The Approaching Enemies (Ryuu)

The General urged his horse-drawn carriage forward with an unwavering determination, his steely gaze fixed on the Palace looming in the distance. Swiftly maneuvering through the hidden shortcuts he had come to know so well, we ventured deep into the heart of the forest, where the forgotten trails lay undisturbed, as if untouched by human feet for an age.

As the carriage raced onward, I called out to the General, my voice trailing behind in the wind, seeking answers amidst the urgency of our mission.

"Does the king possess the elusive secret of the water of immortality, as you shared with me?"

With resolute certainty, the General responded, his words cutting through the air with clarity.

"Indeed, my young companion. For the king, by virtue of his regal lineage, has safeguarded this sacred formula for generations."

Curiosity still burning within me, I inquired further, my voice laden with intrigue.

"What about the other illustrious figures, particularly the second epic? If one knows of this secret, surely the others possess knowledge as well."

A somber note crept into the General's voice as he shed light on the nature of these powerful beings.

"I doubt it, kid. While the epics serve their own distinct purposes, they are driven solely by self-interest and an insatiable thirst for power."

Curiosity blossomed into concern as I probed deeper, longing to understand the motives behind the second epic's desire for this coveted power.

"Why does she covet this power for herself? What dark intentions lie behind her aspirations?"

A tinge of apprehension gripped the General's features as he contemplated the consequences of the second epic's grasp on such might.

"It undoubtedly spells calamity. I am certain that her first act would be to seize control of the second Kingdom and the realm of the sea. Thereafter, she would command the wild creatures of the ocean, igniting wars of epic proportions. Thankfully, she remains oblivious to the whereabouts of the water, destined to mingle with tears. At least it will take them some time to get the water from the mountain."

I didn't know how dangerous it would be when I voiced an uncomfortable realization.

"The truth is, the water may have gotten into their hands."

The General's gaze met mine, a mix of fear and anxiety etched upon his countenance, as he contemplated the dire implications of this revelation.

"But how? How could they have procured the water so swiftly and with such ease?"

"Regrettably, we fell victim to a treacherous trap. They exploited our circumstances, cunningly seizing the water from our grasp."

The General's concern for his Guardian brothers led him to ask the question. "My protectors on the mountain, and my brothers. Tell me, what about them, how were they?"

Hiroshi turned his head, a grave expression on his face as he revealed the unfortunate truth.

"By the time we arrived, they had already met their demise. They unknowingly consumed the water from the mountain, and it led them down a path of death. Or the poisonous gas in the mountain could have killed them. We are not sure of the exact cause of death."

Then Hiroshi continued after a short breath.

"But there was also a creature that was there. If you know the people there, I'm sure you know something about it."

"A creature summoned from distant lands to protect the mountain. I instructed the guards on how to call upon its aid. I learned how to summon that creature from a wise lineage," replied the former general.

"We found ourselves compelled to fight back when the creature attacked us. And at that time we didn't realize that the enemy had entered."

"If they have indeed taken the water, our arrival must be swift. For the princess possesses the other essential element. In truth, she is the embodiment of that very material."

Thanks to the General's skillful navigation through the shortcuts, we reached the palace of the second Kingdom in a mere half hour.

The palace stood as a testament to grandeur and power, surpassing even the regal magnificence of the first Kingdom's stronghold. Surrounding the palace and the village dwellings stretched an expansive forest, its verdant canopy enshrouding them in an ethereal embrace.

Yet, from a distance, the scene appeared devoid of life. As we approached the kingdom, an eerie stillness persisted. Despite the presence of numerous houses, they seemed eerily vacant. Surveying our surroundings, I voiced my growing unease.

"How peculiar. Where is everyone? Could it be that they have already launched their attack?"

Hiroshi cast a careful gaze around, his voice measured as he assessed the situation.

"No signs of damage suggest they have yet to initiate an assault."

The General offered his insight,

"It is likely due to the upcoming wedding ceremony. Everyone may be congregated within the palace walls."

Hiroshi nodded in agreement, his eyes glancing toward the looming presence of a vast army.

"Indeed, it appears a formidable force awaits our entry. They will undoubtedly converge upon us the moment we step foot inside."

To avoid detection, the General skillfully halted the carriage amidst the protective cover of the forest's towering trees.

The General's gaze fell upon us, his voice weighted with concern as he shared a crucial insight.

"The army is not our only concern here. Unlike the first Kingdom, the King has his own elite order of Knights. These individuals of noble lineage bear no resemblance to ordinary soldiers, for their prowess far surpasses the norm. They possess exceptional strength and remarkable talents. Rumors speak of certain Knights wielding powers akin to those of the revered Epics. Exercise utmost caution."

I locked eyes with the General, a conviction burning within me as I voiced my perspective.

"These people are not our enemies, and our purpose does not entail engaging in combat. Once we halt the wedding and warn the King, our departure from this place shall follow."

Hiroshi, his hat casting a shadow over his eyes, interjected, his tone laced with skepticism.

"You make it sound far too simple, Ryuu."

Determined and undeterred, we swiftly disembarked from the carriage, hastening our steps toward the palace. True to the General's prediction, the palace's entrance teemed with a bustling multitude. Excitement and joy radiated through the air, a palpable anticipation of the forthcoming nuptials.

The General drew close to me, his voice a mere whisper amid the commotion.

"Navigating through this crowd will prove exceedingly challenging. Moreover, should the Epic make an appearance, countless lives will be in jeopardy."

No sooner had the General uttered these words than Hiroshi deftly retrieved his gun from his waist, firing a single shot into the sky. The sudden gunshot reverberated through the air, instantly hushing the throng. All eyes turned anxiously toward Hiroshi.

Slowly, Hiroshi raised his head, his voice commanding as it resonated through the silence.

"Elite soldiers and the Epic are converging upon this place! Seek shelter and evacuate immediately!"

Despite Hiroshi's admonition, the people remained frozen, their gazes fixed upon him. Sensing their hesitation, Hiroshi leveled his gun at those directly before him, issuing an ultimatum.

"So be it. I shall count down from ten, and anyone obstructing my path shall be dealt with, one by one."

Hiroshi's words spurred a frantic flurry of movement as panic gripped the crowd. I knew Hiroshi had no intention of carrying out his threat, yet his portrayal of a fearsome antagonist was remarkably convincing.

As the people scattered in the desired direction, clearing a path before us, the approaching soldiers grew ever closer. Realizing that entering the palace without conflict was an impossible feat, we wove our way through the crowd, advancing toward the encroaching threat.

At that moment, I resolved to persevere, no matter the length of the journey or the magnitude of our adversaries. For within my heart, an unwavering determination burned bright—a resolve to rescue Mila at any cost.