Sorry for the delays, life's been hectic. Not health problems again (thankfully) but I've been very very busy.

Three new Bath Scenes are up!

As a reminder, the three Wedding Polls will be closing on July 16th. That's over a month from now but don't forget to vote in the polls if you're interested. If you cannot vote in the polls you can leave your vote in a comment and I will count it towards the total. If you aren't able to access the polls, I'll list them below:

Wedding Poll #1: Who should walk the bride down the aisle?

- Daunte

- Caesar

- Allise

- Eamon

- Jantu

- Gunther

- Varnaz

- Surya

- Other

Wedding Poll #2: What cuisine style should Yasaka create for the reception?

- Arab

- Vegan

- Vegetarian

- Japanese

- Chinese

- Western

- Mediterranean

- Fusion

- Dessert

- Haute

- Spicy

Wedding Poll #3: Who should conduct the ceremony?

- Farzin

- Tamara

- Keiran

- Sloan

- Eresh

Part Eight

The rooms on Žiak University's first floor were in fact deserted. Daunte found a Sound Set 04 in one of the rooms, along with an escape scroll. One room was an empty classroom with bookshelves filled with books, and Tamara was quickly removing books from the shelves. "Blaise will want these for the library," she said. "Žiak University allows books that have been banned for educational purposes."

"Aww, that is so cute that you help your fiancé like that," Allise cooed at her. Tamara blushed dark red.

Daunte idly looked at one of the shelves when a pale blue spine caught his eye. He gasped and quickly pulled the book out. "Ah! The Looking Moon!"

"The Looking Moon?" Chinmaya asked with a smile. "It's a shame that book was banned it's one of the most sought after books in the country."

"Could I have that for the library, Lord Daunte?" Tamara asked.

"I'm sorry," Daunte said. "But I was thinking of giving this to Felicity. W-When the Holy Army arrested her family and ransacked her hosue, this was one of the books missing from her bookshelf."

"No, that's okay."

"You're a good friend, Lord Daunte," Gunther said. His tone was serious and not teasing, which took Daunte by surprise.

"Oh, WOW!" Rico exclaimed, pulling a thick tattered book from another shelf. "These are recipes, aren't they?"

"I'll give that to Yasaka," Daunte said.

Fred pulled a thin book from the shelf, his brow furrowed in confusion. "What's a 'yearbook'?"

"Oh, that's a yearly summary of the academic year," Chinmaya said. "What's the year on that yearbook?"

"IS 458."

Daunte's head snapped around and he hurried to Fred's side. "Please give that to me! That was the year my mom graduated!"

"Oh really?!" Allise asked.

"Here, put it on the table!" Tamara said, gesturing to the table. "I want to see what your mom looked like!"

"As she became a High Cleric straight of University, that issue will feature Phoebe Amirmoez prominently," Peader said from the door. "Unless that it one of the reissues that removed her entirely."

Daunte felt his heart in his throat as he flipped the yearbook open. It didn't take long to find any information about Phoebe. After the table of contents and introductory pages, there was a two-page devoted to Phoebe's rise to High Cleric status, with the heading "The Youngest High Cleric in History." Two pictures of Phoebe were prominent on each page, with smaller photographs decorating the page. The page on the right showed what was undoubtedly her class photograph from Žiak University, wearing a smoky blue dress and pale blue veil. And on the page on the right showed a photograph of Phoebe in her High Cleric garbs.

Daunte stared at his mother's class photograph for a long time, the image burning into his mind. It was surreal and very, very painful to stare down at the image of his mother as teenager, hardly older than Daunte was now. She wore a bright smile and her eyes were sparkling. Her face was hidden behind a hood in her High Cleric photograph, but her eyes sparkles there too.

She was so happy and full of life. She always wanted to work for the betterment of Nagarea. She didn't know…she didn't know that 17 years after that High Cleric photo was taken that she would be dead. Murdered in front of her own children…

"She was beautiful," Gunther said, looking at Daunte. "Arin looks more like her than you do."

"Yeah," Daunte said. "I've heard that I look more like my fa—"

"Urgh!"

Daunte quickly looked up to see La'Ahad fall upon the table and nearly collapse to the floor. Fred however caught him before he hit the floor. "Whoa! Are you okay, sir?"

Daunte and Allise hurried over, but Daunte stood back as Allise quickly examined him. "He fainted," she said, looking up at Daunte. "I guess all this traveling must have taken a toll on him."

"Then we should return to HQ right away," Daunte said. Both Fred and Gunther threw La'Ahad's arms around their shoulders, but the older man sagged in his arms. Daunte snatched the yearbook from the table. "Does everyone have everything they need?"

"The sooner I can leave here, the better," Peader said, moving towards them.

"L-Let's hurry back and get him to the Infirmary," Tamara said shakily, nodding to La'Ahad.

Upon returning to HQ the group immediately took La'Ahad to the Infirmary. While Dr. Yulin examined La'Ahad, Clara hurried over with a small bottle. She popped the cork on the bottle and pressed it underneath his nose. La'Ahad came awake in an instant, gasping for breath. "W—What—"

"Smelling salts," Clara said, pulling the bottle away. "You fainted, La'Ahad. Do you remember?"

"…I…" La'Ahad ducked his head forward and pressed his hand over his face. "I…"

"You should rest for now," Dr. Yulin said, nodding to Daunte. "I think it's best that I take back your referral to return to—"

"No," La'Ahad interjected, grabbing Dr. Yulin's arm. "I-I'm okay. I'm okay, I swear. This won't happen again."

"La'Ahad—" Daunte said.

"Lord Daunte, please do not dismiss me," La'Ahad insisted, turning to face him. Even after he fell unconscious the hood remained on his head covering his face. Daunte wanted to push the hood back to see him, but refrained from doing so. "I will be okay. I have done well on the battlefield without fainting. You can count on me, I swear it."

"I…" Daunte looked at Dr. Yulin and then looked at his party. It was clear that everyone was leaving the decision to him. After a moment he impulsively blurted out, "Okay."

Daunte saw a ghost of a smile on what little of La'Ahad's face he could see. "Thank you, Lord Daunte."

"I must insist that he rest for the remainder of the day," Dr. Yulin said. "I have heard that Lord Caesar wanted to speak with you Lord Daunte, so you want to go up and see him."

"Oh, Professor Peader and I should go up to the war room then first," Chinmaya said with a smile. "Is that okay with you, Pro—"

"Peader is fine," Peader said dully, his arms full of books. "I am no longer a professor after al—"

"Professor Peader?!"

The group turned towards the doors of the Infirmary to see four young adults in Liberation Army uniforms racing into the Infirmary. "Wow, it IS you!" the first exclaimed.

"Did you join the Army too?" the second asked.

"I last saw you at the school!" the third said.

"How have you been, Professor?" the fourth asked.

Peader looked stricken as he stared at the soldiers before him. "Y—You are all former students of the University?" he asked quietly.

"Yes," the first said. "We died at Winter Hill but Lord Daunte brought us back. There's more of us around, if you would like them."

Daunte couldn't see his eyes but Peader's voice was shaking. "I…yes. I would like to see them, b-but I must go up to the war room first."

"We'll go get them and meet you up there," the third promised. Peader nodded wordlessly.

"Take your time, Lord Daunte," Chinmaya said, wearing a relieved smile. "We'll see you upstairs."

The group dispersed and Daunte went first to give Yasaka the recipe book. His eyes lit up and he quickly flipped through it. "I-I wonder if the Moon Bird Recipe is in here!"

"I hope there's a cheesecake recipe in there," Georg said good-naturedly.

Daunte then sought out Liron and gave her the new Sound Set he had found, which she was happy enough to demonstrate on Lanny when he walked by. "G-Give me my voice back!" Lanny shrieked, his voice sounding like a chipmunk. The soldiers around them screamed with laughter.

Baldemar sharpened his tekko and he stopped in at the bathhouse, where he embarrassedly overheard a conversation from the women's bath. Then he headed for the war room, with the yearbook and The Looking Moon tucked under his arm. He intended to see Arin and his friends after the meeting and wanted to give it to them then. However, the elevator door then opened on the fourth floor and he saw Arin, Roen, and Felicity. "Brother!" Arin cheered, running forward and hugging him.

"Did you get your new recruits?" Felicity asked.

"Here," Daunte said, handing her the book.

"Oh Nagar!" Roen cried out, his eyes going wide. "That's The Looking Moon! W-Where did you get that?"

"Žiak University," Daunte said. Felicity was staring at the book blankly and Daunte shifted on his feet. "Ah, Peader said we could take it—"

Felicity burst into tears, which alarmed the other three boys. "F-Felicity, what's wrong?!" Arin cried out, tears filling his eyes as well. Felicity didn't immediately respond and instead threw her arms around Daunte's shoulders, muffling her cries into her neck.

"I—uh—" Daunte looked at Felicity then looked at Roen. "I-I didn't mean to upset y—"

"Daunte, THANK YOU!" Felicity wailed into his shoulder. "Thank you so much! I-I never thought I would ever feel this happy again!"

"I-I'm glad to have helped you," Daunte said shakily.

"You're going up to the war room right?" Roen asked, gently pulling Felicity away from Daunte. Felicity scrubbed at her face but clutched The Looking Moon to her chest while sniffling. "We'll wait for you in your room, if that's okay."

"Sounds good," Daunte said. He looked at Arin. "I have a surprise I want to show you."

"Really?!" Arin exclaimed.

"Hey, could we invite Surya up?" Roen asked suddenly.

"Sure," Daunte said with a smile. "The surprise is for Arin, but I'm certain all of you would enjoy it."

Felicity lunged at Daunte again and hugged and kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you," she murmured. "You're the best friend anyone could ask for."

"You're not just my friend, both of you," Daunte said as the elevator opened on the fifth floor. Roen held the door open. "Both of you are my blood brother and sister. You're my family, and family looks out for each other."

"That's right!" Arin said proudly.

Felicity nodded and let him go. "I'll repay you for this someday," she said, holding up the book. "I swear I will, Daunte."

"You don't—"

"I owe you a great deal too, Daunte," Roen said quietly. "I-I haven't figured out yet how I'll repay you, but I promise I will."

"I-I think any debts you both feel you owe me was nullified when both of you died because of me," Daunte said shakily. "There's nothing that either of you need to repay me for. We've suffered more than anyone should ever have to suffer, butyou both died whereas I didn't. L-Let's just focus on winning, a-and maybe we can just surprise each other with fun things for fun and not because we feel we owe each other anything. Okay?"

Arin gave him a quick hug and Roen looked away blinking back tears. "…Thank you, Daunte," he said quietly.

"Now, all of you go and wait for me," Daunte said. "We can have another slumber party if you'd like."

"YAY!" Arin cheered.

"I-I would like that very much," Felicity murmured.

"Me too," Roen said. "I'll call Surya and everyone else. Maybe see if anyone else wants to join the slumber party?"

"Sounds good," Daunte said. "But not too many people, please. We don't want to walk all over each other because there's no room on the floor."

Both Roen and Felicity laughed before they left the elevator with Arin. Alone again, Daunte let himself crumble briefly and pressed a hand to his face. He let out a shaky sigh as tears slipped out.

"Stop."

Daunte cried out and flung himself backwards into the wall. Yuber had suddenly appeared in front of him. He was snarling and glaring, but…his eyes. His crimson and silver eyes were…reddened.

"That's enough of that," Yuber said harshly. "Stop crying right now."

Daunte gaped at him in a stunned stupor, stammering as he opened and closed his mouth. "O…Kay?" he said finally. His tears had dried anyways from Yuber's sudden arrival.

Yuber nodded stiffly, satisfied, and then he was gone. Daunte looked around the elevator in confusion. "W-What was that all about?" he asked the empty space.

Yuber was not on the sixth floor when Daunte got out of the elevator, but Pesmerga was. The Black Knight was wearing a smile and appeared to be…chuckling? Daunte immediately went to him. "Is something going on with Yuber?" He asked.

"Yes," Pesmerga answered bluntly.

"Ah—what is going on with Yuber?" Daunte asked.

"I believe it is best you ask him," Pesmerga responded.

"…Why?"

"Because it is more amusing that way."

Daunte felt a migraine forming and he rubbed at his temple. "Thanks, I think," he said, moving away from Pesmerga and entering the war room.

"Lord Daunte, are you okay?!" Chinmaya exclaimed when she saw him. She was standing at the table with Caesar and Peader. "Do you have a headache?"

"It will pass," Daunte said reassuringly.

"You should go and rest after this meting," Caesar said.

"I can't, not entirely. I'm hosting another slumber party tonight."

"…Slumber party?" Peader asked dully.

"I'll send a message to Yasaka to send butterbur tea to your room then," Caesar said. "I've heard that butterbur tea is good for headaches. We'll keep this meeting short, then. We have a plan for the march tomorrow—"

"Tomorrow?" Daunte asked, feeling a ping of alarm.

"Ah, yes," Caesar said. "From what Professor Peader has told us, the fact that you revived both Armies after the Battle of Winter Hill is not common knowledge among the populace, but your visit to Žiak has not gone unnoticed. The Holy Army is now very much aware that you are back in command, so we'll need to strike and dispatch Imbuka Liger now before they have an opportunity to mobilize. "

Daunte nodded stiffly. "That makes sense. Taking the entire Army though to face her won't be a good idea."

"That's correct, Lord Daunte. Professor Peader here just gave a suggestion that I think is a great idea. Professor Peader?"

"The Professor title is unnecessary when I'm no longer a teacher," Peader said. "But I digress. What I propose is that you send four units into the southeastern province to attack the Sheikh's forces, but these units will be a diversion only. As you probably noticed, morale is extremely low at the moment not only amongst Holy Army soldiers but also amongst the Nagarist population. So instead of decimating Sheikh Liger's forces, our focus should be strictly on the Sheikh herself."

"We should have 400 soldiers march on the Sheikh's Garrison," Chinmaya said. "But get the Sheikh separated from her forces like we were able to do with Lažov, and take her own with a smaller unit."

"Sheikh Liger isn't as stupid as Lažov was though, and won't fall easily into a trap," Caesar said. "So we'll need to forcibly separate her from her soldiers to in order to trap her."

"The unit that will ambush her," Daunte said. "Will it be an Army unit?"

"Sheikh Liger would expect an ambush from an Army unit," Peader said. "A smaller unit of six soldiers, however? She would not expect that."

"I will lead this unit then," Daunte said. "From what I've heard and seen about her…I don't think we would need to worry about Raging Nostrum."

"Exactly," Caesar said. "And whatever supply of Raging Nostrum the Holy Army has left would be too small to casually distribute amongst infantry units anymore. And her ego would never allow herself to take Raging Nostrum."

"Okay, then," Daunte said, nodding. "We'll have Viki teleport us to Kader and follow through with the attack."

"Who would you like to lead the diversion units?" Chinmaya asked.

"I think it would be best if three of the units were led by former Sheikhs," Daunte said. "Sloan, Keiran, and Tamara. That will definitely keep their attentions on them and not on my party."

"That is a good idea," Peader said. "But we should also be careful. I have heard rumors that the High Clerics have the assistance of a powerful sorceress—"

"Yes, Windy," Daunte confirmed. "Then…maybe Lady Leknaat should lead the fourth unit? Windy will either come to the battlefield to confront her sister, or she'll stay away from the battlefield because her sister is there."

There was a familiar glow of light to Daunte's right. Peader flinched but neither Caesar nor Chinmaya stirred when Leknaat appeared. "Hello, Lady Leknaat," Caesar said. His tone still had a degree of awe in it. "You have heard our plan, then?"

"I have and I support it," Leknaat said. "I—still do not know how my sister is able to affect me through our shared Rune, but I must redeem myself for my inaction during the last war campaign. I will come with you and lead a unit, especially if doing so means I will draw my sister's attention away from you."

"Do you know who you would like to come with you?" Daunte asked.

"Jeane and Eresh," Leknaat responded.

"Good choice," Caesar said with a smile. "Your will be the most powerful magic unit in the history of Nagarea, I imagine."

"Since the others are not here, we should discuss the units with them later," Peader said. He looked towards Daunte. "My Lord, do you know who you will want in your party?"

"La'Ahad still insists on being in my active party, so he must be there," Daunte said. "And Shou will certainly never forgive me if I don't take him with me. As for the other three…Georg, River, and Virgil," he decided. "Both River and Virgil also have plenty of reason to want to fight Imbuka Liger, and Georg has a lot of experience fighting Nether Gate assassins."

"Good idea," Caesar said. "You may also want to consider taking Oboro in your support party. He will certainly know how to deal with Imbuka."

"A midday march would be our best option to strike," Peader said. "It will give the Garrison time to mobilize, but not the capital. As the High Clerics have yet to replace the Sheikh of the northeastern provinces Sheikh Liger would have to rely on the capital to send reinforcements. But she will be dead before those reinforcements arrive."

"Unless those reinforcements are Windy," Chinmaya said. "But hopefully…"

"I will do my best in this battle," Leknaat reassured them.

"We'll keep you safe in this battle, Lady Leknaat," Caesar said. "I promise."

"I will be all right as I have a True Rune. But I will do my best to keep my unit safe."

"We will succeed tomorrow," Daunte said. "When we removed Imbuka Liger, there will be only one major Sheikh left. Then we can focus on tearing down the barrier around Mlkwt Alsmwat and end this war once and for all."

"You are not taking me."

Daunte flinched and the three Strategists jumped with fright as Nian suddenly materialized into the room. "…Is that a Djinn?" Peader asked in amazement.

"You are not taking me into battle," Nian said, staring at Daunte with disapproval. "I am bound to you because of a wish a fool. Yet you have not used me nor do you seek me out for any reason whatsoever. Why?"

Daunte swallowed thickly and struggled to meet her gaze. "…I don't want you near me," he said quietly. "Not right at this moment, at least. When I need you I will tell you so."

"If I may, Lord Daunte," Caesar interjected softly. "I would suggest that in the event Windy appears that we should call Nian for help. I can imagine that Windy would have some trouble against a Djinn."

"I would not know if she could best a Djinn or not," Leknaat said, her soft tone wary. "She creatures she summons do not ever attack her."

"You possess a True Rune as well," Nian said, looking at Leknaat. "The person with whom you want me to guard against…they also have a True Rune?"

"Yes."

Nian nodded. "I will fight and kill her if necessary. Bring my bottle with you, and—"

"LORD DAUNTE!" Evarr burst into the war room clutching Nian's bottle. "Ah, there she is! Nian, go back!"

Nian cursed, but just as quickly she dissolved into smoke and retreated back into the bottle. Evarr slammed the lid back onto the battle. "I am so sorry," he exclaimed. "I-I didn't call her out, I swear!"

"Give the bottle to Lady Leknaat," Daunte said, gesturing to her. "Nian said she will aid us if we need her."

"A-Ah, o-okay." Evarr hesitantly placed the bottle into Leknaat's arms. "Please be careful with her my Lady," he said softly. "She is very dangerous."

"As she is a Djinn, I am aware that she is dangerous," Leknaat said calmly.

"Ah, Professor Peader!" the four soldiers they had seen downstairs came to the open doors. One of them waved to their left. "Come on, he's here!"

A crowd of at least twenty soldiers spilled into the room and hurried towards Peader. Peader let out a short breath; one of pain and relief, as his former students crowded around. "Y…You are all alive," he whispered.

"Yes, we are!" One shouted. "All thanks to Lord Daunte!"

Peader quickly looked at Daunte. Daunte could not see his eyes still, but he saw tears spilling down his cheeks. "I…thank you, Lord Daunte."

Daunte nodded, though his throat felt tight. "It was nothing."

Arin's fingers were trembling as he traced the page. His eyes were wide as he looked down at the yearbook. "T…That's Mom?" He whispered. His voice was small.

"Yes," Daunte said, sitting beside him on the bed. "This was when she graduated."

"Daunte, she was beautiful," Felicity breathed. She was still holding The Looking Moon in her arms.

"You can see integrity in her expression," Roen said with a smile. "You both take after a lot."

"Arin looks a lot like her," Mokuren said, peeking over Felicity's shoulder.

"I-I do?" Arin asked, looking up. But he didn't wait for an answer as he looked at Daunte. "B-Brother…can I keep this?"

"Sure," Daunte said.

"C-Can we show this to Dad when we find him?"

Daunte nodded stiffly and swallowed a frown. "Of course we will. He'll definitely want to see—"

There was a sharp knock at the door. "Lord Daunte?!"

Daunte reflexively laughed at hearing the voice but Surya frowned in confusion. "Who is THAT?!" He wondered aloud. He went to the door and opened it, and Lanny ran inside. Freyr, Soturi, and Lysander followed him, and though Soturi was stoic per usual both Freyr and Lysander were visibly struggling to hold in laughter.

"Lord Daunte!" Lanny snapped, his voice still altered. "Liron won't change my damn voice back! Please go and order her to change my voice back!"

Most everyone burst into laughter upon hearing his voice, and it took all of Daunte's willpower to keep a straight face. "Uh…I—"

"Desiree heard me like this!" Lanny shrieked. "Desiree, Lord Daunte! Do you have any idea how humiliating that was?!"

"Just calm down, it wasn't that bad," Freyr tried to reassure him. "I mean, she was like the only person who wasn't laughing—"

"Lord Daunte, PLEASE!" Lanny wailed in his chipmunk voice.

"All right, all right," Daunte said, standing up. "Let's go and find Liron. If you want you can join us for the slumber party."

"Slumber party?!" Lanny perked up a little upon hearing. "I-I…sure! Why not?"

"I'll be right back," Daunte told the group. He headed back towards the door with Lanny and opened it, but was shocked at who he saw on the other side.

"Oh, hello Lord Daunte!" Desiree greeted him. She was holding a tea tray.

Lanny screamed and hid behind Daunte. Desiree didn't visibly react. "Yasaka asked me to bring up this butterbur tea for you. He said he was sending other snacks up." She glanced into the room and smiled. "Ah…are you having a party?"

"Slumber party, more specifically," Daunte said.

"Oh, that sounds like fun!"

"Do you want to join us?" Mokuren called to her.

Lanny let out a muffled scream against Daunte's back. "Sure, I would love to join!" Desiree responded. "I'll go down and get my things after I drop this tea off!" She moved into the room to set the tea tray down. Lanny pulled Daunte's body around so that he continued to face Desiree and so he remained hidden.

Lanny's voice was still muffled by Daunte's back. "Thank you," Daunte said. "Um—Lanny and I have to run an errand, so—"

"Oh, right, that awful joke Liron played on him," Desiree sighed, shaking her head. "Jokes are only funny when everyone laughs, including the target of the joke. She should've changed his voice back when he asked her to."

"Really?!" Lanny squeaked, peeking around Daunte.

"Oh, there you are!" Desiree said, waving to him. "You've been a lot nicer lately but I haven't seen you around. Have you been feeling okay?"

Lanny stammered without answering and Daunte grabbed his arm. "We'll be right back," he announced to the room.

"Oh, then I'll come with you since I'm going down anyway!" Desiree offered.

Lanny squeaked again and Daunte refrained from rolling his eyes. "Sounds good."

"Ah, the notorious B.L. strikes again!" Gertrude reported.

"A-Ah, maybe we should turn over the letter this time?" Bax suggested. "It—NO, Gertrude! Don't tear that letter up!"

"I have a better idea," Sanji said over the sound of ripping paper.

"Oh, really—um, Sanji?! Who are all those people—"

"Wow, you let Sanji come back?" Arin asked as they entered the elevator.

Daunte shrugged stiffly. "Keeping him locked up seemed counterproductive. Nash and Sierra were fine with him being let out so long as he stays away from them. And I'm sure he wants to stay away from them too."

"A-And he can't hurt anyone now?"

"It would be difficult since he doesn't have his gun."

"Instead of reading your latest letter, B.L.," Gertrude said darkly. "We're going to introduce to you a bunch of Lord Daunte's friends, and let them tell you how THEY feel about your death threats against our leader."

"Quite," Sanji added. "Then maybe you'll think twice about whatever it is you think you're going to do to our leader."

"A threat against our Commander is a threat against us all, and we do NOT tolerate threats," Varnaz said sternly. "You just see what happens if you try anything, sir or ma'am."

"You show your ugly face here and I'll shove my sword through it," Gunther said cheerfully.

"Anyone who tries to hurt Lord Daunte will be hurt by ME," Allise said.

"I'll kill any filthy human who stands against us!" Oisin snapped.

"Wow," Arin asked, looking towards the ceiling of the elevator as one by one a member of the Liberation Army spoke in support of Daunte. He was hugging Phoebe's yearbook to his chest. "You're popular, Brother."

"I would hope so, since I'm the leader," Daunte said dully.

"You're an idiot if you think you'll get away with this," Farzin said.

"NO ONE will hurt Lord Daunte!" Zander snapped.

"Foul fiend!" Luciano declared. "I will strike you down for your dishonorable cowardice!"

"Oh no," Daunte groaned as the familiar accordion music filled the air. Since the broadcast reaches across all of Headquarters, everyone will be hearing this for awhile…

"What on earth is that music?" Sloan asked with genuine confusion when Daunte entered the war room. "Does this happen every time that man speaks?"

"It happens when ALL Narcissists speak," Caesar sighed, rubbing at his forehead. "Oh, good morning Lord Daunte. Did you have a fun sleepover?"

"I did," Daunte said.

"Thank you for helping Lanny," Keiran said, stepping forward. "The soldiers like to tease him because of his age and how serious he always is, but it's usually in good fun. Yesterday was a little…"

"I understand," Daunte said. He looked around the room. "You guys know about the plan?"

"We do," Tamara said, though her tone was a little shaky. "I'm glad you chose me for this. I want to help bring Imbuka down after what she did to me, and to my soldiers. I will be bringing Nigel and Thea with me in my unit."

"I will have Mihr and Lanny," Keiran confirmed, nodding to Mihr over his shoulder. Daunte said that Mihr had Nariek strapped to his hip but he wasn't sure if the warrior would use it.

"You know my choices," Leknaat spoke up.

"I'm looking forward to working with the famous Seer," Jeane purred.

"Eresh feels that today will go okay," Eresh said. "Not fantastic, but okay."

"Um…great," Daunte said.

"I will have Adalgiso and Pesmerga with me," Sloan said.

"You'll be unstoppable then," Chinmaya said.

"Just remember," Caesar announced to the war room. "Your primary goal is to be a diversion. Let the Sheikh's forces charge you, while Lord Daunte goes after the Sheikh."

"And they'll stop once Sheikh Liger has been taken care of?" Adalgiso asked.

"There will be no other reason for them to fight," Peader said. "Most of the soldiers will find any excuse to not further engage us."

"Oh. Good then," Adalgiso said with a nod.

"Are you ready for us to summon your party, Lord Daunte?" Chinmaya asked.

"Are you ready, Brother?" Arin asked him softly, tugging his hand.

Daunte looked down at him for a moment before looking back up at everyone. "Yes, I'm ready."

The party was ready within minutes. Shou and Oboro were the first to arrive. "We're going after that bitch, right?" Shou seethed. "I'm ready."

"Please don't sound so bloodthirsty," Oboro said softly. "Please be careful with Azamuku, Lord Daunte. She is used to having others do her dirty work for her, but she is still dangerous."

"That woman mistreated my son," Virgil said softly. "I want her to pay for what she did."

"I'll kill her if no one else will," River scoffed, folding his arms over his chest.

"I won't ever say no to taking care of people from Nether Gate," Georg said.

"I will do what I can to be useful to you," La'Ahad.

"As I am accompanying you on this trip, I assist you with some of my experiences of working with Azamuku," Oboro said with a smile. "It's been well over 30 years since we last worked together, but given her age I don't foresee her changing too much about herself."

"Let's be careful with this," Caesar announced to the war room. "Even without a copious supply of Raging Nostrum we should still prepare for the worst. And we should be prepared for the possibility of Windy coming to the battlefield—"

"She may come," Leknaat said. "But I will hopefully serve as a distraction for her."

"I'll make sure none of our forces die today," Daunte said, looking around the room. "But everyone, please be careful."

Viki teleported them to Kader without issue, but the sudden arrival of 400 Liberation Army soldier, led by three people who were confirmed dead by the Holy Army, caused another riot in the small town. Word was sent to the Garrison, and they moved to mobilize.

Only…

"I will not be going," Imbuka declared.

"B-But Sheikh!" her subordinate exclaimed. "I-If you do not go, who will lead us?"

Imbuka threw up her hands. "One of you can do it for all I care. I hope you realize that this is a trap to lure me out specificially to kill me, right? The Liberation Army did this to Lažov and now they're trying it with me. I'm not going to fall into a trap."

"B-But what if the Liberation Army kills us out there?!"

"Then it proves your worthlessness," Imbuka said harshly.

"You will go."

The subordinate shrieked at this new voice but Imbuka didn't flinch. She turned to face Windy, who had appeared behind her. "…My lady," she said, bowing stiffly.

"You are a Sheikh," Windy reminded her. "You will take your forces and you will meet the Liberation Army on the battlefield."

"They're alive," Imbuka almost hissed. "Even that worthless little girl I saw die is alive! Why didn't you tell me they were all alive?!"

"Because you didn't need to know," Windy responded. "Now do as you're told and go out there with your soldiers."

Imbuka laughed humorlessly. "You are commanding me to march into an obvious trap?! You are commanding me to die?! I have never heard anything so ridi—"

Windy reached out and grab Imbuka by her throat. The soldier shrieked as Windy yanked her close so that their faces were almost touching.

"Yes," Windy whispered darkly. "You will do it. You will march into a trap and allow yourself and your soldiers to be ambushed. You will do this because it will bring that boy who stole the Rune of Restoration to come straight to you. You will allow him to do that, and then you will KILL HIM and get the Rune. Do you understand me, Azamuku?"

Imbuka felt rage and a simmer of fear in her body as she stared back at Windy. "…The only reason you are not dead is because Takefute said we need you," she spat out.

Windy smiled darkly back at her. "If you threaten me again I will crush your windpipe in my hand. Or would you prefer I open my Rune for you?"

Imbuka snarled briefly, but forced herself to relax. "…Okay," she responded quietly.

Windy held onto her smile and let her go. "Good. Now run along and let yourself be ambushed and then do what you do best; murder."

"And what will you do…my Lady?" Imbuka added belatedly.

Windy did not respond and simply teleported away, but Windy knew what she would do.

I'm going to have a family reunion.

The entire might of the Sheikh Garrison marched to meet the Liberation Army. As morale was already known to be low, it had decreased even further with the rumors that they were willingly marching into a trap just for the sake of getting the Rune of Restoration.

"Well," Keiran said, lowering his spyglass. "I've never seen so many sullen-faced soldiers in my life."

"I don't want to kill them," Tamara said quietly. "They will surrender if we offer it. They will surrender once we kill Imbuka Liger."

Sloan lowered his binoculars, his expression grim. "Adalgiso," he said softly.

"Yes?" Adalgiso responded.

"The misery I see in those soldiers…did my soldiers look like that when they serve me while I was under the influence of that Rune?"

Adalgiso flinched, and the color drained from his face. He ducked his head forward. "…I…" it was all he could managed to say.

Sloan frowned deeply and didn't say anything more.

Leknaat gasped softly, and tilted her head back towards the sky. "…My sister," she whispered.

"She's coming?!" Jeane exclaimed, and she trembled with uncharacteristic fear.

"…Eresh is concerned her body will be destroyed again," Eresh said softly.

"Good afternoon."

There was a burst of light and Windy suddenly appeared alone in front of the Liberation Army. She was smiling, but it did not match her cold eyes. "How very interesting to see many of you alive again," she said. "The power of the Rune of Restoration is magnificent."

"Her," Keiran seethed, his hands tightening around the reins of his horse. "She's the one who blackmailed me into attacking Uaminifu!"

"She is?!" Lanny whispered, his eyes going wide.

"A cowardly woman with no honor," Mihr said softly. "That must be the Windy Lord Daunte was talking about. Chief Tengaar spoke of her too, from her time during the Gate Rune War. That woman is evil."

Sloan's breathing was quick and shallow as he stared at Windy, his vision blurring. Her. It's HER. She put the Black Rune on me! She cost me everything!

"Hello, Sloan," Windy greeted him as though he were an old friend. "It's a pleasure to see you again."

Sloan screamed; the sound half of rage and half of anguish. He threw himself down from his horse but Adalgiso lunged from his own horse and grabbed him, restraining him with all his might. "My Lord, DON'T!"

Lady Windy. The one person Yuber is terrified of. Pesmerga smiled unkindly. She is just as dangerous as the last time I saw her.

Tamara glanced at her comrades and was startled by their visceral reactions. "This is bad," she said quietly.

"Windy." Leknaat moved to slide off her horse and Jeane quickly moved to help her. "My sister," she said quietly, turning her head towards Windy. "It has been a long time."

"It has," Windy responded. Her tone faltered only briefly. "But as I'm aware of your plan let's not get too comfortable."

"You what?!" Tamara exclaimed.

"Oh, we know you're here to kill Azamuku," Windy responded. "We can't spy on you anymore but you're all very predictable. So Azamuku is ready to kill your leader. Now that it matters if she dies or not, so long as we get that Rune."

There was a buzz of alarm that swept across the ranks of the Liberation Army. The Holy Army forces stopped their march 15 meters away.

"You all act like you're so smart," Windy added. "But I've lived long enough and have seen enough to know what people are planning. And if Azamuku isn't successful, then I will—"

"Then I shall do something you haven't experienced before," Leknaat interjected. Windy turned to her, and saw for the first time that she was holding a bottle in her hands. Leknaat pulled the top off and smoke began billowing out.

Windy blinked with surprise. "…A Djinn. That is new."

"She is expecting us," Oboro said softly.

Daunte nodded. "She's sitting there surrounded by—20?—soldiers. She's definitely expecting us."

"We can't let her escape," Shou seethed. "I'll NEVER forgive her for what she did to my mom!"

"Grudges are not healthy," Georg admonished him softly.

"I try not to hold a grudge but she hurt Dylan and I can never forgive her for that," Virgil said softly.

"I'll hold a grudge if no one else will," River snapped. "That bitch destroyed Estel and tried to kill my wife and my people!"

"You are all…very angry with this woman," La'Ahad said quietly.

"Angry?!" Shou snapped incredulously. "There's no word that could describe how I feel! That thing—" he jabbed a finger in Imbuka's direction. "Brainwashed my mother into becoming a murderer when she was a child!"

"S…She did?" La'Ahad asked. His tone was soft and he dug his fingers into his arms.

"Yes!" Shou snapped. "If you ever met my mother you would see that she never stops smiling! It's because of HER! She brainwashed my mother into having a permanent smile on her face, because she thought that no one would suspect a smiling little girl of being an assassin!"

"That is…truly horrible," Virgil breathed, his eyes wide. River's expression was hard but Daunte could see horror in his eyes. La'Ahad began to tremble.

"Shou is very correct," Oboro said grimly. "That is how Nether Gate operated. They kidnapped and purchased children to raise them to be murderers. Those very same people are in control of the Theocracy. Shou's mother, Sagiri—"

"GUH!" La'Ahad pitched forward and fell to his knees. He slammed his hands over his face as he curled inward, the tremors in his body turning violent. "HAAA! AAAAAAHH!"

"La'Ahad!" Daunte cried out, dropping to his knees beside him. "La'Ahad, are you all—"

"They've spotted us," Oboro said, looking up.

Daunte's head snapped up and he saw Imbuka's forces advancing upon them. La'Ahad was still clutching his head screaming and he jumped in front of him to shield. "Oboro, get behind us," he snapped. "It will have to be the five of us to fight them!"

"Gladly," River rasped.

"Oh, Shinatsu!" Imbuka called out when her forces got close enough to them. Her singsong tone sent a chill down Daunte's spine. "I hope you're ready to die today!"

"Bitch!" Shou yelled, and surged forward. River was right on his heels

"Damn!" Daunte shouted. "Oboro, take care of La'Ahad!"

"I will!" Oboro said. "Please be careful!"

Daunte and his group rushed at Imbuka's forces. They engaged six soldiers first, before careful to dispatch them without ending their lives. The next six were stronger, and it was more difficult to engage them without killing them because of the ferocity they had when they fought.

"Stand down!" Daunte shouted, punching a soldier in the side of the head. His tekko successfully knocked the man unconscious. "We don't' want to hurt you! We only want the Sheikh! Don't throw your lives away for the likes of her!"

"Oh, these soldiers are wholly loyal to me," Imbuka announced unhelpfully. "They will not stop trying to kill you until you are all dead. Even if you kill me."

"We'll see about that," Georg responded.

"Of course you could just make things easier by cutting your hand off and giving me your Rune," Imbuka said. "It's useless on you anyway."

"Lord Daunte uses it better than the likes of you ever could," Virgil retorted.

"Enough talking, let's fight!" Shou shouted.

As they predicted Imbuka Liger didn't utilize Raging Nostrum, but she was still a very powerful fighter. She stood behind her soldiers and fought from a distance. When she wasn't casting spells from a Cyclone Rune, she was throwing weapons at them that were slicked with poison. Daunte was caught in the arm with a knife, and though the wound was superficial the fire raced up his body and he vomited onto the grass.

"Lord Daunte, drink this!" Virgil exclaimed trying to press a vial to his mouth.

"You'll want to wait for him to finish vomiting before giving him an antidote, or else he'll choke," River said grimly, readying his valeri.

Imbuka let out a loud laugh as her soldiers continued advancing upon them. "An antidote won't work for that poison! He will be dead in min—"

"WAIL!" Daunte choked out, raising his hand.

"…Oh," Imbuka said, her shoulders dipping slightly as the powerful healing spell washed over the party. "Damn."

"You lot still want to fight?!" Shou snapped. "Or do you—"

"LORD DAUNTE!" Oboro shouted, but his voice was drowned out by a prolonged war-cry.

"Huh?!" Daunte looked over his shoulder but he saw a large blur charging towards them. The blur clipped Shou, sending him sprawling into the dirt, and Daunte realized that the blur was La'Ahad. His hood had blown back but he couldn't see his face, just his silver hair as he ran past the party and charged towards Imbuka.

"What the—GET HIM!" Imbuka shouted.

The soldiers focused on La'Ahad, but La'Ahad stabbed his spear forward and skewered the first soldier. He kicked the soldier aside and spun his spear, smacking another across the face with the hilt. The soldiers then scrambled away from him, leaving Imbuka unguarded.

"Cowards!" She spat, readying a poisoned knife. "You—"

La'Ahad was quicker, surging forward and stabbing Imbuka straight through her diaphragm. Her eyes went wide, and she opened her mouth as though to scream, but blood spewed out. Daunte thought he saw a snarl on La'Ahad's face as he stared deep into Imbuka's eyes. Imbuka gurgled and swung her arm up, stabbing La'Ahad deep in the side.

"NO!" Daunte shouted, running forward. La'Ahad yelled and pushed her down to the ground. He pulled his spear out and then buried it into her chest. Imbuka then immediately stopped moving, but La'Ahad pulled the spear out and stabbed her deep in the chest again.

"La'Ahad, stop—STOP!" Daunte shouted. "She's dead, stop! The knife, it was—"

La'Ahad didn't seem to hear him and raise the spear to stab Imbuka once more. Daunte slammed into his back and grabbed him to restrain him, but the moment his right hand touched La'Ahad's body the Rune of Restoration activated. It happened so suddenly that he didn't have time to let La'Ahad go. Images filled his vision, making him dizzy.

The images…what Daunte saw made him scream.

Yuber pitched forward and grabbed at his hair at the sudden, horrible feelings flooded his body. "No—NO!" He shouted, squeezing his eyes shut. "STOP IT!"

It was suffocating. In the moment he thought he would die. He wanted to die. He couldn't focus his mind and he thought he would retch. Accursed tears spilled down his cheeks and he tried—tried—to retreat. He tried to focus his mind on going back to the World of Emptiness but the emotions that overwhelmed him clouded his mind. He couldn't think about anything but the wretched feelings that he could feel.

Feelings that Daunte was projecting to him through their blood tie.

"URRAAGGH!" He shouted, and he felt a burst of wind. Yes, yes, finally I can get away—

"W-What happened?!"

Yuber dimly realized that he didn't teleport away from HQ, but simply downstairs to where that stupid girl was. He didn't have time to feel dread or anger, just laying on the floor beside Viki and her giant mirror.

"A-Are you okay?!" Viki whimpered, kneeling beside him. "A—"

Yuber grabbed her arms and crawled himself up so that he was face to face with her. He could barely see her through his tears. "Get—me—out of here!" He spat.

"W-What?" she stammered. She was horrified and scared at his unstable state.

"I will DIE if I stay here!" Yuber hollered in anguish. "I cannot get myself away, I need you to send me away!"

"W-Where—"

"Anywhere but here, PLEASE!"

Viki was more stunned to hear the word "please" from Yuber than to have him screaming right in her face. "O-Okay," She said quietly. She raised her right hand. "I-It might not work if your mind—"

"DO—IT!" Yuber yelled.

In an instant Yuber was sprawled facedown against a cold surface. He opened his eyes and saw ice beneath him. He lifted his hand just a little and recognized his surroundings. It was the frozen sea where they had met the Djinn. He shoved his helmet off and tore off his Black Armor before pressing his body against the ice once more. He would not freeze to death but the sensation of the ice against his skin distracted him from his chaotic mind, and the sickness in his body.

Emotions. Cursed, damned emotions! Why have I been cursed to FEEL?! I'm a monster! I'm not SUPPOSED to feel!

He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to concentrate on the cold ice, letting it soak into his body. It was then that he felt the hum in his blood; the connection to Daunte. For the first time since they established their contract he felt a whisper; a voice in his mind that was not his own. Just a single, simple word spoken as a question. But the emotions behind that one word caused tears to spill out of Yuber's eyes once more.

Father?

End of Chapter Ten