Tenebris Renasci: A World of Magic and Gunpowder

After a long period of resting, the group began their journey once more. Unlike yesterday, the journey was uneventful and quiet. Until they reached the port city of Foca in the late afternoon. 

Reaching the outskirts of the city, it was clear that a heavy air of unease and tension had settled in. There was a mass exodus of people heading from the city and towards the west. 

Pathfinders were standing outside of the city exit points checking the massive convoy's of people leaving the city. 

They were armed with rifles and swords, their uniforms were the vibrant blue of the Fallen kingdom, and their faces held grim expressions. 

The convoys that were leaving, had carriages that were overfilled with both items and people. Some were walking out on foot with nothing more than a bag over their shoulders and a child on their hip.

Above the city were large zeppelins that were attached to skyscrapers. 

They were painted with the colors of Ambur, and hing in the sky like strange beasts in an ocean. 

As Ben approached the city, Alexander looked out from the inside of the carriage. His eyes wide as he studied the organized chaos before him. 

The bright city lights shining against the backdrop of the setting sun and the dimming sky.

"Hm, looks like news traveled fast, must've been a telegram," Antoinette muttered under her breath as she looked over Alexander and into his window. "But who would have sent it?"

Louise had joined the duo looking out the window, her gaze quietly examining the outside world. 

As the carriage grew closer towards the city, Alexander heard shouting from a pathfinder with a microphone. "Stay calm!" He shouted, "We will have you out of the city before the enemy arrives, so please, Stay calm and remain organized!"

His orders were almost drawn out by the wave of concerned murmuring that washed over the exiting crowds. 

As Ben reached the city's entrance, he was stopped by a pathfinder. "Hold it, soldier, what's your station?" The pathfinder asked sternly, though her expression was full of exhaustion.

She appeared to be a sergeant from the Statem House of Pathfinders.

"I just need to enter the city ma'am," Ben answered. 

The sergeant raised an eyebrow as she crossed her arms. "Do you?" She asked skeptically, "Or are you a pathfinder trying to escape your duty?"

Ben sighed as he gestured towards his carriage cabin, "I have Nova nobility in my carriage, I'm escorting her to her ship."

The sergeant's eyes widened as she turned her attention towards the carriage. "Camilla is alive?" She asked in disbelief. "That's… impossible."

Ben shook his head. "No ma'am, it's Louise Nova, her sister. " he answered, correcting the sergeant.

The sergeant raised a hand to her mouth as she looked back towards the city. "So that's why…" she quickly looked back at Ben. "Can I see inside the carriage, Just to make sure?"

Ben nodded. "Of course ma'am."

With Ben's approval, the sergeant made her way to the side of the carriage. 

Reaching the window, she peaked through and was greeted with no other than the young Louise du Nova, along with a Nova pathfinder, and a young boy.

Her eyes nearly popped out of her skull as Antoinette stared at her with impatience. 

Without hesitation, the sergeant stepped back from the carriage and gave Ben a salute and nod. "Good luck on your journey, soldier."

Ben nodded as he gave a quick salute back. "And may the goddess forever have many upon you." 

Ben flicked his wrist and entered the city. 

The scene inside the city was a little less chaotic and crowded. Instead of panicked civilians, there were soldiers and pathfinders, from both the Fallen and Ambur kingdoms. 

The streets were being barricaded and blocked, with soldiers stacking up ammo box's, along with Gatling guns and cannons. 

Trains and trams moved throughout the city filled with more military equipment and soldiers. Buildings were being maned with snipers and sharpshooters.

It seemed that the city of Foca wasn't going out without a fight.

Especially with the Ambur Zeppelins Humming high in the sky. 

Ben kept a watchful eye as he navigated the busy streets, while Antoinette did the same from within the carriage. "Hmm, I doubt this place could hold up to Grand Mages for long… I'll give it a week, maybe two."

Alexander looked up to Antoinette with a worried expression. "You mean not even this is enough to stop them?" He asked.

Antoinette shook her head. "No, Grand Mages are like walking artillery times ten." She answered. "But with this much firepower, along with urban warfare, it should slow them down dramatically."

Ben sighed as he looked out the window.

Surely this could last longer than two weeks, right?

Alexander felt Antoinette's hand squeeze his shoulder. "Hey, don't worry about what's to come." She said softly, "Just focus on getting out of here, okay?"

Alexander nodded. "Okay."

Alexander was still worried and grappling with his thoughts. The idea that his home was about to collapse was saddening, though he didn't know this place much, he still felt an attachment to it. 

Part of him prayed and hoped that somehow it could survive.

As the carriage drew closer towards the port, the towering masts and funnel of a large ship could be spotted. Its sails unfurled and ready for departure. 

It was the only ship on the dock, and surrounding it were a dozen pathfinders from House Nova. 

Upon spotting Ben approaching the ship, one of the pathfinders raised their hand for him to stop.

Ben brought the carriage to a halt before the pathfinder, Antoinette quickly stepped out as the carriage stopped. 

She turned her stern gaze to the approaching pathfinder, which made his eyes wide. "Lieutenant!" He exclaimed in disbelief, scrambling to salute.

"Save the theatrics, is the ship ready?" She asked.

"Yes ma'am, the boiler has been prepped since we've got the news." He began his expression then fell slightly. "Is it true?" He asked, "Is lord Napoleon and Lady Camilla…"

"Yes." She answered, before turning towards the carriage and walking back. "Fortunately Lady Louise is fine." 

She reached her hand out to Louise, gesturing for her to take it.

Louise took her hand and was guided out of the carriage. As she stepped out, a wave of relief washed over the pathfinders. "The goddess saw fit to bless us after all." 

"Take her to her quarters," Antoinette said as she handed Louise to the Pathfinder. 

"Yes ma'am." He said, running over to take Louise's hand. As he grabbed her hand, he looked into the carriage to see Alexander.

He looked at him curiously before taking Louise and moving back towards the ship, with Louise trailing behind him.

As they moved towards the ship, Antoinette reached her hand back into the carriage. "Come on." 

Alexander nodded as he took her hand. 

Stepping out of the carriage, the cold air hit his skin and sent a shiver down his spine. 

Antoinette, with Alexander in hand, moved to the front of the carriage where Ben sat. 

"Come on," Antoinette said as she reached a hand up to help him down. 

Ben looked to Antoinette with a conflicted expression. His eyes filled with determination and confusion. 

"Ben?" Antoinette said with a raised eyebrow. "We don't have all night."

Ben sighed as he tightened his fist slightly. "I… I think I need to stay." He said, his tone conflicted, "It doesn't feel right to escape… not without everyone else."

Antoinette's eyes widened briefly before they quickly narrowed. "Ben I am not doing this with you again, get your ass down and come on."

Ben hesitated, his eyes staring at the large frigate before him. Despite the safety the ship granted, the weight of his duty gnawed at him. The idea of abandoning his kingdom made him feel like a coward.

Alexander for his part understood Ben's hesitance.

Ben was a lot like himself in that regard, the confusion and conflict that swirled within him made him feel worthless and weak. 

Yet he knew there was nothing that could be done. 

Ben needed to hear the truth, he couldn't fix anything on his own.

"Ben," Alexander called his name as he stepped forward. 

Ben looked at Alexander with a curious gaze. "Yes, my lord?"

"We have to go." Alexander said with a determined look, "One person can't change the outcome of the war, but you can make Antoinette happy, and you are all I have left." Alexander sighed, "So please, don't abandon us trying to be a hero."

Antoinette's grip tightened on Alexander's hand. "Exactly." She said with a nod before turning back to Ben. "I need you, and so does lord Alexander, so don't be an idiot." She then reached her hand back out to Ben. "We need to leave before it's too late."

Ben's shoulders slumped as he took Antoinette's hand. "Alright." He said, his tone thick with reluctance. "Let's go."

Antoinette nodded as a smile of relief crossed her lips.

She helped Ben down from the driver's bench and led both him and Alexander towards the ship. The noise of the city began to fade into this distance as they boarded the ship.

Stepping onto the wooden deck, Alexander felt a faint hum from within the ship as it gently rocked in the water. The atmosphere onboard the ship was urgent. 

"All passengers on board!" A sailor shouted as Antoinette and the others boarded the ship.

Unlike the pathfinders who wore red and gray, the sailors were distinguished by their white and gray uniforms. 

They were mostly armed with pistols and swords, along with gray caps. 

The captain, a man dressed in a long white coat with a large white hat and feather, shouted. "All hands prepare for departure!" 

As the order was relayed through the ship, the funnel in the center began to pump out smoke.

The ship then slowly began pulling away from the dock, leaving behind the chaotic Port city of Foca as it prepared for an incoming conflict. The glow and hum of the city gradually began to fade and was replaced with the vast open sea. 

On the deck, Alexander stood near the railing, the cool sea breeze swept around him as the smell of salt filled the air. 

Alexander felt a world of emotions, yet he barely knew what to do with them. His future was known and his past was being torn apart, leaving a heavy sense of uncertainty within him.