The slaughter continued unabated, Amy and Ray cutting down the remaining survivors with ruthless efficiency.
Lyra's desperate voice cut through the chaos, "Zuria, Zuria, Zuria! We need to get out of here, it's too dangerous!"
I turned to face her, my heart sinking. Chaos reigned supreme, people young and old alike running for their lives.
Kaiden charged towards Amy and Ray, his face set in a determined expression. "You traitors!" he exclaimed, but they were too strong, pinning him down with ease.
Lyra rushed to his aid, but she too was effortlessly subdued. Despite being outmatched, they refused to give up, trying time and again to protect the kingdom. I forced myself to my feet, my body screaming in protest. I picked up my blade, barely able to hold it properly.
With a deep breath, I steeled myself and charged forward. "As the princess of Zouran, I won't allow you to harm any more of my people!" I exclaimed, my blade flashing in the dim light.
Amy found it easy to avoid my attacks, her movements fluid and deadly. As I swung my blade, she blocked it, and we were locked together. "I'll make you pay for this," I growled, trying to overpower her.
"Pay... Aww, darling, I don't have any money," she replied, her voice dripping with mockery, before throwing me across the arena.
I struggled to my feet, only to face Ray's attack. He displayed my blade with ease, his eyes glinting with amusement. "You're rather slow, princess," he said, grabbing me by the arm and throwing me back at Amy.
She unleashed another deadly ultrasonic scream, and I felt my eardrums shatter. Blood oozed from my ears, my vision turned red, and bloody tears streamed down my face.
My body was on the verge of breaking, consumed by immense pain and suffering. And then out of nowhere Maxwell Lè Bonderee arrived, his presence commanding attention.
"Hello, everyone," he said, his voice dripping with arrogance, "as you're all aware, my family will be taking over this kingdom." He directed his attention towards Amy and Ray, who held Kaiden and Lyra captive.
"And my first act as this kingdom's newly crowned prince, I declare that all traitors will be executed."
"These will be the first to be executed. My reason for doing this is because they chose to associate with a human, and henceforth, that is forbidden in Zouran."
With a flourish, Maxwell pulled out a blade of blood, its presence seeming to darken the air around us. He used it to pierce through Kaiden's chest, a grin of satisfaction spreading across his face.
Kaiden's cry of pain echoed through the arena, Lyra's scream of anguish following close behind. I tried to move, but my body refused to respond. Lyra's wails filled the air, her sadness and contempt palpable.
She called out Kaiden's name as he slowly slipped into eternal slumber. I cursed myself, unable to do anything to stop the tragedy unfolding before me.
Suddenly the arena fell silent, the only sound the soft sobbing of Lyra. Then, a thick black mist descended upon the arena, shrouding everything in darkness. The atmosphere turned ominous, heavy with foreboding.
Maxwell's expression changed from one of triumph to one of shock and fear. Ray and Amy moved back, their faces pale, as a figure emerged from the mist.
Maxwell's voice trembled as he spoke, "You... You're supposed to be dead." The figure's face was revealed, and my heart skipped a beat.
Einar's eyes seemed lifeless, his smile mischievous, as he replied, "Sorry to disappoint you, I'm not one to follow orders." His arm was pitch black, and he seemed to have no shadow beneath his feet.
With ease, he shattered Maxwell's blade, his voice dripping with amusement.
"Let's have some fun, Maxxie."