Gate

Before the dark flames of Castile reaches and engulfs Edle, a storm of green wind along with green leaves surrounds and acts like a shield to Edle.

"This is..."

The burst of dark flames were sent away passed Edle, leaving him unharmed by Castile's attack.

"Are you alright, Edle?"

His head turns to the girl, the source of the voice. The voice came from the elder Princess of Meleia - Princess Atalante.

"Atalante... I knew you'd be able to get away... Wai-! What happened to you?!" Said, Edle in a terrified tone.

His eyes were filled with terror as he sees Atalante's body all covered in wounds and blood, and her elegant elven dress that have been torn apart.

"Don't worry, these injuries aren't dangerous. And I can slightly ease the pain in my body through my magic. Enough for me to move and cast magic spells like usual."

While Ordeus, Castile and Celestine's attention were into Edle, a man leaps out above the Princess of Kruule with his eyes set on the potions Celestine is holding.

The young man did a free fall with one of his arms trying to reach the potions. However, just when he thought the Princess were focused on gazing at Edle, Celestine's head turns around, and her eyes rolled on the corner of her eye lids, glaring at the young man.

"Tsk... Impact Wave!"

The young man thrusts his palm forward. And as though he hit something through the air, a shock wave propelled him back away from the Princess.

Celestine extends her other arm. And as if she's ordering a beast, she ordered, "Strike the prey..."

"...!"

Though he cannot see it, the man felt something is coming in front of him. Aiming right for his head.

Alarmed, he draws his sword from his waist and raise it right in front of his face. And just like what he felt, something he couldn't see with his own two eyes was really aiming for his head. If not for his sword that he pulled out of reflexes, either one of his eyes or his mouth would have been pierced and caused him his life.

"A cloaked weapon, huh..."

Celestine glared at the young man who is seen to be wearing an attire similar to a red and black butler suit. The Prince looks into the man's face and realized it was the knight who is always on his side.

"Kaien? Where did you...?"

"Let's talk about it later, Edle! Take this!"

The young man calls Edle and throws a sword inside a red scabbard towards him. The Prince goes forward to catch the said sword.

"My sword..."

"I don't mean to sound harsh but, surely you haven't lost the will to fight Castile right, Edle?"

The Prince was utterly speechless due to the way Kaien talks to him and calls him by his name.

"Isn't that obvious?"

With his face that transformed into a stern look, he draws his sword from the scabbard and declares to continue to fight.

"Losing the will to fight after a single hit in the head is not on me. Bring it on, King of Kruule! The fight has just begun!"

With Atalante who came to Edle's side, the three of them were standing, facing the King and the Princess of Kruule.

"It looks like we've got two more pests that needs to be taken care of." The King of Kruule remarked.

"Who would have thought that the coward elder Princess of Meleia who retreated after confronting me would stand before me again?" Celestine's eyes narrowed, followed with a malicious smirk.

"Sometimes, one needs to take a step back, just to save the others. Think of it as me trying to keep you from what I can do against you." Atalante answered with a confident reply.

"Let's see how long your confidence will last this time around."

Celestine invites Atalante to continue the fight. But Castile cut across the two Princesses.

"There is no need to rush, my daughter."

Baffled, she rests her hand down and wordlessly look at her Father.

"The time will come where you'll face them again. For now, let's go back to Kruule. There's some business I need to attend to with Elena and the other rulers."

"Aren't you going to capture Ordeus?" Celestine replied to her Father.

"There is no need. Fighting him alone isn't a problem. But I doubt a King like him with death knocking on his door would even be able to stand before me." The King of Kruule remarked. He continue to speak. "There is only one ancient weapon I am interested with. So we can leave him rot in hell."

"Be happy that you can die without facing my grudge, foolish King of Cartha. You will live until your body gives in from the endless pain." Castile added.

"You bastard..." Ordeus was aggravated with Castile's words. What makes him aggravate the most is the knowledge Castile possess.

"You will never get your hands with them...!" Said, Ordeus.

"Did you really think we'll let you get away with all this?!"

"Once you attacked the great kingdom of Reilaea, you will not get away without paying the price."

Atalante and Kaien followed.

Kaien draws his own blade. Atalante surrounds herself with her powers. Edle takes an offensive stance with the tip of his blade pointing at the enemy - Castile.

"I will bring you down and save everyone, Castile!"

Celestine scoffs at Edle. "I hope you can save them in time, my precious big brother..."

Celestine pulls out another item in her hand. This time it materialized into a black scroll engraved with gold. The scroll looks different from the ones in the adventurers guild and the ones created by the guild and the kingdom's alliance. It's a little smaller compared to the others as well.

The princess tells Edle, "Before we go, how about I place a little obstacle in your way to save your Mother and the others?"

Celestine ties down the scroll and throws it into the air. The scroll opens up as it was thrown into the wind. Then, she uttered, "Gate."

"What?!"

The black scroll transformed into a gigantic round, distorted shaped dark hole floating in mid-air.