The elderly woman looks at Kai, Eris, Noah, and Marianna, but mostly at Kai and Eris.

“Hello. Ma’am.” Kai greets. “I was wondering if we could ask you a few questions?”

The woman walks closer to Kai, staring at him inquisitively, then looks at Eris in the same manner, then at Noah, and Marianna.

“What kind of questions, young man?” The woman asks.

“Well…” Kai speaks. “I have questions about a specific kind of child that lived here years ago.”

The woman then looks around outside to see if there were any bandits nearby.

“It’s just us, Ma’am.” Eris assures her.

The woman’s expression calms down. “Inside.”

The four walk inside with the woman following them in.

.   .

The inside of the orphanage was spacious but homey. To their left was a dining hall which led into the kitchen. To their right was the living area with plenty of couches, chairs, and a small table in the center of the room. The woman guides them into the living area.

“Please. You all make yourselves at home.” The woman speaks. “Would any of you like some tea?”

“Yes. I would like some.” Eris replies.

“So, would I, please.” Marianna adds.

The woman walks into the dining hall and takes out three teacups from a large cupboard and sets them on the dining table. She hears the tea kettle whistle and heads to the kitchen. She takes the kettle off the wood burning stove with the crook of one of her nearby canes and walks it in the dining hall. Eris and Marianna decide to walk to the woman in order to help her. The woman pours tea her cup, then Eris’, and then Marianna who also takes the kettle and sets it down on a thick doily. The two walk back into the living area and sit down with Kai and Noah while the woman sets her cane down and picks up her teacup and goes to join them where she sits in a rocking chair.

“Well…” The woman speaks. “It is nice to see the brother of the queen is back to his senses.”

Kai was caught off guard that the woman knew who he was, due to what he was wearing and his hair being longer than it used to be.

“And you brought the queen to be and her friends.” She adds.

All four of them were in shock that she knew who they actually were to where she chuckles.

“Clairvoyance is such a beautiful gift.” She comments with a smile. “Anyway, my name is Ineza. And yes, Kai, you should know you are a well-known young man. The three that are accompanying you are dear Noah Knight, Marianna Collie, and Eris Gadison; I can see the marks of the queen on her.”

The group were stunned by her psychic ability making Ineza smile with amusement as she sips her tea.

“So…” She continues. “You’ve all come to ask if the rumors about if Queen Askari had a child were true?”

“Yes, Ma’am.” Kai replies.

Ineza sips her tea a few more times as she looks at Kai, Eris, Noah, and Marianna who were waiting for her answer. “The rumors are true.”

There was a short moment of silence for the group to process what Ineza said.

“It was about… 50 years ago.” She continues. “Askari was 27 at the time when she came here with the boy and dropped him off. He was a few days old when she and one of her guards came here. He’s a secret to the public, but not to her safekeeps and the elder monks. The elder monks decided to exile the monk who conceived the boy, his name was Barlow. When the boy got older, he had ambitions of becoming a monk as well. To be honest, he had a gift of learning and remembering the prayers and the chants, and the way they do things. He got his wish when he turned 20. Also, he did participate in Queen Furia’s ceremony with 9 other monks, so he was hiding in plain sight. You did see him, Kai.”

Kai was able to remember Furia’s ceremony when she was christened as queen. The ceremony took place on the castle’s rooftop with Furia being in the center of the ceremonial symbol and 10 monks surrounding her in a circle. He remembers one particular monk that had a mark on his face. He then looks at Ineza.

“I remembered there were 10 monks that day.” He speaks. “Did one of them have a mark on the right side of their face?”

“His right cheek, yes.” Ineza answers. “Also, he is at the underground citadel with the others.”

“Well,” Noah speaks. “At least we know where to find him.”

“Also, that’s exactly where we’re going.” Marianna adds.

“Oh.” Ineza speaks. “Were you all planning to see him?”

“Actually,” Eris speaks. “We were planning on going to the citadel to talk to the monks about the… queen’s role.”

Ineza smiles. “Hmm… I see. I hope and pray that you all have a safe trip. When you get there, make sure to tell Asuno I said hello.”

A moment later, they hear a knock at the front door.

“It’s open!” Ineza shouts.

A young boy opens the door and walks in the living area and looks at Ineza. “Ms. Ineza! Did you hear?”

“Hear what, dear Daniel?” She asks.

“Sir Senuo has regained control of Satori! The land has been liberated!”

Ineza claps happily. “Oh, joyous!”

The young boy, Daniel, then stares at Kai out of curiosity.

“Ms. Ineza,” He speaks. “Is that Kai Nyle sitting there?”

“Who do you think he is, child?” Ineza asks with a gentle smile.

Daniel looks at Kai closely to see if it was really him, then starts to smile.

“By Alpha! It is you!” He exclaims happily. “Kai Nyle in the flesh!”

Kai looks away in shame as Daniel continues to speak. “I… am so happy to actually meet you. You are who I aspire to be. Your strength, ability, your cool personality, everything!”

Kai shakes his head in disagreement. “You don’t want to be like me. There are things I’ve done through these years that I’m not proud of…”

Daniel looks at Kai as he gloomily looks away from him. “Well… you’re here and I know you’re on our side, you’re fighting with us and not the regime. So, if that’s nothing to be inspired by, then I don’t know what is.”

Hearing his comment makes Kai feel a piece of encouragement come back to him. 

“Well…” Ineza speaks. “You young’uns have all your questions answered. Now you all better get going before it gets dark.”

Kai stands from his seat along with Noah, Eris, and Marianna who were done drinking their tea. 

“Thank you, ma’am.” He praises. 

“You’re welcome, dear.” Ineza replies. “You all are welcome here anytime.”

The four walk out of the living area and out of the front door and continue walking to their destination.

“Well,” Eris speaks. “Pretty interesting to have someone say that the rumor was true and was a witness.”

“Right.” Marianna agrees. “But something about it is bothering me. Wouldn’t the monks disavow the queen if they knew about what she did and strip her of her throne?”

“And let alone, do they even know that they accepted her son as a monk?” Noah adds.

“The people would’ve turned on them.” Kai answers. “The elder monks wouldn’t want the people to know what had happened, and also, Queen Askari was popular and still tended to the people’s needs. Also close to the same reasons as Eris, I’ve never been fond of the monks and I’ve been wanting to know if queens, former, current, and soon to be, have to really follow those three rules because it’s the word of Alpha, or they’re just rules that the monks made to keep the queen in line. It’s for my sister’s sake… and for your sake.”

Eris blushes when Kai makes his statement. Kai then looks at her and continues. “You have an air about you that isn’t common in our generation… well, uncommon to me. You haven’t tapped into your courage yet, but it would be a good addition to have for a queen; since you’re willing to the challenge the monks’ word.”

Eris continues to blush. “Well… I never thought I would get praised by you, Kai…”

Kai slightly smiles at her in response.

“Well, we should we get going, right?” Marianna asks getting Kai’s attention.

“Yeah.” Noah adds. “Do you know how to get to their monastery, Kai?”

“Of course, I remember how to get there.” He answers. “It’s several miles away, so let’s get moving.”

The group resume their journey down a dirt road with Kai leading them.

.   .   .   .   .

Senuo, Oma, and Xianchi return to the underground sanctuary via portal door from Satori Temple in the evening. They walk into the dining hall where Yurich and Furia are sitting at the table.

“Senuo! Oma! Xianchi! Welcome back.” Yurich greets them.

“Thanks, Yurich.” Senuo replies. “How are you feeling, milady?”

“I feel much better now, thank you.” Furia replies. “How did everything go?”

“It was a slight struggle because of the “prince”.” Oma answers.

“But we managed to pull through.” Xianchi assures. “Time fluctuation is pretty tricky, but it worked in our favor.”

“That is wonderful to hear, you three.” Furia praises.

Oma looks around and notices something was out of place. “Where’s Kai and the trio?”

Yurich looks at Furia for permission to which she nods. Yurich then looks at Oma.

“They’re up north in Kyona right now.” He replies.

Oma’s expression changes to concerning irritation. “What are they doing there?! Why are they even out there at a time like this?!”

“They went to visit the monks.”

“But it’s still dangerous in that section and he has the queen to be with him!”

“I’m certain they’re okay.” Furia reassures. “I believe my brother will protect them and I’m sure they can protect themselves, even Eris. I have faith in them, and we must pray for their return.”

Oma decides to calm down and nods, and then leaves to go to her room. Xianchi and Senuo decide to stay in the dining hall.

.   .   .   .   .

At the castle in Nora, Yenish slaps Kabu across his face in the throne room with Kyoki a few feet from the two of them.

“This… is the second time you failed me, Kabu!” Yenish yells angrily. “The second time and two lands taken because of your damn incompetence!”

Kabu was stricken hard by Yenish’s words and could not look at her, nor say anything. He keeps his head down in shame.

“Your very presence disgusts me.” She continues. “Go to Pamola to Raijin. He might as well spar with you. You have one last chance. Now get out of my sight, you damn failure.”

“Yes, your majesty.” Kabu replies in a low voice.

As Kabu teleports out of the castle, Yenish looks to Kyoki and walks towards him as his head was down.

“I apologize, Mother. I have failed you.” Kyoki speaks in a disappointed tone.

Yenish calms herself and touches Kyoki’s face which makes him look up at her.

“Indeed, you did, dear.” She answers. “However, it wasn’t your main mission, so I can’t entirely fault you. Remember, your main mission is the girl.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“You must capture her the first chance you have. Is that understood?”

“Yes, Mother.”

“Good. Now, go about your evening.”

As Yenish dismissed Kyoki, he walks off to his bed chambers on the second floor of the castle. When he enters his chambers, he takes off his gear along with his clothes and sets them on a nearby rack. He picks up the picture of Eris and walks into his washroom where there was a large bath in the middle of the room with the theme being red along with a luxurious cream sink and a matching lavatory. As the water fills the bath, he sits in it, and stares at the photo.

“Oh Eris.” He speaks to himself. “How beautiful those eyes of yours are. I want your eyes to look at me… and me only, Eris…”

.   .   .   .   .

Outside in Kyona, Eris looks behind her believing someone called her name, but she sees nobody on the road which makes Kai, Marianna, and Noah stop walking and look at her.

“What’s wrong, Eris?” Marianna asks.

“I thought… somebody called my name.” Eris replies.

Kai begins to look around, then hears Amarok’s growl within him due to feeling a presence.

“I’m sensing something.” Kai speaks. “Come on. Not much farther now.”

Kai hastily holds on to Eris’ hand to make her quickly walk with Noah and Marianna following right behind. They reach a door connecting to a dilapidated building.

“Is… this the place?” Noah asks.

“It is.” Kai replies. “This building is just a facade. Any mark connected to Alpha can open the door to the monastery. The monks have a mark of their own, and the queen’s mark can work just the same.”

Hearing this, Eris decides to walk toward the door to touch it. As she did, the door opens revealing a portal. Kai hurries the three and himself inside the portal with it closing behind them. They see a dimly lit staircase made of stone leading down to the underground.