After splitting up from Jexi and Connor, Hikari and the Brave Advenurers began their own mission in Stormhail: to find Rai Mei and ask her to join the efforts to take back Ku from Mugen. With Glacis now pacifed and the Blizzard died down, the task at hand would be much more easy to accomplish.

"It seems your friends in the Dimensional Heroes have accomplished their goal. Glacis has been subdued, and the harsh blizzard in this area has subsided. We'll be able to find Rai Mei much more easily now." Hikari said.

"Good, because having to trudge through that blizzard would've given us a headache." Scott said.

"Let us now head to our own destination. Castle Mei is very close to Stormhail's vicinity." HIkari said.

The group and Hikari made their way up to Castle Mei before spotting a man and several soldiers on the bridge pathway.

"I am Prince Hikari of Ku! I seek an audience with Lady Rai Mei!" Hikari said before the man leading the troops approached.

"You and your friends will not pass, Lord Hikari." the man said before he and his soldiers drew spears. "By Our Lady's command, leave now or be escorted by force."

"I recognize you… You were a vassal to Rai Mei." Hikari recognized before drawing his sword. "We don't wish to fight. We've only come here to speak with her."

"Is that so…? If you would speak, then allow your weapons to do the talking." the man said as the soldiers charged in.

"Well, guess we're doing this." David said. "Blizzara!" he said as he blew a wind of ice at the soldiers.

"Burn!" Genis said as he began casting. "Flame Lance!" he called as a spear of flame fell from the sky, causing an explosion.

"Let me in on the fun." Revali said as he fired a flurry of arrows at the soldiers.

Hikari then followed up by rushing in and slashing the soldiers and the commander with his sword. He then combated the commander himself, before finally felling him.

"Gah… you haven't lost your skill…" the man said.

"Now let us pass." Hikari said.

"That's enough!" a new voice called, as standing at the other end of the bridge was Rai Mei herself.

"My lady…" the man said as he and his troops stepped aside for Rai Mei to go in front.

Before speaking to Hikari, Rai Mei saw the Brave Adventurers.

"I remember all of you. You were at the Battle of Ku as you fought by Hikari's side." Rai Mei remembered. "How long has it been? Three years since that battle?"

"Sounds about right. Sure has been awhile." Rantaro said. "We didn't come here to catch up though."

"Rantaro is correct, Rai Mei. Mugen has seized control of Ku. For the sake of our nation's future. I must see him dethroned. So we've come to you… We would have your spear by our side. The Spear of Levin. Together we can bring an end to Mugen's tyranny. Please, Rai Mei. I fear we cannot do this without the strength of Clan Mei." Hikari said as Rai Mei was silent.

"You shouldn't have come here. Our friendship has long since ended." Rai Mei said, shocking Hikari.

"What…?" Hikari asked as Rai Mei drew her spear.

"His Majesty has sent a decree… Any who find you and your allies are to kill you where you stand." Rai Mei said.

"Um, Hikari? Now might be a good time to back up. I can see the look in her eyes. She's not gonna budge." David said.

"And so now I place my faith in my spear… Call down the heavens' judgment and strike down my enemies!" Rai Mei said before twirling her spear as lightning struck.

David took the initiative as he formed an icy barrier around the group. "Everybody, hang on!" he said as the encased barrier started to fall off the bridge.

"I'll allow no one to harm Clan Mei." Rai Mei said.


However, while she expected the group to be dead, in reality they ended up in the lowest point of the castle, just outside the dungeons.

"Guh… Is everyone alright?" David asked.

"We're fine. But Rai Mei sure got us good." Ryoma said. "If not for your barrier, we would've been swimming with the fishes right now…or even holed up in their cells."

"I could sense it within Rai Mei. Her heart is undergoing so much discord." Dimitri said as he appears. "She is torn between her loyalty to Ku, and the friendship she has with Hikari."

"Damn that Mugen." Lloyd said.

"Lloyd, I understand your frustration. But right now, we need to focus on bringing Rai Mei to our side." David said. "We can bring the fight to Mugen afterward, don't you worry."

"She should be at the top of the castle somewhere." Rinwell said.

"And there's no doubt that her soldiers are intent on executing us as soon as we get caught. We might have to fight our way through." Leopardmon said.

"Here, Leopardmon. You should have this." David said, giving the Bracelet of the Three Houses to Leopardmon. "I have a feeling you might need this more than I will."

"Are you certain? WIthout us, you might not be able to work well with the other weapons." Edelgard said.

"Don't worry, I'll be fine." David said.

"Let us go." Hikari said.


The group and Hikari then made their way up the castle before reaching one of the towers as they saw Rai Mei waiting.

"Ah, Hikari." Rai Mei said. "I see your mercenaries have helped you yet again."

"Rai Mei, do you really mean to follow Mugen blindly? Even if he leads you into an ocean of blood?" Hikari asked.

"Don't you understand, Rai Mei? If Mugen is left to his own devices, there will be nothing left." Tsumugi said. "That's why we have to stop him now!"

"So that's the path you and the mercenaries believe in, Hikari? My brother and I used to have faith in the future as well. But now there is only me." Rai Mei said.

"Your brother?" Rinwell asked.

"You mean you haven't told them what happened when you were still a child, Hikari?" Rai Mei asked.

"I get the feeling this isn't just about Rai Mei being pulled in two directions. What's going on here, Hikari?" Shionne asked.

"...A long time ago, when I was still young and Clan Mei and Clan Ku were just beginning their partnership as allies, my cursed blood took me over completely…. and I unknowingly at the time, killed Rai Mei's brother, Jin Mei." Hikari said. "I had feared this day would come once Mugen seized power. It seems Rai Mei has not forgotten my crime."

"Damn… That's some deep-rooted stuff." Dynasmon said.

"But this shouldn't come between you, Rai Mei. We don't want to fight you." Tsumugi said.

"You said it yourself. You used to believe in a future where we looked to each other for guidance. For support." Hikari said.

"Silence." Rai Mei said.

(Cue- In Pursuit of Kingship~ Fight against Isabeau- Shin Megami Tensei IV)

"We cannot quit the paths we make, or we'll lose sight of ourselves! We must keep moving forward with our heads held high! You know this, Rai Mei!" Hikari said before Rai Mei turned back to him and the group with spear in hand.

"I said silence, Hikari! It was your accursed blood that took my brother from me! The stain of Clan Ku… I won't let it take anything from me again… Even at the cost of everything else. Clan Mei will endure!" Rai Mei said.

The Spear of Levin

Rai Mei

"It doesn't have to be like this, Rai Mei! The path you walk is not what Jin would have wanted!" David said.

"And who among us chooses our own path? We've lost much and more on our journeys to this moment. But no matter what, I shall ensure the safety of my clan." Rai Mei said, twirling her spear for battle.

"Yes, we have all lost a lot on our journeys. That no one here can deny. But whatever we have lost, we can still reclaim. Please, Rai Mei. You have to think this through more thoroughly!" David said.

"I've already thought it through enough. The time for talk is over." Rai Mei said as he assumed her combat stance as two of her soldiers came to back her up.

"So it would seem. Fine then. If this is the way you want it." David said. "Leopardmon, you know what to do, right?"

"Of course I do. Dimitri, let's go." Leopardmon said, slipping the bracelet of the Three Houses on.

"We are with you, Leopardmon. But I'd rather not take Rai Mei's life if we can help it. Perhaps after we've bested her in combat, she could be more liable to persuasion." Dimitri said.

"First, Let's see what we can do about her soldiers. Emblem, Engage!" Leopardmon said. Upon engaging, his armor turned completely black and his ponytail mane turned purple. His rapier was exchanged for Areadbhar.

"Rai Mei is weak to swords, rods, fire, and light but her troops are safeguarding her weakspots. Let's take care of them first!" Miu said.

"Good thing we have just the thing for that." Leopardmon said as he charged in at the soldiers with Areadbhar.

"Providing cover fire, Leopardmon!" Revali said as he fired multiple arrows.

Leopardmon moved straight in after the soliders were pelted with the arrows, and used Areadbhar to knock them down. "The path is clear. Go!"

"Right!" David said as he and Hikari moved in with a few of the others.

"Light!" Raine said as she began casting. "Ray!" she called as a glyph formed above Rai Mei and fired down multiple beams of light.

"Explosion!" Genis followed as a huge ball of fire dropped onto Rai Mei and caused a huge explosion.

"Easy there, you two. We're not trying to kill her." David said. "Rai Mei, please. Don't do something you'll end up regretting. Revenge is not worth it, Rai Mei!"

"I have to ensure Clan Mei's future, even if it means killing all of you." Rai Mei said as she starts to switch up her stance.

"Tch… Still stubborn, huh? Fine then, you leave me no choice." David said as he took out an axe he was carrying.

"An axe? Do you even know how to use that?" Rai Mei asked.

"Not all that well. But if it'll get the message through to you, I'll try anything! I'll do anything to help Hikari realize his vision!" David said.

"Then show me the strength of your conviction!" Rai Mei said, charging at David.

David starts to counter Rai Mei's strikes with his axe, neither allowing any openings.

"Your leader is very driven in his ideals and convictions…almost like he acts just like myself." Hikari noticed.

"That's just how he is. He too has a vision of creating a world where people of all races can live in harmony. And to accomplish that, he is willing to take to the battlefield himself and do what he believes is necessary." Kabuki said. "A lot of people in our travels describe him as many things. Intelligent, Creative, Talented… But most of all… Kind, Loyal, and Honor-Bound. Sometimes, all of these qualities are exemplified to a fault. But where we stand, these qualities show the best sides of him, and we wouldn't want him any other way."

After a fierce back and forth battle, Rai Mei was soon overwhelmed by David's offense, and it wasn't long before she was completely exhausted.

(end song)

"It's over, Rai Mei. Stand down, we have no intention to kill you." David said.

"I'm not..finished yet…I swore… I swore my clan would see no harm. My spear… will not yield." Rai Mei said before sighing, looking to Hikari. "Hikari.. It was Clan Mei that took your mother from you. We sent the bandits… that killed her. Forgive me…"

"...I have a feeling Hikari already knows." Leopardmon said as he soon reverted back to normal.

"I do, Leopardmon. I also know it was done by order of Mugen. Rai Mei, you and yours are blameless. The sin lies on Ku's shoulders. My mother, your brother… they were both victims of our nation's cruelty." Hikari said as Rai Mei stood silent. "I know you sought the same future as I, Rai Mei. A bloodless future, a peaceful future."

"It's not too late, Rai Mei. You can still come back from this." David said. "We must defeat Mugen and steer Ku away from the ocean of blood he seeks to cast on it. That is the path Hikari has chosen. And he would appreciate it if you walked it with him."

Rai Mei was silent before she let out a cry of anguish. "My clan… I…I was ready to kill all of you to keep them safe. For a second time! It's too late for me… I've already bent the knee to Mugen. I can't walk by your side, Hikari…I can't… Kill me, Hikari! It's more than I deserve!"

Hikari turned his back to Rai Mei, not drawing his sword. "I and the Brave Adventurers will all await you at Ku, Rai Mei. We all have faith you'll come." he said as Rai Mei was silent before Hikari and the Brave Adventurers departed.

"You sure we made the right decision leaving her be?" Milo asked.

"You know that David has this charm that brings enemies to his side, right?" Jesse asked.

"Yes. He has told me about a few of them." Hikari said.

"Yeah, so if my track record is anything to go by… She'll come. I'm sure of it." David said..

"Yes…so now…all we need to do…is take this long standing fight right to Ku's front door." Jesmon said.

"Yes. It is time we bring the fight to Mugen's feet. This could be the biggest fight of our lives. Fight like you have no intention of showing mercy. Because Mugen won't have any." David said.

The reunion with Rai Mei dredges up the past. One filled with memories of wicked deeds and a trail of bloodshed. Although Hikari and the Brave Adventurers came to Rai Mei with open arms… She wavered before the crossroads of fate. However, Mugen's ambition will not wait for her decision. And so Hikari and the Brave Adventurers depart to do battle one last time.