A Dance Of Crowns & Thrones | Book I

Chapter 173 | Shame, Brutality & Force

Tiny size seven feet met the ground, her black boots crushing the fractured pavement beneath; Eko sensed her surroundings convulse violently, as if the entire city were struck by an earthquake.

Struggling to maintain their balance, the warriors braced themselves as the earth quaked once more; Richie and Toni exchanged looks, genuine fear paralyzing them. Their heads jerked forward as buildings ahead erupted from above, showering debris around them.

"Go!" Toni shouted, his powers snapping into action to escape the chaos.

Isadora had transformed into a scene of chaos and destruction, flames licking at the remnants of buildings, sending plumes of smoke into the sky. The force of the explosion had catapulted the warriors from their original position, scattering them across different sectors of the city. As they struggled to their feet, their eyes were met with a grim sight: the once proud structures now crumbling into rubble, a testament to the havoc wrought upon their home.

Eko's gaze swept across the scene just in time to witness a stampede of monstrous creatures charging relentlessly into the heart of the city. Their monstrous forms, a grotesque juxtaposition against the backdrop of destruction, sent a shiver down her spine.

Meanwhile, Richie sprinted urgently along the street, his heart pounding in his chest. He spotted Mya further down the road and made a beeline towards her. Just as he reached her side, a scaly insectoid monstrosity rounded the corner, its menacing presence blocking their path like an insurmountable obstacle in the chaos.

"Are you ready?" Richie rolled his head to Mya.

"Ready as ever," Mya replied, meeting Richie's smirk with a confident nod.

The thundering roar of their enemy reverberated through the streets, sending a chill down their spines. "Kill them all!" the command echoed, ominous and commanding.

"It's a trap!" Toni's voice sliced through the chaos, punctuated by the sound of his blade slicing through the air as he fended off another attacker. But before he could finish his warning, a monstrous creature pounced, sending him sprawling to the ground, its jaws dangerously close to his neck.

"They're focusing on us, not the civilians!" Jasmine's observation cut through the fray, her eyes scanning the chaotic scene as the monsters relentlessly targeted the warriors, leaving the innocent bystanders momentarily untouched.

Jaz deftly dodged a blade hurtling towards her, swiftly dispatching a nearby monster before pressing forward through the labyrinthine streets and alleys of Isadora. The creatures seemed to emerge from every corner, a relentless tide threatening to overwhelm them all. Meanwhile, Jesse coordinated with soldiers from Allegiant near the school, orchestrating the evacuation of frightened children, their safety the top priority.

As Jasmine linked up with Jesse, they navigated the bustling corridors of the building, ensuring every child was accounted for and escorted to safety. Yet, for every child they rescued, it seemed another was lost to the ravenous horde outside. The weight of their mission bore heavily upon them, each saved life a small victory overshadowed by the constant onslaught.

--- ---

Standing at the edge of Isadora's city limits, Teshia and Vause surveyed the ominous threat looming before them. With a sense of urgency, Vause turned to Teshia, his tone urgent. "You have to run. They'll need my assistance!"

But Teshia remained resolute, refusing to abandon her partner. "I'm not leaving you," she insisted, wrenching her arms free from his grasp. "We face this together! Let me fight!"

Recognizing the unyielding determination in Teshia's eyes, Vause knew he couldn't sway her decision. "Fine," he relented, "but stay low and strike strategically. Stay by my side!"

Teshia nodded in agreement, her resolve unwavering. With a flick of Vause's hand, they were transported back to Isadora, where they were immediately confronted by the Sorcerer, his malevolent grin casting a shadow over the scene.

Bracing themselves for the impending battle, Teshia and Vause steeled their resolve, fully aware that they would need to harness every ounce of their strength and power to triumph over the encroaching darkness

--- ----

Eko fought with all her might against the relentless onslaught of enemies, each powerful blast a desperate attempt to push back the tide of destruction. Amidst the turmoil, she couldn't help but notice the chaos unfolding around her – Allegiant's soldiers pouring into the fray, Toni's agile movements darting through the cityscape. But amidst the cacophony, her thoughts were solely fixed on one thing: finding Matthew.

Her heart pounded with a mix of fear and determination as she sensed the arrival of two formidable forces, their ominous presence sending shockwaves through the already shattered city. As buildings crumbled and flames licked at the sky, Eko's senses were overwhelmed by the harrowing sounds of innocent families and children crying out in terror.

Every instinct within her screamed for Eko to spring into action, to shield the vulnerable from harm. But just as she readied herself for the fray, her gaze was torn away by the sight of her husband who had emerged from the chaos, his presence both reassuring and disconcerting to Eko for he was soaked in crimson blood of the butchered youmas

His once pristine black suit was now torn to shreds, The collar of his black shirt, once neatly buttoned, now had several buttons missing from the top. His sleeves were rolled up, revealing the strain of battle etched across his form. As Eko locked eyes with him, a wave of unease swept over her, sensing the turbulent storm of emotions brewing beneath his outward facade.

Caught in the tumult between her duty to protect the innocent and the unsettling realization that something was awry with Matthew, Eko felt torn, her heart weighed down by uncertainty amidst the chaos of battle.

Then, she spotted him stalking towards Isis, his movements exuding a palpable anger that resonated deep within her. She could feel it in her bones, an unsettling intensity that made her pulse quicken.

Eko made a desperate attempt to reach him, driven by an instinctual need to protect him, but the overwhelming power confronting her proved formidable. Surrounded by a sea of menacing monsters, each one a potential threat surpassing her own abilities, she felt a surge of apprehension grip her.

Yet, amidst the chaos and the looming danger, it was the sudden appearance of another figure that sent a shiver down Eko's spine, injecting an additional layer of dread into the already fraught atmosphere.

Cid stood there, his grip tight around Teshia, his dark eyes locking onto Eko's with an unsettling intensity. In that instant, a cold shiver ran down Eko's spine, a sense of dread settling heavy in her chest. She knew, deep down, that things were about to take a turn for the worse.

"Let's go, your Majesty," Cid's words were calm but laced with a sense of impending danger, sending a shiver down Eko's spine.

You know, how when you are in a car, and it's pouring down rain. You go under a bridge, and everything stops? Everything goes silent, and it's almost peaceful. Then you finally get out from under the bridge, and everything hits you a little harder than before.

You were my bridge.

And I am terrified of how much harder this will be when we come out from under.