CHAPTER NINETEEN - OUTBREAK

A full week had slipped by since Mika and her companions first set foot in the regal, fortified Eden City. During this period, they were granted temporary refuge at the grand Eden Mansion, under the protection and guidance of Lord Eden himself. It was here, within those ancient halls, that Mika unearthed a truth that left her shaken to her core: she was, in fact, the long-lost Spirit Princess, hidden from history and even from her own memories.

Although the group had been eager to resume their journey beyond the city walls, Lord Eden insisted they remain longer. He stressed the need for careful strategising, greater preparation, and, above all, their safety.

Shinji, ever sceptical of delays, sought a private audience with Lord Eden. During their tense exchange, Eden revealed troubling news: the Luyas Knights had infiltrated the city in disguise.

Dressed as merchants and cloaked in deception, they prowled the streets, their true purpose clear—to capture or kill the elusive Spirit Princess.

Lord Eden’s personal guard worked around the clock to root them out, but until the threat was neutralised, Mika’s departure could not be permitted.

Shinji’s reluctance to stay wasn’t born of arrogance or mistrust, but of the looming shadow of his past and the risk of exposure. Eden was a political powerhouse, and Eden City itself was a beacon of alliances. Its size, reach, and strategic location made it a dangerous place for secrets to linger. What had started as a quiet pilgrimage between master and apprentice had grown into an exposed caravan of four, drawing too much attention to remain hidden.

His thoughts drifted often to Kai’s death—a wound that had never healed—and the guilt over Mika’s lost memories, a burden he carried in silence. Yet, despite everything, despite mounting danger and old wounds, Shinji remained adamant: they must move forward.

But Lord Eden refused to yield. The political ramifications of acting too quickly, of moving against the council’s judgement, of letting the Spirit Princess walk freely while hunted—it was a maze of diplomacy.

Outraged, Shinji retreated to the mansion’s gardens to calm his storm. He did not scream or throw punches. Instead, beneath the moonlight, he practised his marksmanship in silence. Shot after shot, his mind emptied itself into the motion. From a distant window, Lord Eden observed, amused, if only for a moment.

***

Elsewhere in the mansion, within the quiet confines of a grand bedchamber lined with golden drapes and soft candlelight, a pair of luminous green eyes stared vacantly at the ceiling. Mika lay curled beneath thick silken blankets. The bed was soft, the air cool, but her body refused rest. She twisted and turned, adjusting her pillow, struggling to quiet her thoughts. It was already three in the morning, yet sleep remained stubbornly out of reach.

She sighed deeply, rolling onto her side. So much had changed since her first encounter with Shinji. Not long ago, she had been a simple Knight of Luyas. Now she was royalty—a living key to an ancient legacy, a symbol of hope, a target. Her breath caught in her throat. It still didn’t feel real.

A yawn slipped past her lips, but her mind refused to slow. Questions about her childhood and her mysterious bloodline clawed at her. After her revealing conversation with Lord Eden, she had resolved to recover every piece of her lost past. Sometimes, if she focused hard enough, small flashes would come—fleeting glimpses, moments caught at the edges of her memory.

The day after that conversation, she had barricaded herself in the Heirloom Chamber. There, beneath rows of old photographs and dusty tomes, she searched desperately for a sense of familiarity. But the smiling faces, the celebrations, the warmth of long-forgotten events—they all eluded her. Nothing sparked recognition. After hours of searching, frustration overwhelmed her. She locked the door and collapsed on the chamber floor, tears soaking into the ancient carpet. Later, as she roamed the halls aimlessly, she encountered Shinji. He said nothing, simply standing at her side until her sobs subsided.

His words, spoken softly that night, now echoed in her restless mind:
"For every patient, there’s a reward. Take one step at a time, and it will come to you."

As the warmth of sleep finally began to brush against her consciousness, a sudden knock sounded softly at her door.

"Your Royal Highness?" A gentle voice called. The door creaked open and a Lady-in-Waiting, her face serious, stepped in and bowed deeply.

"Forgive me for waking you at this hour, Your Highness. Lord Eden has summoned an emergency meeting in the dining room. He asks for your presence immediately."

***

Within five minutes, Mika arrived, hastily wrapped in her thick sleeping robe, her hair tied up in a messy bun. The dining room was already occupied. Shinji sat with a scowl, lighting a cigarette, clearly annoyed at the disturbance. Kazuo was slumped over, face buried in his folded arms. Guy sat upright, hands clasped, his dark eyes scanning the room.

At the head of the table sat Lord Eden, masked as always, absently stirring a cooling cup of tea.

"Your Royal Highness," he greeted, his voice hoarse with exhaustion. "My apologies for the disturbance. Please, take a seat."

Mika sat beside Shinji, and a steaming cup of tea was placed before her. Her eyes shifted toward a pile of parchment—rough sketches and odd documents, some obscured by thick volumes. Her gut clenched.

Her gaze returned to the masked Lord, who now studied them with both hands under his chin. Kazuo awoke from his slumber as Shinji kicked his leg sharply under the table.

Eden leaned forward, folding his gloved hands beneath his chin.

"Let me get straight to the point," Eden said, his tone devoid of ceremony. "Luyas and Andania have been invaded by the Spirits."

Silence fell like a guillotine.

Eden arched an eyebrow, surprised by their stillness. Just as he raised his cup, all four stood in unison.

“WHAT!?”

Eden choked and coughed, covering his mouth with his sleeve.

What a slow reaction.

Recovering, he handed Shinji a scroll.

“What is this?”

"A message missile from Luyas," Eden explained. "The Spirit army has demanded the return of their Princess within three months. If she is not returned, they will raze the region."

Mika’s voice trembled. "Three months? But... we’ve already been gone longer than that."

"Precisely," Eden said grimly. "They’ve begun their assault."

Kazuo growled. "Why didn’t you warn us?! We could’ve—"

"—Done what?" Eden snapped. "You arrived barely alive. Should I have sent you back into the fire immediately?"

Kazuo fell silent, jaw tight with anger.

"We were just as blindsided," Eden continued. "Had Lord Ranfel informed us, we could’ve prepared contingency plans."

Guy’s eyes narrowed dangerously, arms crossed over his chest. "Your 'preparations' wouldn’t have included sacrificing Mika, would they?"

"Absolutely not," Eden said, his tone firm. "I said we would take all necessary measures. Negotiations might have been possible if the Spirits had come peacefully. Unfortunately, they did not. Worse—Lord Ranfel has hidden truths from us. He’s still hiding something. And that something might be related to how Her Highness arrived in Fulaina—years after the Great War ended. There are pieces missing from the puzzle. We can't accuse him, not without proof, but we must investigate."

Mika clutched her teacup tightly, her hands trembling.

Kazuo slammed his fists down. "Islez. What about Islez?!"

Eden answered carefully. "Islez is safe—for now. The White Wolf Clan was already stationed there. They’re protecting the village, stabilising the area. Even the Northern Kingdom has sent aid. We’re doing everything we can."

"It’s all my fault," Mika whispered. "They want me. I should return—"

"MIKA!" Shinji’s voice thundered across the room. She stared at him, eyes wide and glistening with tears.

Pinching his nose, he drew a long breath. Then, quieter: "What’s our next move?"

Eden met their eyes. "I understand everyone’s concerns over this matter. But trust us. Master Fye and I will do our best to manage the invasion. The reason I told you this is so you don’t let it weigh too heavily on you. Your mission must take precedence. Wouldn’t you agree, Lord Shinji?”

"Yes," Shinji replied.

"Good," Eden said, rising with a wince. "Now rest. You depart at dawn." He stretched stiff arms and back, his fatigue evident. At his age, Heaven knew he needed rest if he planned to stay up late again tonight.

The companions murmured their goodnights and retreated to their chambers, the weight of war following close behind.

***

After the emergency meeting, Mika returned to her chamber. Though her body was tired, sleep refused to come. She sat on the edge of her bed, haunted by the troubling news. Luyas and Andania had been invaded. Despite what others told her, she couldn’t shake the belief that it was her fault. She shouldn’t be here—not in Eden, not anywhere in Fulaina.

Now that her identity as the Spirit Princess had been confirmed, it was inevitable that those from the other side would come for her. Her own brother had already found her—threatened her.

“Just what the hell happened in the past?” she muttered.

A gentle knock pulled her from her thoughts.

“Excuse me, Mika. Are you awake? May I come in?”

She blinked. “Ah. Please, come in, Guy.”

The door opened quietly, and Guy entered with a small smile. He took a seat at the edge of the bed, facing her.

“Can’t sleep?” Mika asked softly.

Guy shook his head. “Not really. And you? How are you holding up?”

Mika sighed. “Still in shock, honestly. I need time to process everything Lord Eden told us. But don’t worry.” She forced a bright smile.

Guy recognised the false bravado but chose to play along.

“I see. That’s good, then.”

Mika tilted her head. “Is something wrong? Do you need something?”

Guy hesitated, then reached out and took her hands gently in his. The calloused texture of his fingers made her pause.

“Guy?”

He met her eyes. “Mika, I may not be as wise as Shinji or as protective as Kazuo, but I know you. I know how stubborn you become once you’ve made up your mind. Just like back in Andania—you went, even when your captain ordered you not to. You did it because your heart told you it was the right thing.”

He sighed. “As your older brother, I want you to know—if you truly believe you must return to Luyas to set things right, I’ll support you. Lord Eden and Shinji may say the mission must come first, but if your heart’s still back in Luyas, it could put everything—and everyone—in danger.”

Mika looked down, ashamed. She had been thinking about returning.

Guy continued, “But if you believe you can prevent this war… if there’s truly a chance, I’ll go with you.”

“Why?” she whispered. “Why would you go to such lengths for me? I’m not even your real sister. We’re not even blood-related.”

He squeezed her shoulders, eyes full of sincerity.

“Family isn’t always about blood. We grew up together. I will always love you like my little sister. Always. That bond doesn’t vanish because of bloodlines.”

He laughed softly. “Truth is, I used you as a safety net—an excuse to avoid facing Father after he turned me away. I lost sight of what mattered—my family. Luna and you. Before I left to find you, I swore on Mother’s grave that I’d protect both of you. I thought Luna would be safe at the castle… but I was wrong. Now that Luyas is under siege, I worry about her every second. But I couldn’t abandon you either.”

A tear slid down his cheek. He blinked, startled by the warmth coiling around his waist. Mika.

“You should go.”

“Mika—”

She looked up at him with a sad smile. “I’ll be fine. I have Shinji and Kazuo. And maybe... maybe it’s time you stop putting everyone else first. Luna needs you more than I do right now. So go, Guy. Be the big brother Luna needs now.”

He pulled her into a tight embrace. “Thank you, Mika. Truly.”

***

Hours later, at dawn, Lord Eden stood at the front gates of his mansion, surrounded by his guards and the young orphans Mika had brought with her.

Most of the children looked drowsy, rubbing their eyes and yawning.

“Why are we here, big bro? What are we waiting for?” Toma asked between yawns.

Rom flicked his collar, deep in nervous preparation. Unlike the others, he had showered, combed his hair, sprayed on cologne, and even ironed his shirt. He checked his reflection at least fifteen times, determined to impress Mika. Behind him, Lord Eden chuckled behind his mask, quietly amused by the boy’s efforts.

“Presenting Her Royal Highness Princess Mika of the Spirit World and her entourage!”

At the herald’s cry, the children perked up and ran to greet Mika, smothering her in hugs.

Lord Eden watched her with pride. The once-timid Princess had become a dignified young woman.

Ferid would be proud, Eden thought. Clearing his throat, he approached her.

“Your Highness, may I have a word?”

Mika nodded and followed him aside, letting the others keep the children entertained.

“Forgive my bluntness, but have you seen your brother Makai since your last encounter?”

She shook her head. “No. Why?”

“I received word this morning—he’s in the city.”

Her eyes widened. “He’s here?”

“Yes. He came through a portal. My guess is, he doesn’t yet know what’s happened. You must confront him—use this moment to win him over to your side.”

“That’s easy for you to say. I don’t even know what I did for him to loathe me.”

“Then ask him. You’re twins. That bond runs deeper than you realise.”

Mika didn’t seem convinced, but she nodded anyway.

Eden smiled and patted her shoulder. “It’s time. You have a long journey ahead.”

“Thank you, Milord. For everything.”

“No, thank you. For not giving up.”

Unbeknownst to them, someone else was watching.

Kazuo, red-faced and jealous, glared at Eden. Teeth clenched, fists tight, he turned to Shinji and yanked him by the collar. “This is so unfair! Why does he get private time with her? What’s he got that I don’t?!”

Shinji scowled and shoved him. “At least he’s not trying to devour her like some rabid beast.”

Kazuo huffed. “I’m a gentleman, thank you very much!”

“Oh, that just fills me with confidence,” Shinji deadpanned.

Their bickering escalated until they were wrestling on the ground, the children cheering them on. Guy watched the chaos with a quiet smile, the wind brushing through his hair.

Soon, he would leave them.

Earlier, he had gone to Lord Eden to announce his decision: he would return to Luyas.

To his surprise, Shinji had been in the room, already anticipating his choice. He requested a favour from Lord Eden—a golden express train ticket.

“Only the Oracle and I usually use these,” Eden said, handing it to Guy. “But I’ll make an exception.”

Shinji patted his shoulder. “There comes a time when a man must choose between duty and heart. I overheard your conversation with Mika… I knew you couldn’t stay.”

Eden extended his hand. “Best of luck, Mister Guy. We’ll reclaim Luyas.”

Back in the present, Guy watched as Rom tried to approach Mika—only to be blocked by a swarm of his younger siblings. Rom’s jealous glare made him chuckle.

He approached to say his goodbyes, then joined Shinji and Kazuo, who were now calmly talking with Lord Eden.

“Let’s go,” Shinji ordered.

“Then I wish you all the best. May victory be yours,” Eden called.

“Thank you, Milord. May victory be on your side as well.”

With that, the group left the mansion behind, the road ahead waiting in silence.

***

Somewhere in the ever-bustling and sprawling City of Eden, a young girl darted through the cobbled streets on a sleek, tri-wheeled electric scooter.

Her long, curly, rose-pink hair danced in the wind, tied into bouncy twin pigtails. She wore a sleeveless, dark blue vest-style coat over a light inner tunic, a travel cloak fluttering at her back, three-quarter-length jeans hugging her legs, and worn but sturdy travelling boots. A pair of protective biker goggles shielded her eyes from the dust and the rising summer wind.

Pulling over to a quieter corner, she powered off the engine with a soft whirr. Sliding her goggles to rest atop her head, she reached into her jacket’s inner pocket and retrieved a thin, rolled parchment map along with a slender, well-used pencil.

"Let’s see here," she mumbled, brow furrowing as she traced a line across the parchment. "I’m pretty sure I followed the directions correctly..."

Just as she moved to mark a point near the centre, the pencil’s tip snapped with a crack. She paused, blinking. Bringing it closer, she inspected the broken lead—there seemed nothing wrong.

"Probably pressed too hard. Meh." Rinda shrugged and tried to brush away the uneasy jolt that fluttered in her stomach. A chill tickled her spine, one she couldn’t quite explain.

Quickly folding the map and stuffing it back into her pocket, she adjusted her goggles and restarted the scooter. But something felt off. The wind had changed direction, carrying with it an eerie silence.

Far in the distance, birds exploded from the trees in a frenzied burst, wings flapping wildly. All around her, pedestrians froze mid-motion, glancing upward, confused by the disturbance.

Then, a scream.

Sharp, shrill, blood-curdling. It pierced the air like a blade, echoing from the direction of the South Gate Entrance.

Startled, Rinda revved her engine and wove through the scattering pedestrians, heart pounding. As she neared the South Gate, she slammed on the brakes with a loud screech.

A gasp tore from her lips, her hand flying up to cover her mouth.
There, like a nightmare made real, an army of monstrous, bloodthirsty Spirits loomed at the city gates. Their inhuman eyes glowed, grotesque forms shifting like black smoke and ash.

"How the hell did they get here?!" a man shouted in panic, bolting into the chaos.

Panic swept the plaza. Eden Knights poured in, barking orders and drawing their weapons. Above the din, loudspeakers blared:

"Shut all main gates immediately! Lock down the South Wing! All citizens—stay calm and proceed to the nearest Safety Zone as instructed!"

Despite meticulous training and endless contingency drills, true fear surged. The South Gate barricades buckled, then shattered with a deafening crash. Screams multiplied. Bodies shoved and scrambled, a tide of panic as people ran in every direction.

Rinda, still astride her tri-scooter, was caught in the surge. Her feet braced, arms locked around the handlebars as the crowd pressed in. Shoved from every side, her scooter wobbled dangerously—threatening to topple at any moment.

It lasted five minutes. That’s all the time it took for the city guards to wrest back control—but for Rinda, it felt like a lifetime. When the worst of the stampede had passed, she found herself scraped and bruised. Her cloak was in tatters, the surface of her beloved scooter marred with deep scratches.

“Damn it…” she hissed, glaring at the damage. She kicked the engine to life and sped off, veering toward the central square where the concentration of guards was thickest.

That’s when she saw him.

A tall, lean figure dashed through the street—a dark cloak flapping behind him, but beneath it, the unmistakable blue of a Luyas Knight’s uniform.

Rinda’s eyes narrowed. She fumbled inside her jacket and yanked out a parchment—her mission file. Scanning its contents quickly, she shoved it back into her pocket and floored the accelerator.

She pulled up alongside him.

“Hey, you!” Rinda shouted over the chaos. “Yes, you with the cloak! You’re from Luyas, aren’t you?!”

The man turned his head—suspicious, cautious—but didn’t slow.

“I’m with Lord Eden! I’m gathering intel on the situation at Luyas!” she insisted, waving her parchment.

That got his attention. He stopped abruptly. Rinda skidded to a halt in front of him, cut the engine, and shoved her goggles atop her head, trying to catch her breath.

Still wary, the man remained silent until Rinda pulled out her parchment and offered it with a steady hand. At the bottom, Lord Eden’s signature and his city’s waxed seal shone in the faint morning light.

“Our intelligence confirmed someone escaped from Luyas and requested Lord Eden’s protection,” she explained. “Only codename we got is ‘Blue Bird.’”

His eyes widened. “That’s… Luna’s codename.”

“What?”

“We each have secret codenames in case of emergencies. Mine is ‘White Horse,’ Mika’s is ‘Red Phoenix,’ and Luna’s… is ‘Blue Bird.’ If she’s the escapee, then—I need to find her. Now.”

He made to move, but Rinda blocked him with her scooter.

“Hold on, horsie! That intel was highly classified. I just broke a few protocols telling you that. So now you owe me. You’ve got to help me out, too.”

“Miss, I’m really sor—”

“No excuses! I’m heading back to Eden to report. You’re coming with me. Give us everything you know about Luyas. We need all the information we can get. Deal?”

He hesitated. From under her cloak, he caught a glimpse of a small dagger—its handle resting against her hip. She wasn’t bluffing.

He sighed. “Deal,” he said, extending a hand.

She shook it firmly, a sly grin tugging at her lips. “Hop on, Maestro. Name’s Rinda, by the way.”

“Guy Hearlets,” he replied, nodding wearily. “Nice to meet you… I think.”

Together, they sped off toward Eden’s inner gates—unaware that their chance meeting would prove pivotal in the days to come.