Emperors’ Showdown

Strikers are now in the sea between Xion, in Natronem island and Nameless island. The wind has inflated the sails and jibs, and the ship is moving at the full speed of seven knots (thirteen kilometres per hour) toward North. Minutes later they reached the midpoint of the K-X-J triangle; letters were the first letter of the capitals in the three islands nearby. “EVERYONE! Destroyer sail ships, off the port quarter, aft and off the starboard bow. One each from the three sides!” Knightin Gale yelled from the main mast. The crew got surprised. Destroyer sail ships were sailing ships with two or three ground decks, each with a row of cannons. And in higher class destroyer sail ships; harpoons or small catapults are placed on the above deck. Crew, mainly Noah got worried. “Strike, I know my ship. If a row of cannon balls hit this, it is the end.” Noah said. “THE END! I’ll show you which ships gonna sink. FOLLOW MY LEAD!” Mike shouted. After all, he was a ship lover. “What do we have to lose? Let’s do as he says” Strike shrugged, sighed and said. “As a matter of fact, we can lose our lives here. That is something to lose” Mike pointed out. The rest looked at him with narrowed eyes. The situation was a bit hilarious and terrifying at the same time. “Prepare for naval combat, buddies, blow off all on-deck lightings. That will make them harder to see.” Mike sounds like a commander for the first time in his life. The crew did what he said but... “Uh…Mike, today is a full moon” Strike pointed up. No matter if they blow off the lights, the moonlight is keeping the whole place lit up.

( Part one: Naval warfare )

Strike climbed up to the topgallant sail in the main mast. “Damn! I forgot. KAECY! THROW ME SPYGLASS, IT’S IN ONE OF THE BAGS” Strike shouted. Luckily Kaecy managed to find it in the first shot. “Here, CATCH!” Kaecy threw the spyglass to Strike. Strike missed the catch but gladly Knightin Gale didn’t miss. Strike grinned and got the spyglass and looked at the jolly rogers in reach ships. “Inverteds!” Strike alerted the others. “Inverteds!? But how?” Knightin Gale asked. “Yaeries’ commander or war-plotter is actually using and supporting the inverteds. The stem of those ships has the Yaeries’ crest carved.” Strike said. Mike used another spyglass while on deck. “Mike, what can you say about those ships? Are there any weaknesses against us?” Strike asked while on the mast. “I can’t say about their tactics but, from the looks of those destroyers, there’s no weakness against ours. Sorry man. I guess WE HAVE TO STAY STILL. If we try to move, we only get closer to the firing range. PULL UP ALL THE SAILS. DO NOT DROP THE ANCHORS.” Mike said in worry and screamed. “Don’t we have cannons?” Michael asked. “The lower deck has one row of three cannons each” Noah said. “Oh NO!” Strike talked to himself. “What now!?” Crew annoyingly asked. “Their attack pattern…It’s called either the BloodRed Hexagon or Bust-Kill Triangle. In short; BRH or BKT!” Strike said. “So what about it…I only heard about it is, it’s dangerous...” Knightin Gale asked. “It is an elite technique in inverteds’ naval warfare. Up to now, the ships encounter it only go to one place. The seabed.” Strike’s these words stunned the crew to the core. 

As Strike said, the destroyer ships went in different directions. The destroyer came from off the starboard bow, turned to its starboard side and aimed its port side cannons at Noah’s ship’s stem. The ship came from aft (behind) turned to, it's off the starboard side and aimed its port side cannons off the starboard quarter side of Noah’s ship. The ship came from off portside quarter-turned to its starboard and aim its port side cannons to off port quarter side of Noah’s ship; making the strikers stranded in the middle of the ocean. When one destroyer’s stem is connected to the stern of the other, a shape of a hexagon, and when destroyers’ main masts are connected, a triangle, could be seen from a bird’s eye view.

“Strike what do we do?” Knightin Gale asked, worried. Strike was unable to make a decision. “We have a probability to be escaped from their first round. The first cannon round is to check accuracy.” Strike said in a nervous cheerful way. “Then what if we kept turn-and-stopping?” Michael suggested to keep turning the ship and stop to misdirect the fire. “That won’t work with opponents like these. As I’ve been there, inverted trained to miss only once” Strike recalled his past and said. “At this rate, we won’t have time to hit any of them. We won’t fire accurately enough to do some damage, because we are SITTING DUCKS at the moment. They could land a hit while we turn” Nick mentioned. “Ships can’t sit, so…technically we are floating WOODEN ducks!” Mike said while nodding. The crew ignored this since his jokes started to feel casual.

The first round from each destroyer was fired. Luckily as Strike said, the cannon balls didn’t hit, but they managed to push back or tilt the ship. And fortunately,  the destroyer at the bow, which was having catapults was out of boulders. Strike tried to pull out the emperor’s sword but he accidentally touched the scale-shard of Zail. “We are not giving in here” He thought at that instant. Knightin Gale and Strike came down to the deck. Naomi and Kaecy hugged Knightin Gale. “What is going to happen to us? We were so close to ending this. Why now?” Naomi cried under Knightin Gale’s shoulders.

A second cannon round was fired. The giant water screenshot up around the strikers from the ocean, covering them from the cannons. The water screen blocked the cannon round. Strikers couldn’t figure out what was happening. Strike had a guess it could be Inferine but he remembered, Inferine went back a long time ago. Seconds later, the water screen disappeared by showering down back to the ocean. As a bonus, the ship was cleaned a bit. The moment strikers looked around, they saw that the destroyer ships were turned upside-down. “We…we…WE ARE SAVED!” Naomi suddenly cheered up.

The first light started to fall, lighting up the ocean. “Greetings!” Strike heard a voice. “You guys hear that?” Strike probed openly. “Hear what?” Michael asked. “Young challenger, only you can hear me because you have a part of my scales. Just think what you need me to talk with.” The voice said; which apparently belonged to Zail. Strike closed his eyes. “How did you find our locations” he thought. “Until today before dawn, I found out that since you only have a part of my scales which connects us, majorly because I’m partially a dragon; by wings, if I may say” Zail’s voice could only be heard by Strike. “So, if I took out the whole scale we won’t be able to talk…?” Strike thought for Zail. “It appears that way. I’m here to help you, as I now decided; whenever you are near to a body of water. I am the protector of all water. Remember? Continue safely.” Zail said and became silent. Strike sighed in contentment and opened his eyes.

“What’s the matter?” Mike asked. “Nothing, it was Zail who saved us. I and Zail had a rematch on the last night we had in XOULE islands. I broke one scale of his, which is this shard.” Strike explained and pointed the shard in his back. “Oh, I can imagine the whole picture up to now.” Knightin Gale said. “Nevertheless, hoist back all the sails. Keep moving on the course!” Strike commanded to advance the journey.

( Part two: Thanks for the cruise )

“Noah, what’s the direction we’re heading? And for how long?” Michael asked about the course. “For half an hour to North. Why?” Noah replied and questioned back. “HARD TURN TO NORTH EAST! If we didn’t change, we would be too late to change direction.” Michael shouted. “What’s the problem?” Strike asked. “Ahead, there’s a small lagoon-like area, but it’s not a harbouring area for ships. Sailors get trapped there. There are turbulent sea currents, and the wind isn’t predictable. More like a death zone for ships” Mike informed. “DEATH ZONE! HARD TO STARBOARD FORTY-FIVE DEGREES!” Mike ran toward the rudder, pushed Noah away and turned the rudder. The ship turned in the Northeast direction and their course went in between Ausika island and Nameless island. Nick informed that at the current course, the final destination will be the bay of Blue-Gray. 

After another half an hour slow cruise on the sea, strikers arrived close enough to get a glimpse of the Blue-Grey bay. 

The place was named after an incident that happened years past. During an attack by terrorists or inverteds, the enemy ships tried to get in by docking in the bay. The alpha in that age had given an order to cover the ocean within the bay with oil. So the allies waited till all enemy vessels gather in the bay and as a surprise, ignited the ocean. The strategy was so safe that, at the mouth of the bay, there was a huge coral reef that purified polluted water. Also, it had grown under the whole bay. So the coral even absorbed the oil at a really slow rate, over time. As a result, the entire coral reef under the bay turned into dark ash or grey colour. Hence, the place was called, the “bay of Blue-Grey”.

“Guys, prepare to dock this. We’re about to enter the bay. Stay alert all the time” Noah advised. “Wait! I have a plan. Anchor the ship here for a bit, before they see the sails.” Strike said. Mike and Michael threw the anchors. “NG, come down to topsail. You can still scout from there, just in case.” Strike asked Knightin Gale. The rest of the team gathered at the main mast. After the conversation, the ship entered the bay. The instant ship came to the middle of the bay; hundreds of flaming arrows came showering down from the sky. the sails, jibs, deck and the whole bay lit up in blazing flames. The flames generated a sky-scraping black smoke. The whole ship burnt to ashes.

Thanks to Strike’s planning and the ability to think ahead, the strikers were saved. They simply added dummies on the ship deck. Noah jumped last; after setting the ship to turn to portside and go straight. While the ship was burning, Striker’s dived under the water, and when the flames were about to clear out, they used ash colour painted short bamboo straws to breathe; so if anyone saw them, they’ll probably think of them as ruins of the ship. Strikers dived in an irregular form and at a really slow speed, so they won’t get noticed and arouse suspicions about the moving straws. 

All of them came out and breathed hard while coughing because they were exhausted from being underwater with short breaths. “Strike, how did you figure out they’ll kill us?” Naomi asked. Everyone, even Michael was questioned. It is not natural to know what the enemy ship is, who’s coming, who they are, etc. “I listened to what Michael told about the bay. It was ringing in my brain for a bit. While I was near the jibs, I saw blackish stuff floating on the water. I hanged on my legs to a rope connecting the pole with jibs, and jumped; then checked what was on the water. It was oil. That’s when I told you guys to stop the ship. Sorry, you lost the ship Noah…” Strike apologized. Mike was about to cry because the ship burned. His eyes filled with tears. “I’m not crying. THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT…uh…Noah what was her name?” Mike probed. Noah sighed and said, “Her name is, Silvage”. “THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT SILVAGE!” Mike screamed and saluted the burnt ashes of the ship. To support Mike, the rest of the team also saluted.

“So, what’s the heading?” Kaecy asked. “Straight toward the castle!” Michael said. “Alright, heading set. Let’s move people!” Strike commanded. “Uh…anyone knows the path from here?” Strike asked. They were close by four warehouses near the bay, hiding inside a warehouse, behind some crates. Michael smirked. “…” Michael didn’t have time to speak because Strike suddenly suggested he lead the way. Michael was speechless and his exciting speech wasted. “Follow me” Michael said and lead the team toward the castle. “It is time for the misery to come to an end” Strike said.

Strikers got out of the warehouse and headed for the castle, which was in Wetnez oasis. Michael was confident about his directions and the mission to end the war was now commenced.

( Part three: Dungeon shortcut )

“Michael would you mind telling us the whereabouts and some information about the castle” Naomi asked good-naturedly. “Sorry, I forgot to mention earlier that I am the captain in Yaeries’ ground forces of the royal army.” Michael’s statement made the others gasp. “Fact, we are currently heading towards a secret passage, made a century ago.” Michael said while leading from the front. From there left, there was a wall of bushes. From the front, they could get a glimpse of the majestic castle of Yaeries. Suddenly, a set of bushes opened like a door and Michael was pulled by a whip or a vine inside it and closed it. The team panicked. They went to the spot. “Stand back” Mike warned. He put the blade of the scythe through the bushes and turned it and pushed. “Staircase? He’s here, unharmed…uh…and landed no face. Ouch” Mike giggled seeing that Michael had fallen down hundreds of stairs, and unfortunately landed face down on the floor. Strike saw two strangers. He pushed the teammates into where Michael fell. One of the strangers noticed and came to the spot with the other. “I keep telling you, there was a door. Fine if there’s a door, my arm should go through unharmed.” Strike heard a stranger saying. Strike thought and put his back to the door. The stranger punched the door. Unfortunately for the stranger, his hand went through and hit the scale-shard of Zail. “SON OF A SARSEN!” the stranger cried out in pain. The punch was so strong that he fractured his own wrist by hitting the scale of Zail. Strike looked down and saw the terrifying looks of his teammates preparing to kill him because he pushed them down the stairs. “I’m your leader, right? You have to spare me” Strike nervously excused while grinning. 

“Wh…Who the…Who are you, people!?” A nervous female voice came from the darkest area of the place they fell. (from stairs. Figures). “We would like a proper conversation. Would you mind coming out near the light and introducing yourself?” Naomi kindly asked. “Uh…O…kk…Okay” the voice said. A lady appeared from the darkness. “Felicia!?” Michael probed in surprise. “Long time no see, Michael!” the lady said. “How to do…when…why’d…” Michael’s tongue kept twisting and making him almost speechless. Michael ran and hugged Felicia. “Example right before your eyes guys! Love is in the air!” Mike said while nodding. Kaecy slapped Mike’s head. “Moron!” she said. “Oh no, Felicia is my childhood friend, she’s already married” Michael said after greeting her. Mike looked down in disappointment. “Don’t get upset mate, friendship also is a form of love, isn’t it?” Strike cheered up Mike. “I’m sorry I pulled you Michy” Felicia apologized. “Michy?” Naomi and Kaecy questioned in surprise at the same time. Michael grinned. “Michy is my pet name, Fily is her pet name. I promised I’d never call her that after she gets married” he said. “I have a better question. WHERE IN THE ARCHIPELAGO ARE WE!?” Knightin Gale yelled. Felicia suddenly grabbed squeezed her chest and collapsed. “What gives!?” Naomi asked. “You see; Felicia can’t handle loud noises. Her ears are insanely sensitive. Please try to maintain a low volume, when you are around her. She even escaped death once by luck, because of the sound of a bomb explosion.” Michael described. “I’m sorry Felicia. Forgive me.” Knightin Gale apologized. “It’s okay…you didn’t mean it. I’m fine. Thank you for understanding.” “Oh yeah, NG for your question. We are in Auslika island.” Mike said casually. Knightin Gale’s patience was shattered at once. She attacked with her kerise. Noah jumped in the middle and blocked the kerise from both hands. Because if he used a sword, that sound might trouble Felicia. (smart move, talk about quick thinking). “NG, please calm down, pretty sure he was joking” Noah managed to calm her down.

“Guys! Follow us this way, this is a shortcut. We can appear directly in front of the castle.” Michael said. Michael and Felicia grabbed two lit-up torches to find the way. “Oh, and NG, the true answer to your question...we are in an abandoned dungeon.” Michael said. Strike suddenly got suspicious about Felicia. “Felicia, may I ask a question?” Noah asked. “Of course. Anything that I can answer.” She replied. “How do you know Michael was with us?” Noah’s question switched all the strikers to a serious mode. “Oh, there’s a lot happened while Michael left. He only told me. As he said though. Commander Thail and his platoon mates; who are now at the highest positions in the royal army, planned to kill Michael for betraying the chimera techniques. When I saw a ship burning at the bay, I figured it might be Michael and waited in here.” Felicia said. The teammates settled down. Except for Strike, who hid his suspicions away from Felicia.

A quarter of an hour later under the dungeon, the strikers and Felicia came to the exit. “Here you go, the exit!” Felicia pulled the door at the exit swiftly. It was a plane ambush. Poison arrow shooters at the door. “HIDE BEHIND THE PILLARS” Strike ordered to take cover. But unfortunately, Kaecy was shot in the leg. At first, both of them collapsed. The poison paralyzed the legs instantly. Strike pulled them before any more arrows hit. Felicia escaped outside. Michael was betrayed. “Oh, for god sake put it together Michael!” Noah yelled. Strike had an idea. Strike pulled out the emperor’s sword and shot it towards a pillar, a few feet behind them. Noah did as Strike asked. The emperor’s sword’s blade whooshed turning its directions three times by hitting the pillar, the ceiling, the floor and finally to the attackers. The attackers were literally slashed and thrown away from the site. (no one was killed). “Path is clear, GO! GO! GO!” Strike shouted. Naomi and Knightin Gale carried Kaecy. When they came out a shocked attacker was looking at them and trying to run away. “YOU COWARD! TAKE THIS!” Knightin Gale shouted and shot a tranquillizing dart at him.

Michael saw Felicia lying on the ground, stunned. He slowly approached and bent on one knee. Meanwhile, Naomi spotted that the castle is on the left side. And annoyingly they had to cross a long stone bridge. “Felicia, why betrayed me?” Michael asked but she didn’t reply. Michael sighed. “Guess I can’t trust you as a friend then. Farewell, former friend” Michael tried to desperately move away. Then she replied. “Alright! I’ll tell you. My whole family is confined in the inner dungeon under the castle. Thail told me to kill you. Or I’ll lose my family. You have never been in my shoe to ever know that agony.” Felicia desperately spoke while crying. Michael and the others were speechless. Strike cleared his throat. “Trust us. We’ll save your family and end this war. Or it could be vice versa” Strike cheered her up. “Alright. Mike go with her and take Kaecy to an infirmary as soon as possible. We don’t know the poison” Knightin Gale said while adding a few silver-green leaves to Kaecy’s pocket. “Then let’s head to the castle!” Naomi said. “Strike, stay alive mate.” Mike said. “We all. All ten of us MUST stay ALIVE. End the war, save lives, and live on! That’s the final order to you all yet, from me.” Strike ordered and the team separated.

( Part four: Alpha, Beta, Omega )

Strike took a glimpse of what was under the cobblestone bridge. The castle was built on a ridge from a deep trench. And besides, the bridge was white clouds and from left and right, they could barely see wide waterfalls. The strikers (just five of them) crossed the bridge and were now a few feet away from castle doors. There were two guards, guarding the entrance. The doors were so tall, almost tall as twenty to thirty feet. “Why do castles have such tall doors built very slim. There’s no person in the world tall like that! Giant, maybe but they can’t go through even though both doors are kept open” Naomi said. “All for the king, I mean queen’s amusement…?” Noah shrugged. “Actually this is older than seven centuries. In fact, all the castles are older than seven centuries. And only royal families know how old the castles are.” Michael said. “Now that’s fascinating.” Naomi said. The moment they reached the castle doors, the two guards cross blocked the entrance from their bisentos. Bisento is a weapon which is similar to a naginata; the shape and length of the blade are the only differences. “We need to meet her highness for an urgent situation.” Strike moved forward and said. The guards kept a straight face. “Get lost! The queen sees no one.” The guard on the right said. “You dare say that to me…” Strike tried to pull the sword into his belt. “Strike wait.” Michael said and passed Strike. “Gentlemen, would you mind letting us in?” Michael probed confidently. “Sir Michael…a…ab…absolutely not. Please enter.” The guards freed the entrance and the strikers passed through, into the castle. The castle interior was resplendent on so many levels. Thought this was everyone’s first castle visit; except Knightin Gale. The strikers gasped; again, except Knightin Gale. Who just sighed upon the other’s reactions. The guards closed the doors. Directly in front of them was the queen’s throne. One of the queen’s assistants (a lady) showed up. “Welcome! To the castle of Mesuiers. What do you people seek within these castle walls?” she asked. “We need to meet Her Majesty, Queen Yinsu.” Michael said politely. “Certainly,” she said and went to inform the queen.

 Minutes later, the queen came by from the left and sat on her throne. From right, five warriors came and two of them stood beside the queen. “Bow” Michael whispered to the team. The team kneeled on one and bowed. The queen granted permission to speak. Her face held no single emotion. (Eeeevvvviiiillll). Strikers stood up.

Strike was the first to speak. “Your Majesty, we came representing all the clans. Although five of our friends had trouble on the way and are now in infirmaries. What is your purpose of conquering the whole archipelago?” Strike talked straight back, like cannon fire. “Bastard! How dare you to speak to the queen like that.” Queen’s left side guard tried to attack. Queen raised her left hand and ordered not to attack. The warrior settled. “My purpose? To maintain peace under one ruler.” Queen said. “What’s the point of breaking a peace left for seven centuries to build another peace. That’s insanity at its peak.” Strike went on. “YOU DARE TO SPEAK TO THE QUEEN THAT WAY!” a warrior said. Strike saw one of the three warriors, in right, preparing to attack. Strike swiftly threw his emperor’s sword’s blade at him. Unexpectedly, the blade ricocheted after hitting the target’s sword. and the blade tended to move directly at the queen. “Crap! I don’t have time to retract this” Strike whispered to himself. The queen’s right guard just placed a shield in front of the queen. The cruel situation was that the shield intended for the hit the queen with the force of the sword; knocking out Her Majesty off the throne. “Her Majesty is unconscious!” the left-side warrior said. “Now you’ve done it. PREPARE FOR BATTLE!” the warrior who reflected the emperor’s sword’s blade ordered. Strike quickly retracted the sword’s blade of his. “So shall we take this outside?” the commanding warrior said and rocketed his blade at Strike. Strike blocked but the force threw him back, breaking the castle doors and off to the bridge. “STRIKE!” Strike’s mates, ran towards him. On the way, Michael dismissed the guards at the door.

The outside became darker. The sun was covered with dark rain clouds and the place started to see lightning and hear thunder. Strike hardly opened his eyes and stood up. He saw the entire blade of the attacker’s sword, slithering backwards to get retracted. “So he’s the guy with the emperor’s sword of chimera.” Strike said to himself. “You mutinied Michael! You know our power. Why don’t you give up?” Strike’s attacker said. Coming out of the castle walls with the rest of the four members of his team. “Let me politely introduce ourselves. Queen’s guards are Betas; Dean and Paradok. My name is Thail. These two are alphas; Alabaster and Raike. Choose your opponents.” Thail said in confidence with the battle to be commenced. “Then who might you be?” Strike questioned Thail. “I, Thail. The omega!” Thail said and shot back his blade. Strike dodged by pushing away the blade and ran towards Thail. “Don’t show your back to a lion, newbie.” Thail giggled mockingly. Strike looked back and saw the blade coming at him in mid-air. “What is this?” Strike was surprised and Thail’s blade went over Strike’s left shoulder. Make sure Strike won’t use his other sword. “BOYS WITH ALPHAS, GIRLS WITH BETAS. Omega is mine alone.” Strike ordered. “Affirmative Strike” Noah and Naomi said. Each of them had their own opponent. “Huh!? Just kill them mates” Thail ordered his team.

Mike cross-held Alabaster’s short swords from his daggers. “Long time, isn’t it?. Former comrade.” Michael teased him. “You imbecile; betrayed your entire clan” Alabaster fought back. Noah had to fight with Raike; a bisento wielder. Raike’s bisento had two blades on the sides of the staff, and the blades were connected to a chain, making it possible to throw the blades off the staff simultaneously. Knightin Gale finished her fight in seconds. She was with a beta, Dean. The moment he reached her, Knightin Gale dodged his attack and kicked his head and drew out her bow, pinned his hand to the ground with her arrows. But Naomi couldn’t finish her fight like Knightin Gale. Naomi had to fight with Paradok, who was far more skilled with his weapon than any other. “Die, Die, DIE!” Paradok screamed psychopathically. Because he enjoyed killing. Paradok’s weapon was a scythe, but not like Mike’s. (a living grim reaper eh? I see).

 “I see, you’ve never seen a sword with three abilities.” Thail said while attacking. His attacking positions, styles, and targets were unexpected. When Strike, blocked the sword from hitting his torso, the sword hit his legs. So Strike’s all senses were open and active.

Moments later Knightin Gale had defeated Dean, she heard ‘die, die, DIE!’ so, she went towards Naomi, who was cornered at the castle doors. And Paradok raised his scythe to kill Naomi. Naomi’s whole body was numbed in fear. Knightin Gale came and hugged Naomi. The scene made Paradok miss his target and accidentally knock them both out by throwing them to the nearest wall. The impact even made the wall crack. Meanwhile, Noah defeated Raike. But, Alabaster knocked out both Noah and Michael at the same instance. (Disciplinary Penalty! Foul play! STOP!). “Two chicks, one blood-thirsty blade with a butcher…DIE” Paradok tried to kill Knightin Gale and Naomi at once. Lucky for them, Alabaster came and stopped Paradok. “Killing enemy while unconscious? You’ll never be an alpha like this.” The words of Alabaster, made Paradok disappointed himself.

 “GUYS!” Strike looked back. “You sure confident about yourself to look away on a battlefield” Thail said while pointing the sword to Strike’s right side and shot the blade. Strike pushed the blade, but the force threw Strike into the middle of the bridge. “Look pal. We may be the bad guys but we won’t attack from the blind spot of our enemy. We respect tough noble opponents. But I’m sorry you are in my way to becoming the ruler.” Thail said while retracting the blade. “I see now. Queen is a puppet eh? Do you think you are the rightful ruler of the land? Just because you have a royal bloodline? Just because you have the Chimera’s emperor’s sword? You are a weak opponent to me. BECAUSE YOU ARE BETRAYING THE SWORD THAT CHOSE YOU!” Strike shouted. Thail was pissed. “Alabaster, Paradok! Do not engage! This guy is all mine.” Thail said. “Understood.” Alabaster and Paradok said at the same time.

Strike and Thail came closer to each other and fought without using the powers of the weapons. Their skills and strengths were even. “You know I had figured out your weapon!” Strike said, smiling. Thail was even more pissed. Both of them jumped back. “Your sword has an aim of a goat, strength of a lion and agility of a snake. To be even, my sword is the emperor’s sword of dragon.” Strike said. Seconds later, both of them rocketed their blades. Since Strike’s sword blade separates; the dragon’s emperor’s sword went around the chain of Thail’s sword. Strike turned hundred and eighty degrees to the left and aimed the scale-shard of Zail. Thail’s sword blade held still in the mid-air for a second and struck deep into the bridge. Strike retracted his sword, while it rolled over Thail’s sword blade. The retraction created a spark and huge lighting struck directly onto the middle of Thail’s sword’s chain. The two forces, although one was unexpected, succeeded in breaking the chimera’s emperor’s sword.

Rain began to fall. Thunderclap came after the lightning and woke up all four strikers. Thail was thrown over the bridge because of the lightning. When Alabaster and Paradok tried to help Thail, strikers aimed their weapons at them; too close they had no choice but to surrender. Strike was thrown a few feet back too. Strike got up and saw that Thail was about to fall off. Strike ran off toward Thail. “STRIKE WHAT ARE YOU DOING? WE WON, IT’S OVER!” Noah shouted. “A person who is true to himself, Act of a true swordsman” Knightin Gale admired. “THAIL, GRAB MY HAND!” Strike shouted and lend his right hand. Thail smirked. “I almost cut off your left arm, what makes you think I won’t do the same to your right?” Thail questioned. “Because I know how you feel. Don’t be stupid and just grab my hand. YOUR CHILDREN ASKED ME NOT TO KILL YOU!” Strike’s statement stunned Thail to the core. “What’ve I done for them?” he thought. And he lost his grip and fell. “What in god’s name STRIKE!” strikers said. “THAIL!” Alabaster and Paradok said. “Idiot!” Strike said and jumped into the trench. And at the same moment, he threw the sword’s blade. The blade hit and stuck to the bridge. Strike fortunately grabbed Thail. “Damn! I forgot to think of a way to get back up!” Strike said. The sword couldn’t handle both of their weight and got loosened up. “Temporary alliance.” Noah said. Strikers and their enemies ran toward the spot but the sword lost its grip completely. Out of nowhere, the ninja guy (the one they met in Jweyine island) came and grabbed a ‘chain’ part of the blade, because it was stretched. Even he couldn’t handle both of their weights. Strikers grabbed the ninja, Alabaster and Paradock grabbed the strikers and pulled together. A couple of minutes later Strike and Thail were pulled onto the bridge. Thail’s and Strike’s mates sat where they stood because of exhaustion.

“Hey ninja guy, would you let go of that?” Strike asked the ninja guy to let go of the sword. Strike retracted the sword. “Man, you are as stubborn as always.” The ninja guy said. Strike looked at him suspiciously. “What did you say?” Strike asked. “I mean you are stubborn…a…aaachchoo to jump off a bridge,” the ninja guy’s tone changed and Strike understood that he was faking the sneeze. “Fine, reveal yourself” Strike prepared to fight, without giving any notice. “Then you have to…” before the ninja guy finished, Strike rocketed towards him and kept the blade next to his neck from left. “Remember, in my home town, I’m known as the lightning avenger. When I asked something…do it.” Strike whispered to him. Ninja guy sighed. “I see you’re well-skilled, Brother” the last words of the ninja guy astonished Strike. He removed his mask. Then, Knightin Gale gasped audibly. “W…We…WIAEVE!” Knightin Gale screamed. “Who is this guy?” Noah asked. Strike lost the grip of the sword. the sword fell and stuck on the bridge. Strike hugged Wiaeve and cried to his heart’s content. The ones who were watching wondered what was happening. “But they told me you were dead! And the body was never to be found…” Knightin Gale said. “Maybe because I was saved by the enemy” he giggled. Strike pushed him back.

 “Uh…Strike, you better get the sword back before you, yet again, set the whole archipelago freeze.” Noah said. “Oops!” Strike stopped crying and took back the sword. The blade was a bit cold. “Ha.. ha…haa!” Strike laughed so hard in a spooky way. “You all really thought I cried. I never cry” Strike tried to hide his tears. “Let’s go back to the castle. Have something to show you.” Wiaeve said.

( Part five: All fair with love and war )

“I’m so sorry I did those things. Please forgive me.” Thail begged Wiaeve while going back to the castle. “You guys should pay for what you’ve done. I’ll ease up the severity.” Wiaeve winked to Thail. Dean, Raike, Paradok, Alabaster and Thail were brought back into the castle, with hands tied up and unarmed. Strikers couldn’t understand the situation. “Roxanne, Alice, if Her Majesty is awake, can you ask her to come to the throne…” Wiaeved said into the open air. Then two female voices replied back, “Her Majesty will arrive at the throne room shortly”.

After minutes of waiting, queen Yinsu came and sat on the throne. Everyone bowed. Queen was justly surprised seeing Wiaeve. “Wiaeve!? THAIL, WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS? You said Wiaeve died.” Her Majesty interrogated and gave permission to speak. Everyone stood up. “Your Majesty, I would be dead if not for Thail” Wiaeve said. “WHAT!” everyone gasped. Except for queen and Wiaeve of course. “If Thail chose a different squad to attack Blastrik island, there’s a good chance that I won’t be here. One of the attackers in the party was my apprentice and my cousin. He saved my life almost kidnapping me when I was about to die, to be honest.” Wiaeve explained the history. “Anyway, Your Majesty, for these mischief-makers; I ask you to give them heavy duties after court-martialling and prohibit practising any type of weapon.” Wiaeve suggested. “Wait, wait, I’ll get exiled than getting heavy duties.” Thail said and his teammates nodded. “I’m saying we should exile them to XOULE islands. We went there.” Strike said. “YOU’VE WHAT!?” Queen asked, surprised. “Fine, we accidentally drifted. The islands are protected by the beasts.” Strike changed what he said earlier, into lie. (now that’s devious). Queen settled. “Brother, I mean prince Strike, what are you suggesting?” Wiaeve asked. “PRINCE!?” everyone who was listening, even the queen’s maids cried out loud. “Your Majesty, your lost son Ace, who’s now named Strike Kin Ace. This is the same son of yours you left my late father to protect.” Wiaeve explained. Queen Yinsu, covered her tears. “Strike sure has Her Majesty’s style of covering tears.” Naomi said. “Now that you mentioned it, they both have the same eye, and hair colour.” Knightin Gale pointed out. “Anyway, MOTHER! I ask you to exile the imbeciles to Isle of Ecronz in XOULE islands!” Strike ordered and sounded himself as a prince. “Well, if that’s what the long-lost prince wants. Execute them all” Queen ordered. And everyone gasped. “I mean, Exile those five to the isle of Ecronz after court-martialling.” Her Majesty excused and ordered.

Then from outside… “TRIPLE ESPECIAL DELIVERIES!”. “Ragion! Now!?” Strike ran outside. No need to open doors since they are broken. “Ragion! What are…Mike? Kaecy? Nick, Sabrina, Zumi? And you guys too!? WHAT IS GOING ON?” Strike shouted. “A dragon in Auslika island?” Queen probed. “Not just him! You support less selfish beast, left us without saying,” Kydie (lion) said. “Now, now, don’t get worked up,” Kydie (goat) said. “An actual living chimera too?” queen asked in amazement. “I, I mean we came by because I, I mean we felt OUR sword had it.” Kydie (lion) said while excusing for speaking mistakes. Thail’s family reunited. The whole team of strikers reunited. Although Nick, Zumi and Sabrina got well quickly too. Natural to Kaecy to get well; too quickly. Because the quicker she unparalyzed, the quicker she can hit Mike.

“Wiaeve, how can I become a prince, after being the alpha?” Strike questioned. “Easy, you already passed the archipelago’s judgement, so you can earn back your royalty.” Wiaeve said. “You saying Strike NEVER KILLED ANYONE!? Strike is this true…TELL ME” Knightin Gale surprisingly asked and shook Strike from shoulders. “Well, I had to promise Wiaeve, that I won’t attempt suicide, especially because it’s useless and pointless and I won’t kill any person. The promise was effective I guess” Strike said. “Alright, in honour of the new ruler of Auslika island, we’ll be having a royal banquet!” Queen Yinsu said in enjoyment. “Let’s have the banquet but not the royalty please…” Strike suggested. “WHAT!” everyone gasped. Strike grinned. “I mean, I’ll have the royalty but, not the throne, not yet. I am the alpha of Haeicrols in Blastrik island. Can’t abandon them. I’ll return to the throne, when I find a suitable alpha and when you give up the throne.” he said in the confidence never changing his decision. The queen smiled in happy tears. “You sound as if your father is here.” She said. Everyone applauded Strike for his noble decision and turned to go back to the castle to enjoy the banquet.

“Just a minute people…ssssssssss” Kydie (snake) said and everyone turned. “Our sword isn’t destroyed yet, which means there’s another who’s worthy here,” Kydie (goat) said. “I don’t know how many decades should I spend to hear a word from you, without hearing you chewing grass. Don’t reply back saying it’s good for the body” Kydie (lion) was annoyed by the grass chewing sound of the goat attached next to him. Everyone looked at Wiaeve. “Wait, you don’t think I’m worthy…” Wiaeve said. “Accept it omega Wiaeve. The moment I heard you were sent to find prince Ace, the sword felt heavy for me. Though I kept betraying it for my selfish ideas.” Thail said while hugging his children. “Oh, and tell Felicia that, we didn’t take her family. We were using the fact that they got lost to lure you to the trap.” Thail informed. “Ah! That’s fine, we met them on the way. They were just at home. They were on a surprise secret trip and getting lots and lots of blahs.” Kaecy said. Wiaeve slowly approached the hilt of the broken sword and grabbed it. The moment he lifted the hilt, the broken parts slithered toward him and crawled up to his body and to the hand he held the hilt. Within a few long seconds, the sword rebuilt itself. The emperor’s sword of chimera was fully operational by Wiaeve. Then Ragion and Kydie took Thail, his family and friends to XOULE islands. And the rest, headed back to the castle, to enjoy a nice evening banquet.