Mayo breathed heavily as sweat poured down her forehead. "Mayo?" Nuriko whispered next to her. "How are you feeling?"

"What did Miaka say?" she asked in response. He shook his head with a sorry look. She let out a frustrated sigh.

"She'll come around, don't worry! Just hang on."

"Sure, she'll come around at the end of the world at this rate. Where is Tamahome?"

"I don't know, I just found you!"

"Tamahome will convince her. Go find him."

"Bossy, bossy. As you wish, Your Majesty."

"Yes?"

Nuriko spun around to see who appeared behind him. "Ah, Hotohori!"

"That's Hotohori?" Mayo sounded a bit more energized at the sight of him. "They weren't kidding…"

"I can only guess about what," he smiled to her as he moved forward. "I wanted to express my gratitude for your help in reviving Suzaku. We can finally take action thanks to you."

"Thank you," she beamed. It was good to feel needed, but a rush of dull pain took the joy out of the moment.

"Nuriko and I will find Tamahome. Please hold on a little longer."

In resignation, Kaika extended his right arm to Yui, who took a deep breath as she began to write: What is Nakago doing?

They waited a few moments, and a reply appeared: He's waiting for you.

What does he want?

Your last wish.

I won't give it to him.

Why are you here?

To stop him.

Go back.

"He already knows I'm here, Suboshi!" she yelled, then started on the other arm.

We can stop Nakago this time. Will you help me?

They waited, but didn't see a response. Kaika furrowed his eyebrows as he looked up at her. "We could just ask for directions to the palace."

She shook her head. "If we have Suboshi on the inside, I want him to help us coordinate this first."

"He's scared, Yui!" he implored. "I don't know what Nakago is like, but he doesn't sound like someone to go up against. Whatever you're planning is making me nervous, too."

"I'm not planning anything yet. I need to know Nakago's plan first, and then I can adjust. In any case, this wish is mine to decide, and he cannot force me into using it."

"But if he already knows you're here, why doesn't he send someone to escort you? Maybe he already expects something like this…" he stopped as he felt a tingle on his arm again, and they looked.

Yes.

Yui broke out into a smile and eagerly responded. What does he want?

Your world.

"My—! How would he even…?" Go tell him I'm coming. He should be prepared.

I trust you, Yui.

By the time Yui and Kaika arrived later, the guards were lined up respectfully and maids bowed their heads and they marched past. The Priestess of Seiryuu had confident poise and took each step with purpose.

"Tetsuya," she had called out to him earlier before reaching this point. "Did you find out anything about the end of this world?"

"Nothing definite."

"Nakago wants our world."

"What! What would he even know about our world? Does he know something about the end of the Universe of the Four Gods and does he want to escape here?"

That's what I need to find out, she reminded herself as she rounded a corner on her way to the throne room. Though it sounds more like he'd want to rule my world in addition to his own.

Upon entering the room, she saw Suboshi attentively standing in his armor, and Nakago seated in regalia and a beaded crown, coolly anticipating her entrance. "Priestess of Seiryuu," he addressed her. "We welcome your return."

"The pleasure is all mine," she spoke back in a louder, clearer voice than she had ever used within those palace walls. "It seems we have much to discuss."

A banquet and more formalities followed, but no formal discussion. Yui was feeling Nakago out but he let on nothing. Otherwise, she was merely looking for a chance to speak in more depth with Suboshi about what he knew, but being overwhelmed with hospitality left no such opening. At least once she was rushed off to her bath, it gave her a few moments away from Nakago's likely prying ears.

"Tetsuya," she whispered.

What's the matter, Yui? Did something happen?

"I'm in the palace. I don't want anyone to hear me. I still haven't even gotten to talk to Suboshi."

That's okay, I haven't found much else out, either—except I did dig out some old notes about the Hin tribe up to see if they had any prophecies or anything.

"And?"

And? Well, nothing. Nothing yet! I just started reading—you have to realize, I just talked to you a minute ago!

"I know."

…Yui?

"I'm alright," she wiped away a tear. "I miss you so much already."

Suboshi paced through the hall completely on edge. He was a military man now and couldn't enjoy the freedom to roam that he once had as a teen. Were his duties concluded for the day so he could meet with them? If not Yui, then surely his brother, who wasn't surrounded by so many attendants, right?

"Suboshi."

The voice behind him rattled through his ribs as he shuttered, and then he turned around with a bow. "Yes, Lord Nakago?"

"Now that Lady Yui has returned, we have her safety to consider."

"Yes, Lord Nakago."

"Miboshi will not be returning."

"What do you mean?"

"He's been erased by the Suzaku warriors. They will come here to take her."

"They wouldn't dare!" he bellowed. "What do they think they could accomplish by doing that now? It would be reason for us to invade their sorry country and start another war—and what could they even expect to do but be decimated?"

"You may upset Lady Yui with your voice raised like that, much less start rumors."

Suboshi was taken aback by the sternness in Nakago's voice, and quieted his own. "But… why would they interfere?"

"With Suzaku back within their grasp, they could be planning anything."

"They can't summon Suzaku!" he hissed. "Unsealed or not!"

"I don't intend to take that chance, nor do I plan on letting them come to disturb Lady Yui. Go and find them."

He pursed his lips, unsure whether he was angrier to leave Yui in Nakago's hands or that the Suzaku warriors would have the audacity to touch her.

"Leave at once, Suboshi."

Chiriko was unaware of the time passing as he slept, but when his body could take no more, his eyes fluttered open. The sunlight was warm on his face, and he could smell something cooking. Within a few moments, he deduced that he was somehow alive and well.

Turning his head slightly, he recognized the person preparing food, despite her plain attire. "Good morning, Houki."

"Good afternoon, Chiriko," she smiled.

"Have I missed much?"

She could only shake her head, though she couldn't even hide a smirk . "You're really one to talk."

Chiriko was left to wonder why she was in such a bright mood as he sat up and ate a bowl of rice and a few vegetables. For all he could tell, Mayo was eating in the next room over, and no one else was in the house until Boushin burst in through the front door.

"Mother, look! I caught my first fish!"

"Wonderful, my son. We can use it as a garnish."

"It's not that small, Moth—Chiriko!" he quickly switched his attention and bounded over to his bed. "You're finally awake!"

"How long was I asleep?"

"I didn't even expect you to wake up," he glowered.

He could only smile sheepishly. "Is Juan alright now?"

"He had a long day yesterday, so he's resting. But he's fine now! And Miboshi is gone now, right?"

"This time I'm certain of that. It's a relief that he will not bring harm to anyone ever again."

"And I'm sure you were fully content to go with him."

"Yes," he admitted. "It was the first time I had ever felt so sure my myself. I didn't have any fear," he stared off with a peaceful smile, only to be startled at the deepening glare the emperor was staring him down with. "H-Have I offended you?"

"So you were happy to disappear and excuse yourself from my service?"

The accusation made the blood drain from his face, shocked at himself for such an oversight. "Forgive me, Your Highness. That was rude of me."

"I will not permit you to leave your position in the cabinet so simply," he took a stern and direct tone. "You are expected to live a long life as my counselor, and counselor to my future successors. You are not allowed to do anything so drastic ever again."

He smiled uncontrollably. "Yes, Your Highness."

That smile irked him, as it seemed he could not tell he was in trouble. "What are you so happy about?"

"I'm sorry," he chuckled. "I can't contain my joy. All this time, I thought Your Highness disliked me."

Boushin flushed red. "I've never said anything of the sort."

"Perhaps he heard you calling him stupid."

"Mother!" he barked, then turned back to Chiriko. "And please, you may continue to call me by my childhood name."

"I will not leave you again, Boushin," he beamed.

"That's good," he contently took a seat next to him and began eating his lunch. "After all, my father and Nuriko already left."

"They were here?"

"You saw my father, didn't you? And Nuriko was here too, and everyone could see and talk with them!"

"They could?" he had wide eyes. "And I missed it? How disappointing."

"I'm sure they'll come—"

They both quieted at the abrupt sound of Mayo's moans. Both of their moods dampened.

"She's gotten weaker," Boushin informed him. "She's asked Miaka to hurry and summon Suzaku, but…"

"Miaka's here—?" he was cut off by said priestess squealing his name and bounding in to give him a tight hug.

"You're alright!" she laughed. "You had us so worried, but you did it!"

"What are you doing here?" he laughed and hugged back. "It's so sudden!"

"This is my house, why shouldn't I be here? So much has happened since we last saw each other! Hotohori and Nuriko were here, and I got to see Houki again, and that's not all! Do you remember Xi Fang? And Yui! I got to see Yui again!"

"The Priestess of Seiryuu?" his face melted into a dumb look of shock. "I… I feel like I want to go back to sleep now."

"Chiriko!" she and Boushin whined back in unison.

"I had some notion of that given how the stars in the east had been moving recently, but it's a lot to process all at once," he defended himself. "And what is this I hear about summoning Suzaku? That's…" Miaka shrunk back and looked away, looking for some way to brush it off. "That's preposterous!" he finished. "Even if it were possible for someone like Mayo to become the priestess, that would necessitate searching for something like a shinzaho to use again. What's more, Kutou would consider any action of ours aggressive and use it as grounds for military intervention."

"That… that's apsolutely right," she agreed.

Boushin decided to save his breath this time.

Suboshi's absence was bothering Yui and Kaika. Kaika said nothing, and had a nagging chill in his arms, similar to the urges that would push him out of bed at night go play his flute. He occupied himself emptily by playing light tunes while he and Yui were left to wait for Nakago's attention, as he was busy attending to his usual imperial duties. The songs on the flute were meant to be a comfort for himself and for Yui, who he could tell was tense with all the waiting, but to anyone else listening the happy tunes almost seemed to serve as a warning for others to stay away.

Once they were finally invited to an evening banquet, Yui had nearly lost patience. "Why hasn't Suboshi been invited?"

"He has duties to attend to as general of the imperial army."

"As a Seiryuu warrior, shouldn't it be more pertinent that he be in attendance here?"

"That never mattered to you in the past, Lady Yui. Please be assured that I am here with you, as I always have been."

Her lips pearled into a scowl. "I would like Suboshi to be present when I use my final wish."

"There is no need to rush. Seiryuu has already waited this long, and he can continue to wait. You seem eager to force matters to progress."

Yui knew he could read what she wanted, and that he wasn't willing to budge in a game of mental chess. "Let's set the pretenses aside, Nakago. Please tell what it is you want me here for."

"I have no intention of taking your final wish from you. But before you use it, I will tell you what you wish to hear."

"Anything on your end?"

"Miaka's still flip-flopping about whether or not to summon Suzaku."

"Come on, Miaka, that's all you wanted years ago!"

"Don't tell my sister to get swallowed up by a giant bird just so that you can see a story progress," barked back Keisuke. "How about you? Are those old notes helping at all?"

"Well, just stuff about some Hin tribe practices. Idolatry and what not. Makes it kind of weird that one of them would be chosen to serve a beast god, especially when they weren't especially concerned about the Universe of the Four Gods."

"What do you mean?"

"Look at this," he sat next to him and pointed to some scribbled notes. "They were always more concerned with the occult and the heavens. Their goal was always to access the heavens instead of just call down gods from them."

"What's this?" Keisuke pointed to a smaller note with an arrow pointing to the paragraph: Heavens = our world?

"Oh, that? Just a passing thought I ha—a-a-a-ah!"

"Whoa, what's the matter, Tetsuya?"

"That might be it! Then it makes total sense if Nakago was saying something about our world! The Hin tribe probably knew all along that their world only existed inside of ours," he pointed to the book. "Then these rituals and sacrifices… they might have just been for the sake of communing with the writers of the book or something."

"Tetsuya," gulped Keisuke. "What does that mean Nakago is doing now? He couldn't really come here, could he? That'd be… that'd be terrifying. I mean, if no one from his tribe ever figured out how to come here, then… then he couldn't either, right?"

Tetsuya was silent for a moment as his thought.

"C-come on, man, you're making me nervous. Should I call the national defense force or what?"

"He has Yui!" he tore back to his notes and looked over whatever he had ever been able to gather about Hin rituals. "Maybe he just didn't know how to use her before—maybe he's figured it out now! I have to warn Yui!"

The color drained from his face. "What's going to happen to Yui?"

"Yui! Yui, listen to me! Save yourself!"

Author Fangirling: Hello readers, especially you new story watchers! I really appreciate you coming along for the ride. There may or may not be an update next week while I'm traveling, but I'll try! In the meantime, please remember to leave a review! ~Appa