A tickle on his arm woke Kaika out of a light slumber. He glanced over, but it wasn't at an angle where he could tell what it said.

"Would you like some assistance?" came Nakago's voice. It echoed through the prison cell where Kaika was chained to the wall with no freedom of movement to respond to whatever it was Suboshi had written to him. Kaika glared back at the emperor of Kutou, who approached and read aloud. "'Brother, Lady Yui is safe. Where are you.' Would you like me to respond?"

"Don't touch me."

"Then we agree to say nothing. We'll wait and see how Suboshi chooses to act. If he comes for you, I will let him have you."

"In exchange for Yui, I take it?"

"She is the link to my only remaining goal."

"And then what? You leave everything in ruin while you go be satisfied with yourself?"

"This world will be left to do as it deems fit, though I wouldn't mind binding this entire world together against the heavens. If you could remember your past, I'm sure you'd like to take revenge against them with me."

Kaika spat in his face.

Wiping his cheek, Nakago took a different tone. "You've picked up uncivilized manners in your time as a farmer."

"If I used to work for you, it sounds like I've changed for the better."

"To be clear, Amiboshi, I have no interest in making enemies of anyone else in this world unless it is necessary. I'm soon hosting a peaceful discussion with the ruler of Konan, but I will resort to another war if it is necessary. For the time being, you should take consolation that your family in Sairou will be unscathed. Let that thought sustain you."

"Don't touch them!" he shouted and shook the chains as he tried to tear himself off the wall to lunge at him.

"If you'll excuse me, I have an important guest to prepare for," he said, then noticed more writing appear on Kaika's arm. "He says he's coming for you."

As Boushin arrived at the Kutou palace, he found the guards in meticulous arrangement, waiting for his entrance. He had brought a few of his own palace guards to escort him, but they seemed small in comparison to how much armor the Kutou guards wore.

He and Chiriko were lead across the courtyard to a large hall, where a robed, blond man sat. As they drew closer, he could see more of his unusual features, and the emperor's piercing blue eyes in particular caught his attention.

"I humbly welcome you," he said in a deep, thundering voice. "Emperor Reizeitei of Konan."

This was it. Boushin was face to face with the killer of his father, and the man responsible for so many of the woes of the past.

"I, Reizeitei of Konan, and my counselor Ou Doukun, humbly accept your invitation."

Boushin was on his most emperor-like behavior as they conducted the necessary pleasantries. Afterward, he and Chiriko were lead into a small, intimate hall with pleasant incense and only chairs and tea prepared. Whatever the conversation was Nakago had in mind, it was not meant to be shared publicly. He motioned for them to make themselves comfortable, then took the seat across them and looked them over, at last saying, "The resemblance is striking."

"I believe you may be referring to my father."

"You should take pride, as I've never met another man quite like him."

"I only wish he could hear your praise himself," he folded his hands and gestured his thanks.

"And you're hardly recognizable now," he turned his attention, "Chiriko."

"Time will do that," he replied. "I noticed on our way here that Kutou seemed quite different since the last time I was here. I congratulate you on the health and prosperity of its people."

"It has indeed taken time, but I take pride in what it has accomplished. This prosperity could not have been accomplished without Konan's support, so I thank you."

"That may be the case," Boushin replied, wondering if he should blurt out the ultimatum Counselor Chou had proposed. No, he couldn't do that just yet.

"Pardon my saying so, but the stability of Kutou may be the last thing the heavens may ever have wanted."

"The heavens?" the young emperor asked. "Do you mean something about the four beast gods?"

"I'm referring to something above them," he starred off. "To put it frankly, I believe our entire world is a victim of another."

"Another world? The only other world I am aware of is the one the priestesses come from. Do you mean to say their world has been affecting ours? What merit would they even have in doing so?"

"I do not believe our worlds were ever separate to begin with. How else would the priestesses be so similar to us?" he replied. "Rather, our world was likely born of theirs, as one where they could seal away that which they did not want in their own world. I'm sorry. Have I progressed too quickly?"

"No, please continue. I'm listening."

"They no longer wanted to be constrained by war and famine."

"A world with no war sounds impossible," interjected Chiriko. "What proof do you have of this?"

"Would a world at war," he said as he pulled out Tomo's clam shell to show them, "have developed into this?"

Boushin and Chiriko were stunned to see the image before them, and both found themselves drawing closer to observe breathlessly. "This is their homeland?" Chiriko finally asked.

"It's merely an image Tomo created based on the memories of the Priestess of Suzaku. None of the people you see before you are real, they are merely part of what she would have considered normal."

"It's remarkable," he continued watching.

"There's so much movement," said Boushin, a childlike smile creeping to his face. "And lights! There are so many lights, as if the people make their own stars in the sky—their own destinies to follow!"

Nakago smiled. "I'm pleased you've noticed that, Your Highness."

"What do you mean by that, Your Highness?"

"In this world, people exist according to the fate they were born into. You as an emperor, and I as a member of the Hin tribe. These characters on our bodies that you and I have, Chiriko, also destined us to fight and die for our priestesses. They were sent to this world against their will as well. Compared to the freedom people enjoy in that world, where every person blends together as they come and go, from the ground to the tops of these grand halls they've created, and with not a single weapon on their person, our predestination to violence seems strange. As you said, they couldn't have completely eradicated humanities' violent disposition from their society. Instead, they must have created our world to seal it away here."

"I don't feel I can fully agree with you," Chiriko said in a low voice. "But I have also often wondered about the relationship between our worlds. I don't think they would have done what you claim just to eradicate violence, though."

"Of course. Such an ambiguous purpose wouldn't merit that. Their primary purpose must have been to seal the beast gods."

"What?"

Closing the clam shell, Nakago went on to explain the purpose of the beast gods in their world and the reason for sacrificing priestesses, similar to how he had explained it to Yui, but in more objective terms. With too much to process to have an immediate reaction, they merely nodded and listened intently.

Nakago finally forced them to speak. "Chiriko, do you find it strange how much sense this makes?"

"It does seem rational when there is no evidence to disprove it," he concurred, though Yui's warnings were ringing through his head. For Nakago to have thought it through this far, he had to have been so obsessed with it that evidence to the contrary would be ignored, as was the case with any mad man and his machinations. Naturally curious, however, he couldn't help but want to see more of the thoughts that lead to all this. "It's always made sense to me that there would be a link. I never asked Miaka anything about it, though."

"I doubt she'd have told you anything."

"Did you ever speak with Yu—the Priestess of Seiryuu about this matter?"

"She would be unwilling to."

I can see why, he mentally responded, though the way she and Miaka had always skirted the issue made him apprehensive.

"But if our world was created merely for the purpose of… of appeasing the gods, or sacrificing the priestesses, or whatever it is, then is it something everyone there would have known about?," asked Boushin. "Did the priestesses know about having to sacrifice themselves before they even came here? Would they get in trouble for not doing it?"

"I'm willing to assume they are oblivious victims like everyone else in this world. That is why they are brought here while they are still young and naïve."

"And do the people responsible for all of this make sure that our world's destiny moves according to their plan?"

"There must be a mechanism they use to contain our world and observe everything as it happens," he said. "I've come up with possibilities, but it may be impossible to determine from inside of it."

"A book."

Boushin and Nakago looked to Chiriko. He was rubbing his temples and furrowing his brow as the pieces came together.

"That must be it," Nakago's eyes grew wider. "They could predetermine everything."

"So… so all this time," whimpered Boushin as his bewildered eyes searched their faces. "You mean to say we're merely characters in a book? Ink on paper?"

"Emperor Reizeitei, now is not the time for an existential crisis. Not if you're going to rise against what fate has predetermined for Konan!" he boomed back. Boushin felt himself shake as Nakago stood and towered above him. "Do not allow Suzaku to be summoned, else this world with finish running its course and will ultimately come to an end."

"This world will end?"

"It would be convenient for the heavens if we cooperate in summoning and exhausting the beast gods. I've spited them by bringing Kutou this far. This is why I tried to prevent the Priestess of Seiryuu from using her final wish since I've become aware of the consequences of cooperation. You are the one with the power to prevent Suzaku from being summoned and bringing our world closer to its destruction."

"But—but if it's all a book anyway, what if someone burns the book? Then we'd all… "

"That's a legitimate concern," he replied, backing down into his chair. "While it's not relevant to reveal all of my intentions to you, I'll make it clear that I intend to enter the priestess's world. When I do so, I will take this world into my own hands. You can be assured of its safety."

"You mean to leave this world?" he asked. "How? What would become of Kutou? Do you have an heir?"

He shook his head calmly. "Emperor Reizeitei, if you would cooperate with me, I would entrust this entire world to you."

Boushin was taken aback and couldn't open his mouth to make a response. Even as an emperor, he couldn't fathom that amount of power. "The entire world?"

Nakago continued, "I have not spoken of any of these matters with Hokkan or Sairou. Having already completed their course in the fate of the beast gods, they are too complacent. Due to the treaty Konan signed with Kutou ten years ago, I am able to speak with you about this, and request frankly that you do not allow Suzaku to be summoned. It may be difficult to comprehend, but you must consider the consequences."

"I understand," he replied automatically rather than intentionally. "But I... I need to think."

"That's right," his counselor added. "You've given us many new ideas to consider, but it would be premature to make any kind of decision. Please allow us some time."

"Indecision has the same result as far as I am concerned. Let's set the issue of beast gods and priestesses aside for now. Seeing as Kutou occupies Konan, why don't we use this as an opportunity to discuss any other concerns you may have?"

"Yes, that's right," the boy emperor snapped back to his senses. "We'd like to relieve the tax burden on Konan's citizens. At this rate, Konan may never be able to reach Kutou's level of prosperity, and soon Kutou will have nothing else to get from us!"

"A valid concern I will consider."

This is not what we planned. He's using the taxes as a bargaining piece against us! "Your Highness," he now stood from his seat. "I would like to claim Konan's sovereignty back!"

"I understand your pride, but you've misunderstood. Konan still has its sovereignty, which is why you are allowed to be its ruler. Kutou is merely allowed certain privileges and influence."

"This cannot go on forever. I will consider your proposition very seriously if you will consider mine. My duty is the safety and happiness of the people of Konan."

"Well said," he nodded. "I must remind you, however, that the peace Konan is allowed today is based on agreements made before your time. Under those agreements, people of Kutou may come and go and as they please through Konan. They are still loyal to the Kutou empire, and they may not have an amiable reaction if Konan were to take any aggressive action." He looked him straight in the eyes and finished, "That would include the summoning of Suzaku."

A chill ran down Boushin's spine. Clenching his fists to try to stop his hands from shaking, he responded, "I understand."

"Is there anything else you would like to discuss?"

"No."

"Nothing else for today. I propose that we allow ourselves ample time to consider everything we've discussed," said Chiriko. "Thank you again for inviting us here to speak with you."

"It was my pleasure. There's no need to act like strangers."

Chiriko forced a diplomatic smile in response.

"You still have a long journey ahead of you," he continued. "A banquet has been arranged in your honor. I will have you rejoin me in the banquet hall when you are ready. All of the servants are ready to guide you once you have a moment to rest."

They thanked him again, and Chiriko sighed deeply once he left the room. "Well," he commented. "That was a bit more than we were prepared for."

Boushin acknowledged him, but didn't seem very talkative.

"I'm going to go use the latrine. How are you?"

"I'll wait here."

"Very well."

Chiriko had a servant passing through the hall point him in the right direction, but after finishing his business, he got a bit turned around in the winding halls. I still have time, he assured himself, though the faster he went, the more unfamiliar the halls became. While having such sudden difficulty the thought occurred to him, and sure enough, the character on his foot had disappeared for the time being.

The halls got quieter and quieter, and he only caught sight of a person out of the corner of his eye. The person caught his attention, because it looked like Suboshi was chained to a wall. Chiriko's brain was stick working properly enough for him to assess the situation and make a more rational assumption about who it really was.

Kaika didn't take long to notice him either. "Those robes-you must be here from Konan to have an audience with Nakago, right?"