Amidst the grandeur of the palace, the clash of steel and cries of battle echoed through the halls as the newly freed Thorenzians clashed with their Vylonian oppressors. The air was heavy with the weight of their struggle – one side fighting for their long-denied freedom, the other desperate to maintain their ironclad rule over their former slaves.
The Shield, a formidable force in their own right, joined the ranks of the Thorenzians in their fight for liberation. Their eyes were fixed on Princess Athena as she advanced, her fierce determination an inspiration to all who witnessed her might.
"Athena shows no signs of slowing down! Everyone, follow her lead!" Valerus commanded, his voice ringing with conviction.
Princess Alexandra, her brow furrowed with concern, spoke up. "But what about our people? We're the only Thorenzians capable of wielding Hera right now!"
Valerus, his gaze unwavering, replied, "The Vylonians they face aren't Hera users either. Our people will persevere – we must trust in their strength."
As the battle raged on, Luisa suddenly diverged from the group, her change in course catching the attention of the others.
"Luisa, where are you going?" Valerus called out, his voice tinged with worry.
"I'm the only one among us who can break these chains, right?" Luisa replied, her voice steady and resolute. "I'm going to release those who were arrested, locked up, and those about to be used as test subjects."
Princess Alexandra, moved by Luisa's compassion and strength, walked up to her and spoke softly. "I never got to meet my parents, but I see you as my mother now. Thank you for everything you've done for us, mother."
A warm smile spread across Luisa's lips as she took in the young princess's words. "You're so sweet, Alexandra. Hearing someone who isn't my daughter call me mother makes me happy. I cherish the time we've spent together and I look forward to a future filled with laughter." Turning to the rest of the group, she continued, "I will be fine. You must all take care as well."
"Yes, mother," the Shield chorused, their voices brimming with emotion. "We are your children now!"
Tears streamed down Luisa's cheeks as she shared a final smile with her newfound family before walking away.
No sooner had Luisa departed than flames rained down from above, scattering the Thorenzians as they desperately sought refuge.
"What in the...?" Princess Alexandra gasped, her eyes wide with shock.
The ground beneath their feet began to shift and crumble, throwing everyone off balance as water bullets assailed them from every direction.
"Who's there?!" Valerus shouted, his voice ringing with authority.
A series of voices called out in response, each one introducing themselves with a name that echoed their strength: Tight, Dynamite, Light, Kite, Bright, Might, Wright, and Rite.
"And we," Tight declared, a devilish grin playing at his lips, "are the White Knights. Nice to meet you."
Valerus, his eyes locked on the White Knights, couldn't help but feel a sense of dread as he muttered, "Damn it! To think the White Knights would make their move now... This couldn't have come at a worse time."
Thane nodded in agreement, sharing Valerus's frustration.
Orion, however, wore a smirk on his lips. "Things just got a lot more interesting," he remarked, relishing the challenge ahead.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Valerus called out to the Shield, "We don't have time to play games with these guys! Take them down quickly so we can join Princess Athena as soon as possible!"
"Right!" the Shield responded in unison, their resolve unwavering.
Tight, the leader of the White Knights, couldn't help but sneer at Valerus's command. "Quickly? As soon as possible? Don't make me laugh. More than anything, I despise being taken for granted. You treat us like mere foot soldiers, and that's a grave mistake."
Kite chimed in, a menacing smile on his face, "Besides, you're vastly outnumbered."
Isolde's eyes narrowed, her expression turning serious as she snapped, "What?"
As if in sync with the White Knights, the Thorenzians afflicted with Kraelosis suddenly lost control, their minds consumed by the ravages of the disease. Driven to madness, they began to attack their fellow Thorenzians, their once-allied bonds shattered by the cruel effects of the virus.
"What's wrong with them?" Princess Alexandra questioned, her voice tinged with concern and confusion.
Rite, his tone taunting, asked, "Haven't you heard of Kraelosis?"
Princess Alexandra gnashed her teeth in irritation, the situation taking a turn for the worse.
Might offered an explanation. "The former Queen, Luisa, was a victim four years ago. We're not sure how she survived, but the virus is said to claim the lives of its victims within a year."
Tight, seizing the opportunity, continued, "That's not all. Before their demise, the patients could lose their minds and become nothing more than mindless beasts."
One of the rampaging Thorenzians charged at the Shield, but Orion stood his ground, ready to defend his allies.
"Orion, don't hurt them!" Valerus ordered, his voice firm.
Orion, a smirk on his face, replied, "As long as they don't kill me first."
With the stage set for a tense confrontation, Tight declared, "Let's begin. What will you do? Focus on the Kraelosis patients, and we'll strike you down. Focus on us, and your own comrades might tear you apart. How does it feel to be caught in such a predicament?"
Valerus's eyes blazed with fury as he stared down the White Knights, his disgust evident in his gaze.
Just as the situation seemed to reach its breaking point, thin needles rained down like arrows, piercing the necks of the Kraelosis patients and causing them to collapse one by one.
A male voice called out from the palace entrance, "Just in time." A large group of warriors stood at his side, their presence a beacon of hope amidst the chaos.
Thane, taking in the sight of these mysterious newcomers, asked, "Who are they?"
The stranger, his voice echoing across the battlefield, shouted, "Yo! You must be the Shield, right?"
Valerus, demanding answers, called out, "Who are you guys?"
A small smile played on the young man's lips as he introduced himself. "My name is Banabas el Zoranda, and we are from the el Zoranda clan! The blood of Thorenzia flows through our veins. We're not too late to join the party, are we?"
Princess Alexandra's eyes widened in shock as she registered the name of the clan before them. "The El Zoranda Clan? You mean the descendants of the legendary Nathaniel el Zoranda? The only Thorenzian to have won the Royal Mercy Championship and defeated the final opponent chosen by the Emperor himself? He was set free afterward, never to be seen again."
Banabas, a proud smile on his face, confirmed, "That's right."
The Shield exchanged shocked glances, their minds reeling at the revelation.
Valerus, his eyes darting between the El Zoranda clan and the ongoing battle, questioned, "How did you know about our plan to wage war against the Vylonians?"
Banabas, his tone matter-of-fact, replied, "Luisa informed us. She visited us once, relaying the information she received from Lord Ozan."
The Shield, overcome with gratitude for Luisa's unwavering support, broke down in tears. Their hearts swelled with appreciation for the woman who had brought them together and fought tirelessly for their freedom.
"You can go on ahead," Banabas said, offering a reassuring nod. "Leave this place to us."
Valerus, his eyes locked on Banabas, voiced his concern. "Hey, Banabas, I'm grateful for your help, but there's an ability known as Hera..."
Before Valerus could finish his warning, Tight launched an attack using water Hera. With lightning-fast reflexes, Banabas dashed past the Shield and unleashed a devastating counterattack, striking Tight down with a powerful burst of lightning.
Banabas, a satisfied smile playing at his lips, turned to Valerus. "You were saying?"
Valerus, his curiosity piqued, questioned, "How did you learn to wield Hera?"
"Luisa taught us," Banabas replied, his pride evident.
"Us?" Valerus repeated, his eyes widening in disbelief.
As if on cue, twenty members of the El Zoranda clan surged forward, displaying a breathtaking array of elemental powers. Water, fire, earth, and lightning danced through the air as they brought down the White Knights with astonishing ease.
"Yes, us," Banabas confirmed, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes. "Go on ahead, and leave this area to us."
Valerus, a determined look on his face, called out, "Alright, guys! Let's go!"
"Right!" the Shield echoed in unison, their voices filled with renewed vigor.
As they dashed in the direction Princess Athena had taken, Valerus's thoughts turned to their beloved comrade. "Athena, don't worry about anything. We're your family now! We will bear your burdens with you!"
With the fate of their people and the future of Thorenzia hanging in the balance, the Shield raced forward, their hearts pounding with anticipation and their spirits unwavering.