“Are you all right?” Christina asked me, and I blinked, nodding, getting back to what we were doing. The person in front of me, a middle-aged man of Caucasian in, was looking at me, a trace of fear in his blue eyes.

  “You’re smiling. Good news?” Christina pressed, and reflexively I touched my face, to realise I was indeed smiling. Of course I am. I’m excited, nervous, unsure, my emotions are a mess. But… I’m happy.

  “Yes, ued but good. But that’s not important now.” I tio address the man in front of me. “So, you’re not sure what happeo you over the st few months?”

  “No… I… it’s all a blur.” The man said, looking a touch vat, and his expressiorayed a nervousness even he perhaps wasn’t aware of the cause of. “I… well, they said I’d been in an act and required rehabilitation. I don’t know why I’m here though. This is Japan, right? You’re Japahough ylish is great.” The man said, impressed.

  I turo Christina, whed, clearly unwilling to speak further in front of the victims, so I tinued my kind questioning, my Eye shining brilliantly. On seeing that the returned citizens were surprised, but not shocked, as they obviously still remembered they had abilities of their own. I expi was to help me check their ditions, and they all calmed down, though again their unease and fear seeped through, bodies trembling, eyes downcast. I guess even removing memories doesirely erase the traumas. Definitely going to need Haru on this one, once she’s finished dealing with the Korean situation. Haru was flying back for the big meeting this evening, though then she would be back to Korea for a few more days, as the victims of useon were also extremely traumatised.

  “Yes, you’re here as I have special skills.” I finished. “But soon you’ll be able to go home, see your families again. Maybe in a week or two. In the meantime we’ll make sure you’re fortable. Might as well see some sights while you’re here, no? Japan’s a nice try.”

  “Yeah… thanks.” The man said, and I moved onto the oer a while, a Japanese woman ie twenties. We exged pleasantries, but she was also still very fused, and ed about her family, as she was the caretaker for her parents who weren’t healthy.

  “We’ve made provision for their wellbeing.” Tsumura-san promised, and that calmed the woman. “They never gave up hoping you were still alive. I am sure they will be overjoyed for a reunion.”

  The ened her mouth to ask about just what had happened, only to start shuddering, her jaw g, and she swallowed her words, only managing a strangled affirmation. Seeing that, and what else my Eye could dis, I gestured, and Christina and my soon-to-be father-in-w stepped aside.

  “This is a mess.” I growled, furious. “I still see scars on their bodies, despite your attempts to fix them. And they clearly still aren’t right. Talking to them, it’s as though there are bits missing. Their reas are subtly off, and they seem scared of everything.”

  “We’ve dohe best we .” Christina protested. “Yes, there are… absehe memory alteration teique isn’t a sce. We’re lucky we , and the cat who has the talent is someone Adam is able to trust, or else…” Christina made her throat-slittiure again. “Mind trol, memory alteration, pulsion, domination, illusions… anything that affects free will he deems exceptionally dangerous. It must be rigorously trolled. You’ve seerix, right?”

  I nodded, having watched it when it was on TV a few years back. “Your point?”

  “That it’s a terrible film. Makes no se all.” She snorted, amused. “The maes would be better off burning the humans and their food for fuel rather than introdug greater inefficies by using biological processes and their waste heat. Now I did hear inally they were meant to be used for a neural work, which does remind me of some clever resear Russia, but…” she trailed off, seeing I wasn’t amused. “It was a joke. Obviously my point was that once you realise that everything you feel and experience could be fake, nothing be trusted. If your thoughts aren’t your own, are you really you? I see Adam’s point, though the stist in me says that if something is indistinguishable from reality, it is real.”

  “I get that. And that’s not the only dangerous ability.” Hyath… holy I think she could wipe out all life oh now if she tried hard enough, and that worries me. If she do it, others do something of equal scale?

  “We’re not natural enemies, Akio. Not at all.” Christina giggled. “We have more in on than you think.” She looked at me, seeing as I was starting to look unfortable, a faint trickle of blood ing from my nose. “You’re experimenting right now, aren’t you? On yourself? I tell.” She inquired eagerly.

  “You’re n, but… I’m not like you.” I insisted. She was right about ohing though, while I was taking care of my business here, I was also in my other subtle body, running through Shiro’s new buff and how I could mitigate the downsides. I had just switched to restraining it with both my bodies, using Boiling Blood Resonance Link and Soothing Waters Of Self-Sacrifiow that I was using my Material form as well, the esg backsh was visible to Christina, who was annoyingly observant.

  “How is it, Aki?” Shiro was asking me, seeing as I looked rather paihe great Rhyming Tree was swaying even though there was no breeze in the Boundary, and the brilliant glow around it and the skies above had intensified, being nearly twice as strong.

  “I’m more worried about Asha.” Eri was saying, and Daiyu agreed.

  “Akio will be fine. Such wounds are nothing to him. But Asha is with child…”

  Asha nodded, feeling a little tense, one hand on her belly, the other oree, yet her expression was trusting. “I watched your tests, and how they were managed without harm to any but Akio. I believe no danger will befall my Tree, yet… the sensation is strange.” She stroked the bark tenderly, and she herself was glowing with the brilliant light of elemental energies, and I could see that a ge was left in Asha, her spiritual body more dense, solid somehow. “I feel slow moving sap rag, the stately thoughts and feelings of my other self normally ponderous as the seasons, noid, like the tides.”

  “Yeah, your Tree is so huge that it’s both a blessing and a curse.” I ughed, despite the pain, though I was more than able to cope with the esg punishment through the Link, my Ether Healing keeping up. “The effect of Shiro’s Berserk Blessing is spread over a rge area, but versely, the backsh on me is magnified. I feel a bit like a used rag.”

  “Aww, suck it up baby.” Shiro snickered, though one of her eyes were crimson. “Tan says this is a very impressive Tree.” she said to Asha, who looked proud. “The higher Astral of course has forests of simir pnts, and other wonders, but this Tree is w at a pace that borders oro worlds that have yet to shed their Boundaries. She’d be delighted to have it ierritory… what’s the problem, you said it, I’m just sharing. Don’t get all tsundere on me now…” Shiro criticised Tan jokingly, before looking more serious. “There’s a problem though. No, two problems, really.”

  “Yeah, Kyoto troubles.” I observed, seeing the sky trembling. “I don’t think the Boundary is supposed to have this sort of ether density.”

  “It is rather refreshing though.” Daiyu ughed. “I feel my Qi building just standing here.”

  “Looks like we are getting to a difficult situation.” I grimaced. “I believe I certainly keep this up a few hours more, especially since having two bodies I cheat the resonand split the punishment in half. But we are going to either have to deploy Artificial Ether Spires here as well to try ahe ether density from spreading and causing the Boundary to fracture, or just suck it up ahe Boundary crack… but I don’t think we’re ready for the sequences of that yet.”

  “Yeah, and the sed problem is… this is going to attract a lot of attention. We’re already stantly being bothered by attacks on our borders.” Shiro observed. “I mean, calling it a bother is wrong, I suppose. Maybe call it free xp and loot?”

  My sis ughed at that. “No kidding. They ’t hahe forces here, so they just get taken out, but the numbers are increasing, I hear, right? Especially on the coast.”

  “We aren’t the stro force out there. If aheric tide happens, every damn thing that washes down from the lower Astral, or worse, further out there, will be drawn to us like we’re burning a bea.” I sighed.

  “There is another solution.” Tan decred. Not letting Shiro speak for her this time, and I found it rather amusing that she was so easy to tease. “Simply reach a Territory of the fourth Rank and it will buy you some time. The problem will not go away, but…”

  “Of course.” Eri pointed out. When Yu-mi asked her what she had realised, Eri expined. Yeah, I get it too. It’s obvious really. “Shaeu’s home, the Seelie Court, has a number of Trees like this, right Asha?”

  “As my Tree is now, perhaps only three to match or exceed it. But in its normal state, ued by yreat powers, Shiro…” Shiro flushed and looked away at her praise, a charming sight which made me smile. “…likely hundreds. Though many are lost and few are born anew. Although…”

  “Yeah.” I met her eyes, my expression resolute, my mind made up . “New ones will be born.”

  “In that case…” By rough estimations, we could reasonably expect to double the ether output of the Tree, though not all the time, as it took time to escate, and it would eventually reach a point the Tree would be harmed. That would happen almost instantly if I wasn’t resonating and soothing, but fortunately I’m able to cope… “ull the Artificial Ether Spires back to here for now, and trate on squeezing out as much ether as we . We need another hundred and fifty-five million, give or take. I re if we aim for ara million per day oerial, then that would take us thly five million a day, or just after the turn of the year for the instant stru. We might make less, or possibly more, but if we say an average of a million, it makes estimation easy.” I ’t always be avaible to pair with the Tree, and there’s no way we use Berserk Blessing without me mitigating it. Asha’s… Asha’s pregnant. At least we only have to worry about preparing clothes and toys for one sex… it’ll be a girl.

  “Great. When we reach Rank four, we swallow up all of the greater Tokyo area, and even Mount Fuji…” Shiro boasted.

  Ba the Material, Christina seemed insulted. “It’s exactly the same. You are prepared to push beyond your limits, even harm yourself…” She put one hand on her waist and poiriumphantly at me with the other, looking rather like a teapot, which amused me. “…hence why you’re bleeding. And I would wager that you have done experiments on others too. Go on, I’ll wager anything I’m right.” She bent her waist, pushing out her chest.

  “No thanks.” I deed her dryly. She’s not totally wrong. Kondou Kazuo… that’s something I ’t exactly deny, though it was also justice for Haru. It does show how easily one justify things, and perhaps start on a dangerous path. No, Christina Bakker is an example of what one bee when they let curiosity get the better of their reason and morality.

  “Don’t think that I’m some sort of monster.” Christina shook her head. “If the situation is as dire as you describe, ah is in dahe luxury of leisurely, ethical research isn’t one we afford. But I am prepared to shoulder the burden. As are you, it seems. So you judge me, if you must, but at least uand I hardly do this lightly. Besides…” her eye gleamed with curiosity. “Don’t you want to know all there is to know? And if you could save the lives of those girls you are so proud of, such as his daughter…” she Tsumura-san, who was looking on, stony-faced. “…wouldn’t you accept knowledge, even if gaihrough less than savoury means?”

  She had intuited some of my thoughts, and the truths within her words annoyed me. Just as I accepted the power from Yamato-san, and the other Chosen I’ve killed, I ’t back down now. But I want a world where we don’t have to make the crueller choice… Turning to my father-in-w, I sighed. “Have you doted the scars and remaining injuries on the victims?”

  He nodded. “We’ve photographed them, and have records. We used a female to photograph the women, of course.”

  “Right. Well, I’ll remove their scars and cheake sure everyone is fully healthy, but we don’t want the wounds fotten.” Christina made an embarrassed gesture at that. “What about the families?”

  “The Japanese ones have been notified. It was a shock, most thought their loved ones dead. Fortunately it’s not so hard to vihem of uny things nowadays.” His tone was dry. “As for the British citizens, we’ve notified their Gover, but perhaps you should speak to the Princess yourself, sidering your cooperation?”

  “That’s a good idea. I nning to.” I agreed. Taking out my phone, I called Eleanor, who picked up a few moments ter, sounding tired.

  “It’s early yet, what do you want?” she yawned, her tone casual yet somehal.

  “Sorry to bother you so early, time zones are a pain, I know. But you really should have been up by now.”

  She snorted sourly. “I had a te finish st night. There’s always more to do. So dive me for indulging in a long nap. We ’t all have shed our humanity, we?” Her tone was acerbic, but not in the way she used to be, where my very presence seemed to have offended her. “So what do you want? I doubt you called because you were eager to hear my voice. Trouble, I assume?”

  I ughed at her phrasing. “It’s mean to think I always call you when there’s a problem. Though in a way there might be.”

  “I thought as much.” Eleanor said, sounding satisfied. “Well, out with it.” She yawned again. “I have to meet some distinguished visitors ter today.”

  “Yover now knows…” I didn’t hesitate, but expined. “…so they’ll be returned when I’ve established just what long-term effects the memory manipution has on them and I’ve firmed their health.” I fihere was a long silence, Eleanor clearly thinking, before she spoke wearily.

  “Curse those Ameris. The poor, pitiable people they abducted…” I could tell she set, and that spoke well of her kindness. “…for now, we not only o deal with that matter, but several other issues.” She paused, hesitating. “I saw the news about South Korea. In addition… I have a favour to ask of you, if you would.”

  “Sure.” I agreed without hesitation. “No problem.”

  “You could ask what it is first, but… I shouldn’t argue when you are being generous. Fine. I think we o speak in person, but I ’t fly to Japan today, I’ll use the Ring Gate, as you call it. Is ter this afternoon fine?”

  I agreed. “Yes, but I’ve got a big meeting scheduled, so I’ll o take care of that…”

  We hashed out the details, and Eleanor would e ter with her close-knit group, and we could discuss what we were going to do. Eleanor wao reuhe stolen citizens with their families as soon as possible, but she also realised that as they were Chosen, and had been through a grave ordeal, we had to make sure they were psychologically ready and stable enough to reie to society. Christina, having listeo my versation, grinned. “It seems she is warmer towards you than before, you dy-killer you.”

  “Enough.” I sighed, not wanting to indulge her nonsense. “Now we o do some baseline personality tests and give them an assessment…”

  “That’s fine. We provided the results of our tests in the files..” Christina said, for a moment looking like a proper doctor or stist, before her teasing grin came back, ruining the image. “Not that you’d trust them, of course…”

  No, I wouldn’t. I wouldn’t indeed…

  ********

  “All right then.” I said to Eleanor, who had arrived, wearing her usual green and copper pte. She was apanied by David, who greeted me with a casual wave, Sir Arthur, and the two women, Miss Aditi and Mrs Mary-Jahe st two had been undergoing training in our Territurly, and had even mastered several elements, their enhanced Astral bodies, even damaged by the loss of their Favours, more adaptable. “Sorry about this, but I o set things in motion, and then I spare you time to hear your request.”

  “It’s fine.” Eleanor shook her head. “I’m not so ungrateful as to demand you prioritise me when we are here asking for favours, and you have also done us a service helping secure our kidnapped citizens.” David snorted, amused by her words, and Eleanor turo glower at him, her blue eyes stern, before she looked out over the crowd, sighing. “However… there seems to be an awful lot of women here…”

  Gng out over the crowd, prising of the members of Adamant, Yu-mi looking proud in the front row in her new officer uniform, as well as a number of trustworthy others, such as Ulfurid other Fae, and some male allies such as Arangbō the Tengu, and even Hikawa Ren-kun, ith Asami-, Kana’s friend, arm-in-arm. Seeing that, I g a tired-looking Kana, ith my irls up on the podium alongside me. She smiled, amused. “Looks like she’s persuaded him to go out with her. I knew she would. Asami-’s like me as who she wants.” She winked again, and I felt a little guilty for the way I’d strung Kana along, but that was the past, so I set it aside. “I wonder who Mio- has her eyes on. She’s pretty too, so she’ll have no trouble finding a det boyfriend.” Kana finished.

  “Much as I do love talking about romahis is not-not the time.” Shaeu grinned, haviurned with Hyath. “No, this is the time for showing our true-true power!”

  Ign the girls as they bantered with each other, I replied to Eleanor. “Not just girls, as you see. Though there are a few, yes. Please overlook it.”

  Eleanor merely sighed. “Of course. I have learned my lesson. It isn’t for me to dictate how you live your life. Even grandmother wouldn’t try, not even if you were a British citizen. Oh, I fot to tell you, you are, again.” That didn’t surprise me, what with the neanese ws allowing dual nationality, and sidering I was being honoured early year, it had to be sorted quickly. “That goes for your Fae as well as your sister. The others… that would be more diplomatically challenging. But it’s not necessary for you.” She Shiro, whed.

  “Yeah, I’ve no e with Britain. So it’s fine. Anyway…” she narrowed her eyes, and I uood her meaning.

  “Obviously what we discuss here is a secret.” I said, and Eleanroup promised their sile was now time to speak, so I addressed the crowd, as Eleanroup left the podium to joihrong.

  “You’re all aware that I went to another try to deal with some people abusing their powers.” There were nods, the humans haviher heard about it from others or seen the news, while a lot of the Fae had heard Shaeu’s boasting about my victories. “We were successful, thanks in no small part to Shiro, my sister Aiko, Haru, Arisu-san and Ginneka.” Arisu-san, atg from a chair at the side, nodded cooly. Suzu-san was beside her, toying idly with her drill curls, looking bored. Ginneka seemed thrilled at my praise, meowing loudly, and my sis roud too, waving to the crowd, which got a few ughs.

  “However, there are certainly problems to deal with.” Haru that. She had returned, but even now Motoko’s grandfather was still arguing with the South Korean gover over their at best careless, at worst malicious, leaking of our abilities in a. “But setting that aside, more importantly, we have to prevent others from misusing these abilities, and what better way than by taking them for ourselves. However…” I took a deep breath, before expining. “It’s not so simple. Not only is it a grave responsibility, one which will ge your life forever, binding you to my cause, your life no longer entirely your own, but it is a responsibility not so easily grasped. Most people have no patibility, and those that do, often have to undergo trials and challeo improve themselves so the Favour will hold. I won’t foryoo try out, but…” I looked around, and my girls who didn’t have Favours were looking at me with i in their eyes. I had expihe Favours we were holding to them before this, and so they had all been thinking about it in their own ways.

  “…it will ge your destiny.” I promised. “Great responsibility es with signifit rewards. You’ll be under my full prote, and I’ll never betray you, so long as you do your duty. Now…” my eyes narrowed, and I was surprised, as I could already feel someone perfect for a Favour, surprising me. I followed my instincts, only to see a small doll-like figure kig her legs iory fashion. On seeing me looking, she was stunned. “… there are three Favours. Ohat holy I think is not of great use, but even a weak Favour allows Territory stru and no level cap, so it has value.” I expined about Aergia’s Favour. Unfortunately other than Azuki, the Zashiki-Warashi, there seemed no other suitable didates.

  “The sed…” I raised my voice to address the crowd. “Is a martial favour, the ability to cast forth arrows of light to strike distant foes with unerring accuracy. I believe those skilled with the bow and light element should be suitable…”

  “Motoko, you should go for this.” Natsumi said eagerly. “With your skills, and Aiko graciously g it to others…” My sis flushed at that, proud but embarrassed. “…you should take advantage. We o learn more elements, so light makes perfect sense for you.”

  Motoko looked at her, frowning. “While I am relut to focus on one part of the path of Tsumura Arts above the others, I do want to be useful to Akio. However… is not what you have said to me also applicable to you, Natsumi? You are equally skilled with the bow, and learn light element just as easy as I.”

  Natsumi shook her head. The crowd were also talking to each other, and before they could speak further, Bell spoke up, raising a hand. “I wish to try for it. I uand it makes more sense for one of your wives to take it, since you are a generous husband…” She grieasing me, our retionship having deepened a little since we had fought together irials of the Tengu. “…but even if you dee my feelings, my loyalty you wouldn’t dare to question, would you?”

  I shook my head. “No, I have no pints, Bell.”

  “Me too!” Soliteare also volunteered. “I’m as skilled as Bell and rather disappointed you ook me on your trip. I was so jealous. I want to try as well. Grandfather wanted me to be helpful to you, and… other things. But I am no less worthy than Bell.” She paused, looking at Moira. “How about you? Ied? Though you’re more towards the dark than the light.”

  Moira pursed her lips, frowning. “No, I am no fighter, but in charge of strategic thinking. It would be wasted on me. However, ideally, it should definitely be retained by Akio and his direct family or subordinates. Such rare powers are too valuable to mishandle.”

  “I agree.” Natsumi pressed. “Motoko, your petition is fierce. Do your best to win, I’ll be cheering for you!”

  “Will you?” Motoko didn’t seem grateful, instead, her face ale with suppressed fury. Seeing that, I opened my mouth to intervene, but Eri grabbed one arm, and Daiyu the other.

  Mouth shut, Akio. This is one of those times we girls have to sort things out ourselves. It must be tough for them, their retionship is old, deep and plicated. They’ve ged, but some habits are hard to break. Eri’s thoughts echoed in my head, so I shut my mouth, unfortable. Widening my vision with aether I could see that Shaeu, Tsukiko and Shiro were looking on knowingly. Hinata too. She had hurried back with Haru, and her bad mood caused by the Korean situation lifted a little as she looked at Motoko and Natsumi affeately, with some exasperation too.

  “Yes, of course. You’re my best friend…” Natsumi began, only for Motoko to take a deep, shuddering breath.

  “Akio, you shield us from scrutiny for a moment? This is a … family matter. Just for us.” she asked, so I nodded. I told the crowd we’d be a moment, and to sider their own options carefully, and a wall of rock blocked us from view.

  “Am I your friend, Natsumi?” Motoko asked, and Natsumi seemed offended.

  “You’d ask me that now? I love you Motoko, I always have. I’ve always been by your side, so I want what’s best for you…”

  “Tell me the truth, Natsumi.” Motoko pressed. “You want the Favour just as much as I, do you not?”

  Those words silenced her, and Natsumi looked sad for a moment. “I do, but you’re better at Tsumura Arts than I am, and…”

  “I do not want to hear excuses or rationalisations. I want the truth. If I am your friend, no longer your master, or above you being as my family is high in the Fifty-Eight… then give me that. I never lie to myself, nor should you. Not even if you think it is what I want, what you want.”

  “I… I…” Natsumi looked sad, before spping herself across her cheeks, the sound loud. L her hands, I could see her cheeks were now red, and her eyes too. “Of course I want to be someone Akio relies on, I want the power to be by his side in battle, not a burden. I want to use Tsumura Arts to make a difference. But I have to be true to myself, you should go first and…” Natsumi was surprised as Motoko hugged her. Motoko’s eyes told me what I o do, so I encircled them both with my arms, a three-way hug, feeling each other’s warmth.

  “Motoko, Natsumi. You’re both equal in my eyes. Who’s better now, who stand at my side, who fight… we’ve only just started this path. The future isn’t determined by the now, only by how much we support each other. So… Motoko, tell Natsumi how you feel.”

  “I want a Favour. You are correct. But I do not merely want to be given it, if it could also be yours, Natsumi. Because… I struggled to see the correct path. It was Hinata and Aiko…” the two of them were surprised at her words. “…who showed me it was wrong to merely treat you as a bodyguard. We… we love the same man, and we love each other. And Akio is right. If it is not now, then it will be ter. But I will never rob you.” She turo look at the others as well. “None of you. My love for Akio and for you all is no lesser than anyone else. And I have my pride too. Natsumi… I may be your instructor in Tsumura Arts, but in terms of serving our husband, we are equal. I shall merely be Oshiro Motoko, and you will be Oshiro Natsumi. Our status, our skills… meaningless. All that matters is our hearts. So… please do not try and bow to me, step down in front of me. I would hate that, it would break my heart, and Akio would hate it too.”

  “I would.” I agreed. “Deg who gets what Favour is hard, as it’s such a treasure it feels unfair to those who miss out. But I’ll be sure to be fair, and I have some ideas. Trust me.” I winked. “Besides, you might not win, Bell and Soliteare seem fired up!”

  Natsumi suddenly giggled, face flushed. “I’m ashamed of myself. Holy… yes, I want to be the one who wins, but thinking that I’ve taken the opportunity from you, Motoko, it’s hard! I know we’re equal.” Her flush deepened. “When we served our husband together on the bed, my heart accepted it. But what the heart accepts, the mind doesn’t always. Sorry. I see you as my big sister, my teacher, my lord and my friend…”

  “We are the same age…” Motoko said, a little irritated. “I am not the big sister.”

  “You seem more mature.” Natsumi ughed. “Hoy time… I’m jealous of you all. It sometimes seems I’m not needed. I don’t have powers, I don’t bring es like Motoko does, not really. I… sometimes wonder why you…”

  “Nope.” I kissed her then. She was surprised, but moments ter she responded, her toangling with mine. As we parted, Motoko rapped her on the head.

  “Silly girl. As your teacher, I am disappoisumura Arts requires a steadfast heart, clear mind and unclouded eyes. It is about love, not gain.”

  “Well said. I know you uand, Motoko.” Eri approved. “None of this! Now I’ve finally resolved my heart and mind, I won’t let Daiyu or you go off the rails, Natsumi! Akio loves you. He loves me. He loves us all. He probably has a lot more love inside him, more’s the pity. But what matters is not which of you takes the Favour, only that whets it ends up helping Akio. There’s always a path to power. After all, I don’t have a Favour, and I’ve developed a new way of helping a lot!” She said smugly.

  “All right, less boasting.” I smiled. “So… Motoko, Natsumi… you both have an i?”

  “We do.” Natsumi said, her mind made up. “Sorry, Motoko. I wasn’t thinking with my heart.”

  “I shall punish you with a thousaitions of the basis, to clear your mind of doubts.” Motoko smiled charmingly. I gave her a kiss too, to be fair, and released them, the rock wall crumbling behind us.

  “Sorry about that, everyone.” I addressed the crowd below. “Family drama. In that case, anyone else think they might have what it takes?” Holy, Motoko, Natsumi, Bell and Soliteare weren’t incredibly patible, aainly couldn’t take it now, I could tell, but with some adjustments, they might be barely able to, like Kana was able to take K?itigarbha’s favour after masterih element. Other than Azuki, who I would speak to when this was done, nobody else stood out, except…

  “If I may speak?” A surprising hand shot up, and it was Miss Aditi, one of Eleanor’s panions. “I was favoured by Arjuna, and though I was robbed of my strengths, I still have an urge to fight for princess Eleanor, and for what is right. I… if I may challenge your trial, good sir, I would be forever grateful.” She curtsied elegantly.

  Now that… I did not see ing! Exging a gh Eleanor, who also seemed surprised, I frowned. Her patibility isn’t there yet, but… it’s no worse thahers. What to do, what to do?

  ShipTeaser