While this was happening with Deku's party, the party of Bakugo, Camie, Ei, and Mina was having a much less pleasant time making their way across the remaining Dark lands and back to the South. They had gotten as far as the place where they'd been attacked by scorpions, before Ei took another stint as a dragon to speed things up. It was true with only 3 people, he could move faster, and things were taking less time to cross than the first time. But even so, it might be another week before they got home.

Mina could have gone back to her enchanted forest, but she seemed disinclined to do so. It would be dull after this. She and Camie kept having doubts that leaving Deku and Ochaco had really been the right course of action.

"Sure, I wanted to kick him in the face, but still," Camie said.

Bakugo stubbornly refused to acknowledge any of what they said.

Ei wished they'd thought more carefully before making the decision. "Deku's got no common sense," he said, "and Ochaco's just one person. How will they ever survive on their own? They could have died by now, and we'd never know. I just wonder, man."

"You're making me feel worse," Mina said, "Seriously, King Bakugo, don't you feel any remorse at all?"

"For that liar? H--- no!" Bakugo snapped, "Stop talking about it. He's not even here, so act like it!"

"It's no use. Bakugo has never changed his mind ever," Camie said drolly. It was not quite true, but she didn't care. "Do you think they miss us?"

"After how we talked to them?" Ei said, "No way. They probably hate us."

"It won't be so bad if we could just tell someone else about it, and maybe they could help," Mina said, "I wonder where that fay and artificer went? And the sprite lady in that one village too."

She hesitated. "Do you remember what they warned us about? Pride, arrogance, ... you know, and getting too caught up in that. Is that what we did?"

"I don't feel proud," Camie said.

"No one feels proud when they're too proud," Mina said.

"All of you pipe down!" Bakugo said.

"Oh, will  you come off it?" Camie kicked dirt at him. "We all know that you've been grumpy this whole time because you feel guilty. Why don't you just admit it and suffer like the rest of us? We're barbarians! We're supposed to stick with our groups when we make an agreement. It's us against the world, and we abandoned our group. It doesn't matter how you look at it, we could've done that better. You just stormed away, and that's why everyone else left too."

"Are you saying it's my fault all  you d--- morons did the same thing! That you don't make you own d--- choices?!" Bakugo whirled around to yell at her.

"I'm saying we couldn't exactly not follow you, you jackass!" Camie said, "Someone has to make sure you don't die!" She shoved him in the chest. "You didn't give us a chance to talk it out!"

"I didn't need to talk! I already know what to do when people lie!" Bakugo said, "You should be grateful I didn't kill him on top of it!"

"Like killing the 9th holder would be a good idea," Camie snapped, "I should be so grateful you had an ounce of intelligence, you mean? Do you think before you do anything, Bakugo?"

"Shut up, wench!" Bakugo said. 

"Wench?! How dare you?! I'm a goshdanged Princess!" Camie said indignantly, "I ought to pummel you for that."

"Like you could!" Bakugo was only dying for a change to vent his frustration violently instead of verbally.

"I won't give you the satisfaction," Camie dug it in deep.

"Uh, hello," Mina said, "Can both of you stop acting like children? You're not even married yet and you're quarreling (also, Camie, I really think you could do better)--"

"Whoa, sister," Camie said, holding up a hand, "That's off limits. This king may be an idiot, but he's my idiot. Don't talk like that about him. That's my job."

"That's... just wrong," Mina said, "but as I was saying, even if you're barbarians, can't we act a little civil? And that's coming in from a sprite. We're not even that civil."

"Yeah, you're more like pow! pow! Get out of my way!" Ei said, not as if it was a bad thing.

"Well, it works," Mina rubbed her fist, "but right now, a little cooperation would be nice. Where are we even going? Your territory is dead, isn't it?"

Bakugo scowled. "Doesn't matter. The tribe is going to get frisky if we don't show up and knock them into line."

"And my tribe is going to choose a new leader if I don't get back there and assert dominance," Camie said.

"Why do I feel like what you just said should have been switched with each other?" Ei said oddly.

They both shrugged.

"What are we going to do about the Dark Lord, then?" Mina said, "We left the only hope of stopping him to fend for itself, and we all know, Deku is hopeless when it comes to that. Do we have an alternative plan?"

"Do whatever you want. Go back there and help that fool if you feel so bad, but I'm going home," Bakugo said angrily.

Mina sighed.

"I don't know what to tell you, Mina," Ei said, "I kind of agree with you, but I'm loyal to King Bakugo, and I'm not sure I can make it back by myself anyway."

"I definitely can't. I barely survived the first time," Camie said, "I have to stick with you."

Well, this argument had gotten them nowhere. Mina wasn't willing to go off alone either.

The other three all wished Bakugo would change his mind, but none of them had the guts to go off alone without him. Though, had they really thought about it, they might have seen that he might be forced to change his mind if they did that. They didn't think the others would agree to it, so no one suggested it.

                                                                                          * * *

While that went on with them, Momo and Shoto and Soba had been steadily making their way West. By now they were farther West than the others had ever been. Shoto recognized the landscape slowly shifting and didn't care for it. He disliked his own Kingdom.... To be perfectly honest, he didn't know much about it. He always had been hurried around it when he was with his father, and when he had stolen away himself, he'd not spoken to anyone.

To Momo, the new, larger villages and cities they were passing through were full of interesting sights, though a few times she might have gotten herself into trouble by wandering into a place she shouldn't have, if Shoto hadn't kept such a careful watch on her. He scolded her a few times for not watching her surroundings.

Momo had cheered up compared to how she was before. She seemed to have pushed Kyoka out of her mind. But, her cheeriness seemed superficial. Shoto wasn't the best judge of that.

Things had progress uneventfully for them, because they were going to the land least likely to have monsters in it, at least ones that would dare to attack powerful mages like them. The worst annoyance they had was the same as the other pairs had had, people assuming they were married. Of course, neither of them quite realized that was the case at first. They missed all the hints at it. It took one innkeeper asking them point blank, with a suspicious look, for it to get into their heads.

Shoto naively told him the truth without any form of sugar coating, and the inn keeper turned them out on the spot. Momo was mortified, though she didn't fully understand why it was a problem. She assumed it was for legal reasons.

Shoto knew as little about it as her, but he knew it wasn't considered proper by people. However he never gave much thought to what nobles considered proper. That was his father's concern, not his. 

At the time of the two previous events, Shoto and Momo had stopped to get a hot meal at an inn, because it was cold and raining where they were. Thanks to Momo's magic, they were the only two people who never had to worry about money. She could just make gold or silver on the spot. She preferred to only make as much as she needed.

Shoto was thinking that after weeks, he didn't know that much more about her than when they left, and he thought it might be because he was really bad at conversation. So he decided to try asking her a question.

"Can I ask something?" he said, over his noodles.

"Of course," Momo looked up.

"When the tribe selected you for the mission, why did they send you? If you're the princess, wouldn't they want to protect you?" Shoto said. He realized that might be the wrong thing to bring up the moment after he said it.

Sure enough, Momo immediately frowned, but she then she forced herself to be calm and neutral. "I don't quite understand the difficulty. Who else should go?"

"I... would think they would want to preserve their ruler.... That is, my father would never let me go anywhere with just one companion." Shoto said the wrong thing yet again.

Momo had the patience of a saint. "It sounds like our systems of ruling work differently. Perhaps because our monarchs aren't chosen by lineage but by gifting and divine ruling."

"People say that about the Todoroki line too," Shoto said darkly, "but it must not be a very good divinity if that is truth."

Momo pursed her lips. "I'm not sure one bad person is proof of that."

There was pause.

"How do you get chosen?" Shoto asked.

Momo took a bite before answering. "It's a bit complex. When the previous queen reaches a certain age, she selects promising trainees and has them train specially and tests them and narrows it down. They have to show an aptitude for battle and for wielding holy power. One of those things can be trained, but the other you seem to be born with. Both Kyoka and I were selected, but I showed more aptitude for the spiritual aspect of it than she did."

"What are those attributes?" Shoto asked, curiously.

Momo looked a bit self conscious. "Oh... it depends on the person, I expect.... There are different theories. Some say it's courage, some say it's a pure heart, some say it's compassion. I don't really know. Maybe it's just given at random."

"All of those reasons would make sense," Shoto said with a straight face.

Momo blushed uncomfortably. "Uh... well, it's an honor to be chosen. But being a paladin is different for everyone. It depends on the need of the tribe. So going looking for the 8th made sense for us. A warrior queen should protect her people, after all."

"A ruler who's expected to care about their people?" Shoto eyed his drink. "What an idea."

Momo was quiet for a bit. "I suppose it's different to be born into it...?" she said uncertainly.

"It's a long story," Shoto said, "but... basically, I'm not even supposed to be the heir. I'm the youngest of 4 siblings.... Our throne goes to the oldest."

"Oh?" Momo was surprised. 

"Yes... unless they're put out of succession..." Shoto said, "Which is what happened to my older brothers and sister."

"Oh, really?" Momo was confused.

"Yes... well, my oldest brother died," Shoto looked sober, "and my father said the other two were too weak to rule.... You see, you're supposed to be a powerful mage to rule in this kingdom, and they didn't inherit very strong magical ability. That's all the king cares about."

"I see," Momo said, "Perhaps there's some sense in that. To be able to protect your people, you need strong magic--"

"That's got nothing to do with it!" Shoto snapped, not meaning to be so harsh, but his emotions about it made him forget she didn't know. Momo looked taken aback.

Shoto went on warmly, "The king doesn't care about the people, he just cares about power for the sake of power. Sp that no one can oppose you. It doesn't matter who would be the best ruler. It's just... chance."

"Maybe it's not just chance," Momo said, "Maybe it's...destiny?"

Shoto scowled.

"You... said the king is working with the... you know..." Momo said in a lower voice, "Is that why you're upset?"

"I'm not upset," Shoto said. He clearly was. "It's just the truth."

"But you wish it wasn't," Momo said, "You're angry."

"Why would you say that?" Shoto said.

"The look on your face just now," Momo took a sip cautiously. 

Shoto was incredulous. "So... I  haven't really gotten better at hiding it..." he said, a bit deflated.

"Why should you hide it?" Momo said, "It's reasonable to be angry with evil."

"I never wanted to give him the satisfaction of acting like it bothered me," Shoto said.

Momo considered that. "But he's not here, so it's all right. I won't tell anyone." She smiled.

Shoto had to smile a little bit at that. "Honestly... I've never mentioned it to anyone else... in this detail... except my mom... so, I'm not used to people not thinking it's treason."

"I don't think so," Momo said, "It's not treason to want to do what's right."

"I wish more people thought like you," Shoto said.

"Ugh," someone sitting behind them turned, "Can you do that somewhere else? I swear you newlyweds are all the same."

"What?" Momo said, shocked.

"You know what I mean," the man said grouchily, "Give it a few years, and you won't think that anymore. Naive youngsters." He turned around huffily and ignored them.

"I wonder where he got that idea," Shoto said, completely clueless.

"I can't imagine," Momo said, equally clueless. But she was embarrassed now and went back to eating instead of talking.

                                                                                        * * *

Denki and Kyoka, and Tibult, were making their way South East still and cutting around any more villages. Denki was kind of thinking it was over a little fast for him, but, then again, he needed to go West and try to find Princess Momo.

Kyoka was quiet and sulky. Denki thought she would be happier to be so close to home. 

They cut over a river that shaved half a day off their journey. The water was unusually low. Denki thought it was odd, given the time of year, and wondered if the blight could have something to do with it. Was it affecting this area too? But it could also be something had blocked it up.

"We're in the territory now," Kyoka announced blandly, after about an hour of silence.,"I am not sure where they are camping. That Bakugo tyrant's band will be around here too. I hope we don't run into him."

"I don't know, I kind of miss Ei," Denki said.

"You would," Kyoka said.

"Are you that heartless, woman? You don't miss them at all?" Denki said.

"I... regret the loss of useful companions," Kyoka said stiffly, "Shut up."

"Considering we're parting ways tomorrow, you really should be a little more nice to me," Denki said, "After all, you're never going to see me again. And as much as it's been frustrating, I'm not stone cold. I'll even admit it, I think I might occasionally miss your sarcasm."

Kyoka gave him a strange look. "Don't be ridiculous.... You'll be glad enough to be rid of me, and there's no need to make jokes about it. I don't like jokes."

"I noticed, but I wasn't joking," Denki said, "My family likes to say you can get used to anyone. It's just how people are."

"They can get used to anyone not being around too." Kyoka didn't mean that to be quite as hurtful as it came out. She was thinking of herself more.

Denki looked kind of crushed. "I... guess..."

Kyoka realized her mistake. "Oh... I didn't... mean that the way it sounded."

"But it's true," Denki said, "Well, after all, what do I matter? No one takes me seriously. I get it. I was just trying to be nice and end things on a positive note, no pun intended..." he trailed off and started plucking at his lute rather dejectedly.

He had not been his cheerful self since Kaminaron Village, and Kyoka was honestly getting the heebie jeebies from it. She didn't think ending on this note was what she wanted either. It wasn't natural.

Denki started playing "Somebody who I used to Know". Which was a rather passive aggressive choice, in her mind. 

https://youtu.be/Ch1aVmjvYTI

"Now and then I think of when we were together, 

Eros surely hit the apple of mine eye.

 I believed that thou wert right for me, but felt so lonely in thy company, but that was love and tis an ache I still remember...

Was there cause to cast me off? 

Act as though it never happened and that we were nothing? 

In sooth I do not need thy love, but thou makest me a stranger and it feels so rough. Was there need to stoop so low? 

To send a wagon for thy minstral and refuse my letters, I need no longer write them though, now thou art somebody who I used to know."

"Will you stop that?!" Kyoka snapped, "That's not helping."

Denki stopped playing it and switched songs.

https://youtu.be/Kbj4bulZX2Y

"What is love?

 Lady thou woundest, thou woundest, mine heart. 

 Oh I know not whither thou art, or wherefore thou tearest us apart If ever thou beest mine, 

giv'st me a sign What is love? Lady thou woundest, thou woundest, mine heart. 

 I know not what can granted be, for doth not my freedom rest with thee? 

What shall remain if we are twain? 

Alack, I beseech 

 What is love? Lady thou woundest, thou woundest, mine heart."

"That's not better!" Kyoka snapped. 

"Why don't you stop being so mean!?" Denki snapped back. 

Tibult headbutted Kyoka as if to make the point more. Since she was still not wearing her armor, that actually hurt, and she lurched forward. "Hey, Stupid llama!" she cried.

"Well, that's what you get for yelling," Denki said, "Tibult, though, you know you're not supposed to headbutt people until I give the signal."

Tibult bleeted.

Kyoka glared at them sourly.

"All right, all right, sorry." Denki held out a hand. "It's not worth it to fight right now."

Kyoka sighed and was going to accept the hand and call a truce, but just then she thought she heard something rustle. She tensed. 

"Fine, be that way," Denki said. 

Kyoka tuned into her hearing magic. She could hear every leaf rustle in the forest, every blade of grass whistle, and the scampering of small animals over the ground, the cry of a bird miles above them.

And the breathing of people not that far away, and the unsheathing of a weapon.

"Get down!" she cried and jumped on Denki to knock him to the ground.

Denki was stunned but familiar enough with her other abilities not to react other than to freeze. 

Kyoka put her ear to the ground to listen for footsteps.  

"Uh... can you get off of me?" Denki hissed.

"Quiet!" Kyoka said, but it was too late. Something smacked into her and sent her sprawling.

Something else hit Denki. It looked like a weighted net of some sort.

"Don't let him get away," a voice said loudly. 

"Are you all right, lady?" Someone else spoke to Kyoka. She sat up and looked up at a girl in armor.

"Seiko?" she said in astonishment.

"Kyoka?" the girl said, surprised, "Why this is providential. But really, I'd think you could handle a small male like that. Do you want us to let you finish him off?"

"What?" Kyoka said blankly. 

"Oh, right, you want a chance to explain ourselves first," Seiko replied, "I mean, where have you been? Wait, where's Princess Momo? Oh! Did this scoundrel kill her?"

"No--" Kyoka began.

"Blast it! He's a bard!" one of the other girls called, plucking up a lute, "You know what they say about bards."

"Oh...!" Several familiar voices cried in horror. 

Kyoka now heard that they were all around her, and she could see some of them too, from the trees. 

"Are you under a spell?" Seiko asked her, "Just answer me one way or the other."

"I'm not under a spell!" Kyoka said.

"That's just what someone who was under a spell would say," said one of the other warriors.

"I think I see where Kyoka gets her suspicious nature from," Denki made the mistake of speaking.

"Quiet, worm!" one of the warriors kicked him.

Kyoka was both embarrassed and angered by this. "Hey, stop it. That one is harmless."

"What's this little animal he has?" said one of the warriors. 

"It's an alpaca," Kyoka said.

"It's too big to be an alpaca," Seiko said, "Don't be silly. Clearly you are not yourself right now, Kyoka."

"That doesn't prove anything," Kyoka said, "but you were always a little too full of your own wits, Seiko."

Seiko frowned and kicked her in the stomach.

Kyoka blacked out.

"Oh... oh, she wasn't wearing armor under that ugly dress..." Seiko said, "I thought it was a disguise... Oops."

"Seiko!" whined the other warriors.

"I didn't mean to," Seiko said.

"Wow, you all are terrible friends," Denki said.

"Shut him up, please," Seiko said.

One of the warriors smacked Denki in the back of the neck.

"Should we just kill him?" said another.

"No, let's at least find out what he did first," Seiko said, "I want to know if we should torture him."