Alexander was rushing back to the academy as fast as he can on his companion, Stella, in helplessness. He kept cursing himself for having left the academy at this time of the year, when tensions kept rising between the Ohen and the academy. He knew it, he knew it all along, and yet he was careless to leave at this hour. Even worse, if it hadn’t been for that earlier encounter, he would have left the place entirely to the mercy of their soldiers: ------ (Flashback) The remaining ten soldiers of the squadron, the commander included, was left in complete shock, as they saw for their eyes, a lone man on a white steed chopping down a company of fifty men and only breaking sweats from it. They were now left with very few choices, whether to retreat or be routed in shame and chances of being executed for not accomplishing their tasks, or stay and get cut down by the mysterious horseman. It looked like most of them chose the former, leaving only three men left. [color=fff200]“Looks like the three of you have realized your fate already.”[/color] The horseman spoke, as he changed the grip on his Swiss saber. [color=fff200]“Very well…” [/color] He suddenly slashed his horse rein, and the mighty steed broke into a gallop. One of the two soldiers tried to shoot Alexander dead using his bow and arrows. But how naive he was, after seeing how Alexander managed to deflect dozens of them a few minutes earlier. And he did not hesitate to do that again. The unfortunate man was then shot dead by a light bolt that was formed on the tip of the swiss saber. The other one didn’t even have the time, or strength, to put up his shield, as the horse rammed both him and the commander with full speed, sending the two soldiers to the ground before the other soldier being trampled to death by the hundred kilogram horse. The commander lied on the muddy ground helplessly, under the blade of the young Alexander, at the mercy of fate. But it seemed that he wasn’t willing to accept it. [color=f6989d]“Please! Don’t kill me! I’m just following orders!”[/color] Orders? Whose orders? Or rather, why are these soldiers here? [color=fff200]“If you don’t want to squander your life here, then tell me the truth. What is going on here?”[/color] [color=f6989d]“Her majesty…She ordered all of this…”[/color] Her majesty? The Ohen? Wait… Alexander realized his big mistake. (/Flashback) ------ He had to grit his teeth in order to continue on. Is this the fate that awaits all the Aedises, a destiny of total annihilation? Alexander arrived at the gate of the academy, to witness a huge scene of pure massacre unraveling in front of his eyes. Soldiers were overrunning the courtyard, as they mow down the younglings, some of whom were only ten to fourteen, ever inexperienced with their powers. Every blows dealt to the young students was every blows to his heart. In his mind ran multiple trains of thoughts, each overlapping each other. Is Thomas alright? Is Euphelia, his tutor, safe? Has everybody managed to escape the academy? The sheer brutality of the scene in front of him was so immense that even his horse Stella would have to turn away from looking at them directly. [color=fff200]“Stella?”[/color] Alexander too had to turn away for a few seconds. [color=fff200]“Do not fear. It’s what you and I have been trained so many times together for.”[/color] He petted the horse to ensure that he would not get spooked by the attack, for he was about to charge in. He couldn't stand this sight any longer. Swinging his eyes around, he noticed a band of soldiers, around twenty in total, attacking a small group of students around his age. With absolute no hesitation, Alexander shouted, with his saber unsheathed. [color=fff200]“Come Stella! Ride! Ride!!!”[/color] And he charged.