Hello, everyone! This is a new chapter! Chapter 2! I hope everyone will enjoy and without further ado, let's start!

Normal POV

Two days after that incident, Aichi had started to lead his life as per normal as Kai entered the shop to see Aichi there. He was fighting Kamui and after he sat beside him, Aichi had won the match.

" I lost again! You're strong, Brother!" Kamui exclaimed

" It's just luck. Huh? Kai-kun, when did you come here?" Aichi ask after he saw Kai

" I was here after you won." Kai replied

" I see."

" So? After that, did that guy from before appear?" Kai whispered

" No... It's been quite peaceful." Aichi whispered

" What are you two whispering about? Let us in on it!" Miwa said

" No!" The two said

" Oh, so does that mean you guys are officially a couple now?" Miwa ask

" T-That's..." Aichi stuttered, blushing pink

" You see! I always know what you two are up to! So, your arranged date was a success, right Kai?" Miwa ask

" Shut up." Kai said, blushing

" Huh? You planned to let me into your house to teach you baking because you want to confess to me?" Aichi ask

" Sort of... I wanted to the next day but... You were busy with stuff." Kai replied

Aichi realized that he was talking about how Aichi was kidnapped.

" Y-You're right..." Aichi said

" Busy indeed." A voice said

They turned to the door to see Ibuki as Kai moved closer to Aichi.

" Oh! You're... Aren't you Ibuki?!" Miwa exclaimed

" Ibuki?" Aichi ask

" Miwa! Get away from him!" Kai shouted

" Huh?"

Before Miwa could react, Ibuki already grabbed his arm and twisted it.

" Miwa!"

" Don't get in my way." Ibuki said

His arm was released as Miwa tried to get the strain away.

" Are you okay, Miwa-kun?!" Aichi ask

" Yeah..."

" Hand him over, Kai. I'm not going to repeat myself again." Ibuki said

" No." Kai said

" Fine then." Ibuki said

A skeletal like unit suddenly appeared as it charged at Aichi.

" Aichi!'

Kai quickly threw a green crystal as a shield formed around Aichi.

" You want to go again?" Kai ask, taking out his red crystal

" Woksis, retreat." Ibuki ordered

Woksis turned into a card and returned to Ibuki.

" Hmph. You won't be that lucky next time." Ibuki said

He left after that as Kai picked up the green crystal and the shield went down.

" Are you okay?" Kai ask

" Yeah..."

" What was that?" Kamui ask

" I don't know..." Aichi replied

" I think it's time I tell you everything, Aichi." Kai said

" Huh? I did say not to." Aichi said

" No. I think you deserve to know and so does the rest of you." Kai said

" Then let us in on this, Kai." A voice said

They turned to the door again to see Ren and Leon.

" Ren! Leon!"

" Sorry, Sendou. We didn't want to hide it from you." Leon said

" We wanted to wait for the right time so that you can still be safe without knowing anything." Ren said

" Ren-san and Leon-kun knows too?!" Aichi exclaimed

" Now, let's go." Kai said

" Go? To where?" Naoki ask

Kai threw down a purple crystal as they were immediately in an unknown space.

" What is this place?!" Miwa exclaimed

" The Space of Memories. Look. That's where it all started." Kai said, pointing to a light in front of them

They turned to look at the light as they saw a man taking a jewel from the water well.

" What is that place?" Shingo ask

" It's called a Priestess Cave. Long ago, priestess units of Cray would pray in front of that jewel, because it is the light of Cray. If it is lost or have fallen into the wrong hands, Cray would fall into chaos." Kai explained

" After praying in front of the jewel, it would supply enough energy to create things. That power was why we called it " The Jewel of Life'." Ren said

" Flowers will bloom and units would live in peace. It creates life out of nothing. But after we start to run out of powerful priestess, we had to move the Jewel to the castle, where it is located at a cave below. The castle was also at the center of Cray, so it gets energy from there." Leon explained

" One day... I went down there to see it from curiosity." Kai said

" Wait, if this is in Cray, then..." Naoki exclaimed

" We're sort of entities of Cray. We came to Earth for a very specific mission but we'll get to that later. Look." Ren said.

They turned back towards the light as they now saw a young Kai walking into the cave while marvelling at its appearance.

" Wow!" The young Kai exclaimed

" Who's there?" A voice ask

The young Kai got startled as he looked around. He then spotted a young blue haired boy peeking out from behind the well where the Jewel resides. He then heaved a sigh or relief.

" What... It's just a normal human unit..." The young Kai sighed

" A human? Why are you here?" The young boy ask

" I should be asking you the same question. This place was supposed to be off limits." The young Kai ask

" Then why are you here?" The young boy ask

At that, the young Kai blushed.

" I-I was just curious!" The young Kai said, turning his head away from the boy

" Curious? About what? About me?" The young boy ask

" Wha?! As if! I'm curious about the Jewel of Life they talk so much about!" The young Kai said

" I know and I am that jewel." The young boy said

" Huh?"

" You see... This form is just a projection... My real form is this jewel." The young boy said

" But I've never heard of the jewel having its own free will..." The young Kai said

" That's because you people don't come down that much. Ever since I was moved away from my own cave... I don't remember much but... There was always power flowing to me from that cave... But I couldn't understand much because my will was just a baby..." The young boy said

" Hey, boy. What's your name?" The young Kai ask

" Name? I've never thought about that... All the people call me 'Jewel' here..." The young boy said

" Hm... Then I'll give you one! Uh... How about... Aichi?" The young Kai ask

" Ai... chi...? My name?" The young boy ask

" Yeah! So from now on, you're called 'Aichi'! I'm Kai! Nice to meet you, Aichi!" The young Kai said

" Nice to meet you... Kai-kun..." The young Aichi muttered

Over the next few days, the young Kai always went down to the cave sneakily to meet the young Aichi to be more open towards him. Even though they conversed, the young Aichi would still hide behind the well because of shyness. Although, through all the interaction, the young Aichi also found out that the young Kai was the Prince of the Dragon Empire, who had came over to the castle to protect the Jewel. The young Kai finally thought of an idea to urge the young Aichi to open up as he brought a cake down to the cave one day.

" Aichi! Aichi! Come out! I have something to show you!" The young Kai shouted

The young Aichi once again appeared behind the well.

" Here. This is cake. I don't know whether you can eat it but if you can, then come here and try some! I made it myself!" The young Kai said

The young Aichi hesitated at first but in the end, stepped out from the well as the young Kai blushed. He was always able to see the young Aichi's eyes, which was enough to captivate him but seeing his entire form was even more captivating than he'd thought. He looked so much like a girl and yet at the same time, he isn't and that small frame can make people feel to want to protect the young Aichi.

" Is something wrong?" The young Aichi ask

" N-No! Come here and eat!" The young Kai said

The young Aichi took the fork and cut a piece to take a bite before doing the same action but he was now handing it to the young Kai.

" W-What is it?" The young Kai ask

" Try it." The young Aichi said

The young Kai hesitated but in the end took a bite as he grimaced from the taste.

" It's salty!" The young Kai exclaimed

" You mistook the salt for sugar and added it in, that's why it's like that." The young Aichi said

" Alright! I'll redo it from the beginning! Wait here!" The young Kai said

He ran back to remake the cake as the young Aichi frowned.

" I can't go anywhere anyway..." The young Aichi muttered

The image went away as Kai heard a chuckle.

" You and cakes can never match somehow, Kai." Miwa chuckled

" Shut up... Continuing on... Aichi could never get out of the cave because the Jewel was inside there and he didn't have enough energy to stay separated from the Jewel for too long." Kai explained

" And years have passed since then..." Leon said

" That's where we came in." Ren said

" And that's where my mistake came in... After I met Leon and Ren, it was castle work every single day and I neglected Aichi, whom I promised to that I'll stay with him so that he wouldn't feel lonely everyday... I broke it and he was left alone in that cave once again... I didn't even bothered to tell him my reason." Kai explained

The image changed as they now see Kai entering the cave with Ren and Leon, who were looking around the cave.

" This is amazing." Ren said

" Yeah." Leon said

" Aichi? Come out. I want to introduce you to some people I met." Kai called

Aichi appeared while hiding behind the well again.

" What? I thought you could be social now... This is Ren, Prince of the Dark Zone while this is Leon, Prince of the Magallancia. Come out and say 'hi'." Kai said

" I don't want to..." Aichi muttered

" Aichi?"

" You promised me, Kai-kun... But you didn't keep to it... I... won't trust humans ever again..." Aichi said, disappearing

" Wait, Aichi! I have a reason! I've been busy with castle duties, so I didn't have the time to come down... And I'm sorry that I didn't tell you anything but I'm telling you that I didn't do this on purpose!" Kai said

" Kai, you know you should never neglect a friend no matter what. That was a mistake on your part." Ren said

" He's right. And besides, you yourself knew that he cannot come to visit you personally and yet you even forgot about him." Leon said

" Aichi, I'm sorry. Please, don't disappear!" Kai said

Aichi stopped disappearing as he looked over to Kai.

" I promise, Aichi. I'll never do this to you again." Kai said

Aichi just kept silent as they sat down to interact with Aichi. However, Aichi didn't come out like he used to and Kai was blaming himself for that inwardly. A few weeks have passed and Aichi still wouldn't trust Kai. This time, Kai came down alone with a cake in his hands.

" Remember this? It was how I got you to come out. Try some." Kai said

" That salty cake? Sorry but I don't want to." Aichi said

" I didn't mistake the salt this time! Come on..." Kai said

Aichi just turned his head away as Kai sighed and set the cake down in front of Aichi.

" I have duties to do now. I'll see you later." Kai said

He went back up as Aichi stared at the cake. He hesitantly took the cake and ate it.

" It's too sweet..." Aichi said, smiling

At that, Kai blushed while Miwa and Ren chuckled.

" You and cakes really don't match." Miwa chuckled

" It was too salty before and now it's too sweet." Ren chuckled

" Shut up! How should I know it was too sweet?! He didn't even tell me!" Kai said

" I'm still here though..." Aichi muttered

Aichi stared at the image as it changed after that. It was now showing Kai and the others fighting something.

" That's the first time Void invaded Cray. His motive was, of course, the Jewel." Ren said

" In order to protect it, all of us went to fight, leaving the Jewel in the castle defenseless." Leon said

" Void managed to get past us thanks to his units. I tried to make it there in time but..." Kai said

The image now showed Void inside the cave and Kai running into the cave as well.

" Aichi!" Kai shouted

The Jewel glowed as Void's black mist started to disappear.

" Kai-kun..."

" Aichi?!" Kai exclaimed

" There's no time. I will use my life force to banish Void from Cray but it'll only last until I reincarnate again. If I become the Jewel or human, no matter what, you have to destroy me." Aichi said

" Destroy you?! I can't do that! I don't want you to die, Aichi!" Kai shouted

" Then what do you suppose we do?! There's no choice! When I reincarnate, history will repeat itself anyway!" Aichi said

" I'll protect you! I promise that! So, until then, wait for me!" Kai shouted

" If that's what you want... You've always been the stubborn type anyway... For now, goodbye..." Aichi said

" Aichi!"

The light dissipated after Void dissipated as Kai ran over to the well. The Jewel was broken and it wasn't shining anymore.

" Many years passed after that and as you know, there was a war of the Shadow Paladin and the Royal Paladin. That was the time Aichi-kun reincarnated." Ren said

The image changed as they now see Shizuka holding a baby Aichi. Kai, in his spiritual form, looked at Aichi happily.

" Take care of Aichi..." Kai muttered as he disappeared

Shizuka turned her head left and right but she didn't see the person who said those words.

" Aichi? That's a nice name. From now on, you're Aichi. Aichi Sendou." Shizuka said

" So... To sum everything up, your name was made by Kai." Naoki said

" Yeah... I guess." Aichi said

" And the others are what everyone knows. Only that we altered your memories, so that you guys have that past. We became our younger forms and came into your lives." Leon said

" The Elders asked us to do that so that we can protect you, Aichi." Kai said

" Me?" Aichi ask

" Then, why did you become our enemies in the first place?" Misaki ask

" Well, that's..." Leon said, looking away

Ren laughed awkwardly before breaking the silence.

" Now, enough of all this. Let's go back to reality." Ren said

" Wait. Can you bring me to Cray?" Aichi ask

" Cray? Why?" Kai ask

" If I really have all these memories... I want to remember them!" Aichi said

The three looked at each other.

" Well, if you insist..." Kai said

" We'll follow! I can't leave my buddy alone to do this!" Naoki said

" Everyone..."

" Then, let's go." Kai said

They were transported to the castle in Cray after that. They went to the dining room to have their lunch first, Kai was the cook for that. After lunch...

" That was delicious!" Miwa said

" Agreed." Shingo said

" Aichi! Could you do us a favour?" Naoki ask

" I know. I'll get to it right away." Aichi replied

He set his cup down before heading into the kitchen. He thought of something before starting to make his dessert. After that, he came out with a tray and set the plates down in front of each of his friends.

" That looks delicious!" Naoki exclaimed

" It's a chocolate lava cake. Try it." Aichi said

" Lava?" Kamui ask

" Poke your spoon through the cake." Aichi said

They did as told as the chocolate flowed out from inside the cake.

" Wow!"

" That's why they call this a lava cake." Aichi said

" Sit down, Aichi. You did great." Kai said

" Yeah!"

They sat down and ate their cakes. Not long after, Aichi and Kai finished their cake and headed off to somewhere. Taking Aichi's hand in his, Kai guided him to the place where it all started. They went down to the cave as Kai brought Aichi over to the well with the broken Jewel.

" Peace came back again thanks to your connection with Psyqualia but... It still hurts to see the Jewel like this..." Kai said

" If only... I can mend this jewel..." Aichi said

" But if you do, then you'll become one with it again... You'll never be human again..." Kai said

" That's why my body is the core of the power of the Jewel, isn't it?" Aichi ask

" Sort of." Kai said

Aichi stared at the Jewel for a few more seconds before turning to Kai while smiling.

" Let's go. I don't want to keep the others waiting." Aichi said

" Yeah..."

They left after that, not knowing that a shadow was lurking behind the well... Meanwhile, Aichi and Kai met back up with the others as they chatted and fought each other for an hour. That was when footsteps approached them and they turned to see Ibuki.

" What are you doing here?!" Ren exclaimed

" Better question is, how?" Leon ask

" Well... I've picked up something very interesting and I believe it will help me retrieve what I desire." Ibuki said, holding up the broken Jewel

" The Jewel!" Kai exclaimed

" No way..." Ren exclaimed

" It might be broken but it still connects to the source. Now, Aichi... Accept your fate." Ibuki said

The Jewel started to mend itself and turn jet black as Aichi gripped his chest while collapsing on his knees.

" Aichi!"

They gasped when they saw familiar red marks running down under Aichi's eyes.

" Kai-kun... Please... Hurry up and... kill me..." Aichi muttered

" I can't do that!" Kai said

" Please... I don't want... to turn my back... on everyone... Hurry..." Aichi muttered

" No! I won't do it! There must be another way!" Kai said

" There's no other way... Please..." Aichi begged

Kai turned to Ibuki as he dashed to him and snatched the Jewel off from his hands. Luckily, it didn't get fully corrupted as the color turned back to being dull again. Aichi panted when the aura finally left him as Kai caught him.

" Are you okay?!" Kai ask

" Yes... I'm just exhausted..." Aichi muttered

" As expected of the Jewel. You're able to resist the massive aura I used to mend your old shell." Ibuki said

" Damn you... Ibuki!" Kai said

" Be angry all you want but his fate will forever be unavoidable. Until then..." Ibuki said before disappearing

Aichi fainted right after he disappeared as they gasped.

" Aichi! Aichi! Wake up, Aichi!" Kai exclaimed

They brought Aichi to a room as Kai stayed by his side and continued to take care of Aichi.

" Aichi..."

Kai looked at the Jewel as he saw the tiny crack left.

" Just a little more and you would've... Why am I always useless when you need me the most?!" Kai thought, gritting his teeth

" Kai-kun..."

Kai looked up to see Aichi opening his eyes as he checked on him.

" Aichi!"

" Don't be frustrated over me... Even if I become the Jewel again, I can still see you as a projection... So, don't worry about me..." Aichi said

" How can I not be?! You've suffered for so many years and yet nothing has been peaceful! You never got any rest from these types of things at all and yet, you can still be smiling... How can I not be angry at myself when I was the one who promised you that I would protect you?!" Kai exclaimed

" You don't have to be... If I can survive this far, then why are you so worried...? It's just the connection between me and this Jewel that's bothering you..." Aichi said, putting his hand on the Jewel

" No, Aichi! If you do that..." Kai exclaimed

" Don't worry, Kai-kun... I'll be fine..." Aichi assured

Aichi activated his Psyqualia as the Jewel started to mend as the crack completely closed and a white aura leaked out of Aichi. The aura started being absorbed into the Jewel as Aichi started to disappear.

" Aichi, don't! Stop!" Kai exclaimed

" You can still keep your promise... Just stay with me from now on... Okay?" Aichi ask

He completely disappeared as Kai's eyes widened.

" AICHI!"


And that's the end of this chapter! Sorry for the long update, everyone! I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter! Thank you for reading and I'll see everyone in the next chapter!