Hello everyone! How're you?

Thanks a lot to Cutetyhil, Seafoam Green under Twilight, Sakura, Jyotsna, ILoveMyIndia, Stark02, LadyPeach7, Justafan and Emerald Vivienne Ramira for reviewing.

Sakura: Aww...you want to hug me? *Hugs you back* After a long time, I have found a reader who wanna adore me by reading my writing. You're so sweet! Thank you so much for reviewing :D

ILoveMyIndia: Yes honey, it was your idea. How could I ignore such a great and adorable idea after all? You know Emily, sometimes she likes to act as a mystery queen. And oh no, not again, this chapter is written about China (Actually about attacking China). I'm sorry and so I think you don't need to read it. Yet, thank you so much for reading and reviewing and thanks a lot to try to solve the dispute between another two readers even at such a young age. I'm proud of you, baby *Smooches*

Justafan: Thank God you all are alright. Honestly, I got scared when you said that you didn't review for chapter 65. Uh...what a relief! *Sighs* Therefore, I'm thinking of talking to you in PMs. Will you be fine with that? I have already sent you a message there. Thank you thank you so much for holding my back there, dear. It's so rare to have supportive readers like you.

Mr. Unknown: Please...I'm not a robot! And if you want to know how much I care of my readers, ask any of them. If a single reader of them admits that I'm a careless, heartless, selfish writer who doesn't care of her readers, you can rebuke me, chide me and beat me as much as you want, I swear, I won't bite back. *Turns to other readers* Hey guys, tell him how self-centered, arrogant, adamant this Misty is! Tell him how I oversee you demands! Besides, you didn't review for the first 64 chapters and then decided to review under the name of my friend. Are you even worthy to demand updates from me when you are not a frequent reviewer? Review late, no problem. But please, those who are the silent readers, don't tell me when I should update and not! It infuriates me!

For some security reasons, I've turned guest reviews off and kept them under moderation. Hope you all will understand. At first, I am extremely sorry for updating late. I was quite busy. Besides, my moods were also very heavy and gloomy because of some terrible things that I didn't expect to happen. My poor real-life crush and his club...T_T T_T

Thanks to those who are always by my side. I hope nothing like that will happen in future. Again, thanks a lot to all the readers who were concerned about me.

Okay, this chapter is about wars, a great comeback from the joyful ambiances of marriages. Enjoy! :D

Twilight was deepening the color on the canvas of the sky. The orange-pink gleams smeared the cottony clouds, being dispersed from the sun which was cozily yawning and resting in the western chamber with ripped steams hovering around it. Crossing the motionlessness of the softened day-star, the birds were returning to their nests located on the branches of the farthest trees of the jungles. There, some bald and old trees could be seen, living somehow with their clogged breaths, wounded cortices and heaps of crunchy leaflets leaning on their thick roots. Chestnut sand flew around the tiny crowd with the soothing breeze of the early evening, keeping the hand-painted waves of the hills behind them.

People from almost all the walks of life were present there. In front of them, there was the bald mentor of China, strolling left and right with his hands behind his waist. The watchers were eager to listen to him. Besides, they couldn't wait for the arrival of their leader of whom Master Tao had been showing them hopes for the last seven days. They were restless to meet him. They were ardently wishing to have his glimpse so that they could feel that they weren't fighting under the commands of someone's shadow or something else except a human being. Where was he?

"The day has finally come!" The hairless master boldly announced after a heavy pause, "For which we all had been waiting since a long time. It's high time you all met your commander. It's time you all met that warrior who'd be the leader of this troop and fight along with this battalion. He'll become such an emperor who'll rule this kingdom for you and with you. Today, before you, I'm going to present Ray!"

Powdered golden soil of China splashed around them as a raven-haired neko-jin in the beginning of his twenties stepped in the field. Pointed black bangs fluttered in the air and covered his forehead around which a red bandana was wrapped, having the taijitu symbol at its center. Extension crossed his thighs, braided in a white fabric. The crowd couldn't differentiate between his complexion and the color of the battleground. Glimmering golden pupils had the vigor of a ferocious tiger under his slightly furrowed, thick and dark eyebrows. Marginally bulging triceps were visible for his sleeveless high-neck white Chinese shirt over his black baggy pants. The crimson belt swathed around his waist clearly depicted his manly physique. His cloths were much simple just like a common villager of China but those couldn't hide his valor and sheer determination from his face.

As he stood in front of his group, his teacher stared at him with utmost pride and satisfaction in his eyes. The people exchanged confused gapes among one another, not able to believe that such a young guy would be their commander. Yet, most of them felt contented, having the sight of their captain at last but not at least. Some whispers could be heard, some nodded being impressed. Mixed the environment was.

"It's he about whom I used to talk to you," Master Tao gently slapped on the shoulder of his student, "It's Ray."

Turning to the young guy, he conversed, "The day has finally arrived for which we'd been waiting since years, Ray. It's time I put on those shoes which I had put off in the royal court of Zagart before a long time," He pointed at his bruised and sand-smeared feet, "It's time to destroy the clan of Zagart. We all are prepared to attack the fort of Zagart!"

"We all are prepared!" The fighters raised their naked swords and chorused along with Tao, "We all are ready!"

A contented smile was evident on Tao's face as his student gawked at the crowd. Though he also felt satisfied, his appearance didn't say it. At that moment, he was hungrier than a man-eater tiger which hadn't eaten the flesh of any human being since a year. It was time to smother his hunger, it was time to win the war against Zagart.

The sun has risen in the east,

Blood-red, blood-red, blood-red,

Tides have come in the ocean of people,

Blood-red, blood-red, blood-red,

It's time to severe the band,

Time to severe the band,

Tides have come in the ocean of people,

Blood-red, blood-red, blood-red.

"Whaaat?"

The green-eyed emperor jolted up from his throne, enraged and fuming. The white parts of his eyes were bloodshot, clearly exposing the acute veins. His shoulders were rising and stooping, lips were slightly parted as he completed reading the entire letter sent by his next opponent. All his family and court members were also as baffled as he. Some of them were quite worried, some were equally furious. Their anger superseded the blazing porcelain lamps in the courtroom. Even the wind entering through the kite-shaped loopholes of the long rectangular windows couldn't pacify them. He easily remembered the promises of the enemy before 12 years:

"You proud, yet useless king!" Tao's voice shuddered, "You kept torturing your subjects and snatching their wealth from them mercilessly. Yet, I kept quiet. But today, insulting a teacher, you've crossed all the limits of your bad deeds! You yourself have forced me to activate my plans!"

Gathering all the scattered papers from the floor and putting them into his bag again, he put off his shoes. Keeping them in front of the throne, he expanded his right arm and announced, "I, Tao Cheng, a chancellor, vow that I'll show light to mother China. I promise…..I'll finish the whole clan of the former king of this kingdom."

Zagart rolled his eyes when everybody gasped. Save caring, Tao continued, "I won't keep a single man of this clan alive. And...I'll put on my shoes again when this vow of me will be fulfilled!"

"How can it be even possible?" The arrogant ruler threw a question to the messenger.

"It's true, your Majesty," The runner nodded, "Tao Cheng, the great master, is preparing for revenge. Gathering the landlords of many villages and the rulers of many provinces, he's already built a fitting battalion. Now, he's waiting for the opportunity of attack you."

"They all are the kings and the landlords who used to bow before me once upon a time!" Zagart gritted his teeth, "Today they'll raise swords before me? Fine! If they're seeking for an opportunity to attack us, we will launch the first strike at them!"

"No, your Majesty," The prime minister gently opposed, "We won't strike first."

"You've lost your senses!" The king shot him with a death glare, screeching, "They're planning to attack our castle and you're telling me to calm down?!"

"Of course we will fight but we won't attack them first," The vicar proposed, "We'll let them come to the territory of our castle. Once they come here, they won't be able to go back alive. Master Tao is famous for his infamous diplomacy. We'll overthrow him with our own policies, your Majesty."

"Alright," The cinnamon-haired man seemed pacified a bit, "But we should start the preparations for the war from now on. All around the castle, our soldiers will stay alert.

The redhead was carefully listening to her father. Her teeth and fists were clenched in infuriation. She was feeling to jump before the enemies and finish them right there. With swift feet, she ran towards the arsenal. It was open-roofed, square-shaped and surrounded with four brick Tuscan pillars at the four corners. Diagonally, silver torches were connected to the columns, their dancing blazes were enlightening the environs. The statues of a pair of white tigers were facing each other, set between two poles. At the opposite side, two bronze headstones were kept. Javelins were neatly arranged in metal shelves, rapiers and scimitars were also well-organized. On a round wooden table, her armors were placed.

Tightly tying her hair into a high bun, she put on the copper breastplate and tied its straps around her back. For shielding her waist, she enfolded it with a silver waistband. Her hands and arms joined the protectors, so did her ankles and knees, made of the same metal. All her jewelries were put off from her body. Curly tresses fell on her eyes, she pushed them back to her ears. Unleashing her sword from her sheath, she looked at it. It was clear and unstained. The princess smirked at it. Soon, it was going to break its long-time fast...

"Salima!"

Wheeling back, she saw the emperor of China there. But then, he wasn't a ruler. The concerns of a father were obvious in his ruthless green eyes. Seeing his daughter in the attires of a warrior, he became dumbfounded. No word could escape from his mouth.

"Father?" Salima frowned.

"What's this, Salima?" The father wrinkled his brows, "Why're you in these armors?"

"Father, I want to take part in the war," In a confident tone, she replied, "I want to fight against those enemies along with you and my brothers. I want to move with you matching my shoulders with yours."

"No!" Zagart shook his head, "I won't let you participate in this war."

"But why, father?" Salima threw a pleading look, holding his arm, "If this is, then why have you been teaching me warfare since my childhood? Like brother Gordo, brother Goki, Zeo and Jim-I have learnt warfare so that I can protect the land of our kingdom whenever she is attacked, so that I can bite back. Father, like others, do you also think that women are weak?"

"No, my child, not at all," A liar he was, "But it will be seen as the weakness of me if my daughter has to go to the battleground. Do you want it? Do you want your father to be insulted before his enemies?"

"Father, but..." The redhead tried to object.

"If you believe your father," Zagart squeezed her shoulders, "Then let me go there instead of you."

"I...I'm sorry, father..." Salima bent her head down in shame, "I have made a mistake. For me, you're God himself. If you don't want me to take part in this war, I won't go there."

Lightly smiling, the father pulled his daughter closer to his chest, binding her back in his arms. He was proud of her. He had a lot of dreams regarding her future. In comparison with her, the kingdom sometimes felt very mere to him.

Soon, nightfall embraced the earth, slowly seeping on the surface of China. The forest behind the grassy ground was looking ghostly in the half-lidded darkness of the early evening. Dusky complexion of the air splattered all over the field, only making the white horses visible like spheres of bright fire. Dipping their hooves in the tall reeds, they were standing with riders on their backs. The cavaliers were clutching the bridles in their hands. The tip of some bamboo sticks were raised high. Semi-triangular white flags having the faces of golden tigers imprinted on them were wavering in the air. In front of the battalion, their leader was on his own sauntering black horse which was darker than the night and lecturing, making the audience listen to him carefully.

"I've examined the whole China as well as her royal castle!" He blurted, "Now, we will attack there. But remember one thing! An arrow launched later can never pierce the bull's eye. That's why, we'll get only one chance to attack them and we have to utilize that opportunity at any cost! That's why, you all have to spread in the streets and at the corners of this kingdom!"

At the same time, in another room of the royal castle of China, all the imperial members gathered. The soldiers were waiting behind them with their bowed heads for the orders from their masters. Blades of the spears in their hands were ready for the commands. Before them, on a rectangular table with red velvet cloth, the map of China imprinted on a white fabric was spread. Four lamp-holders were burning, encircling it. With a long stick in her hand, the redhead was marking the different important points on the atlas and explaining her ideas to her family members. All of them were listening very alertly to her.

"The enemies will surround our castle and try to attack us from all the directions," She narrated, "In the north of the fortress, our soldiers are waiting for welcoming them. Whenever the opponents start enclosing us, our soldiers will start attacking them. Besides, if the situation gets worsened, I have another secret weapon. Thus, the enemies will become afraid of us and we'll win this battle without any heavy loss."

"Which's the secret weapon, Sal?" Jim winked, "Or should I say, who?"

"Everyone knows it...oops!" The redhead bit her tongue as the crimson of roses sprawled under the skin of her cheeks, "Sorry, everyone knows him by his actual name but I have named him, 'The little battler of Hong Kong.'"

"But Salima..." Gordo tried to protest but before the raised hand of his father, he could say nothing.

"Brilliant, Salima!" Zagart enfolded her shoulder with one of his arms and declared as everyone nodded, giving their consent, "I'm agreeing with her on this point. We all will fight according to this plan."

"If my plan comes right," Ray announced in his field, "According to it, a group of us will attack them in the very beginning of the war. Besides, if my guesses are correct, another group will wait for us. Then, we'll attack them from behind with utmost strength. We will surround them and finish them!"

He got down from the stallion and stood in front of his mentor. In the castle, his biggest enemy was dressing himself up for the upcoming war. The soldiers put brass armors around his chest, waist, arms, wrists, knees and ankles. There was pride and arrogance on his face, not on that of the neko-jin. Humbly bowing, he revered his master.

"Be blessed," Master Tao caressed his head and placed his hands on his shoulders, "And be victorious always, Ray."

Fully armored, the king of China came to the central living room of his palace where his family was waiting for him. The empress took the platter of roses from the hand of a maid and was about to shower them on her husband but again, the emperor stopped her.

"No, Shaina, not you," He demanded, "Today, my daughter will crown me for the war with her own hands because she's lucky both for me and China."

Proudly beaming, the redhead took the tray from the hands of her mother and sprinkled the petals on his father. Then, receiving a silver kettle, she unlocked its tube and let the holy steam spread around the cinnamon-haired man. Placing the blade of his sword against her finger, she bled her skin a bit and coated its tip with her crimson blood. After it, she offered the weapon to the king.

Whereas, in the battlefield, his opponent was also being crowned by his mentor. There was no flower or flower petal to sprinkle on him. The bald master did the job without them, touching the blades of grasses on his hair and cheeks. Picking a little sand from the ground in the pinch of his thumb and index finger, the hairless teacher speckled his forehead with it. The golden sand got disappeared in his skin tone. Then, he also handed his student the sword as he gladly took it. In both of the places, roars emerged:

"Hail China and her emperor, Gonglu Zagart!"

"Hail China and her successor, Ray!"

The night went darker with the passage of time. Within a few moments, everyone from the opposite party gathered in the yard in front of Zagart's castle. Horses in black and white added contrast to the murky atmosphere, all of them wearing bridles around their mouths, ears and heads. The hands of the fighters possessed kendo sticks, rural lances, pastoral swords and shields. Behind the trees, some were hiding with bows and arrows, targeted at the enemies. Before the gang of Ray, there was the vast battalion of the king of China. Their weapons were also advanced, so were the royal troopers, experienced and skilled. On the cliff of a nearby mound, Master Tao stood with a few students and four flags having four different colors. From the balcony of the second floor of the fort, the noblewomen were peeping at the battlefield. Seeing the captain of their opposition, the night orbs of the princess went widened as the sands of the ground blew around. She did know him!

Fury rushed through the veins of the rebel. He hurdled up, landing a kick on the chest of the prince. Misbalanced, Gordo tripped on his toes. Using the right chance, Ray slid the rapier between the fingers and the handle of the sword of his opponent. The shonen-haired guy wasn't ready for it. As his fingers loosened, the weapon fell down from his hand. Yet, it couldn't stop the growing rage of the rebel. Taking the fallen blade, he jumped on Gordo, pinning him down between two blades. The restrained prince shivered a bit, for the first time in his life.

There, he hadn't only shattered the ego of her brother, but also he had insulted her by rejecting her hand for the marriage. It wasn't forgettable.

"How dare you?!" The redhead rushed to him and removed the helmet from his head. Dropping it, she was about to clutch his collars but she failed as the trespasser heaved him towards a prop, grasping her mouth with his rock-like grips. She could feel the weight of those palms on her lips. She put her hands on his ones in order to remove his grips from her mouth but failed. Her ebony eyes met his amber pools and she kept trying together with failing. Her clasps became stronger as her keen teeth sank into his arm, literally piercing his skin and making it bleed a bit. The raven-haired neko-jin removed his hand from her lips but only for a sole moment. In the next tick, he again seized her neck, this time, with a blood-smeared dagger placed on her throat.

The redhead's heart almost stopped seeing the stiletto. She gasped, her orbs broadened.

"Only for you, I got imprisoned, princess," The intruder whispered into her left ear, causing her to convulse, "Now you'll be the reason of my freedom."

'He's the same guy who came to my groom-choosing ceremony disguising as Kane!' Her fingers got gnawed, 'Now I can understand the reason why he came here. He wanted to know about the security and the secrets of this castle. Scoundrel!'

Even the eyes of the king and princes also remained amplified at the strong kicks at their teeth. The loss of prince Gordo who'd been the best swordsman of China to him, the icy stares at the ruler even after being tortured brutally by him, the clutch of dagger at the neck of their princess-nothing was forgotten by Zagart. Raising his eyes, the cinnamon-haired saw his long-old enemy standing on a cliff and viewing the war. His gazes were also permanently set on the emperor of China as if he'd been about to gulp him fully. Reminiscing his humiliations, Tao's eyes went watery after a long time.

"Look, my dear soldiers!" Zagart pointed at his foes, "They're the fighters who have come here to take blood from you. They're being led by a polymorphous brat and a bald beggar with some mere dacoits whose accurate place is in my prison! There are some fragile landlords who don't even have the ability of being our watchmen! Even at this night, they are daydreaming! They are daydreaming of overthrowing us! We all will smash them like smashing ants under out feet!"

Targeting Ray, he blurted, "That day, you survived, rascal! But today, your death is inevitable! Your death itself has presented you before me. That day, you kidnapped my daughter, right? Only for you, the groom-choosing ceremony of my Salima was postponed. You snatched the pride of my son then. Today, you have to pay a hefty price for all those sins!

The redhead almost tore the neko-jin with her death glares from the porch, furiously agreeing with her father and hoping so. She was waiting for her revenge.

"Hail Gonglu Zagart, the mighty emperor of China!"

"Hail the clan of Zagart!"

The jubilations stopped right there as the Chinese neko-jin opened his mouth, shutting everyone else:

"Look at him, brothers! He's the same arrogant king whom we have to end today. He's Gonglu Zagart who has made the head of mother China low in front of the world in disgrace by selling Driger, our precious white tiger to the notorious ruler of the netherworld. We all were born from the same womb of mother China. From different villages and cities, from mountains and forests, we all have gathered here. Our cultures, clothes and lifestyles mayn't be same but one thing is present equally among all of us. That is: We all are the children of mother China. So, today, not like soldiers, we will fight by one another's side just like real brothers do and destroy Zagart along with his entire clan! Tying the cloth of greed around his eyes, he has got only one motive: Wealth. That is: The destruction of his subjects and the prosperity of himself!"

The scarlet-haired princess's smile from her face turned into vapors, leaving the place for wrath and annoyance. Neither she was believing his words, nor were his sentences making her baffle a bit, only portraying him as a criminal mastermind before her eyes. However, her father stiffened his jaw, shuddering and thinking whether his truth would come out before his family or not because of the intruder.

"According to the rules and ideologies of our great mentor, master Tao," The neko-jin continued, turning behind, "Kings like him should be doomed! That's why, today, together, we will pay the debt of mother China. We will fulfill our responsibilities towards our motherland. Are you all prepared?"

"Yes!" Everyone jubilated together.

"Remember one thing!" His vocal shushed his enemies and their well-wishers, "Who is standing against us in the battleground? Is he stronger than us or not? Will we be able to survive against them or not? Never let these questions visit your brains! Whenever a mother falls in any danger, her only child becomes equal to hundreds of soldiers!"

Zagart's hand on the rein of his stallion quivered as he remembered someone's sentence similar like it before 20 years:

"Those who will stare evilly at our mother," The emperor blurted, "Their eyes should be clawed off!"

The cinnamon-haired looked at the raven. His new opponent was resembling the same emperor whom he had murdered and snatched the throne from. The same jet flurrying bangs, the same golden orbs he had. All of a sudden, Zagart felt to be in a déjà vu.

"But today!" Ray spread his arms, "We all are equal to thousands! Today, nobody will be able to stop us from protecting the self-respect of our mother! Remember, I'm not a selfish king like Zagart who will leave his subjects alone. At this moment, I'm your brother! I'll protect you all like a brother. I'll become your shield, I'll become your sword! We all are one now! One of us will be for everyone and everyone will be for one! Today, inform the enemies that we'll fight for the prestige and the dignity of our mother! Today, we'll fight for her protection! Hail mother China!"

"Hail mother China!"

"Hail Ray, the son of mother China!"

The scarlet-haired princess of China shivered in an unknown fear. Her heart was beating fast in excitement as well as tension. What would happen to her beloved castle? What would happen to her father and brothers? Would they be alright? Would they successfully murder that brat and take her revenge?

"Chrage!"

The raven-haired uplifted his sword as his dusky stallion proceeded in the dusk, followed by his companions. Breaking the shackles of the clouds, the slim lines of thunder rumbled in the sky, magenta and violet. Their hungry screeches reached the inner portion of the well-secured palace too. In her open-roofed prison, the shabby-clothed captive stood up from her stagnant position. After a long time, her rough and matted hair was blowing in the air. Looking at the sudden recklessness of the blue, she pondered, 'Why is the weather behaving so strange today? Looks like something very big is going to happen."

"Yes, something big is surely happening," A maid placed the plate of food before her, "After almost 20 years, a fool has dared attack the castle of his Majesty."

Hearing her, the ex-queen of China couldn't believe her ears for a few seconds. She simpered, "W...what?"

"Along with his sons, his Majesty has gone to the battlefield," The servant added, "Today's war will determine all our fates. It will say whether his Majesty will retain his throne or the assaulter will win China."

"Ah..." Riza snickered in absolute delight as her heavy heart felt light after 20 years, "Someone has challenged Zagart? It means...it means the time is changing! Time is changing! But...who has showed this courage? To Zagart, who's thrown the challenge?"

"The same young man," The attendant replied, "Whom you helped flee from this prison."

For a second, the smile from her face vanished. Neither she still forgot about the day, nor did she let the young raven-haired man sink into her oblivion. His head had been on her lap that day. The memories were still fresh.

A smile rose in the corners of his lips. Seeing the sudden brightness all over his wounded face, the female prisoner felt curious. She asked, "Why're you smiling?"

"Remembered my mother," He snickered glumly, "Whenever my father thrashed me, she used to make me drink water in this way."

A blob of tears percolated on her dry cheeks. Her heart whimpered in torment. Automatically, one of her palms went to his forehead. He closed his eyes in comfort. His brain was getting cooled. Like the toxic vapors, all the worries and sufferings of him were disappearing from his body and mind.

"Then consider me as your own mother, son," Riza spoke, almost like singing a lullaby, "But may I ask you a question if you don't mind?"

Ray didn't answer, just smilingly nodded, making the prisoner understand that he wouldn't mind at all.

"Why did they do these things to you?" Concern could clearly be noticed in the tangerine orbs of the gloomy mother, "What did you do?"

"Nothing..." He slightly groaned, stammering, "Just...just broke the pride of the emperor."

'Broke the pride?' Riza's agitated and malicious heart got filled with joy and peace hearing the nameless young man. Unknowingly, her fingers softly brushed through his raven hair, 'God knows which mother gave birth to such a valiant son...who nourished him? I wanna bow before her...'

"My son, in order to buy a bar of gold, you have to pay a hefty price," The raven lady stated, "Sometimes, you have to suffer for something good."

"I know..." He murmured after closing his eyes in coziness. The female prisoner started gently tapping on his shoulders just like lulling her own child. She had never been able to enjoy that happiness. Her fate had never let her do that. But she didn't complain, she didn't grudge. She started savoring the taste of milk from water. At least, it appeased her thirst.

It was enough for her at that moment.

It was more. After it, she remembered how she had helped the unknown guy, without knowing his motive and character. She'd felt his problem, she'd felt his vulnerability and necessities. Like a true mother.

"The one who cannot take care of his weapons isn't worthy of carrying them." The imprisoned guy didn't bother a bit to press the scalpel on the throat of the guard and draw it toughly, slashing the vocal cord of the careless caretaker. Then, he freed him for the first as well as for the last time. The worries of the trooper left him, he did the same thing with the world.

Not waiting for a while, the raven-haired neko-jin put on the outfits of the dead soldier. Taking the helmet, he put it on his head so that no one could recognize him.

Approaching the female prisoner, he spoke, "Let's go, my lady. I'll take you with me."

"Of course I'll go from here," Riza smiled, "But not today. My son will come here to take me."

"My lady, today you've helped me like a mother," Ray held her hands, "Won't you give me an opportunity to perform my responsibilities as a son? Come with me."

He knelt down in front of her in order to unlock the cuffs that were seizing her feet. She moved back, much to his astonishment.

"I will not flee from here, son," She smiled, "None but the cowards do that. My son will free me with utter dignity."

"We don't have much time with us, my lady," Ray tried for the last time.

"And I'm waiting for that time, my son," Riza's head was upstretched like a queen, "You leave the place. It doesn't deserve you."

"Alright," Sadly, the neko-jin bowed, "If it's your wish, then let it be. But don't worry, my lady. One day, surely your son will come here. He'll end your pains, mark my words. Bless me, my lady."

A smile of satisfaction emerged in her lips. Breaths felt much easier. Gaping at the confused maid, the ex-empress whispered, "He told me that he would come again. Look, he has kept the value of his words. He has come here. He has returned."

Walking a few steps ahead which were permitted by the shackles chaining her ankles to the pillar, she looked at the noisy and restive sky, 'Now, I'm waiting only for the return of my son. Because...the destruction of Zagart is written only in his hands. May God help the valiant son of China. But...how will he survive when he is standing against the soldiers of China?"

"Charge!"

The cinnamon-haired king roared as all their stallions and mares galloped forward. Their hairy tails fluttered right and left, the footmen pulled their feet. White and red flags swayed, unleashed swords made the glimmers of the stars leave the place as they shied away. The jet bangs of the neko-jin wavered in the air, becoming unstoppable due to the inertia of motion. His face adopted a fierce and adamant look, he hunched forward a bit. Seeing his vigor, the scarlet-haired princess fumed, not able to disagree that he was a skilled warrior. It angered her more and grew jealousy in her heart. In her dungeon, Riza stroked the name on the slab beneath her feet that she had engraved before eight years.

'You're showing me the light of hope. Aren't you, Ray?' She sneered, 'Inspired from that valiant son, I'll be waiting for you. I want to give that young man the blessings which are always given to you.

I want to bless him who has raised his head before a ruthless and selfish king like Zagart!'

So...how was it? Good or bad? What do you want in the next chapter? The extension of this war or the marriages? 4

Do read and review. Pardon the grammatical and the spelling errors. Those who haven't read my new one-shot "Checkmate" yet, please, give it a read. The author to whom it's been dedicated will feel very glad *Winks at Simy*. Besides, in this month, I wrote a secret snippet of Kingdom, named "Predestined". You all are also free to read it. Why am I telling these things? Because, the next chapter will also come late like this since I have to think on which arc I should focus. China? Or Japan? War? Or marriage? Marriage? Or war?

Take care and stay safe :D

-Misty ^_^ ^_^