I will be having surgery this week so there will probably be a delay with the next chapter. I apologize in advance.

Also, new Investigations are up for Yuber, Pesmerga, and Viki! Feel free to check them out on the Investigations page!

Part Six

—

Blood of the Sun

Cast:

Freyjadour: Surya

Lymsleia: Esther

Lyon: Mokuren

Georg: Georg

Roy: Israfil

Gizel Godwin: Daunte

—

"Okay, this is a little more like it," Allise said after reading her program.

"Why wasn't I cast in this play?" Freyr grumbled. "It stars my mom!"

"Would you like to play Her Majesty?" Soturi asked. Freyr stiffened, but said nothing more.

"Yay, Esther!" Tidur cheered, clapping hard. Ciana didn't cheer but she did clap enthusiastically. Sloan and Adalgiso stood at the back, leaning against the wall watching in silence

The stage lights came up to reveal Daunte and Esther standing stage right and Surya, Mokuren, Georg, and Israfil standing stage left. There was a throne prop chair at back center stage, and the backdrop of the throne room of Sol-Falena's palace hung up behind him. "A-Ah, Prince!" Daunte stammered, holding Esther's shoulder with one hand. "You have led the Loyalist Army all the w-way here! P-Please forgive me for not inviting you to our wedding!"

"Give it up, Gizel," Surya said harshly, squaring his shoulders and glaring. "We have the palace surrounded and have defeated the Godwin forces. Now let my sister go!"

"That's right!" Mokuren shouted.

"Brother!" Esther shouted, her face flushed. "Ah, attack him, Brother! He wouldn't hurt me! His honor won't allow him to!"

"Don't underestimate me! I-I will not allow you to win s-so easily!" Daunte declared.

"We should err on the side of caution, given everything he has done so far," Georg said, folding his arms over his chest. His expression was neutral. It was impossible to tell what the man himself thought of the production. "He may not hurt Her Majesty, but he also usurped Queen Arshtat and started this conflict."

"Oh Prince, whatever shall we do?" Mokuren said, clasping her hands to her cheek.

"D-Do, ah, not cower b-back, Prince!" Israfil stammered, stepping forward. "That f-f-f-fiend holds your sister hostage! Be s-strong in the face of—uh—such a deplorable person!"

Georg stared at Israfil with an arched brow. "He's attractive, but atrocious at acting," Priscilla mused. "But I'm sure most people won't care."

"That gentleman is right, Brother!" Esther exclaimed, wrenching herself from Daunte's hold dramatically. "Gizel will not hurt me! He is but a cornered rat who only seeks YOUR life!"

"Miss Esther is doing a great job," Adalgiso said softly.

"She loved participating in Chapel productions for holidays," Sloan responded.

"My w-wife is quite right," Daunte stammered, looking at Surya. "I will not end her life. I only seek to ends yours, Prince!" He pointed dramatically at Surya.

"I will defend my Prince with my life!" Mokuren shouted.

"No, Lyon," Surya said, gesturing for her to stand back. "This battle is mine and mine alone."

"Indeed," Georg said. "Do not hesitate, Prince."

"I will not let you win," Daunte said. "H-Have at you!"

Daunte and Surya rushed at each other. Surya shoved him lightly on his chest and Daunte flopped onto his back. Surya stepped over him, but Daunte sat up partially. "Die, Prince!" He shouted.

"N-No!" Israfil shouted. He raced forward and shoved lightly on Daunte. Daunte fell back again and did not move.

"Roy, you did it!" Mokuren cheered.

"Well done for saving the Prince," Georg said in an unenthusiastic tone.

"Cheers to the brave Roy!" Esther cheered. "I-I as Queen of Falena give you many blessings!"

"I owe you my life, Roy," Surya said, offering his hand to Israfil. "I wouldn't have won this war without you."

Israfil laughed nervously but accepted his hand. "I…I know!"

The stage lights went down and the audience cheered. "Wait, what?" Roen said in confusion. "I thought Surya's father ended the war!"

"Ah…who wrote the play again?" Felicity asked.

"Everyone loved us!" Esther cheered.

"That was fun, but that's not how I was told what happened," Surya said, rubbing at his forehead as Israfil helped Daunte up.

"It wasn't," Georg confirmed. "But as it was Roy who wrote this play, I'm not surprised with the content."

—

"Moving things right along we have comment #34," Sanji announced. "Now let's see…'I am a prince from Zelant who needs to move money. I will give you 5 million Potch if you send your banking information to this address'—"

"Give it here, give it here!" Gertrude exclaimed excitedly. "I want 5 million Potch!"

"Does Zelant even have a prince?" Sanji wondered out loud. "Ah—the paper is torn. The address is missing."

"Aw, damn it…"

"…What's a bank?" Bax asked.

"Lord Daunte!" Mooney exclaimed, his eyes going wide. "With this purchase, do you know what this means?!"

"Yes," Daunte said, dumping the figurines onto the counter. Once again (to the consternation of other patrons) he had bought out the whole store. "I completed the Gate Rune War set."

"CONGRATULATIONS!" Mooney shouted, throwing his hands up into the air. To Daunte' shock confetti fell from the ceiling and rained down upon them. "Good job on completing the set! I have a special reward for you!"

"You do?" Daunte asked, his brow raising. He wasn't expecting a reward. I was just doing this for Arin and the other children who like playing with the figurines upstairs!

"Yes, wait right here!" Mooney retreated to the backroom, and returned moments later carrying something in both arms wrapped in green cloth. Daunte carefully pushed aside the figurines as he set the object on the table and pulled the cloth off. "Ta-DAA!"

It was a pair of pristine war boots, silver and red in color. They seem to glitter in the light. Daunte's mouth hung open as he stared at the boots, reaching out for them briefly but then drawing his hand back. He was afraid to touch them. "I…what are these boots."

"These are called Heavenly Boots," Mooney said proudly. "Part of the Heavenly Set. These boots will give you 33 Defense, and 1-point boost on Attack and all Stats! This is a one of a kind Equipment Set, the only one of its kind that exists in the whole world! I bought the whole set off a mermaid a long time ago—"

"'Mermaid'?" Daunte asked.

"Yes, but I have never made a use for the set," Mooney said. "But I couldn't simply sell them because of their value, so I vowed to myself that I would gift them to the first person who could ever complete one of my figurine sets!"

"And I'm the first one?" Daunte asked him. Mooney nodded enthusiastically. "The Heavenly Set comes with five pieces of equipment—Heavenly Helm, Heavenly Armor, Heavenly Gauntlets, Heavenly Ring, and these Heavenly Boots. If you complete the remaining four sets, I will gladly give you the remaining pieces!"

"I—wow," Daunte breathed. He finally picked the boots up and began pulling off his current boots. "Thank you, Mooney."

"No, thank you Lord Daunte," Mooney said with a smile.

"Hey Daunte, there you are!" Roen called out as he entered the shop with Felicity. "Did you buy out the shop again?"

"I did," Daunte said, tucking his old pair of boots under his arm. "Would you guys mind helping me carry these upstairs?"

"Sure!" Felicity said, collecting some of the figurines in her arms. "Wow, those boots look nice Daunte!"

"It's only the first in a set," Daunte said. "To get the rest of the set I'll need to buy more figurines."

Roen shrugged. "That sounds fair."

The trio set up the figurines upstairs, and Arin and the other children were beside themselves with joy at the completed Gate Rune War set. "Rawr, rawr!" a little boy shouted, smacking the Kage and Juppo figurines together.

"Ah, be careful with those," Daunte warned him gently.

"Oh, Felicity had an idea!" Roen said, nudging her. "Go on, tell him!"

Felicity laughed and shoved at him lightly. "I was thinking of doing a slumber party tonight."

"Slumber party?" Daunte asked.

"In your room if that's okay," Felicity said. "It's the largest bedroom in HQ after all. We can stay up late, eat junk food, and just have fun as friends."

Daunte couldn't help but smile. "I have a lot of work to do, but that sounds like fun. I would love to do it."

"YES!" Felicity cheered, throwing her arms around his shoulders.

"Could we invite Lysander to the slumber party?" Roen asked. "And Surya and Mokuren? Maybe even Freyr and Soturi if they feel up to it…"

Daunte shrugged. "If the futons will fit in my room then they can sleep over."

"Oh, can I join?!" Arin asked, tugging on his arm. "Please please please, Brother?!"

"Of course—" Daunte said, but then he was swarmed by the other children pulling on his sleeve.

"A slumber party?!"

"I want to go!"

"All the cool kids will be there! I want to go too!"

"Can I, Lord Daunte?!"

"Whoa there!" Caesar laughed as he entered the room. "You all are looking lively!"

"Lord Daunte is having a slumber party tonight!" One of the children exclaimed.

"A slumber party? Sounds fun," Caesar said with his usual lazy smile.

"Why don't you come too, Lord Caesar?" Arin asked but Caesar shook his head. "I'm always a downer at slumber parties because I go to sleep too early. But you guys have fun. Oh, and Lord Daunte would you mind coming to the war room at your earliest convenience? Varnaz has returned, but so has a representative from Zinnia."

It was only two days prior when the mayor of Zinnia and other representatives came to HQ to personally thank Daunte for cleaning up the Great Cistern, and ultimately pledging themselves to the Liberation Army. Daunte was happy for the help, and even happier when the mayor of Zinnia personally apologized to Lorik for poisoning his forces during the brief time Lorik had occupied Zinnia. "You were trying to help and protect us, and we treated you horrendously," the mayor said, kowtowing to Lorik. "We killed four of your people and I am deeply sorry for it. I will offer you anything to compensate you."

"I've already been compensated enough by Lord Daunte," Lorik had replied. "I will fight alongside you, but if you want my forgiveness I request you see the families for the men you killed."

The mayor did indeed see the families and though it was an ugly and emotional experience it solidified their new alliance. The fact that a representative had come back so quickly though worried Daunte. "I will see them immediately, and Varnaz too. I hope he had a relaxing vacation."

"He seems to be doing okay," Caesar said, waving to him. "He looks a lot less tense than before. And I'll send a message to Yasaka to send up some treats to your room for your slumber party."

"Thank you," Daunte said, but he was then swarmed by the children again, much to Roen and Felicity's amusement.

Daunte was able to get away from the mob of kids (though they were disappointed to not be invited to the slumber party. He followed Caesar with Arin, Roen, and Felicity towards the main building. To the west he saw Sloan and Adalgiso sparring but to his dismay he saw other actively avoiding them. Some soldiers were openly sneering at them.

We still have a lot of work ahead of us. But at least it's better than it was before.

They were just a few meters from the doors when Daunte felt the familiar rumble of the earth underneath his feet, followed a pair of screams to the northeast beyond HQ's walls. His heart leapt into his throat. Esther?! Ciana?! Why did they leave HQ?!

"Go inside!" Daunte told Arin before racing towards the gates. Caesar, Roen, and Felicity followed him. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Sloan and Adalgiso take notice of the screams. Liberation Army soldiers were running back and forth along the battlements shouting in panic, which made Daunte pick up the pace. Soldiers at the gate pointed to the left and Daunte turned that way. What he saw briefly filled him with terror but he swallowed his fear to shout, "ÖT!"

Six meters away, Esther and Ciana were sitting on the ground clinging to each other screaming and crying. Two wicker baskets were overturned on either side of them, picked flowers strewn across the grass.

And Öt was directly in front of them, his head peeking out from the earth and his mouth gaping open wide at the girls. He was so close to them that Daunte could see his breath stirring their hair. "Öt, STOP!" Daunte yelled, throwing himself between the Death Worm and the sisters. "Lord Daunte!" Esther exclaimed.

"I want Mama!" Ciana cried out, hiding her face in Esther's shoulder.

"Öt, what are you doing?!" Daunte snapped at the Death Worm. Behind him he heard Roen and Felicity grab Esther and Ciana and pull them away. "These are our allies! But most of all they are children! You do NOT eat children, Öt!"

"…The butcher," Öt hissed at him. Daunte could hear cold rage in his tone. "The stench of his rotten blood clings to these humans. They are his spawn."

Daunte sucked him a sharp as a feeling of sickness filled him. "…Yes," he said, keeping his tone calm. "This is Esther, and this is Ciana." he nodded to each girl over his shoulders.

"You promised me that you would kill the butcher who killed my mate," Öt rasped, his mouth quivering with rage. "You did not kill him. You instead recruited him as your ally! You robbed me of my vengeance for the extinction of my ENTIRE RACE!"

Öt's telepathic rage rattled in Daunte's ears and he slapped his hands over them. "You broke your promise to me, human. I DEMAND absolution for what he has done to me! If you will not kill the butcher for killing off my race, then I will kill off the butcher's bloodline by taking his spawn!"

"NO!" Daunte shouted, pulling his hands away from his ears and raising them. "They are innocent! I won't allow you to hurt them!"

"I DEMAND JUSTICE!" Öt roared, rising high out of the earth into the air. "The butcher took my mate! He took EVERYTHING FROM ME! I WILL TAKE EVERYTHING FROM HIM!"

"Lord Daunte!" Caesar called behind him. "What is Öt saying?!"

Daunte that Öt's rage was out of control and misplaced, but he also knew that if he voiced the words Öt was telling him then the Liberation Army would attack Öt to protect Esther and Ciana. Öt is a Star of Destiny, but more than that he is my ally. I MUST help him!

"I'm sorry," Daunte said, looking at Öt. "I was completely inconsiderate of you. W-When I brought Sloan on as my ally I should have spoken to you personally about it. I didn't. That is my fault and no one else's. But you must understand Öt that Sloan was not in control of himself when he killed your mate!"

"What—"

"Sloan was possessed by a Rune," Daunte interjected. "It drove him to bloodlust and madness! He would not have hurt you—or hurt ANY of the people that he did—were it not for this Rune! Believe me, if Sloan had been driven by true desires I would have killed him! But his actions while under the possession of the Black Rune were NOT his true desires and NOT his true nature! I removed the Rune from him and his mind has been restored! That is why I spared him!"

"…So this is my fault."

Öt hissed in Daunte's mind and Daunte quickly looked over his shoulder. Sloan was approaching with his hands raised. Adalgiso was standing in front of Esther and Ciana in a protective stance, his sword unsheathed. "…The butcher."

"You can speak to him, Lord Daunte?" Sloan asked him, though his eyes were on Öt as he stood beside Daunte.

"Yes, with a listening crystal," Daunte said. "He can understand the common tongue from us, but I'm the only one who can hear him speak."

"So he has said I killed his mate?"

Daunte nodded reluctantly. "Öt said that you killed her and tried to kill him. He said that he's the last Death Worm in Nagarea and that his kind will be extinct when he dies. It happened though while you were still wearing the Black Rune," Daunte quickly added.

Sloan moved closer towards Öt, though Daunte felt a twinge of alarm. Öt did not move, clearly observing him closely. Sloan stopped two meters away from Öt and sank down to his knees. "Öt," Sloan said, looking at the Death Worm. "I offer you my life to repent for my crime against you."

"DAD!" Esther shrieked.

"Sir, don't! Adalgiso shouted.

"Sloan, I'm not letting you die!" Daunte said sharply, stepping forward. "You are both my allies and you are both Stars of Destiny!"

"My sins are great. So great that my daughters are being victimized because of me. I want to live to repent, but I do not want Esther or Ciana to suffer anymore because of me. I will let Öt kill me if it means that he will never bring harm to my girls."

"Daddy, stop!" Esther cried out. She tried to run forward but Adalgiso caught her and held her back.

"There will be another way," Daunte said sharply. "I cannot lose either of you!"

"It will be fine!" Sloan shouted. "I am not afraid of death!"

Daunte scrubbed a hand over his face and sighed loudly. "Öt—"

"The butcher is different."

Daunte's head snapped up. Öt mouth was less than a meter above Sloan's head. "I can smell the stench of death from him, but he also feels different. The way he speaks…he shouted so much when he killed my mate, but the shout he just made now is different than the way he shouted before."

"That's because of the Black Rune!" Daunte quickly said. "Like I said, he was possessed when he killed your mate! He is no longer possessed by the Rune, he's back to normal!"

"And he offers himself freely to me? How am I to know that he has not stashed a weapon away to kill me?"

Daunte gestured to Sloan. "Do you see a weapon?"

"I don't think I'll be able to get used to Daunte having one-sided conversations like this," Roen mused.

"Me either," Felicity agreed.

Öt hovered close to Sloan. Daunte still felt his anger brimming in his mind, but…but it was waning, as well. Finally Daunte heard a loud scoff in his mind—and Öt retreated away from Sloan. "What a pathetically weak human! Tell him that I will not kill him for having a weak mind."

Daunte sighed in relief. "Thank y—"

"But also tell him that I will NEVER forgive him for what he's done," Öt rasped. "Tell him I hope he dies at the hands of the large human army gathered to the east."

"Wait, WHAT?!" Daunte exclaimed, but Öt slammed into the ground and disappeared beneath the earth once more.

"Dad!" Esther broke free of Adalgiso and hurried over to Sloan, throwing her arms around his shoulders. Sloan however looked stunned as he looked at Daunte. "He…He spared me?"

"Yes, but we need to get back!" Daunte said, staring off into the direction Öt retreated to. "Öt said a large group of the Holy Army has gathered to the east!"

"What?!" Felicity exclaimed.

"Then that would explain the sudden visit from Zinnia," Caesar said. "Let's go back to—"

"Mama!" Ciana shouted, breaking away from the group. Daunte saw Tidur hurrying forward and hugging Ciana tight. "What happened?! Are you all right?!"

"MOM!" Esther shouted, letting Sloan go and hurrying over to Tidur. Tidur threw her other arm around Esther and hugged them tight.

Daunte heard Sloan stand up behind him and he looked over his shoulder at him. He looked stricken as he looked at his estranged family. "Even now…all I do is bring misery to them."

Daunte didn't know what to say so he changed the subject. "Let's get back and figure out what's going on."

Varnaz did indeed look more relaxed than he had before he left, but his return was indeed overshadowed by the news the representative from Zinnia gave them.

"The High Clerics have given marching orders," the rep explained. "Everyone in active duty was ordered to move out and head to the capital. While our mayor was here, the new Sheikh came to Zinnia personally to collect those who had been drafted and forced them to move out to report to the capital. Including our mayor. They took everyone from Zinnia that was over 15 years old, unless they were too old to serve or were unable to report to combat. From what it looks like, the Holy Army has emptied the Garrisons and the towns of their soldiers and have sent them ALL to Mlkwt Alsmwat."

"With that many soldiers, the bulk of the Holy Army must be gathered in Winter Hill," Caesar said grimly. He folded his arms over his chest. "This is quite the campaign they've planned."

"They're going all in," Sloan said softly, his eyes wide. "Instituting a level 10 draft, and ordering everyone to Winter Hill…they are intending this to be their final battle."

"We must respond in kind," Chinmaya said. "If they have the entire Holy Army in the area surrounding the capital, that's well over 100,000 soldiers. I-If they bring that Army here…"

"Our HQ will not be able to withstand an invasion of this magnitude," Varnaz said. "We must mobilize as soon as possible, and meet the Holy Army at Winter Hill."

"We don't have the forces to match theirs," Tamara pointed out. "We would be overwhelmed if we met the full Army on the battlefield."

"We don't appear to have a choice though," Keiran said softly. "We do not have the forces to repel the Holy Army from HQ. We must preempt them and meet them on the battlefield."

"We do have one advantage though," Gunther said. "Most of the "soldiers" who are at Winter Hill were forcibly conscripted. They will not be enthused to fight us. Morale will not be high amongst their forces."

"That is a good point, but Chinmaya is right," Caesar said. "The Holy Army has assembled their entire forces, so we must respond in kind as quick as possible. We'll ready the troops and head out first thing tomorrow morning with the bulk of the Liberation Army."

"It's short notice, but unfortunately we don't have a choice do we?" Allise said softly.

"How many units will we be sending?" Surya asked.

"Twelve at the very minimum," Caesar responded. "Like I said, we'll be moving out with the majority of the Army and leaving reserves behind to guard HQ. If we are to survive this battle we will need all hands on deck."

"Right," Daunte said, nodding as he looked out over the war room. "I will assign the commanders of the units, but I will allow the commanders to select their own support party."

"Good idea," Chinmaya said. "Should Caesar and I—"

"I will go out on the battlefield with Lord Daunte," Caesar interjected. "You stay here Chinmaya as the acting leader. One of us Strategists needs to stay behind to maintain command."

"Y-Yes, right," Chinmaya said, nodding. Her expression looked both relieved and panicked though.

"I will be one unit," Daunte said. "With Roen and Felicity as my supports. Let's get a message to Hero so that he can fly the skyship over for an aerial attack. That will be another unit. I don't know if Öt will be up for fighting, and I can imagine that traveling through Winter Hill will be difficult for him because of the Great Cistern. But if he's available then he's welcome to join."'

"He will surely follow us into battle," Caesar reassured him.

"As for the commanders—"

"Lord Daunte!" the door to the war room burst open and Áthas and Sásta hurried inside. "Lord Daunte, we're marching tomorrow?" Sásta asked.

"Yes we are," Daunte said.

"Then we want to lead a unit!" Áthas declared.

"What?" Varnaz asked.

"The people of Zinnia became sick because of the Holy Army's water, and then the Holy Army took all our people!" Sásta said.

"Thank Nagar our parents followed us here," Áthas said.

"Nobody wanted to fight but they're being forced to!" Sásta said. "We want to lead a unit a fight the Holy Army!"

"Do either of you have battle experience?" Keiran asked.

"…No," the twins admitted simultaneously. "But we can still try!" Áthas added

"Yeah!" Sásta agreed.

"This is your call, my Lord," Caesar said to Daunte. "Would you like to leave one of the units to the twins?"

"You both have a useful unite attack," Daunte said. "But what other skills do you have?"

Sásta and Áthas glanced at each other and smiled before putting their left hands together and thrusting their fists towards Daunte. Daunte saw a different rune on the back of their hands. "I have a Rage Rune," Sásta said.

"And I have a Mother Earth Rune," Áthas said. "Together we can do a combo-magic called Scorched Earth."

"Oh, a Rune combination attack!" Chinmaya exclaimed. "That's very useful!"

"…You didn't use the attack though in the Great Cistern," Daunte pointed out.

The twins shrugged at the same time. "We didn't think we needed to because of the two guys in black armor," Áthas said.

"Fair point," Daunte said, nodding. "Okay, I'll give you both your own unit!"

"YAY!" the twins cheered, hugging each other.

"But as you both are leading the unit you can only have one support person," Caesar added. "Who would you like as your support?"

"Luciano," the twins responded.

The room stared at them stunned but Sásta shrugged. "He's funny."

"What about the other units, Lord Daunte?" Caesar asked.

Daunte gave it considerable thought before he responded. "Surya, Keiran, Israfil, Oisin, River, Gunther, Allise, Varnaz, Farzin, Sloan, Eamon, Tamara, Futch, Lorik, Yuber, and Masaru. I choose these people to lead the units."

"Good selections," Caesar said cheerfully. "I'll go and call those who aren't he—"

Daunte felt the familiar 'whoosh' of air behind him. "I do not need a unit. Send me out alone and I will kill them all."

"Oh, right," Tamara, breathing out a sigh of relief. "I almost forgot about you."

Daunte turned to face Yuber. "I'll do you a favor a put you in the vanguard, but you will lead a unit Yuber."

"I will not—" Yuber began.

"And you will take Pesmerga and Viki with you," Daunte added.

"I WILL NOT!" Yuber snapped, grinding his teeth in rage. "I refuse to work alongside those wastes of oxygen any longer! You cannot force me to get along with them!"

"Yes I can because I made a contract with you," Daunte said sharply. "And don't forget that the Holy Army has someone on their side strong enough to hurt you! We can't just send you into battle by yourself when this person could attack you again! You're going to work with Viki and Pesmerga and that's final! Got it?!"

Yuber snarled loudly, but said nothing else and teleported away. It was Oisin who broke the silence. "I choose Dahlia and Rafe."

River, Futch, Masaru, and Farzin came not too longer afterwards. River looked furious. "I will accept no humans in my unit," he snapped. "Only Clover and that one idiot who married a human."

"Silvano," Surya said heatedly, glaring at River.

"I, ah, would like Nigel and Thea for my support," Tamara said, looking at River warily.

"I will pick Mihr and Lanny per usual," Keiran said.

"I will be a mounted unit with Bright so we can count as one person," Futch said. "For my support units I'll pick Sharon and Suna."

"Jeane and Eresh," Allise said, raising her hand.

"I'll have Mokuren and Georg Prime in my party," Surya said, relaxing his demeanor as he looked at Daunte.

"I'll ask for Viola and Jantu," Varnaz said.

"For my support I would like Reis," Israfil said. "And I do apologize because I know what his duties are, but if Soturi is available I would like to request him."

"Freyr won't mind," Surya said. "To be honest, Freyr will be angrier about being left behind."

"I will gather intel during the battle," Masaru said. "As such I choose Shou and…Umeko for my support."

"Tala and Zander," Lorik said, folding his arms over his chest.

"This battle is very important," Gunther said dramatically. "So I choose Priscilla and Zuzanna for my unit."

"I've never led a unit like this so I will need support," Farzin said. "I would like to request Lysander and Barō for my unit."

"I'll ask for the Maximillian Knights," Eamon said. "Fred and Rico, for my unit."

"That leaves you Sloan," Caesar said, looking towards the former Sheikh. "Who will you have in your unit?"

Sloan nodded slowly. "I want to work harmoniously with my unit, so I would like Adalgiso and La'Ahad."

Daunte was instantly concerned due to La'Ahad condition, but he also saw Sloan's point about cooperation. They won't give each other problems. "Sounds good."

"I think we should have a party exclusive for support," Chinmaya said. "Non-combatants who are on standby to give a boost in our Army stats during battle."

"That's a good idea," Caesar said, looking at Daunte. "They may not be able to contribute in combat, but their presence alone may improve our skills in different ways. I would suggest having six of them together, like an active party, with perhaps one more person as a support party."

Daunte nodded and thought about it for a long moment. "Okay…for the six-person group I choose Sanji, Yaman, Yasaka, Quasim, Blaise, and Lion. They all have different skills that can boost the skills of the combatants on the battlefield."

"And their support person?" Chinmaya asked.

"Oboro," Daunte said.

"All right!" Caesar announced, clapping his hands. "We have our units, now let's get organized! We march at first light tomorrow!"

"For Nagarea!" Daunte shouted, pumping his fist into the air.

"FOR NAGAREA!" the room shouted.

Despite his outward calm though…Daunte had a sick feeling in his stomach.

Night had fallen, and the Liberation Army was racing around to get ready for the upcoming battle. Daunte wanted to ease his worry though, and decided to visit Leknaat to get advice from her.

"Good evening, Lord Daunte," Leknaat greeted. "I have noticed that I was not selected for tomorrow's battle."

"Eresh was selected," Eresh added.

"I know," Daunte said quietly. "For now I would like you to stay here and help keep guard of HQ. It's imperative that we be successful tomorrow, but we need some of our soldiers here."

"Understood. I will not fail you."

Daunte didn't respond to her. He stood in front of the Tablet of Stars and stared at it for a long time. "You are in a state of dread," Leknaat said. "If you need to talk to someone, I will listen."

"…This isn't the final battle, is it Lady Leknaat?" Daunte said softly.

"What makes you think so?" Leknaat asked him.

"Because there are 11 spaces empty on this Tablet," Daunte said, smoothing a hand over the surface. "You said that I need the 108 Stars of Destiny to win, but I haven't recruited them all." his breathed was unsteady as he looked at Leknaat. "Lady Leknaat, the battle tomorrow is going to be monumental but I don't have all 108 recruited. Is…What's going to happen tomorrow?"

"Do not worry," Leknaat reassured him. "You are correct in that tomorrow is not the final battle. With everything I have heard it will surely be a great battle, but it will not be the end. You still have time to finish recruiting everyone who is missing on the Tablet of Stars."

Daunte looked at the Tablet again. "D…Are you able to see what will happen tomorrow?"

"Unfortunately I am not," Leknaat said. "Whatever force made me fall to illness before has been slowly trying to overtake me again."

"Is—Do you know what's causing it?"

"I have a…feeling of what it is." Leknaat frowned deeply and her brow knitted. "But I do not want to tell you yet in case I am wrong. I do not want to cause you further worry with assumptions. Just relax and focus on winning tomorrow. You will persevere, I know it."

Daunte slowly nodded to her and forced a smile. He still felt uncomfortable but the dread was not so strong inside of him now. "Thank you, Lady Leknaat. I will work hard tomorrow."

"You always do, Lord Daunte."

Daunte took his leave not long after. Eresh watched the elevator ascend into the ceiling and disappear and then looked at Leknaat. "You will not tell him? Eresh is confused."

"I know," Leknaat said quietly.

"The bearer of the Rune of Restoration should be prepared for her," Eresh pointed out. "Eresh feels that—"

"I understand, but I am not sure myself Eresh. I will not tell Lord Daunte that I believe it is her until I can confirm it myself. If I tell Lord Daunte that it may be her, then he may lose resolve and may not win tomorrow."

"…Eresh doesn't understand."

Leknaat smiled sadly. "I know."

"So I have been commissioned to participate in tomorrow's battle," Sanji sighed. "I am confused as to why I was chosen as I have illustrated that I do not fight, but alas it is what it is."

"Gertrude and I will be here," Bax said. "Helping with the defense of—"

"Let's PAR-TAY!" Gertrude shouted drunkenly. "Tomorrow the war will be over! WOO-HOO!"

"Let us be inspired by Gertrude's confidence," Sanji said amusedly.

"Here."

Daunte had left the main building and was standing in the courtyard when he heard the voice. He shouted in surprise at the loud 'THUD' on the ground behind him. He turned to see Yuber glaring at him, but then he saw the object on the ground and gaped in shock. "I'm tired of carrying that thing around," Yuber said sharply. "Take it off my hands."

Daunte sank down to his knees and hovered his hands over the object. It was a Silver Hammer.

"W-Where did you get this?!" Daunte demanded, looking up.

"The Zombie Slug dropped it when I hacked it to pieces," Yuber responded. "I thought it prudent to pick it up, but it's been annoying hanging onto it."

"W-Why didn't you immediately give this to me?!"

Yuber shrugged. "You didn't ask for it."

"I didn't know you had it!" Daunte shot back.

"You. Didn't. Ask," Yuber enunciated rudely before teleporting away.

Daunte didn't dwell on the fact that Yuber kept a Silver Hammer of all things from him and wasted no time in giving the Hammer to Baldemar. Baldemar's eyes were shining when he saw it, and unceremoniously tossed aside his "beloved" Ohan before grabbing the Hammer. "I will call you Rūpā!" he declared.

"How high can you raise the levels of weapons with that?" Daunte asked him.

"All the way to Level 15!" Baldemar announced loudly. Daunte gasped in shock, but was immediately jostled aside by a large group of soldiers looking to sharpen their weapons.

I'll do it tomorrow, Daunte decided.

He went to see Yasaka to check on the snacks for the slumber party (as his friends were even more determined to have the slumber party with the battle looming) and Yasaka was more than happy to oblige. "I'll send hummus, pita chips, kibbeh, and sambousek up to your room," Yasaka promised him. "If you need anything else just ask."

Daunte nodded. "Thank you, Yasaka." As he turned to leave he saw River and his people sitting together at a large table talking amongst themselves. Clover was leaning against his shoulder and he had his arm wrapped around her. Their expressions were grim, which made Daunte feel more uncomfortable. He shook it off as best as he could. I'm the leader. I have to look calm and confident so that everyone else will be calm and confident.

"What will we do if Father doesn't wake up?"

Daunte heard the voice from above him as he left the northeast building and looked towards the roof. He saw Oisin and Dahlia sitting on the edge, their clawed feet hanging over the side. "I will be okay," Oisin said. "We'll defeat the Holy Army and go home and rebuild. Your dad will make it through, Dahlia."

"I-I just don't know what I would do if he died," Dahlia responded, tears in her voice. Daunte took that opportunity to hurry away. He headed back towards the main building when he saw two familiar figures standing near the center north building. It was Sloan and Adalgiso. Daunte slowed his steps and moved closer to them but he was discreet so that they wouldn't see him. Sloan was looking up at the second floor windows, where Tidur's inn was.

"I think you should go up and see them, my Lord," Adalgiso said. "You don't want to leave things unresolved with your family."

Sloan didn't respond, still staring up at the windows. "I speak from experience," Adalgiso continued. "You don't want to go into battle, any battle, withoutT being with your loved ones."

"I want to, my friend," Sloan responded. "I want my family back. I-I want to—" he shook his head. "I've caused them too much pain. My girls were almost eaten by a Death Worm today because of me. I can see the scope of the trauma I've inflicted upon them when I look at Ciana. Nagar Adalgiso, her eyes…no child should have eyes that look like that."

"It wasn't your fault—" Adalgiso said.

"It was my fault," Sloan rasped, scrubbing a hand over his face. "I'm responsible because I accepted that accursed rune without a second thought. If it weren't for me…"

"Please go and talk to them. Miss Esther and Miss Ciana will want to see their father before tomorrow's battle. And Ms. Tidur…she will want to see you too, my Lord."

Sloan shook his head again. "I can't." He turned on his heel and stormed away. Adalgiso watched him leave and then followed behind him with a sad sigh.

Daunte saw inside the window that Desiree was dancing for cheering patrons while Kakyoku strummed his sitar and sang. He thought he saw Lanny in there but decided not to go in and retreated to the main building. Everyone's probably waiting for the slumber party to start.

Daunte waved to Viki as he went up the stairs, but he saw the elevator was in use. I'll take the stairs, he thought with a shrug and headed up the stairs. I'll try to have fun, but we'll have to cut it shorter than what Felicity probably wanted—

"I love you."

Daunte heard the statement near the top step and his heart leapt into his throat. Slowly he crept to to the top step and peered into the hallway of the second floor. The corridor was lit so he could see the two figures standing in the center of the hallway and he pressed his back against the wall.

"W-What?" Allise asked, choking out a laugh. She folded her arms over her chest. "What did you say?"

"I said I love you," Gunther said, moving closer. His expression was very serious. "I asked you to meet me here so that I could tell you this. I'm sorry for keeping this from you, but I didn't want to go into tomorrow's battle without telling you."

Allise shifted her weight on both feet for a few moments before she quickly scrubbed at her forehead with the back of her hand. She didn't look pleased. "Do you expect me to believe that?" she asked him.

Gunther looked stunned. "What?"

"Do you expect me to believe," Allise said sharply. "That you're in love with me?"

"It's the truth," Gunther said. His voice raised slightly. "I do love you, Allise. I've loved you since—"

"Be quiet!" Allise shouted at him. Gunther flinched and jumped back away from her. "You love me?! You?! The man who flirts with every woman he meets?! The man whose had SO many partners that they could form a crowd in our courtyard?! Don't make me laugh!"

Gunther's expression was angry but also very pained. Daunte was embarrassed to be witnessing their conversation but he couldn't move away. "…Allise," he said softly, raising his hands defensively. "I…know that you don't have a positive opinion of me. And I've certainly not done much to inspire you to believe in me. But—"

"So what now, hmm?!" Allise snapped at him, planting her hands on her hands. "Did none of your girlfriends want to warm your bed tonight?! You thought you could take the upcoming battle as an opportunity to add me to your extensive list of conquests?! You're deplorable!"

"Allise, just listen to me!" Gunther shouted. "I—love—you!" he enunciated each word with a broken voice. He sounded as though he were on the verge of tears. "I've never felt this way for ANYONE before! A-A-A-And I didn't ask you to meet me to bed you! I only wanted to confess my feelings!"

Allise leaned in close to his face. She spoke in a dark voice so low that Daunte almost didn't hear her. "I don't believe you."

Without another word Allise turned and stormed towards the stairs. Daunte panicked and almost fell down the stairs, but Allise instead went for the elevator. She punched the button so hard that Daunte heard the punch inside the wall. The door opened and she stormed inside, and Daunte heard more thuds as she hit the button on the panel repeatedly. The door closed and the elevator descended.

Daunte moved back up the stairs and he saw Gunther still standing in the hallway. He was hunched over slightly and he had a hand pressed to his face. After a moment Daunte heard a pained sigh. Then Gunther turned and entered his own chambers, slamming the door shut.

Daunte let out the breath he was holding. That was a conversation he hadn't expected to witness. …So Gunther confessed his feelings. I know he was being sincere because of Oboro's investigations, but Allise didn't believe him. I don't…exactly blame her, either.

Daunte shook his head to clear it. Never mind. Tomorrow's not the end of the world. They can find a way to resolve this.

He continued climbing up the stairs in lieu of using the elevator, and thankfully he didn't witness any other encounters similar to this. When he reached the fifth floor he smiled, because he could hear loud conversations and laughter coming from his room. He entered the hallway, but stopped when he saw who was standing there. "Ah, Caesar?"

"Good evening," Caesar said with a slight wave. "Sounds like you're throwing a party in your room."

"It's the slumber party," Daunte said. He flushed though when Caesar arched a brow. "A-Ah, Felicity did propose the idea before we received the news about Winter Hill."

"No, it's a great idea," Caesar said. "Slumber parties tend to have a positive atmosphere, and it will be great for the morale of your friends. But don't stay up too late because we're leaving at dawn tomorrow."

"I understand," Daunte said, nodding. "Would you like to—"

"Like I said, I'm a downer at slumber parties," Caesar said, waving a hand. "Have fun, my Lord."

"Thank you, Caesar. You have a good night, too."

Caesar went to his room and Daunte entered his own. "Hey Daunte!" Surya called, waving to him. "Come on in!"

Arin, Roen, Felicity, Surya, Mokuren, Freyr, Soturi, and Lysander were inside Daunte's room in their nightclothes. The lights were up and his table was covered in platters of snack food and drinks. Futons were lined up in a row on the floor vertical to his bed. Arin was sitting on Daunte's bed with Kibbeh, and Daunte hurried forward when he saw what Arin was holding near Kibbeh's nose. "Don't feed kibbeh to Kibbeh, Arin!"

The room filled with laughter again, though Freyr was sulking. "Why can't I participate in the fight tomorrow? Soturi is participating!"

"I would prefer not to," Soturi responded. "I can ask General Israfil to—"

"No Soturi, it's fine! The General asked for you, so it's okay for you to go with him!"

Soturi shrugged.

"Israfil is pretty good in combat," Roen said. "So I know you guys will be all right."

"I just wish he would ask Archana out and get her out of her funk!" Freyr grumbled.

"Freyr!" Surya reprimanded him.

"What?! Everyone can see clear as day that he loves her! And Archana has been miserable for years! I want her to be happy!"

"Freyr, need I remind you WHY Archana has been "miserable for years"?!"

"Wad, General Israfil doves de Princess?!" Mokuren exclaimed with a full mouth. Pieces of food fell out and Daunte looked away.

Everyone looked at Freyr, who shrugged unapologetically. "What? I thought it was obvious!"

"Say!" Felicity announced, clapping her hands. "Why don't we play a game?"

"I would l-l-love to play a game," Lysander said. "The last time I had a s-s-s-s-sl—"

"'Sleepover'?" Freyr finished for him. Surya elbowed him hard in the side.

"Yes," Lysander said embarrassedly. "The l-last time was before…" he let his voice trail off.

"What game do you want to play?" Roen asked Felicity, sitting crossed-legged on his futon.

"Never have I ever," Felicity said with a smile as she filled a plate with snacks.

"Oh, we've played that game before!" Mokuren cheered.

"How do you play it?" Daunte asked as he sat down beside Arin.

Felicity sat down on her futon with her plate. "You hold up both hands like this—" she held her hands up in front of herself. "And you say something that hasn't happened to you. Like, say—"Never have I ever eaten slugs". And anyone who has eaten slugs would have to put a finger down." She put down her right thumb.

"You've eaten slugs?" Roen asked her, making a face.

"No, that was an example! Then we go around the room making statements and putting down fingers if the statement applies. If all ten fingers are down then you are out, and the last person with fingers up wins."

"That s-sounds fun," Lysander said.

"Okay, let's give it a try," Daunte said, raising his hands.

"Brother, can I play?" Arin asked.

"Of course you can. But, um, let's not be vulgar about the game, okay?"

Surya snorted. "How vulgar can the game be with the lot of us?"

"I'll go first," Felicity said. Her brow knitted as she thought about her statement. Then she said with a smile, "Never have I ever fallen in love."

Surya, Mokuren, and Soturi put down their right thumbs. "Brother!" Arin cried out, aghast. "You're not putting your finger down! What about Princess Farrin?!"

"Yeah, Daunte?!" Roen asked cheekily. "Why not acknowledge your engagement, hmm?"

Daunte saw Freyr glaring at him and he gave Roen a cold stare. "My turn," he said. "Never have I ever tried to steal a Dragon Horse egg."

Roen's face fell and he sputtered for a moment before reluctantly putting down his right thumb. As did Freyr.

"Freyr! I am shocked and appalled!" Surya gasped sarcastically. "What would Aunt Lym say?"

"My turn!" Freyr spat at him. "Never have I ever used Fog of Deception during a Parliament meeting!"

"I was nine!" Surya protested, but put his right pinky down.

"I'll go next," Roen said, smirking. "Never have I ever worn a True Rune."

Daunte put his thumb down. "Ooh! Me, me!" Mokuren cheered. "Never have I ever done backflips off the roof of a building into water!"

"Now you're all ganging up on me," Surya complained, putting his right ring finger down. Lysander put his thumb down and Soturi put his pinky down.

"C-Can I go?" Lysander asked. "Never have I ever traveled to the Northern Continent."

Daunte, Arin, Roen, and Felicity put down fingers. "I will go next," Soturi said. "Never have I ever made a decision that didn't take considerable thought for the consequences of my actions."

"…What?" Arin asked.

"He said he never acts before he thinks," Surya explained.

"Oh."

Everyone but Soturi put down fingers. "My turn!" Arin said, waving his right hand with three fingers standing up. "Never have I ever killed someone!"

Everyone gaped at Arin for a long moment before the rest of them put down fingers. "Now for round two!" Felicity cheered.

"Can we do a do-over?" Surya asked, holding up his one lone hand. Everyone responded with laughter, including Daunte. He was glad for the opportunity to spend this time with his friends.

I don't know what will happen tomorrow, but we have to win. I will make sure of it.

Brennus looked up at the soldier who sat beside him at the campfire. "What's wrong?"

"We just got word from the capital," his comrade responded. "They sealed the gates, not allowing anyone in or out. Furthermore, it looks like the citizens of Mlkwt Alsmwat were exempt from this upcoming battle."

"No one from the capital is participating?" Brennus asked, his eyes going wide.

The soldier shrugged. "That's what it looks like."

"Attention!"

The soldier in their unit leapt to their feet as their commanding officer returned to their camp. "It looks like the heathens will be marching upon Winter Hill tomorrow," the man said sternly. "Our unit will be in the vanguard leading the Holy Army."

The vanguard?! Brennus felt his stomach twist in discomfort.

"You all have your new weapons given to you graciously by the High Clerics," the commander continued. "I will issue the order tomorrow of when you will use them. You are all to use the weapons simultaneously and you are NOT to use it before I give the order. Do you understand?!"

"SIR, YES SIR!" the soldiers shouted.

"Good! Now hurry up and get to bed! You are to be ready for battle at first light tomorrow!"

The soldiers ran in different directions to get ready. Brennus tried to shake off the sick feeling in his stomach as he patted his chest where the weapon was still hidden in his pocket. It will be okay. They gave us these weapons for a reason. We'll surely win with it.