Welcome to Chapter Five!

And shoutout to f4tl0l for lighting a fire regarding generating AI images regarding True Runes. I gave up after not having luck, then decided to try again and had better results. You can see the True Runes, character images, etc on my deviantart page.

I'm also going to be changing the physical appearance of the Shining Rune. I'll make changes to that chapter once it's finalized.

Chapter Five: Part One

Astraea brought the group back to the castle. Futch was beyond thrilled to see Daunte, and even Bright was overjoyed to see the young man. The dragon wrapped his head and neck around Daunte as if trying to hug him! It had certainly been an interesting sight.

"Are you Arin?!" Futch exclaimed, looking at the black-haired boy with wide eyes. "You've gotten so big!"

"I'm as big as Brother now!" Arin said with a proud smile, puffing out his chest slightly.

Astraea was confused by his statement but then Dawa shifted forward. "Are you both twins?" she asked.

"No, Miss," Daunte said.

"Daunte is my big brother," Arin added.

Astraea's brow rose. Big brother? They look the same age!

"I'm Gygax and this is Swift," Gygax greeted them with a genuine smile. "I heard all about you, Lord Daunte!"

The older man who traveled with them was their father, Nakula. When he introduced himself, Astraea saw that he had a Shiba Inu with an orange and white coat tucked under his right arm. The dog had big eyes full of emotion and he wagged his tail happily. "This is Kibbeh," Nakula said.

"And this is Maamoul," Daunte said, and Astraea noticed for the first time that Daunte held a dog in his arms. It was another Shiba Inu with a brown and white coat, bright green eyes, and a large round tummy. "We found her while traveling the Grasslands and, ah—Kibbeh and her became friendly with each other," he explained.

"She's going to have puppies!" Arin clarified.

"She wasn't feeling good, so I casted a healing spell to help make her feel better," Daunte added.

Astraea remembered the power she had felt earlier. She looked down at her right hand and then looked towards Daunte's hands. He wore black fingerless gloves, and she was horrified to see fingers that were mangled and slightly crooked; not entirely disfigured but not entirely straight. She quickly looked up, feeling mortified for staring. "Your rune," she said, swallowing thickly. "Is—"

"I would recommend we take our conversation back to the castle, Your Majesty," David gently interjected.

"'Your Majesty'?" Arin echoed, his brow rising.

"I agree," Astraea said.

When the group reached the castle, Astraea was surprised to see Pesmerga standing in front of the steps blocking their path. His arms were folded over his chest and Astraea couldn't see his face, but he appeared to be…smiling? "Heh," he said in greeting.

Astraea looked at Daunte, but Daunte was looking at Pesmerga. He quickly hurried forward. "Pesmerga? What are you doing here?"

"Waiting for him," Pesmerga responded.

They know each other? Astraea wondered. But before she could say anything Pesmerga quickly walked past all of them and back towards the city.

"Where exactly is he staying in the city?" Dawa wondered aloud.

"Search me," Futch said with a shrug. "Not anywhere near our house."

When the group entered the main hall, Astraea jumped when she heard a shriek. "LORD DAUNTE!" Viki cried out. She left her mirror and ran over, throwing her arms around Daunte's shoulders. "It's really you! I can't believe it!"

"You're here too, Viki?" Daunte looked even more shocked. He looked towards Astraea. "Ah—miss—"

"Your Majesty," Dawa quickly corrected him. "She is our Queen."

"Future Queen," Astraea quickly added.

"Queen Astraea," Daunte said, looking between Viki and her. "You—Do you have a Tablet of Stars here?"

Astraea gasped in shock. "H-How did you know?!"

"Is Yuber here?" Daunte looked around the great hall. "Did you summon him? Where is he, Viki?"

"He'll come for her eventually. Until he does, I'll stay close."

Astraea knew the name immediately. "That's the person Pesmerga was looking for."

"I-I don't know where he is," Viki said softly, releasing Daunte. She casted her eyes downward. "I last saw him after the war."

Daunte looked at Astraea and David. "So you haven't summoned him?"

David shrugged. "We don't have the spell to summon him, Lord Daunte."

Daunte looked down at his hand. Then he looked at Viki. "There isn't anything I can do," he said.

"What's going on?" Astraea asked.

David chuckled softly. "Let's go to the sitting room and discuss this further."

One of the rooms on the second floor was a spacious sitting room. Library shelves full of books lined the east and west walls, there were six sets of couches, and three coffee tables with the couches facing them. Daunte and Arin sat on one couch with Nakula standing behind them. Daunte still held Maamoul in his arms and Nakula passed Kibbeh to Arin. Astraea sat across from them with David to her left, and Dawa stood behind them. Futch, Bright, Gygax, Swift, and Viki quickly dispersed throughout the room. Before they could start speaking the door opened, and Astraea's siblings with their assists quickly entered. "Everyone's saying we have new arrivals to the Old Capital," Sigrun announced.

"We do," Astraea said over her shoulder. Ferdinand, Musashi, and Kerime each took point at different parts of the room. Denzel abruptly sat down to Astraea's right, and Sigrun and Vahan sat at a nearby couch. "What brings the three of you here?"

"We were just passing through," Daunte said. "However due to Maamoul's health we're going to need to stop for a while. Since you are Queen here, would I be able to request a temporary residence for my family and I? We'll pay rent for the property while we're here."

Astraea glanced at Nakula. She was surprised that the man was allowing his son to speak on their behalf. She decided not to address it and looked back at Daunte. "Where did the three of you come from?"

"We're from the Southern Continent but we came here from the Northern Continent, Your Majesty," Arin said. "We've traveled all over the world."

"My cousin said that you would be doing that," David said, leaning forward. "But Roen and Felicity aren't with you?"

Nakula stiffened, and Arin shifted with alarm. Daunte quickly looked at David, but after a moment his face relaxed. "You look…a little familiar to me," Daunte said. "Are you related to Caesar Silverberg?"

David beamed. "He's my cousin, Lord Daunte."

Arin and Nakula both immediately relaxed, and Arin's smile broadened. Daunte also smiled in return. "Caesar was instrumental to victory during the Nagarean Civil War. I wouldn't have won without him."

Astraea looked at David. "Have you seen my cousin lately, Lord Daunte?" he asked.

"We visited the Toran Republic six months ago. Caesar doing well, but he's still not happy that he's President."

David choked on a laugh. "That sounds like him."

"But to answer your question," Daunte said, his tone turning a little somber. "Roen and Felicity stopped traveling with us and returned to Nagarea. They both became homesick, so I don't blame them. They've seen all four continents, which they've both really wanted to do. But Roen wants to be a teacher and Felicity found her calling with politics and so I don't want to get in the way of their dreams."

"We'll see them again when we return to Nagarea," Arin said with a nod.

"You know about the Tablet of Stars," Astraea said, looking at Daunte. "So your war was guided by the 108 Stars of Destiny, too?"

"Yes," Daunte said, but then his brow quickly furrowed. "You…You're in the middle of a war, Your Majesty?"

David quickly explained the situation to the family. Arin's eyes went wide, Nakula's face darkened and he frown, but Daunte's face remained unmoved. He calmly stroked Maamoul's back while David spoke. When he finished, a long silence followed.

It was Nakula who broke. "Your…father tried to kill you?"

Astraea nodded. "Yes. And he—he did kill my half-siblings."

Daunte slowly held his right hand out to her. "May I see?"

Astraea stared at his hand and then back at him. "'See'? What do you mean?"

"I think I know—" David said.

"Please, let me explain," Daunte said. He carefully shifted Maamoul off his lap and onto the couch cushion beside him. He pulled back the glove on his right hand and showed the back of his hand. Astraea saw an unfamiliar rune symbol; a golden-green half-circle halo around a single vertical line, with two dots above the halo. She looked up at him, her throat tightening. "That's a True Rune, isn't it?"

A collective gasp of shock overtook the room. Before Daunte answered, a cold voice from the corner spoke. "The Rune of Restoration."

Everyone turned to see Zerase standing there. Her expression was still a cold mask as she moved closer, still seeming to glide on the air. "The parent rune of the Resurrection Rune," she said, standing between the two couches. She leaned down to look at the rune on Daunte's hand. "That Rune is the most compassionate of the True Runes. It thrives on bringing life and restoring the lost. It does not choose a bearer lightly. There have only been twelve people since the formation of the world who have borne the Rune of Restoration."

"You have the parent rune of the Resurrection Rune?" Denzel said. He whistled softly. "That sounds like a good rune to have!"

"How do you know so much, Miss?" Daunte asked her.

"I just do," Zerase responded coldly, piercing him with her gaze. "How long has that rune been on your body?"

Daunte shrugged. "Eight years."

"Hmm." Zerase straightened. "Interesting."

Interesting? Astraea had man questions, but Zerase then looked at her. "If you utilize the True Wind Rune properly, then it will stick to you as the Rune of Restoration sticks to this boy."

All eyes quickly fell on Astraea. "You…also have a True Rune?" Daunte asked.

Astraea didn't see any reason to hide. She took off her own glove and showed the back of her right hand to Daunte. "This the True Wind Rune," she said. "The parent rune of all wind runes, as you can imagine."

"And the commander of the wind element," Zerase said.

The door to the sitting room suddenly burst open and Viktor strolled inside. "I heard you guys are having a party—ACK!" he shouted when he saw Zerase.

"VAGABOND VIKTOR!" Arin shouted, jumping to his feet. He fumbled with his side satchel and raced towards the door. Astraea saw him pull out a wooden figurine and thrusted it at Viktor. "C-Can I have your autograph, Sir?!"

Viktor gaped at him in shock. Astraea was also surprised. "Y-You fought in the Nagarean Civil War, Viktor?"

"No, I didn't," Viktor quickly responded. He looked down at the figurine and then at Arin. "That toy looks exactly like me. Where did you get it?"

"Mr. Mooney made it!"

They know Mr. Mooney? Astraea was shocked, but Daunte's voice brought her attention back to him. "When I asked to see "it", I meant the memory of what happened to you. I wanted to—understand a little better of what's going on here, Your Majesty."

Astraea's brow rose as she stared at him. "That Rune can do that?"

"Those who master its power can," Zerase said. "So this boy appears to have mastered its power."

"Do not talk to my son like that," Nakula said, stepping forward. "It's sad to see you so wholly unchanged after three decades."

Zerase stared at him impassively. "We fought on the same side during one war. Do not presume that you know me because of that."

"So you've always been a bitch?" Viktor asked, almost sneering. "Good to know."

"Viktor!" David exclaimed, and Astraea was also stunned to hear his disrespect towards Zerase. Even during the short time she had known Viktor, she had never heard him talk to a woman like that.

Zerase for her part looked unmoved by his insult. She glanced at Daunte. "Do not abuse the power of that Rune. It will not end well for you."

"I'm well aware of that, thank you," Daunte said, his tone both polite and curt.

Zerase took her leave then, brushing past Viktor as she exited the room.

"There seems to be people here with a lot of…history," Vahan said slowly.

"The Rune of Restoration can project memories?" Astraea asked Daunte.

"I just got here, what did I miss?" Viktor asked Ferdinand.

"That young man has a True Rune, as well," Ferdinand said, pointing towards Daunte.

"Oh, really?"

"It can retrieve lost memories, but I can see if it will work with fresh memories," Daunte said. "It used to happen involuntarily if I touched an object or person, but now I can do it at will. If more than one person is touching me when I do it, the Rune can project the memory to them, too."

"Really?" David asked, his eyes widening.

"But there's a limit to my power," Daunte said. "I can only project a memory to seven people; the person whose memory I'm retrieving, and six others. Any more will put a strain on the Rune of Restoration. If you would allow me, Your Majesty…I can retrieve that memory, too."

Astraea swallowed hard, and her vision blurred slightly. The Massacre of Innocents was one of the worst things she had ever experienced. Watching her friends—Milo, Barrett, Ritta—all die, and then nearly dying herself…she hadn't told anyone but she still suffered nightmares from the event. She hadn't even told Dawa that she did. The thought of reliving the memory made her feel sick.

…But in a way, projecting the memory also seemed better than explaining out loud, with words, what had happened to her. And when she met Daunte's gaze, she knew that she could trust him to only retrieve that memory, and not use his powers exploitatively. After a few moments of contemplation, she nodded. "All right. I'll show you the memory."

Daunte nodded in return. "Would you like anyone else to see the memory, or only me?"

Astraea looked around the room, her gaze meeting her siblings. Sigrun, Denzel, and Vahan all looked worried. She looked at David, and he also wore an expression of concern. Then she looked at Dawa, and she saw that her assist had a clenched jaw and a tight expression. She knew Dawa didn't like the sound of Astraea reliving that traumatic event.

But Astraea realized that this would be important. She had told everyone what had happened. But now they could see what happened to her. "I want to share the memory," she decided, looking at Daunte.

"All right," Daunte said. "Who would you like to share the memory with?"

Astraea contemplated for a long moment. She knew she could choose up to six people to share the memory with, and for the most part the choice was easy for her. "Dawa, Sigrun, Denzel, Vahan, David, and…" she floundered on the final person before her eyes fell on Arin. "You."

"Are you sure you want to do this, Astraea?" Sigrun asked, though she stood up from the couch.

"I'm ready if you are," Denzel said.

"I believe in you," Vahan said. "But if this is the best way for me to understand, then I accept."

"Of course I will," Dawa said.

"I'm honored you chose me to share this, Your Majesty," David said.

"Okay," Arin said plainly.

"Everyone, please gather around me," Daunte announced. "You will need to put your hand on me to see the memory."

Arin set Kibbeh aside and grabbed Daunte's free hand. Denzel and David stood up, and Nakula moved away from the couch as everyone converged upon Daunte. One by one Sigrun, Denzel, Vahan, Dawa, and David set their hands on his shoulders and upper back. All of them wore grim expressions and Astraea felt her heart in her throat. She knew what was coming. They knew what was coming. And they all knew that it wasn't going to be good.

"Is everyone ready?" Daunte asked, though his eyes were on Astraea. It was her answer that mattered. She hesitated, but then nodded. "I'm ready."

"Take my hand please, Your Majesty."

Astraea rested her left hand on top of his right. Daunte squeezed her hand, though she could feel that there was no strength in his grip. Daunte closed his eyes, and Astraea quickly snapped her eyes shut. "Rune of Restoration," he said, his voice clear and crisp. "Please show us the memory of the massacre Queen Astraea survived."

Astraea felt the power of the Rune of Restoration, and she felt prickles of the True Wind Rune's reaction to that power. She sensed that the True Wind Rune didn't like it. But she didn't hear the familiar whispers. She didn't feel any resistance from the Rune.

"Hey, I see a light up ahead!"

Astraea's eyes snapped open when she heard that voice. The breath choked in her throat when she saw that she was no longer in the sitting room. She was outside; it was night, and they were on the island.

And right before her eyes she saw herself. She saw Milo, Barrett, Ritta, and everyone else rushing towards the torch…and towards their deaths.

Experiencing the memory of the Massacre of Innocents was not what she had been expecting. Astraea had thought she would be seeing it with her own eyes; feeling the horror and the PAIN all over again. But the way Daunte and the Rune of Restoration projected the memory was different. She stood off to the side, like a spectator seeing her own like projected in front of her. Somehow, seeing the memory like she was standing on a sideline instead of reliving it up close and personal wasn't so bad.

But it was still bad. It was still horrifying. Watching the children be mercilessly slaughtered. Watching herself desperately trying to escape with her half-siblings. Watching as Ritta, Barrett, and Milo die once again filled her with sorrow, dread, and…anger. She felt an overwhelming sense of helplessness watching the events. She knew what was going to happen and she couldn't stop it.

After Milo was murdered, Astraea watched the fake Bianca Alliance soldiers attack her and she watched herself futilely try to fend them off. She saw her own expression as she fully realized that she was going to die. Then Astraea watched herself throw herself from the cliffs in a desperate attempt to save herself. She saw herself hit the rocks and shatter her spine, and the memory splintered red and became blurry. Patches of images flickered before them as Astraea struggled to free herself from the rock and try to get out of the water before she was swept out to sea and drowned. And she watched herself crawl on her belly down the narrow cavern. Blood dripping from her face as she strained with all her might to move.

I will not die. I will not die. I cannot die.

Astraea heard her own voice—her thoughts—rumble through the memory. She watched with a gaping mouth, almost not believing what she was witnessing. She knew that she had been in a bad state, but seeing just how BAD her condition was overwhelmed her. She couldn't believe that she had survived. She honestly didn't know HOW she survived.

"I…will not die!" she said int the memory as she continued to crawl on her belly. "I will not die!"

"ENOUGH!"

The shriek startled Astraea and she jumped. She blinked, and then suddenly the room came into focus. She was back in the sitting room, her head aching and her chest heaving. She blinked again, and she realized that she was crying.

"The connection broke," Daunte said quietly, and Astraea realized that she was no longer holding his hand. "But I have seen enough."

"Oh, my God," Sigrun whimpered, choking on sobs. Astraea realized then that Sigrun had been the one who had screamed. She hurried around the couched and threw her arms around Astraea, clinging to her little sister for dear life. "Oh my God, I'm so sorry, Astraea!"

"Father did that," Vahan whispered, his eyes wide. His complexion was white as chalk. "I knew he did it, but seeing it…" his voice trailed off.

"I'll kill him," Denzel snarled, advancing towards the door. "I'm going to KILL THAT BASTARD!"

Musashi quickly blocked the door for his charge. "Wait, Your Majesty."

"Get out of my way, Musashi!"

"I'm a failure," Dawa whispered, her face haunted and full of sorrow. She swayed slightly on her feet. "I'm a disgrace. I utterly failed you, Your Majesty. What use am I?"

"Dawa, don't stay that!" Astraea exclaimed. She tried to stand, but Sigrun held her fast. "Please, everyone—"

"Your dad did that to you?" Arin asked. He looked the least traumatized of the group but he looked shocked.

"…Yes," Astraea said, nodding.

"I spilled blood for that man," Vahan said, gripping his own bangs. He paced the room as though in a daze. "I loved him and fought for him, before and after this. And he was okay killing those kids and his own children? He doesn't love any of us, does he?"

"Your Majesty," David said quietly, his face pale. He was hugging himself; hands gripping his own arms tight. He swallowed hard. "My Lady…I…" he didn't finish.

"You are not leaving, Your Highness," Musashi said sharply.

"I'll have his head, I SWEAR IT!" Denzel shouted, gesturing angrily. "He'll pay for what he's done!"

"Okay, everyone needs to calm down!" Viktor said sharply, waving his arm.

"You didn't see that memory!" Sigrun snapped at him, still clinging to Astraea.

"No, I didn't," Viktor agreed. "But the lot of you can't run on emotions! And you—" he grabbed Denzel by the back of his collar and dragged him away from the door. "You're NOT killing the sitting monarch! If you do, then you'll be King! Not Her Majesty!"

"Do not manhandle His Highness," Musashi said in a dark tone.

"Wow, things are getting a little crazy in here!" Gygax observed.

"You'll get used to it after a while," Futch said.

Viki fidgeted where she sat but said nothing.

"Everyone, please!" Astraea shouted. The room immediately fell silent. "Everyone," she said more calmly. "I appreciate your concern for me. But I—now you understand, truly understand what happened to me. And why I must do this."

"I see why you're fighting against your father now," Daunte said.

"A parent who tries to slaughter their child doesn't deserve to live," Nakula said coldly.

Dawa knelt before Astraea, her head bent low. "I'm unworthy to serve you. I must resign—"

"You're not resigning because of this," Astraea interjected. "You're my assist, Dawa. I don't want anyone else to be my assist. But more than that you're my sister. I don't blame you for what happened to me. I never did and never will."

"But—"

"You're not resigning and that's final!" Astraea snapped. "Do you understand, Dawa?!"

Dawa lifted her head. Astraea could see the tears in her eyes. "Your Majesty…"

Denzel approached the couch from behind. Sigrun saw him coming and finally released Astraea. Denzel reached over the back of the couch and hugged Astraea tight from behind. "Little Sister," he murmured, resting his forehead on her shoulder from behind. "I failed you. I couldn't protect you when you needed me."

Astraea sucked in a sharp breath and looked at him. "Denzel. You didn't—"

"What are you talking about?!" Vahan said sharply, advancing towards them. Denzel looked up at his older brother. "What do you mean you failed Astraea, Denzel?! You have stood by her from the start! You were ready to die for her even when everyone else turned on her! I failed her!" He jabbed himself in his chest with his finger. "I raised my fauchard against Astraea and tried to kill her! Even while I knew deep down that she didn't do anything wrong! I'M the one who's wrong! I'M the one who's a failure!" He looked between Denzel, Sigrun, and Dawa, his chest heaving. His eyes finally landed upon Astraea. "I'm the one unworthy," he said quietly. "I sided with the—the monster who did that to you. Who killed those kids. I don't deserve to be here, Astraea. I—"

"You're here now, Vahan," Astraea told him. She couldn't move while Denzel clung to her but she held Vahan's gaze. "You're here and you're with me now. That's what's important. You fully understand now what Father and Sir Albert have done, and why I need to win. They did that. They killed Milo, Barrett, Ritta, Darko—all of them. And they framed another country for it as an excuse to go to war with them. And when I found out that they did it, they framed ME for being involved to try and silence me."

"You clearly weren't involved in that, Your Majesty," Dawa said in a quiet, grim tone.

"No, she wasn't," David spoke up. The color had returned to his face and his expression was now resolute. "But now we understand what's at stake. We have a monarch who is willing to sacrifice children—his own children—for his ambition. He's almost comparable to Luca Blight, except this king is in his right mind. We need to stop him. To get him off the throne. We have united behind our Queen, and we have to ensure that she is victorious." He looked at Astraea. "And we will make sure you're victorious, Your Majesty."

Astraea nodded. "Thank you, David."

"I'll get you there," Denzel vowed, letting her go. "I'll fight anyone that human piece of garbage throws our way! I denounce him! I disown him! I will NEVER call him "father" again!"

"Neither will I," Sigrun said.

"Nor I," Vahan said, shaking his head. "He doesn't even deserve the honor of his title."

"If you want me to stay by your side then I will, Your Majesty," Dawa said, reaching forward to take Astraea's hand. She raised it and pressed her forehead to Astraea's knuckles. "But I cannot forgive myself for letting that happen to you."

"Dawa…" Astraea let her voice trail off.

"Queen Astraea?" Daunte spoke up. Astraea glanced at him. "My family and I need a place to stay," he said. "We will pay rent for temporary lodging in your city. However, I must ask that you not ask me to join your fight."

Astraea's brow lifted in shock. "I participated in a war seven years ago, but I'm still burned out," Daunte said. "There are…many things about the Nagarean Civil War that have stuck with me. I wish to help you, but please do not ask me to fight in your army. Please do not ask me to fight in combat with you." He raised his hands and showed his fingers to the room. "I'm handy with hand-to-hand combat, but I still struggle with holding tekko for long periods."

"Lord Daunte," Futch said, his face twisting slightly.

Astraea nodded reluctantly. "I'm not looking to conscript you, Lord Daunte. If you don't want to fight for me then I won't force you. And I will help you find a residence for your family while you stay here."

Daunte nodded. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"You said you could help us though, Lord Daunte," David said. "Do you mean the Rune of Restoration?"

"Yes," Daunte said. "As you know a Resurrection Rune can call a soul back to a body from the World of Emptiness if the person has recently died, and there is a body to call the soul back to. But there's a limit on the Resurrection Rune's power; if the person suffers a traumatic death, then the Resurrection Rune may not be strong enough to call the body back."

"That's true," Vahan said, stepping forward. "Lady Norma tried to revive the children from that massacre but were unable to. And people who have died in war battles usually cannot be brought back."

"But the Rune of Restoration can do that," Daunte said, rubbing the tip of his index finger over the rune symbol on his hand. "The Rune of Restoration can recall the soul of someone who suffered a traumatic death, such as falling during a war battles. So if you have anyone who falls during a war battle, come and see me. I will bring them back."

"You will?" Elated suddenly filled Astraea's body and she grasped Daunte's hands. "The children! Milo, Barrett, Ritta—you could bring them back, can't you?! I-If we find where they have been buried, then you can revive them right?!"

"How long ago did they die?" Daunte asked.

Astraea stiffened, and she ducked her head. "…Over a month ago."

"I'm sorry," Daunte said softly, and Astraea felt her heart sink. "It would be too late, Your Majesty. Their souls would have passed on from the World of Emptiness by this point. The Rune of Restoration can only reach souls in the World of Emptiness. Souls that have passed to Heaven or Hell are beyond the Rune's reach."

It took a moment for Astraea to regain her composure. She didn't regret asking, but it still hurt knowing that she still couldn't have her half-siblings and everyone else. She slowly nodded. "Thank you, anyway."

"It's early but it has been a trying day for everyone," Nakula said, moving back to stand behind Daunte and Arin's couch. "May we go and see our residence?"

"Sure. I'll take you." Astraea slowly stood up.

"I-I need to lie down I think," Sigrun muttered. She stood and quickly left the room, Ferdinand following behind her.

"I'm going to go into the Forest of Sighs and fight a few monsters," Denzel decided.

"I would like to join you," Vahan said. Denzel looked shocked by this offer but didn't refuse.

"I'll join your party, too," Viktor said, doing a windmill with his left arm. "I need to practice with this arm."

"I'll accompany you, Your Majesty," David said to Astraea.

"As will I," Dawa said, rising to her feet.

"I think we should head home," Futch said, standing up. "It was a pleasure seeing you again, Lord Daunte."

"And you, Futch," Daunte said with a smile.

"But I wanna join them," Gygax protested.

"Come on." Futch grabbed his arm and hauled him to his feet.

Viki hurried over and gave Daunte a hug. "I'm so glad I saw you again, Lord Daunte."

"I'm glad to see you too," Daunte said, hugging her back. "And if Yuber shows up please let me know, okay?"

Viki nodded stiffly. "I will."

"Who is Yuber?"

Daunte, Arin, and Nakula found a house on the far outskirts of the Old Capital, the southernmost point from the main gate. It was a modest two-story house with a red roof and gray siding and four bedrooms. There was no furniture but Astraea made a mental note to ensure that they get furniture as soon as possible. Nakula took a bedroom on the first floor near the front door, while Daunte took the second bedroom on the first floor that was in the northeast corner of the house. Arin took a bedroom on the second floor.

Astraea was standing in the doorway of Daunte's new room when she asked that question. David was talking to Nakula in the foyer and Dawa lingered in the corridor. Daunte glanced at her over his shoulder and calmly set his bags along the wall opposite the door. "He's a Black Knight from the World of Emptiness," he said. "Pesmerga joined you so you probably know a lot about them."

"Not really," Astraea said. "Pesmerga has said nothing to me."

Daunte rubbed at his forehead before he spoke. "Well…the Black Knights are—ah—people who serve an entity known as the "Black King". The were born human, but…they're not really human anymore." he waved a hand. "The details are still murky to me. But Pesmerga and Yuber are Black Knights and they don't like each other. But Yuber is…different from Pesmerga."

"How so?"

"Yuber has a True Rune," Daunte said and Astraea stiffened in shock. "The Eightfold Rune. I don't entirely understand the power of the rune but it's frighteningly powerful. As far as I know, Pesmerga doesn't have a True Rune. Also Pesmerga seems to be able to travel freely while Yuber needs to be summoned."

"Summoned?"

"Yes," Daunte said. "It's a dark ceremony, really. Generally the spell to summon Yuber requires a human sacrifice—"

Astraea gasped in horror. "But I was able to summon him by channeling the power of the Rune of Restoration into the ceremony," Daunte said. "So he fought for me in my Liberation Army."

"I…see," Astraea said. "And do you believe he will appear here, Lord Daunte?"

Daunte shrugged slightly. "I do not know, Your Majesty. But he doesn't seek Pesmerga out and tries to avoid him, so…"

"What about Viki?" Astraea asked.

Daunte winced. "…I'm not sure," he said after a moment.

"Why does Pesmerga think that Yuber will come for Viki?"

Daunte stuttered for a moment before he spoke. "When I summoned Yuber, he became bound to my blood. In doing so he started to—feel things," he said uncomfortably. "I guess he could feel my emotions through our blood connection, and that either triggered emotions in him or reawakened them. And in doing so Yuber…er…ah—"

"Please tell me, Lord Daunte," Astraea said.

"Yuber may have fallen in love with Viki," Daunte quickly blurted out.

Astraea's brow rose in shock. "He will deny it, but he definitely feels something for her and it's not hate," Daunte said. "Idon't have those feelings for Viki, so Yuber isn't feeling what I feel. They're his own feelings. He will deny it to his last breath but I believe it's true. And Pesmerga believes it's true."

Astraea looked over her shoulder. "Viki…she seems afraid of him."

"I don't blame her, honestly," Daunte said. "Just because Yuber loves her doesn't mean he's nice to her. He was vile to Viki during the Nagarean Civil War. A-And prior to that they fought on opposing sides three times. No matter what he feels I can't predict how he will act towards her."

Astraea fidgeted slightly before she spoke again. "Would—Should I summon him then, Your Majesty?"

"I don't know, Your Majesty. But unfortunately I cannot help you with it."

"W-What?!" Astraea's eyes widened in shock.

"Something happened when I ended Yuber's contract," Daunte said, his expression puzzled. "When I released him from his contact…for some reason, the details of his summoning ceremony were removed from my memories."

"'Removed'?"

"I remember the overall nature of the ceremony," Daunte said. "But I do not remember the spell I chanted. I tried to use the Rune of Restoration to conjure the memory, but not even the Rune of Restoration could retrieve it fully. That specific part of the ceremony was removed from my mind. And it was removed from the minds of everyone who witnessed the ceremony."

"B-But what sort of power caused that?!"

Daunte shrugged again. "The only thing I can think of is it's a "failsafe" of the Eightfold Rune. That when a contract with Yuber ends, it erases the memory of the people involved in the ceremony so Yuber cannot be easily summoned again. This is why his summoning spell was written down as opposed to being passed orally, despite how easily the spell could fall into anyone's hands."

"Who has the written spell?"

"Caesar did, but it's gone missing. He doesn't know where it is."

"But if the spell is wiped from your mind when the contract ends, how was someone able to write it down?"

Daunte shrugged again. "Yuber may know. Or whoever first wrote it down would know. It was written in a language I didn't recognize, translated to the common tongue."

"Then maybe it's best that we don't know where that spell is," Astraea conceded. "I don't want to make things uncomfortable for Viki. And I have a feeling chaos will be created if Pesmerga sees him again."

"Kibbeh and Maamoul are settled in the main room," Arin announced. He breezed past Dawa and paused in front of Astraea. Dawa frowned but didn't stop him.

"They'll find their way to my room," Daunte said dryly.

"I want to join your Army," Arin said directly to Astraea.

"What?!" Daunte burst out.

"What?!" Nakula shouted from the foyer. He hurried down the hall and though Dawa let him past she quickly followed him. "What did you say, Arin?!"

"I want to join Queen Astraea's Army," Arin said matter-of-factly. "I want to fight for her."

"Arin, I've already told Her Majesty that we weren't going to fight and she said that was fine!" Daunte protested.

"Well, you said you weren't going to fight Brother," Arin said with a shrug. "But I don't mind fighting. I'm good with a spear; Dad's taught me well."

"Arin, we are foreigners here!" Nakula hissed at him. "We have no stake in this war! There is no need for you to fight! No offense, Your Majesty," he said to Astraea.

"None taken," Astraea said.

"But you didn't have a stake in the Falenan Civil War and still fought in it, didn't you?" Arin pointed out.

"That was different, Arin!"

"Ah—" Astraea looked between the brothers and father. "Er—"

"It's not like this is the first war I've fought in," Arin said plainly. "I fought in our civil war."

"Arin, you were NINE during the Nagarean Civil War!" Daunte snapped. "You didn't fight!"

"But I was a Star of Destiny, wasn't I?"

"You're not going to entertain this, are you Queen Astraea?" Nakula asked her. "Arin's seventeen!"

"Wasn't Lord Daunte seventeen when he freed his country from tyranny?" David asked as he appeared in the doorway.

Nakula sputtered, stammering out nonsense words. "And Her Majesty is eighteen," David added, gesturing to Astraea.

"You let your teenage son lead an entire army?" Dawa asked Nakula, her brow high. Nakula continue to sputter nonsense.

"Semantics, semantics," David said plainly, waving a carefree hand. "I think it's admirable that Arin wants to help us, though we just met."

"I just saw a memory of a slaughter," Arin said, his tone turning serious. He looked at Astraea. "I've seen a lot of kids die, Your Majesty. When we were in the Dark Chasm, kids were dropping dead weekly. I will ALWAYS stand against tyranny that abuses kids! That kills kids! Especially from people who do that to their own kids!

"I couldn't do anything during the Nagarean Civil War, but I want to do something now." Arin looked between Daunte and Nakula. "I want to do something," he repeated. "I don't want her dad to rule this country. I'd rather she rule this country." He pointed to Astraea.

"Arin." Nakula could finally speak, and his face was full of pain.

Daunte swallowed hard. He rubbed his mouth and turned away.

Arin looked at Astraea. "I'm not some fancy soldier, but I can fight. And I want to fight to get justice for you. We're going to be here for a while anyway. Daunte can help you bring back allies, and I will be one of your allies. Please let me fight for your, Your Majesty. I'll fight as hard as I can to make sure you succeed."

Astraea was moved by his words. She looked around the room briefly, contemplating whether to say yes or no but knowing what the right answer was. She clasped Arin's hand and shook. "I'm honored to have you in the Reformation Army, Arin."

"Dear God," Nakula muttered. Daunte didn't say anything.

"Great!" Arin cheered, pumping his fist. "I'll tell Kibbeh and Maamoul!" He raced from the room.

"…He's going to tell the dogs?" Dawa asked, watching him leave.

"I think we should let you all get settled," David said. "We're getting furniture for all the citizens here so we'll make sure you all have beds in a short time."

Both Daunte and Nakula were silent for a long time. Astraea felt a knot in her stomach. "…I—"

"This house is fine," Nakula said, looking up. "We sleep outdoors most of the time, anyway. We can discuss our rent later."

"Since Arin is one of my allies now, you don't have to pay anything," Astraea quickly said. "Your living expenses will be deducted from his pay."

"Excellent idea, Your Majesty," David said. "We can discuss Arin's pay—"

"Queen Astraea?" Daunte said suddenly, looking up.

Astraea saw that his gaze was hard, but also full of resignation. "I'll take good care of Arin, I swear it," Astraea promised him.

"Arin is a formidable warrior," Daunte said. But then his eyes narrowed. "But just keep this in mind, Your Majesty. If one of the people you bring to me to revive after a war battle is Arin, we will be leaving after I bring him back. There will be nothing you would be able to do to convince me to allow him to fight for you any longer."

"I will enforce this," Nakula added. "If anything happens to my son in battle, you will never see any of us again."

Astraea nodded stiffly. "I'll make sure no harm comes to him in battle. It's my job to take care of my soldiers."

"You shouldn't make promises like that," Daunte said quietly. "One thing you'll learn as a leader is that it's very difficult to keep every single one of your allies alive."

"…I know," Astraea said. "But I will still try, Lord Daunte."

"Big Brother?"

Daunte was sitting on the floor of his new room with Kibbeh and Maamoul (because of course they found his room) and he looked up to see Arin standing in the doorway. His little brother had a look of worry on his face. "Are you guys mad at me?" he asked, his tone small. "Dad isn't talking to me."

Daunte motioned to him to come in. Arin walked over and sat across from him, their two dogs between them. "Dad doesn't want anything to happen to you," he said. "And I suppose he thinks this is a conflict we don't need to get involved in."

"But I want to help her, Daunte," Arin said, his tone insisting. "That memory was just…and her dad did that to her?" He shook his head sadly.

"It was awful," Daunte said. "And I can see why they want to fight. She has a lot of people here who love her. The people who saw the memory with us must have been her siblings."

"Except for the Silverberg," Arin said thoughtfully. "But she'll succeed because he's here!"

Daunte shrugged. "Caesar never mentioned him. But I don't doubt she'll succeed."

"…But?" Arin added.

"But," Daunte said. "You need to be careful, Arin. This isn't a game. You could die—"

"But you can bring me back."

"Arin!" Daunte snapped. His little brother flinched and Daunte instantly felt bad. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell. But don't be careless with your life, okay? I don't want to see your body after a war battle."

Arin nodded soberly. "I'll be careful, Big Brother. I promise."

"Good." Daunte rubbed at his nape and exhaled sharply.

"Something else is bothering you, isn't it?" Arin observed. "Not just me joining the Reformation Army. What's wrong?"

"There was…something about that memory," Daunte said quietly. He looked down at the two dogs sleeping on the floor between them. "Something that made me uneasy. Something that felt…familiar."

"'Familiar'?"

Daunte shook his head. "I can't explain it, Arin. But the memory of that massacre. When I was experiencing it with the rest of you, I felt a familiarity. But I didn't mention it because I don't know what felt familiar to me."

Arin looked thoughtful. "Will you say anything, Daunte?"

Daunte was silent for a long moment. Then he shook his head. "Until I know what felt familiar to me, I'm not going to say a word."

Recruit: Arin (92)