[Hours Earlier- Somewhere in Xian]

I stared up at the sky. Even as an earth user, it was perplexing to see an island floating in the middle of the sky. The stranger thing was that I couldn't quite tell what was keeping it afloat.

On the top was a large city, the capital of Xian. However, a barrier prevented us from entering. A guard told us to wait here until our passage had been approved. Had someone forgotten to tell them that we were coming? Or perhaps they were merely cautious. If the Ziz were in my grasp and enemies wanted it, I would be too. Well, more so than usual.

I glanced at the trees all around us. Several of them appeared to be Mokin trees, the same ones used to create Agnes's and Carlos's interiors.

"Is this really the spot we were told to wait in?" Takuya asked. It had been a while since we had been told to wait.

"Yes," a voice called down from above. It came from a teenage girl with long black hair and golden-brown eyes. On her head was a small golden crown.

"Who are you?" I asked.

The girl sighed. "What manners. It's proper to introduce yourself first before asking for someone else's name. My name is Grace Xian, the younger sister of the High Priestess."

I crossed my arms and scoffed. "Well, it's rude to make your guests wait too. What took you so long?"

"I wanted to verify that you are indeed the ones my sister spoke about."

"At least you're here now. Thought that we would be kept waiting all day," Eri said.

Grace's eyes widened a little. "Eri? I didn't know that you were part of this cohort."

"I joined them after what happened at the games."

"I see." She glanced back at me. "Though, there are a few faces that I don't recall having seen in the Mahoulympics."

Eri stared at our group. "Think the only one who wasn't there was King Osamu."

"So that's his name. He didn't take the time to identify himself earlier."

I sighed. "Can we get going?"

"Yes, of course." Grace held her hand toward us, covering us in a vortex of earth. Next thing we knew, we stood in the middle of a throne room. Behind Grace stood a gold and silver throne with a sun-moon motif. On the white walls were golden brazers with white flames. To our back were red screen doors.

"Woah, so this is the Xianian throne room," Eri said, looking around.

"Yes. Though, I would've preferred if this meeting were in the dining room. Alas, my older sister made the decision. Now, how may I be of assistance?"

"Do you have any literature that speaks of how to seal the Monkey King?" I asked.

Grace gasped. "Wukong? My ancestor sealed him up, but that was centuries ago." She rubbed her chin. "Why do you ask?"

"That man is an abysmal," I responded.

Her eyes widened. "You mean to tell me that he's one of the enemies we'll be facing?"

"Yes. Several of us here fought him. He's a powerful man. If he wished, he could've killed us."

She took a deep breath. "I see. Then we're in a world of hurt if the Monkey King is one of the ones attacking. She stepped forward. Luckily, I have a few tricks up my sleeve for the abysmals. I won't allow Xian to fall into the darkness. Come, the library might have something on how my ancestor sealed him. Or, at least the incantation used to keep him under control."

"Incantation?" Yuri asked.

"I'm guessing it's to activate the Monkey King's headband. It's what the stories say weakened him," Eri said.

The Wynagan young man rubbed his chin. "Why is it that you all know of this 'Monkey King' but me?"

"A lot of Xelerian's have heard of him. He once terrorized this realm and several others," Grace said, walking past us. "He had advanced into the land of the gods. Many tried and failed to stop him. That's where my ancestor came in. She sealed Daisaru underneath a mountain. He remained undisturbed for centuries until the seal's grip weakened. Once it broke, he got out. Thankfully, my grandaunt managed to trick him into donning a headband, which would weaken him. That's where the incantation comes in."

Takuya crossed his arms across his chest and sighed. "But, I don't recall havin' seen any headband on him when we fought in Grand Crater."

I closed my eyes. "Neither did I. But, it must simply be hidden. Else, your father wouldn't have wasted his time looking for the incantation."

He rubbed the back of his neck the way that Takeshi often would do. "I guess that's true. Dad must've known somethin' we didn't."

"Well, this is the only thing we can fall back on," Eri said. "So we might as well give it a try."

"It's not the only thing," I said. "I wish to learn how the Monkey King was sealed in the first place. If we can replicate it, then victory is ours."

Grace opened the slidable doors. "If we are, then I'll require all the mages I can."

Eri glanced at Kai and Huang. "Guess that means us."

Kai smiled. "About time that I do something worthwhile."

Huang smirked. "Indeed. I'm looking forward to seeing how powerful this Monkey King is for myself. My brother-in-law did mention that his triplet brother lost to him."

Eri's eyes widened. "Wait, Takehaya lost to the Monkey King?"

"Yes, this was when they were youths. My brother-in-law managed to catch him and throw him into a cauldron, but that didn't work. In fact, it made him stronger."

I raised an eyebrow. "Your brother in law did that? I thought it was the moon god of this universe."

Huang chuckled. "Guess that I let it slip out. My brother-in-law is Tsukumo no Mikoto, the Moon Deity."

"I see." I took a deep breath. At least Takehaya and Tsukumo failed when he was young. In adulthood, those men and their sister were said to have been as strong as the archangels.

"Say, do you know how to get in contact with him?" I asked.

Eri bit his lip. "I might know."

"You do?" Huang asked, tilting his head.

The young man resembling Takehaya smiled slightly. "Well, it's not a fool-proof plan. We might find ourselves having to fight an angry storm god if things don't go well."

Grace walked out of the throne room. "Eri, you still have the sword, don't you? The regalia found in the tail of Orochi."

Eri held up his hand and summoned a long sword resembling a katana. "Yes, Kusanagi. Along with Yata and Yasakani, they're some of the most powerful weapons in this universe. The three divided among the Celestial Triplets, also known as the 'Three Noble Siblings'. The Jewel of Benevolence, Yusakani, was passed on to Orihume. The Mirror of Wisdom, Yata, was passed to Tsukumo. While the Sword of Valor, Kusanagi, was passed on to Takehaya."

"Why does someone like you have a legendary sword like that? Shouldn't it be in the hands of your Magus Maximus? You know, the son of Takehaya," I said, putting a hand on my hips.

Eri lowered his eyes. "Don't tell anyone this, please. I rather this not get out." He glanced up at me. "I'm the son of Takehaya and Kushina's firstborn."

I gasped. "What? You're a demi-god?"

He glanced at his blade in his hands. "Yes, but I don't see myself as very godly," he said, closing his eyes.

How modest. The opposite of that braggart, Tetsuya. If only he were the shield knight. Wait, if this guy is his doppelganger, does that mean that he can use Agnes too?

"If you're related to him, then why do you think he'll react with fury upon calling him here?"

He opened his eyes. "Well, he might wish to test my strength to see if I'm worthy of wielding Kusanagi."

"I know that he's a god, but if I were you, I wouldn't hesitate," Huang said. The Prince of Mina grinned. "In fact, I would be excited by the prospect of fighting a god. When I was a kid, I would clamor for my brother-in-law to fight me. Though, I didn't know he was Tsukumu at first."

Eri snickered. "If Ocarina were here right now, she would've slapped me for having spoken the way I just did. Alright, I'll try to call him forth."

"Before you do so, we'll need your help finding the incantation," Grace said. "As somebody well versed in the history of this world, you're the one I can count on the most."

He swung his hands behind his head and grinned. "Alright."

That gesture and smile, they're just like the peasant's.

Grace escorted us through the red and gold halls of the Xianian palace. We didn't take long to reach the library as it was the room toward the throne room's right.

The library was extensive and vast. It was bigger than even the library that my dad had built for our current palace. If he were here, he likely would've felt shame.

"So many books," Takuya said, taking a step forward. His eyes glistened.

I laughed as I thought about my youngest daughter. Rosa would often spend her days in our library. Perhaps that was a bad idea as those romance books caused her to develop an idealized view of the world.

I should've at least pushed her into reading more tragedies and non-fiction novels.

Eri cracked her fingers and grinned. "Well, time to start searching."

"Wait, don't you have a mechanism to speed things up?" I asked, glancing at Grace. Our library at least had librarian bots to help.

Grace nodded. "Yes, we have a spell that points one toward books of the desired subject. That said, Eri already knows where to look. He's been here before."

Eri pointed up the crimson carpeted stairs. "Books on legendary figures are there. Books on status and sealing spells are nearby."

"Let's check them out," Takuya said, running on ahead.

I tried not to laugh. His reaction was a lot like his father's when he first entered our palace library.

"Why did you come here before?" Yuri asked, walking ahead of us.

"I visited here with Oca, Grace, and Zyuuni. Grace's mom, who is also Zyuuni and my girlfriend's aunt, invited us to vacation here. I spend most of it reading." He laughed nervously. "Oca even got mad at me for paying more attention to the books here than her."

I leered at him. Yup, he's definitely Tetsuya's doppelganger.

"Say, is your mother around?" I asked. We needed as many powerhouses as we could get. The daughter of the previous Magus Maximus and former High Priestess had to be strong in her own right.

"Looking for me?" a voice called out.

I turned around and saw a black-haired woman in as silver robes with a feathered collar. Looking at her reminded me of a swan. Accompanying her was a man with long black hair and wearing crimson robes. He gave off a familiar vibe, like that of the rainbow crystal from the Battle of Grand Crater.

I narrowed my eyes at the man who had an aloof look to him. Just who was he?

"Hey, Mom, Dad," Grace said.

"Hey, dear," the man said, holding a hand out. He smiled and patted her head.

"Dad," Grace mumbled as her face became red.

So, he's the husband of the former High Priestess. Just why does he give off that vibe then? He can't be related to the abyss. The priesthood of this nation was said to be the defenders against Abyssia. Or, perhaps one of them infiltrated, just like Reginald and his descendants did with Kuroriku.

I glanced at Grace. Then, that meant that we couldn't completely trust that girl.

"What's with that look you're giving me?" Grace asked, staring right into my eyes. Oddly, she lacked the same vibe as her father. Was it something only he had? If so, why?

My eyes widened. Was it similar to me and the demoness of greed?

"What's your connection to Abyssia?" I asked, turning to look at Grace's father.

The man's eyes widened. "You can tell?"

I scoffed. "Of course, I can. I have history with several abysmals. Now, spill."

"You really are a rude man, you know that?" Grace said.

"Politeness only drags things out. It's best to not beat around the bush about important matters," I said, running a hand through my hair.

The man took a deep breath. "It's fine, Grace. I don't mind answering him." He placed a hand on his chest. "You see, I am-"

"Hey, Takuya and I found something!" Eri yelled as he and Takuya ran down the stairs. In Eri's hands was an old looking book bound by what appeared to be string. When did he sneak off to help Takuya search for it?

"Is it about the headband to bind the Monkey King's powers?"

"Yes, but it only contains a fragmentary passage. The rest appears to have been burned," Eri said, handing me over the opened book.

Only the first parts of the page remained. The rest was charred or worn out by old age. It was a miracle that any of it had even survived up to our generation.

"Can you read it?"

He nodded. "Yes, but saying it is something different."

"I see," I said.

"Here, lend it to me," Grace's mother said.

I handed the book over to her.

She cleared her throat. "It says 'You reckless monkey who seeks to overthrow the heavens, listen to my words and heed them!', and that's all it says."

I bit my lip. Would that alone work?

Suddenly, the entire library started to shake.

"What's going on?" Kai asked.

"And earthquake, but we're in the air..." Huang said, glancing around uneasily.

"Perhaps our uninvited guests have arrived," Grace's mom said, smiling. "Let's welcome them."

I gulped. I only felt one aura, that of the Monkey King himself.

"I'll go outside and stall the enemy. The rest of you stay here and look for the sealing method," I said. "Eri, once you've found it, try to call forth your grandfather. Huang, call your brother-in-law."

The two young man nodded. "Gone it!" they said in unison.

I held my hand out and formed a portal. "Good. We'll need the assistance of the gods for this one."

**Solar Note: Pardon for the long delay. Editing RoaGA and other stuff took up my time during these past sixteen days. Hopefully, this chapter was worth the wait. I plan to have the next chapter ready by this weekend (I actually started on parts of it weeks ago as I had an idea for what will become 84).**