The fog spread through the castle, blocking the vision on both sides. Screams, cries, and death filled the air. On the top of the highest turret, two figures stared down.

"All is lost," Altair said, shaking his head.

"You're such a pessimist." Castor didn't smile, his heart racing. They didn't know where Phoenix or Eric were in all the madness.

"If we can't find them," Altair said through gritted teeth, "then we can't protect them."

"I thought our job was just to watch." Castor knew he was playing with fire, so to speak, but he couldn't resist. Altair shot him a withering glare. "If you're ready to play on my level, I'm ready to make the game fair."

"And this means?" Altair asked.

"It means you step aside when it comes to my meddling, and you protect Ares with the same fierceness you'd protect Phoenix." 

Altair ground his teeth together, but nodded. "Deal."

"I think it's time to play." Castor lifted his hands, spreading his arms wide. A forceful gale built around him, dropping down to the earth below and blowing the fog in every direction. It spread into the castle and out onto the grounds, howling in piercing shrieks. Fighters on both sides crouched low as the wind wrapped around them, knocking some over.  When it stopped, the fog had dissipated, and the night turned clear.

With an arched brow, Altair sniffed. "Show off."

#

A great wind blew past him, and then Maverick could see everything.

"What the hells?" he asked, still holding onto Gwen's hand.

"Someone's watching over us."

#

Roman's sword sang, flying through the air with incredible speed as he defended Helena, still out in the castle grounds. Neither of them had gotten very far, but once the fog cleared, he'd seen their chance to get into the castle.

"This way!" he called, dragging her with him.

#

Noelle ran through the castle halls, lost and frightened. The sounds of clashing swords surrounded her, and she dodged, ducked, and dove beneath blades, praying for a friendly face.

"Lady Aundreya!" A man caught her by the arm, whirling her about. "Where have you been? You left me and - what's wrong?"

Noelle stared at him, an icy chill running down her back. "What'd you just call me?"

"Lady Aundreya?" The man frowned, his pretty face marred by confusion. "We need to get you to safety."

Aundreya's here. She's here, in the castle. 

Oh hells.

#

Phoenix could hear the fighting happening below her. Sweat glistened on her brow as she moved lower through the castle, bound to run across an enemy at any moment. Pain continued to eat away at her insides, drawing tears from her eyes.  Forming flames helped, but didn't keep the pain away for long.

What is happening to me?

As she dropped down to a lower floor, she realized she could see everything without trouble. Glancing around, she  spotted a familiar face.

"Mygel!" 

The woman turned, her face mottled with rage. "What the hells just happened? Where'd that wind come from?"

"I don't know, but I need your help. We need to find Helena or someone in charge."

"Why?" Mygel pulled away, suspicion twisting her expression. 

"Bainon is willing to talk peace. We can get Maverick on the throne as the next heir. We just have to - why are you shaking your head?"

"Bainon must be stopped. Where is he? Take me to him so I can end this."

"Didn't you hear me? We don't have to stop him. We can have peace."

"There will be no peace as long as a Tremaine sits on the throne." 

Phoenix shifted her weight back, suddenly seeing Mygel in a new light. "Maverick's part of the Tremaine line."

Mygel's expression hardened. "Exactly." She lifted her blade, squaring off. 

Phoenix raised her own, parrying Mygel's first blow. Shock paved way to anger, and the two battled with the ferocity of two tigresses, each as well trained in the art of the sword as the other.

A cutting shock ran through her, worse than any of those before, and Phoenix cried out in pain. Her grip loosened, and Mygel knocked the sword from her hands. Without any help, Phoenix fell to the ground, every muscle screaming as though on fire. 

Mygel stood over her, a look of amused disgust on her face. "Some Guardian."  She lifted her sword high for the final blow.

#

Eric ran out onto a balcony to better survey the situation.  Below him, the battle raged, and he peered through it for anyone he knew.

"Mutiny," a voice said beside him, making him jump.

"What are you doing here? I thought you were being kept safe!" 

Bainon growled deep in his throat. "Me? Hide? Never."

"And Narissa just let you leave?"

"We made a deal." Bainon jerked his thumb upward, and Eric craned his neck to see a balcony several stories above them.

Narissa stood with her hands lit in purple energy. Darkness shrouded her, but as she exhaled, she let her fury fly. Balls of energy shot down to the battle below, filling the night with even more shrieks. 

"She's going to watch over me." Bainon turned a wild gaze on Eric, his mouth splitting into a grin. "Are you ready to get your hands dirty?"

#

"She's up there." Helena pointed to where Narissa reigned supreme, her fury raining down on them. "We need to stop her."

"Let's go." Roman ducked into the castle, pulling Helena along with him.

#

Abigail couldn't find anyone. They'd disappeared, and now she stood weaponless amidst a war. Her heart ached at the thought of Eric somewhere in the middle of it, her parents still back at the house with Reed. 

And what can I do? What can nothing little Abigail do make any of this stop?

"Abigail?"

She turned at the sound of a young voice. "Trey? Trey! What are you doing here?" she hissed, rushing over to pull him behind a few barrels standing by the stable. 

"I followed you." Trey eyed her warily. "I was afraid."

"You should have stayed back there." Abigail searched for a clear way out and saw none. Would they attack a woman and a child? Would they know which side they were on?

Did she know which side they were on?

"Did you make the fog disappear?" she asked, looking back at him. Trey shook his head. "All right. Well we need to get you back home. It isn't safe for you out here."

"I can't."

"Can't?" Abigail wasn't paying full attention, her heart pounding as she looked for an escape. 

"I have to be here. They need me."

"Who needs you?"

"My family."

Before she even had a chance to wonder what he meant, Trey dashed out into the warfare.

"TREY!"

#

Annoyance - a surprising feeling. Why would one feel annoyed at the point of death? Phoenix glared up at Mygel as everything happened in slow motion. 

She was annoyed at the Militia for attacking before peace talks.
She was annoyed at Mygel for being the bitch that she was.
She was annoyed at her body for seemingly shutting down when she needed it most.

Sucking in a breath, Phoenix prepared for the blow. Mygel brought the sword down, but Phoenix was no longer in its path.

Yelping in surprise, Phoenix stared up to see who had dragged her out of harm's way.

"Samson!" she said, surprised as he lifted her to her feet.

"Run!" Samson advised as fog filled the hallway. "This way!"

They sped off, Samson leading the way as she did her best to keep pace. With a groan, she stumbled. He stopped, assessed the situation, and bent down, hooking her body over his shoulder.

"Let me down!" she cried when the bouncing only made her pain worse. "Please!"

"I'm sorry." Samson dropped her to her feet, cupping her face in her hands. "I'm sorry if I hurt you."

"You've never hurt me." She gritted her teeth. "But I'm definitely hurt."

"We'll have to face her if you can't run," he said, holding his blade up. "Can you?"

Phoenix let the fire engulf all the way up her arms, blazing so hot, Samson had to step away. "I'll manage."

The fog preceded their enemy, snaking into the hall like deadly poison. Thick and dense, they couldn't see into it, giving Mygel near invisibility. 

"Come out and fight!" Phoenix shouted, shooting a blast of fire through the mist. It lit up the contents within, and she had an idea. "Samson?"

"Yes?"

"Follow me." 

#

Roman and Helena faced little resistance, no one able to catch them at Roman's speed. The upper floor of the castle were eerily silent, not an enemy in sight.

"It'll be this room," Helena said in a whisper, her whole body shaking. Roman wasn't sure if it was the after affects of moving at his speed, or if she wasn't cut out for war. "This was the safest room in the palace."

"You don't have to come with me," he said, brows rising. "You can stay out here."

"I d-don't want to make you do this alone," she said, shaking her head. "You should never have to fight alone." She stopped him. "Roman, if this doesn't work - if we don't succeed -"

"We will."

"If we don't. I want you to know - I've loved you like my own. Your mother was dear to me, and you as well, like my own grandson. I want you to know how proud I am of you and all you've accomplished. You are a great man, and you deserve a life of greatness to match." 

"Thank you." Roman felt his throat tighten. 

She gave him a wavering smile. "Now, let's go stop this war." 

Are you tense yet? No? Don't worry. I think I can change that.

Or make it worse.

After all, we know who's in fight (Phoenix, Samson, Roman, Helena), but what about our wanderers (Gwen, Mav, Noelle, Eric, Abigail, and Trey)?

Let me know your fears and hopes now!