Me: Hi! Here's chapter 12~ Enjoy~

Edited - 5/11/2024

Beta'd by IHaveNoIdea8.

….

With Luke and the Others in St. Binah

Everyone walked into St. Binah to see Malkuth soldiers running every which way, and they noticed that another of their comrades, Jade was commanding them.

"Hey, it's the Colonel!" Anise said to everyone, her voice light and happy.

He turned around "Well, hello there."

"Perfect timing. Jade, has Asch been here? He's injured." Luke asked him worried about Asch's condition.

He shook his head, "No, I haven't seen him. Even if he had come, I don't think he'd get any closer once he saw this."

Now everyone looked around St. Binah to see there was a group of wounded soldiers.

"There sure is a big commotion. Did something happen?" Guy asked.

"Malkuth's Chesedonia regional forces were attacked during training. This city is still under reconstruction. We're carrying the wounded to the capital." Jade told them.

"Whaaat? Who would attack the Malkuth Imperial Forces?" Anise asked, surprised.

"Exactly. Until recently, it would have been Kimlasca, but..."

"Natalia would bite your head off if she heard you say that." Luke told him.

"Then it will be our little secret."

"The Colonel looks scary, but he's a fun guy on the inside~," said Anise.

Luke and Guy looked at Anise before replying in tandem, "No, he's scary on the inside, too..."

Suddenly the Elder came running to Luke and the others.

"Jade! We've just received word that Frings was wounded!"

When the Elder said that, Luke, Tear, Anise, and Guy were surprised. Jade didn't show any sign of shock.

"Frings...General Frings?"

"They've already transported him to the capital."

"Understood."

"Jade! If you're going to Grand Chokmah, we'll take you." Luke told him.

"Oh? Why?"

"Well, we owe him one from before...I'm worried about him."

"I see. I'll take you up on your offer. I need to have him explain the situation to me."

"Wait! Luke, are you forgetting Kairi?" Tear asked him.

"Oh!" before Luke could go anywhere Jade spoke.

"Kairi is here? Hmm, why isn't she with you? She usually leaves mysteriously."

"Kairi passed out here so we asked the Elder to watch over her while we went after Asch. But I don't know if we should bring her with us...she was sweating like she was in a volcano." Anise told Jade with a bit of worry in her voice.

"Hmm, maybe I should go take a quick look before we leave."

Before they could go check on their ill friend a voice stopped them.

"No need for that, guys, I'm perfectly fine."

"Kairi? You shouldn't be walking around!"

"Luke, seriously, I'm fine, now let's go. I hate to burden anyone with me, anyways Frings is hurt right? And YOU need him to explain to you what happened." she looked at Jade.

"She's right, let's take our leave, afterwards I would need to get your fonons checked, shall we?"

She sighed, nodding and they were off.

Kairi's POV

We got to Frings, and the guy was pale as a ghost! Should I heal him? I would have to use my strongest healing spell, but that will kick me in the ass but it'll be worth it.

"Colonel Curstiss... Everyone..." He gasps as he speaks.

Luke rushes over to his side along with Jade, looking worried. I followed after them but went to Fringes other side.

"Are you okay to sit up?"

"If I lie down now...I won't ever open my eyes again.

"Don't say things like that!" Luke scolds the wounded Fringes.

"I agree with Luke, stop talking nonsense. You'll be okay after you tell Jade everything, and I'll handle healing you and no 'buts'."

"I believe it'll be safer if the military healers look after him," Jade spoke up, making me huff annoyed at his look I looked away from him.

"I was under treatment until a short while ago...but they said it's too late." He struggles to tell us.

"Don't say that! It's never too late," I clench my hands into fists at my sides, I don't know Frings all too well like the others, but I can't allow anyone else to die.

When he stood I quickly moved to hold him up when he almost fell, he thanked me softly with a weak smile and looked at Jade.

"Colonel Curtiss. Please convey to His Majesty the identity of the attackers."

"...Understood. I'll hear your report here."

It was approximately one company, carrying the banner of Kimlascan Royal Forces."

My mouth opened in shock, I know for a fact Natalia isn't going to like this news.

"That can't be right!" Luke exclaimed in shock and disbelief.

Frings grunts in pain, making me worried.

"They took out our flank with suicide bombers using Fifth Fonon-based fontech bombs."

"...That's not the sort of tactic a national military would use."

Something about this seems fishy...

"Correct. The majority of them were poorly equipped. Only a few had military uniforms."

I furrow my brows "That doesn't sound right... Wouldn't they be heavily equipped, if they were Kimlascan Royal Forces?" I spoke up.

Frings nods "Yes... Their flag and some equipment was Kimlascan, but I don't believe they were a part of the Royal military..." He gasps in pain.

I almost lost my grip on him if Luke hadn't reacted fast to grab him on the other side.

"Colonel! We need to get him to a bed!"

"No... If you can, please take me to the sanctuary..."

"But..." Anise stuttered out, taken aback but worried for Fringes.

"Please, Frings! Let me try and see if my healing artes help."

He places a shaky hand on my arm, smiling.

"It's okay... Thank you for your kindness, miss."

My lips went straight, looking down upset.

"Let's take him. This is his final request."

After we took him to the sanctuary, I let Guy take my place. I needed to think of a plan, a way to heal him while the others were not around. The whole time I thought that Frings was talking about finally being free of the scores, and praying to Yulia to bring nothing but happiness to the world, and to someone? Now I really need to save him.

I kept silent as I made sure I was the last person behind them, they were so focused I was glad they didn't realize I didn't follow them and closed the door behind them and locked it. I rush over to Frings side, dropping to my knees and checking for a pulse I teared up feeling any but- I gasp softly, feeling a very weak pulse. I conjured my staff with the help of my orbs of light and started chanting softly of my strongest healing arte.

With The Others

"But General Frings was killed, and we don't even know who did it..." He wasn't happy, he was sad and mad that whoever killed Frings would pay.

"I'm going to see His Majesty. If you don't mind, Luke, I'd like you to accompany me, along with Kairi. I need to check up on her health."

"Me?" He shrugs. "That's fine, but..."

"Hmm? You don't sound very happy about it."

He rubs behind his head nervously "...I don't really feel comfortable around him." He said.

"Why? He's really rich!" Anise exclaimed cheerfully.

Everyone but Jade sweat drops at Anise's comment, and Guy shakes his head.

"I have to report about Asch, myself. Let's go together."

"Wait..." Tear spoke up, looking around with a frown.

"Tear? What's wrong?" Luke looks at Tear as she frantically looks around.

"Kairi...where's Kairi?"

"She's right- Huh? She was right behind us." Luke frowns, brows furrowed.

"Uh...guys, why is the door to the sanctuary closed?"

Anise asks while pointing at the now-closed door. Everyone looks at the door confused, Guy walks over to open the door but he is confused more as to why it is locked.

"Weird...it's locked." When Guy said that, the others even Jade grew worried at Guy's words.

"Whaat!? But why would the door be locked-"

"Kairi..." They look at Tear who has a troubled look, she looks at them.

"Kairi? What about- Oh... Damn it! That idiot!" Luke rushes over to the door causing Guy to step back confused. "Kairi! Open this door NOW!" Luke shouts as he tries to open the door, then banging his fist against the door.

Realizations hit them all at the same time, as Guy rushed back to Luke's side and helped him get the door open.

"Wh-what is she thinking?! She already fainted on us in St. Binah, and now she's going to overwork herself? She's crazy!" Anise exclaimed.

Jade pushes up his glasses causing his lenses to have a glare on them. That's when they all stop, holding their breath and hearing Kairi's muffled voice chanting the words.

"We have to stop her!" Jade spoke up, he knew what fonic arte she was casting! He never heard of anyone with that advanced fonic artes.

Just as Luke and Guy kicked open the door they rushed in just in time for her final chant.

"Breath of life that dwells in all creatures, come forth... Revitalize!"

They see Kairi standing, with a circle appearing from under her and Frings's body as the arte starts healing his wounds. The fonic arte stops, and Kairi stays strong as she is sweating bullets her legs trembling. Everyone didn't say anything, hoping for a miracle, and to everyone's shock they heard a small groan coming from Frings! He groans more as he pushes himself up hand on his forehead blinking as he looks over to Luke and the others not seeing Kairi.

"What...?" He spoke softly, very confused. "I...I thought I died."

Tear didn't waste another second and rushed over to check him for his injuries, but could not find any.

"That's impossible... Kairi, what did you do." Tear spoke sternly looking at Kairi.

"I...I did what, I c-could. I'm so..happy it worked." She smiles as she pants shakily.

"Kairi...you don't look so good." Luke points out looking worried, as he steps forward.

"Yeah...you look pale," Guy said with a frown.

"...Y-yeah...um..." She swallows with difficulty. "About that...I think I'm...g-going to faint now..." She spoke, but as she finished her eyes rolled up in her head she started to fall.

Luke quickly reacts to catch her friend, who is like a sister to him. He moved her around as he was holding her in his arms.

….

Kairi's POV

When I woke up I was hoping Jade wouldn't bug me about it, since he gave me that look of his when he stepped inside the room with the others. Truthfully, I was scared. Did he know what was wrong with me? He was about to interrogate me, wasn't he?

"So tell me, Kairi, have you ever felt like that before you collapsed?"

I mentally groaned, knowing that was coming, I shook my head and frowned.

"No...but lately I have been feeling weak, but I'm fine now." I wanted him to drop it, I was getting very annoyed with him.

"What you did though was very foolish, Kairi. Haven't you forgotten, I haven't checked on your fonons yet. You should stray away from ever using any advance artes." Jade said with a stern tone and eyes.

"...Yeah, yeah. But is Frings doing okay?"

"Yeah, he's healthy as a liger, thanks to you." Anise chirps. "Even though that was stupid of you to do. But, please reframe from doing that...that was scary."

Smiling sheepishly "Okay, okay...I understand."

Found out Jade wanted Luke to join him to speak with Emperor Peony. Everyone else agreed to go as well, but I didn't want to go, so I tried to get out of it.

"I should stay here. You guys go on ahead," I smiled.

"I believe His Majesty would like to see you Kairi," Jade pushed up his glasses while smirking. My eye twitched, as I kept my smile on my face.

"Why would Emperor Peony want to see Kairi? Have they met before?" Guy asked Jade, a confused look on his face.

"I don't know for sure, but His Majesty told me he wanted to meet her the next time she was around."

"...I can't see him! If he sees me he-he'll notice me," I was worried about what Peony would think if he saw my face.

Everyone gave me confused looks but Jade looked more interested and amused.

"Did you do something bad, Kairi?" Luke asked me. I shook my head in response.

"No...I just...just go see him, and I'll stay right here and wait for you guys."

"How can we believe that? Those other times you just up and disappeared on us," Anise said, her hands on her hips.

"Yes, Anise is right, Kairi. Whatever it is, it can't be that bad can it?" Tear said in a reassuring voice.

I sighed, "Fine, I'll come. I'm so going to regret this."

We walked to the Grand Chokmah Palace to meet Peony sitting on his throne, I hid behind Jade, letting Luke tell Peony that Frings died but was healed, and is doing fine. I just stayed standing behind Jade with my back against his, listening to everyone talk. When I heard Guy say that Sync might be alive, all I wanted to do was run away to find him, but before I could get away Jade grabbed my wrist without looking at me so Peony and the others wouldn't notice. So I was stuck there, not knowing for sure if Sync was alive or not. Peony was about to leave after talking to everyone, but Jade stopped him from walking away.

"What is it, Jade?"

"I believe you wanted to meet someone you wanted me to bring here."

I mentally cursed at Jade for saying that, I didn't want to see him! But I couldn't say anything at the look on Peony's face when Jade stepped aside to reveal me; he had wide eyes as he stared at me. I sighed, knowing what was about to happen.

"Hi... Emperor Peony." I smiled softly, and the next thing we knew he was hugging me and smiling ear to ear, saying how happy he was that I was back and okay.

He stopped hugging me and held my shoulders at arm's length, still smiling at me. Everyone was staring at us, looking completely lost. Even Jade was a little shocked.

"Thanks, Jade! You finally found her."

"Kairi, you know His Majesty?"

I sighed, knowing they would have to find out, damn, stupid Jade! He ruined everything! I tried to keep it a secret, and now they would all have to know.

"Yes."

"You are looking at Selena The Siren." Said Peony. I heard gasps coming from everyone but Tear and Jade since they already knew I was a replica but now they knew who my original was, but Luke, Anise, and Guy didn't know yet.

"No way! Kairi, YOUR Selena The Siren?"

"Kinda... I'm sorry, Emperor Peony, but I'm not her. I may look like her, but I'm-" Jade butted in, stopping me from telling Peony I was a replica.

"Your Majesty, why don't you take Kairi and have a nice talk."

"That's a good idea, Jade," Peony agreed. He grabbed my hand and dragged me past Jade and the others. I glared at Jade with all I had.

"Damn you Jade," I muttered, making sure only he heard that while I was being dragged away by Peony.

I knew when I rejoined my friends they would bomb me with questions, but at that time I was more worried about having to be Selena for Peony. I was so going to get Jade back for that...