Chapter 101 (CI) Struggle

"HALT!" Royal Knights shouted across the bridge as the refugees rushed across the bridge. After not heeding their warning, the soldiers lowered their spears, alarming the people as they started pushing against one another.

"We're going to die! We're going to fucking DIE!!!" Someone screamed as the panicked mob surged together. Screams and cries began to spread throughout the group.

"Calm yourself, there is no reason to panic," Renee shouted, pushing her way through the crowd and across the bridge.

"We're going to be trampled!" A woman shrieked, clutching her child in her arms.

"There's nothing you can do to help us!" Another man screamed.

"We're all gonna be crushed! We're all gonna be killed! We're all-"

"Silence! Everyone needs to calm down!! " The Knight Commander yelled, turning and gripping the man by his collar as he immediately bit his tongue, nodding frantically.

She dropped him before continuing on her way to the front and approached the Royal Knights, the crowd parting out of her way.

"I am Temple Knight Commander Renee, I need to speak with Royal Knight Commander Lydia immediately!" She announced, stepping forward.

"Oh, we know exactly who you are Commander Renee, whatever tricks you nasty Templars are pulling over there won't happen on our lands!" One of the Royal Knights shouted back.

"Fort Vetus is in flames!" She shouted, pointing toward the castle, "We are being invaded! You must let all these civilians through-"

Lydia came running toward the bridge with a platoon of Royal Knights behind her as she interrupted, "Renee! What's going on here?"

"Oh thank the heavens! You need to let these refugees pass! Fort Vetus has been breached! Thousands have died..." The Temple Knight Commander sighed in relief, "Please, we need your help..."

"Of course! Royal Knights! Help guide these people to safety! Bring the injured to the infirmary and treat those who require medical attention!" She commanded, ordering the men and women in her command to assist the Temple Knights in escorting the civilians to the other side of the river.

Renee breathed out in exhaustion as the last of the civilians crossed over the bridge, turning to the Royal Knight Commander, "Lydia, there was this boy, Jackson, he helped save all of of these people! We need to bring a battalion immediately!"

"Jackson..? Yes, I know the punk who decided to destroy my home! Where is he?" She gritted, balling her hand into a fist and raising it in the air.

"He did what? Wait, never mind! He singlehandedly held back the invaders at the main gate! We must hurry!" Renee exclaimed, looking back toward the gate as flames engulfed Fort Vetus.

The two Knight Commanders led two large squadrons of Temple and Royal Knights as they ran along the path toward the fort. They passed by the stray civilian, running for their lives as they approached the front gates.

A bolt of purple lightning blitzed through the endless sea of Hollows rushing toward the front gates, unable to make it within a dozen meters as they began disappearing in a flame and an ethereal wail as Jackson cut them down.

It continued to dance through the Hollows, arcing from each one erratically before Jackson reappeared, panting heavily, kneeling in front of the two women. His WarFrame disengaged as the gears spun, and his body slowly appeared.

Renee looked up, seeing the familiar figure of the young man, his swords glowing brightly. The Temple and Royal Knights spread out as they created a perimeter around the entrance, allowing the random survivor to run out of the city.

"You've done it!" She cried as she and Lydia ran toward him.

"No.." Jackson panted as he slowly stood up and turned toward the two Knight Commanders, "Unless we manage to close those portals, they will continue to come."

"Then we must close those portals!" Lydia demanded as she approached the pair of knights, snapping her fingers as both saluted and ran back toward Fort Novae.

"We will send as many troops as we can spare to aid in closing the portal and we will hold here until reinforcements arrive and then make for the portals, how many are there?" She asked, turning as she stepped closer.

"I don't know... Maybe ten?" Jackson shook his head, shrugging.

"Rest up... You've fought harder than all of us combined!" Renee said as Jackson nodded, sitting down as he summoned Khione and Umbra to fight in his stead. The Winged Snowdrift Panther quickly transformed into her War Forme, unleashing powerful attacks as gigantic clusters of ice appeared, shattering and knocking back dozens of Hollows.

Not to be outperformed, the Twilight Wyvern vanished, reappearing within the shadows of the Hollows and felling them in a blindingly fast strike before retreating back into the shadows.

The remaining survivors were able to escape the burning ruins of the fortress as the battle raged between the forces inside the walls as hundreds of Hollows and Hollowed Knights had gathered, attempting to burst forth from the fort.

After a brief rest, Jackson approached the two Knight Commanders, "I'm going with my two companions to destroy the portals."

"We'll come with!" Renee replied, stepping forward as Lydia nodded.

"No. Stay here and make sure that the Hollows don't invade the other side of island! Once the reinforcements arrive, I should have shut down a couple. Use that to gain ground and push them back!" Jackson ordered, nodding before running off into the dark forest.

"Are you certain about this, Jackson?" Renee asked, watching as he jumped on top of Khione's back as Umbra flew in the air as they disappeared down the street.

"This isn't good, not one bit," Lydia muttered, glancing at the massive army of Hollows before staring at Renee.

"All we can do is hold out until reinforcements arrive!" Renee replied, shaking her head as she watched the swarm of Hollows approach.

"Well then, sister!!" Lydia shouted, her eyes narrowing as she glared at the approaching horde of Hollows, "Time for a reunion of the Decima Bladedancers!"