Chapter 16 – The Beast of the Frozen Waste

Despite the many strange things he had seen in his life, Gakupo still felt awe observing the storm-cloud hovering so close above the great capital of Shinwa, the Many Colored Blossom. The spires of the Flowered Palace at the center were almost completely lost in the grayish mass of the cloud. In addition, the bulwarks were covered in heavy snow, making the ivory structure look like a very complicated layered cake, like the ones served in special occasions at Verdigris' palace.

"Are you… Are you sure we can't talk him down?" Luka asked, turning to face Gakupo.

"Completely sure." As long as Invicto thought he had the upper hand, he wouldn't stop. Besides, they didn't have anything to bargain with.

"Well, it's time to fight then. Do we approach him together? Or maybe we should try a pincer maneuver," Kaito pondered. "If we split up, Luka should come with me, to handle the attack. You can fly and attack at the same time, right?"

Gakupo nodded. He considered the matter with half-lidded eyes for a moment, when an unexpected presence returned to the forefront of his mind.

Don't separate too much. It makes me harder to manifest in the living world.

Gakupo let out an inarticulate exclamation, surprising the others in turn.

"Are you ok?" Kaito asked worried. Luka just placed a hand on his arm, but looked just as concerned.

"She's talking to me," their friend explained, rubbing his forehead.

Let me come through with you. Little cubs like yourselves shouldn't fight a grown beast on their own. I'll join with you in battle.

"So he is like us," Gakupo muttered. He never dared to ask Invicto about matters beyond the topics they covered in their lessons, but he had suspected a similar being was hiding inside his taciturn and arrogant master.

There are many forces of nature, and each one has its manifestations. It's not quite correct, but humans know some of them as flame, ice, wind, and so on. We are manifestations of flame; he is a manifestation of ice.

"Can we beat him?" Kaito asked, his eyes straying a bit above Gakupo's head, as if their beastly 'mother' was standing behind him, leaning in.

He has years of experience using his gifts. In that, he is undoubtedly your superior. But I can sense the beast he used to be is not there anymore, not like I am. He is alone with his power, you're here with me. And I'm an unparalleled hunter.

There was little arrogance in that simple statement, she didn't need to brag about such things. Gakupo repeated her words to the others, then added, "We need to do something soon, I think. If we wait, troops might show up, or even Verdigris himself." He went to stand by Kaito's side and gestured Luka to do the same.

"Alright. You guys attack him with all you've got. I'll keep you safe," Kaito said, smiling bravely. He patted their shoulders briefly before he engulfed them and himself in coats of blue flame. They rose into the air flying in line, at first slowly, then steadily faster.

Like many children, Gakupo had wondered at times how it would feel to touch a cloud. Before he was old enough to know better, he often fantasized about riding one to the corners of the earth, either alone or alongside Kaito or Luka. But now as an adult, he felt nothing but apprehension as they sailed the air into the thick storm cloud and cold enveloped them. Thanks to their magic shields, they couldn't be harmed by the hail or frozen by the violent wind, but he could still vaguely feel each bump, and the chill still gnawed at him. To his side, he saw Kaito's face twist with effort. It made his stomach churn. If this was enough to present a challenge, what would happen when Invicto directly blasted them? It was too late to back down, wasn't it? But he had to keep Luka and Kaito safe somehow. He began to examine his memories of sparring with Invicto, nervously trying to find any weakness he could exploit.

Their advance felt a little like swimming in milk, by then. He could no longer see the city below or the neighboring mountains. The world was again reduced to his precious friends and him, if only for a few moments; everything else had slipped away. The similarity to his situation during his years of imprisonment didn't go unnoticed. But it wasn't the moment to dwell on that, Invicto was bound to notice them soon.

Without warning, the clouds parted, revealing an incredible scene. The empty center of the storm was a tall, cylindrical space devoid of any turbulence, right on top of the palace. In the middle of it, Invicto sat on a throne of ice as casually as any grandfather before a fireplace. For a brief second, Gakupo clearly saw his calm demeanor: Invicto's eyes were closed and his staff rested horizontally on his lap. But then his head turned smoothly towards them, and a huge sound assaulted their ears. It was like thunder cracking right next to them, like the air itself breaking into a thousand crystal pieces that jammed themselves into their timpani. Gakupo screamed and probably Kaito and Luka did as well, but he couldn't hear them over the horrible creaking. His eyes watered, but beyond the liquid he could see blocks of ice forming in the air around the throne. Invicto was going to hurl them in their direction while they were still paralyzed by the horrible sound!

Through the invisible connection they all shared, Gakupo called out to his friends, and even to the presence that brought so much confusion to his life. They were all the same being. They would defeat Invicto as one.

The blocks of ice hurried in their direction; in response, a ball of multicolored fire blossomed, growing and growing around them, losing its spherical shape. The burgeoning form collided with Invicto's projectiles, shattering them and transforming most of their mass into steam instantly. The perfect amphitheater of emptiness around them also crumbled; turbulent air and icy hail battered them from all directions. With difficulty, Gakupo managed to see the empty ice throne falling towards the palace. Invicto was now floating shrouded in a dark gaseous mass, which had a vaguely animalistic form.

The beast of fire and her children launched forward, a howl of mad glee escaping from her intangible snout. It was time to teach her cubs how to hunt.

For years to come, many inhabitants of Shinwa spoke in hushed tones of that day, when the whole sky seemed to erupt in roars and turned into a rabid cauldron of clouds and fire. Enormous crystals of ice fell down from the skies, puncturing rooftops, destroying orchards and felling trees and lampposts. Scared children cried next to their parents or hid under the covers of their beds, men and woman prayed or waited in anxious silence. Many later claimed to have felt the steps of immense creatures pounding down in their roofs, threatening to collapse the entire structure. Others that dared to peek outside spoke of an impossible being of flame with a shifting number of limbs and what looked like three human figures at its core. It didn't make the slightest bit of sense, but that was to be expected of magic.

None of the city-dwellers ever learned about the true nature of the flame beast torching their skies, but for many it only confirmed the words of warning preached inside the temples of the goddess. Magic was untrustworthy, the weapon of the enemy. Its practitioners stepped on the common folk like capricious children crushing ants.

While that thought took shape in many minds below them, the trio found themselves struggling to keep up with the old mage. Gakupo, Kaito and Luka sailed through the air engulfed in flames, barely dodging lances of ice. Crystalline projectiles pelted at them from every direction, relentlessly trying to breach the insubstantial skin of the undead beast and pierce the fragile humans within. Somewhere in the mad spiral of clouds, Invicto stirred the winds, and the roaring of the storm filled the sky.

Gakupo focused his mind as hard as he could, biting his lower lip. His former teacher had launched yet another volley of huge chunks of ice in their direction, completely without mercy. The young man gripped his sword with all his might and projected a stream of fire that cut the ice and instantly sublimated them. Invicto's figure was barely visible behind the rapidly cooling steam.

To his right, Luka took aim in midair and shot a comet of fire towards the old mage. Invicto raised a shield of ice to guard himself, but it cracked dangerously, barely containing the power of Luka's attack.

You're younger, keep shooting and you'll tire him, the subtle voice of the beast suggested. Gakupo had only to glance at Luka and Kaito and they nodded back in understanding. The beast and her cubs ran and leaped in circles around the old mage, hounding him with their combined strength. The ever-shifting claws and teeth bit at the cocoon of ice and cloud while the weapons bashed, slashed and pierced. Little by little they moved in closer to the frail human at the center of the storm.

Just when they were about to reach melee range, Invicto flew away from the trio, leaving a trail of quickly dispersing mist. All around them, rays of sunlight began to pierce the swirling storm, making the snow below sparkle. Spring, briefly forgotten, had returned to assert its presence.

Given his angle of escape, he's probably hoping to meet up with Verdigris, Gakupo thought. Could it be that the troops were so close to Oto already? Whatever the case, they couldn't let the two mages join forces, or it would the end. Even with the beast's help, he was afraid that they would be no match for their combined power.

He won't escape us. As soon as the words formed in his mind, he felt a strange euphoria seep into him. The beast was excited by the idea of tearing down the mage using the power of one of their own.

"But we use your powers too. What's the difference?" Gakupo asked in his head, even as he dashed forward in pursuit alongside Kaito and Luka.

The beast laughed in his ear, and he felt a disembodied tongue lick the side of his face. You're my cubs; you share in my power. You're my bond with the saint, the reason I'm greater than any other beast to roam the land. The voice lost most of its warmth by the time the next time it spoke. He wasn't born of a beast.

The trio had now reached the outskirts of the city; the homes of the less fortunate, pressed against the defensive walls of the city, and beyond that extensive fields, with the spring crops freezing on the branches.

Gakupo mulled the words of the beast, so accustomed to his power that he barely gave a thought to the fact that he was flying through the air so high above the frosted landscape. Verdigris had taught him that mages were created during gestation or birth due to the accidental merging with magical creatures; humans only borrowed power, never owned it. But from the beast's words, he could deduce that the process had occurred later for Invicto. How did it happen? Was it possible that his former teacher did it to himself, somehow?

I don't see it clearly, the beast muttered in response. For once, she sounded actually somewhat frustrated. All I know is that frost didn't choose him. We need to sink our teeth into his body and taste his blood to find out more.

"I'm not that curious," Gakupo replied. The beast chuckled in response.

"Gakupo, focus! We're catching up to him!" Luka shouted from his right, interrupting their peculiar conversation. She summoned her bow and began preparing an arrow of fire, without slowing down.

"Kaito and I will create an opening, stay back!" Gakupo answered. Kaito nodded in agreement.

Until that day, Gakupo had never known the limits of Invicto's power. His former teacher had always been distant, unfazed by anything that happened during their lessons, even when Gakupo managed to get the upper hand during training. But perhaps his one-man siege on Shinwa had tilted the odds on their favor. The elderly man's face betrayed his tiredness, as he flew closer to the ground, barely bothering to launch ice crystals in their path. Kaito and Gakupo easily danced around his attacks, coming closer and closer, weapons at the ready.

"Surrender!" Gakupo shouted, almost close enough to use his sword.

He saw hesitation for a second, before the man waved his hand, producing another gust of gelid air to push him away. Gakupo weathered the attack and launched forward. His blade was stopped at the last second by Invicto's staff as he raised it over his head to protect himself. The struggle lasted only a few seconds: even though Gakupo was slender and physically unimposing, he was still a younger man, at the peak of his vigor. The staff exploded into wooden shards and Invicto tumbled backwards, right into the path of Kaito, who bashed the old man with his shield and sent him careening into the ground below, robes smoking. He attempted to create a shield of ice around him, but it cracked like an egg when his figure crashed against the field.

Before he had time to recover, a huge comet of pink fire rushed past Gakupo's shoulder and impacted the field, setting the crops ablaze and engulfing the man below. Gakupo turned around to see Luka breathing heavily, exhausted by the blast. Her bow dissipated and she began to lose altitude slowly, like a leaf riding a gentle breeze. He went over quickly and took her in his arms. At the same time, he heard a clash below. Invicto continued to resist their attacks, even after all their efforts.

"Are you ok?" Gakupo asked hurriedly.

"Yes…yes, it's just tiring to stay in the air… Go help Kaito…" Luka muttered, her words broken by panting.

As they drifted downwards, Gakupo's eyes widened in realization. Luka had finally managed to figure out flying by herself… By sheer necessity, since Kaito was busy below, and Gakupo hadn't even considered what would happen if Kaito's shielding powers failed. Gakupo shook his head at his own foolishness, but Luka didn't seem angered at all; in fact, she looked proud of her accomplishment. Gakupo kissed her cheek quickly and whispered some words of praise into her ear, moved by her strength. A few moments later, they reached the ground, a field with rich dark soil and rows of plants, unfortunately ruined by the fight. Some crops were still smoking, some had been uprooted by the force of an attack and others were frozen, forming fantastic, gleaming shapes covered by ice.

Invicto was in a heap on the floor, unmoving except for one arm that he constantly waved around, sending wave after wave of ice spikes in Kaito's direction. Their friend circled the old man trying to find an opening, but Invicto so far was successful in keeping him away.

"Just go help Kaito, I'll be there in a minute," Luka urged Gakupo. She still seemed slightly out of breath.

Gakupo nodded and ran forward, preparing an attack. He was swiftly welcomed by a wall of ice, which he destroyed with a swing of his sword. The ease of it all confirmed Invicto's exhaustion. So it wasn't that surprising when the old man shouted, "Wait! Listen!"

Gakupo hesitated, then signaled Kaito to stop. His friend raised strong shields around them, eyeing Invicto suspiciously.

"You want to be rid of it, don't you? I know how to make you normal!" The old man offered, trying on a smile that didn't suit him at all.

"Normal?" Gakupo blinked slowly. "What are you saying?"

"I wasn't born like this. But I studied cases like yours, I studied monsters on the wild and I learned…I learned so much." Even in that state, burnt and tired, Gakupo could see his former teacher's face glowing with pride. "I can sever your connection with the monster, I can make you normal."

Inside of him, Gakupo could feel a growl increasing in volume. He could almost sense the beast's paws clawing the soil around him with anger and (surprisingly) a touch of fear. As for himself, he felt curiously hollow. For years he had prayed to be released of the curse and be allowed to rule his own life. For years he had stared at the distant figures roaming the streets, wishing for a home and family…longing pathetically for quiet, predictable days. And yet, to be presented with the chance at this point of his life felt nothing like he expected it would. Why now, when he was finally starting to accept the beast's presence? Now, when Luka and Kaito were at his side, and he could finally see an end to the road he had travelled for so long?

"No, thanks," Kaito said sardonically, interrupting his thoughts.

"We shouldn't assume he's telling the truth, in any case," Luka commented, walking towards him with an arrow in her bow, ready to fire.

"Truth or not, I don't regret having the power to protect you," Kaito smiled widely at Gakupo. There wasn't even a trace of hesitation in his voice.

Gakupo lowered his face, trying to sort out his emotions. Finally, a few quiet words escaped his lips: "We are what we are." Once again, a revelation of sorts had crept upon him unannounced. For all the hardships of the past, he had his friends by his side now. And they had the whole world before them, inviting and bright. Just like the people that had protected him in the past, now he could protect others with the powers granted upon him. He didn't have to follow Verdigris' example. He didn't have to hide or fear anyone. He wasn't cursed at all.

Invicto's face discarded the smile in a moment. Perhaps he didn't have the ability to transform them in the first place, like Luka said. Perhaps he was just stalling for time. In any case, he suddenly raised his arms and ice rose with them forming a thick cocoon around him. A brilliant light began to shine from within, almost blinding. But whatever Invicto was planning, it was swiftly interrupted; big claws of fire coming from thin air crushed both the ice and the fragile creature within. The ice was immediately dyed red by the broken body at its center.

Gakupo gaped, too surprised to even gasp or swear. The beast had attacked almost completely divorced from their will, without any warning. Kaito and Luka looked equally shocked. Their weapons fizzled out and disappeared.

What is so surprising about it? You were prepared to kill him over humans you hate. I killed him because he threatened to take my precious cubs away from me. Is there anything more natural?

"It doesn't mean I have to enjoy this." His friends looked at him in confusion at this, until they realized he was again speaking to the beast.

You're young and soft, my incorrigible son. The beast's voice was a mix of slight exasperation and fondness. Just remember that there's nothing I won't do for you. Now, let your mother rest.

Gakupo gave the crimson slurry in front of him another brief glance and then averted his face. "Now what?" He felt strangely distant from his surroundings; it all felt like a chapter in a book he had read years prior, suddenly reenacted before his eyes.

"Hmm, we need to go back to the palace." Luka said hesitantly. "Do you remember why?" She walked closer and grabbed one of his arms.

Gakupo stared at her fingers. Why, she said. It took a moment to resurface in his mind. "We need to tell them Verdigris' forces are coming from the south?"

"That's right." Kaito stepped closer. "Though if this old guy was here already, we shouldn't waste a lot of time in court. We'll need to slow down Verdigris and his troops while Shinwa prepares to march south."

"Us versus a whole army…" Luka muttered.

"A whole army and a mage at his peak," Kaito remarked cheerfully. "We're probably in big trouble, aren't we?" The other two sighed almost in unison. Kaito's exaggeratedly silly grin dissolved into a more genuine expression when he added, "That doesn't mean I won't try my best to keep you both safe and sound. We will make it out alive, I promise."

Gakupo found himself smiling and nodding, although it was somewhat shameful to again depend on Kaito for courage. But it couldn't be helped, at least for now. Fear was too deeply rooted inside of him.

"What do we do with…that?" Luka gestured vaguely in the direction of Invicto's remains. "Should we bury him?"

"No time. Besides, I don't think the owners of the field would appreciate that," Kaito said while searching inside his white coat. He pulled out a pouch of gold and left it on the ground. "Hopefully that will be enough for the damage we did to their crops. Let's go."

After that, the trio flew back to the city, each mulling their thoughts in silence. To an outside observer, it could've been a wondrous sight, the flame-covered youths gliding through air. However, Gakupo felt sufficiently distracted that he barely registered what they were doing.

Verdigris must be truly optimistic, if he is convinced I can run a country, Gakupo thought shaking his head. Try as he might to concentrate, he could feel his mind starting to fog up as they neared the Flowered Palace. The words he had been repeating to himself in preparation for their discussion with the leaders of Shinwa were beginning to slip away, unconvincing and disconnected. The monarch had no reason to believe a defector, much less a mage. This wasn't just the center of Shinwa; it was the center of the faith. Would his words reach past the relentless whispering of the priestesses, even if they overcame all the other barriers sheltering the king?

Luka was flying next to him with a look of deep concentration on her face. He reached out and took her hand, squeezing it for comfort. A moment later, he felt his other hand be squeezed in turn. He turned around to see Kaito at his other side. He winked at him, without a word. Hand in hand, the trio flew above the outskirts of the city painting the sky with multicolored fire.

Ahead, the beautiful castle shone more than ever, covered by snow already melting under the spring sun. But it wasn't a very welcoming spectacle. There were black spots in every rampart, ants that transformed into men with crossbows as they neared the heart of Shinwa.

"Doesn't look like we are welcomed," Kaito laughed, unconcerned.

"Are we coming down at the main entrance?" Luka asked.

"Nah…Seems to me that we might to have to force our way into the king's presence. Let's save some time by landing somewhere up high. That should get us close to the royal quarters, right?"

Gakupo tilted his head, considering Kaito's idea. The layout of the place he had lived in for the past couple years was quite different to the ostentatious Flowered Palace, so he couldn't rely on his experiences. Nevertheless, it sounded feasible.

"There's an unguarded balcony!" Kaito exclaimed and dived down immediately.

It was easy to see why there were no guards posted on that particular place. It was very narrow, with barely enough space for the three of them to land without bumping into each other. Not to mention, the wall below it was devoid of any protrusions that would aid in climbing up to it. For a normal person, it would've been completely impossible.

Kaito reached the balcony with a pirouette and a laugh, and then stepped out of the way so Luka and Gakupo would have room to land. Gakupo gave him a brief glance, rather puzzled. Wasn't Kaito repulsed by Invicto's fate? How could he be in such a good mood? Gakupo didn't like the old man, exactly (he was never given the chance to like him, in any case), but Kaito's callousness was surprising.

Kaito's smile turned a bit sheepish, as if guessing his train of thought. "I'm just really glad you are safe, ok?"

Gakupo nodded without saying a word. He wasn't sure what to feel, honestly. He decided to examine the matter at another time and tried to push the door of the balcony. It was locked.

"Move aside," Kaito said, gesturing with one hand. Luka and Gakupo obeyed and Kaito summoned his shield of flames. As soon as he hit the door, the trio could hear a chorus of high-pitched shrieks inside. Kaito stopped, staring at the smoking door. "Uh-oh."

"An enormous castle and we pick a room that's occupied. Figures." Luka crossed her arms. "Well, get on with it. Whoever is inside will alert the guards either way, we might as well hurry inside and find the king."

"...Right." Kaito resumed his work, drawing more shrieks from whoever was inside. A final push, and the door fell inwards, turned into a smoldering ruin. Kaito stepped inside with a cheerful, "Excuse me, I'm coming in!"

Gakupo followed him a bit more cautiously, with Luka close behind. He looked around for the source of the yelling, trying to get used to mild darkness of the room.

"Hi there, sorry for the rowdy entrance," Kaito turned to a corner. There, partially hidden by furniture, three young women were huddling together. Unexpectedly, two of the woman jumped forward, to create a sort of wall between Kaito and the third girl. They didn't look like much a challenge, pale and shaky as they were. Judging by their nervousness, the young women were probably well aware that facing three mages was akin to suicide.

The third girl looked like someone of importance, with a gown significantly more elaborate than the other two, and a beautifully embroidered veil covering her hair. Her turquoise eyes studied the three of them with a shrewd, bold look. Thin and small as she was, she didn't look nearly as nervous by their presence. "Do you come to relay your terms?" She asked.

"Terms...?" For a moment Kaito just looked at her somewhat lost. Then he snapped his fingers. "Oh, I see. No, aren't messengers from the magocracy."

"That's Gakupo, one of the seven," the slender girl said, jerking her veiled head in Gakupo's direction. "Don't underestimate us."

"Ooo, you are popular," Kaito gave his friend a smile. "Even courtesan girls half a continent away know of your charms, buddy."

At this, one of the girls that had been shielding the veiled one sputtered indignantly and began to say something, but the veiled girl quickly squeezed her hand, defusing her instantly. That cemented in Gakupo's mind the idea that the three girls were probably a noblewoman and her two maids. But who was she? Why was she in this part of the palace without a proper escort?

"The unnatural storm lasted for almost a day. Isn't that reason enough to feel it was a show of strength? Surely Alm-Ardjalus expects something from us," the veiled girl stated calmly.

"Look, err..."

"You may address me as Tomorrow," the veiled girl said after Kaito hesitated. She smiled with the look of someone that has said a joke they are sure is brilliant.

Gakupo rubbed his forehead; he felt drained and was beginning to lose interest in the conversation. Why where they wasting time at the palace? Weren't they supposed to stop Verdigris? He closed his eyes, enjoying even that small separation from the world.

"Right, Lady Tomorrow. As you guessed, that is Gakupo Kamui, formerly of Alm-Ardjalus." Kaito made a slight pause so that his words would sink in before continuing. "That's his wife Luka, and I'm Kaito Fuuga. None of us are currently working under Verdigris' orders, quite the opposite in fact."

"Traitors to your own kind? Really?" Tomorrow's voice was dripping in disbelief.

Gakupo felt Luka softly pinch his arm. He reluctantly opened his eyes and addressed the veiled girl. "Do you really believe mages are in agreement in every single thing? We don't stop having the same disagreements as normal humans do, just because we can use the subtle arts."

Tomorrow made a face at this, but after pondering for a moment, she nodded. "Let's say you and your companions truly oppose Verdigris. Why are you here, then?"

"We came to warn you. The armies of Alm-Ardjalus are coming. They might be already crossing the lands of your southern protectorates-" Tomorrow and her maids gasped, but Gakupo continued talking without pause, "The storm was probably a distraction, meant to keep your troops holed up in here until Verdigris arrives at your gates."

"We will aid you, if you send troops to stop him before he destroys Oto," Kaito added.

"Impossible," Tomorrow stated after a short pause.

"What?"

"The faith won't let the king accept the help of mages in this matter. And even if he did, you can't mobilize an army just like that, without proper preparation," Tomorrow stated in a low voice, her childish tones contrasting with the severity of her words. "And in any case, if Verdigris is so near, it would be wiser to let Oto take the blow while we strengthen the capital and our closer protectorates. The king won't hesitate to sacrifice the south if necessary."

"But your nation promised to protect Oto! That is why they swore loyalty to you in the first place!" Luka exclaimed. "They don't have the tools to defend themselves!"

"Look, just take us to the king, ok? We'll sort things out with him," Kaito said waving a hand somewhat dismissively. Tomorrow gave him an annoyed look but remained silent.

"She's probably right, Kaito. I should've seen it all coming." Gakupo again rubbed his forehead; as it often happened when he used his powers extensively, he felt feverish and off-balance.

"I don't think we should give up that easily," Kaito frowned. "We have to talk to him, at least."

"I think either way we're about to have company!" Luka warned them. Right on cue, Gakupo began to hear the rattle of armored bodies running in their direction. Guards were coming.

"…Hmm, you do seem sincere, at least. Maybe it's because of what am I, but I feel like I can trust you." Tomorrow smiled crookedly. "Neru, the tapestry door if you please."

"But Prin-" The girl called Neru began to complain before her eyes widened and she covered her mouth. The other girl sighed.

"Ahh, you're a princess." Kaito eyed the veiled girl up and down. "It does make sense, now that I really look at you."

"I'll take that as a compliment." The girl began to walk towards one of the darker corners of the room. Her maids rushed before her, uncovering a small door behind a musty tapestry. "Please follow me."

"Sure thing, your highness," Kaito gave the girl a small bow.

"I though mages bowed to no one."

"Eh?"

"Just something a man once told me …" The princess trailed off with another crooked smile and disappeared into the pitch-black passage behind the hidden door. The still-unnamed second maid rushed after her, but Neru waited for the mages to enter with a look of impatience. For a young woman wearing a frilly apron, she looked rather intimidating.

"Having a princess for a guide sounds pretty good, doesn't it?" Kaito gave Gakupo a pat on the shoulders and entered the passage inclining his head.

Luka stepped forward, guiding Gakupo by the hand. Finally, Neru stepped inside the passage and closed the door. Squinting, Gakupo saw her pull a cord right by the doorframe, then light a candle that waited in a small shelf carved in the rock. Outside, they heard the muffled sounds of the guards shouting something.

"I doubt they'll take long to figure out where we went. Can you hurry a bit, your highness?" Kaito requested, since the princess was calmly advancing with a candle of her own.

"Neru hid the door, just now. Don't worry." Tomorrow paused to hitch up her skirts. "Besides, I don't want to run down these steps." She moved a little, to let the rest see a staircase descending into darkness. "I can't be your guide if I break my neck, can I?"

"I wouldn't let you fall," Kaito produced a tiny blue flame to dance between his fingers. "In fact, I could fly us all to the bottom."

"Who says we're going to the bottom? Have some patience, lord mage." Tomorrow smiled.

"Yes, ma'am. I mean, your highness."

The princess chuckled softly as she began the descent. The rest followed, as the sounds of the guards quickly became faint, then inaudible. Soon, the only sounds were their own steps and the rustling of silks. For a while, nobody spoke. They left the staircase and traversed several passages, turning left and right until Gakupo completely lost track of where the entrance should be. Finally, Tomorrow stood in front of a door almost undistinguishable from the walls themselves.

"This leads to the council room. My father, the king is likely there with his closest advisors, going over the reports of what happened to the city. Are you ready?" Tomorrow asked with an impish smile.

"As ready as we're going to be, I'd say." Kaito glanced at the others and got two nods of agreement.

In a sense, this was going to be harder than fighting Invicto had been.