed into the air; he’ll have to question Duke over that later. Darius looked to his hand and saw what he was holding: it was a sword but it was pure fire. Lightsabers would easily be defined to what he was holding but Darius alone could feel it, the life energy pulsating in the blade, this was Xarcadeas; this is his Catalyst.
“Better late than never, my friend,” Igniz said as he stood up straight, “I have never seen a Catalyst in a metaphysical form.”
“Celebrate later; we gotta get outta here first,” Raizo said as he picked up Zeeq with both arms and placed Zeeq on his back. Darius nodded once and swung his flame blade; flames encircled the Titans in a small fiery tornado. Darius looked to the rooftop and could no longer see Rubeus standing there, he looked to the veranda where Evelyn, the Queen, Gunther, and Pyro stood and looked towards their former guests. He could see his mother looking intently at him with tears leaking from her eyes, she tried to whisper to his mind again but Darius ignored it as this was not the time to stall.
He turned towards the main gate and could see soldiers gathering there with renewed shields while the ones on the floor around him began to slowly regain consciousness. He swung his sword once to the gate, a rapid vertical wave of golden fire shot forward.
“HOLD THE LINE!” A captain yelled as the fire wave hit the wall of human shields and exploded on contact. A quick scan of the area and Darius was relieved that no one was in any life-threatening danger.
“Well, so much for not using our powers,” Raizo said.
“Your flames seem to have rejuvenated us, Darius,” Igniz said as he flexed his left arm, “truly a unique ability.”
“Couldn’t have said it better myself,” Duke said.
“Game’s changed, let’s go,” Darius said. As soon as they reached the gates, unarmed soldiers using nothing but Shock Gauntlets began their counterattack.
“Rule the Dark, Dragulia.” Duke bellowed in his mind and summoned his Catalyst from the wisps of Darkmatter.
“Freeze the Heavens, Cryonix.” Igniz bellowed in his mind and pulled out his Catalyst from the frozen air beside him. Raizo held Zeeq tight as he stood in the middle while the other three bashed through the defense line. From Igniz, a huge water dragon head emblazed in icicles erupted as he swung his spear and the dragon head flew and washed over the soldiers and froze them all on the spot. Duke shot out beams of dark energy glowing in violet with a swing of his blade, the beams hit their targets and turned the soldiers’ armor to black dust, and put them instantly to sleep. Darius couldn’t help but be impressed by how Duke could swing something so large so easily.
They finally cleared the main gate from all forms of opposition but this was severely temporary as soldiers from the rear of the palace were quickly catching up to them.
“Harsch Wölfe!” Igniz bellowed and thrust his hand forward to the soldiers coming; from all around him, icicle spears began to quickly form and launched with rapid speed and precision that sounded like howls when flying. Each spear that hit exploded with the shrapnel of frozen crystals and formed large walls of beautiful icy spikes.
“That will not hold for long. Any ideas, Darius?” Igniz said.
“We need to teleport out of here; can any of you guys open up a portal?” Darius asked as he hoped that Duke or Raizo might be able to do something since they have used teleportation or portal methods before.
“No, it’s not possible from here,” Duke said, “we are still on palace grounds and the barriers here are extremely thick. We need to get across this waterfall at the very least where the barriers are much thinner.”
“Yeah, but how are you guys gonna get across without the drawbridge? I can use my Airhike and--” Darius said but Duke had to cut him off.
“I’m sorry to disappoint you but you can’t use that hike here. The energy that’s in the very air of this place is dense and unrefined because of all the Artes cast around the palace. If you use your Airhike, it would be no different than you jumping on ordinary air.” Duke said as he took a look around and measured the waterfalls.
“I got an idea; it’s completely mental but then again, what the hell,” Raizo said and put Zeeq down gently before going back towards the gate.
“What the hell is he doing?” Darius asked but Raizo quickly came back with four shields strapped on his back.
“These babies are full of metal and synthesized composition that easily conducts electricity. This place may be anti-Arte and stuff but it can’t outshine nature’s power.” Raizo said as he shocked all four shields with lightning bolts, once done, the shields hovered with a humming tune just an inch above the ground.
“Are you sure this is gonna work?” Duke asked.
“Even if it doesn’t I’m not about to amend my mistake in a palace dungeon. Now get on and hang on tight and one of you has to hold on Zeeq for me.” Raizo said as he jumped on a shield. Darius looked to the others and each shrugged their shoulders and got on a shield of their own with Duke carrying Zeeq on his shoulders.
“Try to keep your panties dry,” Raizo said and raised his hands slightly and the shields obeyed, they hovered higher and higher and Raizo bent his arms forward and all four of them were off towards the edge and fell into the gorge of the waterfalls.
***
Two black-hooded figures stood on the very far side of the White Plateau as they watched four teenagers falling to their deaths in the gorge of waterfalls. One of them looked on the Fleshbornes and showed dismay on his face while the other giggled at the very sight of it.
“I still do not see if this is the right choice to make... But to think that they would choose to do the extreme. Simply absurd.” the taller figure said.
“But you must admit, Lord General, they do have a rather interesting way to decide on instant situations. You must at least give them credit for that.” the shorter one said.
“True... But such unorthodox... Are you sure he is the one, Lithia?” General Tyrell said as he turned to look at his captain.
“Of course, my Lord General, I collected the data from the Denethil I planted in that monkey boy earlier. There is no mistaking it now... Your ‘colleague’ can still be trusted but who knew that these brats are one of those noble breeds. I feel like I just scored the jackpot!” Lithia squirmed with excitement as she looked on.
“Very well, Lithia, I trust your data and your knowledge. What do you intend to do now?” General Tyrell asked.
“I’ll just observe from a distance. And when the time comes, we can unleash Varian unto them and test both of their limits. It’s not easy to travel through Altaria as fugitives but I’m a little surprised at that Catalyst. Since when did Catalysts appear in that form?” Lithia said.
“It only takes that form because the Catalyst was not completely summoned,” General Tyrell explained, “knowing its name is one thing but to court it properly to summon its most basic physical form is another. Young Darius simply called the Catalyst’s name but did not properly court it, like bypassing an incantation when casting an Arte; if you do not have the proper mastery to wield such power, it will simply fade or appear in but a fraction of its glory.”
“My Lord General, you know simply too much,” Lithia said as she slightly bowed in respect, “If you don’t mind, my Lord, we should get going now... They can handle this part on their own.”
“You’re quite right, my darling... I cannot wait to see the result of this outcome.” General Tyrell said and turned around to leave with Lithia closely behind him but not before blowing a kiss to her dearly beloved now falling to his death in the gorge of waterfalls and disappeared after a wisp of black smoke.
***
The Titans screamed their lungs out as they kept falling through the rushing loud waters. Raizo seems to be the only one enjoying the free fall as he laughed with his arms in the air and his clothes now half ripped apart.
“Damn it, man, do something! This waterfall is a hundred-meter drop!” Duke snapped.
“Geez, you’re such a party-pooper. Alright, hang on!” Raizo said and controlled his hands, the shields slowed their sheer descent and slowly, it began to levitate back up to the top. As they began to cross the gorge to the other side, Darius turned his head to react to the roar of dragons as they swooped down from above and breathed fire missiles as they swooped down. The Dragon Riders have come next in the counter-assault.
“Geez, you guys can’t take a break, can ya?” Raizo said as he tried to evade missile after missile. Igniz took some water from the fall earlier and swirled it around them to block the missiles but it all evaporated quickly with each explosion on contact, Duke absorbed most of the missiles as he sucked up the missiles into small liquid black spheres and Darius fired a few shots by punches to deflect some of the dragon fire.
“Hurry up, Rai; we’re sitting ducks out here!” Darius said.
“Shut up, man, I’m trying.” Raizo snapped as he tried to force the shields to go faster but the water from the falls earlier is disrupting the electric currents in the shields and their speed was reduced greatly.
“Duke, how soon can you open up a portal?” Igniz said.
“I can feel the atmosphere getting thinner but it’s not enough. We need to get to the top at the very least.” Duke replied.
“Alright, I got an idea. Raizo, stick these shields tightly together. Duke, Igniz, hang on to something!” Darius commanded and he jumped off his shield to land on Raizo’s in the rear.
“What the hell are you doing, man?” Raizo shrieked as he tried to balance himself and the shields.
“How you did the same with the shields, Rai, learning how to fly,” Darius said and with both hands, he held his flame saber firmly downward and shot a powerful flamethrower as the thrust for the rest of them. The attempt worked and thanks to Raizo holding firm and steady, the Titans were rocketing up the gorge and waterfalls and have reached the top of the White Plateau.

“HELL, YEAH! Now, that’s what I’m talking about!” Raizo cried.
“YEAH, BOY!” Duke shouted as he laughed hysterically while holding tightly to his shield.
“We should have done this in the beginning!” Igniz cried out but he was enjoying the thrill ride all the same.
“Duke, now!” Darius cried. Duke clapped his hands together and a portal of black smoke appeared in front of them. They all jumped together and went through the portal, barely missing several more dragon missiles, the portal closed and the Titans were gone from sight.
***
“It appears they have successfully escaped, Your Majesty,” Gunther said, “although quite sloppy but their performance was impressive, nonetheless. Wouldn’t you agree?” Queen Adryana didn’t say a word but stared at the edge of the main gates as she last saw her son fall down a vast and deep gorge along with a rag-tag team of Fleshbornes. She slowly sat down on the floor and tried to cry, she wanted to cry, she would tear open the very heavens if she could just shed a single tear but she couldn’t.
The skies began to darken and the winds began to blow hard against even the dragon flights. Evelyn sat down next to her and tried to comfort her but her words seem to have no effect whatsoever.
“My son... Our son...” Queen Adryana whispered but uttering the words was too heavy, too painful, and far too overbearing.
“I can’t believe he is my brother... You could’ve said something, mother... I could’ve prepared myself better.” Evelyn said as she gently stroked her mother’s arms and hair.
“Darius is your twin brother, Your Highness,” Gunther said, “he is older than you by a few minutes and I must admit, the resemblance is quite remarkable. As if looking at each other in the mirror only without one.”
What Gunther said was true, it would explain a lot about Darius that Evelyn only now understands. The feeling she gets when she’s near him, the aura that he had and the spirit he wielded; maybe the Crimson Spirit is best suited for Darius after all.
“I will tell you why you were separated shortly after your birth but it is a story that both of you must hear... A story that I believe will require a lot more courage from all of us. For now, we have quite the mess to clean.” Gunther said as he tried to comfort his Highnesses but there was only one voice that Queen Adryana listened to in her head.
“Did you see him, my love? Did you see our son? He was so beautiful!” the Queen cried in her mind.
“Come, Evelyn,” the Queen said as she stood up and straightened herself, “we have a hall filled with Nobles to calm about.” As Evelyn and Gunther followed the Queen back into the palace, many traumatized and panicked nobles and staff alike are trying to console each other. Evelyn looked back towards the sky and prayed in her heart one thing and one thing only.
“Please be well, brother... We will meet again someday...”