I'm sorry, kiddo… but it's the only way we can ensure the safety of our kingdom," said the pro darkside knight, his voice calm but heavy with unshakable resolve. Without lifting a finger, a powerful red Renshical circle unfurled from beneath his feet, its vibrant markings stretching outward in a spiral of glowing symbols until it reached Bash and Jackson.
The energy surged, humming with ancient authority.
"Get on the circle, kid," the Shinra ordered Marcel, who stood a few feet away, frozen by the intensity of what he was witnessing.
Marcel hesitated only for a breath before stepping into the circle. Bash reached out, grabbing both Marcel's and Jackson's hands.
"Don't let go. No matter what. Leave the rest to me," Bash whispered, a reassuring firmness in his voice.
Jackson and Marcel exchanged a quick nod. The circle's light pulsed—and in an instant, their presence began to fade.
— — —
Meanwhile, at the border between the Kingdom of Eminence and the Kingdom of Sunflower.
Lyon stood in the shallow waters of a forest lake, naked from the waist up, rinsing away the dust of travel. The lake shimmered with a soft blue glow, reflecting the early evening sun filtering through the tall trees.
"Ahh… this feels good," he sighed, letting himself fully sink into the refreshing embrace of the water. He submerged his head, relishing the silence.
A voice interrupted his peace. "Looks like you're having a good time, partner. But playtime's over. Come on out—we've got a boy to catch," Sasaki called out lazily from a tree branch above the lake.
Lyon's head popped out of the water, visibly annoyed. "Really? You're killing the mood here."
"I already pinpointed his location," Sasaki continued, hopping down from the tree. "We can get there by teleportation or a series of switch-mode jumps. Your call."
Reluctantly, Lyon waded to the edge of the lake, grabbing his clothes from the branch. "Do you know the teleportation spell?" he asked, slipping into his cape.
"Yeah, it just came back to me," Sasaki replied, pressing his palms together. A red Renshical circle instantly flared beneath his feet as he concentrated his Renshi.
Lyon blinked in surprise, unsettled. How far will you go, Exca? he thought. If Sasaki regains all his memories… he'll use this spell for his own benefit. This is dangerous.
— — —
Far away in the Kingdom of Guhan, Exca laughed with closed eyes, his mind synchronized with Sasaki's.
"I love that disappointed look on your face, Lyon," he muttered, amused. "It's the greatest feeling ever. That face reminds me that no matter how far I fall, I'll always outmaneuver you. You can't beat me in my own game."
— — —
Back in the Kingdom of Eminence, Lucy, Alfie, and Rebekah are making their way deeper into the border.
"Master… Master, let's stop and drink water from the lake," Rebekah pleaded, looking parched as they approached the wooden bridge spanning the lake.
"No slacking, honey badger," Alfie snapped, quickening his pace. "We've got to keep moving. We're on foot—we can't slow down."
As Alfie attempted to overtake Lucy, she grabbed him by the sheath and lifted him off the ground effortlessly. "Calm down. We all need to stay hydrated," she said with a soft sigh. "I'm not carrying you if you pass out."
"Whatever," Alfie mumbled as Lucy put him down.
Rebekah looked around. "There's nothing to store water with. Master, do you have anything in your ring?"
Lucy tapped her storage ring and summoned three large aluminum bottles, handing one each to Alfie and Rebekah. They scooped up water from the lake and filled the bottles to the brim. After drinking, they crossed the bridge and handed the bottles back. Lucy stored them again, and they resumed their journey deeper into the forest.
After walking a short distance, Lucy suddenly stopped in her tracks. Without warning, she jumped back, grabbing Alfie and Rebekah by the hands. She activated switch mode, switching them a good distance backward.
Alfie and Rebekah stared at her in confusion.
"Master? What's wrong?" Rebekah asked.
Lucy's eyes were locked ahead, intense and alert. She didn't answer.
"Hey, master! You're crushing my hand," Alfie complained, trying to free himself—but her grip was immovable.
Then, with a humming sound and a flash of red light, a large Renshical circle appeared in front of them. From within it, two figures emerged—Sasaki and Lyon.
"Hello, kid. Time to go home," Sasaki said with a wicked smile.
Lucy's instincts flared. They're powerful… Their aura isn't as strong as mine, but they're dangerous. I can't take both head-on without a serious fight in my current state.
She immediately let go of Alfie and Rebekah's hands. "Step back. These guys aren't pushovers."
Sasaki's eyes briefly sparkled with interest. "Ahh… what a beautiful young lady. Shame she'll get in the way," he muttered.
Lyon, conflicted, tried to intervene. "Excuse—"
But before he could finish his sentence, Sasaki vanished in a flash—switch mode.
In an instant, Sasaki was right in front of Lucy, conjuring a red sword made entirely of focused Renshi. Lucy reacted just as quickly, activating switch mode to retreat deeper into the forest.
"Alfie! Rebekah! They're here for you! MOVE!" she shouted, summoning her own Renshi blade in one swift motion.
Without question, Alfie and Rebekah bolted toward her.
The battle had just begun.