Chapter One Hundred Forty-Three: Truth

Inside the Ballroom…

As Dachii, Marachii, and the others sat at the table with elegant desserts laid out before them, they saw their mother burst in through the doors. She rushed and immediately hugged them.

"You two! Are you alright?"

"Yes, Mom," Dachii stated.

"Yep! No cuts or anything!" Marachii added.

"Good! I'm taking you both home right now! Enough of this party nonsense!"

"Mom…" Marachii pleaded. "Can't we at least stay for dinner? The danger has passed! The guys that kidnapped Dachii can't come back!"

"You know how many times I've heard that?" she replied. "Too many! Especially from your grandfather! Now, home we go!"

"At least a few more hours?" Marachii begged.

Kia sighed. "Fine. But I'm going to remain here and watch you both. As grown up as the military might THINK you are, you both are still just kids."

"Okay, mom…" Marachii obliged.

Dachii just watched the exchange before nodding. Luca, Hikari, and Aoki were whispering something to each other, but they stopped when Kia glared at them.

"Now one second," Kia stated. "I'll pull up a chair."

Nakada walked up, laughing. "That woman, you can never tell her no. She's just like her father."

"Yeah…" Dachii thought. "Yeah."

Hikari plopped some chocolate strawberries in her mouth. "Well, we have more secrets to uncover, but at least for now, we're safe! Cult is trapped below the ground, and we haven't seen a Zharian in half a year!"

Aoki looked at her blade. "We can only hope."

Atomu sat at the table with Dachii and the others. "Even so, when they come, we shall be ready."

He turned to Dachii. "And I will make sure not to tarnish General Morino's legacy."

"Thanks," Dachii said.

Xar came into the Ballroom. "Dachii, Atomu, Marachii. The Queen has summoned you for dinner."

"Already?" Atomu sighed. "I just sat down…"

"You know how your mother is," Xar remarked. "Come."

The three got up and followed him to the massive dining hall down the corridor. Inside were Vashka, Alarax, Throme, and Malkrith, along with Queen Ayame and King Ayrad at the head. To Dachii's surprise, he saw Ayana and Akari at the end of the table, casually laughing and talking.

"One time, I had to fight off a KRAKEN! Can you believe how long it took to get its slime out of my hair?"

"I couldn't imagine," Akari responded, holding back a smile. "I value my hair too much."

"I like it," Ayana complimented. "It suits you."

"Thank you," Akari replied, her cheeks turning red.

"The heck is going on here?" Marachii thought. "Weren't they just at each other's throats?"

Everyone noticed the three walk in.

"Ahh, there you are!" Queen Ayame welcomed. "Please, have a seat!"

She gestured to a line of chairs next to her, and the three sat down one by one, with Akari and Ayana to their left. Ayana gave Dachii a hug with her free arm.

"Dachii! Did you know Akari and I are besties now?" Ayana proclaimed. "She's actually really cool!"

"I wouldn't say BESTIES yet," Akari murmured. "But thanks."

Dachii looked between her and the walker she had nearby, flashes of his own past coming back to him. She noticed it and immediately redirected his attention.

"Don't worry about that, I'll manage just fine with an arm, an eye, and a leg! After all, adventurers have to be prepared for anything."

"Are you sure?" Dachii asked.

She nodded and looked towards Akari. "Remember what we talked about?"

Akari started shaking in her chair as Ayana nudged her. "Go on! I think he needs it!"

Akari reluctantly got up and walked to Dachii… hugging him. Dachii's eyes widened for a brief moment before returning to their normal state.

"What is this," he questioned.

Ayana clapped. "Now the other one!"

Akari went and hugged Marachii before sitting back down. "She told me…to show more love to my teammates."

"Well, that's nice," Marachii remarked. "I've never seen you so…open!"

Atomu glanced at his sister. "Hmm, are you getting soft on me, little sister?"

She clenched a fist. "No. Don't speak of this again."

Atomu chuckled. "As you wish."

The king clapped his hands. "Alright. Let us begin our dinner. Xar, if you would?"

"Of course, Your Highness. The food will be right out."

Xar disappeared into the kitchen, soon coming back with a group of servants, all of whom laid out exquisite dishes in front of the attendees.

"Woah, this stuff looks good!" Marachii gasped.

Ayana picked up a piece of sushi and put it in her mouth. "Damn right it is! Wow, how much do you pay your cooks?"

Queen Ayame chuckled. "Just enough."

And then her demeanor suddenly became serious. "As you all know, the Obsidian Order still poses a great threat to our nation, and I would like your assistance with dealing with them."

Alarax grunted. "And why should we help you? They ain't after us."

Queen Ayame painted a bright smile on her face. "I believe working together, we can form a mutually beneficial relationship. If that appeals to you all?"

"What are you offering?" Vashka questioned, intrigued.

"We could share a portion of our resources," King Ayrad suggested. "Our Island of Umego is one of the most technologically advanced areas on the planet, and with the construction of our new Technodome to be completed in a few months, that will allow us to even further develop your regions."

He laughed. "So, it's a win-win!"

Malkrith glanced at Dachii. "And what role does this…boy, serve in your plans?"

Queen Ayame studied Dachii. "I'm a ruler, but I'm also strategic. Our enemies, especially the ones soon to come, are powerful, varied, and cunning. For them to risk so much in the pursuit of Dachii, shows how valuable the boy is. And with his display of power six months ago, even in an uncontrolled state, it shows his potential."

She closed her fist. "Which we will need if we are to survive. If this Order gets him, it'll annihilate us all."

Alarax scoffed. "So you want our help to save your own treacherous hides? Sounds cowardly to me."

"Brother!" Throme interrupted.

"What? It's true. They wage war and cause so much death, now when it stares them in the face, they want to hide behind us. Aren't you supposed to be stronger?"

"Yes, well," King Ayrad clarified. "We know next to nothing about this enemy, even after all our battles against them. If we can work together and spread our resources, we could create a new era of peace."

"My ass," Alarax muttered.

"Brother," Throme said. "This could help us restore our kingdom. At least think about it!"

"Whatever," Alarax dismissed. "Do what you want, but I've seen their power firsthand. Take them lightly at your own risk."

Ayana stood up. "Well, Your Highnesses, I accept your offer. I'll enlist my village and those allied with it to join your cause."

"My thanks, Lady Ayana," Queen Ayame beamed. "May I have the answers for the rest of you?"

"I'll agree if you can restore our nation to its former glory," Vashka stated.

"The same applies to me," Malkrith agreed. "My monsters and I have been in hiding for too long now. If you can change that, you have our aid."

"We'll accept without question!" Throme declared. "We'd be better off as allies than enemies."

Queen Ayame clapped. "How delightful! If you all don't mind, I'd like to discuss the terms of our agreement."

Ayana raised her hand. "Hey, Your Highness? May I borrow Dachii for a moment?"

"Hmm?" Queen Ayana wondered.

"I would like to tell him something, something important."

"Really—?"

"You can trust her, Mom," Akari interrupted. "She helped a lot in that Hallow mission."

"Alright," Queen Ayame obliged. "But I'll send a small faction of guards with you, just in case someone tries anything."

"Of course," Ayana bowed. "Come on, Dachii!"

She used her walker and exited the room, leaving Dachii to follow her.

Meanwhile, inside the Ballroom…

"Waddup people? Everyone's favorite General is back!"

Fujii walked into the Ballroom, a barrage of enthralled fans greeting him. The moment he stepped foot inside, hands pulled him down.

"Fujii! Fujii!"

"So cool! Ahh! He's really cold!"

"Sign my purse, please!"

"Forget your purse! Sign my dress!"

Toru, standing next to Nakada, Himelka, Shinjii, and Naito, sighed. "That old fool will never learn, will he?"

"He's an attention seeker," Nakada pointed out. "It's in his nature."

Fujii eventually broke free of the crowd and made it to the other Generals. "Phew! Those fangirls sure are hard to shake! How's things going, comrades?"

"Fine," Toru spat.

"As expected," Nakada remarked.

"Boring!" Shinjii complained. "No combat!"

"Have you seen my dad?" Himeka worried. "He's coming for me! I know it!"

Nakada put a hand on her hand. "Calm down, Himeka. He's over there with Hikari."

"But he's glaring at me!"

Nakada looked over to see Hayato giving Himeka a death stare. "That…that he is, yes."

Fujii noticed his squad sitting at a nearby table. "Where's the boys?"

Naito pointed to the exit.

"Ahh…dinner," Fujii realized.

Then Fujii pulled out a bottle of beer. "Well, let's get drunk!"

Meanwhile, near the castle…

Dachii helped Ayana into an ice cream shop where she waved to the young female shopkeeper.

"Hey there, Manaki!"

"Ayana!" the girl greeted. "What brings you back here?"

She noticed Ayana's condition. "Oh dear, what happened to you?"

"Just some battle scratches!" Ayana shot down. "That's all!"

The guards assigned to them waited outside, and one stepped forth to address Ayana. "The Queen won't like you two being away for long. Please take care of your needs promptly."

Ayana nodded. "Will do. Manaki, serve us up at that table over there."

She pointed to one at the far end, where someone was already sitting, their back turned.

"Got it!"

Dachii led her over to the table. "How…do you know that girl?"

"I met her while first coming to this place! She's actually really nice. She served me ice cream! And it tasted like the human kind! Not the souped-up Voltian brand."

They finally reached the table, and Dachii noticed who was sitting at it. "…Haruto?"

Haruto barely looked up, his body seemingly tense. "Hi, Dachii….you…"

He looked up. "You should have a seat."

Dachii stood for a moment before sitting down. Ayana sat on the other side, scooting it.

"What," Dachii questioned.

Ayana rested her hand on her head. "Haruto told me to meet him here once the Masquerade was done. I've already informed him of everything that's going on, including…"

She motioned to her missing eye.

"All to save some Voltians?" Haruto asked. "You've always been wary of them…"

Ayana sat up straighter. "Yes, but as you saw in the Arena, the Obsidian Order is much more powerful and can be much more dangerous. We need all the help we can get. Now what did you want to tell me?"

"I was kidnapped…by a member of the Order."

Dachii immediately froze, and Ayana appeared concerned. "Who? Why?"

"She called herself Runea," Haurto explained. "She said I'd be very helpful to her. She wanted me to spy on everything that occurred at the Masquerade, and the surrounding areas nearby. If I didn't…I don't even wanna know what she would have done to me."

"An Elite…" Dachii murmured. "Rank 10…"

"That's not all," Haruto continued. "She snatched me when I went to your house! There was a dead Voltian inside, killed by a blade! But that blade wasn't yours! Ayana, I have to ask…"

He looked her dead in the eye. "Are you an enemy of the Order?"

Dachii immediately recalled the sight from her room, back when he followed her to the cult.

"You're thinking of it, aren't you?" Ayana noticed. "What you saw in my room?"

"What was that?" Dachii asked.

She lifted her shirt, revealing a deep gash in her chest. "My blood. I wanted you to follow me. So I could show you the dangerous cult threatening your life. But I had to be secret about it. They have eyes everywhere."

She put her shirt back down. "And besides, if it didn't look like I got hurt, you wouldn't have been concerned enough to follow."

"Why show me then?" Dachii questioned. "If it's so dangerous? You didn't need to hurt yourself!"

Her face suddenly turned serious. "Because, Dachii…there are things I want you to understand."

She stared at him and Haruto. "Both of you."

"What do you mean?" Haruto asked.

"Dachii…" she spoke. "What's your opinion on the Obsidian Order?"

Dachii thought back to the events in Batango, clenching his fists. "They took my grandfather away from us. A good man. They deserve to PAY."

Ayana stared at him for a long while, seemingly reading him. "It's true…you do understand….!"

"Understand what?"

"I told Isamu about morals and ideals. As long as two sides represent different viewpoints, conflict will be inevitable. There's bad people, who kill, use, and destroy, and then there are good people, who help, understand, and protect. They can care, and they're not evil beings."

Ayana smiled at Dachii. "You're one of them. Despite their troubles, the others never knew you like I did."

"Ayana…what are you saying?" Dachii asked.

Her face became dark. "Your entire squad. Most of you, you're trying to do good. You, Marachii, Hikari, Luca, Saori, even Akari isn't as bad as she looks, she has a good heart…"

She clenched a fist. "And then there's the heartless ones. The ones that kill and ravage without a care who they hurt. And even still, they pretend to be good.

A tear fell down her face. "You know…Dachii, I like you. I really do. If it were any other day…I would ask you to spend more time with me…it's been so lonely…so, so lonely…"

"Why's she talking like this?" Haruto thought. "Is she planning to kill herself?"

The air became tense as Manaki came over with some ice cream. "Ayana! I got your favorite ready!"

Ayana seemed to pay her no mind.

"I've got a debt of my own to avenge. And nothing will stop that."

She looked at her friends. "Dachii…Haruto, one last time. Thank you…"

She stood. "For being my friends…"

The guards came in as Manaki set the ice cream down on the table. "Time to head back, the Queen insists—-"

Ayana's eyes suddenly glowed gray, and a black wave of energy emerged off of her, seemingly dispelling the curse. Her body began to regenerate, shocking Dachii.

"What…no!"

And as soon as her hand was fully healed, she summoned a blade of metal and diced Manaki into pieces, and as the guards immediately rushed her, she sliced them all as well.

"Ayana!" Haruto called out.

Her skin began to change to black. "I'm sorry…my name isn't Ayana."

And Zharians began to burst through the windows, as she sliced the entire building into pieces.

"It's Runea."

BOOM.

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