There will be a slight delay to the Bath Scenes. I was writing them in a web page and the window closed unexpectedly, so I lost several of them. I seem to have bad luck with this. The Bath Scenes don't impact the plot but I apologize anyway.

Last call for Play requests! You have between now and January 31st to make any requests for plays! After January 31st I will no longer be accepting requests. You can make requests for plays you want to see either in a comment here or on the Plays Template page. Part Three is projected to go up on or after January 31st.

Part Two

"You fought a demon?!" Nakula exclaimed. "In the World of Emptiness?!"

Daunte nodded slowly and rubbed a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry for ruining the reception…"

"Oh, don't worry Lord Daunte!" Priscilla laughed. "It was starting to get boring anyways!"

"We're just glad that you're all right, Lord Daunte," Gusoku added.

"All right, all right," Dr. Yulin said, shooing at the crowd with his arms. "Lord Daunte needs his rest, so please give him room!"

"I'll get Arin to bed and be right back," Nakula promised him.

"Brother, get plenty of rest!" Arin told him cheerfully.

"Man Daunte, I can't tell if you have the best luck or the worst luck," Roen muttered.

"I-I want you both to stay," Daunte said to Roen and Felicity. "I…need to ask you both something."

"Okay, sure," Felicity said.

Everyone left except for Roen, Felicity, and Caesar. Daunte swallowed hard, feeling tears sting his eyes once more. He took a few deep breaths to steady himself before he spoke. "Did—N-Neither of you saw Kass in the World of Emptiness, did you?"

Both Roen and Felicity flinched. They exchanged a look in silence in for a moment before looking back at Daunte. "I didn't see him," Roen said finally.

"Neither did I," Felicity said, tears filling her eyes. "I-It—There would have been too much that passed, right?"

"Daunte, did you see Kass in the World of Emptiness?" Roen asked.

"No," Daunte said. "But the demon…before he showed me his true form, he had Kass's appearance."

Both Roen and Felicity visibly relaxed for moment, but then Felicity tensed again. "Then—! Then, does that mean Kass didn't go to Heaven?! If the demon knew his face—"

"No." The trio jumped when Yuber suddenly appeared. The Black Knight wore an expression of deep stress "Eligos took the form of your…friend, because he probably read your mind and saw your face there. He took on the visage of your friend to lull you into a false sense of security."

"H-He also said that people Kass's age generally go to Heaven," Daunte said, looking at his friends. "So he surely went to Heaven and not Hell!"

Both Roen and Felicity nearly collapsed in relief. But Daunte looked at Yuber in confusion. "If the demon got Kass's face from my mind, then how come he didn't know that Roen and Felicity had died once?"

"He probably only did a minimal read and not a deep read of your mind," Yuber said coldly. "You must have suffered a great trauma from this person's death if he was able to recreate his image so clearly."

Daunte shook his head. "I—Yuber—"

"Do not say it," Yuber said harshly, and he was gone again.

"Is there anything else, Daunte?" Felicity asked him.

"That was it," Daunte said. "Thank you, guys."

"Next time Yuber kidnaps you to another dimension, we'll make him sorry," Roen promised him.

"That's right," Felicity said.

Daunte bade his best friends goodbye, and once they left Caesar sat down at his bedside. "So," he drawled. "Yuber spirited Viki, Pesmerga, and you to the World of Emptiness. I've never been to the World of Emptiness. What's it like?"

"Horrible," Daunte said, shuddering. "I can see why the Army hated being there before I revived them. The fact that souls travel there immediately upon death is awful. A place like THAT is bound to traumatize a soul more than a violent death would! I almost wish that souls could pass on to Heaven or Hell immediately and not go there!"

"Ah, but it's because the World of Emptiness exists that souls can be called back to a body following death," Caesar said. "Were you able to glean anything more in the World of Emptiness related to that prophecy about Yuber?"

"…Not very much," Daunte admitted. "Some of what I found out is about Viki, and she doesn't want me to share it."

"Fair enough. But is there anything that you can share with me?"

"The Black Knights," Daunte said. "Yuber and Pesmerga. It sounds like they serve this—demon called the Black King. I-I still don't know a lot, but from what I gleaned from stuff both Yuber and Pesmerga said—and what I saw from a memory of Yuber's—is that the Black Knights seem to have been people born human, w-who accepted dark power to serve the Black King. I don't know if the Black Knights are still human, but they were born humans."

"That makes sense," Caesar said. "And that explains how Yuber has the physical appearance of a human despite claiming to be a monster. Anything else?"

Daunte motioned for Caesar to move closer. "Viki. She interrupted a ceremony—I think an initiation ceremony—that involved Yuber. That's why Yuber has two different eye colors; his silver eye is his natural eye color, and the red eye happened during his ceremony. His ceremony never fully completed."

Caesar's eyes widened slightly. "I…see," he said quietly. "So the Yuber we see now is a Yuber at only half his potential. That's…slightly terrifying."

Daunte nodded. "Pesmerga said…there was an incident during Yuber's ceremony and many demons were "spirited away". Viki must have caused that. I-I think she teleported them away but it sounds like…it sounds like she may have sent the demons to different time periods. This includes the Black King the Black Knights serve."

"Oh." Caesar looked only slightly alarmed. "So…the entity that Yuber and Pesmerga serve could have been sent anywhere in time. He could be hundreds of years in the future or past, or he may appear tomorrow."

"I-I think so. The way Pesmerga reacted, this might be a…bad thing."

"Huh." Caesar rubbed at his head and looked away briefly. Then he looked back at Daunte. "We're not going to worry about it," he decided. "The Black King isn't here now, so he's not our priority. Our priority right now is planning the siege on Mlkwt Alsmwat and ending this war once and for all."

Daunte nodded. "Thank you, Caesar."

"Rest up for now, Lord Daunte. Tomorrow we need to get everything in order."

"Understood."

Caesar left Daunte alone. Daunte knew that Nakula would be coming back but he took a moment to relax by himself. It had been quite a day and he knew he needed to rest.

Then his eyes snapped open. Wait. Is Yuber in love with Viki?!

"Lord Daunte!"

Daunte looked up from his breakfast at hearing Chinmaya on the other side of the door. "Lord Daunte, please come up to the war room! The Chief of Peak's Edge—he's finally awoken from his coma!"

Daunte immediately jumped from his chair. "I'll be right back," he told Arin and Nakula.

"Take all the time you need," Nakula said.

Daunte hurried after Chinmaya to the elevator and rode it up to the fifth floor. Yuber was not there but Pesmerga was. "Are you okay?" he asked the Black Knight.

"Of course," Pesmerga responded.

Daunte entered the war room to see Caesar and Peader standing in front of the table. The Chief of the Wingers stood front and center, with Dahlia to his left and Oisin to his right. His expression however was not reassuring to Daunte. It wasn't hard but it wasn't kind, either. "So, you are the human who saved my people?" the Chief asked Daunte.

"Y-Yes," Daunte said. "I'm glad to see you awake, sir."

"I see you recruited the butcher who tried to genocide my people," the Chief said, glancing towards Sloan.

"Father—" Dahlia said.

"I will throw myself to your mercy at the end of this war, in penance for my crimes," Sloan said.

"There's no need," the Chief said gruffly. "Oisin has already told me that you're a weak-minded man who became possessed by an evil rune. Killing you won't bring retribution for my people who were slaughter at your hand. The only retribution we will have to kill the witch who put that rune on you."

"...I see," Sloan said. Adalgiso didn't glare at the chief but he looked at him with narrowed eyes.

"Regardless of that weak man, I also see humans here who fought to save us," the Chief said. "And we owe you Lord Daunte greatly for saving Peak's Edge, giving my people refuge, and for continuing to help us guard Peak's Edge. I'm here to thank you Lord Daunte, and I endorse Oisin's decision to fight in your Army."

Daunte nodded. "I'm happy to have you all."

"But I want you to know this," the Chief continued. His tone was defiant. "Wingers do not bend the knee to humans. We will help you win this war because it will benefit us to institute a government in Nagarea that doesn't seek our extinction. But we will not be your subjects."

Daunte stared at him. "For aiding you in this war, we want dominion over ALL of the High Peak Mountains. We will declare ourselves an independent nation governed only by ourselves. We will sign a treatise with you and be your ally, but the mountains will be a free nation for the Wingers. This will be non-negotiable. We want our own sovereignty. I trust that you will respect our decision in this."

Daunte knew that he could respond yes or no to him. The High Peak Mountains were part of Nagarea, and the Wingers were also Nagarean. But he knew that the Wingers had suffered by humans and preferred to be left alone. He nodded. "I understand. I swear before witnesses here that you will have your own independent nation in the High Peak Mountains. I have sworn the same for the Nagarean Elves. I would like for us to live in harmony, in our own respective countries."

Both Oisin and Dahlia looked absolutely delighted, but the Chief nodded in approval. "It is a shame that there are not more humans like you, Lord Daunte."

"So that has been settled," Caesar said. "We must prepare for our final battle; the siege on the capital. I have a feeling though that you would like to prepare before the final battle, my Lord?"

"I would," Daunte said. "I would like to make sure everyone is prepared."

"I will return to Peak's Edge," the Chief said. "You have our strength, Lord Daunte."

"Will you be traveling to the Northern Continent again, Lord Daunte?" Dahlia spoke up.

"Yes," Daunte said.

"It's best to get everything done now," Peader said. "Once we commence the campaign, there will be no turning back."

Two weeks later...

Daunte slid to the floor outside of his room, his breathing ragged. "…Okay," he said. "I think I'm all set."

In the last two weeks he had taken all 73 of the Stars of Destiny that could be used for combat and went through intense training. By the end all of them were leveled to at least level 50 and had the most up to date armor equipment. Daunte himself was at level 65. He had also made several trips to the Northern Continent with different parties. He took Tala to Karaya Village, though she had no living relatives there.

"They are good people," she said. "I can tell they have been through a lot."

He took Trofim and Indigo to the site of the Lycanthrope Village, but there were nothing but scorched earth.

"It's all right," Trofim said. "My Alpha is alive out there somewhere. I will find him someday."

He took Ruggiero and Arisoto to Toran, where President Lepant actually gave Ruggiero a big bear hug. "Oh, I know you! How are you?!"

Ruggiero had been indifferent to meeting Lepant, but he almost cried when Kasim Hazil walked into the palace at Gregminster. Kasim recognized Ruggiero even, which moved Daunte.

He took Mihr to the Warrior's Village with Keiran, where they met Chief Tengaar. Tengaar was absolutely delighted to see Mihr, and was thrilled to meet Keiran. "This is him?! He's handsome, Mihr! Good on you!"

"Ah, thank you Chief Tengaar," Keiran said. Mihr hid his face in his hand behind Keiran.

At Caesar's suggestion, Daunte took Leto to the Ancient Highway. Leto was pale-faced as they walked the dark corridors, and they didn't linger. He finally grabbed Daunte by his arm to stop him. "We should go. I'll come back here—another time." Reis however did NOT want to leave the Ancient Highway and had to be dragged away.

Daunte visited as many places as he could with multiple people. Thanks to playing the Lottery multiple times, he had the money to suit everyone up with the best armor and to sharpen everyone's weapons to level 15.

Baldemar said that level 16 is the highest level he can sharpen weapons to, but his current hammer cannot sharpen to level 16. I have no idea where to get a hammer that can sharpen to level 16. Will I need to sharpen our weapons to level 16?

He opened his eyes and dragged himself to his feet. "I guess I could ask Oboro," he mused.

Even though he was tired, he dragged himself towards the right building and climbed the stairs to Oboro's office. He knew that the detectives and ninjas wouldn't be happy with another job after such heavy workload he had given them, but he still wanted to ask. He knocked on the door. "Oboro?" He called out.

"Oh, come in Lord Daunte!" Oboro greeted him.

Daunte entered the office, but to his surprise he saw that it was organized and pristine clean. The detectives and ninjas were grouped near the door with Oboro standing at the front. It looked like they were waiting for him. "Oh," Daunte said in surprise. "Oboro, I had a question—"

"Of course," Oboro said. "But before you say anything, we have a gift we want to give you."

"Really?"

"Lord Daunte, you had us busy running Investigations on the entire Army," Masaru said, though his tone was stoically positive. "In the end though, you completed the Investigations on every member of the 108 Stars of Destiny. Save yourself, of course."

"A-Ah…" Daunte rubbed at the back of his head awkwardly. "Um…was that a bad thing?"

"No," Oboro said warmly. "You showed us your dedication to the Army and care for everyone who serves in this Army. You want to know everyone, which showed us that no one is expendable to you. You spent a great deal of money on these Investigations, so we decided to take some of that money and get you something."

"Eh?" Daunte looked at him in confusion, but Shou stepped forward at that moment. He was holding something in both hands, and Daunte gasped loudly when he saw what he was holding. "T—That—!"

"We want to succeed," Oboro said. "And in order for us to succeed, you must succeed Lord Daunte. In repayment for completing the Investigations, we have acquired for you a Gold Hammer. It will sharpen weapons to the maximum level."

Daunte took the hammer from Shou with shaking hands. It was strangely light, but he felt its power and it seemed to glow. He looked at Oboro then. "I—thank you so much, Oboro! I-I was actually coming here to ask you about this!"

"We tried to find a Diamond Hammer, since Baldemar hasn't been able to shut up about it," Shou said. "But all the traders and blacksmiths we've spoke with said that a Diamond Hammer doesn't exist. The Gold Hammer is the absolute best hammer you can give to a blacksmith."

"I-I'll go and give this to Baldemar right now," Daunte said, hugging the hammer. "Again, thank you all so much!"

"See if Baldemar can give discounts for weapon sharpening!" Umeko perked up loudly.

"…She has a point," Shou said.

Oboro laughed. "Now that that's done, we will continue our investigation into the barrier around the capital!"

Daunte nodded. "I trust in you."

Daunte ran to give Baldemar the Gold Hammer, and the blacksmith was very excited about it. "Now I can sharpen weapons to level 16!" He screamed. "I hereby name you Kogane!"

"I'm glad," Daunte said. "Ah…could you sharpen my tekko to level 16, Baldemar?"

"Of course, Lord Daunte!"

"Thanks—"

"For 7,000 bits!"

Daunte twitched, but he forced a smile at Baldemar's positively beaming face. "Of course…" he stifled a sigh as he reached for his wallet. Well…it's not as much as some of the figurines at least…

A large line formed behind him as he left the line and headed back to the central building. He went up to the fifth floor. Yuber had returned, and stood outside the war room with Pesmerga, and the war room was filled with people. "Greetings, Lord Daunte!" Caesar called, waving to him. "Are you ready to commence our final campaign?"

Daunte hesitated, doing a mental inventory of everything. I have all 108 Stars of Destiny. Everyone has leveled up with the best equipment. We got the best Hammer. And our Army has more money thanks to the gambling. I believe we're all set.

"Yes," he said, nodding. "I think I've delayed the inevitable long enough." The room filled with laughter.

"All right, then," Caesar said. "Let's—"

"Boats are here."

The interruption caused everyone to jump and look towards the door. Nash stood there wearing a smile. "Boats waving Falenan flags sailed up the underground passage and now sit blocking the passage."

"Falena?!" Surya exclaimed.

Daunte nodded. "Let's go."

The assembled left the war room and hurried outside. They raced to the cliff, where a loud crowd had gathered. Daunte and many others packed onto the lift and rode it down. He saw a massive boat sticking out of the opening of the cave, so wide that it was almost touching the side of the river, and so tall it was almost touching the ceiling. Daunte gaped at Surya, who was staring a the lead boat in shock. Daunte stared down the passage and he rows of boats that continued out of sight. Soldiers wearing Falenan uniforms were disembarking the boats as though nothing was out of the ordinary.

Wha—Are we under attack?! But Falena's our ally!

"Yoo-hoo!"

Daunte looked up to the ship's rail. A woman with silver curly hair in a bob haircut was leaning over the rail smiling down at them. She was dressed in hanbok dress with a bright red Jeogori and bright red Chima. "Greetings, Nagarea's Liberation Army!"

Princess Kaylani? Daunte wondered. He glanced towards Silvano, but Silvano was looking towards the woman with wide eyes. Daunte looked back up to the woman to see her descending makeshift stairs that lowered to the ground in front of him. When the woman climbed down the stairs Daunte then recognized her and was deeply in shock, but it was Surya who made the confirmation. "A—ARCHANA?!"

"The one and only!" Princess Archana greeted him, doing a twirl on her heel. She was smiling so brightly that her face seemed to radiate light. "Ah, greetings Lord Daunte," she said, curtseying to Daunte. "Oh behalf of Queen Lymsleia of the Queendom of Falena, I—Lady Archana—have come to delivered 2,000 Falenan volunteers to assist you in your final campaign. As a showing of support to your cause, Queen Lymsleia said stated you may use these soldiers however you may see fit in your campaign."

"I..." Daunte gaped at the soldiers in shock who were still disembarking their boats and then looked at Archana again. "I—wow. Thank you so much, Lady Archana."

"I'm glad to help," Archana said cheerfully.

"Lady Archana, will you be leading these soldiers into battle?" Chinmaya asked, but Archana responded with a loud laugh. "Oh, of course not! I'm only here to look pretty!"

"What?" Daunte asked in confusion.

"I will remain here until you achieve victory, but I leave our soldiers in your capable hands," Archana said, sobering. "I'm hardly qualified to lead soldiers into battle after all. I want you to succeed, not fail my Lord."

Surya suddenly burst into hysterical laughter. Daunte and everyone gaped at him in shock, but he just kept laughing and laughing. After a few moments though, he covered his mouth with his hand and tears spilled down his cheeks. His laughter turned into sobs and he lunged forward, throwing his arms around his cousin. "Oh there there," Archana soothed, patting his back. "Why are you upset Surya? Aren't you glad to see me?"

"I-I—" Surya let out a strangled noise and clung to her tighter. "I—I'm just to happy right now, Archana! I'm so h-happy I can't stop crying!"

Daunte understood in the moment. Surya had expressed to him several times that the quiet and sullen Archana that they had all seen was not the "real" Archana, and how much he missed the real Archana. Daunte remembered the memory of the green paint, and he realized that the bubbly Archana who stood before them now was now acting out her true personality.

She...does this mean that she's over her mourning? She is finally moving on from the death of her husband?

Freyr rushed forward and gave his cousin a hug as well. Archana held them both for a long moment before she finally pushed them away. "That's not all I have," she said warmly.

"We truly appreciate this," Daunte said. "And I'll keep the Falenan soldiers safe, I promise."

"I trust you," Archana said. "But there's one more thing." She skipped down the row of soldiers, reaching out to pinch Silvano's cheek, and Daunte could have sworn that he saw Archana wink at a stunned Israfil. She stood in front of Soturi and tapped the tip of his nose with her index finger. "I brought you a gift, Soturi," she said.

"What?" Soturi asked. Daunte heard the the boat stairs creak and he looked towards them again. A young lady with straight black wearing a simple black dress was now descending the stairs. Daunte only vaguely recognized her, but Freyr shouted, "Elina!"

Oh. Soturi's ex-fiancée.

Elina wore a stoic expression, not smiling but not frowning, and she clasped her hands in front of herself. Daunte looked towards Soturi and the Queen's Knight usually calm face was gaping in shock at his ex.

"Well!" Caesar announced. "We'll be quite busy tomorrow! Let's spend tonight getting organized and we'll make battle arrangements at dawn!"

Daunte nodded. "I agree."

Night had fallen, the sky was clear, and the ground was not so frozen. The air itself seemed warmer, even. Daunte knew that he needed to get to bed, but he wanted to check on everyone before he rested.

He went down to the underground cavern first. He left Archana's ship alone for the time being and went to check on everyone else down there. Futch and Sharon were tending to all six of the dragons they had with them. "We'll be ready tomorrow," Futch said. "I know that—witch will be there, but I won't let her scare me like she did before. I won't let you all down again."

"You didn't let me down," Daunte told him. "I was the one who let everyone down. I promise that there won't be a repeat of the Battle of Winter Hill ever again."

"But I—"

"Lord Daunte is right," Sharon said, looking up from the dragons. "You didn't let anyone down, Futch."

Futch looked both stunned and moved by her statement and Daunte smiled. Good. She genuinely doesn't blame Futch for what happened to Suna anymore.

Daunte went to see Nash and Sierra next. Unsurprisingly the pair looked lively and full of energy. "I will do what I can tomorrow," Sierra said. "But the blood of enemy soldiers is repugnant to me. I will not feed upon them."

Daunte was glad to hear that but simply nodded to her.

"I must say that this has been an exciting experience," Nash mused. "I will have a lot to report back to my superiors in Harmonia."

"Are you going to try to take me to Harmonia?" Daunte asked him.

Nash shrugged. "Maaaaaybe. But I doubt I would get far though with how loyal your allies are to you."

"We need to focus on that bastard hunting you," Sierra said. "We need to kill him as soon as we achieve victory."

Nash laughed humorlessly. "I would prefer to never see him again, but I can't deny he's tried to kill me several times." He looked at Daunte. "Since Zaj is a Star of Destiny, his life will be safe for the duration of the war. So, at least for the next 48 hours. After you raise the flag of victory and win though..."

Daunte nodded again. "I...understand. It's none of my business, but—"

"You're right, it's not," Sierra interrupted. "Don't worry about him. Men like that bastard are a stain on the world that need to be rubbed out."

"I...see."

Daunte left them and then headed to Archana's boat. He climbed the stairs and made it to the deck, where a nondescript Queen's Knight was waiting for him. "Her Ladyship is expecting company, but I will take you to see her," he said.

"Thank you," Daunte said.

Archana's chamber was warm and welcoming. The Princess was pouring tea when Daunte entered the room. "Oh, hello Lord Daunte," she said. "I invited someone to meet me, but you can visit until they arrive."

"Okay," Daunte said. "Again, thank you for your assistance here. It was nice of Queen Lymsleia to do this for us."

Archana giggled. "Of course the Queen will do anything to ensure victory for her future son-in-law..."

Daunte twitched. "...Princess Farrin still wants to marry me?" He asked, his tone dull.

"Of course. You're a handsome young man who rescued her most valiantly. Most young girls like Farrin could hardly resist falling for you."

Daunte rubbed at his forehead awkwardly. "Um...ah—"

"I'm only teasing you," Archana said. "Farrin is still young, and girls her age go through an array of crushes. I should know, having once been a girl her age..."

"I'm glad," Daunte said suddenly. "To see you doing better, Lady Archana. Having been kidnapped twice to a foreign land and nearly killed...and your hair..."

"I'm an adult who can handle such things," Archana reassured him. "It's better that this happened to me rather than my sister, or my young cousins. And my hair?" She ran her fingers through her very short hair and smiled. "I like this look. I think I was overdue for a change."

"I—" Daunte was then interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Ah, that is my guest," Archana said, smiling brighter. "Could you excuse us please, Lord Daunte?"

"Of course. Have a good night."

"You have a good night as well, Lord Daunte."

Daunte opened the door and was slightly startled to see Israfil standing there. "Ah—Lord Daunte?!" The general exclaimed.

"Lord Daunte is leaving," Archana called to him. "I have tea ready."

Daunte stifled a smile and nodded to Israfil. "Have a good night, Israfil."

"Y-You too, Lord Daunte."

Daunte left the room, and the Queen's Knight was there for him. "I'll escort you back to the deck."

"Thank you," Daunte said.

"I hope the tea wasn't too sweet," Archana said.

"No, it was fine," Israfil said, setting down his empty cup onto the saucer. His heart was pounding in his throat and he avoided looking at her. "Thank you. For inviting me, my Lady."

"There was another reason I invited you here, General," Archana said. "Besides sharing a cup of tea. I had some questions for you."

Israfil stiffened. "I-I see, my Lady. How can I help you?"

"Would you mind looking at me when I speak to you, General?"

Israfil looked up. Archana was no longer smiling, but who a stoically serious expression. He couldn't meet her eyes. "M-My apologies, my Lady," he stammered. "H-How can I help you?"

"You died in that horrible war battle, didn't you?" She asked him.

Israfil flinched. He nodded stiffly. "Y...Yes, my Lady. I did."

"Would you feel comfortable telling me what happened?"

Israfil felt his stomach churn, but he nodded stiffly. "An enemy soldier. He was high on Raging Nostrum and he kicked me in my abdomen. When he kicked me...he kicked straight through my body."

Archana was silent for a long moment, and she glanced away briefly. Then she looked at him again. "Could you show me where?"

Israfil gaped at her. "Ah—where?"

"Where the blow landed upon your body," Archana said.

"O-Of course!" Israfil stood up from the chair and walked around the small table. He stood two meters away from Archana and pressed his left hand over the left side of his abdomen. "It was here," he said, looking at her. "Both of his feet landed here, and his legs entered my body. Dr. Yulin—he suspects that I died of shock rather than blood loss."

Archana stared at his hand for a long moment. Suddenly she stood up from her chair and moved towards him. Israfil stiffened as she invaded his personal space and pressed her hand over his. Her head was ducked forward. "...Was it painful?" She asked quietly.

"Briefly," Israfil said. The word choked in his throat. "It was painful very briefly before I..." he couldn't finish the sentence.

"Did it leave a scar?"

Israfil shook his head. "When Lord Daunte revived me, he healed me completely."

Archana was silent for a long time. She didn't move away from him, nor did she move her hand away. Israfil stood there stiff, staring down at the top of her head.

"I felt a strong pain here," Archana said suddenly.

Israfil inhaled sharply. "What?"

"The day of that battle. I collapsed because of a horrible pain I felt here—" she put pressure on his hand. "And I felt an overwhelming sense of dread. Isn't that strange, Israfil? That all the way in Lunas, on the day of that battle, I felt pain in the same spot of my body where you were dealt a deathblow?"

Israfil couldn't respond. She—She used my name!

Archana turned her head to look up at him. Her luminous eyes held sadness. "You're shaking."

"W-What?" He finally managed to croak out.

"I can feel you shaking," she said. "Are you cold, Israfil? Or...are you afraid?"

Israfil exhaled. Now that she was so close he couldn't look away from her. "I'm afraid," he said before he could stop himself.

"Of what?" She asked him. "I'm the only one here. Are you scared of me?"

Israfil slammed his eyes shut. He felt like he was about to die. He wanted to be somewhere else, but at the same time he didn't want to be anywhere else.

"Did you think I didn't know, Israfil?"

His eyes snapped open. Archana had leaned up towards him on her tiptoes, but still kept her distance. "Do you think I didn't know what you felt for me?" She asked. "What you feel for me? Because I know, Israfil. I knew all along."

Israfil felt the world give way as he gaped at her in horror. She—She knew?! She's known that I love her this whole time?!

"M-M-M-M-My Lady," he whispered, terror overtaking his tone. "I-I didn't—it wasn't my intent—"

"I'm sorry."

Israfil blinked in shock at her. "I'm so sorry," Archana said to him, her tone sad. "I made you suffer this whole time, haven't I?"

"N-No!" Israfil sputtered out. "You were the one who suffered, Lady Archana! You cannot help my feelings! Only I can help my feelings! It w-wasn't your fault at all!"

"You watched me be happy with another man. I saw you watch us, and I did and said nothing."

"Y-You—that wasn't your burden, my Lady! I was the one who acted inappropriately!"

"But you took care of my husband when he died. And you kept a respectful distance when I was in mourning, never pushing me or imposing your feelings upon me. You put me before yourself. Even now you put me before yourself. You vilify your feelings and your person for my sake."

Her hand moved, and intertwined with his fingers. "You love me so much...that you would leave me be forever if it would make me happy, wouldn't you?"

Israfil closed his eyes. His breathing was unsteady. "I...am not so noble," he whispered. "I w-want you to be happy, but I love you. I want to make you happy, and I w-wish with all my heart that you would be happy with me. But I k-know that I cannot ask this of you, but I cannot forget what I feel. I—"

Archana kissed him. Israfil forgot how to breathe, and his eyes snapped open in shock. His mind blanked out, and he couldn't react at all. After a moment she moved away, she moved away from him and looked at him. "I don't want to be hurting anymore," she said quietly.

Israfil stood frozen. "I won't ever forget Derrick, but I want to live again. And knowing...knowing that the pain I felt that day was because I sensed you die—I never want to feel such pain again. Would you help me? Would you help me get rid of this pain once and for all?"

He exhaled again. "H—How can I do that, my Lady?"

She smiled at him. "Start by not dying again. Then we can work from there."

Israfil nodded, almost not believing his own ears. "I...would love to do that, my L—"

"Call me Archana."

He gulped audibly. "A...Archana."

This is is truly happening.

"See?" Bohai called out. "Late night fishing is incredibly relaxing!"

"Yes, it is," Adalgiso said. "I feel like I can let my worries go being out here!"

"Yeah!" Hero shouted. "I should fish more often!"

"Grandpa!" The three men were in a fishing boat, and several meters away the skyship rested on the water. James and Xi An were sitting on top of the skyship. "Grandpa, can I fly the skyship tomorrow?" James called over to him.

"No!" Hero shouted back to him.

Adalgiso chuckled. "You don't give in easily to your grandchild, do you?"

"Of course not! What's the point in spoiling him?!"

"But spoiling grandchildren can be fun. You should try it sometime."

"It is fun spoiling children," Bohai said. "Overindulgence is bad, but minor spoiling can create lasting happy memories."

"Hmph." Hero turned back to his fishing rod.

"Grandpa never lets me have fun," James grumbled, laying on his back to look at the stars.

"At least you have the sea-carriage to work on," Xi An mused, sitting beside him. "Can you imagine the distances you can travel beneath the water? The things that you could see?"

James smiled. "I'm looking forward to it."

Daunte hovered his hands over his eyes as he rode the lift up the cliff. They all seem to be having fun.

Baldemar was busy hammering away at weapons. "Thank you, Lord Daunte! I'll make sure everyone is ready for tomorrow!"

"Anytime!" Daunte said, waving.

"Lord Daunte!" Ichirou called over to him. "I'll store away anything last minute for you!"

"Go and take a break!" Daunte called back to him.

"Can I take a break?!" Gizli shouted down from her window.

"Just don't drink too much!" Daunte shouted up to her.

"Bah!" Gizli slammed her window shut.

Daunte entered the building and went up to the second floor. Jeane was inside her shop. "Ah, do you need anything Lord Daunte?"

"I'm just checking on you," Daunte said. "How are you?"

Jeane laughed softly. "Oh...I'm just reminiscing about how interesting my life has been."

"Really?"

"Well, you saw the figurines didn't you? I've been a participant in five previous wars. That you know of," she added. "It must be weird for you, huh?"

Daunte nodded. "I've seen a lot already in my life that could be considered "weird". You're not one of them, Jeane."

"Thank you, Lord Daunte." she gave him a kiss. "You will do well. Victory suits you."

"Thank you."

Gusoku was with Priscilla inside his shop. "Sorry," Daunte said. "I know you two just got married, and haven't had time for a honeymoon—"

"That "work trip" you took us on to Sol-Falena felt enough like a honeymoon," Priscilla said warmly. "We have all the time in the world."

"Indeed," Gusoku said. "I've made quite the fortune here because of you, Lord Daunte."

Don't remind me. But Daunte forced a smile at them. "I'm glad to have you both. Rest easy tonight, okay? I'll keep you both safe tomorrow."

"You're so sweet, Lord Daunte," Priscilla said with a smile.

When Daunte closed the door, Priscilla stretched her arms over her head. "What a sweet boy," she drawled. "I owe him a lot—"

Gusoku suddenly embraced her from behind. Priscilla went still and glanced at him over her shoulder. "Are you all right?"

"Be careful tomorrow." He squeezed her tight. "I—saw you after the Battle of Winter Hill. Seeing you like that...your body...promise me something, Priscilla."

"Sure. What is it?"

"Please outlive me. Even if it's by a day; hours even. I-I couldn't—I don't know if I could handle seeing you like that again."

Priscilla turned and held him tight. "I don't intend to die like that again. I remember the pain I felt, but the pain I felt was temporary. I cannot fathom what you felt when you saw me. I am a soldier, but you are not. I can handle the brutality of war, but I can understand how you feel. If it will make you happy, I will do anything you wish."

Gusoku sighed heavily. "Thank you."

"But we won't worry about that now, because we're both going to survive tomorrow." Though she said that more to reassure herself than him.

"Go away!" Gizli shouted through her door.

Daunte sighed. "Okay."

"Lord Daunte!" Kin greeted him. "The price of rice is amazing in Falena! Can I travel there after the war? I want to travel there!"

"Of course you can," Daunte told him.

"Lord Daunte, PLEASE do not reinstate the Merchant's Pledge!" Cairoh pleaded with him. "I'll pay you any amount of money—"

"Relax," Daunte told him. "I'll make sure there's no Merchant's Pledge in the new government."

"Oh, thank Nagar!"

Daunte left the northwest building and continued on his way.

As you probably guessed, this chapter is part one of the definitive "Night Before the Decisive Battle". It's always important to me to speak to all of the Stars of Destiny on this night event in the games, so I want to make sure to include all of them in this night.