Chapter 9

After the others left, Keira stood in the throne room with Shun.

"Are you sure about this plan? I'm sure I could go to Tanten on my own to research while Rui and the others keep the kingdom safe," Keira suggested.

"I thought we went over this?" Shun ran his hand through his hair. "You can't do this on your own, Keira. I know you like to do as much as possible with help from Rui, and Rui alone, but even with the overwhelming amount of magic you have, you can't permanently fix the seals on your own. You need other powerful mages. The royal tomes even told us we need different elements."

"It's too bad it didn't tell us what we actually have to do."

"Indeed."

"But what will you do if a seal breaks while I'm away? What if the demons on the outskirts decide to try to move in?"

"As much as you are our dearest hero, we are not completely lost without you. We have an army to keep us safe. As for the seals... the mages researching in the tower assure us they can mimic what you do. It'll just take multiple of them to do it."

"So they think they can?"

"We will manage, Keira, and I won't send any of the teams out to scout the outer edges, either. Please try not to worry so much."

Easier said than done. "But to send all the strongest—"

"Because that's what's needed, and I'm not changing my mind. I need you to work with them on this. It will be a hard trip to Tanten, especially for an ice user like yourself, so you'd better prepare."

Ugh, why'd the original seal have to be there of all places? Dealing with the heat from Rui's fire can be bad enough...

Keira sighed, rubbing her tired eyes.

"Rest while you can, Keira. The coming days are going to take you on the longest quest you've been on in years." He patted her on the back and motioned to the door.

"Tch." She took off, her footsteps heavy.

"I'm sorry." Shun sighed and melted down onto his throne. "If only we knew the proper way to maintain them, you wouldn't have to go through all of this. You wouldn't have to fight so hard to protect everyone. May Tanten hold the key to save us all."

---

"You didn't hurt him, did you?" Rui asked, leaning against the wall in the hall down from the throne room.

"Of course not." Keira sighed, shaking her head. "You know I wouldn't hurt someone innocent."

"Well, he is putting more people in danger by doing this, even though it might be what's needed to save us in the long term." His head bobbed from side to side as he thought. "Such hard decisions to make at the top."

"Couldn't he have sent his second-tier? I know there are a lot of mages in the tower that could take this on. Heck, they'd love to go to an ancient city like Tanten to research, wouldn't they?"

"Ahem." Aki cleared his throat, peeking around the corner. "Technically, that would be me."

Keira's eyebrow twitched. "I thought you were a noble?"

"I am. I am also a 'tower mage', as you call them, though I must admit my experience outside of our kingdom of Matsu is quite limited."

"Have you ever gone out on a quest at all?"

He hesitated, wringing his hands. "Sadly, no, but I am a proficient rider, at least."

How is our group supposed to travel all the way to Tanten when they never leave the kingdom? I guess it'll be a rude awakening... "I have to ask, how did you end up chosen? How did they even know how strong your magic is?"

"Fiona. She used her powers to help scan the kingdom, and I was brought in before the king. He asked if I would harness my powers to save the kingdom, so of course, I said yes. I've always wanted to save people, but people never gave me much of a chance. I was always told how useless my powers are..."

"And yet you are the most powerful nature magic user around, and good enough to be a tower mage." Rui patted him heavily on the back, nearly knocking him over. "If Fiona of all people chose you, we know you're the right person for the job, so relax a bit." He squeezed Aki's shoulders. "You're too tense, and it'll tire you out quickly when we hit the road."

"Yes, sir." Aki nodded and took a deep breath.

"Sir? I thought I told you to call me Rui."

"Oh, right. Sorry, sir— I mean, Rui."

Rui chuckled. "Old habits, I suppose, but you'll get used to it. Anyway, I'm off to pack a few things and get a good night's rest. Don't stay up too late and don't pack heavy. Oh, guess I should warn Fiona on that one." Rui walked off, giving them a small wave.

Keira and Aki, left alone, stayed in silence, neither knowing what to say.

"Why does it always seem to be you popping up since my last quest?" Keira asked. Makes me wonder if our paths have crossed before, and I never noticed him.

"Hmm. Fate?" He smiled, a faint tint of pink on his cheeks.

"Unlikely..."

"Oh." His shoulders slouched.

Oops, I guess that was insensitive of me. She watched him for a moment and sighed. "Well, who really knows? You and your special powers could end up being the key to everything. I know you've already saved me once with your energy-sharing ability, or however you refer to it. Thank you for that."

"O-of course, it was my pleasure." He perked up.

Such a little puppy... "Take Rui's advice; get ready for tomorrow and rest up." She lightly tapped his nose and headed upstairs to her room.

Aki's eyes widened, and he touched his nose. "Did she just...?" He smiled, chuckling. "What a cute gesture, but what did it mean?" He stared down the hall in wonder, his heart racing. "I've got to help her in any way I can." He pumped his fists and headed to his new bedroom in the palace, compliments of the king.

---

My armour is ready, and my clothes are ready. Supplies should be set up for us already.

Keira sat on her bed and pulled out Wakaru's crystal again.

Should I be giving this to his sister? Or does she have one like this?

She had noticed Aria was wearing a necklace, mostly hidden under her blue cloak, but couldn't tell if it matched.

I wonder what their significance is... Wakaru never told me, but he always had it on him.

She ran her thumb over the crystal and saw a faint blue glow.

Maybe I should take you with me, Wakaru; I know you would've loved the chance to research in other kingdoms.

With the necklace on, hidden under her clothes, Keira lay down in bed, attempting to sleep.