Paul: I'm back, everyone.
Ashley: You caught five out of eight already.
Paul: Something is wrong, Ezra.
Ezra: What happened?
Paul: We found Frostgard in Calanthor Realm instead of Zenithor Realm. Frostgard, tell them what you told me.
Frostgard: Someone is hunting us. They already have three realm beasts.
Kyle: Someone who is not Head of Creations tamed them?
Stellavore: No — Frostgard never said tamed; he said hunted.
Valot: No realm leader would dare try to take on a realm beast.
Ashley: Then who?
Paul: Why are you kneeling down, Rahm?
Nick: Showing my respect, my king.
Kyle: Did he just call him Rahm?
Paul: Why isn't Sai here yet?
Ezra: Have you forgotten, my king? Sai can't open a portal yet.
Paul: Go pick him up, Valot.
Valot: Yes, my king.
Kyle: Someone hunting realm beasts?
Paul: For now, focus on your training.
Ezra: Everyone to the training room.
Paul: I will be training with Stellavore, Flameheart, and Frostgard. Ombra and Felldor — you too.
Stellavore: A pleasure to spar with the king.
(Sai & Valot arriving at Aethoria)
Sai: Where is everybody? What's that sound?
Valot: It's the king sparring with realm beasts.
Sai: They almost killed him the last time they faced off.
Valot: Our king is growing.
Sai: Hey, Paul.
Paul: Hey, Sai — welcome back.
Sai: Thank you. Actually, I want to tell you something, Paul.
Paul: Yeah? What is it?
Sai: About my emblem — you said something about regrowing it.
Paul: Yes. But that's up to you. I can collect the other one from your cousin, but he's going to die.
Sai: I want to regrow it.
Paul: Then you need to do two things:
Experience fun.
Experience pain.
Sai: As for pain—
Paul: I know you've experienced it already. So it's up to fun, then.
(Announcer 🗣️: Everyone to the chambers.)
Ezra: Sorry, everyone, but I believe I know who is behind hunting the realm beasts.
Valot: Underworld devils.
Kyle: Devils? I thought you said no one can hunt them.
Ezra: Worlds outside ours can hunt them — probably to use them for foul means.
Paul: Which devil has them now?
Ezra: I don't really know. Our insider said the underworld is in chaos.
Ashley: So whoever took Pulsar, Agard, and Mara wants to win their little war.
Paul: I don't think it's a little war. From what I read in the history book, there are four leaders in the underworld, right?
Ezra: Yes, my king: Ukoballon the Strongest Lord, Valefar the Wisest Lord, Cremoneth the Wildest Lord, Valecton the Dream Lord.
Valot: Each ruler can destroy an entire realm.
Paul: So you want me to use the opportunity to seize the underworld for ourselves?
Usurper: You will die, my king.
Kyle: How did you enter the castle without me sensing your presence?
Ezra: How dare you utter such words to our king!
Paul: Enough, Ezra. Any suggestions, Usurper? Because it won't end like last time.
Usurper: I'm here to provide ideas, my king. Why don't you join forces with each of them?
Sai: Join forces?
Usurper: Yes. Each of us will join forces with them, then betray them.
Valot: I disagree.
Ezra: It's dangerous.
Ashley: You heard them, Usurper.
Paul: So how are we going to take them?
Nick: Nighma.
Ezra: What did you just say?
Nick: Nighma — that was his name.
Paul: Do you know him, Ezra?
Ezra: Yes, my king. Former lord of the underworld.
Paul: Do you think it's possible he's behind all this?
Ezra: Yes — probably him and the other rulers.
Paul: When I come back… for now, Sai and I need to go somewhere.
Ezra: Enjoy yourself, my king.
(SUMMER HOLIDAYS — Saturday the 8th)
Sakura: Hey, Fujimoto-san — over here.
Sai: You look beautiful.
Sakura: Thank you.
Akira: So — where is your friend?
(Portal opening)
Paul: Hi, Sai.
Akira: Hello — Nakahara Akira. Nice to meet you.
Paul: Alright — Paul Kirman Stark. Nice to meet you too.
Sakura: Let's go, Sai.
Paul: She does look happy to see you.
Sai: Aye.
(EPIC MONTAGE: Their plan for the next few weeks — exploring the city, trying new foods, and just chilling together. They kicked off their adventure at the local beach, where they spent hours soaking up the sun, playing volleyball, and cooling off in the waves.)
Akira: Hey guys — there's a restaurant on the rooftop. Wanna check it out?
Sakura: Sure.
Paul: Experience fun.
Akira: Hey Paul — want to spend some time with — never mind.
(DAY 14)
One evening, as they strolled along the riverbank, Sai turned to Sakura and said, "You know, I have been thinking…" Sai's speech was interrupted by an old lady.
Akira: That man just stole that old lady's bag!
Sai: Return the bag, you thief!
Paul: Okay. (Portal opens as Paul appears in front of the man and retrieves the bag.)
Sakura: Wow — you're a fast runner.
Sai: Here you go, ma'am. What were you thinking opening a portal in the middle of the road?
Paul: Chill out. Nobody can see it besides you.
Old Lady: Thank you very much.
Paul: You're welcome.
Sakura: What happened, Sai? You were shouting at Paul.
Sai: Nothing — he happened to do something.
Sakura: Okay. You were about to say something before you got interrupted.
Sai: Do you have any plans after finishing school?
Sakura: Yes, but it's a secret.
Akira: Today was fun. Let's head home, Sakura.
Sakura: See you later.
Sai: Bye. (Smiles.)
Paul: You should've told her you like her.
Sai: I'm going to fight a war — I don't know if I'm going to die or not.
Paul: Don't worry. No one is going to die.
Sai: I already told my dad about the war.
Paul: He's still in prison, right?
Sai: Yes — nine more years left.
Paul: By then you should give him grandkids.
Sai: Sure.
Paul: Let's go home. These two weeks were fun.
(Portal opens to Aethoria.)
Ezra: Welcome back, my king. How was your two-week break?
Paul: Fine. Prepare a feast — we celebrate today.
Ezra: Yes, my king.
(Everyone laughing in the dinner hall, eating and drinking.)
Paul: Maria Badway — tell us your story and why you ran from Calanthor Realm.
Maria: I'm sure you don't want to hear it.
Ezra: There is no story we would not like to hear.
(FLASHBACK)
Maria: Twelve years ago I met a man named Light. We fell in love — which we, sisters of the Nightworshipers, shouldn't do. I was sneaking out at night to see him every day. That day the priestess found out I betrayed the Nightworshipers. Light and I were sentenced to death.
Light: Our judgment is tomorrow. Let's go somewhere else, Maria.
Maria: Where do you want to go? The Nightworshipers will find us.
Light: Back to my home world — Earth.
Maria: How do we get there? Wait, Light — you're running too fast. Slow down!
Light: They've caught up to us already. What I'm about to do is for your own safety.
{ Elemental Release — Dimensional Teleportation }
Maria: What are you doing? I can't live without you — come, there is still time!
Light: Someone needs to close the gate. Don't worry about me. I love you and will always love you. Earth is a good place — you will love it there.
(Maria screams in agony as the gate closes.)
Maria: That's my story. (Crying.)
Ashley: Don't cry — I'm sure Light is happy to see you alive.
(DANGER — Dimensional Gate Opening)
Valefar: It's time to set the timer.