"No Roko in sight." Zhong frowned as he watched the war from a rear base, "How disappointing. I was looking forward to clashing minds with him."
"There are still formidable forces within the rebels' forces." one soldier reported, "In particular, two named Argo and Malus."
"Malus?" Zhong scoffed, "That young braggart? He may be intimidating one on one but in a war, he's no match for our coordinated forces."
"Well he's not any more coordinated but he's certainly stronger than before...sir. He's putting up a fight against even three of our Starry Knights."
"Any change in his condition?"
"None that we can tell. Though some say he might be more muscular than before."
"Bested by a short training session?" Zhong shook his head, "Nevermind. I'll take care of them myself. Send word to our collaborator to be prepared to step in at any point."
"Yes sir!"
"Out of my way, peons!"
Malus kicked one poor Starry Knight into a poorer Starry Knight, knocking them both off their feet and freeing him to glare at a few cowardly soldiers from attacking him.
"Still angry, Malus?" Argo called out, not far from Malus' position.
"I go through that hell woman's training and she leaves me behind to fight Kajou all by herself?" Malus scowled, "Course I would be mad!"
"Oh, did you want to fight alongside her?"
"NO!" Malus shouted, "I just thought she was training me to fight Kajou myself!"
"You were never going to reach that level."
"Shut it...you!" Malus growled, "I don't even remember your name!"
"It's Roswell." the humble knight replied as he blocked an attack for Malus, "Don't worry, that happens a lot in my line of work."
"I wasn't going to apologize." Malus said flatly.
"Hahaha. You've calmed down a lot haven't you, Malus?" Argo smiled, "Long ago, you would've swung on anybody who irritated you, ally or enemy."
"And I still will!" Malus snapped, "For example, once that Roko guy comes back, I'm throttling him for dumping me in this inglorious battlefield."
"Glory can still be gained in the middle of a nameless war, Malus." Melia replied as she strolled up to the frontlines casually.
"Oh, the princess is joining us?" Argo grinned as he joined the group, front still turned towards his enemies, "We better keep you safe then!"
"Roswell will protect me well enough." Melia said, "Focus on winning the war."
"Has Roko left command of our forces to you?" Argo asked.
"As always it's kind of a split leadership between me and Azimuth." Melia answered, "But since Azimuth uses a crossbow, she's taking control of the rearguard while I lead the vanguard."
"I see! Well I'm glad you're here regardless!"
"You sure seem to be in a good mood, Argo." Malus growled.
"Haha. You can tell? It's been a while since I've seen battle but the recent defense in the sewers seemed to have knocked most of the rust off my gears. Besides, with Medeia safely waiting for me back home, there's no way I can lose!"
"You're still happy that Medeia got rescued from her kidnapping aren't you?"
"That and I'm glad she finally made up with Aranea. They make such good friends."
"Pfft. That spider monster? I can't imagine anyone who would want to be friends with her."
"Careful, Malus." Melia warned, "That spider monster knocked you clean out remember?"
"Because she was a monster!" Malus snapped, "Had I known she was a monster I wouldn't have held back!"
"We all know it wouldn't have ended any different." Roswell said, "And if you came to blows now, you still wouldn't be able to beat Aranea."
"Says you!" Malus shouted, "Monsters exist to be killed by humans!"
"You make it really easy to hate you, Malus." Melia sighed.
"Certainly not a good look for your rebellion's image."
"Zhong." Malus growled, the ever boastful man glaring cautiously at the old man that stood across from them.
"Is Roko not around?" Zhong asked, "I was hoping for a good bout of wits with him in this skirmish."
"This is a war." Melia retorted, "And Roko's heading straight for your army's head if you want to abandon your army to chase him."
"How irresponsible do you think I am?" Zhong shook his head, "My station is with my men. I just thought Roko would be the same."
"Roko's the type to leave the most important or most dangerous missions to himself." Melia replied, "But if it makes you feel any better, he left me the script for this fight."
"A script?!" Zhong laughed a hearty bemused laugh, "Interesting. If he thinks he can predict the outcome of this battle then who am I to complain?! Come then! Let us test the veracity of this script!"
Zhong drew his sword and with a wave of his hand, the nervous Starry Knights who had been standing by up til now stared charging straight at them.
The sounds of the war at the gate could be heard from afar. With the streets peacefully empty of people, the sounds of chaos felt like a distant problem.
"What a pain." Kadal sighed as he walked towards the war, "Sirius promised me a cushy life if I worked for him. Never imagined I'd have to actually work."
His peaceful walk to work was suddenly interrupted by a shaggy looking thin man shuffling into his path.
"Found you." Vespa said.
"Hm? From the looks of things, you're a rebel right?" Kadal yawned, "Are you here to stop me? All alone? You don't seem like much."
"I...am not alone."
The clanking of armor revealed a dark knight arriving onto the scene, brimming with an intimidating aura.
"Oh? You seem more capable." Kadal smirked, "But you'd look more frightening..." Kadal turned his eyes towards the shadows of the nearby building, "...without the wallflower."
Corissa was hiding around the side of a building but once she was spotted, she bravely stepped out into the open alongside Varis.
"Greetings princess." Kadal gave a mocking bow, "I wasn't planning on kidnapping you but since you're here and all, Sirius would be quite like to see you again."
"Kadal..." Corissa gulped, "Won't you stand aside for this battle?"
"Sorry princess, as much as I'd like to, I have work to go to. Don't like Sirius much but he's paid me quite well so far so I guess I can do some work this one time."
"Why does he sound kinda familiar?" Corissa frowned.
"Kadal. Planetary Star of Sirius." Vespa said, "We've come to stop you from interrupting the rebellion's war."
"I can tell." Kadal said, uninterested, "If you think you can beat me then I'll entertain the idea."
Kadal drew his sword, the rebels in front of him drawing theirs in response.
"Let's test how strong you all are."
Kadal lifted a hand and made a simple flick of a finger. All of a sudden he was right in front of Varis, sword drawn back to strike. Varis was able to react in time to block the attack but Kadal's slash came out with such force and power that as their swords screeched against each other, Varis of all people was lifted and thrown backwards into the air. The black knight was able to land safely, suffering no damage but when he looked up, Kadal was back where he was before, hand still raised as if he had finished his little flick.
"Hoooo..." Kadal sneered, "That strike would've decapitated any of those Earthbound folks. Seems like you're no normal knight." Then he turned his eyes on Vespa who took a step back in fear, "You on the other hand...seem utterly disposable."
Vespa gripped his sword tightly and took a step back forward, steeling his courage as he glared back, "I...will not stand idly by anymore."
"A cowardly soldier?" Kadal scoffed, "You look like one. Yet if you're standing here along with the knight, you must be someone of note. Shame I never really paid attention to your efforts."
"You would not know me." Vespa said, grasping his chest anxiously, "And I...do not know you. But you...you alone..."
"Hm?" Kadals' eyes narrowed, "I can't hear you. Speak up if you you've got something to say."
"I...cannot lose to you!" Vespa roared as he charged towards Kadal.
"Here we are kids." Kaguya said as their cart rattled up in front of Min Al Az'al, "Everyone file out in single files and mind the gap."
"This isn't a field trip." Roko said as he disembarked from the front of the carriage.
"Better to bring kids to a field trip than a war right?" Kaguya said as Naga and Aranea jumped off from the back of the carriage, "Just trying to keep the mood light."
"There they are!" A few remaining guards around Min Al Az'al shouted as they ran towards their group.
"Mikado, can you handle them for a moment?"
At Kaguya's order, Mikado disembarked and threw his shield at the guards, bouncing it off one guard's head into the other before returning to his hand.
"Could you always do that?" Roko frowned as he looked towards Mikado.
"Yes. Why?" Mikado asked.
"Nevermind." Roko sighed, "Alright everyone. We're going to start the infiltration of Min Al Az'al now. Naga, you know what to do right?"
"Yes." Naga nodded seriously, "Find my mom, Ashlesha. Convince her to stand down or even join us. At worst, hold her off until the war is over."
"I'll say this again." Roko nodded, "You do NOT have to kill your mother. If anything, Kaguya's here to make sure it never comes to that."
"Yep." Kaguya smiled, "But our first priority is to keep you kids safe so just stay out of danger if any fighting starts up."
"I can fight too!" Aranea raised her arms.
"Yes you can." Kaguya said, unable to resist the urge to pet Aranea on the head, "But Mikado will be the one trying to draw most of the enemy's attention so just try not to disrupt that."
"Okay!"
"I didn't ask this because I didn't want you to think about the worst case scenario but now I feel like I should." Roko turned to Naga, "What do you place the chances for how the negotiations with your mom will turn out?"
"...I can say with almost certainty that we will have to fight her." Naga replied, "If we place that at a 75% chance, then there is a 20% chance she will choose to not get in our way."
"And a 5% chance she joins us huh?" Kaguya smiled, "Those aren't bad odds."
"You call 5% not bad odds?"
"Better than the rates in certain games."
"What kind of games are you talking about?" Roko's eyes narrowed.
"Anyway, our first priority is determining where your mom might be. Do you have any ideas?"
"A few." Naga nodded.
"Good! Then we'll start with those." Kaguya clapped, "Meanwhile, Roko will go looking for your dad!"
"I'll be looking for Sirius, yes." Roko nodded, "And if I'm not mistaken he's probably still up in his stupid tower, waiting for someone to show up."
"Sirius can't fight, right?" Kaguya asked.
"Nothing in my spells indicate that he can fight but we can't assume it'll be that easy."
"True. If only we had more info on Ashlesha." Kaguya sighed.
"I never met her so I never had a chance to scan her." Roko shrugged apologetically, "But it's clear she's a powerful mage so you know what kind of fight you'll be in for."
"I guess that'll have to suffice." Kaguya smiled, "Now, shall we get going?"
Everyone nodded and began to make their way into Naga's home. Despite being home again, the young prince's eyes were downcast, looking seriously down at the ground.
"Don't worry." Aranea said encouragingly, "We'll try not to hurt your mom that much."
"I'm more worried about my mom hurting you all instead." Naga replied.
"Your mom's magic does seem kind of scary." Aranea admitted, "But there's always the chance she doesn't want to fight us! You said that was a 20% chance she doesn't right? And there's even a 5% chance she helps us! That's a quarter of a chance that we don't have to fight her!"
"I was being generous with that 5%." Naga bit his lip, "I don't think there's actually a real chance she joins us."
"Why not? She's your mom right?"
"Yes but...I think that the only way she actually joins us is if..." Naga gulped, "...if she ever actually loved me."
After fending off more guards than Roko anticipated, they reached the third floor and where the elevator that Roko had taken was sitting. Unfortunately, the ropes that would've lifted this platform had been cut meaning Roko would have to take the long way up a spiraling staircase.
"Now he's just being petty." Roko scowled as he looked up the tower and the many stairs daring him to climb them.
"Wow, I'm glad we're splitting up." Kaguya smirked as she looked up at the stars with him.
"What happened to finding Ashlesha?"
"Naga's first stop is here on the third floor so we'll be splitting off from here." Kaguya smiled, "Unless...you think Ashlesha is up there with Sirius?"
"While her fireballs originated here, I don't think she'd have stuck around." Roko replied, "She knows Naga wants to speak to her so I don't think she'd want Sirius there as well."
"Hmm, I suppose that's true." Kaguya nodded.
"Now get going. I have...a long climb ahead of me." Roko said letting out a shuttering frustrated sigh.
"Best of luck."
"If I slip and fall to my death, it'll be a blessing." Roko said as he began climbing the stairs.
Naga lead his group around the many hallways of Min Al Az'al to a large set of double doors that opened into a large indoor garden. Tropic trees, healthy grass and pleasant flowers decorated the room alongside a stone ledged lake, stone tiled steps and wooden benches. Sitting on a log at the very back of the enclosure was a woman in an ornate red and gold robe, a lace hood obscuring her head and a large staff in her arms. When the group stepped inside, the woman looked up, looking across the floor at Naga. The distinct emerald eyes and dark complexion these two shared revealed all they needed to know about the woman.
"Nagaraja." Ashlesha removed her hood, revealing a very pretty face that stared sternly down at her child, "I'm glad to see that you are well."
"Mother..." Naga gulped, his nerves kicking in to full gear.
"You seem no worse for wear than when you left." Ashlesha's tone deviated from her calm yet stern tone as she the last word with a bit of spite.
"Mother, please listen to me." Naga said, bravely stepping forward.
"I am listening, dear child." Ashlesha replied, "What is it that you wanted to say?"
"I only left in order to convince the rebellion to disband."
"And yet here they stand on our very doorstep." Ashlesha's eyes turned from her child to launch a chilling glare at his companions that had arrived with him.
"They won't harm you!" Naga quickly said, "Not so long as you listen!"
"The Earthbounds operate quite peculiarly if they're making the hostage do the negotiations." Ashlesha sighed.
"I'm not a hostage! I learned all about the bad things dad did while I was out there!"
"You mean you were brainwashed by opposing propaganda."
"No, I...I made friends!"
"So they bribed you with friendship."
"They didn't bribe me with anything!"
"If I may." Kaguya cut in, Ashlesha shooting her with a cutting glare in response, "We're not here to discuss politics and I'm sure you're not that keen to be defending Sirius anyway."
Ashlesha's glare didn't lower in intensity but the apprehension did die down a little. A subtle change that the kids wouldn't have noticed.
"Let's get to the main topic shall we?" Kaguya continued, "Who's right or wrong can be discussed at a later point. Right now, we're here to ascertain your intentions, Ashlesha. Will you be opposing us?"
"...I fired a first volley but it came flying back for reasons I cannot comprehend."
"That'd be Roko." Kaguya grinned, "He can pull out some amazing feats sometimes!"
"I'll have to ask him about it later. Assuming he survives."
"Oh he will. He'll take down Sirius while he's at it. That's what you want right?"
"..." Ashlesha's cold glare revealed no hints to her thoughts but you could tell she was thinking. Considering her options.
"Was the Earthbound's success not also part of your plan? Ousting Sirius was your end goal was it not?"
"...Maybe." Ashlesha replied, her voice much less adversarial than before, "If me and Nagaraja are allowed to remain here with what remains of Sirius' assets, I will have no reason to stop you."
"Perhaps some rebels might have an issue with that but we don't."
"Then I shall stay my hand. That is...if you'll return my son to me."
"Naturally." Kaguya nodded, "We try not to rip families apart where possible. Sirius not included."
"Hmph. Come here then, Nagaraja. Mama will take care of you."
Naga turned to look at his companions. Aranea looked confused but seemed to understand that nobody was in danger. Kaguya just smiled back at him and Mikado...just stood there silently. With a nod, the child took a few steps back towards his mother. There was a lot he wanted to say but for the moment, that didn't really seem to matter so long as his mother was offering peace. Still his mind and legs dragged on, advancing forward as he continued to reconsider.
"By the way." Kaguya spoke up again, "What do you plan on doing with Sirius' riches once you get your hands on it?"
"Why do you ask?" Ashlesha frowned.
"Well the rebellion naturally plans on electing a new leader of their country with Sirius gone. That part's none of us outsiders' business really but I imagine this might become a point of contention."
"...Hmph." Ashlesha scoffed, "Sirius' resources and position will be inherited by my son and I shall help him rule. Together, we will live a prosperous life with no need to fear the next day."
"And what of the city?"
"Concessions will be made. The life in Mulapin will improve somewhat probably."
"Mulapin? What about Muldingirmus?"
"Muldingirmus will continue as normal." Ashlesha answered, "No need to change what's broken."
"And Minchir?"
"Minchir will remain." Ashlesha replied, almost confused by the question, "Why would it not?"
"I see." Kaguya's smile remained, unwaveringly hiding her true intentions as he turned to Naga, "Go on then."
Naga's mind was racing. He knew this was his mother's plan all along but was that it? Was she really just going to maintain the city as it was with just a few 'concessions'? This wasn't right. He wanted to say something, to do something but this was his mother. Was it really the time to question her life long plan? Did he even have the right to oppose her right now?
Naga's eyes darted all over the place, jumping between his own mother and the rebels he arrived with. And his eyes settled on one person. One monstrous child who was still blissfully unaware of what was going on. Still, the half spider managed to notice Naga staring at her and offered a reassuring nod and gesture. Seeing her, Naga knew what he had to do. Though he wasn't happy to do it.
Taking a deep breath, Naga turned to his mother again, straightening up like she had taught him and began to speak, "Mom, I...I want to change this city."
"Come again?" Ashlesha said, more confused than the immediate anger and scorn that Naga expected.
"My dad...Sirius has done a lot of things wrong and I want to fix them!"
"My god." Ashlesha rolled her eyes, "Look, I know your father did a lot wrong but there are people whose livelihood are built on his efforts so we can't just go changing everything so mu-"
"But I want to!" Naga blurted out, "I want to remove Minchir! Bring the people back together again! Let everyone live a happy normal life!"
"That sounds good and all but it's really not that simple!" Ashlesha said, her irritation raising the tone and volume of her voice, "If you just leave it to me, I'll try to make those Mulapin people's lives better but Muldingirmus will-"
"No! No Mulapin, no Muldingirmus! Just one city reunited!" Naga replied stubbornly.
Ashlesha's face now bore a disgusted scowl. Her glare was not turned towards Naga but to his companions and primarily Kaguya.
"You all did a wondrous job brainwashing my child."
"If something is so obvious that a child can see it then perhaps it's worth acknowledging it." Kaguya simply replied.
"Naga, come here." Ashlesha said, her voice sounding more forceful than before, "Everything will be okay, just leave it to me and I-"
"I won't stand idly by while you handle all my affairs!" Naga shouted, "I have ideas too you know!"
"Why must you be so stubborn now of all times?!" Ashlesha shouted, screeching even louder than Naga.
"Because I want this city to become a place that can accept anyone!" Then in a quieter voice he muttered, "Yes...anyone..." Naga took one more steadying glance towards Aranea who still look confused and even moreso when she noticed Naga looking at her. But this one glance was telling enough for everyone else looking.
"I see." Ashlesha cradled her head with a scowl that indicated that some sort of migraine, "So that's what's captured my son so much."
"What?" Naga turned back around.
"Forget it!" Ashlesha shouted as she stood up, wielding her staff as she floated in the air, "If you will not listen to me, I will need to force you to fall in line!"
A blast of hot air shot out from Ashlesha that seared the tips of the plants in the room as it traveled towards them. Seeing this small attack coming, Naga stumbled back and fell on his feet but before this wave could hit him, someone jumped in front of him. When he looked up, he found Aranea smiling back at him this wave blocked by a black box that she had conjured.
"Ah, I knew this was going to happen." Kaguya said as she and Mikado stepped up alongside Aranea and Naga.
"You knew this was going to happen?" Naga frowned.
"Don't pretend like you didn't know this was going to happen."
"It wouldn't have if you didn't ask those questions!"
"Maybe. But was I wrong?" Kaguya offered the child a hand.
"...No." Naga sighed as he took Kaguya's hand and stood back up.
"Now get back." Kaguya said, "I'm sure your mother doesn't want to hurt you but who knows what might happen in the midst of battle."
"Goddamn 75%." Naga muttered.