Asoke looked at the city, which was in a little chaos. It was under the siege and he couldn't care less. He hated Derasians for not paying him the full prize for the stolen item. They promised him like 10 times more than he received and he should even get a bonus for being that fast. Unfortunately he was imprisoned in this city with the rest of them. What luck he had to not get paid and be stuck in the doomed city? He cursed the god of luck and took a deep breath.

Suddenly he noticed that something was strange. His thief sense always pointed something interesting. So he proceeded to the place to see closer what was going on. When he got there, he saw from a window a guy. He wore gray pants and blue jacket and he had head covered. He also had a sword on his back. Swordsmen usually have their swords on their side, not back, so it was intriguing for the thief.

He drunk water and got cleaned. Then he removed his blue head kerchief and wetted a little his black hair. When he shook it, Asoke thought it was the most beautiful scene in the world. Suddenly he looked at Asoke and thief panicked and hid his head.

After some moments of restoring his breathing he peeked again, but the guy wasn't there anymore. He ran further to find him. Thankfully his thief sense never let him down and guided him without any delay. He saw that the blue jacked guy bounced from the wall and cut one of three Derasian soldiers there. Asoke was very impressed and asked himself in thoughts, how he managed to do that and with a grace too.

Two remaining enemies were about to charge at the cool guy and Asoke decided to help him by releasing an arrow on one of them. Ally soldier used that occasion to finish their enemies. Then they looked at each other. Asoke liked the view; he was closer this time to see more details of his face. That was more astonishing to him. He could feel he was starting to blush and immediately hid behind a wall next to him.

He needed a moment to calm down. He couldn't believe that he just crushed on guy he just saw. He was always fast to fall for handsome guys, but this was really ridiculous. He peeked again and his crush wasn't there again. Asoke ran further again and just saw him running along the wall and jumped from it at the enemy archer before he could even realize what just happened. Asoke's eyes were widened and mouth opened in a way that he thought his jaw stopped working. He shook his head to snap out from it, because next enemies appeared.

Five archers entered the scene and three of them immediately attacked the swordsman. He dodged two arrows without a problem and cut the third one at the same time. Now Asoke was even more impressed, but didn't have time to admire him, because all 5 enemies were preparing their attacks. Then he took out three arrows and aimed on enemies. Using more than 1 arrow was very hard and the most he was capable to shoot 3 at the same time. He wasn't master in it, but it wouldn't matter at this point. There were 5 enemies and even if he wouldn't hit with all 3 of them, it still would serve as a distraction.

Asoke saw that the blue soldier started to panic when the archers were about to shoot. He didn't have any time to spare so he released all arrows. Each one of them hit one enemy forcing them to drop their arrows. One of those morons even dropped his bow. Asoke was amused by the turning of events. The swordsman didn't waste any time and charged at them. Asoke didn't want to be left behind so he started to shoot single arrows at a high speed just next to blue guy to hit the archers. He could swear that he heard music describing their fight. He felt so magnificent at the moment until the soldier had killed each one of them.

After that blue guy looked at him and they again stared at each other, but for a longer time. He could swear that the swordsman smiled to him at that moment, but the smile was very weak. Then he hid again backing himself and ducking. Thanks to that he was out of sight for the ally soldier. He needed to calm down a little.

Asoke thought this would be a perfect time to play a little trick on Derasians. Maybe it wasn't little, but for him it wouldn't still be worthy revenge. So he decided at that moment, that he just would open the gates for aggressors and those idiots will be screwed. He looked the way to the main gate. The rooftops were ending here, so he decided to go around for returning on proper path. Then suddenly he saw the blue guy just appeared on the roofs. Asoke immediately hid again.

He asked himself, how it was possible that the swordsman appeared there. He scanned the area and didn't have notice anything that would help him reach roof that quickly. He calmed himself again and started to follow his crush. He saw that soldier cut some ropes holding creates and then heard screams of agony. How clever that was to create a distraction on the street. Blue guy was sneaking now, that no one would notice him. It seems he was heading the main gates as well. It wouldn't be any surprise; because that's the only reason he could have to be here.

Asoke followed him observing his every movement. Then an ugly guy just appeared in front of the swordsman. He was disguised by the vision of newcomer even though it was some distant between them and Asoke couldn't see too well. His head said to him to not approach them or he could have got sick. But he decided to go there anyway.

Swordsman struck his enemy and Asoke felt relieved, but suddenly he noticed that the ugly being wasn't down. Blue soldier tried again cutting him constantly, but the ugly one was still standing. Asoke shot few arrows at the ugly face, but that didn't work too. What was happening here? Enemy put his hand on wooden wall that was there, apparently to maintain his balance. Asoke without delay used this occasion to shot his hand.

But suddenly he saw something impossible. The arrow went back from the hand floating in the air. Hand quickly vanished from previous place and arrow hit again the wooden wall, but without hand this time. He thought he was going crazy, but more importantly, his crush was about to lose to this ugly scum.

*********************************************

Lestan panicked. The enemy was about to attack and he had no means to defeat him. There was no doubt that he used magic, but Lestan didn't know what kind of magic. If he didn't know that then he couldn't counter it. He concentrated and focused his sight to notice any clues. When strange man attacked suddenly an arrow hit his hand. Hand was pierced with an arrow and released the dagger that was falling to the ground. But suddenly dagger flew back to the hand and arrow got back. Then enemy took his hand quickly from the arrow's path and it hit the wooden wall again.

That was the clue he needed so much. Now he knew what kind of magic the strange enemy used. It was a time manipulation; he was rewinding time to avoid attacks. That kind of magic was very rare and hard to use. Especially to be used in such succession. When that happened he saw amulet glowing, so it was the source of power for that spell.

"Teneo Tempus." Lestan spoke immediately.

The strange person widened his eyes and before he could do anything, prince pierced his heart with his blade. Enemy was struggling, obviously trying to use his power and rewind time. The spell prevented that, but it couldn't last forever. Lestan then grabbed the amulet and ripped it from enemy's neck. Then he repulsed the dying body with his leg to take his sword out off it. He shook his sword and immediately fell on his knees exhausted from the fight and using a very difficult spell.

Lestan was leaning on his sword with right arm and squeezing the amulet in the left hand. He was at this time defenseless. The blond archer approached him; he could do anything to him if he wanted to.

"You okay?" Blond guy asked.

Lestan looked at him panting. He squeezed harder the amulet and at that moment some strength returned to him. Amulet had to be a container for magic energy, so one wouldn't have to use their own. He stood up straight still looking at his helper.

"Yes, thank you for your assistance." Prince announced proudly.

"No problem, it's always fun. I'm Asoke by the way." Archer responded.

Lestan shook his head. "But why are you turning against your own?" He asked.

"Oh no, I'm not one of them. I was only doing business with them." Asoke answered.

"I'm sorry to disturb your business then." Lestan said.

"Not at all, they cheated. They haven't paid me what they promised to me. So that's why I hate them and wanted to open main gate for you guys. I can lead you there." Asoke explained.

"Lead me there?" Lestan pointed to the right of the gate after hiding his sword. There was hidden entry to the gate mechanism. Anyone could just try do access gate mechanism from somewhere around the gate, but Lestan was too clever for fall for that.

"How do you know where's the hidden entrance?" Asoke was surprised.

"I have a map in my head." Prince answered.

"Wow, how did you put it there, through an ear?" Archer laughed.

Lestan raised his eyebrow. "I've memorized it, idiot."

Asoke chuckled. "Why so stiff? It's no fun."

"Well, I'm not here to have fun." Lestan rolled his eyes.

Lestan thought that this guy could be distracting and he didn't have time for that. In the other hand he helped him and might be useful further. He knew exactly that this place could be more surprising.

"Listen, if you want to help me more then come with me." Lestan stated.

"With pleasure," Asoke replied grinning.

Lestan proceeded further through the roofs and Asoke followed him. It didn't take them long to reach the hidden entrance. Prince tried to open it, but doors were locked. They seemed also very strong ones, so he didn't think he could force them open in any way.

"Allow me." Asoke approached with a smirk.

He had lock picks in his hands and swiftly picked the lock. Then he gave a wide grin to his companion. Lestan raised his eyebrow.

"So, you're a thief, why am I not surprised?" Lestan stated opening the doors.

Prince went through the doors and ran towards to reach the mechanism. Suddenly a buff man appeared next to it. He was wearing white trousers and gray shirt that didn't cover his arms. He held a big axe in his hands and aimed it to the chain, which was a part of the mechanism.

"One more step, scumbag and I'll cut the chain." He smirked.

It wasn't a perfect situation for the prince. If chains would be scattered then there would be no means to open the gates. His whole effort would be in vain. He stared at the axe and questioned for a second if it would be capable of that. He could saw clearly that it was magically enhanced, so it would be possible. And by looking at the enemy, it would be very hard to defeat him if even at all.

His emotions started to flood on the surface and he felt tears started to generate. Was that the end of his mission?