The Queens of Good and the Kings of Evil

“Well - aren’t you confident in your honesty! I can see how you won the card design and cosplay competition with such a personality.”

Kana said as she blushed and giggled politely in compliment, patting the one of the arms of her throne as Kimi then smiled and blushed, making her way up the short flight of stairs, and sitting on the arm of the throne next to Kana. 

“You’re seriously too sweet! So - this alliance - I know it’s temporary, but I think we should discuss this: which of the *Kings* should we each take on? I’m thinking that since your powers are of light - you’d do best against that ultra creepy *Sorcerer King* who’s in the darkness fiefdom of the realm - and I’d do best against the *Slayer King* with the volcanic, ashen sand and ocean water fiefdom of the realm, since I can freeze the water and possibly glass the sand with flames! What do you think?”

Kimi asked as she leaned in, while making sure to maintain her balance on the arm of the throne that she sat on. 

Kana took a moment to think over what Kimi had proposed, and then looked back at Kimi as she nodded and smiled. 

“I can’t argue with your logic in terms of overall strategy and specific tactics alike. Alright, let’s do it!”

Kana said as she then looked to Kimi, while both of them shared a mutual feeling of satisfaction on terms of the necessary planning for the coming War of the Realm. Kimi leaned in and hugged Kana, holding her as Kana stroked Kimi’s beautiful, bright pink hair. 

“Ok - so I have to ask - before we ended up here, what was your life like? What part of Japan were you from?”

Kimi asked, as she then listened closely, laying her head in the armored lap of Kana, which was surprisingly comfortable. 

“I’m from Osaka, actually! My dream was to be a card designer and otherwise a fantasy artist! Hence, that’s how I ended up here: my passions. What about you?”

Kana asked as she then turned to Kimi. 

“I’m from Sapporo! My parents ran a cosplay materials shop on the first floor of the Highrise apartment building that we lived in. While I wanted to fully dive into that industry, they wanted me to go to the University of Tokyo, the University of Osaka, or Kyoto University! I wonder how they’re feeling since I’m trapped here now…..?”

Kimi said with a glimmer of glee, before her voice trailed and she looked off into the distance. Kana felt the same way, but she didn’t say anything - choosing instead to stroke Kimi’s bright pink hair more to comfort her. 

Meanwhile - a more sinister meeting was taking place. 

“Talk about sticking your head in the sand! Are you just going to spend your time here building sand castles or smashing watermelons on the beach!?”

Riku said with a sly, sinister voice as he chuckled to himself - standing in the borderland of his fiefdom - which consisted of lightly bubbling black muck, rotting bamboo, and ruins of what looked to be Japanese structures dating to between the Heian and Edo Periods, judging by their architecture and design. He looked at the border of his fiefdom, the other side of the border being a land of a vast ocean as an accent, with the main area bright a volcanic ashen sand beachhead. 

“And I suppose that you’re contenting yourself with thinking that it’s Halloween all day, everyday - and acting outlandish for the sake of attention?”

Minato said as he held his trident and straightened his glasses - his tone and facial expression showing that he was cowardly unimpressed with Riku. 

“TRICK OR TREAT!”

Riku said with a sarcastic tone and a sickening giggle and grin.

“No, I’m here because I want to propose an alliance for the coming War of the Realm. It seems better to me if we work together to get rid of the girls - I mean - *Queens*, before we have to inevitably have a clash that results in a bloodbath.”

Riku said as he stared into Minato’s eyes with a stare of pure evil, his eyes glowing black. 

“The chances of success for me are higher when I factor in your proposal. Done. Now - get out of my sight, I have preparations to take care of.”

Minato said as he then turned away back to his fortress complex - a network of structures that were volcanic ashen sand-covered cement and beach foliage. Riku smiled to himself deviously as he turned away to his own fiefdom. 

With the proverbial chess board set, the pieces were beginning to make their respective moves.