In the underground sanctuary, Kai was still tied with vines to a chair in the dining area with everyone surrounding him. Landon was the first to ask questions.

“Let me ask you this again, Kai.” He speaks. “Why were you in my temple for the past two years?”

“… Because of Yenish…” Kai replies hesitantly.

“Because of Yenish?”

“Yes. She assigned the temple to me after you all retreated here. I’m glad she doesn’t know about this location, or else she would have tainted it.”

Hearing Kai’s response made Oma feel furious.

“So… that’s why I didn’t see you the day she attacked the castle with her followers.” She speaks. “You basically led her into the castle! Your soldiers were killed on your time! Even the Lord and Lady, your own parents were killed on your time!”

Kai sighs frustratingly.

“I was ambushed, Oma!” He explains in an angry tone. “You really thought I wanted to see my men or my parents dead?! The only warning I had was hearing my men’s screams and coming into the castle seeing them and my parents dead! Then, Yenish’s “children” held me down and Hanchia put a vial in my mouth and forced me to drink out of it! I blacked out and the next thing I remember, I was sent to the temple. We were unprepared that day just how the five of you were unprepared, and we paid a horrible price. Now since Hanchia’s potion had defects, I could see my parents and my men in my mind which led me to lash out from the effects of the potion. During those two years, the potion would wear out and I’d go in a frenzied rage towards them or inside the temple. I’ve been plagued with images of my parents and my men ever since that day and they would put me back under. I had no control of my actions, Oma! If you were being brainwashed and losing your own sanity, you wouldn’t be able to control your actions, let alone be aware.”

Oma huffs at his response and turns her head from Kai as he continues.

“When hundreds of the Oreadean soldiers took the castle over, they used their Inochi to dispel that potion in my body. When I regained control, they told me what I did when I wasn’t in my right mind. They said I’ve… done things I am not proud of to the people in Oreads and all of Elem. They said I assisted with Kabu in beating and killing anyone who went against that harlot. When they told me this, I wanted them to kill me. But you taught them well, Landon. Too merciful, but well.”

Landon gives a slight nod at his remark. “Thanks.”

“I then decided to plan.” He continues. “I told the soldiers to keep the temple vacant but watch over it. This was when I was getting word from Kabu that he found a potential woman that probably had the mark and I joined him. That’s when I met her.”

Kai makes eye contact with Eris, making her blush.

“I killed the bandits that were with us and injured Kabu. I took her home and left back to Oreads Temple, and told the soldiers to give you all the word where to find her which you, Oma and Senuo, were sent to. They gave word that the temple was vacant, and I waited until you came down to the underground, Landon.”

“How did you get down in the antechamber?” Landon asks.

“Teleportation. One of the things Yenish gave me.” He answers. “I have been plagued with regret… and rage ever since that day. Even when I was under, I felt my rage flow through me, waking me up. I partnered with Amarok which fueled my rage more and made me remember what was taken from all of us. The castle, the temples, our soldiers, our families, and the people’s peace of mind along with ours.”

Everyone was quiet at his remarks. Kai looks at Landon and Oma. “So, Landon, Oma, did I answer your questions?”

Oma gives him a smug look and walks away while Landon feels guilty, realizing Kai was held against his will, brainwashed, and had just regained control of himself only a few days ago. “Kai. I’m… I’m sorry—”

“Don’t be. You had your concerns, and it is understandable. Princess over there should be apologizing, but I won’t hold my breath.”

Kai then looks at the vines that bound him. “Now… can I be let go?” He asks.

Landon looks at Furia and she nods.

“Let him go.” She commands.

Landon holds out his hand, making Kai’s bounds loosen and disappear. Kai slowly stands up while Furia slowly walks toward him. She hugs Kai and begins to weep while Kai embraces her back.

“I’m so sorry, Furia.” He whispers sadly. “I should’ve done more that day…”

“Don’t think about it anymore.” Furia whispers in response. “Just thank Alpha you’re here and alive.”

“We will take back our home. I promise you.”

“I believe you.”

The siblings stop their hug and look at each other. She then looks to Eris then back to Kai.

“If you please,” She starts. “I want you to be Eris’ guard along with Marianna and Noah. They are also guarding for her.”

Kai looks at Marianna and Noah. “Are those two good in a fight?”

“They’re just beginning.” Furia replies.

Kai quietly groans. “Rookies.”

Furia taps him on his chest making him wince. “Be nice and give them time, brother.”

Kai sighs and looks at her with a slight smile. “I’ll try, sister.”

Kai leaves the dining area and walks to the throne room and out the front doors to spend time in the hot spring. Furia looked at Eris.

“Eris.” She speaks. “I assigned Kai to be your guard alongside Noah and Marianna. He is rough around the edges, but he means well, so take some time to get to know one another. We will be having dinner soon, so spend your time however you like.”

Furia then looks at Yurich, Xianchi, Senuo, and Landon. “Yurich, Xianchi, if you may, get yourselves settled and start cooking. I’ll help you along with Senuo. And Landon…”

Landon looks at Furia.

“Go home to your temple. Your people and family are waiting for you.”

“Sure thing.” He replies with a smile. “I’ll be back for dinner.”

He then leaves out the dining area and into the throne room to where he opens the Oreads Temple portal door behind the throne and walks in to leave. As Furia, Senuo, Yurich, and Xianchi begin cooking, Eris decides to walk away from Marianna and Noah which confused them.

“Eris, where are you going?” Marianna asks getting her attention.

“I’m going to talk to Kai.” She replies. “He’s the one who saved my life that night.”

 She walks toward the front doors of the sanctuary and goes outside to the cave.

.   .

In the cave, Eris sees Kai sitting in the spring with his eyes closed and relaxing with meditation. She sees his clothes were folded on the side along with a towel as she slowly walks towards him and attempts to speak.

“What do you want?”

Kai’s words caught Eris off guard as his back was to her.

“I… just wanted… to speak to you…” Eris responds hesitantly.

Kai recognizes whose light and soft voice belonged to. “Eris, right?”

“Yes.”

As she walks next to Kai to see his face, Eris also sees his well-toned arms and his chiseled chest. Kai quickly looks at her, making Eris flinch slightly.

“Did you come out here to stare at me, or you came to thank me again?” He asks.

“What? N-no!” Eris stammers. “Also.. well… that day, you left so quickly, I didn’t have the chance to properly thank you.”

“Hmm. If I recall, I did acknowledge your gratitude. I think you just wanted to come out here and talk to me about other things.”

Eris begins to blush and feels slight embarrassment about his remark and could not think of what else to say. Kai sees Eris getting mesmerized by his appearance and decides to break the silence.

“How old are you, Eris?” He asks.

“Oh! Um… 17.” Eris replies.

Kai chuckles at her stammered response. “So, we’re a year apart from another? I just turned 19.”

“I will be 18 in the next two months.”

“Hm. Noted. I’m sure my sister has told you she’s assigned me to be your guard?”

“Yes.”

Thinking about what Kai talked about back at her home, Eris wanted to know more about Yenish and her followers.

“So, if I may have an idea,” She speaks. “Is there anything you can tell me about Yenish, Kabu, and the others?”

Hearing this, Kai gets up and out of the spring, making Eris look away. He then covers himself with the towel and sits on the edge with Eris.

“Yenish uses the power of Omakotaku.” He explains. “Kabu is endowed with that demonic power to an extent because of Yenish. I’m certain the others have it as well, but they use the powers they were taught along with their pact-beasts which they use as a last resort.”

“Do you have a pact-beast?” Eris asks.

“Yes, Amarok.” He replies. “I made a pact with him after I saved you that night.”

“What threat are we really up against?”

“What we’re up against is a ruthless elven woman filled with envy that has the vision of dictatorship and will kill anyone who will defy her in any fashion. All of us here are crucial targets, but there is a weakness that they have, and it’s their pride. The advantage we have is the heart of the temples in the other lands that still hold the essence of the safekeeps. Also, the antechambers are locked down, so none of them can open the doors. The problem that we have is getting the other four out.”

“Right. So, what can you tell me about the elven siblings?”

“Raijin has the power of Hika and Rokia uses Karyo and can use hypnosis.”

“What about—”

“Hanchia still uses Sui, but has done the forbidden act of using blood.”

“…Right. I see.”

Kai then stands up, picks up his clothes, and looks to Eris. “So, you know, I will also be in charge of training you and your friends for combat.”

“Just you?” Eris asks looking confused. “What about Oma, Senuo, and Xianchi?”

Kai looks at her with a straight face. “Because they have pressing matters about getting the other lands. Also, I’m sure you remember me taking down six bandits and injuring Kabu, right?”

Eris remembers the night Kai went berserk and killed the bandits, making her shudder. “Yeah. I remember…”

“Don’t worry. I won’t go berserk during training.”

Kai begins to walk away making Eris realize it was close to dinner and decide to follow him.

“Can I ask you one more thing?” She asks.

Kai looks at her.

“Why did you decide to carry me?”

“Well, you were a crying mess, it would have been best that I did.” Kai replies.

Eris looks at him quizzically as she felt offended by his response.

“Well… I can’t say I was a crying mess!” she protests.

Kai smirks amusingly. “Then let me reiterate. Your face was red, tears were falling, and you were on the ground scared out of your wits. You were very distraught, and I thought the best thing to do was to carry you home. Better?”

Hearing the statement put in a different form, Eris had no room to object. “Yeah. That’s better.”

Knowing how Kai was from Furia’s point of view, Eris knew something would have to be done between them since they would need to know and understand each other. Eris hoped in her mind that it would not take long for Kai to get acquainted with Noah and Marianna in the upcoming days.