Before the nightmare… Before this adventure... Before becoming a servant to the Kou Empire… Lina was a kind, happy, normal little girl. Her father was a farmer and her mother made beautiful clothes in a little shop nearby. Lina had an older sister who had a talent at taming the animals and a younger brother who for some reason loved playing dress up with their mother and helping her make some of the clothes. Lina, on the other hand, was the middle child, a bit wild but kind and outspoken and all she wanted to do was explore and fight.

Then one day everything went wrong… The village was dying. Fires were started in every crop, shops were destroyed, children screaming for their families as they were taken away.

It was a battlefield, no…worse… A Massacre.

Blood filled the streets and water was no longer clear or good enough to drink. During the worst part of this time Lina's parents ran out to help the town and keep the fires at bay but after hours of waiting Lina bravely ran into the streets to find her parents after they disappeared and her siblings found a cave to hide in as the chaos swirled around them. Lina was yelling for her parents and avoiding anyone she didn't know but when she found them the ground began to shake and the wind got harsher. Something even more dangerous had arrived. Lina's parents told her to be safe and protect her siblings. She ran as fast as she could to her siblings but someone grabbed her from behind and knocked her out.

That day was the last time she ever saw her family. The only things she had left were her father's dagger, her mother's chain necklace, her sister's charm, and her brother's ribbon. One day she hopes to reunite with her siblings, until then she'll forever hate the slave traders and the Kou Empire, the ones who took her.

"Lina... Lina…" A soft but lovely voice brought a little girl back to reality. She looked up and saw a beautiful face with soft gray eyes and blonde hair with a tint of green. The older woman has a strong resemblance to the girl with the face but the little girl has dark gray eyes with green specks and green hair with blonde highlights in cute long pigtails. She smiles brightly at her mama and jumps into her mama's arms.

"There you are. Where did you go, silly girl?" Her mother brushes the little girl's bangs to the side to see her sweet little face.

Lina giggles as she tries to tell her mama about the dream she just had, "Mama! I was in the clouds and I saw a giant hill with a town in it!"

"I think you mean a mountain, Sweetling."

"Yes! And! And! There was a boy! But he was sad... and lonely..." The little tilt her head to see if she used the right word and nodded to herself. She giggled again when her mama picked her up to sit on her lap.

"Ohh, a boy. Hmm. Maybe one day you will put a smile on his face and you'll make sure he will never be sad or lonely again." The mother poked the girl's nose with a cheerful smile and hugged the child closer to her heart. "Because, I believe you will go on a journey like never before and change the world."

"Yes!" the girl smiled brightly at her mama.

"Now it's time to…."

A beam of sunlight got through the curtains and landed suddenly on Lina's face. With a groan she blinks her eyes and quickly covers her eyes with her hand as at the same time wiped the drool off her face.

"Oh good, you're awake." Cassandra is by the window, which pretty much tells Lina who opened the curtains and woke her up and according to Cassandra's tone of voice she didn't feel guilty in the slightest.

"Wha- Why are you here?! Rukh! Turn off the light!" Lina shouted in a stutter to the blonde warrior and quickly covered her entire body with the silky light pink sheet.

"I came to wake you silly." She giggled and moved away from the window to help Lina get ready to leave the small country. She places Lina's old clothes by the table, her clothes are now clean and fixed from any rips and tears.

"Oh yeah, I did ask…"

"Come on, get up. Queen Mira wants to see you off herself."

Once Cassandra left, Lina stretched and looked out the window. The last few days had been wild for the girls; first the cave, then the sins, the dungeon and now they're off to another land. Lina quickly changed into the clothes she came in and left to go check on the Princess, who was already up and in the garden making something with flowers. After a quick breakfast the girls were off but first the Queen had a few words for them.

Outside of the palace Queen Mira, Cassandra, Parsine and a few others came to see them off. Queen Mira walked up to the girls and all three of them gave a bow of respect. "As a thanks for saving me… You two are welcome anytime and will always be my personal guests. May we meet again."

"Thank you, Your Excellency." The young ladies bowed back to the Queen.

"Please, Mira will do." She corrected them.

"Of course. Mira." All three women shared a laugh.

As they were getting the giant bird Kougyoku was hesitant but marched up to the blonde queen. Mira saw her coming and excuse herself from her ladies to walk up to Kougyoku.

"Mira, may I have a quick word?"

"Yes. Is something wrong?"

"No. Just here." The future Empress blushed and presented a beautiful woven bouquet of carnations, gladiolus, yellow roses, and iris into a flower crown. And a single letter.

"It's beautiful… What is this?"

She giggled nervously and once again hated that her sleeves were not long enough to hide her ever growing blush. "It's a flower crown, the flower represents what I think and feel about you as a fellow captured, Queen and friend. And the letter is everything about who I am. My plans for the world and the people I know who will change the world."

"...I will read it when I see you again." Mira promised and put the letter between her sash.

"Why?"

"Because you are special and my friend."

"Thank you…"

The two royals bowed to one another again but for a second Mira hesitated but decided to do the unexpected. She pulled Kougyoku into a tight hug and whispered in her ear before letting her go.

"I think I'm going to be sick..." Lina turned green as the giant bird made another sharp turn.

"This is amazing!" Kougyoku is having the time of her life with her arms up in the air and her braided hair flying behind her. This is the feeling of freedom, wilderness and no worries. Everything Kougyoku wants and has, to truly be herself.

The girls got a ride from the giant bird, which are actually called the wyatt, by Queen Mira's request. The wyatt dropped the girls off on a large mountain side, it was close to the country of Sasan, or at least that's what Queen Mira said. They were able to see Sasan from where they were and soon enough they found a path that goes up the tall mountain.

"Finally! I like them and all but man! That was torture!" Lina complained but was happy to be on her feet with solid ground and walking.

"It wasn't that bad." Kougyoku chuckled at her friend and waved farewell to the wyatt.

"Please, you're used to flying. I'm not."

"Ok, ok, look." Kougyoku pointed to a building up ahead. The girls ran up and in a few feet they were in a temple-like church on the side of the mountain. It's beautiful and a work of art.

"Whoa..."

"You can say that again."

In front of them is the temple- church carved into the mountain and had the illusion of being indoors. The arc is perfectly symmetrical and the building has collins and open windows.

"Hm cool, so I'm guessing our test has to deal with our sins and maybe dungeons." They notice the detail that went into the structure, it looks like the elements and something else…

"That seems about right. Hm?" Lina quickly walks to a wall that has a craving on it. "Hey Princess! Check this out!"

"It's a dragon... No, it's the hunter's dragon symbol!"

"Yeah, how did we miss this last time?"

"Who knows...?" Kougyoku shrugged.

Lina rolled her eyes. They walked deeper into the temple. They found a room with windows bringing in sunlight and in the middle of the room is a table with two bottles, one green and the other red.

"Do we drink it or something?"

"I don't know… maybe?"

"One way to find out."

"Wait, Lina!" Kougyoku stopped Lina from drinking the odd bottle and pulled them away from it but she lost her balance and the green bottle spilled into her mouth while the red bottle splashed into Lina's.

"Princess!" Lina groaned and fell unconscious as did Kougyoku.

Kougyoku woke up with a headache that strangely reminded her of a hangover that she once had back when she was younger at a particular party. She promised herself not to drink sake or wine like that ever again. She tries to get up but her head is pounding too loud for her to focus. "My head. What the hell...?" Kougyoku fell back to her knees in a daze. Kougyoku shook her head slowly but surely the pounding was leaving her head. Once she got control of her body Kougyoku opened her eyes to the dark room but suddenly she saw a green light from the corner of her eye and all she saw was rocky terrain and in the middle of the terrain is a woman, dark skin, and warrior-like outfit, with skulls, feathers, and beads standing in the green light.

"Took you long enough." The woman has a husky voice with a hint of annoyance.

"You must be Envy." Kougyoku stated.

Envy nodded, "Yep, resenting others for their possessions or gifts. This is a Battle of Wits, a mental battle. All those feelings come out to play as I tear you down."

"What do you mean?"

"We play a game." With a wave of her hand they are sitting in the green spotlight with a small table in between them. A board game rests on it innocently, the game is Mahjong. A game Kougyoku played with her three older brothers when they had the time. It's a game of tactics, observation, memory, and adaptive strategies. While she didn't win a lot, it's a good game to learn more about your opponent. So far, she learned her two elder brothers, Kouen and Koumei, are creatures of habit. While Kouha is a wild card and loses a lot, on purpose.

"Mahjong?"

"Of course, let's begin." A bell chimed in the stilled air, they grabbed tiles from the middle and truly began.

The game is a slow to middle pace but got faster as they understood how the other played, to a degree. "Your whole life, while privileged, you didn't have everything you wanted. A true family, friends to call your own, a man who loves you unconditionally and a chance to truly provide yourself. But instead you got the opposite, a family that only wanted you for your power, friends to use you to grow within and leave you behind, a love who used you to get information and save himself and his people. And you were the last to pick because your older siblings were useless and you are easy to control but I've to tell you that you actually know how to run a country and make them… better than before." Envy sort of commented on her before shaking it off and getting back into the game. "You envy being the last choice because all you wanted was to be first. But you can't. Forever in sorrow and isolation." Envy placed a tile in front of Kougyoku. "Remembering your childhood, your siblings, your first love, your dear Alibaba and his friends. The loneliness, the jealousy, everything. That's gotta hurt. Hm?" Envy got into Kougyoku's head making her relive every moment she felt envy, jealousy, covetousness, resentfulness, and spite. But there is one thing they all have in common. All of these moments that turn her who she is today.

Kougyoku 's started to tear up but as she looked at the tile in her hand and placed it in the middle of her deck and showed her hand… She won. "That may be true but I learned how to deal with all my issues... Not to mention… My djinn is Sorrow and Isolation." Kougyoku looked at Envy with a patient smile.

"You passed." Envy wasn't all upset about the lack of fighting, or word play, sometimes violences or a silver tongue isn't answered to truly win a war within one's self.

The grey sky, covered in smoke and fire. A taste of sulphur in the air and in the middle stood a girl with a familiar shape and hair but a visual difference showed in her stances. Lina saw the girl collapse and got closer to her and saw her princess.

Lina rushed to her with a few trips and fell to her knees to wake up the girl, "Princess... Princess wake up!"

The girl groaned and pushed Lina away from her to stand up, "Enough with all the shouting."

"Princess are you ok?"

"Better than ever." Kougyoku turns to face Lina but the look and smirk doesn't match what Lina's used to seeing everyday since she was nine. Also her eyes, they glow a bright red filled with malice instead of a kind soft hearted jade-red.

"What's wrong with you?! What's with your eyes?... Who are you?!"

"Ohh you are sharp my dear. To tell the truth I quite hate that."

"Where. Is. The. Princess?!"

The fake laughs as she steps over a hot rock, "Now, now. No need to be angry. Let's have a chat."

"I have nothing to say to you."

"Fantastic because I do." She claps her hands, smoke fills up the area and all of a sudden Lina and the look alive sit on rocks shaped like stools with a tea set in the middle, also in front of them is an area that looks like a pool. "We're going to play a game. It is called a game of truth. Here's the rules sweetheart. I say something and you say why it's good or bad and come up with a solution. It sounds easy, right? Great. Let's begin."

Lina is a little out of it but does understand what the sin said about the game but she can't think when the sin looks like Kougyoku.

"Why do you look like Gyoku?" Lina asked.

The Sin just shrugged as if the question is meaningless. "Because you hate her. Well… more like, angry at her. It will make sense soon. Don't worry."

"I'm worried about it now. Why? Wait… are you… Wrath?"

Wrath smirks at the girl, "Strong, vengeful anger or indignation but we're getting off track. The game is pretty simple, let's do a trial… Watch…" The sin touches a pool of lava and shows Lina a blast from the past. It's when one of Kou's sisters got Lina in trouble. She was humiliated and filled with anger that day but she couldn't do anything to a princess.

"What did you feel?" Wrath asked.

"As if you don't know…" Lina is still going through the emotions and hates this game already.

"Tell me. Describe it to me."

Lina glares at Wrath but looks away for she still looks like the Princess, "It was painful, humiliating and all I wanted was to hurt that girl but I couldn't. I was powerless. The only thing I could do is nod, apologise for something that wasn't my fault, and take a punishment I didn't fairly deserve."

"And how would you make a solution for that?"

"What do you mean?"

"If you can change the outcome, how?"

That stump Lina for a second and finally she really did think about it, "I don't know. No one would believe a poor servant girl. But if I did have the chance to change it, well I wouldn't change a thing."

"Why?"

"Princess… Kougyoku, she… she was the only one who tried… hm, I forgot all about that." Lina remembers that Kougyoku was also there and told the truth but the other princesses didn't believe her and stood by the other. That's when Lina was first shown kindness at the palace.

"Let's continue."

The game went on for a long time, there were times Lina wanted to fight the Sin and other times she refused to speak but Wrath saw something, that Lina is truly working on her anger but some things you can't change because the damage is too deep. And what Lina had experienced wasn't pleasant but she never gave in or feared the ones who caused the anger and pain in her eyes.

"One last question. What would you do if you stood in front of the people who hurt you and your family and sold you to the Kou Empire?"

Lina had to really think about it, for a long time she had nightmares of that night and wanted to kill every person who took her from her family and for years she never found out what truly happened to them. "Make them pay or at least have them never step foot in my village but that has already passed… unless I can change now. There are so many possibilities already, but one needs to have patience and what's a better way to kill them, then with kindness."

"Interesting answers but will you stay with The Empress?"

Lina scuffed at the question because it was meaningless, "Yes. For we had promised one another and that's a promise I will take to the grave."

"Congratulations."

"Say what now…?" Lina tried to ask but once again smoke filled the air making the area black.

The girls woke up but in a very interesting way. Lina woke up with a gasped suckin in all the fresh air she could. Kougyoku with a scream of frustration.

"Holy-"

"Lina!"

"Gyoku!"

The girls quickly grabbed onto one another, they have done this more times than they can count. Although they got the pattern down it doesn't make it easy, not physically, mentally or emotionally. It's a nightmare but it will be worth it in the end. All of these challenges will get them ready for the Hunters.

"Are you ok?"

"Yeah yeah but my head is killing me." Kougyoku said while rubbing her head, as if it would take the pain away.

"Same." Lina agreed, they were about to talk about their experiences but a flash of red and green hit their eyes and they saw…

"Hello girls." Wrath and Envy but slightly different with a pure light surrounding them. They finally became Kindness and Patience.

"You wanna tell us what that was all about?!" Lina got up and was getting ready for another showdown but she needs a second to gather her energy, which the girls will need for the dungeon they believe is waiting for them on the other side.

"Still so angry but at least you know kindness." Kindness smirked at the greenette who scowled back.

"Can you please, stop talking in riddles?!"

"Temper, temper. Ok, my dear." Kindness is having fun teasing these girls because the former sin can see the Empress getting frustrated as well but hides it better, "You both passed the test of the mind, of your envy and wrath while you two still have issues you know how to solve the problems with kindness and patience."

Patience continued the thought, "Wishing the best for others; a love for each person you come across." Patience looks at the both of them and can see they're taking in the wisdom they give them, "Also, it's a balancing act; acting with patience, mercy and charity when resolving conflicts. You will need those skills as Hunters."

Kindness picks it right up with a fare of drama, "Welp! Just follow the trail and the second part of your test shall be revealed. Good luck! You'll need it!" She claps her hands, their bodies disappear and turn into a ball of light that quickly shows them the way out.

"Ok…"

"These trials get weirder and stranger as we go on." Lina commented and once again placed her spear and knives in their rightful place on her body.

Kougyoku nodded and shielded her swords on her back, "Mm hmm. Let's go."

They rushed through the temple-church and found a path, which led them to the other side of the mountain and outdoors. And once again in front of them was another dungeon. A tall structure that looks like a knight with a longsword in front of its body and the entrance is between its feet, by the tip of the sword.

"Another dungeon, really?"

"It can't be that bad…"

"True."

"So, should we go in?" Lina asked as they stared at it in silence but awkward silences didn't work for them, "….Flip a coin?"

Kougyoku just raised a single eyebrow in disbelief, "No way- what is that?" They heard a rumble that was coming towards them.

Lina recognized the sound, her eyes widened as she grabbed her friend and ran, "Run, dude! Run!" The girls ran into the dungeon to escape the earthquake that was happening below their feet.

"Well that happened." Gyoku stated as they caught their breath leaning against the wall.

"Really? I had no idea." Lina was feeling sarcastic and being reminded of her past pain didn't help the situation at all.

"Your sarcasm is refreshing…" The Empress rolled her eyes and finally saw the dungeon.

"Why thank you." Lina said but she followed her friend's eyes and they widened two sizes bigger, "Wow this place is…" The inside of the dungeon had a very mediaeval feel to it. The horses, swords, giant knights, and much more. "Beautiful…"

"But beauty has its dangers." The Dungeon Capturer said, as she knows there are dangers here, "Let's find the path and get a move one. I'm almost positive that a local is here."

"Hopefully they're nice like the last one. Even though they did try to kill us." Lina tried to stay positive because for some reason Sasan and this dungeon feels… right to her. Like she was supposed to be here. Although time will tell.

The Princess shrugged and remembered her lessons about each country, "I don't know. Sasan, even with a contract with Sindaar and opened their gates to the outside world they still didn't like outsiders all that much…"

"They're going to kill us. Awesome." Lina's face fell and really didn't want to fight something or someone at the moment but they had to survive the dungeon.

Speaking of the dungeon, it was a pain in the arse to the young ladies, the monsters were wearing armour and shouting in an odd way like;

O gull, o dolt, as ignorant as dirt!

You scullion! You rampallian! You fustilarian!

O'serpent heart, hid with flowering face!

That's just to name a few! And they wouldn't stop unless the girls killed them. Strangest dungeon ever! They had to fight the giant knights, outsmart flying metal, swim in oil, and there was a monstrous horse chasing them for the longest time. That was Lina's fault.

"That bloody horse almost killed us!"

"I told you it wasn't friendly but did you listen no!"

"Shut up!"

Kougyoku finally had enough and used Vinea to destroy the horse and used the water to get to higher ground. There they found the door that leads to the treasure room.

"We are finally here!"

"Oh thank rukh."

"Let's get this over with."

"Please!"

The girls open the door. They were expecting broken, rusty, unable to use stuff but instead they found a beautiful room filled with treasure. A round table in the centre of the room but in the middle of the table there is a hole with a sword in a stone. The Djinn is connected to the sword, Alloces, is a huge, slightly beastly, of a knight. Covered in armour from the neck down and his head looks like a lion with a mane, horns, and no hair on the face. Alloces holds himself like a noble, courtesy and loyal. Most of all Kougyoku can see in his eyes that he is fair and will allow all to have a chance to be a victor.

"Oh looks like we have more potential kings." Alloces greeted the ladies with a bow.

Lina just raised an eyebrow at the man in front of them and bowed back to the Djinn, "Nope, not interested." Shrugged and took a closer look at the man, she realised that he is the Knight-King Darius Leoxses. A middle-aged man with cunning eyes, a little beard, and dark red hair. He has a serious look and a bang going down the left side of his face. He wears ornamented clothes and metallic protectors in his arms and legs, and carries around a long metal spear. He wears a light colored turban around his head, which has a dark feather sticking up from it. Lina, for some odd reason, waves at the man like they're old friends and has the biggest grin ever. Like she knows something. All he does is sneer and look away like they're beneath him.

The princess just rolls her eyes and bows back in respect and tells the Djinn the truth, "We just have a question and-"

"And you didn't come here to capture me…" Alloces can feel that the girls didn't want his power and one of them is connected to another Djinn, a particular dragon with a taste for royal blood. One of them is of royalty, the same as the man. Even with all this information Alloces still wanted to know their goal, "Then why did you step foot into my dungeon?"

Kougyoku has her back straight, looked into the eyes of the Djinn and spoke in a gentle tone but everyone can hear the steadiness, confidence, and authority. "As you just said, we didn't come here to capture you. I have but one question that I hope you can answer. Your answer may help us to know what our purpose is and to find the right path, for we are lost in time." Kougyoku looks and sounds like a Queen or rather an Empress should. Alloces acknowledged this with a nod.

Everyone but one believes she's a candidate to be Alloces's chosen king.

The Knight-King Darius Leoxses snarled, "Of course, because I'm the only one pure enough to receive this power."

Kougyoku, while she wants to glare at the man, just wants this whole ordeal to go over smoothly without conflict but when has life ever been that easy. She sighs and looks at the Sasan King, without raising her voice she tries to explain the situation calmly, "That's not how dungeons work-"

But the man doesn't want to hear it from an outsider, who is close to his country. He points his lane at her, "Do you wish to die?" He threatened.

Kougyoku looks unimpressed at his display of dominance.

Lina glares at the man for speaking over her friend and Princess, "Well, now that you say it like that…"

"Lina, be quiet." Cue the eye roll from the red headed girl.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Lina smirks at her while watching the King.

"Seriously. Now?"

"Yep."

Kougyoku takes a deep breath to settle her nerves and blood pressure before she turns back to face the powerful Djinn, "Great Djinn of Courage and Faith, Alloces… Do you by any chance have any texts about the magical power to time travel?"

"Time travel… No I don't, but perhaps these books will help." Alloces has a few books laying on the table and points to them. They are filled with spells and techniques that are mostly theories about time travel, the multiverse, inter-dimensional and universal travel. That is more than enough and will hopefully point the girls in the right direction on where to go.

Before Kougyoku can grab the books, Darius steps in front of them with his lance at the ready to strike down the girls. "No, everything here belongs to me and my country."

"My Lord, we just want nothing but those books and to go home."

"No."

Alloces saw arguing wasn't going to change anything, while he had made his choice about his King, one more challenge couldn't hurt. After all there is a method to his, and his fellow Djinns, madness. "How about a challenge for the books?"

Lina steps in front of her Princess and agrees, "Okay!"

"Lina!" Kougyoku gasped, she held onto Lina's arm wanting an answer.

"Listen, we need those books. Please, let me be your shield and finally prove myself to you."

"...You already have it, Lina-chan." Kougyoku eyes soften at the older girl, they have gone through a lot in the last few months. From enemies to friends to a bond that now can't be broken. Lina has Kougyoku's respect and friendship but she understands what Lina has to do, "Are you sure?"

Lina nodded and strongly said, "I accept this challenge."

"I, as well." The Knight-King also agreed.

Alloces nodded, "The challenge is jousting."

Lina started to blink in confusion and had to ask, "What the hell is jousting?"

"The ultimate test of mediaeval gallantry." Alloces grinned, for he loves to see a good show of gallantry, creatively, and honour between warriors.

"What the fu-"

Alloces claps his hands, "Let's begin!" The magic the Djinn released made an arena;

About 120 feet with 10 additional feet on each end as a stake down, 140' total. They're using 5, 6' poles with a rope strung across the top as our centre line. To keep it so high so that it discourages low hits and horses bringing their heads over the centerline. Also they're using 100' with 10 additional feet of stake down at each end for a counter lists, outside lines, to keep the horses running down a lane, 120' total each side. They're using 5, 4' poles with a rope running across the top on each side. Then use flags and flagpoles to mark out the end of all of the ropes. 10' to mark the centre ropes and 5' to mark the counter list ropes. This makes it easier for the riders to know where those ropes are and avoid them. We also assign a colour to each side – usually red and blue- to make it easy to announce.*

"I can't see! What is this covering my eyes?!" Lina freaks out from the unusual clothes on her body.

Knight-King huffed in irritation, "You're annoying, it's armour for knights for which you are not."

The armour is padden linen and leather with plate armour on the upper body. The battlefield armour is specialised to be hit, in sections like the chest and right side of the helmet, being reinforced with an extra metal plate, a heavy gauntlet for the lance hand and the helmet is like a frog mouth, the bottom half protruded more than the top half. The shields are made of wood and leather, the top corner is cut out so the lance can be rested. Also the shield is secured to the shoulder by a strap to ensure it didn't fall to the ground when struck.*

"I'm really getting tired of listening to your voice." Lina glared at the man through the sliver of her helmet.

"Hmph."

"You mother-"

"Lina-chan." Kougyuko gave her a warning glare which she can't see at the moment but she knows what face the Princess is making and what it feels like too.

"Whatever…"

Alloces smirks just a little at the banter of all three of them, for he knew one day they all will be friends and remember this moment.

With a deep voice he explains the rules;

"The rules are:

Firstly, we declare that the knights who must joust should run four courses, and no more. And if in these four courses one knight should hit the other, splintering his lance, and the knight upon whom that lance splintered did not break his own lance by striking his opponent, he shall be vanquished, for he did not break his lance.

And furthermore, we declare that, if one knight splinters two lances and the other only one, the winner shall be the knight who breaks the two lances. But if the knight who only splintered one lance knocks off his opponent's helm with the same blow, a tie shall be declared between him and the knight who splintered the two lances.

And furthermore, if a knight shatters two lances by striking his opponent, and the knight who has been struck knocks him off his horse, even though he did not splinter his lance, a tie shall be declared between him and the knight who splintered the two lanes.

Furthermore, if one knight knocks down both his opponent and his horse, and the other knocks down the knight but not his horse, we declare that the knight whose horse fell with him shall be the winner, because the fault in this case was the horse's and not the rider's. And in the case of the knight who fell but whose horse did not, the fault rests with the knight and not with the horse.

Furthermore, we declare that lance staves shall not be judged properly broken if they are broken crosswise, but only if they break after striking with the point.

Furthermore, we declare that if in these four courses each knight splinters two staves, or one each, or they each strike in the same place, a tie will be declared between these two. And if in these four courses they never manage to hit each other at all, let the judgement be that they jousted poorly.

Furthermore, we declare that if any knight should drop his lance whilst charging, without ever coming to blows, his opponent should raise his lance and not strike him, for it would be unchivalrous to strike an opponent who had no lance.

These are the rules."

The Knight-King nodded and understood the rules clearly, "Hm, easy enough."

While Lina on the other hand… not so much, "Say wha- I'm going to die!" She is trying to figure out how to move in the amour! So far, it's not going so well!

On the other side of the ring is Kougyuko cuffing her hands together in front of her mouth to loudly cheer on Lina. "You can do it Lina-chan!"

"Yeah, no problem…" she chuckled nervously, while figuring out how to move in the metal suit.

"Little girl."

Lina had a bit of a whiplash for she's slightly offended being called 'Little Girl'. She is a grown ass woman! "Oh, he said what now."

If the Knight-King heard her he showed nothing but glared down at Lina, "This tower was brought through the Gods I serve. You are an outsider; a pagan, you won't touch what does not belong to you. So, quit now and leave with your life."

She glared at him, "No, let's do this."

"Very well."

Alloces slyly smirked, raised his hand and began to challenge, "Begin!"

After a few rounds somehow they're tied which surprises both women… (I'm sorry. I have no clue how to describe a joust scene but for inspiration please use the last joust scene from A Knight's Tale.)

"You have some skill, I'll give you that but you will not win." Darius huffed out as he caught his breath.

"That may be so but giving up is not a word I'm familiar with. Princess help me get the armour off me." Lina started taking off the amour. "Hey Princess! Please come down here!"

Kougyuko ran down the stairs to help out Lina although she opposed the idea, "You'll die."

"No, I won't. Please, just trust me."

"Ok…"

Once all the armour was off Lina is wearing a long sleeve shirt and riding pants. In her right hand she held the shield and her left was the lance. She nudged her horse to the starting point.

"You are making a grave mistake girl."

"No, I'm fighting for my right and my name is Lina!"

The flag is waved, the Knight-King urges his horse to run, Lina waits a few seconds to spit out some blood that filled in her mouth and urges her horse as well, both are headed towards each other at top speed. Lina is without armour or any protection but this, light clothes and free of the extra weight helps her with speed, with a mighty roar fell her lips, she broke his lance and knocked down the king and won the challenge.

"Congratulations, My lady! You are the victor of this challenge! The books are yours!"

"Thank you." Lina bowed and saw the King struggling to get up because he was weary and the armour is heavy and so like the good person she is, gave him a hand, which he glared at. "Come on, you can't be so proud to not ask for help."

Once he got up his frown deepens because behind Lina is Kougyoku silently laughing and next to the princess is Alloces glaring down at the Knight-King daring him to insult the lady, "You… you did a fine job." He spitted out and glared at the two.

She didn't notice what was going on behind her but she could hear the struggle to get those words out but luckily it was at least sincere, "Thanks." Lina smiled but a yawn escaped her, "Now, I need a nap."

The Princess gathered the books and started to read the first one; it explained the theory of magic mixed with space but it was incomplete like there is a missing ingredient or step… Kougyoku has the book completely covering her face as she reads on.

Alloces watches as the two young women, one trying and failing to not fall asleep while standing and the other reading and trying to figure out the puzzle of time travel. The King is glaring at them and he is the one Alloces has an issue with but the Djinn must put away his difference for The King of Sasan is now his chosen king but luckily the Djinn can give advice while they are still in the treasure room, "Knight-King Dauris, these ladies don't want to be my chosen king… Although, they are worthy. Do not forget that."

Dauris nodded in agreement and not because he was afraid of the Djinn or anything, "Yes, they are."

The ladies found a spot on the round table to sit on while the Djinn and his Chosen King talked. Lina overheard what King Daruis said and gave a sleepy chuckle, "I can jus eel the outrage." Lina rubs her eyes and yaws out slurring her words just a bit.

"Be nice." Kougyuko said but was distracted as she's still very interested in the book.

"Your nose is stuck in that book, what do you know?"

"More than you at this point."

"Oh my Solomon, you are such a -"

The powerful djinn chucked at the scene in front of him as the ladies argued. The young time travellers were quite the handful but entertaining to say the least. They will definitely make an impact on the world… or even change it for the better. Although they have already changed it by just being here… What else have they changed? Only time will tell.

"My King, the knowledge and treasure are yours. Your metal vessel?"

"My lance."

"Very good, be prepared." Alloces said in a booming voice and within seconds the small group were in the magical portal to go back to the outside world.

Once their feet hit solid ground, Lina fell to her knees holding her stomach turning a little green in the face, it clashed horribly with her hair.

"Oh rukh! I feel sick."

"You'll be fine." The Future's Empress helps Lina to her feet as they walk behind the King of Sasan because he is used to this terrain.

"You two. Why are you here in Sasan?"

"We are participating in the Trails of the Hun-"

King Darius huffed in annoyance, "Of course the Hunters sent you here. As if they don't cause enough headaches already… Very well, follow me and say nothing."

Lina perked up and knew how to push the man's buttons, "So we can ask questions?" The Knight-King ignored her and continued to walk down a trail that leads to his Kingdom. "Jeez, icy much… well… Why is your country on a mountain? Why do you hate outsiders? Are you this much of an asshole to us or others? Are you a parent? Why do you have your hairstyle that way? How come you don't look us in the eye? What's your regional like? Do you have knights in the hunters or not?" Lina asked a hundred and one questions till they got closer to Sasan and at this point Knight-King Daruis was about to strike the traveller and push her down the mountain.

"Will you answer any of these questions?"

"No."

"Oh look, he finally speaks."

"Wait here." The Sasan King walks up to his guards who are stationed at the base of the trail.

"Aya sir!" Kina gave him a mock salut.

"Lina-chan." Kougyuko glared at her somewhat friend and she is displeased that Lina might have banned them from Sasan, because who knows if they had to come back to Sasan for business or something.

"What? I was curious."

"Ever heard the phrase; Curiosity kills the cat?"

"Nope! And thank rukh, I'm not a cat."

"That's not what it means-"

The Princess was cut off by the deep voice of the King who partially threw a letter at the ladies, "Here, take this and leave my country."

"Ok but one day you will answer my question!" Lina promised with a grin.

King Dauris's eye twitch a little, "Leave."

"Thank you for your hospitality. Let's go." Kougyoku bowed and started to leave but then remembered how they were supposed to travel to their next destination.

Luckily Lina didn't have a filter or a fear factor when she yelled at the King with the same thought in mind, "Wait! How the hell are we supposed to go to- um, where are we going?"

"I'll give you a boat if you finally leave me in peace."

"Deal."

The Knight-King Daruis join them at the docks and get them a tiny boat that will hold them both and their essentials, Lina waved to the small but interesting country and one day she'll be back.

Kougyoku chuckled, "Well that was fun. Did you really have to annoy the man that much?"

"Yes, he hurt me." Lina admitted

"And you said I would be the handful."

Lina's laughter had her head back, "You are. Just in a different way, besides I like him. Something tells me we'll be back."

"I think you're right."

"So where are we off to now?"

"Reim."

Hello everyone, I'm so sorry for the late update. I've been busy with work. And I'm sorry for any mistakes I made.

If you saw one of these * Here's what it meant. Also I am not an expert on Jousting so if you are then I apologise I got my information from the internet. Oh one more thing, some of the words are in British English. Once again sorry if its weird.

* An article called Tournaments, Weapons and Armor in Medieval Jousting