Dim light barely illuminated the bedroom as Marix was awoken by a loud commotion outside.

He sat up and rubbed his eyes as he tried to orient himself. The sun was just barely peeking over the horizon in the early hours of the morning.

A cold draft sent goosebumps up his arms, causing him to shiver.

He approached his curtains and pulled them open with a yawn to see what was happening outside.

The world seemed to be drenched in a pale blue color, coated by fog, yet there was no mistaking the scene unfolding before him.

Solan soldiers marched through the capitol of Viraaz, the clamor of their armor and the synchronized beats of their steps echoed through the air.

Their weapons were drawn, ready to slice down anyone that may get in their way.

Viraaz citizens who were leaving the safety of their homes to set up their shops or go on a morning stroll were caught by surprise as the soldiers threatened them and shoved them out of the way.

They let out horrified screams as they were shoved onto the cold, hard, stone flooring and scrambled back into their residences.

"HELP! WE’RE UNDER ATTACK!" A few of them screamed in warning before slamming their doors behind them and locking themselves inside.

"Damnit!" He rushed to Eilownia’s side of the bed and shook her until she woke up.

"What....is it?" She asked groggily, rubbing her eyes.

"Whin. You need to get up now!"

He quickly began to pull on his clothes, "The Solan army has infiltrated Viraaz, we have to go, NOW!"

Whin scrambled out of bed and quickly began to change.

"Grab your things too. Quick, quick!"

"I’m going as quick as I can!" She said as she pulled her hair out of the top of her dress and began grabbing some of her things.

’How did they infiltrate without any warning? We’re completely unprepared!’

Eilownia held her jewelry box, rabbit plushies and the book Marix had given her in her arms.

Marix yanked one of the pillow cases off their pillows and shoved the items inside, tying the opening before handing it to her.

"Stick close to me and do not leave my side unless I tell you to."

He grabbed her hand and dragged her through the house.

When they arrived at the gardens, Marix placed his hand on the small of Eilownia’s back and led her out of the gate, which headed towards the forest.

"Be careful not to trip." He warned as they walked through the unpathed area full of rocks, animal bones and other debris.

"I am." Eilownia panted, staring down at the floor as she allowed him to lead her.

They took the back route to the military camp and approached the back gates which were guarded by two soldiers.

"G-General?!" They shouted in surprise.

Marix nodded as they passed.

"Why aren’t you using the front gate?"

"Solan army has infiltrated Viraaz. It’s not safe. You two are going to be needed. Come with me."

The men nodded and followed after them, their weapons squeezed strongly in their hands as they continued cautiously.

The army was already geared up and waiting for him with Briggs at the helm.

"Briggs!" Marix yelled.

Briggs turned around and saluted him, "Tara heard the commotion as she was coming back from gathering Mugwort. I came over here to prepare the army."

Marix patted his shoulder and gave him an approving nod, "Good work."

Briggs took a step back as Marix began pacing in front of the army, "As I’m sure you’re all aware by now, the Solan army has launched a surprise attack on our citizens! They have somehow invaded Viraaz without any warning! Today we are going into battle and risking out lives to protect our loved ones!"

Prav, who was in the crowd, kept his eyes glued to Marix, his jaw practically stuck to the floor.

Once Marix finished with his speech, the men all raised their weapons and let out a war cry.

By that time, the stable boys had already arrived with their horses tacked up and fully armored.

Marix then approached Prav and pulled him aside.

"L’adore, I-I mean! General Marix! I can’t believe you’re the General. What a fool I was to say all of those things I was! Please forgive me! I-"

Marix held his hands up in the air, "Calm down. It’s fine. I have a more important mission for you. Do you see that woman over there?"

He pointed towards Eilownia who was standing awkwardly with a fearful look on her face. Prav nodded.

"I need you to take a few others, and take her to my safehouse in the forest. Guard her with your lives. There’s a map in the war room that will take you to it."

Prav continued to nod along, obviously taking mental notes of everything Marix was telling him.

"In the stable there is a dapple gray Andalusian. Take him, ride with her there. She is carrying a Viraaz heir, you have to make sure NOTHING happens to her."

A fierce determination appeared in Prav’s eyes as he gave Marix a salute.

"Sir, you can trust me! I won’t allow anything to happen to her or the heir! You can rest easy leaving me to the job!"

Without allowing Marix to respond, Prav set off speaking with the soldiers and pointed towards Eilownia.

Marix charged his horse straight into the crowd of soldiers, slashing is sword through the crowd, sending blood splattering in the air.

"AUGHHH!!!"

The other soldiers quickly parted ways as to not get trampled by his giant steed and swung their swords at the next wave of Viraaz soldiers that followed behind him.

CLANG! CLANG!

Viraaz Army’s armored horses fended off the on foot attacks perfectly.

"GET THE ARCHERS! BURN THE PLACE DOWN!" The General of Sola screamed.

Marix knew him well through his strategic research.

Noric Treiauff. His father and grandfather before him were also Generals of the Solan army; a family of strength and brains who had a long history of loyalty to the Sola crown.

However, someone with such large shoes to fill would naturally see some setbacks.

Marix began to calculate.

’Will he be overly confident in the traits and skills passed down to him and overestimate himself? Then he’ll leave a point open. Or is he the type to feel the need to prove himself to the point he becomes messy? Does he truly have this war on his mind or is it his loved ones that will be his downfall?’

His mind reeled a mile a minute, all the while galloping through the soldiers and swinging his sword.

Arrows began to rain down on them, striking some of the Viraaz soldiers and knocking them off their mounts.

He continued with the small fry while he tried to observe Noric, who was sitting behind the army on his pure white horse. He sat tall with his shoulders back and head held high while his horse had a strong arched neck and was wearing a blanket with the Solan flag.

"I SAID – BURN! IT!" Noric screamed.

All he was doing was shouting orders at his men, as if he were playing a chess game.

’So, he’s just sitting back not getting his hands dirty huh? He’s letting everyone else do all his dirty work. Not working as a cohesive unit?’ Marix observed as he wiped some blood off of his face.

As he galloped around to attack the next group, he smelled smoke. He glanced around to see the café was on fire and a few soldiers with torches headed towards the bakery.

"EVACUATE! EVERYONE EVACUATE!" Marix screamed as he kicked his horse towards the soldiers with the torches.

Thick smoke was already filling the air.

’W-What?! How?! Our buildings are made of stone?! They must’ve used some sort of accelerant and smoke enhancer.’ He coughed and squinted through the gray screen as he swung his sword.

They used the smoke screen to their advantage, dodging his attack, and hit his horse in the back of the leg with their torch.

It let out a piercing neigh as it reared its legs high in the air. Marix shoved his body weight forward to prevent himself from being thrown.

Taking advantage of the situation, one of the Solan archer’s sent an arrow flying through the air, aiming at his silhouette in the smoky sea.

He felt a piercing pain in the back of his upper left arm. "TSK!"

Marix reached over and broke the arrow in two, tossing the feathered end to the ground.

"EVACUATE! EVACUATE!" A few of the Viraaz soldiers ran door to door before being joined by a few good samaritans, "FIRE! THEY’RE BURNING THE PLACE DOWN! FIRE! GET OUT!"

Marix jumped off his horse and slapped its flank, sending it running off as he exited the wall of smoke.

A loud rumble echoed over the mixture of weapons clanking, commands and screams.

His eyes widened at the sight.