The cannon. Linked to the direct Dulavelle line, it tells the country all at once one of three things. It will tell when a Dulavelle is born. Two cannons shall go off. The first, to give everyone a chance to watch the skies. The second cannon will be followed by a light display in the sky. A light display in which the colours are unique to each individual. Colours that will only ever be shown once more. This leads onto the second message it sends. When a Dulavelle dies. Three cannons will sound. The first to draw attention, to get everyone to look to the sky. The second to light up the sky with a single colour, telling the people what type of death had occurred. Execution? Murder? Natural causes? Accident? Suicide? The third would be the colours that were shown on the day that Dulavelle was born. Telling the world which royal had passed...

The summons to come to another "show" reaches the den at three pm. It is with a sigh, Shaelyn and the rest of the knights make their way out. Doing as they had done before. Leaving behind guards to look after the civilians whilst they watch whatever twisted display the King had in mind. It has been a very tough few weeks and Shaelyn is exhausted. Her father, the council and her grandfather had been working tirelessly to break all the cities across Vivelle and tarnish Illyana's name. The Knights across Vivelle have been trying to stop it, but Shae is beginning to think it will be a losing battle. Killing anyone associated with the rebellion is a sure way to get people to lose faith. Especially if it is disguised as being their best interests. Not exactly hard to convince them either with what they've been saying about Illyana recently.

"Another one?" Evie sighs as they leave. "This is the fifth one this month." Shae nods her head and the group join the stream of people walking into the arena. They wear normal clothes. Disguising themselves as regular city folk. Extra precautions are needed. Since the riots and fighting at the first one, guards are stationed everywhere. Their swords are already drawn.

Ren sighs and runs a hand through his hair. Heavy bags are under his eyes, caused by the stress of the situation. Shaelyn looked very much the same. She has been working tirelessly getting in touch with every contact she and her sisters made. Convincing them that lies are being spread about Illyana and trying to get their help debunking them. Of course, with public executions, many aren't willing to help. The group take a seat and the usual display begins. The council, the princesses and the King arrive.

"I am sorry that we must tell you this," the King begins. "However, in recent events, it has become clear that the best way to keep you safe is by telling you the truth." Shae closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. Ready for whatever shit her father is about to spill.

"Princess Illyana..." he sighs. "The princess has killed again." There are gasps around the arena and Shae opens her eyes, leaning forward. "A village not far from the Lupine territory slaughtered and burned to the ground. Two survivors saying that she was among the Lupine..." Shae zones him out and frowns. Illyana is with the Lupine... she gulps. But how does the king know that? Unless he doesn't and is just saying what will shock people. Her eyes fall on her sisters and her heart aches. She has not seen them for so long. They stand still and quiet, watching as their father continues to lie. Shae turns to see some of the people crying and shakes her head. How do they believe him? Ren leans over and whispers in her ear, having made the same observations as her.

"We're loosing," he tells her. "At this rate, when your sister returns the city will storm the castle to be rid of her." Shae nods her head and bites her lips. The crown has broken these people. Used brutality and murder to bring them in line. To think that their saviours are the people suppressing and stealing from them. She clenches her fists in frustration.

"I don't know who we are going to beat this..." she sighs. "Especially with people seeing my sisters up there." What is going on in that castle? Whatever game Fallon and Rayana are playing isn't working. The arena falls into silence as Ray steps forward. Shae frowns and leans closer. Even the king looks slightly surprised.

Ray looks around her, seeing the sobbing and shouting aimed at Illyana. Her eyes fall on Fallon who is subtly shaking her head. She looks around again. For weeks, they've been trying to carefully convince their father this isn't the right way. However, they've been so careful that their efforts haven't had much of an effect. They promised they would behave and do as the King said. By doing so, it guaranteed their safety against their grandfather. Stepping out of line meant giving their grandfather permission to do whatever deplorable act of torture he decided in order to break them. Ray takes a deep breath, the thoughts swirling in her mind. They could either play it safe and fail. Or, they can do what is right and succeed. But with a price. Because right now, they are loosing. The people hate Illyana. Believing in crimes she never committed. Thinking her another mad queen. She cannot return with her armies if this is what is waiting for her. Otherwise, it will all be for nothing. These people will continue to suffer and worship those causing it. Rayana makes a decision then and there. She steps forward. Fallon flinches and their father stops mid-sentence to look at her. She looks into his eyes which are wide. Almost as though he is pleading with her.

"Please, don't," he whispers, his voice weaker compared to how he was speaking a moment ago. She looks at him and gulps.

"I'm sorry, father," she replies, squaring her shoulders. "I won't let you lie about her anymore," she tells him as her fists clench and shake by her sides. Her voice dries in her throat and she gulps. Her heart races in her chest and she is so scared she feels physically weak. They can't stop her from talking either. By making her stay quiet, it would make the people suspicious.

"Ray," the King pleads and she turns back to him.

"Stand back," Fallon whispers as the arena falls into a deadly silence. Fallon's eyes are wide and her face has paled. Ray gulps and looks away from them. Her eyes fall upon the silent arena as their eyes all watch her. Shae is there somewhere. The thought makes her smile slightly before it falls as she begins to speak. Her fear does not reflect in her voice.

"For a month," she begins. "I have stood up here and stayed quiet during my father's speeches." She gulps and licks her dry lips. "Listening and doing nothing whilst he and the council work together to instil fear into your hearts and trick you into thinking my sister is your enemy." The King grabs her arm to pull her back, but she shrugs free and steps further away from him. "I am not going to let it stand," she shouts. "Illyana is not mad! I know even we, your princesses, have tried to convince you so but we were lying. Threatened by the council and our grandfather to fall in line and help build this lie!" she shouts as tears begin to fall down her cheeks. Her eyes dart to where her grandfather's men slowly walk toward their stage. Matthias and Fallon both step forward, grabbing an arm each.

"Stop, Ray," Matthias pleads as his eyes fall on the council who are glaring at the princess.

"Rayana, please," Fallon gulps. Ray shakes them off.

"We can't cower forever," she tells them and rips away from their grip.

"You may have wondered why Princess Shaelyn isn't with us. We sent her away so she would be safe from Lord Baylon. Our own grandfather. He was working with the council to try and keep us in line like dogs. To do that, he tortured us. Whipped us and made us listen to each other's screams. Shaelyn was the one he took it out on the most. A coward, going after the youngest and seemingly weakest sibling. Removing a finger and an ear!" she shouts. There are horrified gasps and shrieks as Rayana speaks. The soldiers are still edging closer and Ray's body shakes a little more. She's is going to have to wrap this up quickly. "They have been lying about my sister. She has not committed any crimes. They are just panicking because she already has three races on her side and is working on a fourth! She is threatening their reign. A reign that allows them to steal from you. To take your money and use it for their own gain. They know that if Illyana returns, then that will all stop. She will destroy it and set you all free!" She is speaking quickly as the soldiers start to move quickly toward her. "You may not believe me," she shouts. "But see for yourself. See how they rush to silence me now that I've stopped being their show dog!" Rage fills her tone and she spits the last sentence. "We are princesses of Vivelle. Descended of gods and gifted with powers beyond your beliefs! I have The Gift!" the men pause slightly. "The Gift of the Fae," there are more gasps. "I have seen what Illyana has been doing. I have seen the good she has done and I have seen a future under her reign. It is bright and prosperous! Think me mad if you want. Perhaps I am for speaking out like this!" she says and a little sob leaves her mouth. "But I am not going to allow you to be so easily manipulated. Not anymore! Trust in my visions and trust in my word!" Her breathing is heavy as the guards rush up onto the stage.

"Ray!" Fallon calls as they restrain her and Cordelia who had stood behind them, her face pale.

"THE TRUE QUEEN WILL RISE!" She shouts as the surround her. "DOWN WITH THE FALSE KING!" A fist slams into her face and she falls to the ground. Screams begin to sound in the arena as they watch. Fallon struggles. But more descend upon her than Ray. Too many for her to push off. They even surround the King.

Shaelyn's eyes are wide, silent tears running down her cheeks as she watches her sisters speech. "What the fuck is she doing?" she gulps.

"Saving the cause," Ren replies with a low growl. Shae screams as the guards surround her and punch her. Ray collapses to the floor and Shae stands up quickly, calling on her power. The arena begins to shake and she is ready to fly down the stairs into the arena. Ren grabs her and holds her back, his face pale. Around them, people are beginning to shout and scream. Hurling obscenities at the King as the guards that had been standing waiting rush into the audience. It is about to be another blood bath.

"Let me go!" Shae snarls at him and breaks free. She makes a dart to the steps and begins to run down. Ren curses and runs after her. A guard runs in front of her, but Shae is quick and brutal. Slamming her foot into his chest and sending him flying down the stairs.

"Shae!" Ren and Evie call as she makes her way down the stairs toward the arena. It is chaos around them. More than the first one. Shae has to start shoving people out of the way as they try and flee.

"Move!" she screams and pushes someone. She reaches the bottom and jumps over the wall into the arena, the ground now shaking so badly that people are falling over. Her eyes fall on her sisters and the King. All being dragged into one of the passages.

"NO!" she screams as large wooden baton slams into the side of Fallon's head. Ray is still struggling as the drag her, blood smearing her face. She looks back at Shae, tears streaking her bloody skin.

"No!" she mouths. Shae is shaking and watches her sister being dragged away. Contemplating ignoring her sister altogether. Not caring what she might have seen. But, she trusts her. She will always trust Rayana.

"RUN! SHAE!" she screams out loud, cutting Shae out of her thought process. Shae turns and sees her fathers guards rushing toward her. Realising she had dropped Nianzu's disguise and she had dropped her hood, Shae realises they have recognised her. She turns, adrenaline and fear rushing through her veins. She goes to the wall and jumps. Ren and Evie grab her arms and pull her over from the other side as they claw at her legs.

They swarm behind her like ants, Clambering over the wall as Shae disappears into the crowds. Barging people out of the way so they can't find her. They chase her though they kill anyone in their way instead of pushing them out of the way. Shae looks back as they get closer. Their way of making a path much more effective than hers.

"Ren!" she cries out of fear. "They're going to get me!" she starts to panic and the ground shakes even more. "They going to take me back and cut out my eyes!" He grabs her hand and looks at her.

"Calm down Shae, you'll kill everyone here!" he tells her. "Come on!" he drags her through the heavy crowds and into the city. The crowds still gather, but they recognise her.

"It's the princess!" they shout. "Princess Shaelyn is what Princess Rayana said true!" One asks.

"Get out of the fucking way!" A voice shouts and she turns to see Kristoff now at the head of those pursuing her. Her heart leaps into her throat.

"What do you think?" she shouts back as Ren drags her away again. The group begin to part, shoving each other out of the way so she can have a path through. Blocking the way of her pursuers. Receiving a deadly blow from Kristoff's blade.

"Princess Shaelyn!" he shouts into the crowd. "You are under arrest for treason! Turn yourself in now, or more innocents will die!" She stops and turns around.

"Fuck you!" someone shouts as they begin to swarm around her. "You aren't getting another princess you scum!" A woman turns to Shae and cups her face in her hands.

"Run, girl," she says, her eyes wide with fear. "Get out of here! We'll keep them away," she gulps. Shae takes her shaking hand.

"I can't let him kill you all," she sobs. The woman smiles and wipes away a tear.

"We're already dead, dear," she smiles softly. "We might as well die saving you," she says and pushes her into a narrow gap. A gap that is quickly filled once she and the other knights are through.

"No!" Shae says, coming to a stop and sobbing. "I can't let them die!" Ren turns to her and frowns.

"Shae," he says, his voice shaking and desperate. She goes to turn. Blood sprays into the air as Kristoff and his men kill another. She can smell it in their air. She can hear their pained screams.

"We have to help them!" she tells him.

"We will. But we can't today. The best way to help is by making sure you live..." he says frantically and pulls her hand again.

"I can't..." she sobs and turns again. His fist slams into the back of her head, knocking her unconscious.

"Ren!" Evie shouts, tears staining.

"Let's go!" he shouts, throwing Shae over his shoulder and taking off into the streets. Kristoff and his group hardly being slowed by the mob.

Fallon and Rayana are thrown into the cells.

"Get the fuck off me!" Fallon screams as a burst of strength rushes through her. Three men go flying into the wall but more descend on her. Surrounding her completely. There are only two holding Ray as they violently shove her in the cell. A baton slams into Fallon's head with a huge force, knocking her cleanout. Ray leans against the wall, falling down slowly. Tears spill down her face, staining her bloody cheeks.

Even from the dungeons, she can hear the city. It is loud with shouting and screaming. She lies down, the floor cold on her skin. Her hand comes to her mouth and she lets out a sob. Nianzu appears at the cell. Blood smeared on his face. He had been watching from the skies and had tried to fight them off. However, the girls had given him strict instructions not to show anyone his ability. Meaning even though he managed to get a few of them off the girls, he was unable to do so.

"No, Nianzu," she whispers as he goes to open the cell. He shakes his head, his eyes watering.

"I am not going to leave you in here to be tortured," he snaps and opens the cell, walking inside.

"Nianzu," she tells him and stands up. "Keep me in here," she tells him and pushes him out of the cell. He shakes his head.

"Why? I am here to protect you. All I've done is watch you get tortured," he gulps. She takes his hand and squeezes it tightly.

"You have protected us, from a lot. But, there are somethings that no one can keep us safe from. I made my decision and now I have to face the consequences."

"I can get you both out," he pleads. "Take you to Illyana," his eyes are wide. She closes hers and takes a deep breath.

"I need you to go to Shaelyn," she tells him. He shakes his head.

"Absolutely not," he growls, his eyes glowing blue.

"She is being hunted through the city by Kristoff. If you don't go to her, then he will find her and bring her back here. I have made my choice." He closes his eyes and leans his head against the bars.

"I was meant to protect you all," he says, a single tear falling down his cheek. She smiles and wipes it away.

"Protecting people from monsters and beasts is easy," she smiles. "Protecting people from other people is more difficult." He grits his teeth and lets out a moan before pushing himself off the bars and running out of the dungeons. Ray closes her eyes and lets out a shaky breath before falling back down. She smiles though. Knowing that Nianzu will keep Shae safe.

Nianzu jumps from a balcony, transforming into his crow form. Flying above the city to try and find Shae. He had seen her running away and guessed they would be slowly heading for the secret bunker. Below him, the city is chaos. Groups of people fight with soldiers. Throwing molotovs whilst the soldiers stab and kill anyone in their way. Others run away screaming, clutching their children as violence rampages through their streets. Screaming is loud the streets are painted red with blood. Ray had certainly blown this thing open. His eyes catch people running down a narrow ally, pursuers behind them. He dives down to get a closer look. Sure enough, Ren is there with Evie and some other Knights, rushing quickly through the streets. Heading away from the base. Kristoff is behind them and a group of his Red Guard members. Ones loyal to him and his father. They are gaining. Arrows go flying toward the Knights and they dive out of the way. Nianzu spots Ren carrying Shae over his shoulder. Ren shouts out an order he can't hear and the Knights scatter. Climbing up houses and separating into other streets. Ben dragging Evie an opposite way from Shae and Ren. The guards leave the others alone. Running after Ren only. Nianzu dives down transforming into a great bear as he falls and landing between the two groups. Ren stops with Shae, his eyes wide. Nianzu lets out a growl and gestures with his head for him to go.

"What the fuck?" Kristoff shouts as Nianzu roars, stopping the group in their tracks. Nianzu looks back, seeing Ren already gone with Shaelyn. He turns to face the guard.

"Shit!" Kristoff growls and holds up his weapon. "I don't know what the fuck you are," he snarls. "But you're going to regret getting in my way..." Nianzu's muzzle pulls back from his teeth as a low growl leaves his mouth. "We've lost them," Kristoff spits. "Deal with this," he gestures to the bear. "I'm going back to the castle," he grins and turns to run off. Two options run through his head. Transform back into a bird and try and attack Kristoff from above but let the guard go to carry on pursuing Shaelyn. Or stay and distract the guards long enough so they can't accidentally find the Knights again. He makes his decision. Deciding to stay and make sure that Shae and her group get to their base safely. If he couldn't help the girls in the castle, he would make sure Shaelyn is safe. So, he charges for the Red Guard. They are skilled warriors, but they are no match for him. His constant shifting to various animals has them stumbling over themselves with confusion. It takes only a few minutes for them all to be dead. By then, he takes off to the sky, trying to find Ren and Shae. He finds them not long after and watches the streets around them, making sure they aren't being followed. Ren is taking a very long and complicated route back, trying to lose anyone on his tail. Occasionally, he runs into patrols but Nianzu is quick to fly down and dispatch of them. Sometimes, before Ren has seen them. It is nightfall by the time Ren makes it back to the base with Shae safely. Nianzu is shattered, but knowing Shae is safe, he begins his flight back to the castle.

Ray looks to Fallon in the cell next to her. She is still unconcious. There is a large cut on her head and more on her face which are beginning to bruise. Her breathing is even though. Ray smiles softly and reaches through the bars for her sister's hand.

"I'm sorry," she whispers. Fallon doesn't react and Ray closes her eyes. She can't cry anymore. Her eyes feel dry and sting from everything that's happened. She keeps hold of Fallon's hand even after her own arm begins to ache from the position she is in as she reaches through the bars. She is left in the dungeons for a few hours. Not knowing what is going to happen to her or when. Though she finds some comfort knowing that Shae is safe with Nianzu watching over her.

The sound of the door of the dungeon's opening has her sitting up straight. Her body begins to shake with fear and her lips dry. She sits tall though, not wanting anyone to see her fear. She grits her teeth, ready for whatever punishment is coming her way. She doesn't recognise the three guards who come to her cell. They open it up.

"Stand," one orders. She does so, holding her head high as they push her out of the cell.

"Where are you taking me?" she asks. They don't answer as they push her toward the stairs, flanking her on all sides. They lead her into the corridors and she lets out shaky breaths. The castle is very quiet. There are no servants working or rushing down the halls. No nobles walking around drunk. Nothing. Almost like everyone has been locked away in their rooms. Or they're hiding. They come around a corner and she freezes, her breath catching. At the end stands her grandfather, Amalie and Kristoff. Her eyes fall on the dagger held in Kristoff's hand. The guards all seem to disappear at the same time, leaving her standing alone in silence. Her breathing is loud in her ear as she looks between the three very smug faces.

"You had one job," her grandfather says, his voice calm. She looks at Amalie and licks her lips nervously.

"Not so brave now, are you?" she asks. "You seriously thought you could threaten me with my daughter? Kristoff already knows about her you stupid cow. Some gift you have," she laughs. Ray manages to smile through her fear.

"You won't be seeing her again. That, I can promise you."

"You will be silent," Sebastian says.

"Haven't you already tried that?" she asks.

"Yes, and I failed. So now it's time for a more permanent option," he grins and Ray takes a deep breath. Fear fueled adrenaline pumps into her veins, making her feel like she's about to throw up. Kristoff grins and it's twisted and cruel. It has her eyes stinging with fresh tears.

"Shit," she mutters.

"This is the part where you run," Kristoff grins. "I do love a good chase," he laughs. She turns on her heels and takes off down the corridors, the sounds of Kristoff's heavy footfalls behind her. She pants desperately as she tries to outrun him. Fear pulsing through her as her mind begins to panic. This is it. This is the night. She had known it from the second she decided to take a step forward. She had chosen not to believe it. Kristoff taunts ring behind her.

"For so long, we thought that the King would bend to our will if we only threatened your lives," he laughs as Ray rattles on the locked doors of the corridors. "But perhaps, a dead daughter will break him enough for us to have complete control," he laughs. Ray lets out a scream of frustration as another door doesn't open. She looks back, seeing him around the corner. Her breathing is quick and frantic. Wide are her eyes as her sweat beads down her forehead. Tears fall down her cheeks as she gives up on the doors and runs around the corner, Kristoff picking up his pace behind her. His feet heavily pounding on the ground a taunt in her ears. Sobs leave her mouth and she stumbles before falling on the floor. Quickly, she stands. But it is too late. Kristoff is only moments away from rounding the corner and being upon her.

Fallon wakes in her cell with a groggy head. However, even with a groggy mind, she jumps into action. Her eyes fall to the empty cell next to her. Hadn't Ray been thrown in there? Her heart speeds up with panic. It is quiet. Too quiet. A bad feeling sinks into her stomach and she begins to breathe heavily. Something is wrong. Very wrong. This isn't how this is meant to go. They should have been tortured by now and then left to think about what they've done.

"This isn't part of the game," she snarls as her hands begin to shake. Where is Rayana and more importantly, where is Nianzu to get her the fuck out of these cells? There is no more letting it happen so he doesn't reveal himself. It is passed that. She needs to get out.

"Nianzu!" she calls, hearing the shake in her voice. Where is he? She can't wait for him. With a shout, she kicks the barred door of the cell with all her strength. It makes her leg shudder but the bars shudder more.

"Come on," she snarls and kicks it again and again. It doesn't budge and she lets out a scream. She needs to get out and now.  Another kick flies out as she lets out a frustrated scream. The whole barred door goes flying away, slamming into the wall with a loud thundering sound. She waits for the guards to come running, but nothing happens. This only makes her more nervous. She takes off, sprinting up the stairs and bursting out of the dungeons. The corridors are empty. No sign of anyone reacting to her escape. Her breathing is heavy and her stomach burns with dread. Something is very wrong. It is too eerily quiet.

"Ray!" she shouts, feeling tears beginning to spring in her eyes with panic. She begins to run again to start finding her sister. Where would they have taken her? "Ray!" she screams in a higher pitch. She dashes around the corridors, not knowing where to go, feeling so scared that she thinks she is going to be sick. It isn't until he sees Cordelia come out of her room. Her eyes fall on Fallon and widen when she sees her older sisters terrified expression.

"Cordelia, where is Rayana?" Fallon asks, shaking her sister and her voice shaking. Cordelia pales.

"What do you mean?" she asks.

"She isn't in the cells. They've taken her somewhere and we need to find her!" she panics. Cordelia's eyes widen. Just then, they hear a scream. Fallon doesn't hesitate. She rushes down the corridors toward the sound, Cordelia chasing after her.

"Ray!" Fallon screams. Where is everyone? Why aren't they coming out of their rooms to find the source of the sound? What the fuck is going on?

"Ray!" Cordelia shouts behind her, her voice equally as shaky. They both round the corner and pause. Kristoff's knife swings through the air in a quick, smooth motion. The silver glinting in the moonlight that flows in from the window. Fallon freezes, her heart stopping. Blood splatters in Kristoff's face and Rayana reaches for her throat. Kristoff looks up to see the two girls and grins before holding up the blade and licking Rayana's blood off it. Fallon's eyes are wide and tears flow down her cheeks as she struggles to breathe. Rayana's back is to them, but they can both see the blood quickly flowing down her arms around her throat and pouring into a puddle beneath her. Fallon lets out a loud, heartbreaking scream and runs to her sister, catching her as she falls.

"No," she sobs, her mouth distorting as her shaking hands clutch at the huge gash in Rayana's neck. Rayana looks up at her sister with wide, terrified eyes. Her skin quickly going pale and clammy as she gurgles and tries to breathe. Fallon presses her hands to the gaping wound to try and stop the bleeding. She presses it tightly, but the blood doesn't stop spraying through her fingers. Rayana convulses on Fallon's lap and Fallon sobs desperately.

"No, please," she sobs as Rayana stops moving and her eyes roll back. Fallon freezes, her lip quivering as it is open in shock. A high pitched moan leaves her mouth as she looks at Rayana and gently touches her sister's bloody hair. Her body rocks as a sob leaves her mouth whilst she cradles Rayana's limp form. Her own stomach twists with a pain she's never felt before. More sobs come, so quick and heavy that she struggles to breathe. Her arms grip Rayana tightly, not caring when she feels someone tugging at her.

"No!" she screams and shoves Cordelia away. "You need to heal her, Cordelia!" Fallon shouts, looking at her. 

Cordelia gulps and can sense that there Kristoff will be bringing reinforcements soon. There is no way he'd take Fallon alone after what he'd done to Rayana. She licks her lips nervously. Making the decision quickly. She could either heal Rayana and reveal her powers but end up with Rayana being re-killed and Fallon being killed too. Or, she could help get Fallon out.

"Fallon!" Cordelia shouts and crouches down on the other side of Rayana. Fallon can't hear her. There is a loud ringing in her ears from the shock of everything that's just happened. She looks at Cordelia. Her face is as tear-streaked as Fallons and she is shaking roughly.

"You need to go!" she screams and goes to take Rayana from her.

"I'm not leaving her! Heal her!" Fallon shouts and pulls Cordelia toward her and holding Ray tighter.

"Fallon, they're coming for you! They're going to kill you too! You need to run!" she screams and rushes back to pull Fallon up by her shoulders. Fallon turns and sees the corridor filling with her grandfather's men quickly.

Fallon squares her shoulders and locks away her grief for a moment as she realises she has another sister to protect. She grabs Cordelia's hand and the two run down the corridor. Fallon runs with rage and the first group to get in her way stand no chance as she mercilessly. She is quick in her attacks, every strike killing her enemies instantly. Still, the corridors begin to swarm. More keep coming and soon there will be too many for Fallon to fight. Nianzu's huge wolf form bursts through a window and immediately attacks the guards, giving the girls a chance to escape. When they're out of sight, Cordelia shoves Fallon into a door. It opens, revealing a twisting, narrow spiral staircase.

"Follow it," Cordelia says. "It will lead you right down through the cliff and out to the paths at the bottom. Find Illyana, she's going to need you," Cordelia says. Fallon grabs Cordelia's hand.

"You need to come with me," she says, her voice shaking.

"I have to stay," she replies, yanking her hand back.

"Cordelia, come with me now!" she shouts as she hears Nianzu yelp.

"I'm staying!" she shouts and steps back.

"Come with me! Now!" Fallon shouts as Cordelia looks down the corridor nervously. The guards will catch up with them soon.

"Go, please," she begs and goes to close the door.

"I am not leaving you behind..."

"You brought this on yourself!" Cordelia shouts, her face twisting to rage. "If you all had just died in the Queen's Trial like you were supposed to then we would have died honourably!" she screams and Fallon steps back.

"I was right," she says as she starts to cry again. "You are working with them."

"Yes, now go before I tell them where you are and hurry up so I can get to Nianzu before they kill him. He'll be a useful weapon," she snarls. Fallon's face twists and she spits in Cordelia's face before taking off down the staircase. Cordelia wipes off the spit before slamming the door and rushing down the corridor.

"She went this way!" she says, pointing the other way. "Get her quickly before she escapes," she shrieks. The guards run past her to the direction she is pointing. She rushes back to Nianzu.

"I was ready for you this time," Kristoff snarls. He is still in his wolf form, but there are spears sticking into his skin and a large net over his body. He struggles but can't move.

"Don't kill him!" Cordelia shouts. Kristoff looks up at her and frowns. "We'll break him first and turn him into a weapon against Illyana," she smiles. Kristoff grins and nods his head. He slams the but of his sword into the back of the wolf's head. It transforms back into his human form.

"Take him to the cells," she orders. "And properly restrain him. Make sure he can't shift." He is lead away and Cordelia looks to Kristoff. Ray's blood is covering his face and clothes with the smug grin on his face. She takes deep breaths and composes herself.

"What the fuck have you done?" she asks. He shrugs.

"We've shown the court and your sisters who are really in charge here," he tells her.

"The city will revolt," she growls back. He laughs.

"Those peasants will do nothing when they realise that not even a princess is safe from our power," he chuckles.

"What about father?" she asks.

"Your father's mind is already weak. Once he hears the cannon, it will be all but destroyed. A blank canvas ready to be whispered into. Then, we can focus on hunting your bitch sister who thinks she's going to be queen." Cordelia doesn't say anything. She just glares at him.

"Are you angry?" he asks. She grits her teeth but forces out a smile.

"Not at all," she replies. "You did what needed to be done."

Fallon runs so fast down the stairs that her feet slip multiple times. When she gets to the bottom, she kicks open the old door to reveal the flat farmlands before her. Emlyn is there too.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" she asks. He takes a look at her and his eyes widen. Blood covers her hands, clothes and face. Her hair is a mess and tear stains her cheeks.

"Rayana told me to stand here with your warhorse and a bag of supplies, ready for you to travel in secret," he gulps. "What the fuck happened?" Fallon's lip quivers and she goes to wipe away a tear.

"Rayana is dead," she gulps. His eyes widen and his mouth opens but no words come out.

"The cannon hasn't gone off," he begins, his voice a hoarse whisper.

"It's not been ten minutes," she replies and forces the pain down. Grabbing the bag off Emlyn, she throws it on her back and swings herself onto the back of her warhorse. "Be careful, Em," she warns. "They're on the warpath," she gulps and urges her horse on. He takes off running. Her heart is rapidly pumping in her chest as she comes to terms with all that has happened. She urges her horse faster, needing to get out of here as soon as possible.

She can't believe it. Yet, the sound of the cannon sounding above her only confirms what has happened. Her vision blurs as the deep, thundering sound echoes across Vivelle. Two minutes after the first, another goes off. The dark sky going pure and angry red. The colour of murder. She carries on running, getting further and further from the castle and Shaelyn. Shaelyn who is going to find out because of the cannon. She gulps and tries to calm her shaking body. The third cannon goes off and the sky goes dark again before delicate swirls of greens, blues and purples dance across the sky. Soft, delicate and beautiful. Rayana's colours. She sobs again and lets out a scream on the back of her horse before turning to see the castle getting smaller.

"Fuck you!" she screams at it before turning to face the flat path ahead. She grits her teeth, her face twisting with determined anger. She will return. She will find Illyana and together, they will tear their whole worlds apart. Snarls leave her mouth just thinking about it. The ground begins to shake violently and the horse grunts beneath her. Shae's rage and pain filling the earth.

"Yah," she snaps at her horse and pushes him harder against the trembling ground.

Shae is safe with the Knights. She has Evie who will help her through this. Though it breaks Fallon's heart, that gives Fallon a little bit of assurance.

Cordelia is a traitorous whore who will suffer with the rest of the scum.

Now, she must venture into the unknown lands and find Illyana. Illyana who will have no idea of what's been happening in the cities and will not have been able to prepare herself for this. She's going to be broken. That is why Ray had set Fallon up to travel. Fallon smiles, thinking of her sister still looking after them, even in her death. She knows the two girls will need each other.

So, Fallon keeps going. The sounds of the cannon echoing behind her and Rayana's colours swirling above her. The ground shaking beneath her and her heart hammering in her chest. Scared and alone but determined.

"I won't give up Ray," she whispers and wipes away the tears. "We'll win this," she tells herself and carries on rushing further and further away from what was once her home.