Kazu slowly paced the throne room while Queen Serenity sat on her throne. "Last month's attack on Venus was audacious," he said. "It seems like Beryl is grandstanding, trying to intimidate us into believing she's more powerful than she actually is."

"But we cannot underestimate her," said Serenity, crossing her arms. "These previous attacks have all been severely greater in power than what we have observed these past five years."

"Has it been five," asked Kazu, halting his stride and raising droopy eyes. "Seems longer."

"I'm sure it does," she replied. "We've been through a lot, which is why we can't afford to underestimate Beryl. All we've been through will be for nothing and we lose everything. Giarc, Bendix, all the good men we've lost, they will all have been in vain. "

"I am aware," he sighed, turning towards the door. "You know the casualty reports that come in? They go through me first," he said, hanging his head. "I know just how many lives we've lost to this damned war. Only once this is over can they rest in peace." He looked back up. "I don't underestimate Beryl," he continued, with edge. "I don't think I can."

"Kazu… That doesn't sound like you."

"Well maybe I've realized it's time to change my strategy," he countered, walking away. "Now if you will excuse me, My Queen, one of the high generals wanted to meet with me."


"The last month has provided a plethora of information," said Zoicite "I have been informed that the damage caused by Rikoukeidar was barely equal to one percent. The troops on the planet barely put up enough of a fight before the grand generals and half the royal court showed up. Reports vary, but the most reliable say even they had a hard time."

"Even though Rikoukeidar was captured before considerable damage could have been done, my intent was still successful," said Beryl with a twisted smile. "It was a message to them that they are not as invincible as they think they are. The good Grand General Prince Kazu is not as untouchable as he leads us to believe either. He likes to put on a good show, but even he has a breaking point."

"Right you are, My Queen," replied Zoicite. "I also have more news. It would appear that the palace has a certain weakness. A blind spot if you will."

"Tell me everything," said Beryl with a gleam in her eye.


"I'm worried about Kazu," said Queen Serenity softly, walking along the palace hall. "Since the attack on Venus, he seems to be fixated more than ever on ending the war."

"Hasn't the end of the war always been our goal?" asked Grand General Betrex. "What makes Kazu's desire for it a sudden problem?"

"The fact he has not left his quarters since the attack," she said. "He's started taking all his meals in it as well. The only time he has is when I summoned him earlier today. He's become overconfident too. He's always been confident, but not to this extent. It's not healthy."

"The meals thing isn't new," replied Betrex, scratching his chin. "He did it for three months near the beginning of the war, trying to figure out a way to take Beryl off guard. I remember the beard he had that time," he said laughing. "He came up with a great plan too. He's probably trying to figure out a new strategy that's just as good."

"I hope you're right, Carth," said the queen. "That's why I asked to speak with you. Having been one of Kazu's subordinates for so long, you understand his methods better than I."

On the other hand, thought Betrex. I really hope he's sleeping. I hope I don't have to order a constant watch on him like Yeltzen and I did last time.


Sitting in the highest tower of the palace, Hayate stared into the middle distance, lost in contemplation. Beryl's insane, but she's not stupid. That bold attack on Venus had to mean something. Is she warning us of what's to come? Maybe she's doing it to test our reflexes and response time. In the meantime, just why hasn't she done anything since then?

"I knew I'd find you up here," said a familiar voice.

Hayate turned his head to see his older sister, staring down at him. "You always know where to find me," he said standing. "Guess I'm getting too predictable."

"Maybe we'll have to change your nickname from to Foreseeable," said Misaki sarcastically. "Beryl hasn't done anything big for a month. Any ideas why?"

"I was just asking myself that," he said, leaning on the wall. "I haven't come up with an answer yet. I'm also wondering just how she's been able to be so offensive lately. The spy we uncovered when the first one showed up couldn't have possibly told her that much."

"Maybe she's got another one."

"According to our dear brother, that's why Corrigan is here," said Hayate rubbing his forehead. "He thought Beryl might send another one and he's here to uncover them. Sometimes I wonder what goes on in his head."

"Has the great Blindside been blindsided?" said Misaki with a smirk.

"Wouldn't be the first-"

Before he could finish his sentence, numerous energy blasts knocked him off his feet, down the tower stairs.

"What!?" yelled Misaki, watching Hayate disappear down the flight of stairs. She turned to look from where the blast came just in time to see razor sharp claws coming right for her.


Having just gotten back to the throne room, Queen Serenity was halfway to the throne when Valen and Carth burst in. Princess Serenity wasn't far behind, soon disappearing into the secret passage.

"What's going on?" asked Serenity.

"Palace has been attacked," said Valen quickly, holding a short sword. "Grand Generals Hayate and Misaki are both dead."

"Is Kazu aware?"

Just then, a loud howl rang through the entire palace.

"I'm going to go ahead and assume he knows," said Carth quietly, looking over his shoulder.

Princess Serenity reappeared from the passage, grasping the Crescent Wand, heading back toward the door.

"Valen, stay here and defend the queen," said Carth, joining the princess. "If anything gets past you and you're still alive, I will kill you myself." The two then disappeared behind the doors.

Kazu pounced towards the youma, swinging his sword. Erratically, it dodged, kicked Kazu's feet out from under him and slashed his side. Downed, Kazu rolled and prepared a fireball as the youma did the same with an energy blast. Amid the standoff, an electrically charged fireball smashed into the youma's head. Unfazed, it turned to see Mars and Jupiter staring it down. Before it could act on them, an energy chain whipped it over the back and an energy sphere swept it off its feet. The youma rose to see Venus on one side of it and Uranus on the other. After a moment, the youma started twisting at full tilt, facing its attackers one by one, but didn't make any moves.

"This thing isn't very smart," said Uranus as Serenity and Carth ran into the room. "Serenity, this might be the best time to finish it."

"Right," said Serenity raising the wand. She spoke the words and the youma was sucked into the crystal.

"A predatory strike on our front door," said Jupiter immediately. "And two down this time. But I don't get it, why only one youma?"

"I don't get it either," said Uranus. "The large amounts of ground we've been gaining on the fronts means she's got less out there and more readily available. She could have easily sent more."

"Did anyone see where Kazu went?" asked Venus, pointing to the spot where he was downed.

"I'd say follow the trail of blood," said Mars, pointing to the steady line of splatter reaching across the hall and down a corridor.


Kazu stood hunched over on one of the palace balconies. He held his sword in one hand so tight his knuckles were white. The other hand, pressed firmly against the wound made by the youma, was covered in blood. He stared at the Earth hanging in the distance.

"You think you're better than me don't you," he snarled. "Well you're not." He pointed his sword at the planet. "When I get my hands on you, I will make you suffer. Everything you've ever done will be revisited to you and you will beg me for death. But you know what, Beryl?" he yelled, spit flying. "Even a slow, painful death would be merciful compared to what I will do."

He stared at the Earth for a few more moments before swaggering backward. He dropped his sword, and fell back. He heard muffled voices and saw the faces of Venus, Mars and Jupiter before blacking out.