Nightime in the Kingdom of Ku. With Hikari now ascended to the throne as King, and Agnea now having achieved her dream of becoming a star, The Brave Adventurers and Team Chronicle were now able to fulfill their promise of reuniting in Ku to celebrate both Hikari and Agnea's achievements.
"So…Sapphire God Asura, huh?" Mark asked as the two groups walked through the streets of Ku. "Didn't know I inspired you that much. I'm honored." Mark chuckled in jest.
"That wasn't you, that was Mugen." David said sweatdropping. "And it just so happened that the War Master allowed me to have access to all six weapons. It was just one big coincidence."
"I know, I know." Mark said. "Still…I'm glad you managed to get stronger, David."
"If I hadn't, Mugen seriously would've killed me. He really was that strong." David said..
"Well, he's gone now, so no sense in thinking about the what ifs." Eddy said, looking up at the paper lanterns strung up above them. "Might as well enjoy ourselves."
"Those lights are beautiful…" Agnea marveled, before she turned to Hikari. "What are they, Hikari? Their light is so soothing…"
"They're paper lanterns, made to resemble the human soul." Hikari said. "The people of the castle town begin decorating the streets with them to send off the departed."
"Mugen's war left a lot of casualties… Especially Ritsu's." Revali said.
"War isn't without tragedy… I'm sorry Ritsu was lost." Saber said.
"He made his choice when he sided with Mugen." Revali said. "But in his final moments… He wished for Hikari to make a better world for his sister."
"I see… Well, they may be gone, but they're never far from our hearts." Agnea spoke in a gesture of comfort.
"Indeed. And their souls light our way." Hikari replied, as the group soaked in the sight of the lanterns for a moment.
"Lord Hikari!" A voice called as Benkei appeared.
"What is it, Benkei?" Hikari asked.
"Merely an idle suggestion, but… might we hold a festival to commemorate our victory?" Benkei asked. "Since time immemorial Ku has celebrated its victories in war with lavish festivities…we should do the same, so the people could come to love their new king." Benkei asked.
"Is that really a good idea? You guys are still only a few days from beating Mugen and everyone's still pretty banged up." Connie said.
"But Hikari shouldn't be so dour all the time. Seeing him and his friends happy will make the others happy in return." Agnea said. "How about we try this? Hold a festival to pray for the happiness of those you lost."
"And in that way we mourn our friends… I see the merit in that. A ritual of remembrance… I like it." Hikari said.
"A splendid idea. I'll begin preparations right away." Benkei said. "Young McGee, as you are Lady Agnea's Manager, may I ask if she can dance during the celebration?"
"Hmm…that depends." Eddy said, before he turned to his charge. "You up for it, Agnea?"
"M-Me? Of course! It would be an honor!" Agnea confirmed.
"Alright, she's in." Eddy nodded. "Nothing too big, though. She had the dance of her life a couple days ago, and we don't want her to wear herself out."
"But of course." Benkei agreed. "Well then, we have all we need!"
"Not quite, Benkei. A ritual requires the appropriate accouterments." Hikari said.
"Ah, but of course your majesty. I suppose I got ahead of myself." Benkei said.
"We can get you whatever you need, Benkei. What's required for the festival?" Pearl asked.
"Just three particular items in mind: Wine to use as an offering, wood from a sacred tree, and of course, a mask for the dancer.'' Benkei said.
"We're on it." Chrysalis said.
"I'm sure some citizens in town have the items. I'll ask around and see if I can find them." Agnea proposed.
Thus, after speaking to a carpenter, a civilian inside of the local tavern, and an official within Castle Ku, Agnea and Team Chronicle managed to find the three necessary items.
"Are these the items you were looking for, Benkei?" Agnea presented the items.
"Yes, yes, perfect. Now that we have these, we have all we need to begin the ritual." Benkei said.
"Not so fast, Benkei! If Agnea's gonna dance in something like this, she's going to need an accompaniment." Eddy pointed out. "
"Ah, but of course… I suppose I got carried away once again." Benkei said.
"We can't entrust the task to any ordinary bard. David, you told me while on our travels you and some of your comrades form a band, yes? Might you have your instruments on you?" Hikari asked.
"Well, I might be able to make some arrangements, but I don't know if the music we perform would be fit for a place like this." David said. "Won't stop me from trying, though."
"I'm glad you want to try and help David. I've actually been kind of curious to know what sort of music you play." Agnea mentioned.
"I'm glad you're interested Agnea, but David does have a point. The style of music he usually plays doesn't fit the type of festival we have in mind." Pearl said. "We need a musician that is suitable for this…"
"Wait! Why don't we ask Yomi for help?" Steven asked.
"Yomi?" Mark recalled, before he nodded. "Her lute would be a good fit for this kind of thing…if only we knew where she was."
"A lute, you say?" Benkei asked, getting the group's attention. "It just so happens that there have been rumors of dulcet tones of a lute drifting from the Tranquil Grotto as of late."
"That's gotta be her!" Eddy realized.
"Then we know where to go. I hope you do not mind us requesting Yomi for assistance, David." Hikari said.
"No complaints. She might take some convincing, though. Remember that conversation we had last time?" David asked.
"Ugh, Do we ever. She kept postponing performing for us because she kept adding stuff for us to do." Rainbow Dash-2 remembered.
"Not to mention that other thing? You know. The one about her sister?" David asked.
"Oh, right… she mentioned her sister lost her life when Mugen took Ku at the start. I think she might have a bit of grudge against Hikari for not saving her life since they knew each other personally." Krillin said.
"If she does, I will handle that situation myself." Hikari said. "She may want to take my life, and I am prepared for that. I'll meet her challenge and take her sorrows myself."
"Lets go find her and see if that's true first." Piccolo said.
Hikari led the groups to the Tranquil Grotto, an old temple where murals depicting Ku's history could be seen. There were plenty of murals and monsters as well, but regardless, the group was able to navigate the temple's halls and, following the sound of a lute being played, they found Yomi in the deepest part of the temple.
"...It has been entirely too long." Yomi said, noticing the group as she stopped playing.
"Hello, Yomi. I see youre still as dutiful to playing your lute as ever." Pearl said. "Strange that you would be playing it deep inside a temple like this though."
"Truth be told, there is a reason that I am playing here. I was waiting for you, Lord Hikari." Yomi said, shifting her attention to Hikari. "And remembering my Dear Sister. Often we would take refuge in these very caves, and play the lute together. A battered thing we found on the road. Its strings were rotted, and its sound was warped. Nonetheless, for lowborn like us, hearing it was like living in a dream."
"I…. get the sense you and your sister haven't had the most easy lives." Connie said.
"No, we have not. A very long story in of itself. I was in fear when I heard my parents as the questions of why they gave birth to Tsuki and myself. She held me as I fell to sleep, and when I awoke, she had left. She had left our house, so I could stay." Yomi explained. "I was all alone, and despite how poor we were, I managed to make it to adulthood. Day after day, I plucked at the lute, my sister always in my thoughts. And to my surprise, I actually became quite good at it. During my travels, my sister and I were reunited. She served as an attendant to the royal family of Ku, and lived in the castle town."
"I think we know where this is going…" Gohan said. "Tsuki is no longer with you because of what happened when Mugen overthrew Lord Jigo. But despite that… you blame the Ku family line, because you think they were the ones who took your sister's life."
"Very observant." Tsuki said, her tone being more serious. "I know it is ridiculous to hold a grudge against you, Lord Hikari… but what else is there for me to do? No matter how often I sing of her, my pain does not subside. Lord Hikari… Would the sight of your blood wash my suffering away?
"It's as Gohan correctly surmised. Clan Ku took everything from you. And I will bear that burden for you, Lady Yomi. If there is anything I can do to ease your pain, then I will do it." Hikari said.
"Hikari, can you handle this?" Alphen asked.
"I must, if Yomi is to ever find peace." Hikari said, drawing his sword.
"Please, forgive me… but I can contain my pain no longer!" Yomi said, drawing one of her own.
With that, Hikari and Yomi engaged in a fierce one on one duel. It was a tough match, however Hikari was able to weather the storm of Yomi's attacks, and capitalize on her weakness to spears to subdue her.
"Lord Hikari… you are strong. And your heart is kind. I have no doubt my sister was happy to serve your family." Yomi said before she was saddened. "Tsuki… Forgive me. I couldn't do anything for you in return…."
"That's not entirely true, Yomi. There is something you can do." Gohan said. "We're holding a festival to honor those who have passed away. Agnea is dancing in the festival, and we were wondering if you could play that song you performed for us at the festival. Y'know, as a way of praying for Tsuki's happiness."
Yomi said nothing, but gave a smile as she was brought back to her feet by Agnea.
That night, The Brave Adventures, Hikari and Team Chronicle watched as Agnea and Yomi performed together, Yomi bringing the full version of "By the Light of The Heart", to the festival, lanterns alight across Ku.
"You know something David? Even though we haven't done a lot of things together, it feels good, doing this." Eddy said. "Settin' up a festival, honoring people we love who are gone… both our groups have people we know who have passed on."
"Eddy speaks true. We still remember our friend Galen Cross to this day. And we know your group has many treasured comrades who have given their lives across your adventures." CP said.
"Yes. And we treasure our moments with every one of them. I can only hope their souls find peace." David said.
"They have. I'm sure of it." Sectonia said.
"Speaking of which. After this, there is this place picked out where we were going to meet up with the others." David said.
"Oh, really?" Mark asked. "Where? I…didn't get directions."
"It's a bit of a ways from Cropdale. There is a campsite that Jexi and Hope are setting up." David said.
"Oh, cool! Time to get the gang back together!" ZS said.
And so, once the festivities had concluded, Hikari, Agnea, The Brave Adventurers and Team Chronicle would soon set out to join their allies at the place where they would all meet… unaware of the dangers that would some come.