At the royal castle of Magicae, Mikalae walks up a spiral staircase to his room at the top of a castle tower. He reaches the landing and opens his door.
"Mikah," Jivan begins while lying down, before he sits up. "Are you okay?" he asks. Mike closes his door and nods slowly while looking at the floor.
"Yeah, I'm fine. What're you doing here?" Mike asks. Jivan smiles and scoffs. "Well, I thought you would want company tonight after what happened at the ball," Jivan responds cheekily.
Mike smiles and walks over to Jivan. He pushes Jivan down on the bed, and as Jivan grabs Mike's waist, Mike kisses Jivan.
They continue to make out while Jivan begins to lift Mike's shirt, but Mike pulls away and smiles. "Let's slow down, for now," Mike says, sitting up to take off his shoes. Jivan sits up and sighs. His eyes glow pink.
"Mikah... so that explosion earlier was you. You did that spell before you've mastered it?" He asks. Mikah smiles confusedly and chuckles. "What are you talking about?" Jivan shakes his head lightly while squinting his eyes. "Your legs, let me see them," he says.
"What? No," Mike quickly exasperated. Jivan stands, "Show me, Mikah!" He yells. Mike sniffs and looks up at Jivan with his face scrunched, full of anger.
"I told you I don't like it when you read my mind," he says scornfully. "Well, I told you I don't like it when you use dark magic to harm yourself when you're angry! You promised me it wouldn't consume you, but you're letting it. Maybe the king can excuse you from the excursion. Maybe--"No!"
Mike yells and cuts Jivan off.
"I-I keep telling you it's fine, that I'm fine. I'm doing what I must to protect the kingdom. Why can't you just let this be?" he yells frustratedly.
"Because I can't let you kill yourself!
"For the past year, you've been training so hard, too hard. It's like you think you're in this alone, like you're already ready to die! And I just can't keep on seeing you push yourself. Especially when you don't have to anymore," Jivan concludes.
Mikah scoffs and shifts his face to the right.
"You seriously think my power level of thirty-four thousand holds a candle to the Dragon King? He badgered. "You mean sixty-eight thousand," Jivan responds quickly. "But still!" Mike shifts his face back towards Jivan. "He's too strong. Nearly every plan I create ends with my death, even if we win. If I win.
"So maybe you're right," Mikah says, voice breaking. "Maybe I should stop pushing myself, since I'm dying anyway," he somberly speaks with teary eyes. Jivan then hugs him. "I won't let you die."
Scarwa Maeidona/Slave Masters Island
Grayson and Hasan make a stop in the forest. Grayson squats down and pulls back the leaves of a bush.
"Come here, look," he tells Hasan. Hasan squats down and peeks through the bush, seeing a giant boulder surrounded by three human guards with swords. "Uh, what the hell am I looking at?" Hasan asks as he stands back up. Grayson chuckles. "This is where my mission ends," he responds.
Hasan looks at the boulder through the leaves of the bushes, then looks back at Hasan. "This?"
"Mhm," Hasan nods, smiling.
Hasan sighs. "How do we get in?" Grayson grins,
"You,"
One of the guards rubs his stomach and groans.
"Uhh, I'll be right back," he says, walking away, holding his stomach. "God, he's annoying," the female guard says.
"Oh! AAAGH! The first guard yells. The other two guards ready their swords for attack. They slowly walk closer to the bushes where the first guard had walked off, and the female guard shoves the other male guard.
"Go check it out," she says. He looks back at her, eyes squinting with a small amount of content, before he turns around and follows her order.
He uses his sword to maneuver around the bushes and disappears into the woods.
"Hey, where'd you go?" The woman yells out.
"He won't come back," Hasan says.
The woman quickly turns and sees Hasan leaning on the boulder.
"Who the hell- AAH!
The lady shrieks
She sinks into quicksand under her as she screams.
"Stop this!" She pleads.
Hasan scrunches his face in confusion, "This isn't me," he responds.
"Although," he continues and walks closer to her. His right eye glows a gold hue.
"I'm certain this is your fate. Seems your lifetime has reached its end," he intoned with a fiercely proud expression.
The woman sinks silently, with a look of bewilderment.
Bushes rustle, and Grayson comes out into the open.
"Hey, those guards won't be out for long, we gotta go," He says. Hasan stands with his back turned.
"Hasan, are you okay?" Grayson asks. Hasan quickly turns around. "Of course," he says, with both of his eyes brown again.
"Let's go," said Hasan as he walked straight with a look of determination.
~The Royal Castle Poslanice of Magicae
Eris walks up the spiral staircase of Mikalae's tower bedroom and stops at his door. He knocks three times and then opens the door.
"Wake up, Mikalae," Eris loudly insisted. Mikalae groans and sits up in his bed.
"Where's Jivan?" He asks with a drowsy voice. Eris chuckles and walks closer, "He's where you should be, training with Quweiene," Eris responds. Eris sits on Mikalae's bed.
"I'm glad you're still here, though. I need to teach you something you can use against the Dragon King. Tell me how much power I have," said Eris. Mikalae squints his eyes and sighs. "Seriously, I just woke up," Mikalae says, annoyed. "Well, I want to teach you this now. So, tell me my power level," Eris urges. Mikalae rolls his eyes and sighs.
"Your power level is 27,000," Mikalae said doubtfully. Eris stands and chuckles. "Yeah, now check it again," he says. "Ugh! I'm sure it's still- wait. It's 28,000, now 29,000. What's happening? Your power is constantly increasing," Mikalae exclaims, confusedly. "That's what I'm gonna teach you. "I'll teach you how to conceal your magic and spirit truly," Eris informs him, and Mikalae gives him a light smile.
At the Royal Castle of Astellan, on Ambrose Island, Princess Zoe enters Queen Sylvie's throne room.
"Zoe? You're supposed to be at Astellan Academy," Sylvie says, frustratedly. "I know, I know, but I was passing by Dell Sterum and... It's gone. The whole place is wrecked, and I haven't seen Ash, Aeron, or Jessica," Zoe says worriedly. Sylvie gently shakes her head and sighs, "Oh, no,"
Zoe chuckles. "Yeah, and if it couldn't get any worse, and trust me, it did," Zoe says, attempting to laugh it off, "Uhm, there has been a declaration of Great War," Zoe says quietly. Sylvie blinks uncontrollably, "Pardon?!"
Zoe's nervous smile fades, and she slowly turns around. "Guards, deluctier memsa," Zoe yells towards the door. The throne room's doors open, and a man with a scroll in his hand and a lion-sized fox walks beside him. He bows immediately once he approaches her.
"Queen of Astellan, it's an honor to be in your-"
"Enough," Sylvie interrupts, "The fox raven beside you tells me you're one of King Terraum's. Enlighten me on what has occurred in Gigantios," Sylvie says firmly, but respectfully.
The emissary exhales, "The Koroshi has attacked Gigantios' capital in search of Prince Hasan. They didn't get the prince, but they killed several generals of the Giant Army, and many of our warriors," He says solemnly before opening the scroll in his hand.
"Yuan Haido and Yuki Haido have declared war on the Great Realms of Magia Terra. To respond to the declaration of the Great War, the attacks on the Pervolsiman kingdoms, and the imminent attacks on Elvendor, Leprenovi, and Magicae, I, King Terraum the third Igete of Gigantios, summon the Ten Igetes for a summit. All Igetes must attend the summit at Idhun Isle, on the tenth of the Dark Month," the man finishes.
Sylvie's eyes widen, and she begins to breathe heavily.
"Mother, it'll-"
"No, don't say it," Sylvie says quickly. She exhales and stands from her throne. "Thank you, fair messenger. Tell me, where did you intend to travel?" Sylvie asks, faltering.
"I must go to Magicae, although there is a storm traveling down the East Coast. Perhaps I won't make it till morning," he responds. Sylvie's eyes widen once she hears the word storm.
"No, this isn't good," Sylvie whispers.
At the Crystal Shores of Mediocris City.
Ash and Aeron walk on a sandy path with giant rock walls on both sides of them. Ash inales and places his right hand on his left shoulder.
"The air here is... different. Are you sure Jessica is here?" Ash asks Aeron, shivering lightly. "Yep, King Eris' advisor said she's here," Aeron nonchalantly responds.
The squawking of birds and the smooth whooshing of the sea's waves come closer and closer. They reach the sandy beach, and ahead, Quweiene and Jivan spar while Delia stands back and observes.
"What the hell? Where is she?" Aeron asks himself. The ground below him and Ash begin to rumble, and a gold platform rises from the sand and lifts them onto the cliff.
Jessica is sitting on the edge of the cliff, staring into the sea.
"Whoa, she looks... down?" Ash says as a question, trying not to insult. Aeron doesn't respond; he simply looks at the sea. "You know, when Zoe is upset, I-" Ash stops talking once Aeron begins to walk over to Jessica. "I do that," he says, nodding proudly.
Aeron walks up to Jessica, and she turns around, looking up. "Hey," she whispers. "Hey," he says with a smile. He sits down beside her. "You're thinking about the Uncharted Isles, aren't you?" He asks, caringly. She chuckles. "Yeah, home. We Arealisans call it the Isles of Rakia, named after our goddess of stars and protection. The islands are our sacred ground, a place where Light Fairies will always be safe. I just want to know if my family is okay. Did they escape, or did the dragon Raito k... win against them?" She says worriedly, with her eyes looking down.
"Wait, Raito? As in The Dragon of the Thorned East?" He asks. "Dragon of the what?" Jessica chuckles. "Dragon of the Thorned East. My parents used to tell me a story of an ancient, arcane dragon who grew tired of Magicae's growing and warring society, so he placed mountains in the Zernon Sea, along the east coast, and shattered those mountains, creating the Thorned Sea Rocks. He then flew far east, never being seen again," Aeron concludes.
Jessica looks at the sea again in awe. "An ancient arcane dragon... that means he must've been stronger than he was letting on," Jessica says with a saddened expression. She sighs, then shakes her head. "I need to get back home. I have to make sure my family is alright. Make sure they're-"
THUD
Jessica's ranting is interrupted with a thud followed by groans. Aeron stands as he looks over at Ash. Ash is on his knee, holding his chest. "Ash, are you okay?" Aeron asks after running over to him. "No, I- who is that?" He asks, pointing at a floating figure who is meditating meters north of Jivan, Quwe, and Delia.
Jessica walks up behind them. "That's the spirit of the Sacred Tree. He's on the Dark Realm Squad with my brother," she informs him. Ash scoffs, "A spirit? I-" Sacred opens his eyes and looks towards Ash on the cliff, causing Ash to pause. Ash then stands, "We need to go to King Eris. He needs us three," Ash says suddenly before jumping off the cliff. Aeron and Jessica simply look at each other with confusion and worry.
Back at the Magicae's Castle
Eris lies on Mikalae's bed, using a white magic toothpick to clean his fingernails. Mikalae's black and purple wings are out, and he floats in the center of the room, meditating.
A dark purple aura begins to emerge from Mikale's body, and Eris sits up as it catches his attention. The aura spreads all around the room like smoke, then suddenly, Mikalae falls. The aura all across the room begins to fade.
Mikalae opens his eyes, still lying on the floor. "Did I do it?" He asks. Eris stands and chuckles. "You did it," he smiled and reached his hand out, helping Mikalae stand. "It took hours, but you did it," says Eris. Eris reaches out on Mikalae's bed and picks up a phone.
"You started at four and now it's nearly seven," Eris snickers. "Oh! Those boxes! I forgot all about them. But," Mikah continues, while he puts on his Oxford blue poulaine shoes, "If it's past sunset, I have to go find Jivan," Mikah decided. Mikalae turns around, heading for the door, but Eris places his hand on Mikalae's shoulder.
"Wait, I want to apologize," Eris says softly with a tone of guilt. Mikalae turns around. "I had my own suspicions about your relations to the Mediocris and Arealis Clan, but I never told you about it. No matter how unsure I was, I should've told you. I'm Sorry," Eris says sincerely. Mikalae looks away. "It's fine," he says, then continues to walk to the door. "You're not the one who should feel sorry, though," Mikalae whispers before exiting.
Eris sighs and sits back down on Mikalae's bed. He lies back and looks up at the ceiling. "I wish Henry hadn't chosen to retrieve the army with Deros," he says to himself.
Tap
Tap
Drip
Drop
Eris stands, hearing the sounds of taping.
He walks suspiciously over to Mikalae's doors to the balcony and opens them. He looks out and sees that it's raining.
Low rumbling echoes throughout the capital.
At the sound of thunder, Eris quickly steps back and closes the balcony doors.
"Jesse. Jesse!" He yells out. "Yes, my King," Jesse answers, speaking through Eris' mind. "Tell Deros and Henry to stop where they are until further notice, then report to me. The storm is coming," Eris warns. "On it, your majesty," Jesse responds. Eris then rushes out of Mikalae's room.
Jessica, Aeron, and Ash walk on the bridge, crossing the moat. Aeron looks up. "Is that an arrow?" He asks, and Ash and Jessica look up too. "Forget the arrow. Let's get in, I'm soaking in this gown," says Jessica as she runs into the castle, escaping the rain.
As they run into the castle, guards run out of the castle in formation.
Ash and Aeron look back at them in confusion. "That can't be normal," Ash says.
"You three," someone says loudly. Ash, Aeron, and Jessica turn and see Eris.
"You need to leave, now," Eris says firmly. He holds his left hand out, and a portal appears behind them. "They're here already? The Koroshi? If so, I can help," Jessica slightly rants as she walks up to Eris. "I know you can, but I won't let you," Eris declares. He waves his hand, and a whooshing wind lifts and pushes them into a portal.
"This is my fight, Jessicaria," Eris says to himself as he watches the portal disappear. "No," Jesse says loudly, causing Eris to quickly turn around.
"It's our fight. I've told Jivan about the floating Island on the northwestern outskirts. He should be taking Prince Mike there as we speak. I also took the liberty of informing the Four Elementalist of the threat and to stay on guard. Now all you have to do is that forbidden spell you've been thinking about," Jesse maintained.
Eris scoffs, and his face scrunches. "I've told you not to read my mind," He exclaims. "Yet that's the only way I can be the best advisor I can. So, will you argue, or will you do the spell and protect the Kingdom?" Jesse asks firmly. Eris scoffs, then smiles. "You're more confident... follow me to the balcony," he says after his wings appear.
Outsidethecapital, meters away from the Great Baron wall, Armani and Quin appear out of the bushes. "We've made it," Quin says softly. "Ugh! Yeah, and now this rain is pissing me off!" Armani yells.
"Shh," Quin shushes, "Your power will still work just fine. Specs of water won't do a thing," Quin assures. He then looks up at the thundering sky. "I sense dark magic about a thousand feet in the sky. The target has to be there," Quin speculates. "Cool, cool, cool," Armani says as he walks closer to the west city gate.
"So what you're saying is I can rampage?" he asks mischievously. "Do as you please, I don't care," Quin responds. "Tch, you cared yesterday!" Armani turns and yells. A whooshing wind then lifts Quin, and he yells, "Whatever," as the wind carries him away.
Armani turns back around. "Ugg! Confusing," he angrily whispers. Dragon-like wings grow out of his back and lift Armani. Once Armani is high in the air, he aims straight for the capital, but he's stopped flying backward.
"What the hell?" he asks. He looks at a white dome that covers the entire capital, even stopping rain from getting inside. The dome then disappears, only to become visible when someone attempts to breach it.
"You won't get through," Eris yells. He floats on the top of the dome, meters away from Armani. Armani face scrunches, and he growls. He flies towards Eris but goes right through him. Armani turns around and sees that Eris is gone. Armani growls even louder.
He then lands on top of the dome and bends a knee. His nails turn to claws, his veins pop in an orange glow, and his arm muscles swell.
"Ugh."
Ugh."
"Ugh!"
Bang
Bang
BANG
Armani uses his fist and continuously bangs on the dome, trying to break it.
BANG
BANG
CRACK
The dome begins to shatter, and Armani smiles and chuckles mischievously. He bangs his fist down, watching the cracks spread across the giant dome.
At the Castle, on a balcony
Jesse steps back with fear in his eyes as King Eris looks at the cracks spreading. "King Eris, wh- what do we do?"
"Eris?"