As the morning sun rises, the light bounces off the silver armor of Tazul and a guard named Minato. They both ride through the forest trail on a pair of phasmas. Their appearances are similar to horses except for the phasma's translucent appearance. They are one of the fastest animals in the Noth Mildor, able to travel great lengths with a single gallop. Tazul loves to ride through the kingdom, enjoying the fresh air and beautiful sights. Feeling a sense of duty to protect this land from anyone that would cause it harm.

"Where should we start first, sir?" Minato asked.

"Let us start with the Town Square first."

As Minato agrees, Tazul couldn't help but notice him gripping the lead rather tightly, while he tensed his muscles subconsciously.

"Why are you so tense?"

"Sorry, sir. I guess riding with you is a little intimidating." Minato said while looking down, scared to make eye contact. Tazul chuckles, trying not to show that the comment flattered him.

"Don't be ridiculous. There's no reason to feel nervous around me. Only people trying to destroy this kingdom should be nervous. We have come a long way in such a short time." Tazul looks around, taking a deep breath, filling his lungs with the fresh air around them.

"What do you mean?"

"This Kingdom was nothing more than a chaotic mess. The so-called knights were a shell of themselves, nothing more than men in armor. Weak and untrained, the old king was far too confident in the elders to protect him. He was not concentrating enough on the knights, who were the very men that patrolled the cities and their people. My father was one of the few men who took pride in being an officer, who proudly reinforced the law. But he was one of the few. Before Rathmal, greed ran this Kingdom, nearly to its demise. The other kingdoms looked down on us, as they should've. But now we have grown strong and proud. When we enter this town, lift your head high. You are one of the guards of Elk Fenios, the Kingdom of the Golden Trees."

As they approach the high wooden double doors, the guards see Tazul approaching and stand straight as they enter the market.

They both analyze the busy town for anything suspicious. Rows of markets and restaurants, run by men, women, and animals alike. A restaurant run by a fox-like creature called a Zaar runs the kitchen, handling the fryer with his tail while using its razor-sharp claws to slice the meat.

A gumcha, a creature with a massive frame almost the size of a small house, with strength that can lift three tons and demolish old buildings with a single punch as it then reconstructs them with nothing more than his steel like paws and some glue. A grandma and a fally, a long-limbed creature with thin and steady hands, sewing the latest fashion trends. Humans and animals working as partners is not an uncommon thing in this market. The animals were a tremendous help to the store owners, as magic would take a toll on them throughout the day.

The chaotic market instantly slows down as Tazul and Minato pass by. All eyes avoid them as they glide through the city on their phasma's. The villagers rush around and try to keep busy, not wanting to gain any unwanted attention.

"Get out of here." A store owner yells, throwing a man in worn-out clothes down onto the street, barely missing Tazul's phasma. The aggravated store owner walks out and immediately becomes terrified at the sight of Tazul. Tazul and Minato step off their horse, and onto the ground. The sound of his metal boots hitting the stone pavement made everyone flinch, scared of what he might do.

"What is the meaning of this?"

"Oh, sorry, Tazul, sir. See, he comes in here every day asking all my customers for money. But not only mine, everyone's. He's disturbing the businesses."

Tazul stares down at the man on the ground. The man could barely look at him, as Tazul's head almost matches perfectly with the sun. "Is this true?"

"Yes, I need money for my family. My children haven't eaten in days." The man said. As he struggles to get up, Tazul instantly kicks him back down, almost breaking his shoulder as he crashes to the ground.

"Don't seek to gain my sympathy. Leave this town and return when you have something to offer."

"But, sir." The man said, searching around the market for anyone that will step in and help. Everyone stares, but no one helps. Minato's eyes darted from side to side between Tazul and the disheveled man, feeling very uneasy. Similar to the surrounding people, it scares him to help and defy Tazul, in fear of ending up in the dungeon deep below the Kingdom. Minato knew some people that were arrested before, some for harmless acts. Nonetheless, once you enter the dungeon, there is little chance you will come out.

"If I ever see you here again begging for money and disturbing these people, I will throw you in the dungeon myself. Now go."

In shock, he hesitates, but stands up and sprints to the market's exit.

"Sir, thank you for your help, but I didn't want him to be banished."

Tazul's attention darts back to the store owner. "Then what do you suggest? What was your intention?" The store owner stood there, conflicted about what he would change.

"One of my jobs is to rid this Kingdom of vermin like him. If he wants to return, he will return with some worth. Now, do we have a problem?"

The store owner's eyes darted down, looking at the ground where the man used to be. "No, sir."

BOOM!

An explosion shakes the market, scaring the phasma to their hind legs. Tazul eases the phasma back to the ground while staring in the explosion's direction. He can see fire and smoke from across the market, the smoke still growing in height with each passing second. Tazul jumps on the phasma and rushes to the scene. As they zoom past the people, the townspeople jump out of their way, trying to avoid being trampled. Tazul and Minato's phasmas leap over the tables and carts in their path. Nothing is going to stop Tazul from finding whoever is attacking the Kingdom, especially not a few pieces of furniture. As they approach the smoke, they notice a group of people celebrating a fallen statue of Rathmal. Raising their wands in the air and shooting bolts of light into the sky.

The group scream in triumph as they circle around the rubble. A group that seems to be on the edge of sanity. Their clothes are layered with dirt and grime from years of living on the outskirts of the kingdom. Their necks and wrists are so thin it looks like it could break from the tiniest of attacks. As the leader of the group makes his way to the front of his men, they can see deeper breaths from each step and yell. The leader, a man known by the name of Zarus. A former farmer who had his farm ravaged by the kingdom for years. Who took his crops to feed the guards but not compensating him for any of it.

"Rathmal, try to ignore us now! He won't listen to our pleads for help as we fight to survive. Day by day, more and more of our people are disappearing and what does the great Rathmal do?"

"Nothing!" Answered the group of anarchists.

"What happened to the Elk Fenios of old? I don't recognize this place. Where people are too scared to help anyone besides themselves. Here are some guards now. Do you finally see us? Do you finally hear us?"

With each word Zarus spoke, it clearly shows the pain in his voice. How desperate he is to finally be heard. The lengths a man would go to be recognized as a human being.

"Let's show them some of the pain we've been through."

Anarchists. Tazul finally sees who's responsible for the attacks and glares at them with such hatred. His blood boils as he strangles his reins.