Ch. 5: Invasion

The joyous and festive air that once covered the capital of Lunaris vanished when citizens spotted the massive, undefinable black cloud that covered the entire capital of Selene. Nobles, dignitaries, and allies standing in the imperial garden and on balconies widened their eyes with disbelief as they stared up at the sky.

"Oh, my word... What on earth is that?" a noblewoman in an elegant green dress called to question, voice laced with terror.

Zain, who had been trying to find a polite excuse to get himself away from CeCe, made his way back out onto the balcony and narrowed his icy eyes towards the ominous black cloud. The sight of it brought forth the foreboding feeling of despair and malice as if it was the beginning of an end.

The shining beacon of light from the towers issued a loud siren. Knights dressed in white appeared inside the ballroom and outside the imperial garden, ushering people inside the palace. They ordered everyone to remain calm as they escorted them to a safe location, which brought forth nothing but alarm to the guests. Many began to question just what on earth was going on.

The massive cloud in the sky blocked all the stars hovering above the capital; nothing but darkness befell the streets. Fright rose from the citizens as heavy black rain fell from the sky and formed thick puddles on the ground.

Such heavy rainfall caused citizens to run for shelter while others stared curiously at the black rain that stained their clothes. Out on the streets, a maiden running for cover tripped and fell face-first onto the cold concrete ground. Wincing at the pain, the girl felt something tightly grab hold of her ankle and looked back to see what had caused her to fall.

A chill crawled up the maid's spine as the color drained from her face. Frightened eyes saw a black skeleton hand that came from the puddle, gripping her ankle. Black rain continued to fall and added to the puddle as a second arm soon appeared, followed by a head and a pair of evil crimson eyes. Such a horrible sight overwhelmed the terrified young woman as she tried to escape from the fully emerged black skeleton.

All around her, skeletons and beastly creatures arose from the black puddles. Malevolent dark energy cloaked their bodies. The skeleton's crimson eyes stared down at the frightened girl whose eyes were rimmed with tears. A cry of fear ready to escape her throat was cut short by a sword in the skeleton's hand. Slashing it down, the girl's blood soaked the streets, but it was soon absorbed by the sword the skeleton wielded in his hand.

The sword glowed a bright crimson color as the skeleton jaw clacked together in attempted laughter, as he felt his body empowered by the woman's blood. Such horrendous sights were happening all over the capital of Lunaris. People's petrifying screams rang out even as the knights of Lunaris bravely wielded their weapons to defend their people.

A nightmarish plague of beastly creatures and sword-wielding skeletons mercilessly slew anyone in their sights, painting the grounds of the capital with fresh blood before it was soon absorbed by them. Fear was evident in the streets that had turned into pure chaos. The knights stationed outside the palace to patrol the streets fought the horde with the best of their abilities, but even that proved to be a challenge.

Due to the magical barrier that covered the palace, no rain penetrated its shield, so the guests inside were oblivious to the mayhem of horror happening outside. Luna was being led to a private safe room, meant only for members of the royal family, located underneath the palace via access by a secret door located in the royal kitchen.

The door only opened for royal members, and it was enacted by reading the signature of their palm. The only ones who knew of this door were royal members and the Crescent Moon Knight Order, an order of knights whose loyalty lied solely to the ruler of Lunaris. Not only was their commitment unwavering, but their brave hearts and strong abilities placed them above the other orders.

Placing her hand on the door that shined in a faint bluish color, the door opened and she was led down a long staircase. "Don't worry, princess, the safe room is straight up ahead." The knight escorting Luna was a handsome man and looked around her age. His large hand kept a firm and steady grip on Luna's wrist as they soon reached yet another secret door that required Luna's palm signature.

Back inside the throne room, the ruler of Lunaris was donned in silver-white armor that covered him from the neck down. His mighty figure glowed gloriously in the light as he wielded a long and radiant turquoise blade that shined brighter than the stars of Lunaris. The sword was passed down from ruler to ruler, molded after the sword the Great Star Divinus Serenity once wielded in battle.

Crowded inside the throne room were knights from different fractions. The tension in the air was thick. Bursting through the doors, a frantic knight, whose forehead dripped with sweat, shouted with great alarm. "Evil monsters and skeletons are mercilessly tearing the streets apart! And that's not all! A massive black dragon has been scouted in the sky and is currently trying to break the palace barrier!" The knights stationed inside broke out into a murmur between themselves.

"Knights of Lunaris!" The room immediately became silent as the ruler of Lunaris stood tall and dignified. "Tonight, we must lay down our lives and protect our realm. Slay those treacherous beasts!" commanded Luna's father. The knights', who filled the throne, hearts swelled with pride and loyalty, ready to follow their righteous leader into battle.

"Ruler of Lunaris, I'm Zain, second prince of Militum."

Hearing a voice call out to him, Luna's father saw a beautiful boy with long silverish-white hair appearing before his army. "I know of you. Young man, you have earned quite a name for yourself. Speak! What do you have to say?" Luna's father addressed the young man.

"With your permission, I would be honored to join you in battle and give my assistance to Lunaris. After all, we are allies with one another." Zain bowed before the Ruler of Lunaris.

"Join if you wish! Let's see if those rumors will hold up to the truth! Knights of Lunaris, let's head to battle!" Ready to lead the charge, the knights rushed out the doors when a voice called out,

"Wait! My liege, I must speak with you!" urgently said Mika, whose presence surprised her uncle.

"Mika, what are you doing here?! Go and retreat with the others! You are not a warrior!"

"What I must say is important, and you will listen, or I'm not going anywhere!" Her stubbornness forced Luna's father to swallow his anger, signaling for his head-commander to take charge in his place. After knights poured out of the throne room, leaving only Mika and her uncle, the former opened her mouth to speak.

"You can't think of going out and fighting in your condition!" Mika angrily admonished him, disregarding the fact that he was her monarch.

"Watch your tone. I'm still your ruler and uncle!" he swiftly admonished her.

"Excuse my tone, but uncle, I know of your condition! I spoke to the royal physician and forced him to tell me about what was going on with you after seeing what happened when you thought I left your study. Uncle, I know you caught {Larkspur}. Your body is practically deteriorating. You know, {Larkspur} is still impossible to cure. Doctors have only found a way to slow down its effects! If you go out there--" Mika's voice began to crack; tears blurred her eyes. She was not optimistic about the outcome this battle would have on her uncle.

"A coffin will be what awaits you! And Lunaris can not have that! Your people still need you! Your family needs you! Luna, the star of your world, can not lose her father! Please, I'm begging you, don't go out there!" Never had Mika begged for anything with her entire heart. The tears she shed plunged her uncle's heart into sorrow.

"Mika, you know I can not do that. Even if what awaits me is a coffin, I must defend my people. What ruler would I be if I cower and forsake them? Now go, if the battle turns dire, we'll need assistance. I will need you to get the message that Lunaris is under attack to my wife. Tell her to bring reinforcements! Go! Move! The people can not wait!" Nodding her head, Mika ran out of the room, hoping this would not be the last order from her monarch.

"May the blessing of the Holy-Mother be with you, my child. Lunaris will now rest on your shoulders until she is ready." With one last heartful mutter, the ruler of Lunaris stared at his throne before rushing to join his knights in battle.