Doomsday

Chapter 6: Ready, set battle!

"The attack on New Kalador was your doing!" Weaver scowled at Aria. "Now you expect us to aid you in your 'delusional' conspiracies?"

"Isn't this the point of your so-called 'rebellion?' " Lola questioned.

"We need a miracle-"

"This is your miracle, General," Skye interrupted. "You came to us with a vision of emancipating the universe from the Dark Order's rule. Well, this is your chance. All in favour?"

No one moved for a moment.

"I'm with the Queen," Tim said, standing. "Kalador deserves this."

Robert raised his warhammer. "Aye. It's about someone stood up to that order."

"Me too," One of the translators said, though Aria couldn't tell if it was Sid or Tid. From the corner of her eye, she could see Isabelle nodding along too.

Everyone turned to Aria. "So what's our battle plan, your majesty?" Tim asked, kneeling.

Aria smiled. There was finally hope. It was a feeling she hadn't felt in a really long time. "Someone get me a map of Rhatbane."

Two Kaladorian explorers entered the room, clearing the table and placing a large map of papyrus.

"This is where the chambers are located," Mama Wondana said, pointing at two illustrations of a cave chamber, one in bright white and the other in a dark red. "It's the final resting place of the two divine royals."

"And how do we get there exactly?" Luca asked. "The city's currently the main base of operations for the whole order, correct? We can't just sneak into the centre of the city without being exposed."

"These two chambers are the key to waking up The King and The Queen, so that's where we have to go," Mama Wondana said, "That leaves us with three options. Option One, fight our way to the centre of the city."

"Not only would we have to defeat the Dark Order's forces, but we would also be left exposed to the rest of the Order. We'll have to pass this option." Lola added.

"Second option. Get dropped directly above the cavern entrances."

"We would require much fewer troops but the chance of success is highly unlikely. They must have some sort of air defence," said Julie calmly. "We'll have to cut that option."

"Well, what's the last option?" Atticus inquired.

"The last one is the safest for the troops perhaps, but the hardest for you royals to complete," Mama Wondana paused. "We would have to enter through an entrance on the south side of the city. From there, you will have to navigate through the caverns beneath Rhatbane and find your way to the chambers."

"Looks like that's our option," Atticus complained.

Fiyeree nodded. "It's not like we have a choice, right?"

"You are correct," Aria said. She turned to the other council members. "Your job is to help us take control of the southern district at which the cavern entrance is," she pointed at a portion of the map labelled 'southern district - worker's district.'

Tim nodded. "That we can do."

Isabelle turned to Jace, who was strapped to a chair in the corner of the room. "Jace didn't know the truth about what he was planning," she spoke.

Jace nodded. "I'm sorry for the destruction I've caused, the Dark Order have my family."

"That's no excuse," Robert commanded. "You've caused ruin to multiple families her in New Kalador!"

"To make this right, I'll aid you in the seige for Rhatbane," Jace muttered, ashamed.

"The Kaladorian army have three enhanced individuals on their side and many capable fighters. I wish you all the best in the battle." Aria spoke, her chest held high.

Tim slowly stood up, pulling a blade from his side. "Tid, ring the bell. It's time to go to war."

...

New Kalador had quickly turned from a city into a military base in mere hours. All around the city, soldiers and citizens began getting ready to go to war.

"Ben," Aria shouted from the end of the hallway. Ben turned around to see Aria standing among multiple other Kaladorian guards. "You need a new crossbow and I need a new spear. Perfect." Aria pulled Ben's arm toward another endless hallway, before turning at a room labelled as 'The Armory.' There were dozens of spears - all different colours and sizes - but one caught her eyes the most. She pulled out a silver Kaladorian spear with strange markings all over it.

"What do you think?" Aria asked Ben cheerfully, getting into a quick battle stance.

Ben laughed. "Makes you look like one of the three musketeers." Aria gave him a playful punch. "You better watch your mouth, boy." She joked, reaching for his hand. She dropped her spear and leaned forward, pushing Ben's body into the wall. The feeling of being close to him was something she missed an awful lot...and she didn't want to lose it.

As their lips touched, the surrounding around them began to change from the bland empty walls to a beautiful beach, then a green mountain range.

Ben leaned forward, his eyes fixed on Aria whose heartbeat was speeding at an unnatural rate. "What do you want Aria", his voice came out breathy, one that sent tingles down Arias spine.

"You", she rasped out. That alone was enough to set Ben on fire, he burned with such desire and intensity and in that jiffy all he wished was that they were in a place with more privacy and soundproof walls. He cupped Arias face and as their lips collided Aria was lost in her own blissful world for a second. One of her hands rested on Bens neck, trying with all her strength to pull him in closer than he already was, her other massaging his hair and traveling down to his waist before going inside his shirt. Ben grunted and his hand shot up from Arias waist to her neck where he broke free from their kiss and began kissing her neck up to her ear.

Aria was blinded with pleasure and she began losing herself in the moment as her thoughts drifted. Drifted somewhere else. To someone else. And in that split second all she wished for was that Ben was him. The desire she felt right then was powerful, but she didn't want to endanger her friendship with Ben or whatever they could be. When her and Ben decided to go all the way, she wanted to be one hundred percent in the moment not thinking about anyone else. Whatever was happening right now was an escape from all the stress from the rebellion and other confusing feelings. She had to use all her mental strength to pull away after the adrenaline from their steamy moment began to subside. Aria pulled away, her hand still wrapped firmly around Bens neck. "I can't.. I'm sorry", she whispered so quietly he almost couldn't hear. "Why?", Ben asked but the moment the words left his lips he regretted it. They both knew why.

"I've always imagined this moment...differently. It wouldn't be fair to lead you on. Ben, I've always liked you. But right now, it's not the right time. I have to stay focused on the rebellion."
"So it's not because you're still stuck on him?", He asked.

Aria hesitated, unsure if it would be worth it to say what was really on her mind. But she knew Ben deserved the truth.

That was all completely true but she decided not to share her recent intrusive thoughts about Charlie that had been making sudden appearances at night.