Alubarna, market district.
In his Transformation into jackal form, Chaka cut down the rioters before him. These were the very people he had sworn to protect! Holding back his grief, he shouted to the civilians behind him, "Run to the South Gate! The guards will meet you there! Once you're out, don't look back!"
"Yes!"
The panicked civilians nodded, then ran toward the South Gate with Chaka's personal guards.
Chaka watched them go, then turned back to the ravaged capital. He could scarcely put his grief and fury into words. Was this truly the Alubarna he had sworn to protect with his life? How had things come to this?
Were the rioters looting and setting fires really the same warm, friendly people he had once known?
"Help! Somebody help me!"
A cry broke Chaka's train of thought. He turned and saw rioters dragging a young woman around a corner of the market. There was no need to guess what would happen next.
"Those bastards!"
Chaka's eyes blazed with fury. Sword in hand, he raced toward them.
He was fast in his jackal form, but someone was faster. A white figure suddenly appeared among the rioters and spun, the blade in his hand mercilessly opening long gashes across their throats.
Splat!
Blood sprayed into the air, its streams crossing like the petals of a blooming crimson lotus.
The only person on this battlefield faster than Chaka was his partner, Pell. Pell had entered his Beast Form as well. His broad, powerful wings caught the blood before it could fall on the terrified young woman.
"Chaka, we've evacuated almost everyone from the market district! I'll take her to the South Gate, then go back and check Commercial Street. Head to the North Gate when you're done. We can't leave a single civilian