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Hidden on the edge of chaos, Kai shifted back to his natural form. Flames and smoke licked at the sky as Katori men and women battled against an enemy set on their destruction. The scene unfolded, and he suddenly realized there was a new decision to make. The enemy was a mix of Diu and Milnos men fighting together—coordinated, seasoned soldiers. Half of them were his own people.
The battle made him sick. How could Diu attack innocent women and children? He watched a Milnos warrior scoop up a young child as her mother pounded his back, and the man ran her through with his sword. How could his men, Diu men, allow such atrocities?
Kai momentarily froze, torn by his loyalty to both sides. Rayna said something, but the devastation stole his focus, and her words faded into the background. Along the ground, something brushed his ankles. Deep green vines scurried up the trees concealing their location. He turned to look at her.
“It is hard to watch, but we cannot hide. I cannot fight against Diu, but I cannot stand by while my Katori family gets slaughtered. I know what I need to do.” He motioned to the green curtain of ivy.
Rayna moved the vines to create an opening. Before they got far, Kempery-man Dresnor and Captain Drew came into view. Their swords lashed at their assailants with fury and determination. His men were fighting with the Katori villagers. “Look, Dresnor and Drew fight for Katori. Why?” Kai asked, more to himself than Rayna. “See if you can find a bow to fight with, but be careful.”
Kai darted into the fray and scooped up the first sword he could find. The fallen Milnos weapon was well-balanced but heavy, and the steal was brightly polished with nary a nick to its edge. Angry embers danced, spreading the flames to three mounds of hay. Women ran for cover with small children wrapped in their arms, while other women battled alongside the men. Arrows flew overhead dropping two Milnosian soldiers and Kai looked back to see Rayna nod as she notched another arrow.
A Milnos man twice his size charged at Kai with sword drawn. Flames reflected off the warrior’s silver-and-black raven armor. Sweat and blood dripped from the man’s bristly face. With speed and experience, Kai pivoted clear of the sword swipe. A smile curled the corner of the Milnos man’s lip. “You have skill, little Katori trash. No matter, I will beat you into submission. Join the others in chains, or I will kill you here and now.” The man spat in the mud. “And I do you hope you chose the latter.”
Unmoved, Kai let the man take the lead. The first strike came swiftly, but Kai deflected, studying the man’s stance and recovery. Each powerful blow came heavy and fierce; anger grew in the man’s eyes as Kai bested him. The Milnos warrior’s frustration began to show, and he pressed harder, a move Kai knew would be the man’s undoing. Within moments, the larger man overstepped, giving Kai his opening to dispatch him with his dagger.
More Milnos soldiers charged from the left, and Kai ran in their direction, avoiding the Diu men on the right. Moving from man to man, Kai outsmarted men twice his age with ease. His Katori speed and years of training left these men helpless to defend themselves.
As the rain started, Kai felt magic lift the hair on the back of his neck. It was an unnatural rain, but he was thankful it slowed the progress of the fire. Across the battlefield, he spotted five Katori Guardians, Mekael and Gail among them. Their skill unequaled, they left a trail of bodies in their wake; soldiers from Diu and Milnos alike were cut down. While they outwardly used no obvious magic, Kai sensed the occasional burst of energy from them.
With a clear opening, Kai joined his men. “Fancy meeting you here,” Kai shouted, taking on two Milnos soldiers trying to flank Dresnor. “What is happening?”
Dresnor swapped blows with his opponent. “I told you, Nola has men searching for you. When I tried to explain, they called me a liar and a traitor.” Another man charged Dresnor and pulled him into the heat of battle.
Drew continued. “Regent Maxwell ordered this forest cleared on behalf of Queen Nola. These men claimed you were dead since no one had seen you for months!”
Kai continued to fight but shuttered at the fact this was his fault. It was clear the battle was under Milnos leadership, but the Diu men fought with fury. And, why not? They thought their Prince was dead; they would most certainly fight without hesitation. Somehow, Kai needed to get their attention. It was the only way to stop the carnage.
After a quick scan of the periphery, Kai spotted the men in charge: Five riders set away from the battle, their uniforms spotless and decorated with metals. With them stood two flag bearers, one Diu and one Milnos—the man with a horn. “I am going to put a stop to this,” Kai shouted to Dresnor. At least until he heard Davi scream, “Naia, look out!”
Kai turned to see a brut of a man charging Naia, Davi’s wife. Her small stature was no match for this rugged soldier. She deflected the first two blows with her sword, but the man’s force knocked her to the ground. Kai did not hesitate; he sucked at the air and held it tight. The perception of time slowed to a crawl and the air thickened. Barely affected by the alteration, Kai raced across the village center, pushing against time.
The Milnosian’s sword swung slow and steady; the man was ready to strike Naia’s defenseless form. It did not matter to Kai who or what anyone saw; he used every ounce of speed he had to traverse the field and
