Chapter II

The princess was already giving out carriages and other possible mode of transport to some people when a man wearing a white armor, adorned with a lion head on both shoulders, a helmet that had feathers on it, without its mouth piece which allowed them to see his face along with carrying twin sabers on each side of his hips, a weapon only a true master within their kingdom would be able to wield.

He bows down to show respect putting his fist on his heart in greeting. “Princess,” he states before straightening in attention in front of her.

Seeing commander Hendall manage to put Karilaya at ease as she was now starting to worry why the man was taking so long after her summons.

“Do we have any more soldiers to spare?” she quickly asks, knowing that they would need the man power in order to properly inform the townspeople of her creed.

Commander Hendall let out a heavy sigh. “I’m afraid we don’t have any your highness, we’re already spreading them thin within the castle’s defense,” the man gave simple bow of his head in apology.

“Then can you please allow my guards to assist in helping out the townspeople?” Princess Karilaya gestures to her subordinates who’m were her own units.

Already predicting this case would happen, after looking out into the palace’s man power a while ago, she had already prepared and organized her personal troops.

“But your highness.” Commander Hendall could not help but raise a brow seeing that the whole platoon was composed of female warriors.

“I know what you are thinking commander, but I just want my orders to be delivered to every person in town and in the palace as fast as possible, not fight the enemy army, at least that much my guards can do,” princess Karilaya quickly states before the man could even say another word of objection.

“You not need worry about them princess! If they wish to stay then let them be, my soldiers and I will do the best we can to keep the castle safe.” Commander Hendall once again gives his bow of salutations.

“I’m sorry,” princess Karilaya let out a weak half smile, feeling the care and worry of the commander. “I cannot abandon my people just so I could stay safe in some other kingdom. I won’t sully my family's name, and besides, my little brother has already been transported to the kingdom of Hao along with my younger sister, so I think there is nothing else to worry about anymore,” she informs him, knowing that one of the reason why the man wanted her out of there was because the man just wanted to keep his oath of protecting the royal family.

It was then that Soraya the commander of her personal all female guards stepped up in front of her and gave a firm bow.

“We will do as you wish your highness, but promise us you’ll get out of here once we’ve evacuated everyone,” the guards states, looking the princess straight in the eye.

Karilaya was thankful that her commander understood her predicament. “Of course,” she quickly agrees, though she was still feeling remorseful for being forced to leave her home, she had no reason to stay there if all her people had manage to leave.

It was actually the only thing that had been keeping her there, wanting to keep her promise to her father and the duty to her kingdom.

“Princess, it would be best if you flee now, you can leave the evacuation of the towns people to us, we will make sure that we get everyone out as soon as possible,”

“With the absence of my father and being the only remaining royal in the castle, the duty of ruling this castle falls down to me, so I need to be here,” Karilaya tries to say as firmly as possible though her chest felt it was shaking from the inside and her palms felt as cold as ice.

“The barrier will still hold for a few more days, will be able clear out the people by then, the head priestess assured us that,” commander Hendall intervenes once more, still trying to plead a reason for his request.

“Then how did the enemy manage to break the first seal in an instant?” the princess counters immediately wanting to make her stand.

“It’s all because of that Black Knight your highness,” Soraya informs her.

Hearing that name made her chest tighten, but she did not falter. “Isn’t he the one leading this army, the man who defeated my father?” she states clenching her fist upon remembering the news about it.

Her fear seem to have been pushed aside by her anger as It was the one thing that she knew about the said warrior, though it was the first time she had heard about the person causing the barrier to break.

“The one and the same your highness.” Commander Hendall answers her.

“That person holds a dark power none of us have ever seen before, even your father the king was unable to fend him off,” Soraya adds, suddenly shuddering just mentioning about it.

That cause a whole commotion within the hall, as everyone there started murmuring and letting out whispers. The princess could feel the fear starting to take over the whole room since a power such as that was considered to be something of those only found in legends.

Karilaya clenched her hands tight, as they remained clasped together, trying to keep her composure in front of everyone. “The-Then how can we make sure that the seal will be able to hold out for a few more days?” she asks.

She was now desperate and open for any kind of advice from the people surrounding her at that moment.

Priestess Unei finally walked in front, giving her that warm assuring motherly smile that she always had for her. “Your highness, your ancestor poured all their power into those seals, it is not something that cannot be broken easily without any repercussions,” she assures her.

“What do you mean?” The princess asks, wanting to at least have some kind of information that she could at least hold on to.

“The Black Knight was blown away after taking down the first barrier your highness, there hasn’t been any word after that, it may even be possible that he’s dead,” commander Hendall says, remembering that faithful day, since it was still very clear in his mind.

“I-I see,” It was all Karilaya could say, somehow feeling relieved of that news.

It was only then that she had finally managed to let out a deep breath, now able to lower her stiffened shoulders.

“But there is also the chance that he might still be alive,” commander Hendall quickly adds, not wanting to be too complacent of things yet.

But hearing about those things were already enough to put a lot of them at ease. A few of the priestess’s were already smiling and happily saying words of encouragement to one another, along with some soldiers joining in on it.

“Yes, of course.” Karilaya’s voice echoed through out the whole room.

Silencing each and every one the people around them. She understood pretty well what the commander wanted to tell them, and she wanted to make sure that everyone else that was there understood the dire situation that they were still in.

“That’s why we have to move with haste and make sure that everyone manages to escape as soon as possible,” she adds, firmly stating her decree once more.

“We will immediately see to it then, your highness,” Soraya bows smiling.

“Then I’ll also have the patrols help out with this, your highness,” commander Hendall finally bows in agreement with her stance.

“Thank you everyone,” Karilaya managed to finally smile once again, comforted that they were now going to start the procedures of getting the people out fo there. “May the divine light, shine upon us all.” She raises both her arms, opening them wide to give her blessing to everyone who were there.

The two commanders Bowed one more time, then Soraya starts signaling their troops, making them move in an organized formation before running in a line with a set of three soldiers at once, as they exited out there. Hendall quickly called out his second in command giving out his own orders before walking out of there.

Priestess Unei stood beside the princess, watching all of this along with the lady. “Princess, we thank you for your kindness, but I am afraid that trait of yours might become the end of you,” she warns her, worrying for her lady’s own safety.

“I know, and I’m sorry,” Karilaya bit her lip, feeling a bit guilty about it.

“There will be times that you will need to set that aside your highness, else you will fall early,” Priestess Unei says as she gently rubbed the back of her hand on the princess’s cheeks.

“I’ll remember that,” Karilaya nods at her before turning towards some of the servants that were still standing there, waiting for her orders. “I should probably help out with some of the-”

A loud thundering roar coming from the outside pierced through the room, making them all stop. Screams and prayers echoed all over the place as the earth shook afterwards.

“The barrier!” Priestess Unei whimpered as she grabbed hold of the princess while watching the glowing seal on the floor slowly fading.

Carefully picking the head priestess, Karilaya quickly helps her walk, moving in haste out of the room, heading for a nearby by balcony. The two of them gape as when they looked up into the sky, huge cracks began forming around them, along with the sudden flashing of lights, mixing with what seemed to be a dark fire engulfing some of the lines on it.

The second barrier had break, and like glass, it slowly fell apart before turning into stardust before disappearing completely.

“No!” Karilaya’s voice trembled and her eyes grew wide in shock, teary eyed when once again she felt the terror of despair grabbed hold of her.