Third Party
"What's happening?" Koharu questioned as the ground shook.
"We'll talk later. Let's move somewhere safe." Kakeru responded.
As he said this, there was another quake. Masamune grimaced, "It won't be safe to enter the tower like this… Hurry!"
By the time they came to a stop, they were before a large building. Leo recalled that they said it was a library.
"You hide in here." Kakeru said as he patted Koharu's shoulders.
"That's a good idea." Masamune nodded.
"O-okay!" Koharu said before the two rushed off.
Leo looked around before seeing something dart into one of the towers. He narrowed his eyes in silence before he spoke, "Xander. I think those shadows are here…"
As he said this, they were interrupted as Koharu gasped, "The peach tree…"
Suddenly, she started taking off for the tower!
"Koharu, wait!" he shouted.
However, the girl didn't hear him once again.
After having been brought back for the umpteenth time by Mikoto, Takumi watched as her mother ushered her sole daughter away to a room quickly with Nijou and his mother. He raised a brow, "What's going on?"
"They're here for Kuga and Sakuya."
He turned as he heard Mozu gasped. His eyes widen upon the scene. Walking through the hall was Kamui and Corrin!
"Kamui! Corrin!" Takumi smiled before he raised a brow, "They're here for her?"
"Toya and the others." Corrin answered, "Right now, there's Toya, Kakeru, Ron, Kagami, Heishi, and Akito."
"The ship we're on with them can tell where the espers are." Kamui explained, "It found Mikoto in town leaving her home."
Takumi sighed, "Why am I not surprised? She's been doing this for a long time. She just won't stay still."
As he grumbled, Corrin smiled, "Since Heishi has been a traveling musician, he's always on the move."
Takumi shook his head, "Yeah, well-"
He then saw Mikoto now with long hair and in unusual clothing walk out with Nijou in the same attire as when his mother first found him. Toya walked out from the door to the guest room greeting her and Nijou. Kamui smiled, "Guess they're coming along."
Heishi soon appeared and gave them a wide smile and hearty wave surprising the two.
"Finally…" Takumi sighed and followed the group out the door.
At the entrance, they stopped as they watched Mikoto and Nijou bid their own parents farewell. He noticed the strict air between Mikoto and her parents while Nijou's mother was close to tears. There was no display of a sad farewell or hugs between the parents and the children. A strict household was all he could think of. AS he watches, he was reminded of when he was younger with Queen Mikoto. When he went out of his first expedition with his siblings. Hugs and worry like a real mother. Well, she is a real mother in his eyes. As they left for town, he turned around once more and saw her mother now slightly in tears as the parents continued to remain at the gates till they could no longer be seen. Perhaps there was some form of affection in the cold household.
"K-Kuga!"
Mozu was running after Kuga when Takumi found the girl. Obviously, she had raced through the ship to get to the tower once again. As another quake assumed, she stopped at an intersect, "It's from above?!"
Nijou hurried over to her, "You all right? Your magical barrier can't be broken; don't worry."
However, the girl still began to run. Nijou tired to stop her, "Mikoto!"
She turned around, "Stay here! I'll check the situation from the top floor."
As she said this, Heishi arrived nearly out of breath with Kamui.
As he began to use his ability once more, he frowned, "Is there more than one opponent? So many people's thoughts are mixed up."
Takumi frowned, "Could Sakura be here too?"
However, when he looked back, Mikoto had already gone. He clicked his tongue, "Damn it! Kuga!"
"She's gone to the top floor!" Mozu answered.
The two hurried after the esper to the tower when they saw that Nijou and Orochi was following closely behind.
At the top, Takumi found Mikoto with her abilities at work as she checked on the barrier.
"Kuga!" He shouted jumping over the gap to the other floor, "You…"
"The barrier looks fine." She noted when another quake occurred.
He quickly grabbed her steady. She nodded in gratitude and said, "This much impact… Is it possible that my magical barrier was broken?"
"Do you have a special ability?"
Takumi looked up and saw the familiar figure.
From afar, Mozu gasped, "Natushiko! He's all-"
However, the man pulled out his gun and shot it at Mikoto, but the esper quickly pulled up her barrier. Takumi grimaced, "Don't forget! He's not with them at this point in time!"
"O-Oh…" Mozu frowned, "I forgot…"
"So, you're the one that can create a magical barrier." Natsuhiko said.
"As long as I'm here, I owon't let you touch this ship!" Mikoto declared.
"One girl can deflect the attack, huh?" Natsuhiko noted quietly, "I should definitely get my hands on the power of the magical barrier."
"What do you mean?" Mikoto muttered as she took a step back.
"I'll show you how to use your power correcetly." He said as he took a step forward, "Come with me."
"I won't accept an invitation from a barbarian so easily." Mikoto answered, "I received a much better education than that!"
"An invitation?" Natsuhiko questioned in confusion, "If that's how I sounded, I'll rephrase it. Come with me, or I'll bring down the ship. This is an order. If the next blow penetrates the center of the ship, it will come down."
As he said this, they could see a fish like ship flying around the top. Mozu quivered, "It was better when Natsuhiko was our ally…"
Takumi grimaced as he looked about, "It'll be all right. In the present, he is. He can't see us right now. So, don't worry."
"I'll create a magical barrier that surrounds the entire ship before it falls." Mikoto rebuked, "I won't let you do whatever you want."
"Poor woman." Natsuhiko said quietly, "You don't even know that you're the disaster yourself."
Those words surprised Takumi and Mozu as Mikoto said quietly in the same bewilderment, "What… are you talking about?"
"If you can't follow my order, then I'll have to get rid of you…" he announced before he glanced over to Takumi and Mozu, "or your friends."
Takumi's eyes widen in shock, "H-He can see us?!"
"This isn't a bluff." Natsuhiko said as he pointed the gun at her once more.
"Mikoto!"
They looked up in surprise as they saw Nijou appear from the tower with Orochi.
"Another one with ability?!" Natsuhiko grimaced and pointed the gun at him.
"Nijou!" Orochi called out to him.
"Sakuya!" Mikoto screamed and quickly formed another barrier blocking the attack.
He looked up from his defense position, "I'm fine."
However, when they looked back, the guy was gone.
"Who's he?" Nijou asked.
However, Takumi saw the man run across the path from afar and quickly ran after him, "Mozu! Keep watch of Kuga! I'll be right back!"
As he raced off, he was finally catching up to the man in time to hear him order, "Shoot from point-blank range and bring down this ship."
"All right, as you wish." A laid-back tone could be heard from the device in the man's ear.
Takumi looked to where Natsuhiko had turned and saw a ship from one off the cracked walls with large tubes glowing purple, but that wasn't all. He grimaced, "What is she doing?!"
"Prince Xander!" the archer screamed, "Get Koharu out of there!"
The two prince looked up to him with surprised looks as he continued, "He's going to attack there!"
He couldn't tell what they thought as they hurried after the pink hair girl. However, it was too late. Koharu had already reached there looking up to the peach tree.
"Good. The peach tree is unharmed." She sighed in relief with a bright smile.
However, the scene began to glow purple as she looked up and saw a ship before her with glowing weapon.
"Koharu!" The crown prince shouted.
But, the missiles had already fired. Leo was ready to scream when he saw a crystal form from her chest. His eyes widen in surprise! She was going to use her abilities again! Her hands put out before her triangular shapes floated about as a floral red circle appeared before her. It seemed to have caught the attack at first before engulfing it in flames that shot out. When it was over, they saw that the trees were burnt down as they saw Natsuhiko jump out of the crevice.
"She's the pyrokinetic?!"
They turned around and saw Takumi stare at them in surprise.
He sighed and shook his head, "She's the one who forgot her name, right?..."
"She was." Xander replied, "She recalled it before the attack began."
As Takumi raised a brow, Leo sighed, "Let's just say that she fell into the water…"
When they looked back, Koharu was already on the top floor of the burnt orchard of what was once peach trees. As she picked on up in deep thoughts, Leo looked over the edge of the fence and saw the damage that had been done. Parts of the wall had been destroyed. There's been smoke coming out from the floor above. In all, it didn't seem as bad as they feared since the ship didn't start falling from the sky. He turned to Takumi, "This was done by Natsuhiko?"
Takumi nodded as he folded his arms, "Not by himself, at least. He's working with someone and that person was the one who shot her just now. They were communicating with this device in his ear. There's also something I should tell everyone later."
Xander raised a brow as Takumi continued, "Natsuhiko saw me and Mozu just now."
Leo frowned, "Seriously? Why-"
"Koharu!"
They turned and saw Kakeru and Masamune run up past them to Koharu.
"Kakeru…" Koharu turned and saw them.
"I was surprised you weren't there." Kakeru said as he gasped, "You're not hurt?"
"Yes. I'm fine." Koharu replied before turning to the orchard, "But… the peach tree…"
Masamune walked up as his eyes laid on the scene, "It's awful."
"I'm sorry!" Koharu shouted as she bowed deeply.
"It's not your fault." Kakeru patted her shoulders, "I'm just glad you're okay."
He smiled, "Next time, don't disappear without telling us, alright?"
"Okay." Koharu replied quietly with eyes to the ground.
"Is everyone alright?!"
They looked up and saw Mikoto and Mozu running up followed by Nijou and Orochi.
"Yeah! We're fine." Kakeru responded.
"That woman…" Takumi sighed as he finally took a seat on the steps to the burnt orchard.
"Good." Masamune nodded, "Let's get everyone to check the damages."
As they left, Leo felt like wanting to scold the esper when he recalled that this was all part of their past. Even if he were to scold her, it's not like she would even remember any of it. Things were certainly better when she does remember in reality. As he looked over to the prince of the other kingdom, he got the feeling he wasn't the only one feeling this way with their esper.
Mikoto stayed as everyone began to gather around the damages analyzing them. As Kamui looked about the burnt scene, he grimaced, "This…"
Takumi was quiet. Uncertain if he should reveal the woman's ability to his sibling when he knew that it was most likely the reason why she no longer remember her own name.
"So, you're just going to lie there?" Niles questioned with a raised brow.
Ron didn't respond as Niles finally shrugged and walked away. Ron's behavior certainly surprised them from the one person that was motivated to help to the one person who just lies back and lazes around during chores.
"We were attacked from outside, yet almost no debris is found inside." Mikoto noted in suspicion, "Why?"
"Missy…" Kagami called out to her as he leaned against the damaged wall, "Don't you already know the answer to that?"
"Mikoto's ability depends on her health and mental state." Nijou spoke, "When we were attacked, your condition was as usual."
"Your magical barrier was working properly." Kagami said, "So, it wasn't broke by the attack from outside."
"Right." Mikoto replied.
"If that's the case, then…" Kagami smiled and waved a hand.
Their eyes widen as Camilla, who stood next to the group, "A spy…"
Corrin who heard this frowned and looked to the others.
"A spy, huh?" Leo frowned.
There was an uncomfortable silence as everyone looked to each other.
"What?!"
Heishi was up in his seat as he heard this. After the investigation, everyone gathered around the patio once more. This time, Akito and Senri had a seat in one of the chairs. Not a person was missing.
"This was an inside job?" he asked as he crossed his arms.
Heishi lightly slammed the table, "But some were actually attacking us from a small ship."
"I hate to think this way, but someone among us may have been connected to that man." Mikoto said.
"No…" Heishi held his breath.
"There was an uncomfortable silence as Masamune spoke, "Mikoto, the person who attacked us, what did he look like?"
"It was a man." She replied, "He had a type of gun that I'd never seen before. I think it's different from our ability."
"What's going on?" Heishi complained, "The orchard is all burned too."
Leo, who stood from afar like everyone else, could see Koharu look down. It seemed he wasn't the only one as Kamui whispered in confusion, "Koharu?"
There was a chuckle as Heishi looked to Ron, "What is it, Ron?"
"No," Ron smiled, "I just thought we were lucky."
"What?" Heishi raised a brow.
"If the enemy just wanted to kill us, then all they had to do was attack where we would all be together." Nanami said.
Ron chuckled.
"So you're saying they're after something else?" Nijou said with a frown.
"To identify the ones with ability?" Kakeru said in a dark tone.
"But what for?" Mikoto asked in suspicion.
"Toya," Akito spoke up, "have you already reported this incident to The World?"
"Yeah." The esper nodded, "I've been told we should handle it ourselves."
"They don't want us bringing any trouble, huh?" Akito slammed the table in frustration.
"Take it easy." Kagami said from the bench around the table, "It's not so bad as long as you imagine that we're being ordered by a beautiful lady."
Keaton raised a brow as Camilla just smiled. Xander could only recall his retainer with a frown as he noted mentally not for the two to leave camp together again.
"Either way," Masamune spoke up, "we all have special abilities, so we need to solve small incidents like this ourselves and use our powers for peace. That's what we were told when we were gathered by The World."
After some silence once more, Heishi finally sighed, "What should we do?!"
"I know!" Kakeru said as he got up, "In order to decide what measures we need to take…"
Suddenly, a yellow bird in a maid outfit jumped onto the table as Kakeru continued, "We should eat!"
The roll of paper the bird held opened to reveal the words, 'Today's Menu'.
"What?" Leo raised a brow.
"Again?!" Takumi groaned as he took a seat on the bench.
Xander raised a brow and looked to Corrin who smiled, "Xander, Leo, this is a Hiyoko."
Leo walked over to it and took a closer look in confusion as Masamune sighed, "Well, Kakeru is correct. Let's talk about this at the cafeteria instead."
As they all got up to leave, Leo looked to Corrin who wore a strained smile, "He's always like this… It seems."
As they entered the room. There was a separate table and the smell of food wafted to their nose. In the kitchen was another Hiyoko in a chef's suit and wore a metal bowl over its head scooping out rice into the bowls while it sit on a perch. The maid one took it and slid down a long cloth stretching to the table top. Heishi exclaimed as he took a seat around one of the tables, "Wow! It looks good!"
Not feeling up to it, Leo walked out with a sigh. Though they said that they'd feel hunger again and can interact with some things around here. He didn't feel like eating.
"I'm going to take a look around." He told his siblings.
"Well, all right?" Kamui raised a brow.
As he took a seat outside, he looked to the lake. It felt weird to be feeling huger and eat in a dream like this. He wondered why they were doing this and what was going on. They weren't even suppose to be feeling hunger in a place like this. As he thought this, a breeze blew through as he watched the trees move with it. He raised a brow as he noticed something move in the distance, "That's-!"
It was a figure in a gray hood. It opened the door and walked into the library. His eyes widen as he rushed out down the steps and onto the path.
"Prince Leo?"
He heard his retainer call out to him as he hurried. He raced down the path around the lake and didn't stop till he found himself before the doors of the library. He pushed it open and saw the figure. It turned around with a gasp.
"Who are you?!" Leo called out to him as he noticed the man had reacted to his presence.
However, vines and branches formed between them and, when it retreated, the man was gone. Leo grimaced as he made his way to it.
"Prince Leo."
Leo looked back and saw Niles standing behind him. They knew they witness something that was definitely not part of the esper's past.
When they returned, they saw that the espers were now holding the meeting once more with sweets on the side. Leo, however, turned to Kamui, "Kamui, Corrin."
The brother turned to him, "Leo?! What happened?"
Corrin's eyes widen, "You looked like you've been training while you were gone!"
With eyes on him, Leo sighed, "No. But, we saw something outside just now. And I can assure you it can't be part of their past."
Xander frowned, "What do you mean?"
"There was a man in a hood outside just now." Leo answered catching many attention, "I saw him enter the library, but, when I called out to him, someone used magic and stopped me with a power similar to what Bynhildr can do."
"Summon vines and branches…" Camilla narrowed her eyes and looked to Kakeru at the table now saying that they should form pairs to watch over one another for other's safety and their own.
Kamui nodded, "He's the only one who can summon plants right now. But, if it's him, how is he doing this? When he's…"
They looked back to the man as the girls chose their partners for their pairs. As Kakeru was paired with Koharu, Kamui frowned, "We need someone to keep an eye on him, just in case."
"We'll also need to keep an eye out for that man." Hinoka frowned.
"Then, what if I go look for our visitor?" Camilla smiled, "There's been little attacks from the shadow since arriving on board."
Kamui shook his head, "We don't know anything about the man, Camilla. If we send one of us out, who knows what would happen."
Corrin frowned, "We should try and find out a little more about the person before we start. That person went to the library before Leo caught him. We should see what he wants from there."
Kamui nodded, "We should take a look at what he wants from there."
Leo frowned, "Then, a couple of us can go there and search."
"I can go!" Elise shouted with a smile.
"No, Elise." Camilla responded, "Kamui is right. We know nothing about the man. It would be dangerous to send you there. Stay with Senri."
Leo nodded, "Just because he doesn't leave the house doesn't mean he won't be in danger should something happen."
Kamui was in thought for a while before he spoke up, "We don't we send Kaze?"
Though the ninja bowed, Leo raised a brow, "All right. I was actually thinking of sending Niles as well, but that'd leave Ron b- Huh? Wait…"
They looked to him in confusion.
"Leo?" Corrin asked, "What's wrong?"
After some thoughts, Leo answered, "Niles said that Ron doesn't have an ability… Also… isn't Ron working under Natsuhiko for certain reason?"
The idea donned on many as they stared at the man eating the cooked fish. Takumi sighed, "Laid-back, huh? I'm more surprised how some of us even forgotten that."
In the end, Kaze and Niles was chosen for the job of investigation while Takumi would keep watch of Ron from afar. Since Nanami is suppose to be watched over by Azura, it wasn't much of a problem as they were all onboard. Kaden then kept an eye on Kakeru. So, everyone now has a new job temporarily. Regardless, Takumi still was too pleased to have switched from a bossy woman to a carefree man who naps all day. However, what did surprised him that day was-
"Who are you?"
He looked up and saw Ron looking at him from the grass he was sleeping on. Heishi, who had been finishing, looked up, "Who's who?"
Kamui looked over to Takumi in surprise. Takumi could only raise a brow and answer, "Takumi."
Ron watched him blankly as Kamui patted Heishi's shoulder for a quick explanation. Ron yawned and shrugged, "So Niles is gone now."
Takumi nodded, "He had something to do. I'm only taking his place temporarily."
"Huh." Ron watched him in question.
After some silence, he understood as he continued with a sigh, "Something happened so we need his help."
Finally, Ron nodded and laid back down as a snore was later heard.
"Seriously?!" Heishi groaned, "I can't fish alone, Ron!"
However, the man continued to sleep. Takumi shook his head and sat down again from afar as he glanced over to Corrin. Obviously, the magic is starting to distort or something.
Mozu watched Mikoto looking from one book to another in silence as she had her own opened. She was in awe with the large stack of books the woman went through and the size of them as she was reading one about fairytales, just because. Orochi was trying to grab hold of other books, but a majority of them were untouchable. It was difficult hearing the two talk about a promise she doesn't know about. She wondered why Kagami didn't need to have a partner in comparison to everyone else.
"This is bullshit. Who would wanna pair up with her?" Akito grumbled loud enough for them to hear.
"Akito…" Hinoka sighed as she shook her head.
"Hey, Akito!" Heishi called out to him, "Stop complaining about what's already been decided."
"I'm just being honest." Akito replied with a grumble, "Besides, no matter what I say, she wouldn't care. She doesn't feel anything."
As they walked over, Ron spoke up, "Don't you wanna say anything back to him?"
"No matter how much he makes those peep sounds, it doesn't resonate with me." She replied.
Akito turned to her and shouted, "When did I make peep sounds?!"
Suddenly, there were peep sounds made below their gaze as the color drained from Akito's face. He looked down to see one Hiyoko with blue clothing and the other with a blue cap and green shirt. As they moved closer to him making the sounds, Akito jumped back startling, "Wh-What are they?! I'm going back to my room!"
As he ran off, Heishi sighed and shook his head, "Are you really okay being paired up with him?"
"It's fine." She replied.
"Tell me if anything goes wrong." Heishi said, "Don't hold everything to yourself."
"Okay." Nanami nodded, "Well, then."
As she left, Azura watched on in silence before following. After making their way to the gate of the house, Azura finally asked, "Why did you pick him, Nanami?"
There was silence as Azura quietly thought of the situation. Though she had taken the precious memories, wouldn't Akito be the one to watch her instead? She quietly thought in silence taking in the ideas she thinks was possible in her mind, but nothing came to mind. She watched Nanami helplessly without any thought of what to tell the young girl.
As Koharu and Kakeru walked down the steps, Xander and Kaden watched from afar as Kaden grumbled, "It was quite fun around Felicia, though… But, if Kamui and Corrin asks me…"
The other was quietly watching as his brother had gone to check on their youngest sister. With Senri still having problems stepping outside, Toya was having problems getting Senri out. Leo, fed up with it all, finally went down with the only key in hand and checking on their sister. As he watched the two interact, it wasn't two hard to tell that they were on good terms, which leaves the question with whether or not it would be too late to bring the young man back. It would also help to avoid asking Koharu to use her ability seeing that she wasn't fond of the idea for personal reasons. After making their way down by the lake, they watched the man kick Senri out of his room and up the tower where Masamune was found working alone cleaning what was left of their peach orchard. They then met up with Felicia and the Nohrian princess and her retainer. Without any shadows, Elise was free to roam the place during the day so long as her siblings were around to keep an eye on things. So, off she went struggling to climb the closest tree to the wall while Leo panicks after their last confrontation with tree climbing. Surprisingly, it was rather peaceful though they were suppose to be here on a mission. Leo was then dragged by their sister to help her make a flower crown. It was an unusual sight as he watched his sibling make a flower crown during the time of war. There was a tumble as he looked back to the espers and saw small boxes of plants brought to a dirt garden. He supposed that it was time to plant a garden.
As Leo now watched over the espers, thundering sounds entered his ears as he looked up expecting thunder clouds when he noticed the gears above move. A new gust of wind blew carrying cherry blossoms down to the second floor. As one landed on his forehead, he picked it off and, after some thoughts, placed it into his pocket. As he watched more drift down, he was reminded that there was two more still missing from their group.
As it became afternoon, his brother had already gone to check around the surroundings while he watched Koharu began to plant the peach pit that was left from the peach tree.
"How deep should the hole be?" Koharu questioned quietly and looked over to Leo.
He shook his head and sighed, "I don't know. I've never really planted another before."
"Me too." Koharu replied anxiously, "This is my first time."
Leo shrugged, "Just do your best."
Koharu nodded and began to work again. When she finished, Leo saw Kakeru and Kaden walk. The man began to encourage her about her plant as Leo sighed and began to water the pot again.
"Don't water it too much."
He looked up and saw Kakeru raise a brow, "Why is the watering can floating in midair?"
Koharu frowned, "U-Um… Leo is watering the seed. But, to much water is a bad thing?"
Kakeru nodded, "It can drown the plant and the soil would be too moist."
Leo sighed and placed the can back down. Leo wasn't too happy with the esper around, but it didn't bother him as much as when Senri blatantly refused to leave his room or occupy their lake back home. By the time they decided to go for dinner, he noticed his brother return and left the three with him as he left to look around.
Leo decided to go examine the interior of the ship and made his way through the tower. There has to be some sort of clue that would have meant anything to their situation. Along the way, he noticed parts of the wall was covered in vines and wondered if it had something to do with Kakeru.
"Is someone there?!"
Leo stopped in confusion and turned, "Who is it?"
He walked up the stairs a little further and saw it.
"Uh… help?"
Before him, tangled in vines just outside of the open tower was Kaden. He was bound in mid air behind the glass window much to Leo's shock.
"H-Hold on!" He shouted and rushed up the steps.
Now on the top floor, he looked around the area in time to catch the sight of a passing shadow. He grimaced in confusion. Should he go after the shadow or help Kaden? Finally, he just dashed to the edge of the platform where he saw the vines. He snapped open his tome.
Brynhildr!"
The shadow jumped back into the light as he saw the gray hood under it. He frowned and narrowed his eyes, "You!"
"Help!"
Leo looked back to the dangling vines and glanced over to the man, but he was gone. Finally, he rushed over and grabbed a hold of the vines. It took a while pulling him up and then using his magic to help him, but, when it was over, Kaden was now on the platform brushing himself off.
"What happened?" Leo questioned, "Did Kakeru-"
"I don't know…" he replied hesitantly, "I was following Kakeru up here when I felt someone push me from behind, sir. I thought I was going to became a clump of dirty fur when I found myself tangled in the vines."
Leo raised a brow and was in deep thought before he nodded, "Well, where is Kakeru now? Do you remember?"
Kaden winced as he thought carefully, but shook his head, "I'm really really sorry, I don't know…"
Leo grimaced, but nodded, "It's fine. You're safe, at least. I'll tell my siblings what happened. You should go back to Toya's place tonight."
Kaden nodded with dropping ears, "Yes, sir."
As they walked down using the stairs, Leo frowned, "Why is Kakeru moving alone? Isn't he partners with Koharu?"
Kaden nodded, "After he brought her back to her house, he told her that he had to do last minute repairs on the damage."
"And she just left him like that?" Leo questioned in disbelief, "Again?"
Kaden nodded, "She wanted to come, but she seemed ready to pass out after all that happened today. Then, I offered to keep an eye on Kakeru, so Xander left for Sakuya's cabin."
Leo sighed, "Well, it can't be helped, then."
As they reached down the last floor, they caught Ron napping away on the grass as Takumi was seen behind a tree. Leo raised a brow as he watched the archer look at the lake. Kaden called out to him catching the archer's attention away to them. Takumi frowned, "Kaden?! I thought you were watching Kakeru?"
Leo sighed as Kaden began to recount what happened on the top floor. When he was done, Leo spoke, "I didn't see Kakeru anywhere on the floor, but I did see that hooded man again where Kaden was."
"That's not good." Takumi frowned, "This is really bad. If Kaden was attacked on the top floor, we should let Kamui and Corrin know about this."
"Can you fix it, then?" Odin asked the sorceress in agitation.
Nyx grimace and shook her head, "No. This has never happened before, but I've already did all the research I could with the books I found. They must completely stop the source of the problem to be able to return."
"So where are they now?" Laslow asked nervously.
"In a dream," Nyx answered, "They've been pushed from the espers' past to someone else's past. I don't know who's, but I can tell that they're all still there."
Laslow looked to Selena and Odin with a frown. Two hours after the magic was casted, Nyx suddenly called in Silas and some of the other retainers for aid. It was as they feared. An interruption or mishap has occurred. Kagero shook her head, "What can we do to help?"
Nyx shook her head as well, "Watch over their conditions and tell me whatever may have happened."
Though it was a relief that they were fine for the moment, it wasn't exactly motivating at the present either. They just hope that all was somehow still in Nyx's grasp.
The next morning, Leo woke up and found himself back in the living room of the cabin. It felt like a toll was weighing down on his mind since waking up to another dream. At least, it was still a dream, right? After hearing all that had happened last night, Kamui had decided to put Kakeru in Leo's care. Of course, Niles was given the task to give him a hand that night ever since they heard of the attack. After giving up on bringing out the esper from his room, Leo decided to leave things in Kakeru's "capable" hands. It unusual to smell the fresh air in a dream, but this was how things are one way or another. As long as Nyx dulls the reactions on their bodies, then it's all fine. He felt a little hungry after not eating for a whole day. If anything, he felt a little faint. He struggled for a bit as he trudged through the path to Kakeru's place.
"Leo?!"
He looked up and saw Koharu watch him with wide eyes.
"Wh-What happened?! Are you all right?" Koharu rushed over to him in her white kimono pajamas.
"I'm fine." He grumbled, "I'm going to the Mess Hall for a bit. I mean, cafeteria. I-I…"
He bit back from speaking further as he realized what she would think of next and quickly added, "I-I was too caught up in reading yesterday that I forgot to eat! Y-Yeah…"
"Really?!" Koharu gasped and looked around before rushing inside, "H-Hold on!"
Leo raised a brow as he watched her rush in and coming out the next couple of minutes offering him something in her hand.
"Here!" She smiled.
Leo looked at the peach that lay in her palm, "This…"
"It was from yesterday before the attack." Koharu smiled, "It looked so good. I didn't want to waste it. But, please have it. It should help get you to the cafeteria."
He looked to her in question before reaching out and grabbing the fruit. It was in his hands. He smiled and nodded to her in gratitude, "Thank you, Koharu. Is my brother here yet?"
Koharu shook her head, "No… Why?"
"Nothing in particular." Leo responded, "I'll head to the cafeteria, then."
As they waved, he continued onto the path to the cafeteria while hesitantly eating the peach. I sighed and muttered, "I really hope I didn't act weird at all while asleep…"
The last thing he needed was someone to witness him chewing while there was nothing there and he was asleep. That would be awfully embarrassing. This was also the main reason why he avoided consuming anything the day before. Obviously not the best idea. He quickly finished the peach and kept the pit of it into a bag. Perhaps it would be of use later on. He'll have to test his magic on it and see.
Takumi yawned as he followed Ron up to the first floor from the dusty halls. After hearing that the mysterious man had reappeared, it was obvious that he was going to have to stay with Ron a little longer. They even went ahead and told Leo of what had happened before they left to find Orochi. It was at the girl's cabin that they learnt of the possibility that it may have to do with the trust that the espers have on them individually, which led to Natsuhiko and Ron to be able to perceive Takumi. Because of their time with the archer was longer than most of them here, they were able to form the bond of trust and create that bridge connecting them. What puzzled them was that why didn't this happen sooner? Regardless, Takumi was now stuck with Ron as he investigates the ship at night. Having snuck out of his cabin, he went onto the tunnels for hours before they came out in the morning. With how they knew that Ron would be the spy, it wasn't hard to believe that he must've done something to one of the espers in their past, which he was quite prepared for or as prepared as he could get. He rubbed his eye clearing the sleep from it before arriving under the tree where Heishi soon found them. As the esper scolded Ron for disappearing out of sight, Takumi made his way over to his siblings.
"Good morning, Takumi." Kamui said with a strained smile, "How are you holding up? Did Ron go too far in his investigation?"
Takumi shrugged, "Obviously, he was investigating, after all. But, it's not like the other espers will now that anytime soon."
As Corrin watched with an impressed look of the man sleeping through Heishi's scolding, Kamui nodded, "You should get some rest too. You had to make sure that the enemy didn't come for him the whole night too. I probably wasn't easy."
"There was hardly a fight." Takumi answered, "Of course, it'd be simple. Things have been way too lax since we arrived on this ship."
Corrin made her way to them, "You can say that again… It's not a bad thing, but it's still a troubling thought. Like they're planning for something… big."
Kamui nodded, "We'll keep an eye out as everyone fix the wall. You should rest during then. I'm sure Ron could go investigating at night again."
Takumi groaned, "Fine. At least, now I can see why he keeps falling asleep in the mornings."
Kamui and his sister could only strain a smile as he heard this.
"Heishi! Ron!"
They turned around and saw Toya heading their way with Felicia and Kaden rushing over to them.
"L-L-Lord Kamui! Lady Corrin!" Felicia screamed as they dashed across the grassy field, "They're back! Hayato and Sorata have returned!"
"Seriously?!" Corrin smiled in relief, "Thank god!"
"I told you already! I'm from the future!"
Though they were overjoyed to see their comrades once more, now they could only watch as Sorata spouted nonsense from his small mouth. They've looked to Hayato as the young man could only give a sigh and shake his head while replying, "I don't know what's going on… One second I was in a large room with a bunch of kids and, the next I was here…"
"Sorata, right?" Toya spoke up, "What… What year did you come from?"
"2015." The boy gave a quick reply.
"Hey! Hey! That's over a hundred years from now!" Heishi replied with wide eyes.
"You're kidding…" Hinoka grimaced.
"That's so cool!" Elise smiled, "How did you do that?!"
"He just told us that he doesn't know." Takumi sighed, "Why would we think that he'd be able to tell us how?"
Kamui frowned, "But, first ten espers gathered on a moving ship that only looks for those with powers, then there's Natsuhiko who goes to stop their travels and finally Sorata claiming that he comes from the future…"
"Quite a group." Camilla noted as she folded her arms and smiled in amusement.
Leo nodded silently watching the group. After some talking back and forth, it was proven that the conversation was far too difficult for them as they all agreed to put it aside and accept the young boy onto their ship temporarily and gave him the small room with the Hiyokos. Making their way to the second floor for repairs, Kamui and Corrin straggled to the back of everyone quietly.
"Something doesn't feel right…" Corrin said.
Kamui nodded, "I was thinking the same. It's easy to say that the espers joined with the mission for World peace. But… why is Natushiko so desperate in wanting to stop their journey?"
Corrin muttered, "I've never heard him willing to kill one of the espers before either. And, they get along so well in the present. Just what is he trying to prevent at the end of their journey? Are the really going to different parts of the world individually?"
Kamui frowned, "Then, there's Sorata who said that he's from their future by a hundred years… How is this possible? And, are they linked in someway?"
"You're right."
They looked up and saw Xander and all of their siblings with friends wait for the two.
"Xander. Ryoma." Kamui muttered in surprise.
"Kamui, Corrin…" Camilla smirked, "If there's something you're having a hard time on, you can always ask us, your siblings, you know."
"But," Xander frowned, "How would learning about their past influence our current mission?"
Kamui nodded, "Remember when I said that the enemy must be targeting them individually with motives? What if the enemy also knows about what their influence would be in the current situation?"
As the siblings looked to one another, Corrin nodded, "I didn't tie in with the individual targets, but I was wondering if their influence in their past was also influencing how the enemy would come for them."
Leo's eyes widen, "So you're saying what if the enemy could look into their pasts? That would explain why those shadows kept coming back to take Koharu…"
Takumi nodded, "They also came to kill Mikoto on numerous occasions…"
Mozu nodded too, "It was like watching her grow up from a little girl."
Ryoma frowned, "There was times they came for Akito, but they didn't come for him in the last three years, according to him."
Azura shook her head, "His ability can be used as an offense ability if placed in the wrong hands. He could be taken to their side, but they didn't. Not to mention, we learned from their past that Senri's health is what's making it difficult for him to use his ability putting him in grater risk."
Kamui nodded, "If Koharu's ability was powerful enough to attract the enemy's attention, then it would make sense for her to be sought out. But, everyone else…"
Orochi sighed, "Well, they can to kidnap Nijo a few times too. They almost got away with it once too."
Ryoma looked around and nodded, "They're obviously after them either to put them out of the picture or bring them to their side."
After a moment of silence, Kamui frowned, "Which is it that they're after the most? Also, why didn't they choose to kidnap Kuga instead of the other?"
"Do you think that mysterious man might have the answer?" Elise spoke up.
"Maybe…" Leo slowly answered, "We have to keep an eye on Kakeru too."
Corrin thought for a bit before she nodded, "Then, how about this…"
As the group of espers went about their work fixing the place, Kamui and his group went about the ship in groups of two as they searched for clues to the enemy. Leo, however, was stuck on the monitoring the still missing esper from afar while Sorata sat next to the tree he was also reading under. Or at least he tried…
"So what are you reading?"
He looked up only to find Heishi looking towards Sorata. The mage sighed.
"A book on aerodynamics." Sorata replied bluntly as Leo raised a brow and turned to the child, "I found it in the library."
As he looked over the child's shoulder, he soon recognized the book. It was the same book that was on one of the shelves next to the entrance!
"Eh?" Heishi looked over in awe, "How can you read something so difficult?"
"In order to go back to where I came from, I need to know where I am." The boy replied curtly.
"I see…" Heishi responded blankly.
Leo nodded as he could see the boy's words were true. To go back to somewhere, a person needs to first now where they are to know where the starting point is. Leo grimaced, "How can a child like you read such a difficult book?!"
"He might as well either be a prodigy or a pretty decent actor."
Leo looked up with a sigh, "Perhaps… So, what have you found, Niles?"
The archer who stood before him bowed, "There's nothing amiss, Prince Leo. At least… not yet."
As he replied, Leo nodded as he placed a hand on his chin, "Maybe it has yet to occur for there to be clues or it was erased before we found out about it…"
He turned to him, "For now, let's keep looking. Niles, keep an eye on Kakeru for me. I'll go take a look at Kakeru's quarters."
"As you wish." Niles bowed.
As Leo got to his feet and brushed off the grass clinging to his coat, his eyes widen as he grimaced turned to him, "Niles… Nevermind…"
As he walked away, he took off his cape and flipped it around before tying it once more. He sighed, "Why…"
Either way, it should be fine since none of the espers would go leaving for a while till lunch when he's certain they'd have to go and deliver lunch to the shut-in. He grumbled as he pondered whether he should go check on Senri once more just to be sure that his sister and the esper was safe.
Kakeru looked around the place for a while. Kakeru's quarter was tidy. Perhaps, this was due to the fact that he rarely uses his place for anything other than sleep and to store his belongings. As he fumbled through the drawers of the desk. He grumbled as he realized that there was barely much of anything out of place to be found. He thought for a bit before sitting himself on a chair. He closed his eyes and muttered, "If I was him what would I do? An esper like him with secret, huh?"
He recalled what he heard from his conversation with Koharu and scanned around their surroundings. It was seemingly bare in his point of view. Little to no decorations or necessities that tells himself about the esper. However, that power could have been done by him. Other than himself, Kakeru has the ability to create life from nothing while he needs Brynhildr by him. Was there something he was missing? But, what is it?"
After pondering this question in his mind for a few minutes, he sighed and got back up.
"Huh?"
After another unsuccessful attempt, Xander and Hinoka was on their way back from the first floor when Hinoka spoke up, "Hey, Prince Xander? Isn't that?"
As she said this, Xander looked up to see Koharu looking to Kakeru with a blank look as the other esper was now on the ground laughing hard. Hinoka smiled, "It looks like they get along really well."
Xander watched on in silence before he nodded, "All the more reason we should question whether or not we can bring him back to his friends…"
Hinoka's eyes widen, "Prince Xander, you don't mean…"
She grimaced, "With him by their side, I've completely forgotten that he is still brainwashed by our enemy…"
As they began to approach the two, Xander nodded, "If we're to help return them to their world, we should consider his future as well…"
From their interaction, Hinoka could already tell that the two were close. It was a good sign… At least, or the time being. As Xander was about to call out to her, Koharu was reaching for to the side of Kakeru's face before he suddenly slapped her hand away out of the blue. Their eyes widen as they saw the usually bright mischievous face suddenly turn to a soft, but dark stare looking back at her. Hinoka was ready to spring into action with her lance in hand before a hand pulled her back. She turned and saw that it was the Nohrian crown prince! She grimaced, "But-!"
Xander nodded and gestured her to stay silent before letting her go.
"I don't like it…" They looked up as Kakeru finally spoke, "When people touch my ear cuff."
An ear cuff? It took a bit before they could see the shiny object reflect under the light on his ear as he left the moment Toya called over to him. There was a moment of silence as Koharu was left standing in the place for a moment in stunned silence. Finally, Xander reached over to the esper and patted her on her straw hat. She looked up in surprise, "Xander?..."
He nodded with a small smile, "Don't worry about it. Just return to your work, all right? We can talk about this later, if you want."
Honestly, the last sentence was usually what he would tell his younger siblings when they had some form of troubles, but it was the best he could come up with after seeing that happened. Koharu slowly nodded and picked up her basket of debris before rushing to the wheel barrow in the distance.
"I have to say, Prince Xander. That was rather nice of you to lend an ear to her troubles."
He turned and saw Hinoka smiling as she looked towards where Koharu and the other espers continued working. He shook his head, "It's what I usually say to my siblings growing up and it was the best I could think of. Whenever they needed someone to speak with it was usually either Camilla or myself. Of course, it's usually either the twins or Leo who comes to me more often, but I may be wrong."
There was a moment of silence before he heard a sigh.
"Honestly, I've always thought about how lonely or terrified Kamui and Corrin must've felt after having abducted to Nohr." Hinoka said, "But, after hearing everything from our siblings, I can see that wasn't entirely the case. I suppose I have you and your siblings to thank for that."
Xander shook his head, "No. I believe it was their personalities that drew me and my siblings closer to them from the beginning. I was only told to watch over their training till they were strong enough to be deemed worthy to leave the tower by our father. Though I can't say training both of them at the same time was as simple as it sounds."
Hinoka nodded with a smirk, "I won't deny that. They were able to bring all of us together, after all. Some of us even noticed that part of our younger siblings."
"It's almost time for lunch!"
The two looked back to the area and saw Akito and Nanami return with arms full of food and a large roll of blanket for the large group to sit on.
"Looks like it's time for their break." Hinoka said.
Xander nodded before raising a brow when he saw Akito panic from the sight of the little lifelike Hiyokos. Hinoka winced, "Ah, there it goes again… I'm going to go back before he starts throwing another fit. Nanami definitely doesn't deserve to be caught in that again."
Having finished what they needed, Azura began to make her way back to the second floor with Kamui and Kaze.
"Nothing again…" Kamui sighed, "First, the library, then the Mess Hal- I mean, cafeteria."
Azura nodded, "The Cafeteria was the least likely, but still. We should try looking at another place later."
"Lady Azura is correct, milord." Kaze replied, "The ship is big. The clue could be anywhere."
Kamui nodded, "You're right. Maybe… the tower? We can't really use that table."
"We can ask Felicia or Kaden if they know how to use it." Kaze suggested, "Perhaps, they may have a hint of how to use it."
Kamui smiled, "That's right! It's a rather slim chance, but, if we're lucky, we might be able to find more information about them. It should give us one step ahead of our enemy at least."
As the man talk, Azura gave a quiet sigh and followed behind the two with a small smile. Though it would be all work and what she was doing now is suppose to help her friends, she couldn't help but think about the yet to be born child waiting for her in the night while Silas and the other would be watching over them. It was all a bit exciting as they had yet to think of a name for them or if it would be twins like her husband and sister-in-law. That would be rather wonderful, wouldn't it?
As she thought this, she stopped when she realized a soft sound in the distance. She turned to see the at the edge of the trees was a radiant young girl with blue wavy hair possibly as long as Elise's, striking yellow eyes and in a white dress as she gave a radiant blue glow around her. A soft beautiful melody flowed from her small lips. Entranced by the melody, Azura stood there for a bit before she saw the girl look to her. Azura jumped a little from the gaze of the cold yellow eyes. Eyes with the color that reminded her of someone, but she didn't remember who it was as the child spoke, "Who are you?"
Upon realizing that the child may have been around Nanami's age from her voice, Azura struggled a small smile and replied, "My name is Azura. May I ask for yours?"
The girl opened her mouth, but a rustle interrupted as they looked to the bush and saw a gray cloaked man appear. A gray cloaked man…
Azura's eyes widen as she saw him.
"Singing again?" the man smiled softly under his hood.
He turned his head to her and froze. The air around them was so quiet that she could hear him hold back a breath.
"Azura? Is something wrong?"
Upon Kamui's call, the man looked over with a jump before he grabbed a hold of the girl's hand and ran.
"W-wait!" Azura called out to them.
"Azura, what is it?" Kamui rushed over upon her voice.
Azura turned to her husband and his retainer, "The hooded man… I saw him just now. He took a girl and ran into the woods!"
"What?!" Kamui's eyes widen.
That night as the search resumed once more, Corrin had sent Niles in search for Leo after seeing that he has yet to return that evening for dinner. It worried them as it was unusual for the one most devoted to work be absent from a meeting without warning. But, with the espers now on their own device with their partners, they had little choice but to follow them. Which was what Azura and Kaze did. As they waited outside of the observatory at the top of the tower, she recalled the brief update.
"The man appeared again? And, he took a girl with him this time?" Takumi raised a brow.
Feeling guilty, Azura nodded with a frown, "I didn't react quickly enough to think of running after them. My apologies…"
Ryoma shook his head, "If Kaze was unable to catch him, much less track his movements, then there was little anyone could do. But, to hear that he took a child with him…"
"It's rather suspicious…" Xander nodded with a frown.
Kaze nodded, "I thought that she may have been gagged because she didn't make a noise, but it seems that she's working with him. There was no pressure in any form for the child to remain silent."
Corrin's eyes widen, "So she's working with him? But, why…"
Takumi sighed, "I wonder who she is, though."
Hinoka nodded, "It seems, instead of answers, we found more questions."
Elise looked around nervously, "Leo is still not here…"
Corrin patted her back, "We'll send Niles to go search for him. Just leave him to us, Elise."
Camilla nodded, "Yes. Elise, let's first go back to the cabin for now, shall we?"
Elise hesitated before she nodded and followed her sisters back to the girls' quarters. Once out of sight, Kamui spoke, "Still, this is really bad. We're in an unfamiliar place and already one of us has yet to arrive."
Xander frowned, "Koharu is still here, so Leo shouldn't have left the ship at any point in time, especially now that its nearly nightfall… Niles, we need you to go search for Leo. Let us know immediately should you find anything regarding his whereabouts."
The man gave a curt bow, "Understood, milord."
He was soon gone from sight after that. Ryoma frowned and turned to Orochi, "Could it really be that Prince Leo is lost? That would be the worst case scenario…"
Orochi grimaced, "My apologies, Prince Ryoma, but I honestly have no idea. I can attempt to search for him, but I can't guarantee that I'll be able to find him."
Takumi sighed, "Of all times for one of us to disappear…"
As she recalled the event, she noticed something flash before he and looked up in time to see Nanami rush off to the platform bridge.
"Nanami?!" Azura called out to her.
Though they hurried, the girl was already gone from sight. When they found her again, the girl was talking with someone.
"Akito?" Azura's eyes widen in surprise.
They hadn't noticed the other esper's presence when they first made their way up. However, as they approached them, she noticed that something was off as Nanami was also approaching the guy with open arms as Akito only watched in bewilderment. But, for some odd reason, she could feel the chill in her spine. Something… Something was off with her friend…
Suddenly, a gust of wind blew between them. Realizing the sudden strength of the gale, Azura clung onto the arch of the entrance. She braced herself against the wind as she looked up to the two, "Nanam-!"
She gasped as she saw the young esper swept off her feet as the wind blew her across the bridge platform. Her eyes widen in horror, "Nanami!"
Though the child desperately tried to grab ahold of the stone path, she could never get a grip on it as she fell of the edge. She saw Akito rush over as she also left her spot only for an arm to pull her back. She turned around and saw that it was Kaze. Silently, the ninja began to make his way over as he shouted in surprise, "Akito?!"
He hurried over to the edge as he saw the esper descending down. Azura, clinging to the side shifted her position enough to see it. Akito had stepped onto the widen first layer of the stone bridge reaching out his hand to Nanami, who was grasping onto the edge of the first layer desperately! Azura sighed in relief after seeing that Nanami was all right. She watched as Nanami tried to grab a hold of his hand. Azura also began to watch as Kaze tried to grab a hold of Akito. However, the ninja's eyes narrowed when he did so and retreated back slightly shaking his head. She was confused when she saw this, but that soon sank in as it came to her. This had occurred before in their past which is where they are. Suddenly, another burst of wind swept by lifting Nanami from her grip. Azura gasped and began to leave her place when she noticed Akito drop down the the first layer and grabbed ahold of Nanami's free hand before she could descend to the bottom! They were tempted to go help the two as Azura crept closer to the bridge before another strong wind blew pushing her back to bracing herself against the wind.
"You're ready for me to kill you?! Why are you saying that?!"
Azura's eyes widen in surprise and looked up in time for them to her Akito holler.
"Akito!"
A flash of red was seen as they could see Hinoka and Ryoma rushing over to them with surprised looks too.
"Hinoka! Ryoma!" Azura smiled in relief before another wind blew.
She turned in time to see the two sway one more time. This time, Azura left her spot as she rushed over to the two, but it was already too late as his hand gave way and the two fell off the platform. A flash of yellow and green came past them as they watched in disbelief. Their screams were cut short as vines reached out and grabbed a hold of them like swings. Before them stood Kakeru gasping for air as he finally collapsed on the ground and groaned while the vines pulled them up, "Oh, that was exhausting!"
"Kakeru…" Nanami said in surprise.
"What the hell were you two doing?!" the blond esper graoned as he scolded them.
Ignoring him, Nanami turned to Akito in demanding tone, "Shukuri, why didn't you let go of my hand?"
"What?" the blue hair esper snapped back, "I saved your life and that's all you have to say?!"
The girl pouted and turned her head as she muttered, "I didn't want to be saved."
"What?!" Akito scowled, "You-!"
Vines suddenly grabbed ahold of the two as Kakeru struggled a smirk, "When are you two going to get alo-"
"We can't!" They snapped at him in unison.
As the vines released them, Kakeru got up and trudged his way to them with a strained laugh, "You are perfectly in tune."
Azura raised a brow as he watched him walk over to them. Suddenly, cuffs appeared around one of their wrist tying the two together with what looked to be two small clocks connecting the chains. The two lifted it up curiously before they shouted in shock.
"What the hell is this?!" Akito demanded.
"It's some special cuffs that the chicks made." Kakeru resonded wearily.
He pointed to the two small clocks with a small smile, "When you press this button, you can be separated for thirty minutes, so you can take a bath or go to the restroom no problem. This way you can use it for a long time. In terms of human rights, it's okay, I think."
"Honestly…" Hinoka winced, "That's not going to help them. Also, isn't that still interfering with their rights?"
Ryoma and Azura nodded in silence as they watched on.
"Of course, it's wrong!" Akito snapped back, "Obviously!"
As the two glared at him, the guy shrugged with a smile, "With this, you can become friendlier and…"
Out of the blue, the guy paused his sentence midway. Azura narrowed her eyes before walking over to him and reached out to him only for the man to fall back to the ground.
"Hey! Kakeru?!" Akito shouted in shock.
"Are you alright?" Nanami called out to him.
They quickly gathered around him as Azura touched his forehead and grimaced, "I thought so... he has a high fever…"
With help from Kaze, Nanami and Akito was able to get Kakeru back to his quarters. Seeing that the three would be alright, they decided to check around the esper's home in secret while the three brings him inside. There was much struggle as the two esper tried to move with their wrists bound together. However, they were able to get inside in time.
"Huh, Kaze?"
The ninja looked up with wide eyes, "Prince Leo?! And, Niles? You were here, after all."
Leo sighed and looked down to his legs bound by vines, "It's not like he's willing to let me go, obviously."
Niles sighed as he shrugged, "I became his latest victim, as well."
As Nanami and Akito helped him onto the bed, Leo raised a brow, "What happened to him?"
Niles noticed the two espers and smirked, "Definitely not a sight you see every day."
"There was trouble on the top floor between them. Kakeru saved them just in time, but fell ill." Kaze explained curtly, "He currently has a high fever. Would you like some help?"
Seeing the vines and the Kunai in his hand, Leo sighed, "Don't. That's exactly what pulled Niles in too."
Kaze nodded with a frown, "I still have to get both of you out. My lieges and your siblings were all concerned when you didn't appear at the meeting point."
"I heard." Leo nodded.
"Sorry about that."
Takumi grumbled as he followed Ron around the ship before following him to his quarters. As he entered, he leaned back against the wall of his room as he watched him rummage through his blankets before pulling out metal pieces of what looked like parts that Natsuhiko had on his work desk once. As Ron pulled out something else, Takumi frowned, "A gun…"
As Ron turned to him, Takumi raised a brow, "But Toya usually checks the espers for any forms of weapon. Though Koharu was a special case…"
Ron smirked, "Hey, what they don't know won't hurt them, right?"
"That's not linked to this!" Takumi snapped.
He leaned back against the wall and sighed, "I don't suppose the Nohrian guy knows?"
"Who?"
"Niles." Takumi responded bluntly, "The other guy who was here."
Ron shrugged, "He does. He's always known about it for a long time."
After some thought, Takumi spoke, "So what do you plan to do with the espers?"
However, Ron didn't respond as he continued to busy himself with his work.
"Leo! Thank gods!"
It was morning again when Kamui and Corrin found Leo again. Immediately, a meeting was held outside of the cafeteria while Effie remained by Senri's side.
"What happened?" Camilla asked, "You weren't here yesterday."
"I'll explain everything. First, let's go find somewhere else to talk about this." Leo said with a sigh.
"Somewhere else to talk about it?" Hinoka tilted her head in confusion.
Kamui nodded, "All right. How about the observatory?"
Leo shook his head, "Actually, I was thinking of the library. I don't want to risk any outside factor listening in on us. It's just that important, I'm afraid."
Though there seemed to be some concerns with the others, the mage's siblings seemed all right with it as Kamui and Corrin agreed to follow his request.
As they made their way there, Felicia and Niles was left to keep a close eye on the espers while they talk of all that had occurred. Azura frowned as she spoke to Kamui, "I should've known that the guilt of it would lead her to think this way."
"It isn't your fault." Kamui shook his head, "We didn't know what she thought about it all. Also, she's safe with Akito now, right? As long as their chained together, Akito will keep an eye out for her. Isn't that what they've be doing in the present too?"
"It'll be fine, Azura." Hinoka joined in their conversation with a whisper, "Well, there is one thing I've noticed about Akito and that's he's very much like a little boy around Nanami."
"Really?" Azura tilted her head.
"It'll be fine." Hinoka giggled as she patted her shoulder lightly.
On Corrin's side with her other siblings, there was other matters that she worried of as she frowned, "If they're only allowed to separate for thirty minutes, what would happen if the thirty minute mark was reached?"
Ryoma shook his head, "I don't know. But with the man's nature, it could be a light prank on its own."
Takumi yawned, "I hope so. It's hard to get what that trickster is thinking."
"You really don't like him at all, huh." Corrin strained a smile.
"Obviously…" He yawned again.
"Ron stayed up again last night?" Camilla said with a frown.
Takumi nodded, "He was checking the layout of the dock for those flying machines yesterday. And then, he was changing parts for his gun. I tried getting some information about the situation from him, but he either really doesn't know or he's ignoring me on purpose since he began contacting Natsuhiko shortly after."
"This is still the same Ron that we sort of know, then." Corrin smiled, "However, I think he has more motivation in the present than he did in the past."
Takumi shrugged, "I guess…"
After moving into the library and closing the door behind them, Leo spoke, "So as for the situation last night, I was stuck in Kakeru's room the whole day. His vines caught me and Niles in his quarters till Kaze found us last night."
"Kakeru?" Xander questioned.
Leo nodded, "Yes."
Kamui's eyes widen, "You mean…"
Hesitating, Leo said, "Well, it's not what I was expecting either, but…"
He then began what was suppose to be a long explanation.
"You…"
The ninja had his kunai ready to lunge when the man raised his hands, "H-Hold on!"
"So we were right." Leo muttered as he remained seated in his chair for last past few hours, "Kakeru…"
"Sorry… about that." The blond hair man struggled to sit up in his bed as the towel fell to his comforter.
Leo frowned, "So, what is really going on, Kakeru?"
As the vines around their legs dropped to the floor, Leo picked up his tome from the floor. They could already see the toll his fever was taking on the young man.
"Hold on!" Takumi grimaced, "So you mean, Kakeru was…"
Leo nodded, "He could see all of us from the very beginning, but played the part as one of the people in their pasts."
Hinoka frowned, "Just what is that guy trying to do? I mean, didn't he tried to stop us before?"
Leo frowned, "I don't know. He wouldn't tell me about it till I ask all of you for permission to let him have an audience with us."
"Really?" Camilla wondered quietly, "In his current state?"
Leo nodded, "It seems he really is in the state of a fever, but he is adamant on speaking with us."
"So, that's why you asked for Kaze's help…" Corrin nodded, "It was to help bring him over here, right?"
"That means, he would be on his way here." Camilla noted, "Quite a fine actor, I must say. To be able to almost completely fool us."
Leo sighed, "I'm sure some of us had our suspicions."
"Yet, you still got caught." Takumi replied with a grumble.
"I'd like to see how you'd taken care of the situation yourself." Leo replied.
Camilla giggled, "My, the two of you really do get along. Best friends already?"
"No way!" the two replied.
Though some smiled, Kamui spoke up, "I'd like to speak with Kakeru and check on the situation. Perhaps, he knows more than we do at this moment."
"I'd like to get to know him better too!" Elise jumped up with a smile, "He really seems to care about Senri in the past. There's no way he could be as bad as we thought he was before."
Leo nodded, "I'd like to know what he does know about our current situation."
Xander nodded, "What he can provide for us may be vital to saving the other espers."
"I agree." Ryoma nodded, "I'd like to see why he'ss the only sole exception in theis dream as well."
Corrin looked to Leo with a smile, "I'd like to see him too. I believe we have all agreed. Where is he now?"
Leo frowned before opening his tome and whispered some words. Lights flashed from his book and vanished as all remained still in the room. He nodded, "Well, he said that he was going to come in here through another route and I've just given him the approval, but…"
"We're here…"
They spun around and looked to the stair case at the top. Two figures made their way down the steps before one of the nearly tumbled before catching himself.
Azura frowned, "I was afraid this wasn't the right time to bring him here…"
"Sorry about that."
The man looked up as they saw Kakeru strain a smile as he gave a curt bow, "Thank you very much for hearing me out…"
Kamui nodded as Corrin looked around, "Let's first take a seat."
Though some were hesitant, they all took a seat as Orochi and some of the others soldiers either stood to the side or kept guard on the doors. Kamui began, "Kakeru. Toya told us about your past and your connection to the enemy."
He strained a smile and sighed, "There's really was no point in hiding it by then, huh? Yes, the man who took me and raised me as his son was Shiro Yuiga. However, at this moment, he's not the one manipulating me."
"It's not him?!" Takumi raised a brow.
"The enemy… is from the invisible kingdom, then?" Roma questioned to which Kakeru nodded and held a deep breath.
"I don't know what happened, but, when I arrived here, I was brought immediately before a large stone face. I didn't know what happened then, but everything went dark for me for a while." Kakeru explained, "However, I was able to pick up words just fine and can see some scenes. So, I could tell that I was in a place they called the invisible kingdom. Also, it's all right to speak of Valla."
Their eyes widen in surprise as they heard the word leave his lips. Finally, it was Azura who broke the blank silence, "How did you…?"
"I was told by a man that the curse won't affect you if you were in a dream since the curse would only affect the… real world." Kakeru responded hesitantly, "I'm not too clear with the entire logic behind it."
"So, you've been risking the word regardless of the curse?" Leo sighed.
"Pretty much. I mean, it hasn't affected me at all…" Kakeru strained a weary smile, "yet."
Kamui wasn't sure if the man was that courageous or too careless, but he smiled, "I see. Kakeru, what were you doing before you arrived here?"
"I was helping Koharu with the house chores on Norn." He replied carefully.
"Hm?" Camilla frowned in confusion, "But, wouldn't that be…"
"The work Nanami's group does." Azura said.
Kakeru nodded, "That was a few months ago before the ship crashed."
"What? Their ship crashed?" Xander narrowed his eyes, "What do you mean?"
"Huh? D-didn't they tell you?" Kakeru's eyes widen, "After we reached The World, an explosion happened while the ship had suddenly returned to the skies. We were all still on it at that time, but we evacuated in time when it happened. Then, I met up with Koharu a few months after."
There was deep confusion as Takumi grumbled, "That doesn't make any sense! All the other espers said that they were still on the ship to get to some place that even they don't know about."
Corrin looked to the esper, "Kakeru, what happened during the few months before you saw Koharu?"
"I was in a coma." He replied.
"A coma?" Leo frowned.
"You mean, you fell asleep for a long time?!" Elise replied in surprise, "I've rarely seen that condition before."
Kakeru strained a smile, "Well, it's not really an experience I'd like to go through again. You see, Koharu and I was the last ones to make it to the smaller ships, but we didn't know that we were evacuating. So, when we did, we were already in midair. I was able to get Koharu with Masamune and the others, but an explosion separated me from the others. It was Natsuhiko and Mikoto who had found me and hid me during those few months while I was recovering."
"I don't get it." Leo sighed, "It's not making as much sense. Why was a ship as big as this caught in explosions. Did something fail?"
Kakeru nodded, "Y-yeah… the entire purpose of our journey…"
Ryoma frowned, "What do you-"
There was a sudden thud as Kakeru suddenly slumped over on the table. Being the closest, Hinoka and Elise hurried over to him. Elise frowned, "It's his fever…"
Kamui sighed and nodded, "We should bring him back to his quarters quickly."
Corrin nodded and winced as she felt his forehead, "We may have pushed it a little too far…"
"Looks like the dream can also affect him too." Takumi sighed.
"No, take him with you."
They turned around as their eye grew wide. Leo narrowed his eyes, "You…"
YueTian: Hi… So tired and sleepy… Oh well! I wonder if this would suffice for the chapter. I'm going to upload this after I look through it and see what changes I would make. Also, I title. This chapter seems like a long one being cut short, but it's still following a single goal at least.
Takumi: What would that be? Honestly, I can't tell where the chapter is going anymore.
YueTian: Well, you'll see. I'm going to check on it now. See ya!