A week after Devlin Blackehart's assault on the group we return back to Phoenix drop. Levin continues takes care of things while his mother is away and everyone is going about their daily lives. A crow flies in the distance as it makes it way to Phoenix drop.
Katelyn sits on a bench in the town plaza. Kyle and Malachi are hanging decorations awaiting Aphmau's return. She sits there and supervises. The crow flies over her, dropping a small package with a letter attached. She begins to skim the letter. Kawaii-Chan turns to her and asked about the package. She tells her it's nothing but goes to her house to look at her package. She opens the box and pulls out a necklace with a purple gem.
We move our scene to the kingdom of O'hkasis. In a spherical building on the east side of the kingdom we enter a room with nine tall chairs five of which were empty. A familiar dark figure walks in and takes his seat.
"I hope you accomplished your task." A skinny silhouette said shifting its glasses.
"Come on four-eyes, you know better to question me like that?"
"That wasn't an answer."
"Answer him Blackehart!" A man atop a pedestal bellowed.
"Of course your highness. I completed the mission, not personally but I'm sure she'll get the message."
"Was there trouble on your journey?" the man with glasses said.
"No, nothing at all."
"Enough you two," a man in a red coat and hat spoke to them. "Your constant babbling is making my ear's ring."
"You should watch your tongue." Blackehart growled.
"THAT'S ENOUGH!" the man on the pedestal yelled.
The three in the room silence themselves and the center of the room began to glow. A transparent figure came from the light. I was Katelyn.
"Greetings, Katelyn the Fire Fist."
She spoke in a quiet tone. "I hoped it wasn't true, but it seems O'hkasis still lives."
"Raise your head Fire Fist."
Katelyn slowly raised her head and gasped. "You're, Lord O'hkasis. But, rumors said you were on your death bed."
"Fifteen years ago, I suddenly awoke from my sickness."
"Don't be fooled my dear," Blackehart smiled. "Even for fifteen years, the old man probably won't last another year."
The old king looked toward Blackehart and glared. "It has come to my attention that you have reappeared after fifteen years."
"Yes, and if I may speak honestly."
"You may."
"While my stay here in Phoenix Drop I was acting under my own intentions, my plan was to defeat and if possible kill High Priest Zane of O'hkasis."
"I know."
"You knew?"
"High Priest Zane has been stripped of that title. He abused his power of high priest and if ever shall he return he shall pay for his crimes."
"I see…"
"The reason I called you today is to remind the rules of being one of the Jury of Nine!"
"Sir?"
"There is only one person the Jury of Nine respond to, AND THAT IS ME!" the king shouted. "If I've heard correctly Zane had "stripped" you of your title as one of the Nine."
"Correct."
"That amulet that the former jurors possessed meant nothing. They have all been destroyed."
"Why tell me all this?"
"Many jurors have come and gone these long years."
"Except the three of us…" Blackehart grinned.
"Yes, you three have remained jurors in throughout these years; Devlin Blackehart, Ace Redfield, and Barthus Kumodori.
"Those names?!" Katelyn said surprised, "They were known as the youngest members of the nine."
"Correct and I would like you to retake your place. Currently there are two spots vacant, if you wonder of why the other four are not with us, they have already been informed and are busy on assignment. I have no doubt you will meet them soon. So I ask you again, will you be a member of the nine."
There was a moment of silence as Katelyn thought, "Under one condition…"
"Yes?"
"Phoenix Drop must not be harmed, it will have the full protection of O'hkasis."
"…very well…"
"R-Really? I-I mean…THANK YOU MY LORD!"
"This meeting is adjured, I will call upon you soon Fire Fist."
"Of course your majesty! Thank you again."
Katelyn's holo disappears and the four begin to converse.
"Was that wise my lord?" Redfield asked.
"Yes," Blackehart grinned, "I'd like to know our lord's thinking on letting these troublemakers live."
"…Phoenix Drop…" the king said, "that village has continued to be pain these last few decades. It won't matter, nothing will stop my goal, not even them."
Aphmau shifts in her sleep as she has nightmares. In her dream she witnesses Blackehart defeating Garroth and Laurence again, this time in a burning Phoenix Drop. He looks toward and in a demonic voice says, "You will fail them, your weakness shall be their downfall."
She awakes suddenly in a bed and looks at her surroundings. She doesn't have her weapons and seems to be bandaged up. A man walks into to the room and approaches her.
"Where am I?" Aphmau asked.
"You're in one of our town's clinics."
"How did I get here?"
"A man came from the forest and told of some people injured in the woods. A couple of guards followed him and we brought you here."
"The people I was with how are they?!"
"The two men were in need of serious medical attention, not to worry they'll live."
"Wait, who found us?"