As soon as we appeared in the forest outside of Rullus, I immediately went to take a look at the state of the city. James grabbed me, flying up in the air, and once we were above the trees, we saw it.

Rullus up in smoke, the gate closed leaving nothing for us to be able to get inside. It looks bad, really bad. I looked at the others who flew up too, Riley holding Chimney so he can see.

And I can tell that Chimney is visibly upset.

We land back on the ground. Chimney immediately speaking his mind, "This is bad! How did they get in—"

"Chim, you need to calm down," Violet said to him making the prince look at her. She smiles at him. "We will fix this, we—"

"How?!" Chimney shouted before looking at me. "You heard what Mianite said! There is an army in there—"

I nodded. "Yes, yes there is. But we have to get you to your cousin. If human medicine is unable to save him, maybe some healing magic will," I said making his expression shift from worry and anger to shock.

"Healing magic?" He mumbled.

I nodded. "Healing magic saved me when I was on the brink, and it helped Riley when he got hurt. So...it might save Prince Lucilius as well," I respond. Chimney stared at me for a second before I heard him take a deep breath.

He nods at me. "Y-You're right, sorry. I just...this is a lot to take in," he said.

I nodded, putting my hand on his shoulder to get his attention. "I know, it's fine. But I promise you, we won't let Rullus fall. We will help you reclaim the city," I promised him.

Phil stepped towards us. "After all, you have the Elites on your side. We aren't called the most powerful wizards in Vienna for no reason, Chim," he said making me smile.

I removed my hand from his shoulder. "This is your city, Chimney, this is your home. So, you make the calls here, what do you want us to do?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After sunset, we moved. Chimney wanted to see his cousin, so we decided to try to break into the palace undetected. To at least get a grasp of the situation. And if the palace is overrun, well, then we would have to fight. Overall, the goal is to save Prince Lucilius and as many of the people as we can. The ultimate hope is to reclaim the city, which we have to do.

"Matt, wait," I told him as he tried to grab me so he can fly me over the wall.

"Yeah?"

I looked at him. "Are you sure you can fly me over? The last time I was flying with you, you dropped me," I said.

He nods. "Well, to be fair, we were being attacked by a big dragon at the time," he said. Fair point, but I'm still skeptical.

"You aren't going to drop me again, are you?" I asked him.

He shakes his head. "No! No, I won't! I promise!" He exclaimed. I stared at him for a minute before I just nodded and decided to trust him again. Matthew means well, I know that.

"Alright, let's do this," I said before he flies up, putting his arms under mine and taking me up with him. Riley carrying Kala and Reed carrying Chimney, we flew over the wall, landing in an alley.

Riley went to the entrance, crouching down and putting his hand on the ground. I go behind him, followed by the others as I hear Riley mumble under his breath.

After a moment, he speaks, "I'm counting about 46 hostiles near us. But I'm not sensing any inside the castle nor the palace courtyard. Only humans are inside the castle and courtyard."

That's good. Maybe they closed the gates as soon as the attack started to protect the people. Some good news is always great.

I nodded. "Okay," I mumbled to him in response before freeing Nicholas's staff, holding it in my right hand. "How many innocents are around us?"

"None," Riley said making me smirk.

"Good because this is about to get very unpleasant for them," I said before I walked out of the alley at the confusion of the others.

"Seto! What are you doing?!" I hear them whisper-yell at me.

I tighten my grip on the staff before I get yelled at. "Hey! There's one right there!" A voice shouted.

I look in front of me, seeing the dark mages coming at me. "Arkana limigo," I chanted before the staff glowed green and purple, a giant greenish-purple mage circle appears in the sky before falling onto the ground with me in the center. The dark mages around me suddenly screamed and collapsed onto the ground, unable to move. I smile a bit before looking over at my friends. I point the staff towards them. "Arkana Libera," I chanted, freeing them from the spell.

"W-What the hell?!" A dark mage yelled.

"What spell was that?!"

"No, what magic was that?! That's not circle magic!"

The others come out, looking amazed. "What did you do?" Phil asked me as I noticed that the mage circle that appeared seems to be a combination of two. It is probably mine and Nicholas's mashed together.

I secure the staff across my back yet again. "I actually don't know...but I remember using this spell to save Brice in one of my memories of me having to rescue him from bandits. Come on! Let's get to the castle," I said before we started running. Thankfully, the spell stretch further than I thought, most of the dark mage around us were affected by it so there was no need for fighting. Of course, we will need to fight, but right now, Prince Lucilius is the priority, fighting comes later.

And also, even I know I cannot take on an army of dark mages by myself and win. I'm not that dumb. We will need help in this if we are going to win this city back.

Just as I suspected, the gate to the castle is closed, cutting the palace off from the rest of the city.

"Hello?! Anyone there?! It's Prince Chimney Myllet! Open the gate!" Chimney shouted. Moments later, I saw two heads peer over from the top of the wall.

"It's Prince Chimney!"

"Open the gate!"

Once the gate was open just enough to let us through, they closed it immediately behind us. And without a beat, Chimney was bombarded by guards who were basically all speaking at once in a panic. But while he was handling them, I looked ahead, seeing that the courtyard was crowded with the citizens. Blankets were laid out with soldiers going around and giving out food and water to each one.

My eyes soften. This...This is familiar to me...This scene is, almost like I have seen it before. My thoughts were cut off when I heard Chimney behind me.

"Where's my cousin?" I heard Chimney ask.

"This way sire," a guard said. We followed the guard with urgency. We went to the Prince's chambers, once we entered, Aslac was there as well as two serving girls and a serving boy.

Chimney rushed towards the bed. "Luci!" he exclaimed coming beside Aslac.

"Sire, try not to make him move too much," Aslac said to Chimney. I went to the foot of the bed, my eyes soften upon seeing the sight in front of me.

Lucilius was shirtless with a giant white bandage wrapped around his waist with a red spot staining the fabric over his right side. Blankets rested over his legs, a darken towel resting across his forehead as his skin was paler than his normal tanned complexion. His breathing was ragged, his skin damp from the serving girl probably using water trying to lower a fever most likely.

I looked at Aslac, listening to the explanation of how he got hurt. "He pushed a guard down and got hit with a spell from a mage that was meant for the guard. It was a piercing spell since it went straight through his armor in one hit. He was okayish the first two days, seemed like he was going to make a full recovery until the wound became infected," he explained.

I looked back at Lucilius, seeing his eyes opened up a crack, looking at us, or more at Chimney. "C-Chimney..." he muttered.

Chimney smiled, getting into Lucilius's view so he doesn't have to turn to see him. "Hey, cuz, how you feeling?" he asked. I could tell that Chimney was mad and trying to seem okay for Lucilius's sake. I could see Chimney's hands balled into tight fists behind his back.

Lucilius closed his eyes, not answering but coughing instead.

"It's alright, you don't need to answer. I know," Chimney said before I saw his hand touch Lucilius's arm. "But you need to focus on getting better, you hear me? You have to."

"B-But the city--"

"I can take care of the city," Chimney said as he grabbed Lucilius's shoulders, keeping the injured prince down when he had tried to get up. "You need to rest, you look dead if I'm being honest." I saw Lucilius smile at him. Chimney chuckled lightly, removing his hands from his cousin's shoulders. "I can't lose you too, so please, rest and listen to Aslac. He knows what he is doing."

I see Violet talking to Aslac, probably getting the scope of how bad the prince's injuries are and if healing magic may be needed.

I cross my arms. "How many are injured?" I asked getting Aslac's attention.

"Too many to count, same with the dead. Too many to count. Rullus's knights and guard have been reduced by over half," he said. I sigh, not liking this news. Unfortunately, we cannot get Laenadur's help since that would take too long with how far away the two cities are from each other. I highly doubt aid would make it in time.

"It is only a matter of time before the dark mages come and slaughter the rest of your people. That wooden gate of yours isn't stopping them, they are choosing to ignore the fact the rest of the humans are here and not in the city. And I bet my little spectacle with the Limigo spell has fast-tracked that interest in breaking down the gates," I told them.

Chimney looked at me. "Seto, you're a powerful wizard. Can't you--"

I shake my head. "Whatever it is you are about to ask me, stop it now. I may be powerful, but I would stupid to think I can take on an army of dark mages alone and win. It is true that if the gate were to be broken down, I could hold them from entering the courtyard with a simple shielding spell. I have yet to meet anyone in Vienna that has the power to break through my shield. But to do that would mean removing me from play in retaking the city and I don't know if that is a good idea," I said honestly.

Chimney nods, looking back at his cousin. "Sleep, all of us won't rest until Rullus is back under our control, I promise this to you," he said.

Lucilius let out a ragged breath, cracking open his eyes, looking at Chimney. "Go...I'll b-be okay..." he mumbled. Chimney nods before he looked at Aslac.

"Keep me updated on his condition, I want to know if there is any change," Chimney said.

"Of course, Your Highness," Aslac said before Chimney and the rest of us all leave Lucilius with Aslac and the three servants. We wait out in the hallway, I look out the window that peers out on the city. I frown seeing smoke rising out of from places.

"So what is the plan exactly?" Phil asked.

"We need to do a full sweep of the entire city, no dark mage can be left," Violet said.

"Yes, but how? The city is huge--"

I looked at Chimney. "Chim, how battle-ready are your soldiers against mages?" I asked him.

Chimney sighed. "Not very, the knights have more experience. But most of the soldiers have never seen a mage fight--well until this attack that is," he told me making me frown again. I lean against the wall, thinking.

"You have a plan, Seto?" Reed asked.

I nod a bit. "Yes, but if we are to cover the entire city effectively, we have to split up. Luckily, seven directions, seven wizards are here. Meaning, I cannot stay behind and guard the gate--"

Chimney stepped towards me as he shook his head. "I may not be a wizard, but I can hold my own against one. And so can my knights. I want one of you to stay here and guard the gate, just in case the dark mages decide to start getting interested in breaking it down," he said.

I nod and look at Violet. "Violet, can you guard the gate?" I asked her.

She smiled and nodded. "You can count on me," she said making me smile back at her.

I looked at Chimney. "Who are your knights? How many?" I asked him.

"Why--"

"I want to break off in groups to cover each direction. And each group must have at least one wizard in it. Unfortunately, with Violet covering the gate, one group will not have a wizard. Meaning that the group will have to cover the littlest ground so they have the lowest chance of encountering a mage--"

"Not if I'm in that group," Chimney said. I looked at Chimney.

"Are you sure--"

Chimney rose an eyebrow up at me. "I'm sorry, who saved you from being crushed to death by a golem? I believe that was me," he pointed out making me smile.

"Okay, but take Kala with you, she's great at tracking. She'll be able to sense mages nearby. And she has access to my magic as well, so she can use spells," I told him.

Chimney loses his smile. "Wait, the dog can use magic--"

Kala growled at Chimney making him flinch and look at her. I chuckled. "That dog has a name and it is Kala. And yes she can, we have been practicing whenever we get the chance. She is a familiar after all," I told him with a smile.

"She's pretty good too," Reed said.

I nodded. "Yes, but let's split up into groups."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| *Ten Minutes Later* |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The assigned groups went as followed: Phil will cover the West with three knights, Riley will cover Northwest with three knights, James will cover the East with two knights, Matthew will cover Southeast with four knights, Chimney and Kala have the South with five knights, Reed will cover Northeast with three knights, and I'm covering the North with two knights. Meanwhile, Violet and seven knights are covering the castle gate. I wish there were more knights to spare, but there aren't.

So, in case one of us in trouble, one knight in each group was given a small firework to launch to let the other groups know.

Hopefully, no one will be having much trouble, but I'm not going to act like this won't be hard. There is an army of dark mages that have invaded the city. And with being in the middle of the night, it will be harder to spot mages. But it will be easier to see spells.

With me are two knights; Simon Lane and Lewis Brindley.

They are good friends with both of the princes and are skilled. Simon is great with a double-edge battleaxe while Lewis is great with a sword. And I had overheard them talking about something called Yogscast, but whatever. That is their business.

The three of us went out, slowing down to a stop. I held Nicholas's staff in my hand again, knowing that I'll probably need it. I look to my right, hearing fighting has already started.

"Are we sure about this? There are only three of us--"

I hear Simon chuckle. "Come on, Lewis, live a little. Apparently, the mister wizard here is very powerful which is why most of the knights went to the other wizards. Prince Chimney said he is like a one-man army, or is at least supposed to be," the knight said.

I glanced at the two. "My shielding spell has yet to find someone or something that can break it. So, I will try to protect you two the best I can. And I recommend staying behind me, my spells can be quite unpleasant and destructive on those I target," I told them. I see Lewis nod.

"Duly noted," he said. I smile a bit before I focus on the area around us, trying to sense a mage nearby. I stopped walking, hearing something. Simon and Lewis stop, readying themselves. I grip my staff, my eyes shifting to the left.

"Arkana Ŝildo," I chanted making a purple mage circle appear to my left, covering both Lewis and me seconds before a dark magic spell appeared coming barreling straight at us. The spell hit the shield, crashing into a building. I heard a whispered swear making me smirk a bit. "I'll have you know, dark mage, it isn't easy to seek up on me."

"You must be that wizard friend of the Fyre Brothers, the one from another dimension. It would explain why your magic presence feels so foreign and powerful," a voice spoke before a man came out of the shadows of an alley. I turn halfway towards them.

"Correct."

The mage chuckled. "I heard you paralyzed fifty dark mages with one spell that didn't even drain you in the slightest," he said.

Simon looked at me. "You did that?"

I smiled a bit at him. "How do you think Chim, I, and the others got into the castle?" I asked him before looking at the mage. "I wouldn't say it was fifty, but it was a lot. And why would I get drained from a novice-level spell? I'm not incompetent you know."

"Yes, but don't you have amnesia? That should affect your ability to cast spells--"

Okay, now I feel annoyed. I narrowed my eyes at the mage. "Tsk, Arkana Fajreksplodo," I chanted making another mage circle appear in front of me. The circle glowed, letting out an explosive ball of fire that rushed out at the dark mage. The mage gasped and scrambled to get out of the way but couldn't in time. The ball of fire struck the wall directly beside the mage, killing the mage and creating a giant hole in the wall as well as a small crater in the ground. I looked at Lewis and Simon seeing they looked stunned.

"Is your amnesia a sore spot?" Simon asked me.

I paused for a moment. "Yes," I simply answered. "I...don't like talking about nor do I like anyone else talking about it unless they are my friends."

"Alright, noted," Lewis said sounding nervous. I looked at the two knights, my eyes soften at the two.

"Guys, I won't hurt you--"

"I know, I just...didn't expect that is all," Lewis cut me off.

Simon popped his knuckles. "Come on, let's get to work!" he exclaimed making me smile a bit and nod.

Over the next hour and a half, the three of us encountered a lot of mages and due to our teamwork, were able to take every single one of them out together. Fortunately, we are close to finishing the North side since I can tell that Lewis and Simon are exhausted but are trying to hide it from me. Meaning, it is time for me to step up more so they can have a break.

I quickly drew my sword, slashing it into a dark mage's stomach making them stop their spell. As they collapsed to their knees holding their gut behind me, Simon came and ended their life with his axe.

I put my hand out in front of me as I see five dark mages heading straight towards us. "Arkana Malŝarĝa" --I started chanting before a purple mage circle appeared in front of me which grew in size before it glowed-- "Trado," I finished making the circle glow again as a gust of wind blasted out and a thick purple beam shot out from the circle, piercing straight through three of them. Once it hit the ground, it shook but nothing as bad as Phil's earth magic can cause, a divet of sorts carved itself into the stoned road.

I lowered my hand, seeing the two mages look at their dead friends and the divet I caused. "Do you know what magic is that?! I've never seen magic like this!" I heard one of them tell their friend.

"I don't know. This isn't circle magic, it's different, it's deadlier almost. And I've never heard of the language he is speaking, it isn't any wizarding language I know!" the other said.

"We can't take him head on, he is way too strong for us. Who knows what other surprises he has up his sleeve," one said.

"Agreed--"

I smiled a bit. "Are you two done?" I asked them making them flinch and look at me.  "Good." I lift my hand towards the two, but before I could chant a spell, one of them spoke.

They put their hands up. "Wait! Tell me, what magic are you using?! This isn't circle magic and--"

I smirked a bit. "And why would I tell a dead man my secrets?" I questioned.

"He has you there," the other said.

"Arkana Velkilo," I chanted making a black rash of sorts quickly spread on their skin making them scream until they disintegrated. Well, that was gruesome.

I tense up suddenly when I felt a dizzy spell overwhelm me. I stepped back, touching my head as Lewis grabbed me from behind, keeping me steady.

"Whoa there, you okay, Seto?" he asked me.

I nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine. That spell just made me dizzy for some reason," I spoke honestly. Why did that make me dizzy? I need to look closer at that spell. It must be a higher-level spell. For now, avoid using that spell until I know more about it.

I better use Nicholas's staff since I think I'm nearing my limit. I know I have a lot of mana left in me, but energy wise, I'm running low on that. The problem with Arcane spells is that they use both mana and energy and I usually run out of energy before I run out of magic. And with me having a familiar who is also using spells, that drains me faster.  I stood up straight, sheathing my sword and taking out Nicholas's staff from the red cloth.

"Wait, look," Simon said making me look up at the sky, seeing dark mages retreating. I sigh, glad they are turning tail and running. I don't think I have the energy in me to keep this up much longer.

'Kala,' I spoke in our mental link to her.

After a few seconds, she replies, 'You okay? Your presence is weaker.'

I smiled a bit at her concern. 'I'm fine, just running low on energy right now. Try not to use any more spells, could you? I don't want to pass out,' I told her.

'Gotcha,' she replied before our link went silent.

I was able to put Nicholas's staff on my back again until I heard a loud crash from behind us. The three of us turned around. My eyes widen seeing the palace gates were broken down.

"No!" Simon exclaimed.

"Stay here and search the area for stragglers! I'll go!" I told the two before I took off running towards the castle.

Come on, Violet, I know you can do this. Hang in there.

Wait! I aim Nicholas's staff downwards behind me. "Arkana ekvento!" I chanted before I jumped up, a gust of wind blasting the ground under me making me take off into the sky. "AH!" I yelped in shock that it actually worked because I didn't think it would.

As soon as I'm in the air, I notice there are ten dark mages at the gate. Yeah, Violet needs help! Once I land...more like crash land really, I pulled out my sword, stabbing one of the mages in the middle of their back, killing them instantly. I yanked my sword out, pushing them aside.

Violet, using her water magic, sliced two down but was hit by a spell and knocked down. I throw a shield up in front of her, stopping another spell that would have hit her. "Ligi," I chanted making the chains that once held the gate's mechanism break off and bind themselves around the remaining dark mages, trapping them. I put my sword in my other hand with the staff, lifting my free hand towards the mages. "Arcana Magia Drenilo," I chanted. A purple mage circle appeared right before the mages started to glow, streams of magic suddenly shot towards the circle from them.

As soon as the spell was done, I instantly collapsed to my hands and knees, unable to stand anymore as I gasped for air.

"Seto!" Violet exclaimed coming down to me. She grabbed me. "Are you okay?!"

I smile and nodded. "Y-Yeah, just...let's not d-do that spell anymore. It completely drained m-me of my energy," I told her. I have been using spells nonstop for the past hour and a half, it makes sense I'm so out of breath. Hopefully, this is all over because any more, and I'm certain that I will pass out.

"B-But you still have mana--"

I shake my head. "Arcane magic uses both mana and the energy our bodies produce. I can't c-cast spells without both. And I'm drained of energy..." I told her. Violet looked over her shoulder at the passed out dark mages.

"What did you do to them?" she asked.

"Drained them completely of whatever m-magic they had left which drained me completely of a-all the energy I had left in me," I told her. She looked at me alarmed.

I felt her grip tighten on me. "Promise me you won't do that ever again. If that spell drains you so badly, I don't want you using it--"

"But--"

She grabbed my shoulders, pushing me back to look at her. "Promise me, Seto!" she shouted.

I stared at her for a minute and sighed in defeat. I nodded. "A-Alright, I promise," I said.

She smiles slightly. "Can you walk?" she asked me.

I shake my head. "No, I-I don't think I can even stand up," I told her honestly.

"So you are the Arcane Wizard? Seto, right?" a voice asked making me look past Violet, seeing a dark mage stood in the gateway. Violet looked at them.

"Yeah, w-who are you?" I asked.

"Oh, I'm sorry, here let me introduce myself. I'm Mikeal, I was ordered to bring you to Rodor alive. I can tell that you are out of energy, so bringing you in will be a piece of cake," Mikeal said.

Rodor? Wait, Rodor is the leader of the Dark Mages! This guy must be the one in charge of this attack on Rullus!

Violet stood in front of me, facing Mikeal. "Seto's not going anywhere, he's staying with me right where he belongs. Exactly, how much do you know about Seto?" she asked.

A smirk grew across Mikeal's lips. "Arcane magic is a gift from the gods. Meaning that Seto answers to a higher power, higher than the three gods of Vienna. He has the three gods of Vienna in the palm of his hand because they acknowledge him as someone who is very important," he said shocking the both of us.

So, he knows more than I thought. It seems like some dark mages know me and others do not. That has to mean something. Mikeal referred to Rodor, he must works closely with him. So the closer a mage works with Rodor, the more they know.

"What a strange way of putting it," I responded.

"So we aren't wrong then," Mikeal said. I shake my head.

"Not exactly, but you are missing details," I said back.

Mikeal pointed at me. "The very fact you possess Master Nicholas's staff is proof you have spoken with Lady Ianite and we have tracked you to Lord Mianite's lands. All that is left is the Demonic Lord Dianite," he said making my eyes widen.

Wait, they are tracking me?! How much do they know?! I gritted my teeth together. I've been careless, I knew that there was always a magic presence around me, but since I was with the others, that what I assumed it was. But clearly, that was very wrong.

"Seto!" I heard Violet shout breaking me from my thoughts making me realize that Mikeal had hit Violet, making her fly to the left and crash to the ground. Mikeal only three feet away from me. I gasp, falling backwards, unable to stand up. I quickly reach for my sword that had fallen on the ground beside me earlier.

"Now, now, let's not make this difficult," Mikeal said as he picked up my sword and kicked the staff out of reach. Mikeal stepped on my right arm, pointing my sword down towards me. "Now, for my safety reasons, I'm going to have to stab your arms so you can't use magic against me since mage cuffs don't work on Arcane Wizards. No offense, but I don't trust you!" Mikeal lunged the sword down, I grabbed his ankle, trying to push his foot off but I stop with I felt the blade pierce into my forearm making me gasp and cry out in pain. "Hmm, it's stuck."

"GET OFF HIM!" I heard Violet scream before Mikeal suddenly flew off me and crashed into a building. Violet ran to me. "Oh gods, Seto!" She looked at my right arm. She grabbed the sword. "Stay still, I'll get it!" She yanked the sword up and out of my arm making me yelp. "I'm sorry!" She dropped the sword onto the ground, ripping off a part of her shirt as I felt warmth quickly soaking my right arm and my sleeve. She wrapped a piece of fabric around my wound.

But we both flinch when a spell hits a shield making us look at the shield. Her eyes lit up. "J-James!" she exclaimed as I noticed Wag flying in the sky a few feet overhead.

He lands between us and Mikeal. Before he lands, he asks, "So...what's going on here? Why are both Violet and Seto hurt?"

"Well, well, well, if it isn't Master James Waglington Haynes himself," Mikeal said getting up and facing James. A grin grew across Mikeal's lips. "Two targets in one spot, it is my lucky day."

"You want James?" Violet asked.

James nods. "Oh yeah, forgot about that, I apparently have a bounty on my head in the dark mage community," he said.

"You what?!"

Mikeal nods. "Yes, and unlike Archmage Seto, I don't need to capture you alive, Master Waglington," he said.

James shrugged his shoulders. "That is if you can capture and/or kill me. Many have tried, all have failed so far. So what exactly makes you think you are so special?" he asked as he crossed his arms. "To me, you look nothing more than someone's pet who is begging for attention."

"What did you say?!" Mikeal shouted in anger.

"James! That man is the one who is in charge of the attack on Rullus!" Violet told him.

James glanced at Violet. "Is he now?" he mumbled before looking back at Mikeal. "Gaudete tenebris," James chanted before the wall beside Mikeal suddenly combusted making the dark mage jump and take a few steps back in shock. Left behind was a huge hole in the wall with red lines that trailed from the hole to James etched into the ground. "Surrender now or next time...I won't miss."

To be continued...