Fallen Prince, Risen King - The Fallen Prince

A New War Begins

Zhōng marched through the same streets he walked last night. The sun hadn't peeked over the horizon but it was bright enough to see without torches. He wore black light armor to move quickly in as he glided with his cloak catching the incoming air. His hood was down, revealing his blond hair. It was pushed back to reveal his blue temporary tattoo which meant 'fallen prince'. He looked calm but pale as his mind seemed unease. "Good morning, my lords." he stated as arrived at a stable where the lords were organizing their men.

"Good morning, my lord," stated Lord Varius as they stood up when he approached them. "We found a way to communicate quickly if we need to, on your request."

"Each of us has a specific color assigned to us, white being yours while we choose our respectable colors." began Lord Reed.

"The first flare is to call all of our troops to the position, a second one is to request backup and a third is to retreat or request even more soldiers to the position." finished Lord Zhihao, he handed Zhōng his flare and three cartridges for it.

"I wasn't aware I'll be leading a squad." stated Zhōng.

"There's you and your two friends, apparently members of the criminal market as well as a few bandits and a civilian." said Lord Varius. The civilian Zhōng knew who as he saw him prepare last night.

"I simply must decline him to fight for me again, I brought him too much pain." stated Zhōng.

"If that's what you believe, your majesty, then let me serve you last time." stated the man. He approached them when he saw Zhōng coming, he was wearing his old armor and had a little limp in his steps.

"You serve this empire already, you've done your part. I can't let you fight knowing that you might die, I can't face your family if you do and have you never see her again." said Zhōng, turning around to speak with him. His eyes glittered with pity, it was a feeling he buried long ago. He already brought pain to them and he didn't want more.

"It's a risk I'm willing to take, as long as you promise to find her when you can." stated the man. Zhōng didn't know what to say, this man had served him and he thank him by taking his daughter away from him.

"Mr. Zhōng," interrupted Empress Wēi, she was wearing full armor with no cape, her Spriggan sword was on her hip and her hair was tied behind her head. "my lords."

"Your majesty," said the five lords giving their bows.

"Would you, Zhōng, come with me to the tower? I feel safer knowing you will be close as we can communicate." requested Empress Wēi.

"As you wish, your majesty." said Zhōng. He turned back to his lords and said, "Have Jack lead them, tell him his orders are to help guide people safely to the barracks near the palace. If any danger arises, set off a flare."

"Yes, my lord." replied Lord Varius.

Zhōng followed the empress to the tower where she'll watch the battle, the energy was felt as they climb up with the dawn of war about to begin. "Remember when you told me, this is where it started?" asked Empress Wēi when they reach the top of the tower. Captain Howin and a few generals were waiting for them, they bowed but some continued to bow longer for Zhōng.

"I was hoping it would go away." confessed Zhōng.

"So was I, I wished I had more time to prepare. I now understand how your father must have felt while trying to defend this city." said Empress Wēi. The sun begin to shine its first rays of light as drums began to play and the old begin their attack.

"I wished I tried harder to warn you." regretted Zhōng.

A missile whistled over the wall and exploded a house. Shouts of men telling where's the fight could be heard from the wall to the palace. Jack and John and the five lords led their respective squadrons to help people get to safety. "Anything?" asked John when he and Jack were together. They were escorting civilians to safety by the western side of the capital.