//------------------------------// // The Valor of an Old Friend // Story: The Fall of Valencia // by Etherium-Apex //------------------------------// Rejoining his remaining soldiers, he entered the fray alongside them, fighting off any enemies he could. He hacked away at the nightmarish creatures before him, slaying all in his path, hoping to push back closer to the front gates. When the time was right, he gave the call. “Fall back!” He bellowed. “Fall back to Astica! The city is lost!” His soldiers obeyed, and they began retreating. They fought off any enemies they could, some slain in the process, all making their way toward the main gates. As Marcellus looked around, something came to his mind. He could not see Felix, his dear second lieutenant. He hoped with every inch of his being that he was simply out of sight. He wasn’t sure if his heart could handle another loss. “Felix?!” Marcellus shouted, looking around as the soldiers ran past him. “Where is Felix?!” Marcellus stopped a passing sergeant and grabbed her shoulders, visibly distressed. “Have you seen Lieutenant Felix?” “Not in a while, sir! He went missing hours ago!” “Where did you last see him?” “Near the crash site of the high tower. But, sir, if you go to find him, you might not make it out with us.” “I’m not leaving this city without him. Get your soldiers out of here. If I don’t make it out, it was an honor serving with you all. Carry on the light and flag of the Solar Empire. Avenge the lives lost on this forsaken land!” He let go of his sergeant, who in return gave him a salute. Marcellus mirrored the gesture and dismissed her before turning back toward the site of the fallen tower. With a deep breath, he shut his eyes, and his magic carried him through space instantaneously to his destination. As Marcellus re-appeared near the site, he failed to notice a Shade behind him, raising its blade and standing on its hind legs to strike him down. He turned around at precisely the last moment, but before he could raise his own sword, the creature lost its grip and convulsed, its sword clattering to the ground. Its body jolted, and a familiar deep blue blade of light burst through its chest. The sword was then ripped from its body, causing it to collapse to the ground. “Ares!” “I think I’m beginning to get the hang of this!” Ares engaged with another enemy, and Marcellus took his side to join and fight with him. “Why are you still here? The city is lost! You have to get out of here!” “I was on the other side of the city. We’re heading back now, but these monsters are in the way. Why are you here?” “My closest friend and second in command is missing. I will not leave without him.” “Then I’ll help you!” Marcellus sighed. He could not deny that Ares knew his way with a sword. He never thought he would be fighting side by side with someone so young, but he found no reason to complain. Back to back, they readied their weapons for the incoming horde. Skeletal shadows, and tall nightmares on two legs. Bravely they fought, both using their magic as needed to push back the tide of shadow. Soon enough, Marcellus spotted a familiar figure, a tan stallion buried underneath the rubble and twisted steel. “There he is!” Marcellus shouted. “We have to get him out!” Ares lifted away the stones and debris to reveal the unconscious stallion. Alive, but definitely not well. Marcellus rushed to his side, quickly checking to see if he was breathing, to listen for a heartbeat. Thankfully, he felt both. His friend was alive. Soon enough, Felix opened his bloodshot eyes, disoriented, but soon enough discovered his friend in front of him. The sounds of war echoed in the distance as the sky thundered, the clouds flashing and the ground shaking as more of Umbra’s creations took hold of the city. “Felix!” “I knew you’d find me…” Felix looked up at Marcellus, his voice weak and raspy, his fur matted, his body bruised, blood trailing from his mouth. He was weak, gravely injured. He placed a shaking hoof on Marcellus’ shoulder. “Of course, Felix.” Marcellus bore a grin, despite the tears welling in his eyes. He was not much better, coated in the grime and blood of battle. “Where’s your helmet?” “I, I lost it,” Marcellus said. “Oh. I lost mine, too.” Marcellus looked down at his old friend, past the dirt and the injury, the dried blood. Into the misty violet eyes of his lifelong friend. “Do you remember the old days, Felix?” “W-What do you mean…?” “When we were young. When the greatest trouble we faced was with our parents. Before the great turmoil, before the fighting and death… Do you remember the games we used to play?” Felix tried to take a deep breath, but coughed instead. “I-I remember… You would always get me into trouble with your adventures. And I would have to get us out of it.” Marcellus chuckled, a single tear falling from his eyes and onto his friend’s chest. “Yeah. Your parents made the best apple pie.” He let out a deep sigh, dropping down to lay his head against Felix’s. “I miss those days…” Felix himself could not keep his eyes dry, returning his friend’s affection. “Days long gone… Now all that lies in its wake is death. An endless fight against a merciless evil. There is no end! They will take the rest of our grand cities, and this world will fall!” Marcellus lifted his head and looked into Felix’s fearful eyes. “Our blood runs with the strength and magic of our grand creator. We will fight back this darkness. We will not let the Empire fall, or allow its creatures to suffer this plague.” “Marcellus… Are you going to leave me here?” “No… I’ll never leave you. I promise that. I’m going to take care of you. Come on.” Marcellus got up and lifted Felix with his magic, letting him rest on his back. “We’re getting out of here.” Marcellus carried Felix away, Ares following behind. But, behold, another threat loomed from above. Dark terrors with bat-like wings, furred forms diving towards them with sharpened talons and rows of jagged teeth. Their screeching sounds filled the air as they came. “Stryga!” Marcellus shouted. “I’ll provide us cover. We make for the front gates, no stopping!” Felix groaned. “I-I always hated those things…” Marcellus conjured a shield, blocking the flying creatures from reaching them. Their claws instead grasped at the enchanted energy as they ran. Onward they went, hearts pounding, lungs burning, begging for them to stop. Marcellus especially, as he carried the burden of two. But they could not stop. The gates grew ever closer, but it was such a long distance. So many terrible things tearing away at his shield. The infernal shrieking drilled at his ears as they fled, and a choice soon fell upon him. His focus weakened, and the barrier of light flickered. He had no choice. He had to run from another fight. He reached over to grab ahold of Ares, and as he lit his horn, he once again dissipated.