Episode 14

"Her death? Whose?" Merida asked again. "Your mother Merida!" Jason answered. 'Our mother? How does he know her?' Merida was now looking at Jason inquisitively, to which he replied with a laugh, "Don't worry, it isn't like I loved her or anything. But you know, she was the best mage and everyone respected her. When I heard your father was marrying her, it made us really happy, me and my wife. She was a gifted mage and if she would have lived, I'm sure she'd have surpassed even those Plane guardians, but…" His tone got a bit serious, "She got cursed by one of the appraisers of the demon race, a curse that killed her. All I want is to avenge her death for your father as he lost his cool ever since. I can't just sit and watch him die inside." Hearing this her blood began to boil up and she abruptly threw a deadly spell on one of the enemy spawn trying to pounce on them.

The war broke out and it was chaotic. Here at the back gate of the castle. Everyone could feel the fierce battle that was raging at the front gates. "If only I could fight more, father let me go! I'll go and help them." Nicholas urged Evan to which he clearly said no. "Nicholas, you'll be a burden on them as of now. You fought well my child, it's now their turn to shine." Saying this he turned to Vivian and bowed, "I'm really sorry Vivian for putting your father in danger." He said to which she replied, "Please, don't lower your head, your majesty. And as for his actions, I believe if it'd have been you at his place, you'd have acted the same. So please, and for now we must assure your safety" Saying this she turned towards Theodore to find out he was helping a kid to get on a cart. Seeing this she couldn't help but smile a bit before an explosion spell interrupted her gaze. "Careful." She screamed as the explosion spell was headed towards the cart Theodore was standing next to. Just as it was about to hit the cart, she closed her eyes. When she opened her eyes as there was no sound and to her surprise, there was a barrier above them. She couldn't see the caster but it must have been someone with very good casting skills. But there was no time to think. She helped the last of the people climb in the cart and climbed in herself to leave the compound walls.

As they left Theodore, Vivian, and Evan all looked at the capital city in regret and they could feel that the war wasn't going well. They somehow escaped the range of the attack spells and ran towards Ephesus. They ran through the forest zone towards the Ephesus. It was a city of lakes and was ruled by Queen Athena who was a close acquaintance of both Jason and Evan. She was a Vulpine by race and was around 108 years old. 108 years! As one of the long-living species, she clearly had a good amount of wisdom. She had helped a few kingdoms in the past. And she was also one of the descendants of the seven primary gods. Evan and Jason were also the descendants of them which made them natural allies. In the past, Athena once helped Evan in dealing with the neighboring nation when they had infiltrated the allied territory. As they passed through the primary forest line, the weather changed suddenly. Vivian suddenly understood that this wasn't a natural phenomenon but some high tier magic. The mood suddenly turned gloomy. "I hope this isn't something I think." The cart kept moving forward.

As they moved through the forest and arrived at the open field, the cart in the front suddenly stopped. Evan stepped out and moved to the fronts, Theodore and Vivian followed him. As they got to the front their eyes widened, Evan almost fell to the ground. Vivian covered her mouth and had a shocked expression. The scenery in front was equally horrifying, there was a whole army waiting for them. They couldn't have thought of such a possibility. Nicholas managed to step out of the cart and moved to the front and walked to Evan. "Father, I might be able to buy you a few minutes." He said with a resolve to which Evan replied in a low tone, "Nicholas, I can't afford to lose anyone anymore, we will circumvent them, turn back." Just as he ordered, the cart in the back didn't move. "What? You want to die here?" He screamed but before he could continue, one of the men shouted, "Sire, come forth, quickly." His voice seemed nervous. They all ran to his side, and as they reached, Evan fell on the ground. "NO!" Vivian screamed with tears in her eyes. There were two Demonoid grabbing two people who were bleeding crazy. They were Jason and Merida. They threw both of them on the ground. In front of the two people were lying, beaten to a pulp, on the verge of dying. They were being humiliated. With a sharp force, they kicked them towards Evan. Without giving it a thought Evan grabbed Jason who was beaten too much as Theodore and Nicholas helped Merida to stand. "They are too strong." Said Merida before passing out. As Vivian and Evan picked up Jason and carried him to the cart.

As they stood and looked around, they were completely surrounded. "Father, at least now let me." Nicholas drew his sword out. "Damn, those who can fight, surround the carts in a defensive formation, let's put up a good fight," Evan ordered looking at the carts in the back. Everyone stepped out of the cart causing an uproar. In a split second the carts were surrounded by soldiers. As they proceeded the second wave of war raged. The war would be an understatement, as it looked like a one-sided massacre. The soldiers were being killed one after another, Evan and Nicholas were trying hard to save their people, but their efforts were futile. Even they were overwhelmed. After a while, a strike landed on Evan's back and rendered him from his actions. Nicholas Pounced at the one whom his father was fighting with but was blocked by an enemy spawn and his strength lacked at the moment as well. Theodore was defending a cart along with Vivian, he saw his father in such a desperate situation and couldn't help but close his eyes. A drop of tear fell from his eyes. A huge clang, that huge sword clashed on something metallic. He opened his eyes to see what happened and to his surprise, a sturdy figure was defending his father, in fact, there were many such figures, and Aeneas was standing next to him. He walked towards the Demonoid trying to kill his father, and in just a single slash he split open that beast. Looking at Theodore he said, "Take your people along with these men, they'll escort you to Ephesus. I'll stop them right here, right now!" "Stop them, they are in thousands, how can you?" Theodore yelled looking at him. Without responding to him, Aeneas turned and took off his cloak, revealing the two Great Swords. Looking at him Jason spoke with a shiver, "It's him! It's the legendary Ace, Aeneas!"