In Thailand
Patty stood by the window, watching the rain fall steadily against the glass. After a moment of silence, she turned away and walked back into the dining room.
She prepared two cups of tea and placed them gently on the table.
"The palace is going to become a battlefield soon… don't you think it's high time you returned to your place, Hiruko?"
She slid one cup toward him.
Hiruko let out a long sigh.
"Now that all my memories are intact… I must search for Asuna fast."
Patty tilted her head slightly.
"Asuna? Why?"
Hiruko's expression darkened.
"I need to handle her before what happened years ago repeats itself again. And believe me… what happened that day is not something to joke about."
Patty grew quiet.
"If Orahime is indeed alive… is something going to happen?"
Hiruko's voice dropped.
"The only mistake I made that day was not completely killing her. If she shows her face again… things are about to get very ugly."
He leaned forward slightly.
"I think it's high time I told you the truth about the palace. The whole truth."
Patty listened carefully.
"And to make matters worse… Zanu has borne Orahime's vessel. We need to act fast and kill that child before Orahime gets to him first."
Patty froze.
"Vessel? What do you mean?"
Hiruko's eyes sharpened.
"The power Zanu's child carries is the same as the one Orahime carries. She must be looking for her vessel now before she attacks the palace. Zanu's child can kill all of us in a blink of an eye without even realizing it."
Patty's voice dropped.
"This is bad… if Orahime gets to him then we're screwed."
Hiruko nodded slowly.
"The blade has chosen Alex, right? And he's on his way to the palace. If he's on his way, that means Mauja must already be there waiting for him."
His tone hardened.
"Mauja wants to end Alex… but we can't let that happen. He is our hope for destroying Orahime."
Patty's eyes narrowed.
"Let Mauja get to him first. I've already planned everything. If that happens, he can awaken and be ten times stronger."
Hiruko frowned.
"What if he doesn't awaken? He shows potential, but he's still clinging to the past. He isn't ready."
Patty replied calmly.
"This time, Alex is ready. And he must awaken for sure. I think it's also high time we go back to the palace."
Hiruko stood up slowly.
"You should go on first. I'll catch up with you right after I deal with Asuna. Honestly… that troublesome girl."
He turned toward the door.
"Be careful out there. The palace isn't the same as before."
Patty smiled faintly.
"You don't need to worry about me. I'll be fine."
He exited.
Orahime Palace — Forbidden Place: Zandra
Alex moved quietly through the area, his long cloak covering his body. The air was tense, unfamiliar.
Suddenly, someone bumped into him.
"Are you okay?"
He looked up.
Orahime smiled gently.
"I'm fine… very fine."
Her eyes sparkled strangely as Alex turned to leave.
"Wait… where are you going?"
Alex didn't slow down.
"That's none of your business."
Using Hiruko's instructions, he soon arrived at the back gate.
A voice came from behind him.
"I had a feeling you would show up here."
Alex turned sharply.
"Who are you?"
The woman stepped forward.
"The name is Mauja."
Alex's eyes narrowed.
"Mauja? I know the monster you are. Forget about the throne—the king has arrived."
Mauja laughed softly.
"The king?"
Her tone turned colder.
"Now be a good boy and listen. I've suffered quite enough because of you and that sister of yours. Kids are supposed to listen to their parents."
Alex's voice hardened.
"And parents aren't supposed to be monsters to their children."
Mauja tilted her head slightly.
"Are you even my son?"
Her smile widened.
"You foolishly threw the blade away."
She raised her gun.
"It's high time you go back to sleep now."
BANG.