Onyx lit his torch, outstretching the sizzling wood as he ventured deep into the catacombs below Equus.
As he did, he began to feel the terrible energy begin to compress the air within the tunnels.
Sighing softly, he continued walking forward, knowing full well that his fate would be met with whatever awaited him underneath the city.
...
Chase, The Nameless...
Outstretching his bloody hand, he set it upon the surface of the towering double doors before him, sealed shut by a strong form of magic.
Behind him, and marking the entire perimeter of the throne room- Lie crimson translated markings of the crimson ruin of ever expanding flames.
It would take ten minutes of charge before it would combust into a terrible amount of flames, as for once Chase had been grateful for those days where he had to actually show up for his Runic Art classes.
His hand firmly pressed against the door, easily feeling the presence of destruction behind the grand seal between them.
Luna nor Ivy had warned him what would happen after he breached the castle around the catalyst, which had already told Chase everything he needed to know.
He would most likely not survive this night...
A soft smile rested on his lips, it was that of a somber one but he truly had zero regrets left within his being.
He felt sorry for his friends who would have to find his charred corpse, sorry for whoever would have to take up the mantle of King of Solis...
He hoped that Lithica would forgive him for putting the Celestial into the position of having to search for a new master.
But it would work out for the better this way...
He knew the responsibility on his shoulders...
If Rider lived, the corruption would only eat at him until his power grew so vast that even the gods could begin to crumble one by one, which had already been proven possible by the corpse of Prometheus...
He refused to open his own eyes, letting his eyelids grow moist from the tears welling up behind them.
But they soon would burn, along with the entire Kingdom of Equus...
Chase turned around, slowly walking along the ancient floors of the vast throne room, stepping over his own blood that slowly crept around the room, forming a powerful ruin that glowed with the true might of fire.
He casually made his way towards the throne, stepping up onto the platform.
Lifting his body, he turned horizontally, letting his head lean over the edge of the throne's arm, as his legs dangled off of the other side.
With his right hand, baring no glove over his scarred skin, he held it up above his eyes.
Letting them flutter open with sight for the first time in ten days, he felt hot water rush down his cheeks.
Summoning the mask of the Naga in his hands, he looked up at the mask with a grin.
"Fitting..."
He whispered, gazing at the onyx mask within his grasp.
Gently putting it over his face, feeling the strange ethereal metal fuse with his own skin, as his lips curled farther upwards.
Then, a beautiful neon green flame began to sizzle along the skin of his right hand, dancing between the fingers that it slowly burned the flesh off of his own limb.
...
Poppy, of House Aries...
With a pained groan, Poppy leaned against one of the trees outside of the kingdom.
The healers were tending to the vast crowds full of fatally wounded soldiers and fearful citizens.
Eventually, Neo made his way over after helping carry a terribly injured Hans into one of the tents.
His face looked terrible, as several permanent gashes ran along his once perfect skin.
Poppy chuckled softly, admiring the new look of the Cobra that actually had suited him quite well.
However, Neo did not even smile as his eyes only showed dread.
He gazed up at the towering wall that stood beyond the outskirts of the city, smoke rising into the starless night sky...
He collapsed onto the ground, leaning his head back against the tree.
"The worst is yet to come..."
He muttered, as Justin of House Pice began to yell, pulling an injured boy out of the sewer entrance.
"HE NEEDS A HEALER!"
He screamed, waving his arms frantically in the air.
...
Leo, of House Lion...
Carrying two injured generals over his shoulder, he cursed and muttered in the darkness of the sewers.
He probably wasn't going to make it out in time, but he couldn't just give up.
Neveah muttered something to herself as she helped an injured Gabriel limp behind Leo.
Eventually they reached a decently far away spot, and Leo figured it would be fine to set Michael and Equan's bodies down, laying them against the cold wall of the sewers.
Leo let out a ragged breath, collapsing at their side.
Neveah let herself sit down next to him, as Gabriel wandered further into the sewers before pulling out a small stone and crushing it in his palm.
"Hey! Kaylynn! Can you hear me! We need some assistance!"
He yelled between exhausted breaths, but heard no response in the strange stone used for communication.
Neveah looked up at the ceiling that continued to shake and tremble below the burning city of Equus.
Leo felt his vision begin to fade, and he let out one last sad breath, trying to accept the fact that they probably weren't going to make it out in time.
...
Nightrider...
Ascending the steps with his trusty Seer following close behind, Rider let determination cloud his thoughts.
His powerful energy surging through his blood and bone alike.
"Just a few more steps..."
It was true, they were nearing the throne room.
Where Rider would cement himself in history as The King of Equus.
Here, he would face off against a king that he did not even remember the name of...
Smoke fogged up the air around the kingdom, as Rider stopped before the last step, taking a look around as the imagery had become quite stunning.
Even though this would soon be his kingdom, he smiled softly.
Letting energy caress the skin on his face, he summoned a helmet that had become unfamiliar to even the one who had forged it.
The violet metal warmed his face, building up sweat as he watched the kingdom slowly burn to the ground.
Then he turned back around, taking a step into the throne room...
Where a terribly dreadful sight awaited the soon to be king...