Just then a powerful gust of wind swept past their heads, and all the attacking crafts split cleanly down the middle. Their two halves veered off wildly before crashing into the far side of the castle.
All eyes turned skyward as a man descended from above, then landed lightly beside them.
"King Raphael…" Landen bowed his head, sliding his sword into its sheath with a crisp click. His tone was steady, and commanding "For your protection, I will take the lead." Without waiting for a reply, he strode confidently past the group.
Raphael nodded. "As you see fit, Commander."
Landen proceeded with a series of orders. "Liriel, to my left. Stay sharp."
Liriel spun her bow once. "It would be my pleasure!"
"Ember, you're on my right. Watch for flanks."
"Of course." Ember held up her fingers, fire dancing across them. "Anyone who tries will burn."
"Nova, stay close to the princess, shield her with your magic."
Nova nodded. "I'll guard her with my life."
"Ling, Zenith, cover our rear. Nothing gets through."
Zenith slapped his chest guard. "Understood."
Ling added softly, "We'll hold the line."
Landen raised his voice so it carried through the smoke-filled air.
"Renowned Knights—move with purpose. Stay tight. Follow my lead!"
A unified "Yes, Commander!" rang out.
The group moved as one, their formation disciplined and deliberate, while the Renowned Knights ahead carved a path through the enemies with precision and skill. The bridge beneath their feet trembled from the distant echoes of battle, and smoke billowed in the air, obscuring the once-clear sky.
They soon arrived at a large hangar filled with hundreds of egg-shaped shuttles, each designed for a single passenger. Every shuttle had a person standing by, waiting for the king's command. As Athena and the group walked into the hangar the guard at the door greeted them with a bow.
"Open the dome," the king said to the man.
"Right away Sire!"
The ceiling above began to crackle and hum as light from the cloudy sky came through, revealing a large planet called Arcane. The planet mythically glowed with rays of colorful neon red, green, and yellow. Arcane loomed ominously close as if threatening to crash onto their planet.
A soldier approached the group and bowed. "Ready for your command my King."
"Proceed as planned," the king said.
Soon after the king gave the order, all the pilots entered their pods. Athena's group went towards the center with seven empty pods. Suddenly her father halted, putting his hands on her shoulders.
"I wish I could come with you, my child, but I cannot for this is your destiny that only you can achieve."
Her heart sank, a heavy weight settling over her.
"Listen closely," he continued. "Take the shuttle to planet Arcane and there you will fulfill the Prophecy of the Celestial Nexus."
"You can't be serious, father! That is all but a myth."
He continued to stare at her, not blinking an eye. "It is real, Athena. And it's starting now."
Her eyes wandered, as she took in his words.
"Look at me…" he said, shaking her gently. "You must find the Prismatic Monarch - only then will you find your answers."
A prophecy… on planet Arcane? she thought to herself. She stared up at the eerie planet, struggling to grasp his words. It felt like a dream—sudden, and unreal. There was no time to plan, no time to prepare. There had to be another way.
"No! I'm not leaving you!" she cried, twisting in his grasp. But it was useless. His hold tightened as he pushed her toward the waiting shuttle.
"Athena!" He stopped, locking eyes with her. His face was etched with pain, but his voice remained firm.
"The fate of this world depends on you."
Athena's protests died on her lips as she saw the terror in her father's eyes. She nodded.
"Take this," he said, placing a small box in her hand. "You will know what to do with this when the time comes."
Then her father turned to talk to the Six Renown Knights.
"My knights," he said.
"My king!" they all responded in unison as they fell on one knee and bowed their heads.
"The six of you will accompany the princess on her journey to find the Prismatic Monarch. I trust you all will protect my daughter."
"With my life, Your Majesty," they simultaneously responded.
Athena's eyes widened in disbelief. Six of the most prestigious knights had come solely for her protection. What kind of danger could possibly warrant such a formidable escort? Her father must have deemed the threat incredibly serious. As she gazed at the knights, their imposing figures and determined expressions filled her with a mix of awe and apprehension. She couldn't help but wonder what kind of peril awaited her.
Suddenly, a flurry of activity erupted on the other side of the hangar. Seven shuttles lifted off in rapid succession, disappearing into the sky. A few minutes later, another group of seven followed suit, flying in the opposite direction. This pattern continued for some time as hundreds of shuttles awaited their turn.
It became apparent that these seven shuttles were merely decoys, designed to mimic the appearance and flight path of the six knights and Athena. Their purpose was to draw attention away from the actual group, creating confusion and making it harder for any observers or pursuers to identify the real targets. This strategy of using decoys highlights the careful planning and emphasis on misdirection to protect the main group and ensure the success of their mission.
A moment of realization washed over Athena, and she turned to her father, her heart heavy. "I love you, Father." She pulled him into a tight embrace. "Thank you for everything."
Her father stood silently, his gaze fixed on her face. In that moment, a lifetime of love and sacrifice passed between them.
Athena turned and hurried into the shuttle. However, as soon as she stepped in, a large explosion tore into the hangar above. Flames and smoke lit up the sky as the flying shuttles were obliterated, raining fiery debris around them. The screams of twisting metal were drowned out by the chaos, then, without warning, the ground beneath them erupted violently. The sheer force of the blast flung everyone backward like ragdolls, sending the king crashing into Athena's pod, and the shuttles meant for the Renowned Knights were completely destroyed.
A cloud of smoke enveloped the battlefield, reducing the world to shadows and ash. For a moment, there was only a thick, oppressive silence.
Before anyone could regain their footing, an immense surge of energy burst forth from the epicenter of the explosion. The ground trembled beneath the weight of the surge, and an unbearable pressure bore down on them all. In an instant, every single person in the area fell. Every soldier, knight, and civilian collapsed, unconscious under the crushing force of the energy. Only the Renowned Knights, King Raphael, and Athena remained standing, their bodies frozen but trembling as they fought against the overwhelming power.
Then, as the smoke began to dissipate, a figure emerged at the heart of a massive crater. A masked man in a long, blood-red cloak stood tall, and a black, menacing aura emanated around his body like heat from a fire.
Athena's heart dropped as he stared past everyone, focusing his gaze directly at her. She felt the weight of that stare like a blade against her throat, and she knew, with bone-deep certainty—he had come for her.