Blossom slowly walked through the empty corridor, her footsteps echoing off the walls. Her friends walked beside her, making significantly less noise. She was lost in thought and didn't pay much attention to how she was walking. She hadn't wanted to leave James, but she didn't have a choice. She knew she didn't, yet she got a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach every time she thought about James facing King Jonathan alone.

"Are you okay?" Adrian asked her gently. She looked up at him, trying not to let her emotions show through the mask of indifference she had perfected over the years.

"I am perfectly fine," She said as calmly as she could.

"You are not," Adrian said, sighing. "You're emotions have become more clear since you and James have become a couple. But here's the thing. I know for a fact that James will come through triumphant. I have known him for quite some time. Not as long as you have, but that is one reason why I am so confused that you can't see it. Skill doesn't diminish over time. He is still very skilled. You may not see it, even though he has thrown a few fights, but trust me when I say that he will win."

Blossom instantly felt better at Adrian's reassuring words, but then her expression darkened.

"What do you mean he threw a few fights?" She demanded.

"You don't think you actually managed to beat him, do you?" Adrian asked with a smile. "James let you win, because he has had feelings for you since before the Academy. He didn't really want to win so he let you win. I have seen him fight against others. You have, too. He is a demon on the battlefield, but since you always beat him, it was natural that you saw him as less skilled than you."

Blossom said nothing as Adrian fell silent. She was lost in thought about James again. He let her win? Impossible. But now that she thought about it, he did seem like he was holding back. But just a bit.

"Uh, guys?" Natalie said in a low voice. "Should we really be talking? We don't know who is around us."

"Yes, you don't know who is around you indeed," a deep voice laughed. "Like me for example. I could hear you a mile away."

The group looked every which way, trying to find the source of the voice. No one was around, but they heard echoing laughter bouncing off the walls.

"Who are you?" Amy cried in a higher than normal voice. "Show yourself."

"Oh how rude of me," The voice intoned. "I guess I can drop in for bit."

"Above us," Adrian cried and the group dodged different ways. A figure wearing chainmail landed where the group stood a moment ago, his sword splitting the stone floor as it had stabbed to where Blossom had been standing. Laughing again, the soldier yanked his sword free and rose to his full height. He stood about seven feet tall and was very muscular. His chain mail was thick and he wore a helmet that covered his entire face. His sword was a 2-handed broadsword that looked capable to decapitate a dragon if given the chance.

"Allow me to introduce myself," the man said. "My name is Brandon Le. I am an elite guard of the king. Trained in the art of swordplay since I was old enough to wield a sword. You are trespassers in this castle. It is my duty to take care of trespassers. Prepare yourself."

Brandon twirled his sword like a baton and raised it in a ready position. Adrian cursed. The only person skilled enough to take out a soldier like Brandon would be Blossom. They all knew it. Blossom sighed and stepped forward, drawing her sword out of her scabbard.

"I guess I will be your opponent," she said, rolling her eyes. "But can we make this quick? I am here on a rescue mission. I don't want to fight every guard that gets in our way."

Her easy attitude enraged Brandon and he stepped forward menacingly.

"I am not an ordinary guard," he said. "I am an..."

"Elite guard, yada yada yada," Blossom mumbled loud enough for him to hear. "I heard you the first time. Sheesh. Big enough ego?"

Yelling in rage, Brandon rushed at her and delivered a powerful chop that would have split her open had she not dodged at the last moment. Brandon was big and powerful, but that would slow him down. Blossom had speed and agility on her side. She would be counting on it to win. She had to win. If she didn't... Brooklin would be lost forever.

James faced King Jonathan. The tension in the air was thick. Neither one moved, both had their swords at the ready. James gritted his teeth as he glared at the king. Likewise, the king glared back. Still, neither one moved.

"Make your move, boy." The king growled through clenched teeth.

"You first, old man." James shot back. The king's glare increased in intensity. Then, he decided that he was done waiting. He launched himself in the air, surprisingly able to cover the distance in that leap, and swung his sword downward. James raised his own sword just in time to block it and kicked out with his foot, sending the king staggering back. Then he stabbed at Jonathan's middle, attempting to stab through his belly, but the king slapped James' blade away with his own.

The sound of clanging and clashing rang throughout the throne room and James and Jonathan traded blows and blades. James swiped his sword low, and Jonathan jumped over the blade. Jonathan landed on the blade itself, forcing it to the ground and then stabbed his own blade at James' neck. James let go of the hilt of his blade and rolled sideways, coming up with a kick to Jonathan's side. Jonathan stumbled sideways, his foot coming off James' sword. James snatched up his sword and faced King Jonathan again.

Snarling, Jonathan swung his sword in a feint to the right and when James went to block it, altered the sword's course and slashed a gash in his right side. James cried out in pain and retaliated with a kick to Jonathan's private area. However, Jonathan was wearing extra padding, so the impact was dulled. Even so, Jonathan doubled over in pain. James followed up with a diagonal slash at the shoulder, succeeding in cleaving Jonathan's arm off. Jonathan howled in pain and grabbed the stump of his shoulder which was now spewing blood.

James was so focused on Jonathan that he didn't hear the throne room door open or the footsteps of someone approaching. When James went to stab the king through the heart, he felt a dull thud in the back of his head, and his world went black.

Blossom swung her sword at Brandon in an attempt to finish the fight quickly. Brandon managed to parry it, gasping for air. His muscles were drenched in sweat and he was slowing down. Blossom however, was drawing energy from her magic gem, rejuvenating her body and mind as she fought. Brandon swung his sword at her, but the aim was unfocused and his swing was slow. Stepping back, she nodded and Natalie stepped forward to take charge.

Natalie lashed out with a kick that sent Brandon flying backwards to land on his back. Then, she walked over to him, grabbed him, and flipped him onto his stomach so she could twist his arm behind his back.

"You are gonna answer our questions," She said into his ear. "Where is Brooklin?"

"I won't tell you a damn thing," Brandon panted. Natalie just smiled.

"Not the answer I want to hear," She said lightly and twisted his arm up further. Brandon screamed in pain.

"Where is she?" Natalie asked again in a slightly harder voice.

"She's in the dungeon," Brandon cried. "The dungeon. Cell Block B in the special prisoners sector. Please let me go."

"Let you go?" Natalie questioned in disbelief? "I don't think so. You will just make trouble for us later. I am afraid we can't allow that."

"Please," Brandon whispered. "Don't kill me."

"Some elite guard," Amy said with a laugh, stepping forward. "Won't even accept his death with dignity."

"I have had enough of him," Adrian said, annoyed at Brandon's snifflings. Stepping forward, he stabbed his sword through Brandon's head and into his brain. Brandon immediately went still and Adrian pulled his sword out and wiped it on his sleeve.

"Let's go," Natalie said cheerfully and they continued down the hallway. Amy took a last look at Brandon's body and then shuddered as she tried to shake the image out of her head. Turning away, she saw that the rest of the group had already walked ahead. She ran to catch up to Blossom. Blossom's thoughts turned to James and how he was doing. They had to find Brooklin soon so she could run to his aid. She had a feeling he needed her. She didn't know how, but she knew.