Rebellion's Resurgence

CHAPTER 1

Pilot

PALACE, GLASGOW

The sounds of clanging swords, yells of battle and those of dying men signified only one thing; there was an ongoing battle to defend the kingdom from the invasion of Saxon led by the formidable and feared Emperor Timothy Hildegard. Whilst all these was going on outside, inside the citadel was a flutter of tension. A man in a noble cloth walked with short but purposeful stride. He had a lock of golden hair with weathered out face. A long scar lined the side of his neck. A sword hung by a black belt on his waist. It was unencumbered by the burden of a sheath. The royal gown he donned on was black flowing down to his knees and split on all four sides enabling the belt and sword to show. It also had a golden design in the front.

No guards were standing inside the palace. It was highly unusual but given that every effort was geared towards the warfront, it was to be expected. Meanwhile, King Rick, short, bulky with blond hair and a scar lined out by the side of his neck walked with a fast stride and a frowning face as his sword swung by the sheath joined to his hip. He was a man of singleness of purpose and determination. As such, he would stop at nothing to ensure that the emperor never laid his hands on the prized possession: The crown prince of Glasgow for when the time comes that the prince is of age, he would take back his kingdom with pride.

The king swung open the ornate almost golden doors of the Throne Room and entered. The grand doors opened smoothly as King Rick let himself in. Standing before the throne was a man dressed what appeared to be a physician's apparel but was in fact a wizard's garb. He was slim and stood tall at over six feet. He had long black hair on his head as well as a goatee in his chin. The man's head was bowed as if in silent supplication or in silent meditation. King Rick's shoe echoed within the room as he walked towards the man. The man raised up his head and tilted his head to the side before turning slowly towards the king walking towards him.

"Your Highness." His voice was like a silent whisper as he regarded King Rick.

King Rick directed his gaze towards the throne in the front of the room before looking at the tall lean man who was his father stood before him. He walked slowly past the man before speaking,

"Father, the times are dire and dark but I know that I can trust you."

Alfred looked up slowly, his eyes devoid of any emotion as he replied,

"My Son, your kingdom was my kingdom. I would never do anything to endanger all of this. Ask of me even the earth and I'll give it to you."

The King nodded with satisfaction as he fingered the arm of the red velvet throne. He turned back to face Alfred, his eyes steaming over as if he would cry. But instead he raised himself straight and steeled himself as he said,

"Alfred Griffith, you are a seer and a wizard. Right now, we cannot delay the inevitable. The Kingdom is already lost. I need you to go to Ethan's room. Take him. I need the both of you to disappear because Timothy will not stop until he relinquishes and eradicates my bloodline from this earth. When the Prince is truly ready to take back this kingdom, I want you to be his guiding hand. I need you to guide him in the choices he makes. Let him make the mistakes that he will but let him know that no matter what, you will be there to hold him when he falls. Protect him from Timothy's forces".

Tears streamed down Alfred's face as the King gave his final commands. He stood up, looked at King Rick as he heard heavy footsteps coming the way of the throne room. He ran out the emergency exit as King Rick placed his hand on the hilt of the sword by the sheath in his hip.

The battle-field was quiet already. A large bulky warrior in a special wine-coloured armour with belt crossing all the way to the waist flanked on both sides by five soldiers walked the length of the too quiet battlefield heading towards the citadel. Dead men of both sides laid on the ground. The ground was scattered with the lots of them. Most had their heads cut off or their bodies mangled by the weapons of the enemy.

Emperor Tim scoffed as he walked past the dead soldiers. He climbed the stairs leading to the insides of the Citadel. His too slow steps echoed in the hall way of the palace. His lips curled up in a smile as he approached the throne room. He signalled the soldier behind him. The soldier nodded and headed a different direction. The emperor heard the voices in the throne room even before he reached there. The four soldiers flanking him tore into the room first, their swords at the ready to sunder enemy forces. But they met only the king in the room, his sword held loose in his hand. Emperor Tim entered the room, a flicker of surprise and pleasure lit in his eyes when he spotted the lone figure in the room.

The soldier opened the wooden regal door of the prince's room quietly. He peered into the dark room trying to see into the dark where the price was. He drew his sword as quietly as he dared and entered the room stealthily. He continued looking around the room only to be caught off guard by a wood that conked him in the head. His head caught fire as he turned to look behind him. He groaned as the head throbbed delicately. He frowned ready to gut down the little bastard. He waved his sword towards the direction as he spotted a shadowy figure hiding itself. He raised his sword ready to bring the sharp end of it down on the figure who screamed.

Alfred Griffith hurried down the hall way desperate to get to Prince Ethan's room. Enemy forces were already swarming the whole palace. He had to dodge two or three of those men in leather jerkins they called armour. He scoffed and quickened his pace as he kept looking around to gauge whether he was being followed. So far, so good, he thought as he breathed out. A scream coming from the direction of the Prince's room sent racking chills down his back. He stood horrified for what seemed like minutes, but in reality, was only seconds before his legs moved and he rocketed down the rest of the way.

He saw the door of the room opened before he got there. His heart flew into his mouth as he rushed in. He barely saw the soldier before the words careened out of his mouth and the spell sent the soldier flying to hit the other side of the room. He laid unconscious on the ground. He turned to face the young prince, grabbed his hand and began to chant. When he was through, it was as if they had never been in the room. They had just vanished into thin air.

King Rick glared at Emperor Timothy as he and his men entered. King Rick looked defiant as his posture denoted anything but submission. He would rather die than submit and he intended just that. As the Emperor moved towards him with a smirk, a soldier moved ahead of him and delivered an uppercut to the king's jaw. The punch sent the king's head to the side. His vision swam for a while as he raised his face up. He raised his hand wiping the blood from his split lip.

"You won't fight back? Poor shame." Emperor Tim sneered.

"You were always an opportunist taking advantage of other people. You might think that you've won but this is just the beginning. You will be destroyed at last."

So, saying, he lifted up his sword and in a flurry of movement too fast to even anticipate, he stabbed through the soldier that had punched him. The soldier gasped as he slid to the ground off the sword. He raised the sword on himself and took a punch through his heart. He smiled as he slid to his knees and fell sideways plunging to his own death.

Emperor Tim was taken completely by surprise. He smiled and turned to the remaining three soldiers,

"No doubt the prince has escaped. Organise a city-wide search for him. I won't have anyone contesting this throne with me. Burn the bodies." He moved towards the throne.

CHAPTER 2

Chased

10 years later

Ethan looked out into nothingness. He was seeing it all but his thoughts processes at that moments were far removed from what was going on around him. The sixteen-year-old lanky teen was less concerned about any disturbances that would disturb his peace that was until his teacher called his attention making his classmates to snigger. He bowed his head for a bit as he wondered why Alfred would put him here of all places. Alfred had claimed that it was the best swords training school in the county and it would make a good hide out for them given that Emperor Tim was on a stake out for anyone resembling him even remotely.

Mr. Patrick looked at his students, his eyes registering both pride and fear at the same time. Each of this student wanted to part of something great, something that could cost them their lives. 5 years ago, in a gallant bid to resist the Emperor and stand with the rising warlock as prophecies had foretold, resistance fighters had been formed. Emperor Tim had thinned out their members with his formidable army that contained both warriors and sorcerers. With Emperor Timothy's orders, the army was taking over every kingdom it could lay its hands on.

His eyes trailed to a particular student: Ethan Griffith. He was particularly distracted this morning.

"Ethan Griffith." He called and glared at the remaining students as they sniggered.

Ethan looked up, his face scarlet red as he realised the whole class was looking at him. He bent his head as he replied,

"Master Patrick."

"Are we disturbing you perhaps?" He asked half joking as a ghost of a smile flittered across his face.

"No, sir. I am actually..." He realised what the teacher's raised eyebrow meant as he quickly stuttered, the words dying on his lips as he quickly spoke,

"I am sorry, sir. I shouldn't have zoned out in your class."

"You shouldn't have." Mr. Patrick agreed before saying, "Pick a weapon."

The whole class stared at the teacher wondering what he was up to. Mr. Patrick looked over the class before his gaze stopped at the youth seated at the corner. He called,

"Sebastian, step forward please."

Ethan looked at the bulky but muscled youth coming forward. His face was unusually weathered whether from hard work or something else. Nobody could tell. Ethan picked a sword from the stack of weapons pinned to the front of the class.

"Sebastian, do well to pick your weapon please." Mr. Patrick spoke as Sebastian came to the front of the class. Sebastian turned to the stack of weapons which were pinned on top of a board. His eyes raked over each available option: Sword, bow with a pouch of arrows, mace, spear, and Axe. He settled for the sword and picked it up weighing its heaviness and testing its balance in his large hands.

Mr. Patrick looked at the students whose curiosity were piqued. He smiled and spoke,

"Freedom fighters must be prepared for anything. Now, these two will show the whole class the technique of fighting." The two students stood up firm, neither of them betraying the uncertainty that churned inside them. They only turned to each other and gave a curt nod to the other. Mr. Patrick left the front of the class as the students shifted chairs and made a make-believe arena for the both. Ethan and Sebastian stepped in the middle. A student whispered to the girl beside him,

"I'm pretty sure that Ethan will win. He is skilled as he is."

"Nah., I wager on Seb bear. He has such strong muscles." Her smile was lopsided as she daydreamed in her mind. She followed Sebastian's action with robot-like concentration. He was so sure that she was already undressing Sebastian in her mind. He grimaced inwardly at the thought as he rolled his eyes and watched the ongoing battle.

Ethan deflected a sword blow and twisted out of the way of an elbow to the face. The last one had nearly blinded him. Sebastian watched Ethan with a calculative glance, his eyes following his movements. Ethan twirled his sword in his hand and rushed at Sebastian. Sebastian was taken by surprise as he was put on the defensive by Ethan's skills. As Ethan bought his face forward in an attempt to disarm Sebastian, Sebastian brought his left fist in a left hook to the face that in no small measures rattled Ethan as he fell back blinking his eyes several times to ensure that he hadn't been blinded by that severe punch to the face. Before he got his bearings back, a leg met his and he went crashing to the ground with an impact sounding like the going off of an atomic bomb. He opened his eyes only to meet the sharp tip of a sword pointed to his neck. He gasped in surprise as he slowly raised his hand in a surrender sign.

The students had been watching in a tension filled silence. However, when Sebastian employed his fist in that terrific, awesome but short fight, sniggers were heard from some corners of the class. However, with that last win, the class erupted into a burst of loud approving screams. Mr. Patrick stepped into the middle of the class where Sebastian helped Ethan up. The two bowed before the class as Mr. Patrick looked at Ethan and said,

"Sebastian, go back to your seat. Ethan, you lost because you were too eager to prove yourself. You were too eager to win." He motioned Ethan to his seat as well and turned to the rest of the class. He was about to speak when an arrow with a red nock with a note tapered around it flew through the window lodging itself into a wall.

The students frowned not pleased at the prospect of an arrow disturbing their session but they could not ignore it either. Any arrow fired at the enemy with a red nock usually meant declaration of war but who could have done it and why? Those questions roiled around in the young minds as Mr. Patrick moved towards the fired arrow. He tore open the note which boldly stated in red ink LOOK OUTSIDE. He immediately looked out and yelled,

"Everybody, down."

Alarmed, the students barely had enough time to carry out his order when a bunch of arrow shafts flew in through the windows. Mr. Patrick casted a quick spell which in turn created a small but very effective fireball. He flung it at a wall blasting a hole through that wall. He motioned for the students to crawl out the wall as quickly as possible. In a state of controlled panic, they began to crawl towards the hole and out into the back of the building. The unfortunate ones the arrows had struck laid dead on the floor. But each of them was trapped. There was a litany of soldiers out there to kill them. Mr. Patrick tapped his forehead frequently as he thought of an escape plan: one that could either backfire badly or work brilliantly.

Ethan looked at his wrist. On it was a sort of bracelet. It had a sort of small bell. Alfred had given it to him in case he ever needed help. He was only to press the clapper and Alfred would come running to his help. None was as good a time as any. He pressed the clapper and waited with bated breath. Mr. Patrick debated in his mind whether to use his gifts to help his prodigies out of this current dilemma. He was just learning its intricacies.

* * *

Alfred Griffith opened his eyes immediately. He had felt a silent alarm go off in his mind. He released his leg from the yoga position he was seated meditating in as he lowered himself to the earth. He rushed out of the room chanting as he was going. A while later, wind blew across him and he was no longer there. He gasped as he found himself looking at the soldiers that surrounded the school. He called out,

"Hey."

The soldiers turned their faces to face Alfred who stood calmly as if he had no care in the world. A soldier donning on a black helmet with shoulder and chest pads as part of his chainmail stepped out. He peeked out from under his helmet and spoke, his voice ringing out in authority as the General he was,

"Who are you? Tell me and perhaps I will have your name scrawled on your grave after a merciful death."

Alfred smirked at the soldier before him and replied,

"I am a lost old man. I seem to have ended up here by mistake. Care to tell me where the way to the Underworld is?"

The General raised an eyebrow unamused as he raised his hand,

"Archers, get rid of him."

The ghost of a smile flickered on Alfred's face as he stood firm despite the sinister order. Four archers took position before the General, two with manually made bows and the other two with crossbows which had arrows on them. Alfred clenched his fist as the archers fired. Time slowed as Alfred separated his two hands and waved it back. Time went back to its normal flow as the arrows heading towards Alfred flew up and the shrieks of the four archers were heard as the arrow shafts pierced into their skins.

The general looked enraged as his eyes glazed like the embers of a dying fire. His breathing came out in irregular patterns as he snarled,

"What sorcery is this? Arrest him."

The others looked at themselves with uncertainty as they removed their swords and with a unified battle cry, they pushed forward. Alfred scoffed as he stretched out his hand and created a force field. He waved his hand sending the forcefield. It collided violently with the men as it sent them sprawling in diverse directions unconscious. The general chuckled,

"If you want something done, you have to do it yourself. You will pay for challenging the authority of the Emperor."

He drew his sword and made to attack but he never got to as a sword stuck out through his front dripping blood. The General fell to his knees as the sword withdrew itself showing the perpetrator himself to be Sebastian. Sebastian twirled his sword and smirked,

"Nice." He looked at Alfred. "Don't expect to have all the fun. Leave some for the rest of us." His lips split off in a wide smirk as he put his sword back in its sheath. Alfred looked at Sebastian like he had grown two heads. He had just murdered in cold blood and he thought it okay. Given that that was part of the resistance fighters everyday lives, he could hardly complain. The rest of the student body began stepping forward, their facial expression looking shocked and sad at the events that had occurred in their school, an event they had been forced to witness.

Alfred looked out at the sea of heads looking for a particular face. The face itself spotted him long before he had the chance to properly process all that had happened so far.

"Alfred." The voice of his ward called out to him. It seemed strong despite the horror they had all recently experienced. A man that looked like he was in his late 20s' accompanied him. In no time, Ethan reached out to him and enveloped the old man in a bear hug while the man stood there awkwardly, his feet shuffling on the ground. Alfred smirked,

"Glad to see you alive too."

"Thanks for getting my back there. By the way, this is my mentor, Mr. Patrick."

The two men shook hands as Mr. Patrick spoke,

"Thanks once again for the awesome save back there."

"It was really nothing. Ethan's father left me in charge of him. I count it as my responsibility."

"You should know something about Ethan though. He is a good kid but there are times when he tends to rush into battle situation without thinking through. That could get him killed. Looks like I will have to shut down the school though."

"I will take care of him." Mr. Patrick nodded as he walked away from the duo. Ethan looked at Alfred who was staring down at him. Ethan gulped and muttered,

"And so, it begins."

"Yes, it does. Say, do you know any of your classmates who would want part of this?"

"As a matter of fact, I do." Ethan replied looking at Sebastian.

* * *

THE PEOPLE'S PALACE, GLASGOW.

The palace still looked as grand as it did a decade ago. Only difference was that the once joyful aura radiated from the palace had been replaced by an oppressive aura that terrified people beyond measures due to who was the ruler. Every area of the palace was guarded by armed trained soldiers who guarded the Emperor himself twenty-four seven.

Emperor Timothy stood by the windows of the throne room looking at the courtyard where an execution was scheduled to take place that afternoon. One of the so-called freedom fighter fighting for peace. He scoffed. The grand doors of the Throne Room opened and his most trusted General entered. That was the only thing that prompted him to turn around as he nodded to the bulky man in a chainmail with black straps over the armour.

"I trust you've bought good news, General."

"The resistance school has been emptied, my Lord. Most of the students scuttled away like rats. I doubt they will be lifting any arm after that."

The Emperor chuckled,

"That's some good news, I suppose. Now, I want you to make a declaration. There is a star on the arm of the man allegedly destined to end my reign. Find me this man. A thousand bucks for his head."

General Sam nodded as he walked out from the Throne Room ready to carry out his order.

CHAPTER 3

HUNTED

TOWN SQUARE, BRISTOL.

A man wearing a leather armour walked through the square. His face was scarred like it had been injured in many a fight and it had. He was a bounty hunter who lived off hunting down wanted individuals and handing them over. He had been injured doing so and he would die doing so no matter what it took. It had taken his blood and his sweat. Yet, he would not back down. His brunette wavy hair glinted in the sun due to its oily nature. His unusually long sword waved around in its sheath joined to his hip.

He walked into an alley and looked beside him at a wooden sign on which THE BOOTLEGGER was scrawled. The afternoon's hot sun was good reason enough to have a drink of beer in the local bar. He opened the ruddy and somewhat tattered curtain and entered the crowded bar. Men of all shapes, sizes, and looks dominated the insides of the beer palour. He walked over to the bar and the bartender looked at him frowning as he spoke,

"This ain't no place for a fighter, pal. You'd be rounded up faster than you could say jack. I recommend you start going."

The man's lips curled up in a smile as he replied,

"I been fighting longer than you've been alive, mate. Don't worry about me. Serve me scotch on the rocks double." He chuckled as the bartender placed the ordered drink before him.

"Enjoy yourself, pal. Watch your back though. Soldiers surround this whole place."

The man drank the large cup in one gulp. He enjoyed the feeling as it burned all the way down to his throat. He slammed a bag of coins on the bar table and made to leave when he spotted a paper nailed to a pillar there. He walked to the pillar and tore the paper off the place. He smiled showing his yellowish teeth as he spoke,

"This will make me rich." He was about walking out when a man accosted him.

The man smirked and said,

"I will be taking that, mate."

"Perhaps you have not heard of me. I am Gregory, the fearless. You will do well not to stand in my path."

The man drew his sword prompting other men in the bar to do so. Gregory smirked as he drew his sword slowly.

LEIGH WOODS, BRISTOL

"So, you are a prince." Sebastian spoke as the trio walked through the woods. "I find it hard to believe. Are you saying you let me win that fight?" Sebastian asked sceptically, his eyebrows raised.

"Far from it. I'm still learning the intricacies of combat. I'm still surprised that you decided to accompany us on this mission." Ethan asked. His tone was one of surprise and wariness as he glanced sideways at Sebastian.

Alfred wisely decided to stay out of the conversation as he navigated the way through the woods. Sebastian glanced at Alfred who was in the front before speaking,

"This is Mission Impossible as I see it but I will stay till the end to fight alongside you guys. You can't get rid of me that easily."

Ethan called out,

"Alfred, mind telling us where we are headed?"

Alfred tilted his head as he continued walking. He looked at them both as he replied,

"We are going into Bristol. We are going to entail the help of a certain woman. Her name is Lydia. She is a confessor."

"A confessor. We haven't had those here in a decade. Emperor Tim dealt thoroughly with them. How do you expect to find one? They are as scarce as dinosaurs." Sebastian spoke in a tone that sounded like he was beginning to doubt the mission. Alfred looked sideways at Sebastian as he replied,

"Not all of them. Years ago, when the confessors began getting extinct due to being hunted down and butchered by the Emperor's men, they retreated to a town that became protected by magic. My magic. Avonmouth looked like a town to outsiders but it is actually a sanctuary for the confessors. All it requires is a secret password given only to handful of trusted personalities. Luckily, I'm one of those few. I helped some of them escape the claws of the Emperor and in return, Lydia promised me that 'when the young lad is ready, she would have prepared a young budding confessor to help him in his journey.' Her words, not mine." The two men chuckled uneasily at the prospect of having a female on their team. But they continued on their journey nonetheless. None of them aware of the tattoo building up Ethan's arms marking him out. None of them aware of what it would cause.

As they got to the edge of the woods overlooking the bustling city, Alfred smirked, his lips tilted up as the two boys regarded the city with awe. Sebastian suddenly called out,

"Am I delusional or is Ethan having a tattoo?"

Ethan looked at his arm instinctively and gasped,

"Well, this is something." All around his arm shone what looked like stars. It carved around his arm so that it looked like a spiral from his shoulder till it reached his wrist. At the end of the spiral looked like a shaped star. "Alfred, what is the meaning of this." He looked up at his lifetime mentor who had turned back to see what the scuffle had been about. He gasped as he saw the mark. He paced up and down and spoke,

"It's called the mark of the ancients. You have been marked out for something great. This isn't just about getting back your kingdom. The ancients were a group of warriors that fought for the greater good. They were an army known only by this mark. They were all chosen by the sceptre. The first king to become a bloodthirsty monster was withstood by this mighty army. They helped many in their paths. Nothing could stop them. You will know much later but I think that better be covered. If that is found out, you'd be hunted down mercilessly. Trust me, you don't want that." Ethan nodded as Sebastian passed him a blood red hood which he wore as the trio continued their journey to the town

Gregory kicked a man in the torso as the man lunged for him. He immediately swung his sword decapitating the man as he faced down the man that started it all. The man that started it all licked his lips nervously as beads of sweat made itself known on his face as he stepped back. His hand holding his sword trembled ever so slightly as he had seen the brutality with which Gregory cut his enemies. The speed at which he moved was unlike any fighting style ever seen.

Gregory approached him, rage making itself known as he glared at the shorter stocky man. He moved his sword deftly and the man winced as he thought he had already been stabbed but he opened first one eye before opening the two eyes after he felt no staggering pain. He looked at Greg who had his sword stuck in the wood mere inches from his head. He removed his sword and inserted it in its sheath.

The man breathed out in relief as he asked,

"You spared me. Why?"

Greg scoffed,

"It is not my inclination or my first instinct to spare you but you do have your use. And you also seem eager for the money which the capture of this person might bring forth. So how about we work together to capture him and when we capture him, we split the profits."

The man breathed out and replied,

"It would be my pleasure to work with you."

"If you dare to betray me, I will not hesitate to kill you. Are we clear?"

"I dare not."

"Good. Let's go."

The man accompanied him as they both exited the Bootlegger.

Alfred, Ethan and Sebastian walked through the town. As they arrived at the Town Square, Alfred announced,

"I'm going to buy us some horses. Try not to get into trouble and Ethan, keep the hood on. Stay low."

The two boys shrugged as they replied,

"We'll try our best."

"Sure thing. Whatever."

Alfred left the two boys as he headed in another direction. Sebastian and Ethan walked through the square eagerly doing their own version of a tour. That was until Ethan mistakenly collided with Greg. A small portion of the hood covering Ethan's hand flipped open giving Greg full view of the mark the hood covered. His eyes twinkled as he thanked the heavens for his luck. He walked away whistling a tune while walking to the man he had met a while back in the bar.

Ethan and Sebastian were unaware of what had happened or what was about to go down. Sebastian turned his face and narrowed his eyes at the man who had collided with Ethan. Something was off about the way the men stared at them, about the way he stared at Ethan in particular. That was when he saw it. The second warrior raised a crossbow and let an arrow loose at them. Ethan was about to look back and inquire what was wrong and why he suddenly stopped when Sebastian widened his eyes and pushed Ethan away as an arrow shaft whistled past the both of them. Ethan looked every bit as shocked as Sebastian

as. He stood up and drew his sword ever so slowly glimpsing at Sebastian. Before they knew it, military men and two men dressed in a black leather armour surrounded them. As that happened, every one present in the square began to back off. Sebastian smirked,

"Finally, some action."

The both of them stared at each other, a smirk creeping its way into their faces as the duo rushed for the soldiers.

A fierce melee erupted in the square as Ethan and Sebastian gave it their all against the men who didn't expect such fierceness. Ethan dodged a blow as he sliced a man's jugular opened. Sebastian wasn't going easy either. He knocked out a few men that came his way before driving and fighting them with his sword. He deflected a blow and spin kicked the man into a stall. Ethan's method was far less calculative but fiercer as every man that attempted to face him were brutally cut down by the tip of his sword. Before too long, bloodied men or knocked out men decorated the floor. Gregory moved forward clapping his hands together as he mocked them.

"Bravo. A pity you will be cut down mercilessly." He signalled to the other man who dropped the crossbow and removed his sword.

Gregory drew his sword and attacked Ethan. Ethan's lips split off in a crooked smile as he drew his sword to block Greg's blows. But he soon discovered that Gregory's longer sword had greater reach and brutality upon impact leaving him little option than to try and sidestep and defend or get carved in half. That wasn't a very fun option.

Sebastian dodged a would-be mortal blow. His assailant gave him a few seconds of opening. He took that moment to swing in as he knocked the man's sword clean off his hands. As the man was momentarily shocked, Sebastian used the hilt of the sword he carried in his hand and hit the man around the head.

As the man fell, he turned to his side and watched Ethan knocked to the ground by the giant brute of a man who was grinning from ear to ear as he raised the sword upwards ready to stab down on Ethan.

The battle had been short and brutal. Gregory grinned from ear to ear as he raised his sword. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Ethan's partner in crime rushing towards him. He scoffed in disdain but his celebration was cut short as a force-field blasted him seemingly out of nowhere. It flung him aside and temporarily knocked the air out of him. As his head cleared and he stood up, he was assaulted by a barrage of wizard fire. He screamed and rolled on the ground desperate to put off the magical fire that was burning him from the inside out. A little while later, he laid on the ground completely charred. Alfred rolled his eyes as he showed up.

"How hard is it to ask you boys to stay out of trouble?"

He had been the one behind the assault. Three beautiful horses with different colours and saddles already tightened accompanied him. Ethan finally stood up after overcoming the shock that he could have been killed. He looked at Alfred,

"You saved me. Thank you."

"I promised your father that I'd look after you. That is not about to change." Alfred replied as he smirked at the two boys. "Best we be going before another incident happens."

AVONMOUTH, BRISTOL

Sebastian and Ethan looked at the relatively small town that they rode into. They looked pleasantly unsurprised. Greg remarked,

"Well, this is...something." His tone had something of a dry humour attached to it. As they approached a clearing inside the woods, they slowed their horses down to a trot as Alfred led their horses through the clearing. He finally pulled the saddle. The horse getting the signal stopped as its occupant dropped prompting the boys to a stop as well. Ethan raised his eyebrow as he spoke,

"There is nothing here. Is this a joke?"

Alfred replied lilting his head only a little,

"To you, there is nothing. Dona Nobis Introitum."

The curt reply and the strange language caused the boys to look at each other as they also stepped down from their horses as well. Not less than a minute, the air around them began to shimmer as the outline of two rocks became shown. The rocks split just enough for the three of them and the horses to pass through.

The boys' mouths hung open as they passed through the split rocks. Alfred spoke as they walked towards the majestic fortress in front of their eyes,

"This fortress was hidden by powerful wizards, me included. The first Mother Confessor, Caitlyn Victoria had it created for times of emergency. I guess she foresaw this moment. She knew it would come. Welcome to the Confessors Fortress. The secret code was only known to a handful of people. Me included."

He smirked smugly as a stable boy approached them. He relieved them of their horses and bowed to the wizard. The doors of the fortress flung open as a middle-aged woman stepped out. Her hair was brunette as it was not fully black. She wore on a full white dress with splits in the knees which revealed her black tight trousers and the outline of a dagger in her boots. By the smiles on her and Alfred's face, it looked like they were in safe hands.

Alfred's smiles at that moment could break a coconut in that moment as he moved in fast strides and sent a curt nod to the woman as he clasped her hand,

"Mother Confessor Lydia, what a pleasant surprise. The embodiment of law and order in all the lands."

The woman approaching them smiled albeit in a noticeably sad way,

"The First Wizard, we are pleased to have you in our midst. How was the journey? So, who is our hero among those two?"

Alfred enveloped her in a hug as he introduced Ethan,

"This is Ethan Griffith, my grandson and the warlock of our time. This is Sebastian, a warrior who is part of our crusade. Boys, meet the third Mother Confessor, Lydia Winans."

The two boys bowed as Lydia scrutinised them from head to toe before she signalled all of them to follow her. Lydia walked to the entrance, the wizard and the two boys accompanying her.

Immediately they entered the entrance of the Fortress, they were yet again enveloped by another wonder. It was no doubt that the Confessors were living a life of affluence not wanting of anything if the hallway was anything to go by. A huge golden chandelier hung by the ceiling lighting the whole room. Women in different colour split gowns of white, green and blue with different trousers stood in the corridor each having their own fill of the Warlock who seemed unbothered by all the stares directed at him.

Lydia opened a door and directed them to enter. Alfred and the boys entered. The placard on the top of the room signified they were in the common room. There were two reclining chairs inside the room. Other than that, chairs littered the room. An opaque chandelier hung from the ceiling giving the room light. Lydia whispered a command to one of the youngest confessors around. The confessor curtsied and scurried out of sight. Lydia looked off into space as she sat on the reclining chair in the room. Alfred sat opposite her while the two boys took seats beside Alfred.

Lydia smiled sadly as she spoke,

"We are in dark times, Alfred. Even lives are uncertain. It is no wonder why Ethan was chosen to be a warlock and I believe that it is by fate that him and Sebastian's path crossed." The two boys nodded their agreement. Lydia continued,

"Emperor Timothy has done enough damage. He almost ended the line of the confessors. We must play our part in this fight. We release onto you one of us. Meet Confessor Nina."

As if on cue, the ornate wooden doors of the room swung open and the confessor from before entered with another confessor. This new confessor had a lock of blonde hair flowing down to her waist. She looked like she was in her late teens. Her face had filled out giving the impression that she was way above her years. She dressed like the other confessors dressed as well. She was putting on a white fitted gown that had the splits by the knee giving off an outline of tight black trousers. Two daggers were in her boot. Two other daggers were also strapped to her waist by mini sheaths. Alfred took one look at her and spoke,

"Thank you, Mother Confessor Lydia. Your offer is most appreciated and accepted. I will care for her like my own."

Lydia spoke grimly after nodding,

"Wizard, can I see you privately before you go. Boys, make yourself comfortable. Nina, join them. Mira, you can go."

The other confessor bowed to the mother confessor and clasped Nina on the shoulder as a sign of support before walking out and closing the door behind her just as Alfred and Lydia moved to the side to discuss. Nina walked to the boys,

"Hello."

The two boys looked at her and their saliva went dry as she stood beside them. Sebastian recovered first and smiled at her,

"Hey. Welcome to the squad."

Ethan sent a lopsided smile towards her,

"It's great to have you here."

Nina smiled at the boys before directing her gaze at the Wizard and the Mother Confessor walking towards them. Alfred looked at the boys and Nina,

"Let's go."

The three nodded grimly as they walked through the door. A confessor was part of their team now and it just got real. Would they win? They were now possibly refugees now with no place of rest until the Emperor met his end and the rightful owner took back the throne.