Chapter 88 : Civil War

The street is filled with chaos. Protesters rally the city towards the palace. The military opened fire to the mass. Anarchists fired back with Molotov bombs. Looters break windows and rob shops. Burning cars everywhere. Tanks begin to come out of the palace and begin going around the square. People running here and there, fighting armed soldiers with stones and metal rods.

Until, a fleet of battleships hovers over the city. Virion, Flavius, Ramenman, and Kaizo look around the city from above. Death casualties are inevitable. The Military has taken action to control the mass with violence. Virion watched as his city turned to hell. Ramenman put his hand on Virion's shoulder. Trying to console him. Watching their country breaking apart, one can only imagine the pain Flavius and Virion need to go through. 

Flavius slowly shook his head in distress. "This is... horrible," he mumbled. 

Led by Virion, the battleships start shooting tanks. Some of the knights land down on the streets to stand with the people. It was then they turned the tide of war. Unable to withstand the battleship's weapons, the military got pushed back into the palace's yard.

"Alright. I'm going down. Cover me," said Kaizo.

"Copy that," Ramenman replied. 

Kaizo and Flavius nodded at each other. They jumped from the battleship and landed on the street. Virion and Ramenman are shooting the soldiers to clear out their landing area. 

"I hope your girls are doing good in the palace," said Virion.

"Oh, trust me. The soldiers are the ones who need to worry," Ramenman replied. 

In the Palace, Axion and Tirion make their way to the Queen's chamber. They knocked several soldiers while they sneaked through. 

"The Queen's chamber is on the top floor. We need to take the stairs," said Tirion. 

Axion sighed. "The stair in the hall is a big area. How do we get past?"

"There should be back stairs. We use it for emergencies. It's narrower so we should be able to lay low," said Tirion. 

"Okay. Lead the way," Axion replied. 

They took a detour through corridors and slipped through. Two soldiers are guarding the door to the back stairs. Tirion punched one of them unconscious. He turned and punched the other soldier. The soldier staggered. Tirion lifts him by his collar and pins him to the wall. The soldier grunts in pain. 

"...Arthus? YOU TRAITOR!!!" Tirion exclaimed. 

"W-wait wait," the soldier whined. 

"You know him?" Axion asked. 

"How could I not! He was a knight before he turned to join the soldier's rank. One of my best students," said Tirion. He looked Arthus in the eyes. "Leaving the knights to join the soldiers ' ranks is one thing. But taking a side with the man who starts this madness?! YOU?!"

"Tirion, please..." Arthus begs.

"How could you still siding with Versatel after all the war he brings us!"

"Look. I know. I'm wrong. I shouldn't have sided with the soldiers," said Arthus. "But you need to reach the Queen. I heard Versatel is taking her somewhere."

"Where?" Axion asked. 

"I don't know. All I heard is that Versatel is on his way to the Queen's chamber. They said he's taking her somewhere to be executed," said Arthus. 

Tirion was shocked. He slowly lowered Arthus. 

"I guess we're nearing the end game," said Axion.

 "We need to reach the Queen's chamber before it's too late," said Tirion in distress. 

"Desperate times, desperate measures," said Axion. She walks past them and starts climbing the stairs. Tirion followed her. 

"How are we supposed to reach the chamber before Versatel does?"

"Well, no more sneaking," said Axion. "We knock them all out."

After climbing the stairs, Axion kicks the door and knocks down the two soldiers guarding behind it.

Axion leaned on the wall, trying to catch her breath. "Damn, I hate stairs...." she mumbled. 

They walked to the end of the corridor and peeked. They saw soldiers lurking around. Dozen, if not, more. 

Axion smirked. She walks out to the hall. Leaving Tirion confused.

All the soldier's attention is on Axion. They point their rifles at her. 

"Hey, who are you? What are you doing here?" ask a soldier. 

She pulled a sword and put up a stance. The soldiers open fire and shoot at Axion. But none of the bullets got her. She moves fast like a flash. Knocking down one soldier after another. Soon, all the soldiers are lying unconscious on the floor. Axion calmly sheaths her sword. Tirion walks towards her in awe.

"Well, you're quite something aren't you?" said Tirion. "Would be glad to have you as one of my knights."

"A nice offer. But I'm more of a mage than I am a knight," said Axion. "Let's go."

Going further up, they finally arrived at a door. They quickly knock out two soldiers that guard the door.

"This is it," said Tirion. "The Queen's chamber."

"Shhh... did you hear that?" Axion asked.

They were silent for a moment, listening to voices behind the door. They both draw their swords. Tirion takes a step forward. They looked at each other and nodded. He kicks the door open and rushes inside.

As soon as they enter the chamber, six elite soldiers point their guns at Tirion. Versatel is standing close to the Queen.

"Versatel!" Tirion exclaimed.