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❤️ War And Death (Part 1) ❤️

"Master," Kando said as he went down on his knees and bowed his head. His wings went inside his back. "I am sorry I took so long, it wasn't my intention to keep you waiting. The fight was fierce so we got defeated and I surrendered." he added.

"I see." Dean mused. "What then happened afterwards?" he asked.

"Storm arrested me and I was locked up to be put to death by morning but Kira came and saved me, she released me and that is why I am here." Kando lied.

"So Kira is still with us? On our side?" Dean asked with a smile.

"Yes master, she also told me they will be attacking tonight since she knows the way through the wall she will be leading them straight inside." Kando answered him.

"But why then did Edgardo come here to lie against you? He wants me to kill you for betraying me." Dean didn't know when he said that aloud, but he didn't care. "That you and your brother have... forget it."

"Edgardo?" Kando pretended to be shocked. "I can never betray the one who saved me, the one who saved my brother and I. Why would I betray you Master?" Kando added as he let a few tears drop from his eyes.

"Yes, he was here a few minutes ago to tell me things about you and your brother. A look alike of Storm but more powerful than him." Dean told him.

"I don't understand, Storm has someone who looks like him?" Kando said cleaning where his tears had fallen.

"Yes, but I am wondering why he came here to lie to my face," Dean said, trying not to get angry at himself for believing Edgardo lies. "But I believe you now, you hardly cry, in fact I haven't seen you cry before so I am sorry for doubting you and almost believing Edgardo words," he added.

"Thank you master for believing in me. I can never do anything that would betray your trust." Kando promised. "Maybe he doesn't want you to trust us anymore. We've been by your side for so long, don't you think you will be the first person to notice when something changes in me and my brother?" he added a second later.

"True," Dean said, nodding his head, agreeing to what he said. Edgardo came to play with his head. He came to tell him lies so that he shouldn't trust the brothers. He wanted him to kill the two brothers. Well, it didn't work as you planned Edgardo. "They are going to attack us tonight, you say?" He asked. At least Kando is giving him information and Kira is still on his side. He couldn't wait to get Kira back.

"Yes, that was what Kira told me, Storm and his armies will march out tonight and will be arriving at the great wall in the wee hours, Master," Kando confirmed. "What are we going to do?" He asked.

"We welcome them first," Dean said to him. "Go and prepare the armies, unlike Storm, I have my armies down already."

"I can't leave you alone Master, what if this Edgardo of yours returns because you couldn't carry out as he said."

"I'm not scared of him."

"But you said he is very powerful, master." Kando reminded him of his own words.

"Get up to your feet Kando," Dean said and Kando did as told. He left the room without another word with Kando following closely behind.

Cando was the first person to notice them from where he was watching in a corner of the palace and flew to meet them, bowing his head at Dean.

"The armies are ready and will march out tomorrow morning." Cando announced.

"We will be moving this night, get them ready, let them eat to their fill, I don't want my armies fighting on an empty stomach." Dean told Cando and he didn't fail to hide his surprise from showing on his face.

"Why the sudden change of heart master?" Cando asked.

"According to Kando, Storm will be moving with his armies tonight down here, so I want to surprise him." Dean answered. "You will be leading them," he told Cando.

"Of course master." Cando said but his eyes were on his brothers who just shrugged at the intense staring. "I will do as command." he added and left their presence.

"Good," Dean said and faced Kando. "After they are gone, we will follow next."

"What of the ones that would stay with you? Should I tell Cando to keep one thousand armies for you?" Kando suggested.

"There will be no need for that." Dean waved the idea aside

"So you will be using the Immortals armies then?" That is the only explanation for this.

"They will be coming back to life by this time tomorrow so the Ninja brothers will do their work," Dean said with a smile and touched Kando on one of his shoulders. "Don't worry, whatever plan Storm has up his sleeves, I am one step ahead of him." he added in assurance.

"Of course master," Kando said with a smile.

"Come with me Kando, let's go and prepare."

***

Ashland Kingdom: Palace:

Storm knocked on Morgan's room and waited until he opened the door. He was bare naked from waist upwards.

"What is it?"

"There is war,I need to know how many armies we have and we need to leave tonight."

"You can ask, Marcus, he was the former warlord before you stripped him of his position." Morgan reminded him.

Ever since he was stripped of his position, Marcus has never been himself, his work was to mumble to himself while walking around the palace doing nothing.

"I know that, but I have come to meet you, so, is this how you plan to rule my kingdom if you were given a chance?"

Heaving out a deep sigh. "We have four hundred thousand armies, one hundred and fifty thousand are currently in Ashland but the remaining two hundred thousand armies are in the other kingdoms." Morgan told Storm. "So can I go back to what I was doing?"

"Sure but before that, you need to go and inform the former King's and their armies. Each kingdom should prepare their armies and will join us once we are passing," Storm said. "They should also inform the people, everyone should run and come here for their own safety."

"Can't you send a messenger instead of you know, me?"

"No, I need you to go by yourself with Marcus, when you reach the last Kingdom, Altamon, wait for us there," Storm said and when Morgan tried to close the door, Storm stopped him which made Morgan glare at him.

"What?"

"I am sorry for slapping you back then, I was angry."

"Well, save your anger for the battle." Morgan told him before slamming the door right on Storm's face.

"What am I going to do?" Emera asked. He has been quiet when Storm and Morgan were exchanging words.

"You, Morgan and Marcus will lead the war. You will lead the armies here down to Altamon and we wait for Dean's attack." he answered. "You will go and Morgan and Marcus will meet you."

"What are you going to do?"

"I will be going to Kudarma Kingdom."

"All by yourself? What if Dean has a plan? What if Edgardo is waiting for you at the palace?"

"Don't underestimate me, Uncle Emera, I can take care of myself."

"I know you can, I'm just scared."

"I'm scared too, not of them, but the safety of you guys but I trust you. If you are not a good fighter, my father wouldn't have made you the Warlord of Ashland," Storm said to him. "Be careful."

Emera nodded his head and left.

Storm also returned to his room and at the same time, so did Kira.

"You will be staying in the palace with them just in case." Storm told her.

"I want to fight alongside with you Storm,"

"I would have but look from my own descriptive, Gwen is pregnant and my mother is sick, she is not as strong as before and as for Rose, I don't think she has ever lifted up a sword in her life before. So please, try to understand our situation."

"You're right, I have forgotten, but promise me you will be safe and you won't put yourself in danger."

"I promise you my love." Storm promised. "And same goes to you, keep all of them safe."

"So will you be going now?" Gwen asked.

"Not yet, I need to put everything in order." Storm told her and kissed on her forehead. "I will be back soon." he added and left the room.

___

Emera House:

Rumi, who had arrived and had changed her clothes to a more befitting short blue gown, carried the necessary things she needed and headed for Kudarma Kingdom. She couldn't wait until tomorrow morning like Edgardo had told her, if he is truly watching, he would know where she is going right now. She needs to be there for Cando because the war will be tough.

__

Storm had instructed the remaining eight Ninja's to stay behind with Kira to help out just in case.

Emera has gotten ready and left going back to the armies camp. Morgan dressed up on his full armor and carried his sword and with a deep frown on his face he went to look for Marcus. He met his mother's brother, Marcus, throwing kisses at some female servants.

"If you are done, we need to leave right away," Morgan said to him.

"To where?" Marcus demanded almost immediately.

"Didn't you see what had happened earlier today?" Morgan asked.

"I saw it and like I have always been doing these past days, I mind my business."

"Well there will be no such things because you are coming with me to fight against Dean. He has declared war on us," Morgan said and closed the distance between them, he was thankful that Marcus wasn't drunk yet. "If I were you I would use this opportunity to prove myself worthy and take back my position. Emera will be fighting also if I am not mistaken, so just show your skills at the battlefield and the test will be history." he added and immediately put some space between them once again.

Thinking about what Morgan had told him for a minute, Marcus grinned. "Let me get change and grab my sword." he said and started walking away, brushing past Morgan.

"I will be waiting for you outside the palace gate, hurry up, we have no time. We will be stopping at each of the three Kingdoms." Morgan told him.

Stopping right in his stride. "Why?" he turned around to look at Morgan.

"We need to tell them what is going on and they should join us, Storm's orders. And also to tell the people to start heading towards here, where they will be more safer since the other three kingdoms are closer to the border that separates us and Kudarma. Before Dean gets to Ashland, he has to go through our armies first." Morgan answered him to the best of his knowledge. That is the only answer to why Storm's wants the whole people to move down here.

"Okay, I will join you." Marcus said and left for his room.

Morgan went to wait for him at the gate and it wasn't long Marcus joined him and the duo headed to Puli first.

"Since you won't be leaving, you've got to protect this palace." Storm told Fred. He had gone back to the Empress Rose room to at least inform her of what was going on and met Fred drawing the queen again.

Nodding his head. "You've got no worries Storm, I will try all my possible best to protect everyone in this palace." Fred gave out his word.

"I'm counting on that," Storm said and left.

"This dis.gu.sting child annoys me whenever I see him." Empress Rose said with a scowl on her pretty face.

Fred didn't say anything to that, he continued drawing.

***

The Great Wall:

Rumi had finally reached the wall that separates Kudarma, she overheard the whispering amongst the people as she passed by. The news of the attack in the market must have reached their ears, they aren't blind, they would have seen them when they passed.

Edgardo hasn't come yet, with a shrug she entered through the wall Edgardo had showed her that day, making herself invisible and entering Kudarma.

***

Ashland Palace:

"I'm just scared," Kira said for the umpteenth time as she and Phoenix both watched Storm getting dressed. "What if something goes wrong? Are you sure you don't want me watching your back?" She added slowly.

"Everything will be fine my love," Storm assured her. "You don't need to be worried about me, you are also helping by looking after Gwen and my mother, besides, I am not leaving yet." he added with a lopsided smile. "I'm still here, just waiting for the right moment." His smile was gone and he became serious. "In case something goes wrong and I haven't come back yet, there is a secret passage on one of the fences around the palace, my mother knows it, she will take you there and you can run to Emera house."

Kira nodded her head.

"Gwen are you okay?" Storm suddenly asked as he noticed a slight painful expression on her face which was quickly gone. "Is the pain back?" he asked again.

"I'm fine and no I am not feeling any pain." Gwen lied as she forced herself to smile at Storm hoping it will convince him.

"If you say so," Storm said. "I will be outside, and I will let you know if I want to leave." he added and left almost immediately.

"Are you truly okay?" Kira asked in concern. "You don't look fine to me."

"Believe me I am fine, just a slight pain which will soon go away," Gwen said as she put her head on the pillow. "I'm feeling sleepy." she added, yawning and closing her eyes. The pain has multiplied but she Ignored it and tried to sleep.

***

Kudarma Kingdom:

Rumi finally reached her destination, throwing off her invisibility, the guards at the gate let her pass once they recognized her.

Hurrying inside, she saw Cando and shouted his name, drawing his attention to her. Seeing him, her heart speeds up.

Cando eyebrows shot up when he saw Rumi. He wondered what she was doing here. Before he could say JACK she was standing in front of him.

"Why are you here?" he asked in a hushed tone.

"To help Dean with the war," Rumi answered. She was very happy to see Cando.

"You know about it?" So she wasn't here to see him. He thought as he waited for her answer.

"Yes, he attacked Ashland so I hurried down here to see if I can help." Rumi answered walking closer to him and only stopped when she was close enough for their clothes to touch and to her surprise, he didn't even try to get away from her.

"You should go back or better still stay indoors, war isn't meant for women, especially for you."

"Why? I'm strong and you've seen the way I hold my sword. Apart from magic, fighting is my second hobby."

"I don't want to see you get hurt."

"Neither do I, Cando." Rumi answered. "I don't know if now is the right time to tell you I love you. I really do but I know you won't return my feelings and I understand. No matter what happens, I just want you to know that I really care about you." she told him and then tiptoed on her feet and leaned forward to kiss him on his lips briefly.

She moved back and smiled at him and without any further words headed for Dean's room. She could sense him from there.

Cando was speechless as he stared after Rumi. He was lost of words as one of his hands slowly touched his lips. He couldn't believe that Rumi had kissed him, that he allowed her to kiss him. He smiled and could have jumped for joy but the war came to his mind. After the war is over, he might tell Rumi how his feelings for her keep growing. He would hold her tight in his arms and will never let her go.