41 Plan of Attack (2/2)

The man once again looked surprised. ”I wasn't expecting for you to remember.”

Will released his hand from Jacob's shoulder. ”I cannot forget any of you, for what we had to do in the name of this corrupt kingdom.” He looked solemnly at Jacob as he allowed himself to raise from the ground once more in a brilliant show of crimson and gold from his aura. ”Allow me to put this right,” Will said as once again his feet left the ground. ”I promise we won't fail.” he said before he was out of ears reach.

As he placed himself in the center of his forces, he looked over his people. Finding the ones he was looking for, he allowed his aura to carry his voice to them. ”Leo, Maya, Bianca, Roy and Jacob follow me to the edge of the forces.”

He saw each and every one of them nod in understanding. They all moved under Will as he flew to the edge of his forces. By the time he landed, they were standing ready for his instructions.

”Just in time to lead your army, good timing mate.” Leo said with a sarcastic smile. Will couldn't get over the changes that his best friend had undergone. Though he wore the same hoodie and blue jeans he always did, the shirt seemed to be more tight to his chest. When he looked into his friends hazel eyes, he noticed they were no longer the same greenish color, but a gold and silver tint. Will also noticed an absence of glasses on the bridge of his nose.

”If it weren't for that shirt, I wouldn't have even recognized you bro.” Will said as he brought his brother in for an unexpected embrace.

Though Leo's appearance had changed, nothing could compare to his personality. Listening to the way he talked and presented himself, it seemed Leo had matured in the small time he had spent in Crystallia.

”I think you're missing someone.” Bianca said as she put her hands on her hips, clearly tired of being ignored. ”You would think I would be the first person you talk to.” Will could hear mock hurt in her voice. ”After all, I'm your girlfriend aren't I?” she looked from Will to the black and gold starred aura of Maya who was in the air only feet away.

Will sighed to himself while looking up to the sky. How is it that Leo is the only one to have matured? He thought as he brought his eyes back to Bianca.

Bianca's eyes narrowed in anticipation for her boyfriends answer. He had only been gone a few weeks, yet that was a long time to be away with another girl.

Will could see the irritation within Bianca's eyes. Instead of feeling bothered by her display of distrust, he waved the question off. ”This is neither the time or place to have this conversation Bianca, if we are alive after this fight I'll let you know.”

Setting aside the drama for a moment, Will looked at his would be generals of his small militia. ”We have around two hundred and fifty flame wielders between the five of us.” He looked over to the cloud of darkness just the distance of two football fields away. ”It looks like we may be outnumbered five to one.”

Will could see the determined expressions of his friends as he voiced their odds. ”We shouldn't be discouraged by the odds, instead we should be looking for the weaknesses.” He looked at Bianca with a knowing smile. ”You remember the one wraith that I had to face back home?”

Bianca nodded without saying anything. He didn't blame her, it wasn't a time in which she would ever forget even if she wanted.

”I was able to cleave off an arm easily with my blade, much easier than should be possible. Though the darkness can syphon off our flame, if we overpower their chill we should be able to take them easily.”

Leo was the first to clear his voice. ”If there are five of us, we should have fifty man teams to cover all areas of the battlefield.” He said with a stern voice that Will wasn't used to. Apparently his time within Crystallia had hardened him. ”As for overpowering them with our aura,” He said with a finger pointed up at the pillar of flame, ”I'm sure we'll manage.”

Though they were a group of orphans who had come together through the pain of their loss, they were able to turn that loss into resolve. Their feelings had melded with their prince's. There would be no more losses due to the darkness. Will was prepared to lay down his life to change the land of his birth. If it had been a land of fairness before he had left, he had a moral obligation to set things back to the way they were before.

”Set up your groups, we set out within the hour.” Will said with finality. His generals had left to do as he had instructed. Everyone except Maya who stayed close to Will.

”One way or another, this is going to end tonight.” Will said as his feet left the ground once more. Nodding to Maya, he took to the sky and left for the eye of his formation.