Legends of the Stars

Chapter 17: Uprising

Chapter 17

Uprising

July 20th, 2019 AE, 1:41 PM

Ventasia was an aquatic metropolis with numerous canals running through it. The island city served as the link between the Astrelm and the Nova Empire. On opposite sides of the city, an enormous bridge connected the island to the continent across the water. Even though Ventasia was initially part of Astrelm, it now served as the central hub for Imperials entering the kingdom. Centurions and their mechanical Giants endlessly patrolled the streets of the stone city.

The Champions were flown to the city by airship in less than a day, but for Jaden, the trip felt like eons. He was so anxious over his upcoming fight with Kaiser, he was shaking in his seat the whole time. But even as this fear surged through his body, he couldn't help but feel excited. He always wanted to fight another Ark Knight, but after years of being the last one, he never thought he'd get the chance. Perhaps this was due to his warrior's blood, but he still really wanted to see what the Dark Lord could really do.

The ship landed in front of Ventasia's central palace, which loomed over the bridge leading to the rest of the city. As they disembarked from the Imperial aircraft, Jaden watched as the palace blocked the sun's rays, casting an equally large shadow over him. Waiting for the rest of the soldiers to touch down, he turned to the waters behind him and took in their majesty. Feeling the cool, salty air caress his face, he almost forgot that he and his friends were all prisoners.

"Wow, I never thought I'd ever get to see this side of the ocean," he said to Astra. "Especially not like this."

"You don't have to do this, you know?" she said. "You could run away from all this right now."

"I know. But I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I did."

* * *

Meanwhile, Revan was quietly staring out towards the city, but he was looking at it at all. He was looking beyond the horizon and through the haze of reality itself. He was gazing into the past, all the way back to that traumatic day ten years prior.

The Royal Family had traveled to Ventasia for a peace summit with other countries, including the Empire, who had signed a treaty a decade prior. This was the perfect opportunity for them to launch an attack on not just the Royal Family, but all the other world leaders.

The palace soon became engulfed in flames as imperial soldiers rained down from the sky. Their airships hovered among the foggy clouds like ghost ships. The soldiers showed no emotion as they mowed down the summit guests. As he frantically searched for his mother, he saw their commanding officer fire a bullet into her chest. He was only fourteen.

Revan desperately tried to help her as she bled out in front of him. He refused to leave her, even as the Imperials closed in on them. His father was forced to drag him away so he could flee the city with both of his children. The Empire then moved onto conquering the rest of Ventasia.

While only a few world leaders were killed by the Empire, the total casualties still ranged in the thousands. No one else could go back for the dead, so Revan couldn't even bury his mother. Next to the Newtown Invasion, this was the worst event in the entire war. But for poor Revan, it was the worst day of his entire life.

"Hey, Rev. Are you okay?"

Revan was pulled back to the present by Darek, who had walked up behind him.

"Did you just call me Rev?" He was used to his comrades calling him "Prince" or "Commander," or just by his actual name. But Revan didn't expect anyone to call him by a nickname.