The Slayer Queen Against the Solitude of Mourning

"I have to do this - I have to rule this realm, but I haven't forgotten you...."

Kimi said as she blushed and stroked the ivory cheek of the statue of Kana in her throne room, a single tear rolling down her right cheek as she then retracted her hand, using it to retrieve her sword and head downstairs into the main grounds where the armory and the forge were. Kimi then felt a shiver as she made her way onto that ground - the silence piercing her senses as she began ti recall the sounds and sights of the battle that had occurred the day prior. 

"I can still see their faces and hear the sounds of combat - this silence is -"

Kimi said to herself as she was cut off by Akio, who silently swopped down in front of her in his wingless dragon form. 

"Overwhelming. I know, as it took Akira centuries to overcome that very same feeling when he was in your position."

Akio said, finishing her sentence for her, though there was a noticeable warmth in his voice that made Kimi nod and want to speak, but she couldn't muster any words, all she could do was communicate through her body language and facial expressions. 

"I don't know what to say - I just - I don't know how to rule. Well, also, how will I handle going from this world to my world, back to Japan specifically?"

Kimi asked as she looked up at Akio, who looked back at her with a concentrated look in his dragon eyes.

"The powers that now run through your veins and your psyche - transferred to you from Akira, will allow you to go travel between the worlds. Fear not, you're more than human but not yet immortal - so you'll be secure in this new endeavor."

Akio responded, looking deeply into Kimi's eyes. Kimi gazed back at him considering what he meant, while also wondering what her life of going between these two worlds would look like?

"So - are you saying that I'll be succeeding Akira as the CEO of Imagination and Illusions Inc, in charge of the Sorcerers and Slayers card game? I'm only eighteen though, I'm a Senior in high school - I was preparing for entrance exams for the University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, and the University of Osaka. How am I supposed handle ruling this realm and handling a major corporation and being well, me?"

Kimi asked as she caught her breath, sighing and then yielding to Akio, looking at him with a hint of desperation and longing - wondering how she was supposed to move forward with complete assuredness?

"Take heed in the powers of the old - I like my brethren, are older than humanity, even the concept of time itself. You need not worry - for even traveling between the worlds, you'll see that all is well, and that all is stable."

Akio replied - their shared psychic conversation carrying a great deal of weight, while also having a certain air of comfort in its shared level of honesty and emotional depth. 

"So you're saying that I'll be able to just - carry on?"

Kimi asked, wanting to clarify this nearly overwhelming information, as she stood there, resting her sword at her side carefully.

"Yes, Slayer Queen. All you have to do is will it. Go ahead - close your eyes and imagine being in the top floor suite boardroom of the Imagination and Illusions Inc boardroom."

Akio said, as Kimi then followed his instructions. Soon enough, they were both in the boardroom in Tokyo, with her in a pink and white, skirt business suit and high heels - the proper attire for an "Office Lady" of such status! Akio had changed into his human form, his suit, tie, shirt, and jewel on his tie matching the colors of his dragon form - as Akira had seen before he called forth Kimi and the others not so long ago from that same boardroom. Kimi looked around, then at herself, and then at Akio. 

"You weren't exaggerating - not even a little bit I see. Can I - can I go home?"

Kimi asked, then internally worrying about what her parents would say and do, since she had unexpectedly been sent to another world, where she had subsequently won a medieval fantasy war that was the result of a magical trading card game come to life!

"Yes - and don't worry about that your parents will say or do - as I can sense the unease of such a feeling in your thoughts."

Akio said in his human form as he pressed the jewel on his tie between his right index finger and his thumb - before nodding to Kimi.

"It's done - their memories have been wiped and reset to the day before you were brought to the other world. Such is the power of these jewels - the sources of my, Haruto's, Aoto's, and Sota's powers. So, worry not, Slayer Queen."

Akio said psychically to Kimi as they continued their silent conversation, while Kimi uttered a sigh of relief as an understandable natural reaction. 

"So, that's it? Just like that? Ok...."

Kimi said as she then wanted to test her new and improved powers, and so she closed her eyes, imagining herself back in her school uniform with her short skirt and thigh high stockings. When she opened her eyes, she'd returned to this outfit, which elicited a smile and a blush from her.

"So do I have a curfew or anything?"

Kimi asked psychically to Akio.

"No, all you have to do is carry on your daily activities. And don't worry about those entrance exams - those will be taken care of for you in the end. All you have to do is take them, and keep going - just - make sure to return to the other world, the Primordial Elemental Elder Realm on your free time to ensure that you learn how to rule and to prepare for the next War of the Realm. In this day and age of humanity - your destiny will approach far faster than one thousand years."

Akio said as Kimi bowed to him in his human form, as she took in what she said. She didn't feel ready, but she had felt a level of acceptance for her fate at that moment that was greater than anything that she'd felt thus far.