The days passed quickly for the four leaders as they strategized in King Frasian's castle, poring over maps and statistics. Austin and Nitesco met with lords and vassals from Frasian's court, while Quixotic called in any favors he could from local contacts. Gwydion handled the logistics, sometimes remaining in his room working for nearly the entirety of a day. Eventually, Nitesco convinced everyone to take a small break and recuperate in their rooms.

Gwydion and Nitesco returned from a short lunch break in the city to find Austin sitting at his desk, reading a book. Nitesco plopped down on the bed and Gwydion pulled up a chair next to Austin and began reading over his shoulder.

"What have you got there?" Gwydion asked as he took a bite out of a small pastry.

Austin closed the book, revealing the cover. On it, large golden letters spelled out the title: The Divine Testament.

"It's the religious text of Cargoanity, the majority religion in this Kingdom. I've never been a very devout Cargoan, but it reminds me of better times. Coincidentally, I was just wrapping up the Book of Nitesco."

"Fun fact: I was named after a Cargoan prophet, but I'm actually a Yurist," Nitesco said. "My parents belonged to a small Yurist church on the river. Guns N' Roses is quite tolerant compared to the rest of the Subreddit."

Gwydion shrugged in assent. "I suppose. Man, you Gunnians have quite the culture. I don't remember it being this complicated when I last visited."

"Actually, I'm a Rosian." Nitesco corrected him. "Austin's a Gunnian. Outside the borders, the two are used interchangeably, but here it's a faux pas to confuse the two."

Seeing Gwydion's confused look, Austin clarified. "The two are different ethnic groups. Gunnians originate in the Gun Mountains or the highlands around them. Rosians originate in the Rose Plains on the riverbank, so named for the uniquely colored roses that grow in the area. It's a common misconception."

As Gwydion nodded and soaked in this new information, Quixotic walked in and sat down on the bed next to Nitesco.

"Any news from Frasian?" Austin asked.

"The Representative of Paraphil has pledged his support, but the Countess of Greater Gunnia has taken issue with your claims. She wishes to speak with you in person."

"Charlotte? I haven't seen her since she was a little girl." Austin reminisced. "Very well. When can I speak with her?"

"Sometime this evening, I believe. Speaking of, I should go down to the city to meet with my contact, Nachbar, in about fifteen minutes. The time's almost two, yes?"

Gwydion nodded. Nitesco sat up and rose from the bed.

"I'll go with you. I'd like to meet this fellow of yours. If he's as vital as you say, I'd like to make a good impression."

"Sure. Shall we leave now? I'd like to be there a few minutes early."

Quixotic and Nitesco stood up and walked out of the room, leaving Austin and Gwydion behind. Gwydion rested his head on his hand and Austin returned to shuffling through piles of papers.

"So, what have you got there?" Gwydion spoke up.

"Intelligence reports on all of Celtic's Council. Edward Yukon Nyberg, Octavia Selene Breath, Aidan Celtic of the Crownlands, Jokey von Zockey, Chaos Vulpix, Magnus of the 942nd. Names, origins. Quite intriguing, and useful."

A knock on the door ended their conversation. Standing in the doorway was the captain of Frasian's guard.

"The King has summoned you. He says this is a matter of great importance."

Austin and Gwydion exchanged curious glances before standing up and following her.

The hallways of the castle were ominously lit, almost purposely so. After some walking down the winding corridors, which never failed to disorient Austin, they arrived at the throne room.

Frasian sat in his chair looking rather pompous. In front of him, five men were tied up, looking down at the ground. Gwydion shot an inquisitive look at Frasian, who smiled.

"Gentlemen, these fine fellows approached the front gates about twenty minutes ago. They called for an audience with you four. He says it's urgent, but seeing as how two of you have already left, he'll have to convey it to you. Speak!"

The one in the center raised his head. "Hello, my friends."

It was Inferno of Crosshares. He looked up at them sheepishly.

"Sorry about this," he continued. "I would have preferred to talk in a better situation, but I must speak now."

"How do we know we can trust you?" Gwydion asked, voicing everyone's thoughts.

"Celtic has gone too far. He is too willing to destroy innocent lives in his reckless pursuit of power. He must be stopped. At Pollination, I did not seek to kill you, but you jumped off the docks before I could explain myself." Inferno paused and took a breath before delivering the news:

"An attack is imminent. My armies have massed behind the bluffs south of the city. Celtic plans to destroy the city and everyone in it. My forces can hold them off, but we must evacuate!"

Frasian laughed. "Do you really think we're so stupid? I won't fall for this. Will you, Austin?"

Austin stroked his chin. "Tell us more," he demanded. Frasian rolled his eyes.

"He has sent his spymaster to the city to flush you four out, make you vulnerable. When the other two come back, tell them that a man named Peter Nachbar is not to be trusted."

Austin gasped. "Nachbar? Isn't that the name of Quixotic's contact?" Gwydion nodded gravely.

"Yes. He's had Quixotic under his thumb for some time. My spies tell me that he's told Nachbar of your survival and location. And I know for a fact that Quixotic killed Jaeger on Nachbar's orders."

"Jaeger?" Gwydion gasped. Austin thought back on the moment Quixotic emerged from the woods, soaked in blood and bearing Jaeger's sword. He sighed and shook his head.

"It all makes so much sense. He's been tricked by Nachbar."

"Or he's a spy and Nachbar was keeping an ace up his sleeve," Gwydion said.

"Maybe, maybe not." Inferno spoke up. "Nachbar's a slippery little bastard, it wouldn't surprise me. Right now, you need to get everyone out of the city. Find Quixotic and Nitesco and leave before harm comes to you."

"That's the thing," Gwydion said. "Those two have already left to meet with Nachbar."

"Then we have to stop them. Frasian, cut Inferno and his men loose, but keep an eye on them. We must intercept Nachbar!"

Austin and Gwydion promptly sprinted out the castle doors, hoping to find their friends before their enemies could.

Quixotic and Nitesco calmly strolled through the city, trying to navigate the still-unfamiliar streets. After a couple of wrong turns, they arrived in the courtyard, which was empty save for a few old people sitting on the benches. Quixotic furrowed his brow.

"Hmph. He's usually punctual. You go in the cathedral, see if he's there. He'll probably be wearing a black and red cloak. I'll wait out here." Nitesco nodded and went up the stairs into the church. As he walked inside, loud organ music and the powerful smell of incense instantly magnified and assaulted his senses. Trying to ignore the mind-numbing sensation, he walked around the cathedral, scanning the crowds for a man in a black and red cloak, but surprisingly found none. Dissatisfied, he walked out the front entrance and back to the courtyard, where he saw Peter and Quixotic standing in a pavilion opposite the church, facing the castle.

"It's good to see you again, Peter."

"And you as well, my friend."

Nitesco walked over to them, planning to insert himself into the conversation.

"Good work with Jaeger, by the way."

The young man stopped in his tracks, suddenly suspicious. What did he mean, with Jaeger? He slowed, silently creeping up on them.

Quixotic sighed. "It was regrettable, but necessary. He was a traitor to the cause."

Nitesco stifled a gasp. Quixotic, a traitor? What cause did he speak of?

All of a sudden, he heard the rattling of chains behind him. Nitesco turned around, expecting a priest. He saw one, but the priest wasn't Cargoan.

The one who wore a wolf skull stared at him. Underneath the unsettling mask, Nitesco sensed he was smiling.

"Well, well. Look what we have here."

Nitesco reached for his sword, but Yukon was on top of him before he could pull it out of its scabbard. Instantly, the chains of a flail were wrapped around his throat. He attempted to escape, but Yukon merely pulled harder on the chains.

The commotion prompted Quixotic and Nachbar to turn around. Quixotic, seeing his friend at the mercy of one of Celtic's commanders, reached for his sword. In response, Nachbar drew Quixotic's old dagger, complete with his initials and the scuff marks of Jaeger's serrated blade, and held it to his pupil's throat. "Stand down, Quixotic. We wouldn't want this to end too violently."

Nitesco glared accusatorily at his friend. Quixotic looked at Nachbar, bewildered.

"You killed Jaeger?" Nitesco asked. His eyes were wet with betrayal.

Nachbar grinned and seized the opportunity.

"Oh, yes." He turned the blade so Nitesco could see the unmistakable scuff marks on Quixotic's dagger. "He's been working with us for some time. He told me you and those other two buffoons had survived that scuffle at Pollination. He isolated Jaeger and killed him on my orders. He even supplied me with a map of Bumblebee's defenses, which was very helpful for us. Really, we couldn't have gotten this far without him."

"Nitesco," Quixotic pleaded. "It's not true. I didn't know-"

Nachbar cut him off with a condescending laugh. "Tisk tisk, Quixotic." He addressed Nitesco. "It seems he actually cares for you. He never could master his emotions."

"He may be a traitor," Nitesco angrily said. "But that doesn't change the fact that you're surrounded. Guns N' Roses has joined with us. Soon enough, we'll kill you and this pathetic rat."

Quixotic winced upon hearing Nitesco's harsh words, but Yukon cackled wickedly.

"Oh, I wouldn't count on that. You see, we organized an attack on the city some weeks ago, and it was scheduled to begin at precisely 2:05. And that is just about now, I believe."

Almost on cue, a large section of the city walls exploded, raining debris and ash down on the unfortunate civilians below. Yukon snickered again.

"Well, well. I did not expect that to be so well timed."

Nachbar turned his attention to the commotion, watching as another section of the wall crumbled down. Quixotic, noticing an opportunity, grabbed Nachbar's arm and threw him down the pavilion steps. He collided with Yukon and Nitesco, sending them backwards and allowing Nitesco to ungracefully wriggle free of Yukon's chains. He quickly got up and sprinted away.

"Go, Yukon! Get the boy, I'll deal with Quixotic." Yukon nodded and ran after Nitesco.

Quixotic drew Jaeger's blade and pointed it at Nachbar, who quickly snatched up the dagger and pointed it at his pupil.

"Ah, Quixotic. So naïve. So easily manipulated. How long did it take you to rationalize Jaeger's death? A week? Two? Or perhaps it was even less. You always were too emotional." He and his former minion circled each other like buzzards over a carcass.

"Why did you do this?" Quixotic asked wearily. "What's the point?" Nachbar lunged forward, only to be swiftly parried by Quixotic. Quixotic kicked him, sending him into a bench before bringing his sword down onto it. Peter narrowly dodged the strike and somersaulted away before recovering.

"What's the point? Has it ever changed? Profit!" He laughed loudly. Quixotic fell into a blind rage, widely sweeping and swinging at Nachbar, who deflected his strikes easily.

"Profit? Profit?! You helped a tyrant destroy thousands of innocent lives for profit?!" He screamed and attempted an overhead slash, but Nachbar swiped at his stomach and kicked him back.

"Well, what else is there in this dreary existence of ours? I don't know about you, but I know the truth: this life is all we have. There are no goddesses, no spirits, no final weighings. There's nothing. And the rest of them know it too. Celtic knows it. Vulpix knows it. Jokey, Maker. Hell, even Yukon knows it, though he can't ever say it. But they don't embrace the truth."

Quixotic tried an underhand slash, but his sword was knocked away. Peter continued monologuing.

"They try to make order where there can only be chaos. They try to build when things will inevitably fall to ruin. Sure, they can spring their traps and sing their songs about mankind and its woes. Doesn't bother me any. But at the end of the day, the only thing we bring with us is what we did for ourselves. And when my time comes, I can leap in my grave laughing because there's nothing anybody can do to take away what I've built for myself."

"You're wrong," Quixotic said. "Celtic will kill you when you're not useful anymore."

"Let me deal with that. Now, my old pupil, lay back and I'll make it quick." He raised his sword to stab Quixotic.

Quixotic rolled out of the way, but Nachbar's dagger slashed his chest. He snatched Jaeger's sword and angled it at Nachbar. Behind his former master, a squad of Greatness' mercenaries appeared from the smoke. Realizing his disadvantage, Quixotic opted to flee.

As he narrowly escaped, he didn't bother to look back.

Yukon ran through the burning streets, ignoring the collapsing houses and the soldiers that were desperately trying to raise a defense. Two of them were up ahead; he merely drew his sword and swung at the unaware pair. They didn't matter, that insolent boy was a League commander!

He made a left turn, then a right, then a left. He found the brat standing over the corpse of an Arkos lancer, looking down on it in a stupor.

He raised his flail, preparing to cave in the child's skull with it. At the last second, Nitesco noticed and jumped to the side.

"Child." Yukon growled. "Give up."

"I'm afraid I can't do that. There's too much on the line." Nitesco raised his sword. "To arms!"

Yukon laughed chidingly. "You have spirit, boy. A pity you can't put it to good use."

The flail flew at Nitesco, seemingly of its own accord. Nitesco narrowly sidestepped the whirlwind of steel.

"Why must you do this? Why do you seek to destroy us?"

"Because the current order is corrupt. Because true power comes not from the people below, but from the ruler above."

Yukon slammed the flail into the wall of a house. Nitesco barely dodged it again.

"Republics, theocracies, feudal kingdoms. Their power comes from the people. But those people do not act towards one goal. They act for themselves, they disobey when it suits them. Disobedience causes corruption." Nitesco lunged at Yukon, only for him to grab his shield and block the strike.

"Even a King relies on the peasants to work for him, to feed him and clothe him and keep his realm safe. They act for themselves, and when subordinates act for themselves, corruption is born. Ambition, cowardice and disloyalty."

"So what?" Nitesco asked. "We should all be totally obedient? We should all surrender our humanity?"

"Not necessarily. But we must be united as one. Freedom to act is freedom to disobey. If all would join us, if all could bend the knee to King Celtic, if all would act as one toward the good of the realm instead of themselves, then we could have peace."

"You're insane."

"One cannot explain sight to the blind." He readied his flail. An arrow whizzed past him, striking another house. Yukon turned his attention to a lone Gunnian archer. The archer attempted to reload, but he was dead before he had the chance to do so.

Nitesco didn't even have to think. He ran. He turned the corner, not even giving a glance behind him as he sprinted through the battle back up to the castle.

Austin and Gwydion ran through the destruction. All around them, civilians sprinted with no direction, screaming and hollering as their homes burned to the ground. Another cannonball struck the walls, raising a cloud of debris and forcing them to take cover.

"We must find Nitesco and Quixotic!" Gwydion yelled.

"We should return to the castle and regroup there!" Austin yelled back. "They're my friends too, but if we're going to lead a counterattack, we need to get out of this alive!"

Another cannonball whizzed over their heads, missing them by mere centimeters. The pair ran back out into the main street. Around them, soldiers hacked away at each other, creating a river of red that ran down the road.

The pair ignored the fighting around them as they tried to make it back to the path to the castle. Suddenly, a cloud of gas erupted in front of them, seemingly from out of nowhere.

A woman descended from the rooftops and landed behind them. Next to her, a heavily armored man emerged from the smoke, wielding a large broadsword.

"Well, well. Look what we have here, Maker." Greatness laughed.

"Magnus," Gwydion growled.

The mercenary let a look of disappointment cross his face. "Hmm. Take all the fun out of the reveal, why don't you? Well, I don't think we have anything else to say to each other."

"That's right," Austin interjected as he drew his sword. "We don't. Turn back or face us."

"We'll choose the latter, thank you very much." The woman spoke.

"Hello, my name is…"

"Octavia Selene Breath, former court physician for the monarch of Bumblebee," Austin interrupted. "We know who you are."

Maker pouted slightly. "So you do know who I am. Please, for the short time we have left together, call me Maker."

"Very well, Maker." Gwydion drew his sword. "None of us are willing to back down, I take it?"

"I'm afraid not, Gwydion," Said Greatness. "Let's hope your swordsmanship has improved. You always were lacking, both as a soldier and a son."

Gwydion hissed and leapt at Greatness, who elbowed him in the stomach, knocking the wind out of him. Austin charged toward Greatness. Maker, who had been waiting patiently for an opening, lunged at the veteran. Gwydion swiveled to shield his ally and Austin pressed his offensive on Greatness.

The fighting was fast-paced and intense. Greatness used size and reach to his advantage, keeping Austin at a distance while making swings at him. Austin, in turn, furiously dodged and parried Greatness and tried to create an opening where he could attack a weak point, keeping his opponent occupied with feints and slashes in the meantime. To an outside observer, it would seem as though the two were evenly matched, though each was sure that they had the upper hand.

Maker fought dynamically, dodging and parrying Gwydion's strikes while trying to put him off balance. Gwydion used a straightforward offensive approach that had limited effectiveness against Maker's unpredictable movements and agility. He was able to keep Maker occupied enough to prevent her from assisting Greatness, but each failed attack took away from his limited stamina.

Maker deflected another of Gwydion's strikes and knocked him to the ground, disarming him. She readied her wrist blades and leaned in to stab him.

"What a pity it has to end like this. I find such killing distasteful, most of the time." She grinned.

Gwydion, as a last resort to save himself, reached into his belt and pulled out his hand cannon.

Maker's face twisted with curiosity and fear as he pointed it at her. Realizing it was a weapon of some sort, she raised her left hand to block the strike.

The bullet struck one of the wrist blades, separating it from the rest of her gauntlet and drawing blood. She howled in pain and turned away, clutching her arm while Gwydion stood and grabbed his sword.

Greatness heard her cry, causing him to turn his head. Austin, seizing the opportunity, attempted to behead his opponent, but was narrowly deflected as Greatness noticed the attack in the nick of time. Greatness turned and cried out, calling a squad of Nuts and Dolts soldiers to his side.

Austin and Gwydion began backing up, knowing they were outnumbered and outclassed.

"Do you think we can get back to the castle?" Gwydion asked.

"Maybe," said Austin. "Probably not."

All of a sudden, three men on horseback broke through the wall of soldiers, relieving a couple of soldiers of their heads with their lances. They stopped in front of the two beleaguered combatants and one of them bowed his head.

"A pleasure to see you again," said Samurai. Gwydion couldn't help but grin.

"Well. I never thought you'd be here to our rescue."

Samurai laughed. "Circumstances change. Get to the castle. Assist my liege, if he's still there. We'll cover your escape."

"We thank you, Samurai. Gwydion, to the castle!" The two ran off as Samurai and his cavalry engaged the enemy commanders.

They made their way up the path to the castle, which was still held by Frasian's men. As they rounded a bend past the pub they celebrated at, Nitesco came up the perpendicular path and nearly ran into them.

"Guys!" He cried out thankfully. "You're alive!"

"Yes, we are," Austin responded. "Where's Quixotic?" Nitesco looked down sadly.

"Is he dead?" Gwydion asked bluntly. Nitesco clenched his fists.

"Worse. He's a traitor. His contact is Celtic's ally. They've been working together this whole time. He told them where to find us, where Bumblebee's defenses were weakest. He even killed Jaeger for them."

Austin sighed. "A great loss, but we can't dwell on that now. We must get to the castle and save Inferno and Frasian!" Nitesco gave him a puzzled look.

"No time to explain," Gwydion said. "We must press on!"

The castle was engaged in a bloodbath. Emberaldian and Night's Watch soldiers engaged the forces of Inferno and Frasian. They waded through the soldiers and made their way to the throne room.

Jokey and a few Arkosian knights were locked in battle with Inferno and Frasian's honor guard. Jokey held off both Inferno and Frasian, his tonfa spinning and whirling, deflecting each one's strikes.

Austin engaged some of Jokey's soldiers while Gwydion and Nitesco charged at Jokey. Jokey, not expecting this, was barely able to counter their strikes but managed to kick Gwydion in the stomach.

"Oho! The little brats have lived thus far!" Through the eyeholes of his mask, Nitesco could see he was smiling. "A fitting end, I must say. All these traitors die together!"

Nitesco howled and recklessly charged at him, but a swipe from Jokey's blade slashed his cheek and repelled him. Frasian and Inferno attempted a simultaneous attack, but the assassin somersaulted away and slashed Frasian in the back, sending him to the ground with a cry of pain. Gwydion, who had since recovered, attempted to strike Jokey as well, but was nearly blinded by his sword.

The remaining three dueled for some time, each of them wearing down Jokey's defenses. They forced him out into the middle of the hall, attempting to get other soldiers to assist them, but they were too busy to join in.

Austin, at last, entered the fray and managed to shove the tip of his blade into Jokey's lung. With a painful wheeze, Jokey fell backward, creating an opening in his defenses, and Nitesco slashed the metal filter of his mask. It started to fall off, and Jokey impatiently grasped at the leather top and pried it away from his head, casting it to the ground.

He attempted to keep up the defense, but the four quickly wore him down. He collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily and clutching the hole in his chest.

"Surrender," Nitesco demanded. Jokey sneered at him.

"I… wouldn't count on it," he said in his gravelly voice. Inferno raised his rapier to kill him.

An arrow flew past him, embedding itself in the velvet of Frasian's throne. They looked up to see who had fired it.

Vulpix lowered his crossbow. Beside him, Celtic and his elite guard brandished their weapons.

"Behold, the traitors!" He laughed deeply. "Such naïve fools, to think you could stand against my might. Though I must admit, it was exhilarating while it lasted."

"But all good things must come to an end. Men! Do away with these nuisances. The Subreddit must know we do not tolerate rebellion!"

"No!" cried Frasian, who was now standing. He leveled his sword at Celtic, despite the fact he was barely clinging to life. "Retreat, my friends. Men! Cover their escape!"

What remained of the honor guard charged at Celtic and his forces. Celtic growled and embedded his battle axe in the guard captain's head.

"After the traitors! They must not escape!"

The four of them ran through the halls of the castle, eventually finding the stairway that led outside. As they ran through the fields around the city, they saw what remained of Inferno's legions streaming out whatever exits they could. The city itself was completely engulfed in flames.

They sprinted as fast as they could over to where the retreating soldiers were massing. At last, they found Samurai leading the men, badly bruised and cut up, but alive.

"My liege!" He happily cried. "I would embrace you, but I'm afraid my intestines will fall out if I do."

Inferno lightly chuckled. "How many men escaped?"

"About half. We can call the reserve when we return to Crosshares."

Inferno nodded and turned to the equally weary trio behind him. "Well, it looks like you and I are in the same boat now. Sorry about, you know, being on Celtic's side."

Nitesco waved his hand, dismissing Inferno's apology and paying him little attention. He turned to look at the burning city. He stood silently for a moment, staring at the devastation Celtic's forces had caused. Austin and Gwydion joined him, and the three quietly faced the ongoing destruction.

Nitesco couldn't stop himself from sobbing.

"That's my home. That's my home, and, and it's, it's…" Nitesco fell to his knees and placed his head in his hands as he continued to weep. Austin sat down next to him and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Nitesco, look at me." Nitesco obliged, and saw that Austin was holding back tears of his own.

"We have to keep going," said Austin. "I know it's terrible. I know what we've lost. It hasn't quite sunk in yet, but I know I'm going to feel this later. It's going to hurt to think about this city. But we can't give up now. We have to keep going."

Gwydion knelt and added, "This is what we have to fight to stop. We can keep this from happening again to any other parts of the Subreddit. If we take down Celtic, more suffering like this will be prevented."

Nitesco didn't make eye contact. He simply nodded, stood up, and turned to address Inferno and Samurai, who had politely turned away to allow the three some privacy.

"We must escape Guns N' Roses. Do you have some horses we could use?"

Samurai beckoned to three vacant steeds, their saddles stained with blood.

"Let us go. Celtic's not won this war yet."

They got on their horses and rode away from the burning city with their new allies.