The four make it back to Momo in the middle of the night. Kai finds the passageway to the underground sanctuary partially buried in the ground and opens it for Eris, Noah, Marianna, and himself to go through.

.   .

Moments later, they make it down to the underground and passing the spring.

“I would love to go in the spring right now!” Marianna comments.

“Yeah, I second that.” Noah agrees. “My arms and legs are killing me.”

“So are mine.” Eris adds. “There’s so much we’ve done, I’m exhausted.”

“That all sounds well.” Kai responds. “But before we can do that, we need to go and explain ourselves.”

Kai and Noah slowly open the doors to the sanctuary. The four were met by Furia sitting in her throne, Xianchi was sitting on the floor, Oma standing next to Furia with her arms folded along with Senuo who held his hands together, and Yurich and Landon were sitting on the steps.

“Brother.” Furia greets Kai with a smile.

“Sister.” He greets back.

“How was Kyona?” Yurich asks.

The trio were surprised at how Yurich knew where they went, but Kai was not, because he knew Yurich’s ability for knowing a person’s true intentions.

“It was… eventful.” Kai replies.

“Were you all alright?” Furia asks. “I felt a disturbance happen with Eris.”

“We were… encountered by Yenish’s son and several bandits.” Kai explains. “What he said his intentions were, and they were different to what Yenish wants, but it’s the same goal.”

“Also, I didn’t know the mark feels your emotions when you’re backed into a corner.” Eris comments. “The mark feels like it’s burning.”

“Yes.” Furia replies. “Anything that stresses you will cause the mark to react.”

“The same way your mark reacts to the curse?”

Furia nods.

“Well at least you all are back,” Yurich speaks. “We can make late night snacks and talk about it then.”

Yurich then stands up and walks into the kitchen along with Landon and Xianchi.

“Well,” Senuo speaks. “I will come back for the snacks. I need to settle some things and make sure to add two more seats for tonight.”

As Senuo goes through the portal to Satori, Furia was getting helped up by Oma and guiding her to the dining hall as the four begin taking their weapons and gear off of them.

“Well, late snacks sound good.” Marianna speaks. “We might as well get ready to eat, too.”

While she and Noah go upstairs, Eris looks at Kai seeing that he was in thought. She knew he was still bothered by Kyoki’s words.

“Kai!”

Hearing his name caught his attention. It was Oma walking towards him.

“Can we talk?” She asks.

Eris decides to go upstairs while Kai walks towards Oma so they can talk. Oma crosses her arms and looks away from Kai with shame.

“I’m… I’m sorry, Kai.” Oma speaks apologetically.

Kai was surprised to hear an apology come from her mouth.

“I should’ve known better than to blame you for what happened two years ago.” She continues. “I know it was pretty hard seeing your men… and your parents in that position. I… shouldn’t have been quick to judge. That day, we were all unprepared and I should’ve been more understanding.”

Kai nods in response to her apology.

“Well, I wasn’t any better.” He responds. “The day when I brought up about my sister being your daughter, that was out of line for me, I’ll admit. Because I know you haven’t seen her in two years.”

Oma tries to hold back the tears as she covers her face so Kai would not see, but it failed. Kai puts his hand on her shoulder to comfort her making Oma grumble.

“I hate it when someone shows sympathy for me.” She comments. “It’s shocking that it’s coming from you.”

“I’m not a sympathetic person.” Kai corrects. “It’s empathy that I have to only a slight degree.”

Kai’s comment makes Oma chuckle while she wipes away her tears and looks at Kai confidently. “I’m going to need all the help I can get. I can’t take Haliae just by myself.”

 She extends her right hand to him. “Water under the bridge?”

Kai nods and shakes her hand without hesitation. “Water under the bridge.”

“I understand your goal is the same all of ours. No more fighting. I promise.”

Kai chuckles at her statement. “I know Safekeep Oma Warrens is true to her word, and always has been.”

.   .

Minutes later in the middle of the night, everyone including Vivianna and Vincent, Seiko, and Xandra were in the dining hall eating at the table.

“Well, how did everything go in Satori, Senuo?” Vivianna asks.

“It was a struggle.” He replies. “Yenish’s son is formidable to fight against.”

“And more competent than Kabu.” Oma adds.

“The son decided to fight us while Kabu went after Senuo.” Xianchi explains. “The son was able to undo Senuo’s hold on Kabu and teleported him inside the temple to go after him.”

“Also, Kabu was close to catching me.” Senuo continues. “When the flux happened, I was lucky that it worked in my favor.”

Furia looks at Kai. “Did you say earlier that you saw Kyoki tonight?”

“Yes.” Kai replies.

Furia becomes worried as she wonders what type of intentions Kyoki has since he decided to show himself. She looked back at Kai.

“Brother, stay by Eris’ side.” She instructs. “If you ever see him again, do whatever you must to keep her safe.”

“Yes, sister.”

“Be advised, Kai,” Oma speaks. “He’s a tough being to fight.”

“Of course.” Yurich comments. “What would one expect with a person born from the powers of Omakotaku?”

“Well, I need to make an announcement.” Vivianna informs. “I received word from Kaori that there are shortages of light and water in Pamola. So, if there is also a shortage of water, there’s an issue in Haliae.”

Hearing this, Yurich and Oma look at each other with concern.

“We need to plan on what we need to do.” Oma comments.

Yurich nods in agreement.

“I feel we must plan to take the lands simultaneously.” He suggests.

“And plan accordingly.”

.   .   .

A couple hours later outside in the cavern, Kai was underwater in the spring resting his eyes. The moment he opens his eyes, he sees a figure above the surface. He resurfaces and wipes the water from his face and slicks his hair back seeing Eris beside him with a towel wrapped around her as she stepped in the spring.

“Please tell me you’re wearing something underneath…” Kai pleads.

Eris unwraps her towel exposing her bathing suit to answer his question, sets it aside, and sits next to Kai. Kai goes to stretch, crack his neck, and look to the caves ceiling. He starts thinking about what transpired hours prior. Eris sees him in thought and knows what he was thinking.

“Do you want to talk?” She asks.

Kai looks at Eris and wonders if he truly wanted to talk. Seeing no one was outside, he slightly nods making Eris then move closer to Kai.

“What is bothering you?” She asks. “Do you feel that you can’t protect me?”

“No.” Kai replies.

Seeing that the issue was not about Kyoki doubting Kai’s abilities, it was about Kyoki exposing what Kai felt about Eris. She decides to choose her words carefully.

“How do you feel about me, Kai?” She asks. “What do you think about me personally?”

Kai leans back and looks away from her, thinking about what he wanted to say. Within moments, he puts his hands through his hair, then looks at her.

“Even though I’ve only just met you and it is now my duty and obligation to keep you safe, there are times that I do feel something about you. I feel it isn’t a good idea to have that feeling.”

“Why?”

Kai scoffs at Eris’ question. “What do you mean why? After my actions within the past two years, I am directly and indirectly responsible for the deaths and suffering of the people in this land, and you’re one of them! Also, due to you being marked, I don’t think it could work out between us. Let alone, how can you deal with a person who sullied his family’s name and the queen’s guard position? I just...”

He takes a moment to breathe, then sighs. “I don’t know why my sister decided to take me back after everything I’ve done. Hell, like what I said before, I shouldn’t be your guard. With all of this torment that I feel… why do I feel this way towards you?... You shouldn’t feel this way, neither. I don’t deserve to feel this…”

Kai looks away from her, feeling defeat and wanting to breakdown. Eris could see and hear his pain and thought perhaps he wanted to be left alone, but she did not want to give up on him. They have talked about this subject once before, but Kai held on to that conflict which was eating him up inside and Eris saw that. Even though he was indirectly responsible for her parents’ deaths and besides her being marked as the next queen, Eris remembers their promise and held no ill will towards Kai. She knew he couldn’t control his actions that day due to being under Hanchia’s spell. Kai did not see nor hear Eris step out of the spring. She sits behind him on the edge and embraces him, gently stroking his hair which surprises Kai. He did not move nor speak.

“Remember what I told you earlier?” She whispers in Kai’s ear. “They will get their comeuppance in due time. Back then, you were trapped inside your body, and you couldn’t do anything. The guilt is tearing you apart and I understand, but you aren’t truly to blame.”

Hearing those words, Kai starts to see his sins flash before his eyes, he begins to breathe heavily with his green eye glowing. Eris places her hand on his chest.

“I can feel it, weighing on your heart.” She speaks. “Amorok is feeling them. If this helps… I do forgive you, Kai Nyle. Let them go.”

Tears begin to well in Kai’s eyes, and holds on to Eris’ hand firmly as his tears flow.

“The feelings you feel for me are genuine and sweet.” She speaks calmly. “It could heal your hardened and broken heart. My mark… will not stop from what I feel for you.”

Kai slowly looks to her finding her green eyes. Eris decides to hold on to Kai and sing the song that Furia taught her gently in his ear. Hearing it makes Kai feel at ease as he holds on to Eris’ arms and closes his eyes as he hears her blissful voice.

“Mother… Father.” He whispers to himself. “Forgive me… for my weakness…”

.   .   .   .   .

At the same time at castle in Nora, Yenish decides to have a meeting hours after Kabu lost Satori and she calmed down. Hanchia and Kabu were the first to arrive, then Raijin and Rokia. All are seated at a round table in her office, Yenish puts her hands together.

“My dears…” She speaks slightly seething. “It appears that we are having a dilemma brewing in front of us. With Oreads being taken, I should’ve known it would be an issue, but not as great of an issue as it is now. As of now, Satori, which I entrusted to you, Kabu, is back in their grasp. Two hearts that can’t be reshaped now because one: Hanchia’s potion wasn’t potent enough to keep Kai handled, and two: Kabu was unable to keep Satori.”

“Milady.” Kabu calls her and shows her his bandaged left hand. “I was very close getting to Senuo until he somehow crushed my hand in the stone door!”

“It was the will of Satori’s heart, Sati.” Hanchia retorts.

Kabu looks at her with confusion making Hanchia scoff at his alarming lack of knowledge. “Please don’t tell me that you, head of Yenish’s bandits, didn’t listen to me nor her when we told you, Raijin, and Rokia about the hearts of the lands?! They have minds of their own and they will act in any way if they’re under stress.”

Kabu just looks at Hanchia dumbfounded still which angers Yenish to where she instantly grabs his broken left hand causing Kabu to yell in pain.

“Look me in the eyes, boy!” She demands. “Those hearts were our main goals to properly take control of the lands and they were to be drained of the essence from those ingrates and they would also act erratically. Once they were weakened, those doors would open, and you all were supposed to put your essence into them and take control of the lands! That was the initial objective to our goal and you’re telling you’ve forgotten?!”

Yenish tightens her grip which makes Kabu yell more in pain.

“Please, Lady Yenish…” Kabu grunts. “I apologize for my… incompetence. The last thing I want to do is fail you. I’m begging you please… to give me another chance…”

Hearing Kabu’s plea, green aura forms as Yenish holds his hand. Kabu feels his excruciating pain slowly fade away as she heals his hand and lets it go. Kabu then takes off the bandages and moves his hand with no problem. Yenish then grabs his face for him to look her in the eyes.

“Last chance. If you fail again, you will not walk this earth.” She warns.

When Kabu nods, making Yenish let him go and then look at Hanchia.

“You’re not off the hook yet, Gabura.” She states. “This issue initially started because of you!”

“Well, I can’t take all the blame, Yenish!” Hanchia retorts. “You decided to let him stay with us, so this is on you, too! Now, you want me to make it right for the both of us? There you’ll have to help me plan that.”

Yenish grumbles at Hanchia, but she knew she was right. “Fine!”

She then looks at Raijin and Rokia. “You both and Hanchia need to stand your guard when they come, and we need to get the other lands back and restart the essence process.”

The twins nod in response, then she looks at Kyoki. “Were you able to find Eris?”

“Yes, I did, along with her friends and Kai.” He replies. “It appears he has eyes for Eris… and so does she for him.”

Yenish hears the bitterness in his voice. “What do you plan to do, my son?”

“My initial plan stands on taking her. Nothing has changed.”

Hearing Kai has feelings for Eris makes Hanchia have an idea as she looks at Yenish.

“Milady.” She calls to Yenish, catching her attention. “I think I know what to do.”