THAT DAY I BECAME A STAR

FRANKHER KOERSOMBRE POV :

«Sir, look above us !! » 

Just like Sir Kevin said, a portal appears above the city right when we thought we were out of trouble. I really hoped that everything was going to be easy and we would be able to go back with everyone but…

"You just had to be right, huh… Stephan!! Take your team with you! Evacuate the injured!"

"Yes sir!" 

"The others, form groups of ten and retreat slowly towards the mortars!! We will wait for them there!!" 

It's a good thing that the majority of the army was in the same area. We will be able to counter the Longinus with more ease. 

"You have to survive, Mister Dragonroad." 

The Longinus start pouring out of the portal but that number…This is too much. There are so many of them coming that the sky turns black. 

"This…We cannot win against all this." 

"Fire the mortars!!" 

Why aren't they firing back there? 

"Father!!" 

At the same time as the first mortar fires on the Longinus, my daughter comes to me. 

"Didn't you hear my order?! Retreat and protect the mortars!" 

"Then let's go!! What are you doing here?!" 

Indeed, what I am doing here? There is no need to wait for him, is there? If he comes out victorious then it is good. 

"Let's go!" 

We reach the city's entrance and the soldiers are all ready to face the threat incoming. The mortars are firing with all their might as well. We can do this.

***

"Here they come!! Fire!!" 

"Kriekk!!!" 

"Kriek!!" 

They arrive like a plague, hungry and thirsty for our flesh and blood. 

"You dirty bastards!" What was Kossi thinking? How could he think that allying with those things would bring salvation to them?

I know and I admit that Titanium has never been considered enough. Too many I have tried to voice my opinion on the subject at the council and too many times have I been brushed over even before William had married a titanie. Now that I see the consequences, my heart is in pain. Because all this could have been avoided. All this could have been avoided so easily. 

"Wind ball!" 

"Look out!! They are coming from that side as well!!"

"Protect the flanks!! They mustn't reach the mortars!!" 

"Kriek!!" 

How come their numbers increase so much even though the mortars are firing on them. It hasn't even been a minute and there are already so many Longinus we can't see the road of the city's entrance anymore. Are they really going to overwhelm us so quickly? No, we mustn't let them.

"Push forward!!!" 

"Yes, sir!!" 

We must stop them here! At least until…Until what? What am I even hoping for? 

"I have really turned into an old fool, huh." 

Keltia is fighting on the front lines as well. She is wielding her spear with the dignity and pride f the Koersombre. She is my little fairy, my one and only…How would your mother react if she saw you right now? Oh well, once you get back, you will talk about it, I guess. 

"Arthur!" One of my most trusted knights. I am sure he can do this. "Bring me my daughter and the other students here, please." 

"Yes, sir." He goes off to the front lines as well. I hope you will come back soon. The time is lacking. 

"Manfred. Tell the mortars' operators to activate it." 

"But, sir." 

"Hurry. We don't have a lot of time." 

"I understand sir." 

While he goes away, Arthur comes back with my daughter and all the students of the eternal academy that came here. Even Sarah, who isn't part of them, has come. It's true that she can read minds so I guess she knows what is going on already. 

"Father, what is it? The fight is still go-"

"Kriek!!" 

The Longinus have started to pierce through our barrage. Like I thought, we won't win this. 

"Peter!" 

"Sir!"

I get down for my horse and when he comes, I give him the reins. 

"Do you know my daughter's most endearing quality?" 

"Sir, what-"

"Father, what-"

"Do you know it?!"

"Y-yes, sir! She is the most gentle person on earth!!" 

"You didn't have to yell it, you know?" Since you have given me a satisfying answer, I guess I can leave you with her then. I would have liked to be there for a little longer but at last…

"Father, no!" It seems my daughter has caught on. Such a smart girl you are. But now, it is too late.

"Take this, son." I give Peter the reins of my horse. He hesitates a little then takes them.

"Don't take it, idiot!!" It's too late, my daughter. Unlike you, he as my pupil has no right but to accept. Also, I am sure that deep down, he knows this is for the best. Even if he doesn't understand what is happening.

"Sir, what are you doing?" 

"You have taken the reins of my horse. Which means that you are superior to me. Therefore, your role as the head of the family is first and foremost to protect them from harm." 

"But, sir! You-"

"Do you understand?!" 

"Sir!! I don't!! Please, don't do this!!" What are you crying for?!

"Then you will. In time. Arthur." 

"Sir." 

Arthur knocks my daughter unconscious by striking her neck then carries her. It's good that I didn't have to tell you myself. Though I won't forgive you if you are too rough with her.

"Sir, please, don't do this." 

"Now, take care of my daughter, okay?" 

It's good that the other students don't say anything. I won't have to convince them. Peter hugs me all of sudden while crying.

"Sob…I am sorry, master. I am sorry for being so weak." Sigh…I knew it. I am too old for all this.

I pat his head a bit but there won't be any time for anything else…

"Kriekk!!" A dall manages to get through and jumps towards us.

"Sir!!" 

"Chaos flame." 

I burn it down with my personal script. It has been a long time since I got to use it. But there is no need to stay composed now. 

"Now, go! All of you!!" 

"Kriek!!" 

I fire scripts at the Longinus while Peter leaves, followed by Arthur and the others. Ah, my dear daughter. Only now do I regret divorcing your mother. Maybe if she was still with us, we wouldn't be here. Maybe we would be somewhere in our mansion, enjoying a tea together, laughing and smiling. But it won't happen. It can't happen anymore. All of this because of you!! 

"Now, let's see how you dirty bastards fare against me." 

***

What was the point of my bravado? When did I start being cheeky enough that I wouldn't be able to estimate my situation? In less than five minutes, we have been overwhelmed by the Longinus that keep coming from the portal. Even the mortars are attacked and most of us are already encircled. Manfred stayed behind with me. This guy…Even though he is still young and had such a promising future. Why did you not leave and get to safety?! You stupid over loyal man! You weren't even married or had any children yet.

"Why did you not leave? Manfred?" 

"My place is here, sir. We both know it." 

"Kriekk!!" 

"Kriek-"

A mortar suddenly explodes right before a kirsurk can grab it with his claw. I guess this fight truly is lo…Suddenly, the ground starts shaking. 

"Kriekk!!" 

The Longinus all turn towards the city and scream weirdly. It's like they are afraid. Then whatever is coming, it must be to our advantage.

"Let's do this!! Kill as many as you can!" 

"Yes, sir!" 

I launch scripts at the Longinus who are still looking elsewhere then a red light shines from the corner of my eyes. When I look up, there is a red lightning bolt that is flying from the location of the castle. Then the lightning bolt becomes a dot that stops in the air. It releases a powerful wave and it destroys the portal and even the Longinus that were in midair gets evaporated by it. Then the dot flies off somewhere, turning into a lightning bolt again. I don't know what that was but…

"Sir!!" 

While I was fascinated by what just happened, I get hit.

"Argh!!" My head! My eyes! It hurts! What hit me? "Chaos flame!!!" I fire my script everywhere around me to protect myself but I don't know what just happened. I can't see anything anymore!!

"Sir!! Look out!" Out of nowhere, I am pushed to the side brutally. "Argh!!" 

"Manfred!! You fucking!!" I don't know what just happened but that scream was definitively Manfred.

"Kriekk!!" 

"You won't get away with this, you hear me!!" 

Another mortar explodes while I launch a fireball at the Longinus's scream I just heard. 

"Argh!!" What?!! Suddenly, my chest hurts so bad. Something must have pierced it. A sloin? "You think you will kill me that easily? I am Frankher KOERSOMBRE!!"

"Kriek!!"

"CHAOS FLAME!!" 

As I said before, I am too old for this…But, at least, I will let a memory behind.

"Sigh...How I wish I had seen you one last time, Esmeralda..." 

"Kriekk!!"