The stillness that descended on the camp was not a pleasant one. It held an air of anxiety, a deceitful breath of calm before the storm that would sweep through the discarded remnants of a hurried retreat. It crept through Kanae's bones and skirted across her nerves. The same feeling was reflected in the hollow faces of the men she passed. They all knew they were going to die. They had remained anyway.

She hurried to her destination, clutching the tree knot to her chest. She couldn't take it with her, not to the center of city. The miasma would kill whatever life was left of the tree and Twig. She would have to leave him behind, which meant finding someone that would run the second the fighting got too close. Someone that she may not like but could trust.

Kanae found them at Kyoko's gravesite.

The morning sun had just started to crest the horizon, backlighting the figure kneeling next to rock that had held Kyoko's body. Itsumi's head was bowed, hands clasped together in prayer.

Kanae stopped a few paces away, impatient for Itsumi to finish. The woman still wore her ridiculously elaborate shawl, the bright fringe standing out among the dreary backdrop of the massive gravesite. It might have been disrespectful except the woman literally didn't have anything else to cover her head.

Kanae cleared her throat.

Itsumi started, finally opening her eyes. "Oh, Kanae. I didn't realize you were there."

"I wasn't trying to sneak up on you." Kaene had been purposefully loud. "You're staying with the inhibitor, correct?"

"Yes. I'll be powering it the whole time, giving it some extra juice. Something about maximizing it's cleansing power or something." She gave a small shake of her head. "It was all they could find for me to do."

"Great." Kanae dug the root bulb from her chest pocket, holding it out to Itsumi. "Take this for me. It's the soul of the fig tree or something—and it has a dryad's soul as well. They'll need a new location to grow after all of this."

Itsumi took the bulb, wide-eyed, cradling it with open respect and awe.

"The tree's soulseed?" said Itsumi. "Why are you giving it to me?"

"The second the fighting gets too close, you'll be one of the few that makes a run for it. If I don't come back, you're the only person that can get it out of here and give Twig a second chance." The chance of her making it out of the caves was slim.

Itsumi's lips twisted in disgust. "Right," she said. "I'm assigned to run when I volunteered to stay."

Kanae raised an unimpressed eyebrow at the self-loathing in Itsumi's tone. "What, upset you don't get to 'play hero' like the rest of us?"

"Yes!" said Itsumi with such vehemence that it took Kanae aback. Itsumi's eyes were wide with a panicked fervor as she gesticulated at the air. "I can't just run! I took the oath as the dukedom's duchess. But no, I had to give that title back to let my dad run away with everyone else; and even when I stayed behind, I can't do that properly." Itsumi rounded on Kanae. "Why did I stay if I was just going to be told to run? Do they think I'm not ready to die like everyone else?"

"I didn't realize you wanted to die." Kanae would gladly help if Itsumi was really that driven.

"That's not it, I'm just…" Itsumi chewed her lip. "My home has been destroyed and my people have been driven from it or killed as they ran. Hundreds have died and all I can think about is—is the last time I saw him. His laughter when I said something funny, the warmth from where he kissed me…" Her hand stalled by her cheek, pain flashing in her expression. "People are dying, and I don't care—not nearly as much as I should, because the only thing that hurts is that he's gone."

The goddess knew why Itsumi had decided to have a breakdown in front of Kanae of all people, yet there she was, the little pampered duchess, spilling her insides. Since when did Kanae project any sense that she cared?

"I got so mad at Kyoko for the same thing," continued Itsumi. "In that dungeon, all she cared about was 'Cain this' and 'Cain that'. I'm such an idiot."

"You're both idiots," said Kanae, and Itsumi flashed her a hard stare. "Who cares why you're hurting? Those bastards took something precious from you."

"But I feel like such a bad person."

Kanae rolled her eyes. "I don't know why you even care about my opinion. So, you're selfish. Big deal. So is the rest of the world. Stop clinging to your pedestal and get to work. We don't have time for your whining."

Itsumi rolled her eyes. "How in the world did Kyoko tolerate you?" There was no heat in Itsumi's voice, a small smile tugging at her lips. She pulled a package from her pocket, the paper wrappings cracked and dirty, turning it over as she mulled over Kanae's words. "But I think I get what you're saying. I'm human, just like everyone else."

She placed the package on the ground next to a set of prayer runes and offerings spread out for the dead.

Kanae shifted, uncomfortable at the pity that Itsumi had managed to wiggle out of her asthe duchess clapped her hands together to offer another silent prayer. She'd never liked this dolled-up noblewoman—or women in general for that matter. They were always so superficial when it suited them. Spoiled. Vapid. Unwilling to act.

Kyoko had been different.

That Chiori woman had been all right, too, considering she'd given her life to save Kyoko.

"What is that anyway?" she said, nodding to the package Itsumi had placed on the ground.

"A wedding gift." Itsumi finished her prayer, remaining on her knees as she gazed at the empty stone. "Hikaru and I picked it out for Kyoko and Cain."

"What a surprise." And Kanae genuinely was surprised. "Didn't think the prince had the balls to propose."

"He did. They got married immediately. I officiated, and Hikaru witnessed."

Kanae couldn't help it. She barked out a laugh, the sound too loud, coming from some hidden stores buried deep within her.

"That silly love-averse woman managed to get engaged and married," said Kanae. "What a riot!" Her insides twisted and it took several forceful blinks to stop the pressure behind her eyes from spilling over. "Wish I could have been there."

"I wish for a lot of things." Itsumi's fingers brushed the prayer runes, tracing the carved stone as if she wasn't conscious of it. "I wish I had listened more to my teachers. I wish I had never accused Kyoko of being unfeeling. But most of all, I wish I could have told Hikaru how I felt, you know? I thought I loved him, but then I got to know him and… He was so different. I started to fall in love. For real, this time. I just wish I could have told him."

Her eyes moved toward the sky, voice thick as a stray tear trailed down her cheek. "We'll make them pay, won't we?" she whispered. "We'll make them pay for taking the ones we love away from us."

"That was always the plan, Brat." As if any this is for you. She wanted to squirm when Itsumi turned a hopeful gaze to her. It deepened her anger, added to the solid ball of tension sitting in her gut. Itsumi was good for that at least.

A soldier came to them a moment later, telling them they were ready to go.

To her surprise, Kanae and Itsumi ended up walking away from the gravesite together, Itsumi with her eyes on the ground, Kanae with hers focused on the horizon.

"You were Cain, right?"

Kuon's attention snapped back to the present. He had been dragging his feet in the sand, unaware of his surroundings as his mind wandered down memories. Now present, he could see that the army had traveled far enough away from the base of the hills that they were almost out of sight; if he squinted, he could just make out the hazy outline of the jagged peaks, running along one end of the horizon.

It had been a tough decision, but Kuu had decided that the army would hold their ground near the city. If Kuon and Kanae were able to get rid of the miasma, Kuu wanted the champions to be close enough to help take down the Dark Djinn. They wouldn't be able to do that if they had remained stationed near the hills. Sacrificing the protective terrain was a risky move that left the army exposed on all sides, but the whole situation was risky. There really wasn't any other option.

The vast majority of the citizens had left right after the funeral last night, crossing through the canyon pass and away from the fight. Kuon knew they'd have to take it slow with so many injured and still sick, but it should have been enough of a head start that they'd be safe. Kuu had ordered one of the inhibitors to be sent with them. Anyone who hadn't wanted to join the king on this insane mission had left long ago. He'd briefly seen Sho in that exiting party, one of the few that hadn't looked back.

That had left only those that wanted to fight. One of those men was Kuresaki. The general had managed to escape from Kemo's rage in the city, but this was the first time Kuon had spoken to him directly since.

"Are you listening?" snapped Kuresaki. "I said, 'you were Cain, right?'"

"Yes," said Kuon, focused on his surroundings again. "You didn't know?"

Kuresaki's eyebrows pulled together tighter in disapproval. "It's not like you made an announcement."

"I thought nearly killing my family and tearing off my relic was more than enough of an announcement," grumbled Kuon. He'd heard enough whispers to make his head hurt. It was part of the reason he'd allowed his focus to drift. It had nothing to do with his strength. Of course not.

Kuresaki continued, unfazed. "I wasn't there, and the number of rumors flying around you are hardly trustworthy."

The comment stung for some reason. "What do you mean by that?"

"You don't look that bothered by Kyoko's death."

Kuon stopped dead.

The men behind him swerved to avoid colliding with him, muttering curses before noticing who he was and scurrying away. Kuresaki stopped as well, unashamed as he searched Kuon's expression.

"You think I'm unaffected?" Kuon's voice sounded strange to his ears.

"Less so than what I expected," said Kuresaki. "I believe the stories that Cain went on a rampage, nearly destroying the people around him. He was volatile. Passionate. His whole world revolved around Kyoko."

"Then you weren't listening." Kuon started walking again, passing Kuresaki. "Relics and their contracts with the Djinn amplify negative emotions." After years of fighting its effects, he'd gotten a better at handling himself.

"I see." Kuresaki kept pace beside him again. "Excuse me, I didn't mean to offend you." Not that it ever stopped you in the past. "Just found it strange. I knew Cain had to have been someone with high levels of authority and experience in politics; I'm just surprised it turned out to be you behind it all. You seem very well put together comparatively."

"Is that what it looks like?" said Kuon, his voice quiet. He wondered how many other people misinterpreted his silence as Kuresaki had.

Then he found he didn't care.

They kept walking, the soldiers around them marching with little chatter. Eventually, Kuresaki drifted away to join the other generals. The city was in sight, and it was time to settle on a location for their final stand.

Kuon wound his way through the men, heading toward his father.

"You sure you want to do this?"

Kanae glanced back at Shin. She had been standing away from the other generals, watching as tents went up in preparation for the battle. She'd spotted Itsumi ducking into the largest tent, where the inhibitor was most likely to be placed. It had honestly surprised her how many had been willing to stay, despite the inevitability of their defeat. Perhaps she needed to reassess some of their spines.

"Do what?" she said.

"Go into the caves." Shin stuffed his hands into his pockets, standing beside her as they continued to watch. "Kuon can act as plenty of a distraction for Hiroaki. The Accursed know you can survive the miasma. They might be looking for you."

"All the more reason for me to go." If they were looking for someone, then she'd be there to confirm their suspicions. It was the best way to take the heat off Hiroaki to find the reverse inhibitor.

Shin gave her an unimpressed frown. "I don't like it. They'll probably kill you if you go down there."

There was little "probably" about it. She was as likely to die as Kuon, considering her injuries. While she could offer support with magic, her physical capabilities were severely hampered.

"I'll manage," she said.

Shin gave an exasperated sigh, his joviality dampening. "Let me rephrase that. I'm afraid you don't care if they do."

Kanae gave him a sharp look. "Excuse me?"

"I've already got my cousin jumping off the cliff," said Shin. "I don't want you following."

"Is that what you think this is? Everyone following Kuon off the cliff?"

He held up his hands in surrender. "That's not what I meant."

"Wasn't it? You think I'm as suicidal as he is."

"So we agree he's suicidal, then?"

"What happened to 'not stopping' me?"

"I just want you to remember to come back." He looked tired, less so from a physical standpoint and more from an emotional one. She didn't like how it looked on him. In her mind, Shin should always have been frivolous and smiling and a general nuisance at every turn.

Finally, it hit her.

"You think we'll survive this?" she said, incredulous. "Shin, if I don't go into the caves, I'm more likely to doom the entire kingdom."

"I've always been optimistic." He put his hand on hers and threaded their fingers together. She accepted the gesture, their hands hanging between them, connected and strong. Something about it helped as she felt tension bleed out of her through the grasp. "Just don't forget you have someone to come back to."

It struck her how honest he was with her. How quickly and how often he threw down his walls in her presence, especially compared to before. She wasn't sure why, but she liked the idea that she was the cause of it.

For a moment, the ever-burning rage that had taken residence in her heart lessened.

She turned to answer but stopped when she saw Kuon coming toward them. Her anger flared once more.

He looked like they'd already lost.

It was typical at this point for Kanae's fierce glare to be directed at him. It didn't mean that Kuon was used to it, or that he appreciated it.

"Are you ready?" said Kuon. "How are your injuries?"

"Fine," she spat. Beside her, Shin gave him an annoyed glare.

Kuon frowned. What's that for? All I literally did was show up.

He noticed their clasped hands and—

—oh.

He'd interrupted a moment between them.

"I'll leave you two be," he said awkwardly, but Kanae shook her head.

"No point. The king is making his way over here with Hiroaki."

Sure enough, the king strode toward them in his full battle regalia. Rosa's glorious form was emblazoned on his silver chest piece, a red cloak thrown over one shoulder. His sword hilt was strapped to his side, the blade empty, ready to be formed with light magic during the battle. Beside him, Hiroaki looked laughably underwhelming. His cloak was drab and ragged, head bent to watch where he walked. He looked like a wilting flower, dying under the hot glare of the sun. Perfect.

"Did you manage to install the spell?" said Kanae.

Hiroaki nodded, spinning a plain bracelet with a single emerald around his wrist. "I think so. It was fairly complicated to do in such a short time but… yes. Duke Takarada said I was undetectable."

What spell?

Kanae noticed his confused look. "The cloaking spell. The one I picked up from the dryad."

Handy, that. Even more so that Kanae had been the one to witness the dryad using it. Her ability to memorize even complex patterns and spells at a glance was invaluable.

"We're still setting up here," said Kuu. "But I think it would be best if you guys get a move on. The sooner you take down the Djinn, the sooner we can come to your aid."

And the fewer people that will die in the fight.

"Alright," said Kuon, and Hiroaki groaned. "We just need a few supplies—"

"—got 'em," said Kanae, holding up a small pouch. "We should be all set."

There was nothing more to hold them back. It was almost abrupt, like he hadn't really been preparing for it mentally. Kanae grabbed Hiroaki's arm, dragging the man forward and shouting a grumpy goodbye to Shin. The man didn't look put out by the indifferent dismissal. They'd likely already had their goodbyes.

"Son…"

Kuon didn't know how he managed it, but he met his father's eyes. They were red-rimmed and shimmering. It was easier than Kuon expected to reach forward and give his dad a hug.

His father tightened the desperate embrace, arms shaking.

"The second that inhibitor gets fixed," said Kuu, "you send that signal. I'll come running."

"Not a second later."

He broke away from the hug, gave his father one last nod, then turned and walked toward the city walls. Kanae and Hiroaki stood a distance away, wrists tied together by a strong gold rope. The cloaking spell was strong enough that once in use, Hiroaki wouldn't be able to detect her presence. Kanae could, thanks to her experience with the dryad, but to help Hiroaki be comfortable they'd decided to tie themselves together.

"We're applying the spell now," said Kanae, holding up her own bracelet. "In case they're watching us as we approach."

Kuon nodded; the next second, both Kanae and Hiroaki disappeared.

He blinked in surprise. He'd expected to have some sort of inkling they were there, but it really was like they'd vanished. He couldn't detect even a hint of magic.

Now, feeling alone even when he knew he wasn't, he started toward the city. He could only see himself, walking across the empty space toward the city walls that slowly got taller and taller. A smoky haze covered Mosall, drifting up into the sky and obstructing the sun.

"Hiroaki, the second you feel sick, let us know," said Kuon to the open air. "There's no need to push yourself and die out here if it doesn't work."

No one answered him. It was like he'd talked to the air.

A powerful ache grew in his stomach. He'd carried the feeling ever since seeing Kyoko's body, but now that he was alone, he had no other buffers to lessen it. His steps slowed and his head spun. No. He couldn't let this get to him now.

"Thank you," he said to the open air. "For coming with me."

There was no answer, but it didn't deter him. He imagined Kanae scoffing and telling him to shut up; or worse, repeating all the words she'd thrown at him when he'd lost control and she'd fought him.

"You think you're the only one that loved her?"

He swallowed hard. "I know you blame me for everything." The goddess knew he blamed himself. "But this is the only way I can make it right. I can't change what I've done."

Still no answer.

He opened his mouth to say something else–likely to spill even more of his feelings—but a shushing sound came from his left.

"Monsters," said Kanae's voice.

She was right. Echidnas slithered on the bellies of their snake-like lower half, leaving a long trail in the sand. What looked like normal men stood almost still against the wall, patches of their skin trailing sand and dark runes etched onto their foreheads. Even as he noticed the sand colossus, undead skeletons marched up in the rafters under the watchful eye of a necromancer, bone bows in hand. Kuon was close enough that it was impossible that the monsters hadn't seen him.

Why aren't they attacking?

He kept his pace steady, keeping an eye out for any sudden movements as the miasma wall came ever closer. With each step, the feeling of wrongness within him grew. Ah, now this is familiar. He slowed, not for his sake, but for Hiroaki's. If the man couldn't handle the miasma, he'd feel a tug on his sleeve.

There was no tug. The monsters did not attack. There was nothing to stop him from moving forward.

Kuon kept walking, the miasma swallowing him up as he entered the city.

Desert stretched around her. Endless pale gold met the almost white sky in a hazy heat wave, but there was something wrong about it. Sand fell from random places in the sky and there were two suns. The air didn't feel hot, despite the two suns blazing overhead and the smell of crisp sand in her nostrils. She didn't flinch as wind kicked up sand in her direction, the particles passing through her.

Okay, that's strange. Where even am I?

She looked down at herself, wondering if there was some clue that could help identify how she had gotten there. She wore nothing but a plain white dress and a quick pluck at her hair showed short feathery black strands.

Something caught the corner of her eye.

It was some sort of doorway made of light cut directly in the air. The room beyond was so brightly lit she could only make out the outline of shadowy figures within. She put a hand over her eyes to shield them from the light, creeping closer to get a better look.

With each step, the figures within were thrown into sharp relief, their names popping into her head as she identified their faces.

Maru. Yuki. Dorr. Hidehito Kijima.

A feminine figure appeared, short dark brown hair framing their face. Those wide eyes met hers and she gave a sly grin.

Chiori.

Her whole chest ached. Why did these names and faces make her feel like this? What was happening?

There were other figures beyond them. Other names that popped into her head that were tied to emotions and memories that threatened to solidify but never managed to do so. They taunted her. Made her ache to understand just who they were.

She took another step. The entrance was within arm's reach, but she didn't move closer. Something tugged at her, pulled her in the other direction, called her away from those people.

What am I forgetting?

Another figure appeared in the doorway. Their form focused, and coalesced, until she knew it—knew him—every feature and part of him.

She gasped, tears springing to her eyes.

Dad.

He smiled. The usual weariness that lined his face was gone, replaced with pure joy. His hair was shorter than she remembered, swept back and showing off a more youthful face. He cradled a crystal aster in his hands, the blue glittering flower perfect and whole in his palm.

Home. That was what greeted her in his expression. The feeling overwhelmed her, and she lifted her foot, forgetting the other pull that told her to stop. It didn't matter. Nothing mattered but grabbing him and burying her face in his chest and feeling his solid arms around her. She was his little girl again, wanting nothing more than her father's love and the peace that came immediately in his presence.

She was an inch away from the entrance.

An arm blocked her.

She froze, looking up at the person that had stopped her. It was a man, youthful and bright-eyed, with flyaway brown hair and a kind face. His garb was different from the others; military in design and trimmed with red. A golden phoenix adorned one shoulder and she thought she saw the glint of a sword by his hip. He also looked more solid than the others. More tangible.

He smiled at her, the sincerity obvious in his kind eyes, but she thought she saw something sad in them too.

"Not yet," he said. "Go back, Lady Kyoko. We will be here when it's time. But not yet. There are others that still need you. Go back."

Kyoko.

My name.

She gasped at the realization, memories and emotions flooding her. She stumbled back a few steps, squeezing her eyes shut against the barrage of information. It was too much. Her soul suddenly felt whole and sure, no longer confused, no longer stripped. It was only then, with that juxtaposition, that she realized how detached she had felt in this strange place.

The memories continued to assault her. She let them come, washing through her soul like rain on the riverbanks until she was thoroughly soaked with the person they restored.

Kyoko opened her eyes.

The doorway was gone, and with it, the man that had stopped her from walking through. Tears pricked her eyes, though she didn't understand why. She still had no idea where she was or how she had gotten here. All she could remember was the Djinn holding Hikaru by the essence and—

—the man who had stopped her.

"Hikaru!" she called out. "Dad? Where are you guys?"

Nothing answered her. The space was empty of anything. She pressed her palms to eyes, fighting the swirl of emotions within her.

Think, Kyoko! She mentally berated herself. Where am I? What do I know?

She knew there was some sort of pull. Something that had not wanted her to go through that passage. It had been pleasant—inviting, even. It had promised a warmth and life just as surely as the opposing pull to the doorway leading to her father. It couldn't have been a bad thing.

She lowered her hands.

I've been here before.

It had been a dream, once—but not one of hers. It had been one of Rosa's. That place was tied to the demi-goddess. How Kyoko had gotten there or what her presence meant were still mysteries, but she at least knew something: that pull away from the doorway, that warm and inviting pull of life—that had to be Rosa.

With a goal in sight, Kyoko allowed that pull—allowed Rosa—to guide her, walking in a seemingly random direction in the endless desert. As before, she had barely scaled a few sand dunes before a large structure appeared like magic right before her.

The palace didn't feel as odd to her now, though just as cold and alone. She crossed the sands to the front gates in a blink of an eye. Her steps echoed in the empty antechamber, the glow that had once emanated from inside the walls dimmed and dark. She finally made it to the throne room, pushing the door open.

The last time she'd been there, the throne room had been empty, with no rugs or furniture or any sort of royal trappings. Only Rosa's small flame had sat in the center of the room, flickering like a dying light.

That was no longer the case. If the rest of the palace was an empty husk, the throne room now brimmed with life.

It seemed to be lit from within the walls, throwing relief across ornate tapestries and elaborate latticework. Banners and silk draped from floor to ceiling, fluttering in the hot air that somehow smelled both of home and of comfort. Torches as high as Kyoko's chest formed a perfect wide circle around the middle of the room, and right in the center sat a young girl with short red hair.

She looked up at Kyoko's entrance, her eyes a glittering gold with magic dancing in the iris. Her face was kind, cute, and even though Kyoko had never seen her actual face, she knew her at first sight.

Rosa gave a wide cherubic smile.

"Hello, Kyoko," she said. "I'm glad you chose to stay."

Thanks for reading!

And a happy new year to you all. Let's hope that this time I finish this monster! Haha. Hope everyone has a better year and we all get out of the house a little more.

Also, I think my favorite part of this chapter was the first scene with Kanae and Itsumi. Or maybe seeing Hikaru again. I love him. I'm so mad I killed him. And yes, yes, you all were right, Kyoko is still alive. Or is she? I don't know, you'll have to find out. :D

You guys are great and the best. Thank you so much for holding out with the sporadic updates. I will continue to take care of myself and try really really hard not to throw stuff at work. Until I see you next chapter! I'm not dead, I promise. I just can't keep up my online presence as much as I'd like to.

-Blushweaver

Happy New Year! I am so proud of you guys for not sending threatening notes to Blushy for taking so long to write. I can only assume it's because you read Skip Beat…so you're already used to waiting!

-Imouto

Happy New Year also from Mr. Blushweaver, co-editor! She's really outdone herself this time around, and even if I can't keep up with the world-building, I have no doubt she's got this whole thing sorted out…and you guys are in for a ride, believe me!