*3rd PoV*

[The next night- Imperial Palace]

An entire day had passed since Etsuo's escape from the dungeon. Since then, not much had happened other than Koukyuu departing to Xeleria and Hideo training with his dad. The young knight was distraught about his latest failure to protect his siblings. Though at least he had his father to console him this time.

Though Setsuko and the others had only grown more concerned due to the lack of news from the northern front.

To distract themselves, Setsuko and her fiance had decided to watch a movie. She sat in one of the royal family's many private theaters that laid underneath the castle. They had decided to watch the new Super Battle Corps movie when suddenly her phone started to ring.

"Hello?" Setsuko answered, sitting up.

"We're coming back home," Rosalba responded.

"You're returning? Already? What happened? There were reports of a strange abnormality in Kuroyuki no San. The entire planet ended up shaking, and aurora filled the sky, even in the equator!"

"That was Daisaru's doing. Uh, he's Etsuo's dad."

Setsuko recalled the shirtless man standing beside Etsuo on the other side of the portal when she ran out to fight Roa. "So that guy's dad was that powerful. It's a miracle that you survived."

"Yeah. Our enemies basically spared us. I do not know why, though. It makes me wonder if perhaps us being alive is playing into their hands."

"Given that those creatures live off of light energy, they might think of us like plants."

"Maybe. Anyway, we are currently en route to the capital. Though some stayed back like Takuya, Teresa, and their mother. They are working on sealing the portal."

"What about Tetsuya? Is my cousin alright?" Serrano asked, jumping out of his seat.

"Tetsuya is fine," Rosalba said, having overheard him. "I'm sitting next to him. Though he has been asleep for most of the journey. He still hasn't fully recovered from a wound one of them inflicted on him." There was a long pause. "I hope that he gets better soon. Anyways, we should be there in a few days."

"He's fine," Setsuko said, turning toward her fiance.

Serrano breathed a sigh of relief and sat back down. "That's good."

"Though there were two who went missing during the battle," Rosalba said.

"If you mean Hideo and Koukyuu, they are fine. They followed Roa here... Etsuo managed to escape with the help of his sister as well as Reno."

Rosalba gasped. "Reno?"

"Yes. It appears that Father was correct yet again. Reno and his sister were spies serving under Roa. It seems that he approached them following the battle with the rebels. To make matters worse, they took Hideo's siblings."

"What? They took Kiara and Dan? No... I can only imagine how Hideo is feeling right now... it wasn't too long ago that he got Dan back, and now this..."

"Well, he isn't letting it get to him this time," Setsuko said as she glanced at the door of the movie theater. "Hideo is currently trying to get stronger.

"I... I see," Rosa said in a somber tone. "In the meantime, keep the capital safe. We aren't sure as to when the enemy might attack."

Setsuko nodded. "Don't worry, sister. I'll continue to watch over the kingdom in Father's absence."

"Thanks, sis," Rosa said with a hint of happiness. "Well, see ya later."

"Bye," Setsuko said before hanging up. She pressed against her seat and stretched her hands up high. "At least no one seems to have died. I should've gone with them."

Serrano put a hand on top of hers once she had returned them to their former position. "No. It's bad enough that Tetsuya got hurt. I don't know what I would do if..." His face flushed. "I mean..."

Setsuko's face reddened somewhat. "Uh. I'm going to tell the others."

He paused the movie. "Alright, I'll wait."

Setsuko tried her best to smile. "Thanks."

He looked down shyly. "No problem..."

Rushing out of the theater, she headed over to the throne room when suddenly she heard a girl's voice.

"Please let me see him," a girl said as Setsuko opened the golden door. Standing in her way were the guards.

Setsuko couldn't help but wonder as to how she managed to get past the fence. They seriously needed to get new security.

"Sorry. But we can't. I also think that you should know that Serrano is Lady Setsuko's betrothed.

The green-haired young woman looked down.

"I know..." She turned her back to the guards. "Still. I wish to see him. He's my friend. I... had a vision the other day. One in which Tetsuya was critically injured. At least let me see Tetsuya!"

"Tetsuya?" the male guard asked. "Who's he again?"

"He's the knight of the shield," the female guard responded.

"Oh, the peasant! Why do you wish to speak to him?

"I told you already," the young woman said, taking a deep breath. "And don't call him a peasant in that tone! He might be poor, but he's a good guy. Same with Serrano."

"Right. That guy was originally one too," the male guard said, glancing at the starry night sky. "Not sure what the king is planning. Having the princess marry that guy. At this rate, I worry that he'll marry off princess Rosalba to that knight of the shield."

Setsuko cleared her throat, making herself known.

"Ahhh! Princess," the man said, trying his best to avoid giving her a nervous smile. "I didn't know that you were here."

"I heard the commotion." she crossed her arms and narrowed my eyes. "Do you guys always gossip about who my sister and I will marry? Or is this a one-time thing? Not to mention in front of a stranger. As for how she got this far.."

The man bowed countless times. "Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. I didn't mean any offense, your highness. And it wasn't our fault she got passed the front gate. It appears that Master Eita let her in."

Eita did? So this girl must be a mutual friend of his and Serrano. Wait, based on what I heard, I take it that this girl is the one Serrano mentioned. The other person he likes.

Scoffing, Setsuko took a step toward the girl. "Come on in. I'll allow you to speak to Serrano."

"Re... really?" the girl asked.

Setsuko slid her hands into the pockets of her jeans and walked in cooly. "Yes. Now come inside."

"Setsuko, what's taking... Ximena?" Serrano said, eyes wide as soon as he saw his friend.

Ximena ran over and hugged him tightly. Serrano hugged her back.

Shutting the door behind her, Setsuko grinned. Though her fiance could tell that it was forced.

"Wait! Setsuko!" Serrano yelled as he let go of Ximena. He ran over and reached for the princess's arm, but she slapped it away.

"I'll leave you to talk to your 'friend'. Besides, I got stuff to do. Hmph." She stomped away toward the throne room.

"Setty," Serrano said, furrowing his brow.

***

[Unknown Location]

Nori slashed the air as a pair of guards watched him. Ever since the Suzuki incident, he had been locked up in the second basement floor of the dungeon. The king had told the guards to prevent all entrance to it. He was being treated worse than Etsuo had been.

"Everyone. Please come upstairs and meet me in the throne room," a voice called out from above. It was Setsuko's.

The guards watching the red-haired child's training turned around. "Should we go?" asked one to her colleague.

"It sounds important. Princess Setsuko usually doesn't have everyone gather. Not even King Osamu does that except for during emergencies," her colleague responded.

"Then let's go," she said, pulling his arm.

He glanced down as they climbed the stairs. "Wait. What about the kid? The king told us to watch over him."

The female guard pushed him up the stairs. "He'll be fine. I'll close the door. Now hurry!"

"Hey, no pushing!"

"Come on, if you're gonna cry with some pushing, then you shouldn't be a palace guard."

The two left Nori alone in the dark dungeon, practicing swinging with a wooden sword. Nori closed his good eye and listened closely. Once there were no sounds from outside, Nori picked the lock of his cell with his claws. The cell soon clicked open!

The red-haired child rushed up the stone steps and picked the doorknob open as well. Thankfully it wasn't that hard. The duo had only locked it halfway!

Though he found himself on the first basement floor. There was a hole on the ground. He assumed it was during the recent fighting. If it hadn't been because he was too tired on that day, he also would've escaped.

The child shook his head and ran toward the main door out of the dungeon. It puzzled him that King Osamu had placed Etsuo on the first basement floor where it was easiest to escape. It was as if the king were tempting him. Or perhaps it was his plan for the monkey boy to flee.

Nori was awestruck by the difference stepping out. While he had seen them before, he couldn't help but marvel at the halls covered in silver and gold and floor, which seemed to be made out of jewels. The countless days of being imprisoned only made it more memorable.

Nori shook his head and slowly continued on his way as to not draw attention to himself. It didn't take too long for him to arrive in the lobby. There he came upon two people. One of them was a beautiful green-haired girl with emerald eyes whom he hadn't seen in weeks.

"Xime," Nori whispered as his face became red.

"Sorry. I shouldn't have come," Ximena said, lowering her head.

The young man shook his head. "No. please don't apologize. Thanks for letting me know about your dream. But it seems that Tetsuya already got badly injured."

She glanced down at the white marble steps. "I see. Then I caused you trouble with your fiancée for nothing. It might not be my place... but do you love her?"

The guy touched his right ear where Aventine should've been. His face reddened a little. "I... I'm not sure. But I'm trying to make it work. You know full well that I can't easily break up a marriage with a princess. At least not without facing the consequences."

Ximena stepped down as she rubbed her left eye. "I... see. Again, sorry for bothering you."

Nori stared at the sad girl and slowly walked out, but his tail tapped the glass door, making a slight sound. He held his breath and hoped that it was too small for the angels to noticed. But it wasn't his lucky day as both of them looked at him.

"Ahh," Nori said. Nori ran for his life, but Serrano grabbed him by the tail.

'Wahh! Let go of me. Nori doesn't want to return to that dark prison again. Nori just wants to be free and rescue Yuko. Nori just wants to become a priest."

"Nori?" Ximena asked, surprised. "Why are you sneaking around?

"What are you doing here? Wait, you know this kid, Xime?" Serrano asked, setting Nori back down but still keeping a hold of his tail.

"Mister doesn't remember? Nori is Nori. Nori was brought here for war. When Master found out that Nori told Eita something important, Nori and Yuko were locked. Nori is a slave. Please let Nori go. Nori won't hurt anyone. Nori is nice!"

"You don't remember him?" Ximena asked, startled.

Serrano looked down at the floor. His memory wasn't the same since being crush by Reno's djinn. He wasn't exactly sure as to why that was. Had his brain not healed well?

"No. But that doesn't matter. So your name is Nori, and you were being kept here by force?"

Ximena kneeled down next to the kid and smiled warmly. "Well, you're safe now."

Nori's face felt warm as he stared at her beautiful eyes. She held out a hand to him. "We'll get you outta here."

Serrano stared at Nori suspiciously. "I can't leave you alone with him. What if he hurts you? Etsuo and Reno both turned out to be traitors."

"He's only a kid!" she said, chuckling. She touched her silver cross necklace. "Besides. I can take care of myself. You know that."

Nori sighed. "Nori's sixteen," the red-haired boy mumbled.

Serrano slowly unhanded Nori's tail. Ximena hugged Nori as he ran into her arms.

"Thank you. Thank you. Nori is free now!"

"I'm coming with you," Serrano said as he looked at Nori's cat-like ears. "Just in case. I mean. Why would there be a slave here? This country hasn't had slaves since the previous warring states period came to an end. Especially not people from the realm of magic."

"Realm of magic?" Nori asked, tilting his head. "Nori was born here. Well... not here. In a cage somewhere..." He glanced around. "Not sure where, though. Uh... saving Yuko will be harder than Nori thought."

"Yuko?" Serrano asked.

Ximena frowned at Serrano. "You don't remember her, either? Now I really am concerned."

Serrano touched his head. "I am too..."

"She's Nori's bestest friend!" Nori said. "She's a tanuki. Can you please help?"

"That kid seems to have escaped!" the three heard someone yell.

"We got to find him before someone else does," another voice called. It was the guards.

"Oh, no!" Nori said, hugging Ximena tightly. "They're..." Nori shook uncontrollably until Ximena petted his ears.

"Relax. Serrano..." She noticed that he was gone, causing her to smile. "Ever the hero. Come, Nori." She rushed away, holding him close to her chest. She ran out of the main door while Serrano kept the guards busy.

Green wings sprouted from her back. Their feathers resembled leaves.

"You said that you wanted to be a priest, right?" she asked, remembering what he had told her over a month ago.

Nori nodded. "Yes. Nori wishes to serve the Earth Mother and Sky Father."

She rubbed his head. "Good. Then I know someone who can help make your dream come true and keep you safe."

Nori's red cat-like-eyes glistened in the silver moonlight. "R...really? That's awesome! Nori gets to be a priest! A priest!"

"Shh," she said, putting a finger on her lips. "Quiet down. Someone might find us."

She landed in an area filled with people and various kinds of smell. Nori's stomach rumbled as the smell of fish tickled his nose.

Ximena smiled at Nori. "Hungry?"

Nori's face became as red as his hair. "Uh... yes."

"Alright. I'll buy you the biggest fish we can find. You may choose which kind you want."

The cat boy touched his lips. "Uh... Nori wants... Nori wants... Hmm. Nori has only had tuna as of late."

"Tuna? Alright! Let's go get you the biggest fresh tuna we can find!" She flipped me around and ran over to the stalls.

The fish smelled nice... but Ximena smelled better... It was then that Nori noticed that Ximena wasn't wearing any shoes either. Did she do it by choice? Or was she too poor? Though she did wear shoes when she was in Elitia.

***

"Thanks for the fish," Nori said as he rubbed his stomach.

"You sure ate fast," she said, carrying him in her arms. She patted his head again and giggled. "Ahh. Your ears are so soft!"

Nori softly slapped her hand away. "S...stop that."

Her face flushed from embarrassment. "Sorry. Well, we're here."

The two stared at a ran down church in a rundown part of town. It wasn't anything like the rest of the city. Ximena had to be very careful on the way there due to the vast number of broken glass and needles littering the streets.

Though Nori had no idea why there were needles on the ground as they weren't anywhere close to a hospital. But the glass looked like it belonged to soda bottles. Or so he thought.

But thankfully, the area in front of the church was clean. Dusting off the stop steps was a red-haired man with cat ears. He was dressed in the white robes of a bishop. While he swept, he was talking to a man dressed in a black cloak.

Nori looked at the man in horror.

The man turned around and smiled at him. The upper half of his face was covered by a mask with sides that protruded outward to resemble either cat ears or horns. "Nori. Long time no see," the creator of the five weapons said. "Please, old friend, look out for this kid. He will be essential in preserving this world in the future."

Nori looked at the man with a confused look.

Kuroshi passed by Ximena and him. "Don't worry, kid. Yuko is safe," he whispered before vanishing into the darkness.

"Who was that guy? He sounded familiar," Ximena said. She gasped. "Ahh! He's the guy who called Serrano that one time to tell him that Rosa was in danger!"

"Ah. Ximena. Did you get to see Serrano?" The bishop asked as his eyes shifted toward her. "A neko? So this must be the kid Kuroshi spoke of."

"Yeah. Just like us," Ximena said, putting the kid down. "As for Serrano. I told him what I should. Uh, this little neko here seems to want to become a priest. Think that he'll be up for it?"

The man smiled as he saw Nori's face. "Wait, I remember you! You're that kid who snuck in here before to take an offering of fish!"

Nori's gasped. "Nori remembers you too!" He glanced back at the church. It was so long since then that he had forgotten about it. This place was where his dream of becoming a priest had come from.

"So, this is the kid who stole the fish?" Ximena asked, looking down at Nori.

Her father snickered. "Yeah, but he's a good kid. Anyway, come on in. Both of you seem to have had a long day."

Nori looked up at the man. He hadn't noticed when they first met, but he had the same eyes as him.

So he's a neko? Ximena is too? But Ximena has angel wings... A neko angel?

Nori smiled at the idea. Ximena certainly was a neko angel in his eyes.

**Solar Question: Shocked to see Ximena return after so long? xD What do you think Kuroshi is planning to do with Nori and Yuko? Where do you think Yuko is?**