THE WEDDING DAY: LET THE GAMES BEGIN

Thank the heavens that El Padre and El Capitan arrived when they did.

With the kind of quiet authority only immortal martial warriors could summon, they stepped into the fray. They halved the weight on everyone's shoulders.

El Padre handled the diplomatic families with his silver tongue and velvet gloves. At the same time, El Capitan patrolled the perimeter with his hawk-like gaze, fingertips always just inches from his concealed dagger. Wherever they appeared, the atmosphere steadied.

Still, on the evening before the wedding, Mushu leaned wearily against the hallway pillar, glancing at the others.

"If I didn't know better," he muttered, voice dry, "I'd say we were prepping for a royal coronation."

Shi Min, eyes dark-ringed, didn't look up from his device. "It is, Mushu. You just haven't realized it yet." He said with a chuckle.

Pharsa chuckled as well from a couch cushion she hadn't moved from in two hours. "We survive tonight, and we'll make it to the altar alive."