Post storm

Olivia ushers everyone back home, a quiet procession. As they approach, King Douglas waits outside, his face etched with profound relief at the sight of his sons. He rushes towards them, arms wide open. Mukai, ever the conflicted son, instinctively steps away, a flicker of nervous defiance. But Douglas, unwavering, embraces both his sons, wrapping them in a tight, grateful hug. "Thank goodness you are safe," he murmurs, his voice thick with emotion.

Mukai, still anxious, looks up. "Aren't you mad because I disobeyed you?"

Douglas's smile is warm, genuine. "You are my son, not a servant."

He then turns to embrace his wife, thanking her for the timely and effective resolution of the matter at hand. Moto and Sheu, witnessing the tender family scene, exchange soft smiles. Najo, meanwhile, grins to himself, already conjuring a fresh array of insults for Mukai.

Moto, thinking to slip away unnoticed, is about to leave. But King Douglas's voice calls out, inviting them all inside. They enter the opulent house.

"Thank you all," King Douglas declares, his gaze sweeping over the young heroes. "This was all bravery. Your quick thinking bought us time, and the distraction you created made Olivia's intervention effective." He continues, "All of you should be rewarded. Ginimbi's boy, name it."

Najo's eyes light up. He claps his hands together, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "I want a rematch against Mukai!"

Mukai, bristling, scoffs. "I can grant that myself."

"Very well," King Douglas agrees, a faint smile touching his lips. He then turns to Sheu. "And you, young lady? What would you like?" Without hesitation, Sheu asks about the whereabouts of her father. The King immediately summons one of his guards, Aritri, assigning her to personally follow up on the mission and deliver the update.

King Douglas then turns to Moto. "How about you, young man?"

Moto pauses, thinking deeply. His gaze is earnest as he finally responds, "I have a question I desperately need answered. How can peace be established?"

King Douglas's amusement is evident. "Why does a young mind bother himself with these matters?"

"It would mean everything to me," Moto insists, his conviction unwavering.

King Douglas takes a deep breath, his expression turning somber. "It's a world too large to shift, and the people in it strive for different things in life. So that's impossible. We're only able to protect the ones sharing that bond with us. And that bond is what will lay down the ground for peace." The King continues, his voice gaining a regal tone, "A King protects peace at the highest level, uniting a nation on the common ground of shared history. My duty is to protect the kingdom from outside influence, borrowing the people's strength to do it. But on your scale, you can start by protecting your friends."

Moto ponders the King's words, his mind working through the implications. Douglas's perspective, that lasting peace is "impossible" on a grand scale, strangely corroborates Alicia's cynical view.

"You don't look satisfied," King Douglas observes, a faint frown. He squats down to Moto's eye level, his gaze direct. "Surround yourself with strong people, people with skills you lack." Moto glances instinctively around at the King's imposing guards. "And if you keep at it, you might reach your goal." These words of affirmation, echoing his own nascent vision, reinforce Moto's determination. He bows deeply, a sincere gesture of gratitude.

Meanwhile, as the portal snapped shut behind her, Alicia found herself in a chapel adorned with ancient gold and jade ornaments. She sighed, running a hand through her hair, trying to compose herself.

Suddenly, a sad woman's voice calls from behind her. "M-my brother is dead?"

Alicia whirls around. A short nun with vintage black skin, large, luminous white eyes, and a forced, unnatural smile stands there. She has seen everything.

"Of all the places you could have sent me, Sifiso!" Alicia snaps, irritation lacing her voice.

Dawn, the nun, mutters to herself, "At least he died serving the master's daughter. Yes, honorable."

A man's voice breaks the silence. "What's honorable now?"

Two men walk into the chapel. Dawn quickly executes a half-bow. Alicia pointedly looks away from them.

"L-Lord Chandler, welcome," Dawn stammers, her voice trembling slightly.

Chandler chuckles, a low, smooth sound. "I told you to stop bowing to me, you'll get me in trouble."

"I-I insisted," Dawn replies, flustered, bowing again as Chandler steps closer and gently guides her face up with a finger. She blushes furiously at his touch.

"You seem distressed, dear. Are you alright?" Chandler asks, a charming smile.

"Don't concern yourself with me, my Lord. My problems are not important," Dawn insists.

"Oh, cut the crap," Alicia interjects, annoyed. "Her brother died on the job, and now I have to start over. You can go back to your sky land now."

The other man, tall and silent, scoffs. "No respect at all."

"Yes," Chandler agrees, his voice laced with amusement. "Children can be like that sometimes."

"Mind your own business, Gir Hair!" Alicia snaps, a flash of irritation in her eyes.

Lightning crackles ominously from the man's hands.

"Calm down, Nawick," Chandler says smoothly, a hand on his arm. "She's not worth it. Dawn, dear, open us a portal before Alicia does something stupid."

"Right away," Dawn replies, already moving.

"You're taking a stranger up there before me?!" Alicia demands, frustrated.

Chandler merely smirks. "Go play with your sisters or something."

As they disappear into the shimmering portal, Alicia shouts, "I hope heaven's radiation kills you!" The portal seals up with a soft pop.

Alicia spits on the ground. "Bastard."

Dawn, her forced smile unwavering, sighs. "So ungrateful."

"Shut up," Alicia snarls. "If you weren't one of the Holy Ten, I'd make you take your brother's place."

Dawn says nothing, her expression unchanging, as Alicia storms out.