In Kai’s bedroom, Eris was sitting on a chase with her arms folded as she rocked back and forth while Kai sat on his bed.

“I had a terrible nightmare.” She speaks.

“About what?” Kai asks.

“… I was in chains. I don’t know where I was, but it looked like a dark void. I heard a laugh and… he appeared before me.”

“Kyoki?”

“Yes. He kept asking me so many questions. “Why do you fear me?”, “Why do you resist me?” Why this? Why that? Everything he asked, I did not answer. He then told me… he would make me his.”

Eris sheds tears as she remembers the event which makes Kai stand from his bed and walk over to sit next to her on the chase to comfort her.

“He even tried to kiss me, but luckily, I woke up.” She continues. “But when I woke up, I was sweating, it felt like my mark was searing my skin. I walked out of my room to see if I’d cool off, but that wasn’t working. Then you walked the corner, and when I kissed you… everything just calmed. My skin, my body, my head, everything. I felt like it was the right thing to do, because I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction.”

Hearing this makes Kai upset as he continues listening to Eris.

“Also, I don’t think it was just a nightmare, I think that was really him, because I felt his breath on me and the grip of his hand on my face and my hair.”

Kai processes everything that Eris tells him. “With Omakotaku’s influence, it’s possible for an entity to astral project themselves into someone’s subconsciousness. Yenish had done that to me from what I can remember…”

He then becomes upset knowing that Kyoki used Omakotaku’s power to attack Eris or court her against her will. But since she was awake now, he put the thought in the back of his mind.

“Eris…” He calls getting her attention. “If he ever comes to you again… think about all the ones who will protect you. Your friends, the safekeeps, my sister… and me.”

Eris gives Kai a half-hearted smile, but sighs sounding defeated.

“As of now,” She responds. “I’m scared of going back to sleep and being by myself. So, I would like to spend the night with you.”

Kai is surprised to hear her words and stammers. “Well… why not go to sleep in Marianna’s room?”

“I didn’t want to disturb her, since she was already asleep. Also, I didn’t think anybody was awake and I didn’t want to wake anyone.”

Kai sighs. “Well, if you’re going to sleep in here, then you can take my bed. I’ll sleep on the chase.”

“Well, that’s kind of you.”

Eris then stands up from the chase. Before she could make it to the bed, Kai stopped her by grasping her hands, because he could not help but think of her kiss.

“What did you mean the kiss was the right thing to do?” He asks.

“Well,” She speaks as she looks Kai in his eyes. “With what’s going on between us, I know you have feelings for me, and I have feelings for you. I don’t think we should be afraid of how we feel, nor embarrassed.”

Eris’ hands slowly intertwine with Kai’s to where he stands up and there was a moment of silence between them.

“You should get some sleep, Eris.” Kai speaks.

“Yes, I should.” Eris responds.

“There are things we must do tomorrow…”

“Yes…”

Eris did not want to let Kai go, and Kai was feeling the tension between them. As much as Kai did not want to let her hands go, he loosened his grasp, but Eris did not. Kai takes a deep breath.

“Eris.” He breathes. “Please let go of me before we do something that we’re going to regret.”

Eris lets him go walks to the bed to lay down while Kai takes a blanket from the bed and lays on the chase. They both become comfortable in their spots and look at each other.

“Sleep well, Eris.”

“Goodnight, Kai.”

They both drift off to sleep.

.   .   .   .   .

At the castle in Nora, Yenish looks out the window seeing the night’s cloudy sky and remembers her conversation with Ramon.

*A few hours ago, *

Yenish looks at Ramon with her hands together waiting for him to speak.

“There are two underground shelters that the Lord and Lady never told you.” He informs.

“Really?” She with surprise. “And pray tell, where do I find those shelters?”

“I will tell you, if I can bargain with you.”

Yenish raises her brow in suspicion. “And what is it that you want, monk?”

“I want back my position as abbot, and I want you to kill the current one. Asuno Zamora.”

Hearing this makes Yenish chuckle with amusement.

“Askari’s bastard son?” she asks as she continues chuckling. “Fine. You have a deal. Now tell me where the shelters are located.”

“The one where the monastery is located in Kyona. The one that hides the queen is in Momo.”

*End of Flashback. *

Remembering those words, she starts thinking on what she should do and wonders where the locations were specifically, until she felt a presence near her door.”

“Enter.”

The door opens revealing Kyoki as he walks into Yenish’s bed chambers.

“What is the matter, Mother?” He asks. “You seem to be in thought.”

Yenish looks at him. “Son. You’ve been able to make contact with the girl, right?”

“Physically?”

“No. Subconsciously.”

Kyoki was surprised that Yenish would know he could do that, but remembered he was Yenish’s son, and their powers are similar.

“Yes, only moments ago.” He replies.

“Were you able to see where she is currently?”

Kyoki tries to remember Eris’ location when he was in her dreams, but was distracted by his fixation with Eris.

“Unfortunately, no.”

Yenish growls at his response.

“However, I am certain that they are in Momo.” He adds. “I intercepted them near the city line heading into Momo.”

“Hmm. if that is so, then I want you to search the ruins of Momo. According to what the monk said, there is an underground shelter there. Find it.”

“Yes, mother. Also…”

Yenish crosses her arms waiting for Kyoki to finish his sentence.

“Due to Hanchia infecting the rest of the water supply, the Safekeeps are going to make their move on Haliae. I’m certain of it.”

Yenish’s expression becomes calm as she gives a gentle smile. “Thank you, dear. I will inform Hanchia and I’ll tell Rokia to get there at dawn to aid her.”

Kyoki bows his head and turns to the door to leave her bed chambers. “Goodnight, Mother.”

Yenish does not respond and looks back out of her window, balling her hands into fists.

“It’s unfortunate how these fools do not understand how easily Alpha’s power can be tainted. Omakotaku is the only power that can handle the distress that Elem has. If only they could fathom that…”

Yenish then has an idea on what she could do. “That’s it! I can make the Gadison girl experience Omakotaku’s influence since Furia’s too weak for it… good riddance anyway. With the Gadison girl not coronated as queen, she is an easier target for Omakotaku’s influence to take hold. And for Furia, she can enjoy my hex so she can be with her parents again. For Kai, he will be joining them soon.”

.   .   .   .   .

Now dawn back at the underground sanctuary, Oma was preparing herself for the upcoming battle along with Yurich and Xianchi in the throne room/foyer. Landon and Senuo came from the Oreads portal and Satori portal respectively and walked in the dining hall where the three were prepping.

“The soldiers are prepared and ready, and we have 875 in total.” Landon informs.

“Good to know.” Oma replies.

“How did you want them divided?” Senuo asks.

“They should be divided equally between Yurich, Xianchi, and I. Although, I wish I had more people. Due to the light shortages, I know Yurich wants to liberate Pamola…”

“Then why didn’t you ask us?”

Oma hears Kai’s voice and looks to the stairs and sees him, Eris, Noah, and Marianna come downstairs and into the dining hall, all dressed in their equipment. Oma shakes her head in objection to the trio joining the fight.

“No! Absolutely not!” She exclaims. “We can’t take them with us, especially not Eris! She’s the next queen and we can’t risk her safety!”

“Oma. Listen.” Eris speaks in a serious tone. “Have I not been training for a reason? I can’t just stay here and do nothing. I don’t want to be that kind of queen! No offense to Furia since she’s younger, but I will not become a damsel in distress. If I am to become queen, I want to be the queen that fights for her people!”

Oma could not argue with Eris’ reason, and looked at Marianna to get her to agree with Oma.

“You can’t change her mind, nor can you change ours.” Marianna comments.

Unable to debate about it anymore, Oma sighs in defeat. “Teens…”

“You know you have the same mindset, Oma.” Yurich retorts with a smirk.

Oma looks at him and chuckles. “Yeah, you’re right about that.”

She then looks to the four. “Alright then. If it’s going to be the seven of us, we need to split up. So, Xianchi, Kai, and Eris, you all are with me.”

The three nod in agreement.

“Then that means Noah and Marianna, you two are coming with me.” Yurich speaks. “And once we get there, we won’t be one person short, because Kaori will be joining us soon.”

Noah and Marianna nod in agreement with Yurich’s statement.

.   .   .

The seven reached the top of a hill in Momo, and were ready to move out. Oma, Xianchi, and Yurich all raise their hands to call their weapons.

“Kokoro!”

“Tanzo!”

“Momoku!”

Oma’s rapier, Xianchi’s sword, and Yurich’s daggers were summoned into their hands. Oma takes a deep breath feeling anticipation of what will happen soon, and looks to the others.

“Pray to Alpha that we all come back in one piece.” She states.

Everyone nods.

“Alright. Let’s go!”

Oma runs off along with Xianchi, Kai, and Eris following.

“Ovi!”

From a portal of fire, Xianchi summons her long orange red phoenix with feathers made of flames with a saddle for two with Oma sitting in back while Xianchi sits in the front. With Kai and Eris, Kai carries her as he jumps off the hillside.

“Amarok!”

The huge auburn furred wolf is summoned underneath the two where they mount the beast as it runs down the hillside to the ground. Ovi takes to the skies heading to Haliae while Amarok heads in the same direction on foot.

.   .

While Oma and company were heading north, Yurich, Noah, and Marianna headed west to Pamola.

“Lena!”

Yurich summons his pact beast from a portal of shining light revealing a long, giant, golden bird with long flowing feathers. Yurich jumps off the hill with Noah and Marianna following behind and mounting on Lena.

“Onward to Pamola!” Yurich orders.

Lena begins to fly in the direction of Pamola.