Chapter 9:

Hope for the Future

Daiyara zipped up her bag filled with the materials and supplies she needed for the trip to the surface world; several dried strips of gronk meat, dried Kalad berries and a Rolisacite rod in case she needed to defend herself. She already knew her father wouldn't try to talk her out of going considering even the emperor of Mu had no authority over Mothra or even Battra for that matter. She had also decided to leave tonight as to not say goodbye to her siblings. If she were going to die on this mission, the last thing she would want to see was them crying. Well, maybe not both of them crying, maybe more like Mana instead.

The eldest princess of Mu snuck quietly through the darkened corridor of the palace toward the southern door and straight to the piers where the Aqua Gliders would be stationed. Her bare feet made no sound as she glided almost like a phantom out the door. Daiyara stopped briefly as she looked behind her, hoping this would not be the last time she ever saw her home again. The home where she would play with her younger siblings and Nightmare, the home she grew up in. With a sniffle and a small tear wiped from her cheek, she walked out of the palace and headed straight for the docks... unaware three figures were right behind her.

As she walked down the shadowed streets of Mu, Daiyara couldn't help but feel she was being followed. Shrugging it off, she continued walking, only to hear more sounds other than her own footsteps. Then, her suspicions were confirmed... in the form of a sneeze.

I should have guessed.

"Alright, Mana, Salno, you can come out now, I know it's you."

There was a brief silence until Salno's deadpan voice split it apart. "You just had to sneeze didn't you?"

"I'm allergic to Caval flowers, okay?"

"Well, we just go busted because of your allergies."

Daiyara crossed her arms and started tapping the ground with her foot, waiting for her sisters to step out of the shadows. Once they did, it was revealed they had brought someone else along with them.

"You brought Nightmare!?"

Mana's eyes shifted left and right before she flashed her sister a sheepish grin. "Uh, yeah, funny story about that."

Daiyara rose an eyebrow before Mana just sighed, "Okay, she didn't want to be left alone, but can you really blame her? What if something happens to you and Mu no longer has an heir?"

"What if something happens to you?" Daiyara asked in response. "If either me, you or Salno die, who's gonna assume the throne? Besides, Rigen's still a baby." The eldest Muan princess groaned and rubbed the bridge of her nose in frustration.

"Look, just go home."

"No." Mana replied, stepping up.

"I am not in the mood to argue with you right now, sis, go back to the palace."

"We're going with you."

"No, you're not."

"Yes, we are."

"No."

"Yes."

"Mana."

"Daiyara."

While this was going on, Salno and Nightmare's gaze shifted between the two arguers.

"Would you just go back to the palace before someone-"

"Before someone what?"

Daiyara and Mana whipped around to see Malak emerge from the shadows, an elevated eyebrow on his face.

"Uncle Malak! What are- what are you doing here?" Daiyara asked sheepishly.

"I heard you talking to someone and had to investigate." Malak replied, "Speaking of which, shouldn't you be at the surface by now? And, I didn't realize you were taking Mana, Salno and Nightmare with you."

"Actually, I wasn't. They just decided to follow me."

Mana perked up and shook her head. "Actually, Nightmare wanted a night walk and Salno volunteered."

Salno shot her sister a glance, "Is that why you woke me up? I thought it was to join Daiyara without her noticing us."

"Shut up, Salno." Mana told her sister behind gritted teeth.

Malak shook his head and chuckled, "Believe me, Mana, I understand why you and Salno would want to join your sister to the surface world. Don't worry, I'll tell your parents Mothra had you two join your sister." He then handed them a large circular device; a beacon. "Should Kagejotei and her army be awake, just push the button."

As Daiyara took the beacon, Malak sighed, "Mu has been in exile from the surface world for too long, my dear nieces. I doubt her people would want to return to it in ruins. Now go, warn them."

Daiyara and Mana gave their uncle a hug before being curled around by Nightmare. This led to them noticing Salno just standing reluctantly.

"What? I don't do hugs." she proclaimed.

"C'mon, Sal. One little hug is not gonna kill you." Daiyara exclaimed.

Rolling her eyes, Salno reluctantly wrapped her arms around her sisters, her uncle and her sister's pet. With that, the four departed down to the piers, Malak watching the three girls he watched grow up in his brother's court leave his sight. With that, he thought a silent prayer.

Mothra, Battra, Cosmos. If you can hear this prayer, please assure to me this one request; should the Shadow Queen and her armies be awake, ensure Mu's heirs make it back alive and in one piece. Protect them, so that Mu and the surface can have a future.