Part Three

On the roof of the Grand Citadel, The Matron lowered her arm and turned around to face the High Clerics. "And that, gentlemen, is how you get rid of annoying monsters."

"Wow!" Ziya exclaimed. "That was simply incredible! What power!"

"You don't need to suck up to her," Yuuto said harshly.

"Even from this distance you were able to launch an attack against this Yuber?" Hayato asked.

"I was," the Matron responded. "The attack will not kill him but it will incapacitate him for an extended period."

"The beast still lives?" Kayanu asked. "How does that help us?"

"He will not be able to assist that boy or his Army during Blood Fest," the Matron said. "By the time Yuber recovers, the Liberation Army will be crushed and the contract will be null and void and Yuber will go away like he always does."

"We were hoping to implement our plan before Blood Fest," Takefute said. "But the process has taken longer than I like. We caught a few idiots trying to steal it from the basement. While we rightfully executed them, it has left us short-staffed."

"Well I made things easier for you," the Matron told him. "You might not even need to implement the plan. Sloan will take care of it all for you."

"Perhaps," Takefute said cautiously. "But we will continue production just in case. Thank you for the demonstration of your power, my Lady."

The Matron nodded. "You are welcome."

Takefute and the others took their leave, but she lingered. Once they had retreated down the stairs she turned around and looked up towards the dark clouds. She wore a wry smile as the words left her mouth.

"Sorry, Yuber."

"He's gone?!" Gunther exclaimed.

"Yes, and he's not answering Lord Daunte's call," Caesar said. "It was a deliberate attack from the skies, a lightning strike. Yuber seemed to have been the intended target as there were no subsequent attacks after Yuber was struck, but Viki accidentally teleported him away before we could assess his injuries. The fact that he's not answering our Commander, despite being bound to him via their contract, is a clear indicator that Yuber has been incapacitated."

"W-What if it was Geddoe?" Varnaz asked. "What if he was extracting revenge on us for separating his entire group like that?"

"It wasn't Geddoe," Caesar said. "I've seen Geddoe use his True Rune, and the power we saw earlier was nothing like this. But whoever casted that strike is extremely powerful."

"Well this is a fine mess," Tamara said softly. "Our most physically powerful warrior is gone, and one of our most powerful magic-users is gone, all right before Blood Fest. And we do not know if either one will be back before the holiday."

"They most likely will not," Allise said. "Lady Leknaat has not been well for awhile and bringing her back before she is better won't help us. At the same time however, Yuber has proven invaluable with dealing with dealing with large armies and monsters. Losing both of them, even while temporary, will cost us dearly."

"Everyone," Daunte said, raising his hands slightly as rumbles of alarm rippled across the war room. "It will be fine. We are already preparing a war campaign against Sloan Faakhir. This Army isn't going to crumble without Lady Leknaat or Yuber. We're all very capable of getting victory ourselves, and we will do that here."

To Daunte's immense relief the rest of the room calm down and he even saw a few smiles. Daunte had to hold back his own sigh of relief. I can't have anyone panic. I have to have everyone believe that everything is going to be okay, even if I don't have a plan yet.

"Well said, my Lord," Caesar praised. "We still have time and we still have people in this room who are more than capable of helping this Army achieve victory. And that's exactly what we will do, achieve victory."

"We should plan our strategy soon though," Keiran said. "The Holy Army is undoubtedly building a strategy against us. Eliminating Yuber, even while temporarily, was no doubt part of this plan."

"Well the good news is that Sheikh Faahkir is fairly predictable," Chinmaya said, cuddling her new puppy to her chest. "He's violent and short-tempered, and he presses on in battle despite heavy losses to his units."

"That's true," Daunte said. "He—"

"Hey, who's dog is that?" Surya asked suddenly, pointing towards the back of the war room.

Daunte turned and he sighed sheepishly when he saw Kibbeh chewing on one of the legs of the table.

"Not me," Chinmaya said, holding her own puppy up. "Hagan is right here."

"He's mine," Daunte said, hurrying over to pull the puppy away from the table. I thought he was with Arin! This is why I didn't want to get a puppy at this time…

Late in the evening Daunte was laying in bed, wide awake and staring at the ceiling. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Okay," he said aloud. He was startled by his own voice and closed his eyes.

Lady Leknaat and Yuber are gone. Lady Leknaat has fallen ill since she came here and had to leave to better her health. And Yuber was surprised attack and Viki accidentally teleported him away. He is surely alive but since he's not responding to me he is most like somewhere out there injured. And I don't know when either of them is coming back.

He opened his eyes again. The last week or so has been heavy for me. I find out that Shou's mother killed my grandfather and my father promised to kill Sagiri once Nether Gate was taken out. Then I lost both Lady Leknaat and Yuber. Their loss feels like a coordinated attack against this Army. Then we get a puppy—

"OOF!" Daunte wheezed when Kibbeh jumped from the shadows and landed squarely on his chest. Even in the dead of night the puppy was boisterous and energetic, licking and nipping at his face frantically. "Okay, okay!" Daunte exclaimed, restraining the puppy as he sat up. He looked towards the door that linked his room to Arin's and saw the door was ajar. "Arin?"

He didn't receive a response. "Arin!" Daunte called out again. Still no response. Daunte scoffed and stood up from the bed with Kibbeh in his arms. He walked over to the door and pushed it open fully. Arin was curled up on his side in bed fast asleep. Daunte tried not to roll his eyes as he deposited Kibbeh on the bed next to Arin and headed back towards his own room. When he turned to close the door, Kibbeh was there tugging on his pants with his teeth.

Daunte looked up again, silently debating if he should wake Arin up and have his little brother take responsibility for the puppy he insisted on them having. After a moment he shook his head and scooped Kibbeh up. "Now, you." Daunte hoisted the puppy up and looked him straight in the eye. "You're going to go to bed and not wake up until sunrise. Got it?"

Kibbeh responded with a few licks and nips to his chin. Daunte sighed in exasperation and carried him back into Arin's room. He set Kibbeh back on the bed with Arin and ran for his bedroom door. He closed it sharply behind him, but when he turned around he saw Kibbeh standing behind him panting and wagging his tail.

After five tries of trying to put Kibbeh to bed with Arin, and Kibbeh inexplicably outrunning him to the door to his bedroom, Daunte felt resigned to his fate and laid facedown on his bed while Kibbeh hopped on his back and tugged on his pajama shirt with his mouth.

I knew it. I knew this would happen. Arin would demand the puppy, but I would be in charge of this puppy's care. How can I maintain leadership of the Liberation Army if this little guy is bothering me?!

Daunte rolled over onto his back and hugged Kibbeh to his chest. "Only one day in and you're a handful. I wish I knew how to talk to you…"

"That is a listening crystal that will allow you to hear the thoughts and feel the feelings of beasts. They in turn will understand you."

"That's it!" Daunte jumped out of bed again and checked his desk drawer. He smile when he saw the listening crystal and quickly pulled it out. "I've got you now, Kibbeh…"

One hour later…

"No Kibbeh, come back here!" Daunte held the leash tight as the puppy tried to run away. He looked at the listening crystal in his free hand. "Oh, please don't tell me that you are broken…"

As to not disturb anyone in the other bedrooms, Daunte took Kibbeh for a walk and so he could practice speaking to Kibbeh via the listening crystal. Now he sat outside of HQ, his back to the wall and having zero progress with communicating with Kibbeh.

"Kibbeh, sit. Kibbeh, sit. Heel, heel!"

Kibbeh wasn't listening to him and the puppy did not appear to be winding down his energy. Yeesh! I don't know how Master Thomas managed 12 puppies!

"Sit," He repeated himself into the listening crystal. Kibbeh responded by chewing on his leash. Daunte almost felt like crying, and he had to restrain himself from throwing the listening crystal across the plains. "No wonder Mom didn't want dogs here when she led the Liberation Army…"

Daunte felt a familiar rumble in the ground beneath him. He looked towards the walls in alarm and saw that they were shaking violently. "Earthquake!" He shouted. No, not again! He scooped Kibbeh up and raced away from the walls just in time for a section of them to collapse right where they were sitting. Kibbeh responded to the earthquake with loud barking and squirming in Daunte's arms. Daunte looked around himself frantically, not sure of what to do. He knew the safest option for him would be to retreat back into the headquarters, but he didn't know if the walls would collapse upon them before they made it to safety.

What do I do? What do I do?!

Daunte heard a strange noise in the ground behind him and quickly turned. He hurried back as he saw the ground shift and press upwards. Kibbeh was now barking harder and more aggressively struggling in his arms. "Kibbeh, st—"

The word didn't finish on his breath. Dirt shot up into the air like a geyser and a giant, monstrous worm rose from the earth. It was red, an angry red color, but its mouth was black and in the moonlight Daunte saw thin but very sharp teeth protruding from its round mouth.

"It was a monster. A large one too. Full of anger."

Daunte quickly realized that this was the monster who had caused the earthquakes. He gaped in horror and walked backwards towards HQ. The giant worm rose from the ground until it had reached a great height, then flopped forward onto the ground with a deafening BOOM! sound. The impact caused Daunte lose his balance and he fell backwards onto his backside. Kibbeh got loose from his arms and charged at the worm, whose monstrous mouth was only two meters away from them.

"Kibbeh, DON'T!" Daunte lunged forward and caught the puppy before it ran straight into the worm's gaping mouth. He held fast and stared down the worm's throat. He saw nothing but rows and clusters of razor sharp teeth. The worm's breath stank. It was one of the worst smells he'd ever experience. "D-Don't eat my dog!" Daunte sputtered, not knowing what else to say.

A hot glow erupted from Daunte's left hand, following by a loud ring. He gaped at the listening crystal but quietly held it away from Kibbeh, who had started whimpering. Is—Is it active now?

"I will not eat that rodent."

The guttural voice rumbled in Daunte's ears. He looked around himself in confusion. "W—Who said that?"

"I did. I have no desire to eating that loud little pest."

Daunte looked back at the giant worm. His mouth opened and closed silently for a moment before he could speak. "Y—You speak the common tongue? You can talk?!"

"I have learned many languages in my long life from you evil humans. And you can understand me. That is a good listening crystal."

"W-Wow," Daunte said, swallowing thickly. "I've never talked to a worm before…"

"I am no simple worm," the creature responded harshly. "I am a DEATH WORM."

"A-Ah, yes. Sorry for the confusion."

"A human with manners. What a rarity."

"LORD DAUNTE!" Gunther shouted behind him. "We're here, get away from the beast!"

"Hold on, don't attack!" Daunte shouted over his shoulder. He looked back at the death worm as his comrades spoke amongst themselves in confusion. "W…Why are you attacking us."

"I am returning the favor, human."

"'Favor'?"

"You humans killed my mate. My mate and I were the last of our race. When you killed her you doomed my race to extinction. I am the last death worm left in this accursed plain."

"I'm sorry for what happened to your mate. B-But it wasn't me, this is the first time I met something like y—"

"Humans slaughtered my mate and made me the last death worm. I can only repay the favor by making all humans extinct."

Daunte felt a twist of discomfort in his stomach. "I'm…sorry," he said again. "But your goal is impossible."

"How is my goal impossible?"

"Because humans can be found all over the world, not just in Nagarea. If you wish to make humans extinct you would have to cross the ocean and go to multiple locations. Are you able to swim?"

"…I am not."

"That is why your goal is impossible. I'm sorry that humans killed your mate, but my people and I didn't do it. I can't allow you to attack us for something we didn't do."

The worm rumbled in anger. "Humans have blamed us collectively for pestilence and death for eons. You are prejudiced and ignorant."

"No offense, but you have been causing earthquakes in this region," Daunte pointed out. "And you blame me for the actions of other humans. How are you any better than us?"

The worm growled psychically and lunged forward, his teeth now so close that they were touching Daunte's feet. "WAIT!" Daunte shouted over his shoulder.

"What are we waiting for?" Roen asked.

"I-Is Daunte talking to that thing?" Felicity wondered out loud.

Daunte looked at the worm again and paused. In the moonlight he could see hundreds of scars all across the worm's massive body. Slashes, puncture wounds, burn scars. This was a battle that had seen many battles and had survived.

"What's your name?" Daunte asked.

The worm shifted back a little. It seemed surprised by Daunte's question. "…Öt," was the response.

"I'm pleased to meet you, Öt," Daunte told him, forcing a smile. "My name is Daunte. Are you injured?"

"I will live. I cannot die whilst humans infest this world."

"How old are you?"

"I have a long lifespan, though useless now as I am the last of my kind."

Daunte raised his right hand. "Howl."

The healing spell washed over Öt, leaving the other Army members standing in shock. "L-Lord Daunte healed the monster?!" Varnaz exclaimed. "Why?!"

"There is surely a good reason for it," Caesar said.

"…That is a True Rune," Öt observed. "You said your name is Daunte? Why did you heal me?"

"Because it's the right thing to do," Daunte said. "You were injured and you're in mourning. I'm truly sorry for what has happened to you."

"…The ones who killed my mate," Öt said. "They sensed differently from you. You do not appear to be the group of humans who attacked us and doomed my race."

"We are not," Daunte said. "It may have been soldiers in the Holy Army."

"The one who landed the killing blow on my mate. It was a human male with overpowering bloodlust and rage."

Sloan Faakhir! Daunte's eyes widened as he looked at Öt. "I think I have an idea of who caused your misery. My Army is planning a campaign against this person."

"Then the enemy of my enemy is my friend. I must avenge my mate and my lost race. You have also healed me, so I am indebted to you. I will join your cause."

"W-What?!" Daunte sputtered. "You want to join us?!"

"A monster is joining our Army?" Gunther asked dully.

"Oh it wouldn't be the weirdest member of the 108 Stars of Destiny," Caesar said. "Why, during the Dunan Unification War Lord Riou recruited a unicorn!"

"Unicorns are real?!" Allise exclaimed.

"I'm happy to have any new recruits," Daunte said shakily. "B-But I don't believe my headquarters is equipped to house a Death Worm…"

"Do I look like I need housing in a human settlement? My settlement is the earth itself."

"T-That is quite true. I—" Daunte looked over his shoulder briefly at his Army before turning back to Öt. "If…you promise to not eat any of my allies, and you promise to stop causing earthquakes near our HQ, then I would be happy to let you join us."

"So be it. Call me when you face your enemies and I will eat them instead." Öt then launched himself into the air and dived towards the ground. With another thunderous BOOM! he burrowed into the dirt. His movements still caused a small earthquake, but the quaking ceased as he moved further and further away.

Daunte sat there still for a moment as he heard his allies shouting and racing towards him. He blinked rapidly as he stared across the empty plain. "D—Did that just happen? Am I dreaming?"

Kibbeh jumped up and bit him hard on the chin. The sharp pain startled Daunte, but it was enough confirmation for him. "No. This is real."

The next morning Daunte and several of his allies went down to the basement to look at the Tablet of Stars. They only knew the pronunciation of Öt's name but not the spelling, but they still checked the Tablet to see if they could find a name that looked like his.

"Ah, here it is!" Caesar pointed towards the bottom of the Tablet. "Number 96, the Chido Star!"

"Oh, so that's how it's spelled?" Daunte asked. His brow furrowed. "Though, I don't think he would care about the spelling…"

"That's…very unusual," Keiran said with a slightly strained voice. "A man-eating Death Worm is one of the 108 Stars of Destiny. My Lord, you said he would not attack us?"

"Yes," Daunte said. "Öt promised to not attack any of our allies."

"It would be interesting to sic him on enemy units during war battles," Gunther said.

"Was the Unicorn the Chido Star?" Allise asked.

"I actually don't know," Caesar said honestly. "But the Chido Star is traditionally a scary or ugly individual."

"Öt meets that requirement," Roen muttered.

"He probably won't be able to participate in theatre productions, or use the bathhouse," Felicity said.

"Which would be better for both him and us," Surya said. "Hey Daunte, may I speak to you in a few minutes?"

"Sure," Daunte said. He looked at his allies. "We have the confirmation, so we can be rest assured that Öt won't attack us again. Let's go back to our duties. I know I have to repair some of the structures around here…"

"Just don't overdo it, Lord Daunte," Tamara said.

Thankfully Öt's recent "visit" only caused damaged to the outer walls. Daunte was able to repair them with ease with the Rune of Restoration, though he was tired by the end of it. He went and got a meal at the restaurant with Roen, Felicity, Arin, Surya, Mokuren, Freyr, and Soturi. At Daunte's insistence Arin kept Kibbeh by his side. Arin seemed to be frustrated a little with Kibbeh endless energy but he voiced no complaints.

"What did you want to talk to me about?" Daunte asked as they all settled over a sashimi lunch.

Surya looked flustered, and looked around the table self-consciously before looking back at Dante. "I, um…I apologize."

"For what?"

"I found out about…Oboro."

Daunte stiffened and looked at his friends. Roen and Felicity looked confused but Arin was preoccupied with Kibbeh and wasn't paying attention to the conversation. "I…see," Daunte said slowly. "And are you apologizing for eavesdropping?"

Surya nodded stiffly. "I feel awful. It wasn't m business but I still pried. You deserved the truth and so I wanted to give it to you. And to offer you something."

"'Offer me something'?"

"The children of the Dark Chasm. Sol-Falena is having a festival tomorrow and just about all of the kids are going to be here. I-I wanted to take you there, as my honored guest, and so you can see the kids again."

"Oh, can we come too?!" Felicity asked. "I miss everyone so much!"

"I want to come too," Roen said. "And we should invite Lysander too."

"Can I come too?!" Arin asked. "We can bring Kibbeh—"

"We should probably leave Kibbeh here," Daunte said hastily. He looked at Surya then. "Thank you for the offer. I would love to go. And I'm not angry with you. But we can't stay in Sol-Falena long as we're planning for a war campaign."

Surya nodded, looking relieved. "We can leave tonight, if everyone is okay with it."

"I doubt anyone would say no to the Commander," Freyr pointed out.

Later Daunte met with Roen and Felicity in Roen's room and told them everything that he had learned from Oboro and Shou's parents. He felt terrible that he hadn't immediately told his friends what he had learned, but at the same time he knew that he was still reeling from the revelations himself.

"…Wow," Roen said when Daunte finished. "So Shou's mom killed your grandfather?"

"And then your dad was killed by the very people who trained Shou's mom to kill your grandfather," Felicity said grimly. "That's crazy. Feels like a small world, doesn't it?"

Daunte shrugged stiffly. "I know what you mean."

"Does Arin know?" Roen asked.

Daunte quickly shook his head. "No, and I don't want him to know right now. This is heavy information for me to have. It would be too much for him."

"I agree," Felicity said. "That poor boy has suffered enough. We all have."

"W—OW!" Roen flinched as Kibbeh started nipping at at his ankle.

"Kibbeh, how did you get in here?!" Daunte scooped the puppy up and looked at the closed door with wide eyes. "He—what kind of dogs were his parents?!"

"I imagine the adventurous type," Felicity said teasingly.

"Don't worry, it's fine," Roen said, examining his ankle. "He didn't even break the skin. Plus I've suffered worse pain than this."

Daunte shook his head. "I'll have to pay someone to watch him and maybe train him. That way we don't have to worry about him destroying stuff and I can get a full night's sleep. Are the other puppies like this?!"

"I heard Tidur's family has a real spitfire," Roen said. "But Eamon and Chinmaya's pups seem to be well-mannered."

"I'll find someone to watch him while we're gone and to help Arin with the training." Daunte shook his head as Kibbeh struggled in his arms. "Man…I'm tired all over again…"

To Daunte's surprise, his allies had no problem with him leaving again to attend a festival in Sol-Falena. Caesar in particular was very encouraging of him going, which made Daunte feel better. Prior to the trip he went looking for someone to watch Kibbeh while they were gone and ended up paying Georg 5,000 bits to watch him.

"Go and enjoy the festival," Georg said, laughing while Kibbeh licked and nipped his face. "It's not wise for me to return to Falena yet with that arrest warrent still on their books…"

For the trip itself Daunte chose Roen, Felicity, Lysander, and Arin to go. Most of the Falenans joined them automatically (Surya, Mokuren, Freyr, Soturi, Silvano, and Israfil) but other Falenans declined to go.

"I'm not interested," Reis said bluntly.

"We just got back, it would be rude for us to leave again," Oboro said with a smile. Shou said nothing.

After exchaging their bits for Potch, Daunte and his group went to see Viki. They found Pesmerga was already there talking to her, and Viki looked ansty. "Look, I already said I don't know where I sent him!"

"Could you hazard a guess?" Pesmerga asked her coldly.

"I-I'm so sorry, but I don't know where Yuber is! I-I can only teleport you to places within the border of Nagarea!"

"So he's in Nagarea?"

"I-I don't know! He might be somewhere else?"

"If you can only teleport people within the border of this country, then how could you possibly teleport Yuber outside of this country?"

"I told you I don't know! I-I don't understand the full extent of my powers!"

"Then why do you have that rune?"

"I don't know! Nobody can remove it, not even Jeane!"

"Excuse me," Daunte interjected. "But I would like to be teleported to the Northern Wharf."

"Oh yes, I can send you there Lord Daunte!" Viki said, looking relieved when she saw him.

"Call Yuber," Pesmerga demanded.

"I have," Daunte said. "He's not answering me. If he's not answering me then it means he can't answer me. He's probably injured somewhere."

"Call him," Pesmerga insisted.

Daunte sighed heavily but looked towards the ceiling. "Yuber, come back here!"

One moment passed, and then another. Yuber did not appear. "Do you see? I've called him before and he came, even when he was upset with me. He'll come when he's recovered from the injuries he sustained in the attack."

"I will search for him," Pesmerga said sternly before turning on his heel and storming down the stairs.

"Right, the Northern Wharf?" Viki asked. "I'll get you there now!"

The group arrived in Sol-Falena several hours later long after the sun set. But Daunte could hear music and see lights and banners even far out from the harbor. As they drew closer he could hear laughing and cheering. Per usual they were met with an escort, but the escort were thrilled to see the two Princes with Daunte and sent word ahead that they were arriving.

"This is n-n-nice," Lysander stammered, smiling. "I haven't been to a festival s-s-s-s-since…" his expression drooped and his smile faded.

"There are still good times to be had," Daunte said. "Especially after the war is over."

Lysander forced a smile again and nodded. "T-Thank you, Daunte."

"There are Dragon Horses," Roen warned and Lysander flinched. "But they're cute so don't worry about them."

"O-Okay."

"I believe Kaylani and Taurion came down for the festival," Silvano said with a smile. "I'm looking forward to seeing them."

"I haven't been to this festival in years," Israfil said. "My work has always kept me busy."

"Did Elina come up for the festival?" Freyr asked Soturi. "Perhaps," was his reply.

"Oh, I love this festival!" Mokuren gushed, clinging to Surya's arm. "I can't wait to see the fireworks!"

"Oh, fireworks?!" Arin exclaimed. He grabbed Daunte's sleeve. "Brother, can we see the fireworks?! Please please please?!"

"Sure," Daunte responded.

"You're such a good big brother," Felicity teased.

When they arrived at the docks Daunte was stunned to see a large crowd already there cheering. Daunte's heart leapt into his throat as he recognized many of the faces standing at the front of the crowd. It's them! The children from the Dark Chasm!

Queen Lymsleia wasn't there to greet them but Freyjadour, Lyon, and Kaylani were. Before the royals could make their way towards them though, fifty children from the Dark Chasm broke from the crowd and raced towards them. Daunte's feet barely touched the dock when he was seized and crushed into multiple hugs. Everyone around him was screaming, cheering, and crying.

"Daunte!"

"You're here!"

"Look, Daunte! I've gained weight!"

"The family who's watching me is so wonderful!"

"This is because of you!"

"Thank you so much!"

Daunte felt tears sting his eyes as he greeted each hug and handshake. The children around him were no longer ashen-faced or emaciated. They had healthy complexions, heads full of hair, and all of them were either of healthy weight or slightly overweight. He couldn't be happier to see them.

Falena has taken such good care of them.

Daunte looked up and saw Freyjadour looking at him. Surya had joined his parents but was also smiling. "I-I," Daunte stammered. "I-I don't know how to thank you for this. This is—the care that you've given—I could never repay you for this."

Freyjadour smiled, and Daunte immediately felt at ease. After a moment though the Commander of the Queen's Knights shook his head at Daunte, but before he could say anything Lyon stepped forward and voiced what was undoubtedly his thoughts.

"There is nothing to repay after everything you did for us."

Silvano left the group to spend time with his wife and son. "Did Archana come with you?" Silvano had asked Kaylani.

Kaylani shook her head sadly. "Archana's mourning period is over but she's slowly adjusting to re-entering such activities."

"I see." Daunte thought he saw both Silvano and Kaylani look at Israfil sympathetically, but it happened so quickly that he couldn't be sure.

Princess Farrin and Princess Signe joined them eventually with Shoon, but the Crowned Princess quickly got into an argument with her twin when Farrin announced she wanted to walk around with Daunte alone. While the two royals were arguing (and their father was trying to mediate them) Daunte and his group took the opportunity to leave. As they were leaving he saw a young lady with straight black hair, dark eyes, and a stoic expression calmly break through the ranks of the Queen's Knights and bow to Soturi. Soturi responded with his own bow before turning his entire attention back to his charge.

"That's Elina, Soturi's fiancée," Surya explained.

"He didn't even say anything to her," Felicity said, sounding a little outraged.

"Oh, that's just how they are," Mokuren said reassuringly. "Soturi and Elina never do public displays of affection. They are both WAY too shy to even hold hands."

"Well, whatever makes them comfortable," Daunte said.

Roen, Lysander, and many of the children of the Dark Chasm spent a considerable amount of time at the docks with the Dragon Horses, while Daunte and his group wandered the city with more children from the Dark Chasm. All of them wanted to see Daunte and they all greeted him with hugs and many thanks. They were all very happy and Daunte couldn't help but feel happy with them.

Finally, the nightmare is behind us. Now I just have to win this war and the nightmare will be gone once and for all.

"Oi!"

Daunte's group had taken a break to eat panipuri at a stall when he heard this shout. It sounded closeby and directed towards him. He turned around to see a man in his forties with long chestnut brown hair racing towards him. His left eye was covered by his hair but he looked excited and he was dressed immaculately. As he cut through the crowd towards them, people around him cried out and pointed excitedly at him.

"Hey!" The man greeted them, stopping to catch his breath. A man and woman in his age group with magenta hair had followed him, but a large crowd formed behind the first man, temporarily blocking them off. "You're the people from Nagarea, right?"

"That's right," Daunte said. He looked at the excited crowd behind him chattering.

"That means you!" the man pointed at Surya. "Are Lyon's son! I would recognize you from anywhere, you look exactly like her!"

"I am," Surya said, his tone cautious. "Then you must be Roy?"

"That's right!" the man cheered, striking a pose. "I am Roy! The world famous actor who has worked with the likes of Nadir, Nāṭaka, and many more! Lyon must think highly of me if her son knows me!"

"You know Nadir and Nāṭaka?" Daunte asked

"Sure my mom has talked about you," Surya said bluntly. "She told me how you impersonated my father to commit petty crimes. And also about the time you put on a wig and pretended to be my dad and snuck into the women's—"

"Hey, hey, hey!" Roy quickly shushed him. "That was ages ago! I have a reputation to maintain!"

"Roy, can you help us?!" The woman who followed him shouted.

"Aw Faylen and Faylon!" Roy tsked as he turned around. "Don't you know how to navigate crowds after being famous for so long?!"

As soon as he announced his companion's names, the crowd promptly mobbed them, many of them screaming for autographs. Daunte felt sorry for them, but Roy turned around to face Daunte. "But I've branched into other areas besides acting. I've even written a series of plays based on the Falenan Civil War!"

"Oh really?" Felicity exclaimed, looking interested.

"Yeah, I have seven productions in total so far! My favorite play is a "what-if" scenario if I had taken on the murderous Childerich in combat! It's so epic, but of course for dramatic reasons I die after I best him!" Roy sighed dramatically. "It's of course a "what-if" production, because something so epic could not happen without dire consequences…"

"That does sound…dramatic," Daunte said.

"Yeah, it's my favorite play. But this one is my most popular one!" Roy frowned as he pulled a script from his satchel. "The Prince vs Gizel Godwin! It's so utterly predictable, but people love it! It must be because it stars the Prince!"

"Is it historically accurate?" Surya asked.

"Well yeah, sure. I don't want to risk the wrath of the Prince or—"

"May I please have a copy of this script?" Daunte asked.

"You want this one?" Roy asked, frowning in disapproval. "I mean, it is popular but I have better ones. Like my Me vs Childerich one—"

"We'll take this one, thanks," Surya said, pointing to the script Roy held.

Roy sighed dramatically. "If you insist…" he pushed the script into Daunte's arms. "But where is Lyon anyways? I would like to see—"

"ROY!" Faylen broke free from the crowd and tackled him to the ground. "HOW DARE YOU LEAVE US LIKE THAT?!"

"Faylen, calm down!" Faylon shouted feebly.

"We should go," Israfil said uneasily.

"Yeah, let's go," Daunte said.

Öt is based on the Mongolian Death Worm.