The King: Boumen's stand

[Boumens POV]

     I awoke from my short slumber after getting hit by that Boulder point blank. If I hadn't activated a short barrier on Alice, Youm, and the two kid maids then I'm not sure we would still be here.

I'm surprised by how fast they were able to attack even if our forces were in disarray from the sudden attack…

Blasted, there's fire everywhere you look. What could've happened while I was knocked out? No, I'm sure I'm not too late.

Are the kids okay? I shouldn't worry about them now, even if they are kids they can defeat a few mercenaries. Right now I need to focus on settling down this fire. However, just in case…

     “Bran, come on out.” I said boldly.

*Shwoom* Bran, with head and all appeared out of Boumen’s shadow as if he had been there the entire time.

     “I am at your command, my King.” Bran said in a calm way like he was itching to receive commands.

“This is something only you can do. While I'm taking charge here, go find the kids and take them to Yan Yu.

If anything goes wrong I'll know they will be in safe hands at the very least. You never know what they may run into.

Bran looked disappointed or maybe afraid? “Are you sure we should be relying on that creature? You know how she can be well… Unhinged.”

     I sighed not because I'm wrong but because I know what he means.

“Yeah well there's no one as more reliable than her, she'll make some use of them.”

Bran exhaled a big buff “well if that's what you wish master then it is as you command.”

Bran’s shadow glop slithered around like a snake on the ground going in a singular direction.

     “I guess it's time then… Is this your doing, Taichou? Well then come find me.”

I gathered up the Exoteric in my hand and raised my hand out into the sky releasing it out into the world like a fire bomb. The fire went straight to the clouds as it made a *Fwoosh* sound making it easy to see the sky for a brief time.

*Crack* The sky went as it caused thunder and rain to come out due to the fire.

     There, that should help deal with the fire in the city.

I transferred the Exotere in my body and focused it into my legs allowing me to run faster than the average human.

     *Swoof* I'd go as fast as I can trying to find a way out of this castle and to the front yard, after conjuring up an axe in my hand made out of Exotere.

Sadly i can't grab my axe, there's no time so this will have to do instead.

I can leave the soldiers to my men, given they will probably need some help…

I don't wanna have to say goodbye to this castle in case we lose the battle, but I might not have any other choice.

No… what am I saying? I will do everything in my power to win this battle, it's not over yet, in fact it's just getting started.

     If there's even an ounce of blood in me then I will give my all for this castle…

I can almost see the front yard, but there seems to be men posted out front, from the looks of it they seem like mercenaries.

Blasted. “Out of my way!” I shouted at the mercenaries going at full speed.

     “W-What the!?” they panicked immediately putting up their guard but I pushed them out the way with my exoteric axe. 

I was forced to stop because I sensed something coming my way. 

I don't recognize this energy, who could it be? Not to mention I'm surrounded by the enemy's men. Am I really at the start of the fight?

     “I-Is that’s Boumen Vi Raijin?!” A mercenary yelled out.

“A black beard, a dragon tattoo on his right hand, and that muscle-like figure. Not to mention those clothes and that cape, yeah that's him alright.”

Nice to see that my reputation is still as well known. That being said if the entire army knows me, and they all have that flag then that means…

Posed together with two girls in the front, and two guys in the back there stood Taichou in the center of it all.

The mercenaries who were blocking my way soon opened a path for Taichou to walk down.

     “Well, well, well if it isn't my old partner Boumen, or should I call you by your famous title Boumen Vi Raijin as a sign of respect? my majesty.” Taichou said with a giant grin that was like he was saying ‘it's been so long’.

I chuckled with a small grin seeing him appear in front of me once more.

     “It's been what, 4… No, 14 years? And here you have become a mercenary gang leader full of misfits.

Taichou giggled out loud “Yeah, well I quite like being a gang leader with these misfits.”

     “I quite like being a King, I guess we're in the same boat. So let's hear it Taichou, why are you here today? Did you really have to put on a show just to talk to me? I'm right here you know, all you had to do was knock on my door.”

I put down my exoteric axe sheathing it into the ground making myself relaxed.

     “Oh! I'm hurt, how could my old partner have forgotten the very thing I said to you that day you betrayed me.”

I'd exhale a loud sigh. He is dead set on doing this huh? It looks like he roped these poor kids into his mess as well.

     “If it's about that I already apologized before, back then I had no other option as she was already—” he had cut off my sentence with his own going on to say.

“I know what happened damnit! And I will stick to my vows. Every day, and night the very thing that keeps me sane is that vow, how could you ever understand that pain!? To remember that betrayal for every waking moment of your life? That day will and has arrived now, that I swear.” 

He won't understand with just words alone, but I'm severely outnumbered here. Well, this wouldn't be the first time this happened.

     “I guess I'll have to force you to listen to my words, Taichou.” I said,lifting up my axe getting into the stance. With my left shoulder upfront and the axe into my other hand. It's a stance I created a long time ago. I haven't fought in what feels like years, but I still haven't lost my touch, this I'm sure of.

Taichou, his mercenaries, and the 4 people with Taichou all were battle ready.

I will make you proud Marianne. I won't let what we've built be for naught.

This battle was the beginning of the turning point in what will happen in the future. 

And so the story continues.