When Jae-Ha finds Yona and Hak at the edge of camp in the twilight, the couple sends him off to gather Yun and the other dragons.
By the time the dark of night has fallen, they're all making plans together in a private tent. Everyone is thrilled Yona and Hak have decided to stay and fight. Except maybe Jae-Ha. He watches on the sidelines, thinking and thinking.
In the center of things, Yona talks through various strategies with Hak. She's amazed by him - he knows every player's resources, motivations, and talents. Anticipates exactly what the deadly collision of all those things will look like. Where each piece will move at every turn. And how to be ready for all of it.
There are many basics Yona has come to accept...
Worst comes to worst, their unexpected appearance at the border will earn them a head-on attack. Their odds will be pretty bad in that case. But the fallout from such a move could cost Kouka the war with Kai. They're trusting that Soo-Won wouldn't choose that. That is, if he's in any control anymore.
Best case, Yona and Hak will be allowed to fight alongside their countrymen. And after Li Hazara is taken out of the equation, there will be a moment of truth at the center of the battlefield between Hak and Soo-Won. Hak has been waiting for this opportunity for a very long time...
But most likely, any settling of personal vendettas will be prevented and instead a civil war will be incited. Yona is shaken at that concept. Losing many of her own people over these continued corrupt politics? Her heart can barely stand the thought. And yet, what other way is there if they can't get to the sitting king?
That. Killing Soo-Won… when Hak mentions it, his speech is clipped. He moves over the event as though a doctor stating how to treat a wound. There is one clear way to survive, brace yourself - some things must be done. And yet, Yona is unable to accept the event actually happening. That Soo-Won is over in camp somewhere breathing right now. And that by nightfall, he might not be.
Hak watches Yona, wondering what's going through her head about all this. Even though she's made up her mind to fight and he's made up his to support her goals… he's her bodyguard, sensei, husband, lover, and friend. He cannot help but be sincerely full of fear. Is she afraid, too? What wouldn't he do to protect her out there?
Jae-Ha worries about that very thing. On the side of the room, he continues to sit quietly dreading tomorrow... if Hak is distracted trying to protect Yona dear, he'll only be half the warrior he can be. And that is a dangerous state to be in during war.
Finally, the whole family agrees - for tomorrow to work, they will need to trust each other and most of all put their faith in Yona. Because Yona possesses a very unique talent. Something they've seen from visiting small villages to negotiating peace with entire countries: she moves hearts. And she has much to set in motion tonight. Any successes will directly lead to lives being saved. Because she will not continue in hiding nor will she support the current corruption in the palace - she will be standing up to make her claim for the throne.
So with all their plans laid out, cloaked and with Jae-Ha as her escort, Yona takes off into the sky...
Kyo-Ga polishes his sword, mind focused on the task ahead… to be the best general he can for his people. He hears someone enter and turns in alarm-
"You… princess… it's very late."
Yona has come with Jae-Ha and they are otherwise alone. She lifts her palms wide open to indicate she comes peacefully.
"Please don't worry, General Kyo-Ga. No one knows I'm here, nor will they ever have to. I've simply come to relay information… that only I can," Yona goes on to bring up his father and what happened with Li Hazara… draws on that emotion in relation to what happened with her own father… tells him to look to that very event to see Soo-Won's means to ends… and to look to Tae-Jun to see what a nation under her influence would look like.
"General Kyo-Ga, I beseech you, if you truly have a heart for your people, then join me in ending this betrayal and bloodshed once and for all..."
Kyo-Ga's expression turns to awe as he sees the fire in her eyes...
Tae-Woo lays awake flicking straw into the air, seriously bummed about Hak having been missing all night… tonight of all nights. Would he be back in the morning?
Flick!
"Still playing around at this hour?"
Tae-Woo turns in relief, "Lord Hak!"
Hak's expression is that of a person about to make a request.
Yesss, Tae-Woo smiles deviously, so ready for whatever this is gonna be, "Bring it on."
The air in the room is suddenly full of energy from the mix of steadfast loyalty and a favor to be made...
Lili is putting a cloth over Min-Soo's forehead to calm his fever when Jae-Ha and Yona arrive with Yun in tow.
"Yun can look after him from here. We have a favor to ask of you…"
Lili looks to her friends with determination, "Anything."
"Your father... we need to speak with him privately."
Lili considers… this could be incredibly difficult at this hour, but… "You can count on me. I'll go to him now."
The morning breaks like any other - calm, bright.
Yona smiles at Hak's familiar scent as she comes to… her eyes open to meet his staring pleasantly back at her. They're nestled together with the dragons. Like old times. She leans up and presses her lips to his - her favorite thing in the world might be waking up next to this man. The feeling of gratefulness and joy radiates through her, giving her strength. Hak savors the feel of her lips - the touch fires him up like nothing else. As they pull apart…
"How did it go?" Yona whispers.
"The Wind is behind you," Hak brushes a strand of crimson hair off her face to behind her ear.
She smiles, hardly believing their good luck, "Kyo-Ga, too."
Hopeful but skeptical, "Joon-Gi?"
"Lili tried, she really did. But…"
"He refused to meet with you?"
Yona nods sadly.
He kisses the top of her head and encourages, "You're gonna have some dragons fighting on your side out there that'll be hard to ignore," he nods the the guys in the room, "Joon-Gi might have a change of heart on that battlefield. Anything can happen out there."
Change of heart… Yona wonders about Hak's heart and what might happen out there today. Hearts are tricky things. Just a day before she herself had thought she had to walk away from the people and life she loved. And in the moment it came down to actually doing it, her heart wouldn't let her. People… are human. We're all only so strong when it comes to things we love... or loved.
Yona sees Hak looking at Ao sleeping right above her shoulder. She looks up at Ao too - "Don't worry about us, OK?" she tells the little furball as she strokes his head.
"You could come with and help protect her," Hak offers to the squirrel.
Smacking Hak's arm, "No way! Ao is too precious."
"What? You're at your best when you have something to protect. Ao could just sit there and you'd be amazing."
"I have to be amazing anyway, you know. I have you to protect."
Hak smiles as he lets that sentiment soak in, "You know what it does to me when you say you want to protect me."
Yona blushes, then coyly crawls up against him for another kiss.
Hak moves a hand down over her tummy as she runs her fingers through his hair. He's never wanted to survive so badly in his life. Feeling the warmth of where his hand covers… please, gods, he prays… can I make a selfish request just this once more?
It's time. Yona and Hak walk hand in hand to her horse. She's ready with her quiver on her back, bow in hand, and sword sheathed on her belt.
Hak offers a hand, "I know you've been practicing, but Jae-Ha's been spoiling you with the flying everywhere thing…"
Yona smiles, taking his hand as he helps her up, "If you say one thing about my weight I'll-"
"-I'd never!" he smiles right back up at her.
"You should know, I can absolutely get on my own horse now. And ride without you behind me. So don't worry."
"But the horseback archery…?" he raises a skeptical eyebrow.
"I'll dismount…" Yona admits, then, "You should also know I have no intention of losing my teacher out there today. Plan on training me well starting tomorrow, OK?"
Hak laughs, "Drillmaster! A man doesn't get to rest a single day after war, huh?"
Yona's eyes serious, cheeks pink, "There's so much I'm looking forward to with you, I don't want to lose a second."
He squeezes her hand, "To be honest, Princess... I'm worried about today. I'm getting better at accepting the dangerous situations you have to go in… but I still can't rest until you're back at my side."
"I know, my love," she squeezes his hand back.
With all his sincerity, "Don't do anything rash. As much as I want to ride straight in there together announcing your claim to the throne… if we're gonna beat Soo-Won, we have to be just as strategic as he is. I'm going to play my part like we all agreed in the meeting yesterday… you need to stay on the fringe - where you will be helping tremendously. But promise me… no matter what you hear or see in the center, do not go into the fray," his eyes aren't a command, he does not command this woman, but a plea - his heart set out before her to do with what she will.
Yona gently nods with teary eyes, then, "Go and come back to me quickly," she leans down for one last kiss - he takes her face in his hands and meets her lips passionately, his everything. He pulls back and they whisper in almost unison, "I love you."
Their mouths hover there, so close, breathing each other in, for just a moment...
Then Hak turns and doesn't look back. He is going to take care of this. Everything that the Thunder Beast has ever been rumored to be... is about to appear in full force.
Jae-Ha lands in stride with Hak as he heads toward the Wind Camp.
"You two… troublesome apart, troublesome together. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad it keeps life interesting but-"
"She's not an easy woman to love."
Wistfully, "That's why we love her."
"Watch it, I'm not dead yet," Hak warns Jae-Ha with a trip.
Loving the abuse, as Jae-Ha regains his footing, "That's why I'm here. Are you planning to go do something stupidly brave out there? I was thinking... how about we win this war and then take our time with the whole taking back the throne thing? Maybe all stay alive in the process, eh?"
Hak sighs with a frown. Jae-Ha nods, "Oh, I see. One of those… thinking ahead twenty steps things."
"If you knew, you'd do the same. Help me protect her, Jae-Ha."
"You don't have to ask for that, Hak…"
"There's blocking an arrow or getting her out of there. What I mean is - help me protect her. Seeing war does things to people. Especially if you believe the deaths are on your hands."
"Ah, all that prep in case there'd be a civil war… you're not going to allow there to be a civil war."
"Aside from those people not needing to die, starting her reign that way would…"
"Be against everything her father believed in."
Hak pleads, "Don't let her go into the center. No matter what."
Jae-Ha thinks on all that that means for a moment, then, "I care about you both too much to let her do that," he watches his friend as they arrive at the Wind tent, it wouldn't just be her who'd be in danger then.
"I promise: I'll protect our precious Yona's heart."
And that sets Hak at ease...
Lili sits in her tent with Yun watching over Min-Soo. She's moping horribly.
"I failed her. She asks for a single favor… my own father… and I can't even deliver on that."
Yun looks like he's about to lose his mind, "Usually the complaining is my line. You might have ruined me for it for the rest of my life."
Lili continues as though she didn't hear him, "I don't even need to be here. I shouldn't even be here. I need to be… out there. With her. But I can't fight like her… I…"
She looks up - Ayura and Tetora have just arrived.
"You made it!"
The girls all hug, squee'ing and long-awaited-reunion-level merriment. Yun looks down at his medicine - maybe he needs to take something for the emotional whiplash in here?
Lili pulls back from her friends, stars aligning in her mind, eyes lit with possibility...
Tetora is the first to realize, "Uh oh…"
Lili dives right in- "Do you mind if we go see father?"
"...isn't he about to start a war right now?"
Ayura realizes, "Small detail…"
"I know it could be dangerous, I'm willing to go alone at a point… I just need to see if it's possible to do something for Yona. To at least try."
When the troops have gathered in formation at the border, Soo-Won, Keishuk, and General Joo-Doh see it in the distance-
Princess Yona rides toward them with four dragons behind.
Keishuk is furious, "She came? Did you know about this?!"
"...no," Soo-Won's even exterior borders on cracking at the sight, but he just barely holds it together, "Defeating Kai takes precedence."
Even General Joo-Doh is sweating about the complication, "He's right. We'll lose this war if we don't work together."
Keishuk stares suspiciously, "What exactly were you doing with the princess two nights ago, Soo-Won?"
But Soo-Won is lost in his head, frantic, "Where's Hak…?" he's scanning over the troops - ah, there, just like they'd discussed, the Thunder Beast is at the head of the Wind alongside Tae-Woo.
Keishuk has seen too much of Soo-Won's obsession on this topic, "Why are you always so concerned about that man? You have thousands of troops at your disposal!"
"..." Soo-Won is trapped. This is really happening. They didn't leave. Then they're… standing against him? Even if by all appearances they're fighting alongside him now… they all know, they all know what comes next. There's no more denying, "That man… married the princess."
Keishuk goes white as he begins to gasp, "You knew this?! Did you take his wife into your bed? Or… you didn't? It doesn't matter, he has a claim to the throne - kill him now!"
Joo-Doh puts a hand on Keishuk, which Keishuk quickly slaps off, but Joo-Doh stresses, "We cannot do that now. Wait."
Keishuk seethes, "Unbelievable," he eyes narrowing toward Hak, "So win the war first… but remember, there's much confusion during war. Anything can happen on the battlefield. And if neither of you will do it… I will."
"...he's the strongest warrior in this country," Joo-Doh is incredulous at the proposal.
"If it takes the entire Sky Tribe, so be it."
Joo-Doh is silenced with shock.
Soo-Won stares forward over their thousands of men, stricken.
But - the moment has arrived for this war to hurtle forward. Soo-Won lifts his flag. The generals see. The battle cry is deafening.