The witches stared at the sprawled bodies across the room. Their gaze traveled onto each person, then their gaze rested on Eimi. All of them, knocked out.

"I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS! HAHAHAHAHA! NOW LET'S GET EIMI AND FIND KING KAITO!!" the leader yelled triumphantly. The group hovered over the blue-haired girl, their hoods fluttering. The leader grabbed her arm and slung her whole body over her shoulder. She felt light as a feather. 

"Hey Eimi, guys! I contacted the party manager..." King Kaito's voice dropped as he rushed into the room and took in the surroundings. Then he turned and saw the witches, with Eimi slung over a witch's shoulder. Queen Akihiro was also on the ground, unconscious. "WHAT ARE YOU WITCHES THINK YOU ARE DOING TO MY DAUGHTER AND MY QUEEN?!?" he roared, drawing his blue Aquamarine sword, glinting with the power of the oceans.

"Oh, nothing." the lead witch snickered. The other witches laughed. 

"PUT. HER. DOWN!!!" Kaito swung the blade at the witches but in vain. "I will not let you guys attack her!"

"Too bad, heh." the witch gripped the back of Eimi's neck and shoved her in front, showing off her little trophy. She held out a wickedly-sharp knife, the bracelet glowing. "Choose one: the Aquolio Emblem, or your daughter. You can only choose one of them. AHAHAHA!" saying, she raised the knife to Eimi's throat. 

"You- you evil witches!" Kaito dropped his blade shakily, his face pale. The sound of Aquamarine against the ground rang in the air. "You-"

"Yes, us." the witches snickered,  excitement glinting in their eyes. A great decision was about to occur.

Suddenly, he heard a groan from his precious daughter, Eimi. "Dad... Choose the Emblem... Don't choose me... Don't worry... I'll be okay." 

"Shut up, you brat!" the witch shook her furiously. Eimi whimpered softly and then was silent. 

It broke Kaito's heart to see her daughter so helpless. His mind raced, trying to find a way to save his daughter and the Emblem. He could go for Eimi, but he needed to give them the Emblem. He thought of a way to make them hand over Eimi and then not give them the Emblem. But he rethought it: there were 5 of them and there was only 1 of him. If he chose the Emblems... he would watch his darling die.

There was only 1 option. If he took it, it would mean killing himself. Sweat dripped down his neck and face. 

"Time is ticking, Kaito. Choose fast." the leader witch snarled. 

"I WILL CHOOSE NONE OF THE OPTIONS! INSTEAD..." Kaito picked up his sword. 

"Ooh, want to fight us?" the witches closed in on him.

"No!" Kaito roared. "For justice!" he pointed the sword at himself and braced for the pain. Then he stabbed himself. Pain exploded in him, and he screamed.

"DADDY!" Eimi cried, tears flowing down her cheeks. "Please! Noo!" she shook off the knife from her throat and the hand gripping her neck and lunged toward him, her eyes desperate. 

"Darling... I'm sorry." Kaito's eyelids drooped, and in one final breath, he was gone.