Esled POV

I looked around at the faces in our huddle, all of them waiting for a decision. Jalk kept glancing over his shoulder, his fingers twitching around the hilt of his dagger as he took in our surroundings. Flare's usually calm demeanor had turned sharp, her gaze following each flash of light in the distance. The little girl I'd rescued huddled beside me, her small body trembling, a stark reminder of everyone counting on us.

"We need to split up," I said, the plan forming in my mind even as I spoke. "Liam and Jalk you'll take the girl to a safer location and find any survivors to evacuate. Chance and Flare, I need you to gather the remaining guards and clear a path for them. We need a safe route out of here."

"And what about you?" Chance's eyes narrowed, suspicion mingling with worry.

"I'm going back for Bliss." My voice came out stronger than I felt. I couldn't leave her behind, not after what we'd already lost. I also held plenty of experience from the many battles I had to fight against Idvas, a country we're fighting border controls for.

The unknown man's gaze softened, though his anger didn't disappear. He nodded reluctantly. "I'll come with you," he said, his tone shifting into something almost protective. "You'll need more than just a sword against whoever's causing this."

"We'll meet by the old watchtower once we've got everyone out," Flare added, her voice soothing, contrasting the chaos. She gave me a brief, steadying nod, and for a moment, I felt a sliver of hope.

Jalk bristled, stepping closer. "Your Highness, this is reckless." His voice cut through the night like steel. "We can't risk the heir to the kingdom for anyone, even Bliss."

Jalk's words hung heavy in the air, his tone leaving no room for debate. I bit back a retort, knowing he was right even if I hated it. But there wasn't time to waste.

His words struck deep, but I pushed down my frustration. "She was near the north courtyard last I saw. If she moved, she's heading toward the east passage. That leads to the watchtower." I let my voice drop into something firmer. "We'll meet her on the way."

Before Jalk could argue further, another fireball whizzed through the air, striking a nearby tree closer than the last. Flames roared to life, throwing sparks and debris dangerously close. The heat was suffocating, and a strange hum of energy vibrated through the ground, unsettlingly and feeling unnatural. I heard the distinct hum of power in the air, a power I'd only read about in legends, and in the myths of ancient wars. The attackers were using more than just fire; there was a force here driving objects to strike with deadly precision.

I turned my focus back to Jalk "We're wasting time!" I snapped, the pain in my lower torso flaring with the movement. I could feel it now, the sticky warmth of blood soaking into my uniform. My ribs protested with every breath, but I couldn't let them see me falter.

Jalk turned his head back to me. "We'll get you out of here, Your Highness," Jalk insisted, his tone unwavering. "Everyone else is either with their families or under guard. We need to regroup."

I shifted my gaze to the guard clutching the little girl. He had a resolute stance, yet there was something about him, a silent defiance in the set of his jaw. Despite the chaos, he held the girl close. His eyes scanned the surroundings with sharp attention, as though he'd done this a hundred times before. The way he moved, so practiced and by the book of what I learned but even more honed yet I couldn't recognize him.

Without a word, Chance pulled me up into a low stance and made a formation signal. The long-haired man seemed to understand the signal as well and stood on the other side of me.

I barely had time to process the growing tensions when a burst of heat flared just behind me, forcing us to drop lower. Flames shot into the sky, the roaring sound almost drowning out the cries around us as pieces of splintered wood and metal exploded from the impact. Shards sliced through the air, narrowly missing Flare, who shielded her face with a forearm, her eyes squinting against the fiery light.

Jalk reacted immediately, drawing his blade and positioning himself between us and the assault. The air around us crackled with an unnatural energy, a low hum that vibrated up through the soles of my boots.

Another projectile hurled toward us, arcing with deadly precision. The strange guard with the little girl shifted just in time, ducking them both beneath a collapsed branch of a tree that was split down the middle. While he moved to avoid it, a sharp gust of wind tore through the air as his hand swept forward, the force carrying with it the scent of ash and fire. It pushed the debris back with unnatural precision, sending it back in the direction it came from.

My breath hitched and I felt my eyes widen. That power, it was clear that it was something not everyone could wield. He was one of them. But who was he? And why hadn't I seen him before? My gaze darted to Jalk and Flare, but neither seemed fazed. Had they known all along?

I wanted to demand answers, but the words were stuck in my throat and I knew this wasn't the time to find out. The roaring flames and falling debris left little room for anything but survival. Still, the question gnawed at me: who was this man?His expression was tense yet calculated, and the way he kept his composure despite the chaos struck me as almost unsettling.

The unknown man's gaze turned sharp as he noticed the projectile's unnaturally straight trajectory. "Someone's guiding these. The fire, it's not random," he murmured, his voice pitched low but intense. He turned his focus to me, his eyes dark and determined. "We're dealing with a strong level of control. At least an evolved level five. Whoever's behind this is sending a very clear message."

"We need to keep moving," Chance hissed, but just as he spoke, a shockwave of energy rippled outward, forcing me back a few steps. The ground trembled, cracking beneath our feet, and a thin, jagged fissure shot forward, separating us from the castle's main path.

"Get to the old watchtower!" Chance called to us, gesturing wildly. "It's the only place we might find some more cover."

As we broke into a sprint, the unseen forces intensified, slamming objects into the ground, each impact showering us with debris. The air was thick with smoke and ash, stinging our lungs. Flare stayed close, her sharp eyes catching movement as she directed us away from potential danger.

The unknown man's eyes darted to Jalk as he shouted over the commotion. "Then it's no ordinary assault. They're sending a warning."

More things flew our way and the guard with the girl shielded her with his body, his jaw set in determination. I caught a glimpse of his face, strange and familiar all at once, yet I couldn't place him.

"Keep moving!" Chance shouted, urging us forward. The sky above us darkened as smoke billowed up, choking the air, and another fireball seared through the haze, aimed squarely in our direction.

We follow down the path I mentioned earlier and weave around falling trees, tents, and food scattered across the ground. Bolts of lighting struck around us, slapping the ground in random bursts.

I wanted to demand answers, but the words stuck in my throat and I knew this wasn't the time to find out. The roaring flames and falling debris left little room for anything but survival. Still, the question gnawed at me again. Who was this man?

She looked up as we approached, clutching Ali's lifeless body with a fierce determination. I grimaced as we settled into it, taking a much needed breath of air. I tried to hide my wheezing with a cough but even squatting down it was still difficult to breathe.

After getting some of my breathing under control I crouched beside her, every movement sending sharp stabs of pain through my torso. At the same time the guard I was growing suspicious of gently placed a hand on Bliss' shoulder. "Bliss," his voice softened. "He'd want you to get out of here."

She looked up, her eyes hollow but set. She shook her head and fixed her gaze back on Ali. "I'm not leaving him," she murmured.

I looked at Bliss, her uniform was covered in blood and her curly hair was matted around the frame of her face from sweat. "We can't stay here Bliss," I said gently as I reached my hand out to her.

Her lips quivered, but she nodded. "Help me carry him," she whispered, her voice cracking as she reached to grab my hand as I stood up.

The unknown man nodded, lifting Ali's body with ease and guiding Bliss to her feet. He handed the little girl over to Flare and with a last look, we turned and headed toward the exit. Each step carried us further from the horror we were leaving behind and closer to whatever awaited us outside.

The fires behind us raged on, a cruel mockery of the peace we'd lost. Whatever this was, whoever was behind it they weren't just attacking.

They were declaring war.