After a full day of continuous travel, the caravans reached a point near the Kingdom of Helles. There, in undisciplined silence, everyone dispersed, just as planned.
Each leader headed towards the gate that Saruto had previously designated, without hesitation. Saruto himself soared high in the sky, alongside Bianca, obscured by clouds, awaiting the opportune moment—the moment when the Upper City would be largely emptied of its soldiers.
At the four gates, the four leaders advanced one after the other. When the kingdom guards stopped them, each produced a black orb. As soon as it was activated, Saruto avatar appeared, impersonating the Emperor, with his voice, tone, and imposing presence. The guards didn't suspect a thing. The gates opened. The rebels entered the Kingdom of Helles.
In the slave quarters, the moment the caravans passed through the gate, Taios and Sebastian didn't wait a second.
The coverings were ripped off. The rebels were freed. And the first spark ignited. They attacked the soldiers with sudden ferocity, and fighting broke out in the narrow alleyways. Sebastian shouted, "Taios! Take a group of rebels! Go and free the slaves… We'll keep the soldiers occupied here!"
Taios didn't wait for an answer. He sped off. His movements were too swift to see, cutting through the soldiers one by one, until he reached the prisons and forced labor camps. Locks were smashed. Chains snapped. And the slaves were freed.
They were armed with whatever weapons they could find. Their shouts of joy erupted, shouts that hadn't been heard in that region for years. They all rushed to Sebastian aid. On the other side, Sebastian was fighting fiercely, but the number of soldiers was increasing. Some of the rebels began to fall, and for the first time, doubt crept into his mind.
Then he heard shouts. He turned around. He saw free, armed slaves coming to his aid. Hope burned brightly in his chest. He shouted, "Onward!"
And the battle shifted. The soldiers fell one after another. The battle was over. They divided themselves as Saruto had ordered: half went to steal chariots in anticipation of any emergency retreat. The other half advanced toward the Middle City.
In the Concessions area, on the other side of the kingdom, Andrew and Judith moved with deadly silence. They aroused no suspicion. They engaged no one. They crept until they reached the Middle City and hid in strategic positions, awaiting the signal.
In the Middle City, when Taios and Sebastian entered, the alarm sounded. Trumpets blared. Reinforcements rushed in from the Upper City. The tide turned. The slaves began to lose hope.
Then came the attack from the rear. Andrew and Judith emerged, along with a group of rebels, and struck the soldiers from the other side. The soldiers were caught in the crossfire. The balance of the battle was completely reversed.
The Upper City—the Emperor's Palace—at that moment, Saruto realized his plan was unfolding exactly as he had intended. "Our time has come," he said calmly.
He and Bianca set off for the Upper City. They landed inside the palace. Saruto moved swiftly, knocking down the soldiers so quickly they didn't even notice him. Bianca led him through the familiar corridors to the throne room.
It was dark. Heavy. Then torches lit up, one after another. A thick, dark energy flowed from the throne. Saruto raised his head.
A man sat on the throne. He wore dark knight's armor, his cloak draped over the sides of the chair, leaning on his arm as if he had been waiting. "You are very late in coming here," he said coldly.
Saruto smiled wryly and took a step forward. "I apologize… I didn't mean to disappoint you, Emperor."