A Bitter Celebration

Victoria and Kielazar were sitting on the top of a roof ate a popsicle. Victoria finished hers and looked at Kielazar. He chuckled and held his out for Victoria. She brushed her hair behind her ear then took a small bite of his. He chuckled and she blushed softly. She gently punched his arm.

"You pervert..why would you hold it that low..?" Victoria asked.

"It wasn't my intention." He said.

"Yeah right.." Victoria blushed more.

She looked at him then at her popsicle stick. It had a joke on it and she read it aloud.

"What goes missing and never comes back...A dad..." Victoria read and looked unamused. "So they like hitting below the waist.."

Kielazar pat her back and smiled. She scoffed and turned away. He let out an awkward laugh. Kotome and Julia walked around heard Gloria freaking out.

"There's another Julia here!" Gloria said.

"It's a common name.." Julia said. "But since you're freaking out...just call me by my middle name, Izumi."

"No I mean LITERALLY!" Gloria pointed.

Kudan and Julia walked into the kingdom of Arthvia. Kotome got in a battle stance and glared. Izumi got her bow ready.

"Wait! Wait don't attack!" Julia rose her hands up.

"You are with the Holy Order...We heard about the new recruits..!" Kotome said.

"Calm Kotome." Lelita opened her eyes.

"Why? And where the f*ck were you the entire time?!" Kotome asked.

"I was at in the forest...I was listening to the voices of nature.." Lelita said.

Kudan and Julia looked at them. Izumi walked towards them and her eyes glowed. Kudan watched her movements and held his spear in front of Julia.

"So you're the other Julia..? You don't look like you're from here.." Izumi said.

"I'm not actually..I come from a different land altogether. I didn't expect to meet a second Julia around." Julia said.

"Just call me Izumi. It makes it easier for everyone especially Queen Stella..I don't want her thinking I'm some turncoat.." Izumi smiled.

"Ahh okay, I've heard of Queen Stella from afar. She has a reputation." Julia said.

"The Dark Queen." Kudan added.

"If you've seen how she acts, her personality and her title don't match..well from what I've seen." Izumi said.

"Mama's always had her wicked side..but she is one of the most respected royals in all of Arcania." Kotome nodded. "I would have Victoria to vouche for me but she's on her little date with Kielazar."

"I see..where even is Queen Stella?" Julia asked.

"She went off somewhere with her sisters.." Kotome answered.

Miyuna, Saya and I were at the lake blowing bubbles. Miyuna was blowing star bubbles and watched them float away. She loved stars more than anything..Saya blew cat bubbles and smiled. I blew little purple bubbles. We were sitting on the grass then Saya stopped.

"I'm gonna miss this...since we are at war with Zephyr now..we won't have time to play or have fun like we used to." Saya said.

"We will in the future..." Miyuna said, blowing her bubbles.

"What if there is no future where all three of us lives on..?" Saya said. "That's a future I don't want to live in.."

"If you two die...I die.." I said and looked at the night sky. "Family before anything else..."

"You can't Stella..your kingdom.." Saya looked at me.

"A Queen is replaceable, a real family is not.." I said. "You two are all I have that I can consider a real family."

Miyuna laid her head on my shoulder and Saya laid her head on my lap and I smiled at them. They looked up at the stars also and pointed out small constellations. I pointed at some also. We spent the rest of the night outside.

Meanwhile with Zain and Elulu, Zain dropped Elulu off at the castle and knocked on the door and vanished. His mother opened the door and saw Elulu and brought her in. He stood on the top of the castle and his scarf flowed in the wind. He looked at the sky.

"Stella..." He said and jumped down then dashed off.

Kotome was trying to call Zekuu but he wasn't answering. She was worried then called Adriesta.

"What's up Honorary Knight of Lunia." Adriesta answered.

"Have you seen Zekuu at all or heard from him?" Kotome asked.

"No..he said he went out to make errands but never showed back up." Adriesta said.

"Oh..well...thank you." Kotome said.

"Anytime." Adriesta smiled.

Kotome hung up her phone and paced back and forth then walked to Julia and Kudan. They looked at her and wondered what was going on.

"Do you both know who Zekuu is?" Kotome fiddled with her fingers.

"Zekuu..? Ahh..he is at Uphelia." Julia answered. "He joined the Holy Order."

Kotome looked at them then scoffed and smirked.

"You're kidding right?" She asked.

"I--"

"Don't f*ck with me! He is my fiance! Don't screw with me!" Kotome said.

"Why would we need to feel the need to lie in your face..?" Kudan asked. "He and other members of Lunia have betrayed Stella...They probably premeditated this...You seven are basically the only ones she can trust when it comes to the army."

"You're not lying at all..?" Kotome looked dead inside.

"We have no reason to lie." Kudan said.

Kotome sat down and looked at her ring. She closed her eyes and took it off and sat it on the table. She was in disbelief that her own fiance would betray her and Stella.

"I don't see a reason to join an army if you're just gonna go turncoat." Lelita said. "And people wonder why Stella has no light in her heart."

"That's not the only reason...she lost her mother in a brutal way..she fell into darkness, so far it's impossible for her to go back to the way she was...I knew how much she was in pain...I do everything for her...stay loyal to her at all times...only a select few actually stay loyal..then it turned into a whole nation. She has the Queen of Semilia and King of Fornus on her side..they are two powerhouses but she cares more about Lunia..and to have her people betray her..." Kotome sniffled.

"It doesn't matter now...they are your enemy...Their fate has already been sealed the moment they turned their backs on Stella." Kudan said. "You have your family still with you. You have many years ahead to think about love. Right now you are in the midst of war. Love isn't something to think about now."

"Yeah..but I lo-"

"Shut up. He obviously doesn't love you. He took the time to betray you, he doesn't love you one bit." Kudan said. "He used you..he knows what makes you tick..he knows what you like and don't like, he knows your strengths and weaknesses. He's gonna use all of that to deceive you. If you want to survive...you need to get stronger mentally and physically.."

"That's rich for someone who's been affected by the Dark Cell..and even with that power you aren't satisfied." Julia said.

"You are affected like Zain, with the Phantom Demon Cells. Why do you think you can use Phantom Weapons? You're just not fully developed while his body was taken over already. The only thing he has is his conscious." Kudan said.

"I know this..I can't let this affect my missions. Queen Stella is my savior. She matters more to me than Zekuu, but it just hurts that he would do this..." Kotome sighed.

"Sorry we are supposed to be celebrating our Victory..." Kotome said.

"There's nothing wrong with showing a little bit of sorrow from time to time. It's best you show it instead of hiding it." Julia said. "Tell you what, tomorrow since you're on your way to Fort Illia, we can make a stop towards the Kingdom of Wadastein. It's a beautiful place and a great place to relax since it's neutral ground."

"Really?" Kotome asked.

"Count me out." Kudan said.

"No sir, you're coming with us!" Julia said. "You're not going out to train this time! You're gonna relax!"

"Ugh...I hate you so much sometimes.." Kudan said.

"Likewise." Julia smiled.

Kotome smiled and they reminded her of me and Saya when we bicker. The only difference is Saya and I like to hit below the waist. Kotome looked at Lelita who was sipping on her wine. She was a bit excited for tomorrow.

"Before you go...let me share a few words of wisdom with you." Kudan said.

Kotome looked at him and listened.

"No matter what obstacles come in your way, that challenge is only as hard as you make it out to be. The harder you make it, the harder it will hit you in the face. This world is full of betrayal, misery, grief...but as long as you conquer them all you will gain power, happiness, and love. Do not let your obstacles stop you..do not become blind to the world. The only way you can succeed and overcome your obstacles is to see and understand the truth. See and understand your obstacles. See and understand your pain. The more you avoid them, the more blind you become. The more blind you become, the more you suffer. Your neverending suffering will lead you to your death. Always have your eyes open. Face your troubles head on. You aren't b*tch made. Life will not hold your hand...and you shouldn't allow yourself to fall into the hands of fate. You shape your own future...your life is yours to control. You choose your own destiny...make your own ending. Remember this always." Kudan said.

"I will..." Kotome smiled and nodded.

Kudan closed his eyes and Kotome got up and left the table. With those words she nearly forgot her pain and was ready to face against the turncoats. Julia smiled and looked at Kudan. Kudan opened his eyes and looked at Kotome.