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Stand Together or Fall

Chapter Five

Storm knelt down in the bushes by the castle and watched as a lone guard stood by a gaping whole in the side of the castle, it was the ‘back entrance’ Tonya had mentioned and the swordsman was surprised it wasn’t heavily guarded. He looked at his still dislocated shoulder and wondered if a rescue would be possible at the moment, he didn’t know how many guards would be inside, if any, nor did he know if Roku was lurking around…or Jin. Either would create a huge hole in his plan. He looked back at the lone guard and nodded; if he could find Tonya and Raduko quickly they could get out and run before anyone noticed. He picked up a stone and threw it into another set of bushes; the guard drew his sword and made his way over, giving Storm a chance to dart through the ‘door’. The corridor was a little dusty, even though Roku had infiltrated the castle months ago, and full of loose leaves that had blown in with the wind. He made his way down the corridor as quickly and quietly as possible, and out of sight before the guard returned to his post. He rounded a corner and pressed his back against the wall and let out a deep breath, he was inside…but now what? He didn’t know where Tonya was being kept. He silently swore to himself and made his way to the door at the end of the corridor, opening it slowly to peek inside before opening it fully.


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“So that is what the King meant, you are her sister! You are that evil witch’s sibling!” Raduko roared. “I don’t know why he trusted you but as soon as I escape I will bring your head to him!”
“Will you shut up, please!?” Tonya snapped over her shoulder. “I’m trying to concentrate!” She concentrated on the lock of her cuffs for a moment, trying to manipulate the mechanisms inside, when Raduko spoke again.

“Why didn’t you tell us in the first place?”

“Because nobody asked, you knew we were both of the Telek race and you didn’t ask.” She watched as Raduko frowned. “Look, I already said I wouldn’t join her and I stand by that, she maybe my sister but I will not forgive her for the things she has done.”

“Does Storm know?”

She shrugged, turning the back of her head to him. “He may have a hunch but he hasn’t acted on it, he’s not that stupid.”

“Are you implying that I am?”

“Did it come from my mouth?” He didn’t reply. “There you go then. You need to learn to trust me, my hatred for your kind stops well short of Roku’s.”

“There’s still time…” He muttered.

Their heads turned as the door flew open and the guard flew to the floor unconscious, Storm stepped inside and wiped his brow with his thumb. “It’s about bloody time…” He sighed. “Do you know how many rooms I checked?”

“Four?” Tonya joked. “And here I was beginning to think you weren’t coming.”

Storm made his way over to her and knelt down, examining the cuffs. “I said I’d stay by you.”

“You also said you didn’t want to be part of this war.” She shot back.

“True.” He drew his sword and stuck the blade into the lock. “You two argue like a married couple by the way.”

“Do not release her, Storm!” Raduko shouted across the room. “She is the sibling of Roku!”

Storm looked from Raduko back to Tonya who turned her head away from him. “Is that true?”

She nodded. “So you can take Raduko and go if you want…” She sighed and turned back to him, her eyes meeting his. Storm felt that if he looked deep enough he’d be able to see in her soul, but he didn’t have to, the blue around her pupil told him enough and he twisted the sword, breaking the lock.

“What good would that do?” They both stood and stared at each other a moment longer before Tonya’s gaze moved to his arm.

“Your arm…” She reached out to grab it when a group of guards burst through the open door; she moved her hand to her sword in Storm’s sash and pulled it out in one swift movement. “Free Raduko I can handle these.” Storm nodded and ran over to Raduko, placing the sword in the lock and breaking it.

“How could you, Storm?”

“Do you know anyone else who’s willing to take Roku on?” Storm glared at the older man and no reply came. “Just leave her to it, ok?” They felt a strong gust fill the room and heard men’s cries shortly after. The pair turned to the fallen guards that were thrown all around the throne room, covered in small cuts from the sharp wind.

“Let’s get going before Roku turns up.” They headed to the door when Tonya stopped and held her sword out to Raduko. “Don’t loose or break it.”

He took it with a deep frown and followed the pair down the corridor, cutting down anyone that got in their way. Raduko witnessed the potential Tonya had and noticed how her eyes glowed brighter with each guard she took down with her powers, she was a forced to be feared, like her sister, and Raduko was prepared to sacrifice himself to take them both down when the time came.

When they reached the outside through the main doors there were a hundred soldiers waiting for them and behind the trio was Roku. Tonya looked from the soldiers to Roku and growled.

“What are you going to do now, sister?” She smirked. “I warned you what I would do to your friends and I intend to see it through.”

Tonya glanced back at the soldiers. They weren’t there to attack them, just to block their escape. She snatched her sword from Raduko and bolted into a run, charging at her sister, Roku just smiled and threw her arm forward. A powerful gust threatened to force Tonya back as she raised her arms to protect her face, leaning into the attack to she wouldn’t fly backwards. She felt her footing give way and slowly slid back as the gust continued. Storm, Raduko and the soldiers had raised their arms to protect themselves and were blown to the ground, leaving the pair gripping the ground for dear life.

Tonya looked up at the sun and smiled, it would be a cheap trick but it was all she had to work with, she moved her sword so that the light bounced off it and hit Roku in the eyes. The older Telek cursed as she closed her eyes, giving Tonya the chance to charge forward with her sword down at her left side, she brought it up sideways but Roku managed to step back in time. The younger Telek raised her blade and swiped down to the left again and then across but Roku kept dodging the attacks and drew her knife, using it to block another attack.

“Do you know how many times this blade has saved my skin?” Roku smiled. “Besides my bloodline it’s my best weapon.” She jumped back and slashed Tonya across the back of her left hand then jabbed outward, but Tonya jumped back. They locked blades again. Tonya placed one hand near her sister’s stomach and unleashed an attack, sending Roku fly back. She rolled along the floor and slid to a stop, already ready to get back to her feet when another attack that Tonya unleashed made the walls and ceiling cave in front of her, blocking her path to the younger Telek.

Tonya ran to her comrades’ aid, helping them to their feet and quickly checking for wounds. “We better get going.” She turned to the soldiers and pointed her blade at them. “Unless you want to die I suggest you move!” The trio watched as the group scrambled and raced down the path to safety.