Chapter 19: Chiri Returns

After Kasai died, his guards fled, probably terrified of us. I don't know where they went, but they apparently left the underground because the Daichiites rushed over to us.

"Thank you! You have saved us all!" they shouted, some crying from joy.

We all awkwardly climbed down Kasai's dead body, not sure what to do. The crowd ran over and lifted us over their heads. They kept cheering "Our saviors!" or "We're free!"

We were finally put down. Once we were on the ground, the Daichiites looked at us expectantly. I looked to the others for an explanation. Yuri motioned for me to say something.

"Uh… hi?" I said, not sure what to say.

The crowd looked at me for a moment... before erupting into cheers again. Sure, we saved them, but was all this shouting really necessary?

"Uh… Settle down!"

The crowd almost instantly quieted. It was super creepy, but it made me feel powerful.

"I have a question for you guys. Have any of you heard of Kazan?"

The crowd started booing when I said Kazan. I guess my suspicions were correct. Kazan is the name of Kasai's planet.

"Uh… no need to get angry. I was… uh... just checking to see if you were paying attention. Your oppressors are gone so you can… go back to however you lived before. Any questions?"

A thin little girl near the front of the crowd raised her hand.

"Do you have a question?"

"Is the big scary monster dead?" she asked, looking a little nervous.

"Yes. The big scary monster won't hurt you anymore."

The girl brightened. Everyone cheered again. Some people hugged. Others started crying again. It was a heartwarming scene.

Suddenly, the crowd started to part. I tried to see who was coming through, but there were too many people blocking my view.

"E-excuse me. I-I need to get to the front," a familiar voice stuttered.

Finally, a girl stepped out of the crowd. She was hunched over since she was carrying a huge bag full of what looked like produce. She looked up at me.

"H-hi, Hana. S-sorry about earlier. H-here's your Seed back," Chiri apologized, sticking out the hand that was holding the Warp Seed she had stolen earlier.

I just stared at her in disbelief. It was really Chiri. She was back and she was returning the Seed to me!

"Where have you been? I thought you abandoned us!" I finally managed to ask.

"I-I'm sorry! M-my people were starving and I-I saw all the food Shizin had so I thought maybe the king would share some with us. I-I knew I would be useless in a fight so I-I thought I could gather food while you defeated Kas-. The dragon," Chiri explained, crying.

It all made sense now. That's why she took those men with her. She wasn't planning on taking over Shizin. She was hoping Kusumura would share food. Obviously, she couldn't carry it all by herself so she got those men to help her carry some of it.

"I'm sorry I doubted you. I thought you were planning something sinister for Shizin and that you left us for dead. I should have known better," I said as I took the Seed and hugged Chiri.

Before we knew it, the girls and I were dragged into a party, celebrating Kasai's defeat and Daichi's freedom. It was a spectacular party with lots of music, dancing, and food. Everyone danced in the streets and shared food from Shizin. As much as I wanted to stay and party, I knew we would have to leave and learn more about what happened to Kazan.

"Hey, Chiri! The girls and I need to leave now. Sorry we couldn't stay and party," I told the white-haired girl after I got all the girls together.

"R-really?" she replied, looking sad. "O-ok. I-I understand. C-can you come and visit every once and awhile?"

"Sure! I'm going to miss you."

"M-me… t-too!" she choked between sobs.

I turned to the girls. They seemed sad to leave the party before it was over too.

"Are you all ready?" I asked.

They nodded so we all grabbed each other's hands. I threw up the Warp Seed and said "Shizin." The warm light engulfed us. In a matter of seconds, we were on Shizin once again.