As they walked through the corridor, one of the guards came up to her father and walked closely by his side.
"Have the shuttles been prepared?" Her father said to the guard.
"Yes, as you requested, King Raphael."
"Then have everyone ready to debark as soon as we arrive."
"Yes, Sire!" The guard ran off to give the order.
Athena's father, King Raphael, ruler of Albaspire country and guardian of Planet Chenoa. He is also a member of the Noname Society—a powerful organization not tied to any ancestral bloodline.
He possessed short brown hair and a neatly trimmed beard framing a strong jawline. On this day, Raphael wore his elite warrior armor, crafted with divine energy. The heavy, red and gold armor, a testament to his status and power, transformed him into a formidable juggernaut, ready for battle.
Groups of soldiers moved to various sections of the building, and soon another squad approached them.
"Sire" said the warrior in front as the group bowed their heads.
"Captain," King Raphael replied as they continued to walk. The group of soldiers followed.
"The aerial attacks are increasing, and our ground forces are losing out. We need our airforce right away."
"You do recall my orders from earlier?"
"Yes, but sire…"
"The safety of the princess is our highest priority. Do not launch the Air Force until my command. Am I understood?" King Raphael said, turning to glare at the knight.
"Yes, my lord," the warrior said as he bowed.
Athena's eyes narrowed when she heard her father's words. "Father, they're here for me aren't they? Did I do something wrong?" she asked.
He paused to look at her. "There is so much to tell you, but now is not the right time."
Athena gritted her teeth. She has never seen her father like this before. She wondered what she could have done to cause this commotion.
Chaos could be heard as they approached the exit. The moment they stepped outside, shuttles flew by in the night sky, unleashing energy blasts into the buildings and showers of debris raining down on them.
"Get behind me!" a man yelled, his voice deep and bold. An large figure jumped in front of them and swung his enormous hammer-axe, hitting the ground with intensity. A large wall appeared upfront, blocking any attack or debris. It was one of the members from the Renowned Knights - Zenith, the indomitable defender. His massive frame and thick beard made him stand out, while the enormous hammer-axe spoke of his strength. Zenith's reputation as an unbreakable tank preceded him.
Distant screams and the sound of combat echoed through the chaos, while thick plumes of smoke darkened the sky, filling the air with the sharp stench of burning fires.
Several enemy shuttles closed in rapidly, unleashing volleys of energy blasts aimed directly at their position.
"That's my cue!" a bright voice chimed from behind.
Liriel, archer of the Six Renowned Knights, sprang onto Zenith's shoulder like it was a stepping stone.
"Let's light this up!" she shouted, spinning once in the air.
As she soared, her short blonde hair fluttered in the wind and her blue dress streamed behind her like living wings.
"Alright, time to show off my skills!" she said, drawing back her bowstring. "Hope you'all watching!—Heartseeker!"
Her fingers were empty – yet as she pulled, a brilliant white arrow materialized from pure energy, its shaft glowing with an otherworldly light. She released arrow after arrow at the moving shuttles.
Though her initial shots seemed to miss, each arrow defied physics, curving and twisting through the air until it found its mark with unerring accuracy.
Athena gasped. "They're tracking the targets…? Those aren't normal attacks—those are guided energy arrows!"
"Bingo!" Liriel called back with a playful wink. "Don't blink down there! I'm just getting warmed up!"
Among the magical archers, Liriel had earned the nickname "Ms. Cupid" – a title that suited her perfectly. It wasn't just her wing-like dress or her cheerful, magnetic personality that earned her the name. Like the mythological archer of love, once Liriel set her sights on a target, her arrows would find their way to their destination without fail, as if drawn by destiny itself.
"Liriel, stay in formation," Ember commanded, her voice carrying the authority of someone accustomed to being obeyed.
"I don't take orders from you!" Liriel shot back with defiance.
Ember's gaze darkened, her eyes narrowing into a piercing glare.
The fire mage of the Renowned Knights, Ember Lypids. Her appearance was as striking as her authority. She wore a sleek, skin-tight outfit of black and red stripes that accentuated her hourglass figure. A shimmering haze of heat distorted the air around her, causing her untamed crimson hair to dance like living flames.
As the current leader of the Mage Clan, Ember had earned her fearsome reputation through her mastery of destructive magic. But her powers were no accident – she was a descendant of the prestigious fire bloodline known as Red Raven, a family whose very essence was intertwined with the ancient arts of flame manipulation.
The tension between them was palpable and problematic. Though they were all legendary in their own right – each considered among the world's elite – they had never operated as a true team. The "World's Finest Formation" existed only on paper until now, their individual talents yet to be tested in genuine combat coordination.
"Your little arrows cannot compare to my powers," Ember said. Her irritation at the group's disorder manifested in her magic.
She thrust her hands skyward, conjuring a massive wall of roaring flames. The barrier burned with such intensity that when enemy shuttles unwittingly flew into it, they erupted into spectacular explosions. The display of power served as a reminder of why she commanded respect, even if Liriel chose to ignore it.
"Behind us!" someone shouted urgently.
By the time they turned, it was too late—the enemy shuttles were already upon them.