Chapter 6: The First Battle

“There’s the signal fire,” Leda announced, pulling her cloak tighter around her shoulders.

Paul frowned as he watched the flames grow higher. The seer’s vision held true, giving the Resistance just a little more than a day to prepare. He knew that he should feel grateful.

None of them seemed to have had found rest in the night. Cassandra stayed in Ulei’s garden. Whether she had been mediating or merely preparing herself for the fight, Paul wasn’t sure. Leda had tossed and turned, keeping him up all night as well.

“We had better take our places, Paul. It will be time soon.”

He took her hand and briefly kissed her knuckles. The affectionate gesture earned him the first real smile from her he had seen in days. “I guess we shouldn’t keep them waiting.”

* * * * *

Brenan watched Rami step up to edge of the ridge above them. He took comfort in the lady’s presence. He knew that she would do everything she could to help the fighters stationed below her.

Rami took aim, signaling the arrival of the Empire’s troops. She quickly dropped most of the first wave with her arrows. But some still got through.

He was just fine with clean-up. Brenan grinned as he looked over at his partner. “Ready for some excitement?”

“Always,” Edoru replied. He drew his swords, the blades hissing from their sheaths.

Brenan grew serious as he formed a flame ball in his hand. “Just remember to try to pace yourself. This will probably be a long fight.”

* * * * *

Iphigenia threw a series of charms, trying to give the others a much needed break. She knew that she needed it as well. It has been a while since she had faced this kind of battle.

“They’re regrouping!” Evna called.

It wasn’t the break the Guardian had hoped for.

“Get ready!” Iphigenia ordered.

Evna produced her next batch of throwing knives. With a grunt, Autino wiped the blades of his axe on the grass, but it did little to clean his weapon. The Guardian pulled her boomerang from her belt.

They didn’t have to wait long.

The men of the Empire surged forward. They appeared like a wave, threatening to overwhelm the small force of the Resistance. The Guardian knew she couldn’t let that happen.

With a yell, Iphigenia let her boomerang fly. Most of the front line fell. She caught the weapon and sent it out again, hoping to reduce the number further.

She wondered if the others were facing such odds.

* * * * *

A flare of light briefly blinded Ren. When he’s vision cleared, he realized that Monea had cleared the area around her. But there were plenty of enemy warriors ready to fill the gap.

Ren furiously sliced his way to her, ignoring Esthen’s call to stay back. As he got closer to her, he knew that he had made the right decision. The open, bleeding wounds on Monea’s hands indicated how much she had relied on her powers in the battle.

The Guardian resorted to smaller bursts, taking out a few soldiers at a time. The seemingly endless supply of enemies again pressed forward. A weary Monea kept fighting.

It felt like an eternity before Ren finally got to her. She whirled to attack. However, when she realized it was him, she halted and gave him a weary smile.

“I thought you could use some help,” he stated.

“Really? What gave you that idea?” She reached up and blasted a pair of soldiers that he hadn’t realized were behind him.

“Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” She turned to face more soldiers. “And I’m glad you came to help, Ren.”

As he resumed fighting, he was glad he did, too.

* * * * *

Dido muttered the spell quickly, impatiently waiting for the portal to form. She had performed this trick a few times earlier with the battle, trying to decrease the number of enemy soldiers. She was reluctant to use it again, but she didn’t have a lot of options.

The portal finally appeared. With a wave of her arm, she sent it flying toward the Empire’s soldiers. They were quickly engulfed and disappeared.

“Where did you send them this time?” Scylla called.

Since the twins always fought well together, Cassandra had paired them up. There were no members of the Resistance to back them up. They were just fine with that.

“Neva Culnu,” Dido answered. ‘At least I think so.’

She didn’t need Scylla to say that the city wasn’t that far from where they were. However, Dido’s use of the portals was becoming more and more inaccurate as the battle continued. While she had no love for the Empire or its warriors, she refused to spill blood needlessly.

Two soldiers charged at her. The Tear Drop Glaive hissed through the air and the soldiers fell. Dido quickly went on to the next group of attackers.

She refused to spill blood needlessly. However, she would do it. Duty demanded it.

* * * * *

“Dragon Degradation!”

For the first time in the battle, there were no new soldiers to replace the fallen ones. A glance at Paul told her that he had realized it too. With fresh vigor, they continued fighting.

‘We’re actually going to win,’ the princess thought. The small hope that she had kept hidden from herself flared to life. ‘We’re going to win.’

* * * * *

Sailor Europa dropped to her knees as Dido sent the last of the remaining soldiers to some unknown destination. She had never felt so exhausted in her life. With a sigh, she transformed out of her sailor form.

“Elara, are you all right?”

The weary healer nodded as she looked up at Scylla. “I’m fine.”

“Do you think you can stand?”

She matched the Guardian’s amused grin. “That may take more effort than I have energy for at the moment.”

“It looks like some of us didn’t fare so well in the battle,” Dido stated, glancing as a group of the Resistance fighters. “We need to regroup.”

Scylla nodded. “You’re right. This isn’t over yet.”


The First Battle “There’s the signal fire,” Leda announced, pulling her cloak tighter around her shoulders. Paul frowned as he watched the flames grow higher. The seer’s vision held true, giving the Resistance just a little more than a day to prepare. He knew that he should feel grateful. None of them seemed to have had found rest in the night. Cassandra stayed in Ulei’s garden. Whether she had been mediating or merely preparing herself for the fight, Paul wasn’t sure. Leda had tossed and turned, keeping him up all night as well. “We had better take our places, Paul. It will be time soon.” He took her hand and briefly kissed her knuckles. The affectionate gesture earned him the first real smile from her he had seen in days. “I guess we shouldn’t keep them waiting.” * * * * * Brenan watched Rami step up to edge of the ridge above them. He took comfort in the lady’s presence. He knew that she would do everything she could to help the fighters stationed below her. Rami took aim, signaling the arrival of the Empire’s troops. She quickly dropped most of the first wave with her arrows. But some still got through. He was just fine with clean-up. Brenan grinned as he looked over at his partner. “Ready for some excitement?” “Always,” Edoru replied. He drew his swords, the blades hissing from their sheaths. Brenan grew serious as he formed a flame ball in his hand. “Just remember to try to pace yourself. This will probably be a long fight.” * * * * * Iphigenia threw a series of charms, trying to give the others a much needed break. She knew that she needed it as well. It has been a while since she had faced this kind of battle. “They’re regrouping!” Evna called. It wasn’t the break the Guardian had hoped for. “Get ready!” Iphigenia ordered. Evna produced her next batch of throwing knives. With a grunt, Autino wiped the blades of his axe on the grass, but it did little to clean his weapon. The Guardian pulled her boomerang from her belt. They didn’t have to wait long. The men of the Empire surged forward. They appeared like a wave, threatening to overwhelm the small force of the Resistance. The Guardian knew she couldn’t let that happen. With a yell, Iphigenia let her boomerang fly. Most of the front line fell. She caught the weapon and sent it out again, hoping to reduce the number further. She wondered if the others were facing such odds. * * * * * A flare of light briefly blinded Ren. When he’s vision cleared, he realized that Monea had cleared the area around her. But there were plenty of enemy warriors ready to fill the gap. Ren furiously sliced his way to her, ignoring Esthen’s call to stay back. As he got closer to her, he knew that he had made the right decision. The open, bleeding wounds on Monea’s hands indicated how much she had relied on her powers in the battle. The Guardian resorted to smaller bursts, taking out a few soldiers at a time. The seemingly endless supply of enemies again pressed forward. A weary Monea kept fighting. It felt like an eternity before Ren finally got to her. She whirled to attack. However, when she realized it was him, she halted and gave him a weary smile. “I thought you could use some help,” he stated. “Really? What gave you that idea?” She reached up and blasted a pair of soldiers that he hadn’t realized were behind him. “Thanks.” “You’re welcome.” She turned to face more soldiers. “And I’m glad you came to help, Ren.” As he resumed fighting, he was glad he did, too. * * * * * Dido muttered the spell quickly, impatiently waiting for the portal to form. She had performed this trick a few times earlier with the battle, trying to decrease the number of enemy soldiers. She was reluctant to use it again, but she didn’t have a lot of options. The portal finally appeared. With a wave of her arm, she sent it flying toward the Empire’s soldiers. They were quickly engulfed and disappeared. “Where did you send them this time?” Scylla called. Since the twins always fought well together, Cassandra had paired them up. There were no members of the Resistance to back them up. They were just fine with that. “Neva Culnu,” Dido answered. ‘At least I think so.’ She didn’t need Scylla to say that the city wasn’t that far from where they were. However, Dido’s use of the portals was becoming more and more inaccurate as the battle continued. While she had no love for the Empire or its warriors, she refused to spill blood needlessly. Two soldiers charged at her. The Tear Drop Glaive hissed through the air and the soldiers fell. Dido quickly went on to the next group of attackers. She refused to spill blood needlessly. However, she would do it. Duty demanded it. * * * * * “Dragon Degradation!” For the first time in the battle, there were no new soldiers to replace the fallen ones. A glance at Paul told her that he had realized it too. With fresh vigor, they continued fighting. ‘We’re actually going to win,’ the princess thought. The small hope that she had kept hidden from herself flared to life. ‘We’re going to win.’ * * * * * Sailor Europa dropped to her knees as Dido sent the last of the remaining soldiers to some unknown destination. She had never felt so exhausted in her life. With a sigh, she transformed out of her sailor form. “Elara, are you all right?” The weary healer nodded as she looked up at Scylla. “I’m fine.” “Do you think you can stand?” She matched the Guardian’s amused grin. “That may take more effort than I have energy for at the moment.” “It looks like some of us didn’t fare so well in the battle,” Dido stated, glancing as a group of the Resistance fighters. “We need to regroup.” Scylla nodded. “You’re right. This isn’t over yet.”


Chapter 7: Regrouping Jupter's Gone