12 Hide or Figh

Outside of the castle, in the west courtyard, 1 week after the meeting with the Queen.

"Johnny attack again, I can take it," Oren yelled out.

Right now in the court yard, a group of four humans and two beasts were sparring ferociously If one didn't know better they would think they were fighting to the death.

Oren was riding atop of Emera, Emera having been eating regularly was now more than 20 ft long, 3ft wide. The two were wearing matching black armor, fighting against a giant metal monster, it was over 25 feet tall, this monster was actually Johnny, He had fused with his metahound Merc, who was now fully capable of altering her size, and shape at the whim of her master. A little further down Esholyn was facing Harvey, She had her scepter in one hand and an Ice blade in the other, while harvey of course was wielding his lightning blade.

"Oren get ready," Johnny yelled. ..Whoosh... Johnnys giant metal fist swung through the air.

Swiiish.... Emera charged forward. .....Boom.... Emeras massive tail smacked Johnnys fist stalemating the blow, causing a huge energy wave, but this area had been fortified for battle practice so the damage was minimum. When the tail met the fist, Oren lept off of Emeras back ready to deliver a powerful kick. Boom..... Another collision. Johnny actually caused another arm to grow out of his chest, colliding directly with Orens kick. Oren used the counter force to flip landing back on Emera. Without Hesitation the two charged again. Swiish.... This time Johnny threw a powerful backhand, but Oren jumped up and met it with a mighty fist of his own. Boom... Oren was launched back by the blow, flipping in the air he landed on the ground, but Johnnys monstrous form stumbled too, and right before He got proper footing. ..Wham.... Emera unleashed a follow up tail strike across the chest, right after, Oren countered the fist. ..Bang..... Johnnys giant form fell to the ground.

"Darnit," He yelled "Oren you and Emera are good at this,"

Oren just chuckled, "Nope, Emera's good at this, Im just powerful , but she's been fighting for 200 years, While I've been fighting for 5," Oren paused then said, "Think about it. You're what, 16 been training for 8 years, and Merc has only been training for 4 weeks. Give her credit, and believe in her, but also, know her weaknesses, and strong points, trust me you'll get there."

Johnny just laughed, "you're right Oren we have been training for 16 years all together, and still we downed you 2 outta 5, and you've been training 205 years. HaHahHa... we did good" Johnny laughed and He and Merc took their original forms. Oren laughed with Him, "Yeah you guys did good. HAHA.."

The two friends laughed and watched the other two spar, it seemed that right now Harvey was is bad shape. Esholyns body was covered in mud, and her two fist now formed mallets, she was using the earth, to effortlessly shrug off the lightning dancing out from Harveys sword, but Harvey was easily dodging her blows, he couldn't get past her defense, so he retreated a bit, maintaining his distance. Esholyn had actually just created this technique in order to deal with Harveys lightning strikes, she couldn't do it before, but everyday she was gaining more insight into the essence of Earth and Water, figuring out better ways to apply them in battle. Swooosh.... ZZzzznt... Harvey moved, transforming into an electric blue streak, Harveys body was now completely encased in Lightning. "Woah," Oren said surprised as he saw Harveys power.

Rumble..rumble...rumble.

Esholyn was causing pillars of ice and stone to fly towards Harvey,

Smash...smash...smash... Harvey was like a lightning bolt, blasting through the oncoming pillars, one by one getting closer to Esholyn his speed wasn't slowed a bit, but Esholyn was prepared for this. Whhiirl..... A massive amount of Earth formed instantly in the air. Esholyn had made a small Meteor!

Vwooosh.... she sent it straight at Harvey, but Harvey wasn't dodging or evading, covered in blue lightning Harvey charged straight into that monstrous boulder,....

Cracckle.. Booom the boulder blew apart as Harvey flew out of the debris.... Esholyn was out of options she raised her stone covered fists, while at the same time thickening the stone and mud on her body, as Harvey got within striking distance... Then ZZzznt, the lightning went out.. ..Boom... Esholyn flew back from the impact, causing a loud bang, as she hit the ground.

Esholyn turned to look at Harvey, "Hey! I countered your lightning perfectly how did you do that," she was pouting.

"Hahahaha do you really wanna know." Harvey just laughed. "Esholyn, first of all, Im far faster than you in that stone form, and since my electricity wouldn't work on you, I let you believe I was slower than I really am, then when I picked up by speed to it max, you became a little flustered trying to slow me down. You even used a move that blocked me from your view, that is why I charged into the boulder, then when I got close enough to strike I sheathed the lightning blade and struck you with all my might using the sheathe, you can't counter blunt force the same way you do lightning. Hahaha..." Harvey still laughing, pointed towards Johnny and Oren who had started walking over, saying,

"I learned that little speed trick from Oren."

"Hahaha.." Oren started laughing as he approached, "that was a pretty good fight Esholyn, you almost had him.

"Yeah almost," Harvey boasted.

Oren looked at him with a smile, "Harvey that last skill you used, it was amazing, even I had a hard time following your movements, not to mention you using the sheathe in that last strike. You might have picked up a trick or two from me, but you use them in your own way, I can't take credit for that."

Esholyn stood up, releasing her magic armor. "Next time Harvey," she grinned "I will beat you."

"That goes for you too Oren," Johnny abruptly included.

"Heh, yeah whatever Johnny boy," Harvey teased, "Oren doesn't even use his gaunlets, or his lightning daggers. If he went all out. How could you beat him?" Oren chuckled a little when Hervey said this.

"Dont worry about me Harvey, me and Merc will get better." Johnny said irritated.

"Shut up!" Esholyn angrily Interrupted, "we have to get better as a team, we are all in this together. Unless you want to take back what you said about defending this city with your lives."

She stared sternly at them, neither boy said another word..... "Good," Esholyn pronounced, "Okay then, lets go to feast."

The group left the training field headed to the banquet hall, when they arrived the Queen greeted Esholyn and Oren motioning for the to take their seats. Emera and Merc, had went to Emeras' room, now that she had a food delivery schedule, she didn't really see a need to go to a human banquet.

As Esholyn and Oren sat down, Harvey and Johnny took seats below them, Esholyn had a personal table brought out for them so they could be closer to Her, and Oren.

Ever since the meeting with the Queen, Esholyn and Oren told them everything, Harvey and Johnny still decided they too would help defend the city in anyway they could.

When the banquet finished the room emptied out, leaving only Oren, Esholyn, Johnny, and Harvey,

So, Esholyn why'd you ask us to stay behind," Johnny spoke what everyone was thinking,

"Well My mother wants to see me and Oren..." Esholyn spoke then paused, "But I think you guys should come too," She said after a moment looking at Harvey and Johnny.

"Okay lets go then," Oren said rising out of his chair as everyone did the same.

Eshlolyn led everyone to the Queens meeting room. When they arrived the Queen was a little shocked to see Esholyn had brought Johnny, and Harvey, but, both their fathers were there so she didn't say anything.

Oren spoke first seeing the Queens hesitation, "Queen with all respect these are our dear friends whatever happens here we will tell them anyway, they have agreed to face this situation just as I have and are willing to fight alongside of us so please."

"Yes My Queen," Harveys dad Samson cut Oren off,

Our sons will defend the 1st princess, and the adopted prince with honor, just as me and Gerald defend you.

The Queen simply nodded, she was convinced.

She then began to speak but her voice was full of concern quite possibly a little fear,

"It is as we feared," She said as she looked at Esholyn, my scout team has reported at least a hundred dark soldiers in the mountains outside the dark forest."

The Queen paused as Gerald spoke up, "We believe it is a reconnaissance squad, they don't appear to be headed in any focused direction, but it is no coincidence that they are this close to the city,"

"So what are we going to do?" Oren asked, he was ready to fight if he had to.

"You, aren't going to do anything, this isn't the first time we saw them in the area, and if it's a threat I shall not send children to fight." The Queen responded sternly

"But My Queen, we've never seen this many," Gerald spoke again.

"So what would you sugg..." Knock..Knock..Knock. The Queen, was interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Come in," The Queen answered, obviously frustrated.

A young man entered the room immediately bowing he said, "Forgive me, My Queen, but the city is surrounded, we have just discovered 3 more squads of dark minions, the are all moving to converge on the city. In just 1 or 2 days they will be within range of the barrier, the squads are all humans so the will not be repelled, or destroyed."

"How many soldiers are there?" the Queen asked.

"Roughly, 100 on each squad," The man answered.

"Okay go tell every soldier to prepare for an invasion." She commanded him.

Without a word he left to fulfill his duty.

Esholyn this is the worst possible outcome," the Queen immediately stated as soon as the door was shut.

Im gonna have to lead this assault you.."

"Mother I will not hide while people die because of me," Esholyn cut her Mother off mid sentence.

Esholyn now is not the time, The Queen snapped, I will not put children in harms way.

"How can you say that!" Esholyn yelled, "I'm the one they are after and you know this. If I simply hide in the city how many people including children do you think will die?"

The Queen hesitated no doubt thinking of what her daughter just said.

"Esholyn you will go to the hidden room, and that is final. Oren, Johnny, Harvey, escort Esholyn to the saferoom." The Queen commanded, her tone carrying no feel for a debate.

"Mother please," Esholyn tried to complain, but Johnny grabbed her by the arm saying, "come on Esholyn."

As Johnny, Oren, and Harvey escorted Esholyn, Oren spoke out, "hold on you guys, I have to go get Emera," Then Oren bolted full speed to Emeras room, he made it in seconds calling out "Emera come out, bring Merc, there is a battle about to begin."

Emera appeared immediately with Merc following behind her,

Swoop... Oren hopped up on Emeras back.

Swoosh... Oren sped and met back up with Esholyn, Harvey, and Johnny, The castle was bustling, soldiers were getting ready for battle, maids and servants were heading to safety. The battle was a day away, people had to make preparations for the worst.

Besides that the city couldn't evacuate, because it was surrounded by the dark forest.

If the city were to pour out into the forest, the beasts would know, and devour every human they could find, it truly would be a massacre.

When Oren met back up with Esholyn and the others, they all went to the hidden room together.

The room was located deep within the castle, they traveled quite a distance, traversing down multiple flights of stairs and through several long hallways that seemed to twist and turn, had Esholyn not been there, they would have gotten lost in this stone maze.

They came to A stone wall, Esholyn move to the wall and pressed 2 or 3 stones in sequence.

The walled started to rumble then opened, revealing a large room, big enough to maybe fit an entire family comfortably, there was even bedrooms.

When they entered the hidden room Esholyn pressed another sequence of stones closing the door behind them.

"Okay listen, I don't care what my mother says I am not gonna stay in here while everyone dies."

Esholyn was still furious, she wasn't taking no for answer. She knew there would be major casualties if she remained in the city, after all she was most likely the target.

Esholyn, we cannot go against the Queen," Harvey disagreed,

"No, Esholyn is right," Oren spoke out, "How about this, at least we could go into the city and keep people safe from harm," Oren looked at Harvey, "If Esholyn is the target this is not going to keep her safe we are stuck in here how can we fight if we are discovered?"

"Yeah I agree with Oren," Johnny announced, "If Esholyns father is involved in this, then he knows the layout of the castle and most likely knows about the safe rooms."

"Hold on," Esholyn spoke up, She then materialized 2 jewels, they were large rubies with magic symbols on them.

"These are travel stones," Esholyn told them, "with these I can teleport to another place if that place has a travel stone set up," She looked at Oren "I have one for the place in the dark forest were we met, me and my mother sometimes used it to go into the forest for my training, but now I think mother was waiting for the owner of the beast stone. I also have one for a secret place in the city, I'm supposed to use it only if this place gets discovered, but I'm not waiting around for that so we go now and we together or I'm going alone."

Esholyn was determined to go fight, although she was supposed to be kept safe, she could easily disappear with her travel stones, so the boys could only agree. However they were also willing to protect the city, after all, everyone wasn't a warrior or wizard. Although everyone possessed some sort of innate magic and healing, most people didn't have fighting talent and lived normal lives. "Everyone hold Hands, we are going into th city," Esholyn said after everyone materialized there weapons and armor itwas truly a sight to behold, as everyone had on their warrior gear.

Esholyn was wearing A blue mage cloak adorned in jewels.

Her hood was up covering the earthstone in her forehead eliminating her blue glow, still, she had a scepter in her hand, however this scepter didn't hold the sky stone it held a white orb like her mothers scepter giving off that blinding white aura.

Oren and Emera was in that black iron armor, Oren had on his black iron gauntlets with the silver blades protruding out of the elbows. Harvey was wearing a white suit of light armor, his lightning blade in his hand crackling with electricity. While johnny had merged with Merc his entire body completely covered in silver mercury like metal, but this weird metal actually hardened and soften at will.

....Flash...and the room was empty.

Everyone of them was ready for battle, but they were children they didn't know the first thing about war.