While Rihan was busy planning for events in the near future, one of those who will be among the main stars was doing some self training.

This was Momo.

She stood with her back bent, and her hands on her knees. She was breathing really heavy. Her sweat covered her entire body, and her eyes looked unfocused.

She tried taking a step forward, but she collapsed right away. She laid on the ground unable to move no matter how hard she tried. All that ran through her mind was Miko’s face in the video he left behind.

Once she was remained of his words, she somehow found the strength to get up again.

“I-I’m gonna make you sorry…Miko!”

She started to sprint while chanting multiple phrases at once. The surroundings around her started to dim, but that was only for a second.

“Ugh!”

An overwhelming amount of pain struck her body and caused her to collapse again.

“S-Shit….My body has past its limit.”

She acknowledged.

“I need to rest. I always nag him about it when I’m training him, so I have to follow my own advice.”

She said.

She laid there with her entire body aching. Her mind ran on Nero and Nova who were still in a coma. She suddenly felt an intense sense of loneliness wash over her.

“For all my life, they were right behind me whenever I looked, but now I’m all alone.”

She said.

“Miko said that we can’t be together because we’re not on the same level, I’m starting to believe that.”

She immediately shook her head.

“I’ve must have gotten too attached, for me to be thinking like this.”

She sat up.

“It isn’t like me to be so upset over someone who chose to leave me. I must get it together.”

She slapped her cheeks, as if trying to wake herself.

“The only thing I should be concentrating on is becoming stronger. Strong enough to ensure that I can prevent anyone from leaving me again.”

She paused.

“That sounded a bit psycho, so I’ll rephrase it.”

She said after some thinking.

“I’ll become strong enough so that no one can see me as a burden or a liability ever again!”

She nodded.

“Hmm, that sounds better. So I’ll go with that.”

She said with a smile.

“Okay, I’ve trained enough for today. So I’ll go take a walk to rest up.”

She said.

“I wonder how the others are coming along?”

After she said that, she left the Primus world for the first time since Miko left. When she arrived in the throne room, she looked at the empty throne with longing for a bit, before moving on.

She walked down the halls, searching for someone she knew. After a while, she ran into someone she knew. It was Alec.

“Oh, Momo. I was just about to look for you.”

He approached her with a smile.

“Searching for me? What for?”

Momo asked him.

“What else? I wanted to check up on you. Are you ok?”

He asked.

“I’m fine.”

“You don’t look fine. It’s obvious that you’ve pushed your body too far.”

“I need to do this if I want to accomplish my goal.”

Momo responded.

“I see. So you already set a goal for yourself.”

Alec nodded with satisfaction.

“That’s good. That means that you’ve already accepted what happened and Miko’s words, and is trying your best to move on.”

He said.

“You see, I was kind of supposed to keep Miko in check but I failed miserably.”

He said with scratching his cheek in embarrassment.

“So its kind of my responsibility to clean up after him, or rather it’s my job to make sure that his wishes are carried out.”

“Since when do you do your job?”

Momo was skeptic.

“The last time I checked, it was also your job to rule this empire in everyone’s absence.”

Alec laughed nervously.

“I just didn’t want him to be misunderstood.”

“Don’t worry. I understand what he meant, not that I agree with it.”

She said.

“Well, that’s natural.”

Alec replied.

“Even I don’t agree with everything he said, but I do understand where he’s coming from.”

He smiled.

“Anyway, you’re about to check up on everyone, right? I’ll accompany you.”

Momo suspected that he was up to something, but allowed him to follow her. Alec walked behind her with a smile.

“Where’s Rihan? I heard that he was personally training you.”

Alec asked.

“He said that we should take a break, and went out. He should be back later.”

“I see. Having him teach you was a smart move. He should be able to bring out your potential like never before.”

Alec said with a smile.

“Speaking of which, where’s Aeon?”

“Who knows where that bastard is?”

Momo answered with a frown. It was obvious that she was upset with Aeon.

“He left before we even went to war with the Aloe Kingdom. He’s probably with Leon and Kristen.”

“You didn’t ask Rihan?”

“Even if I asked, he wouldn’t tell me the truth.”

Momo answered.

“Well, that’s true.”

The two headed where Bloom stayed with those from Grim City. It was a huge mansion in the Royal District that was specially built for them.

Upon entering, they saw someone who was missing in action for a long time, Sapphire.

“Sapphy, long time no see.”

Momo said.

“Great, even you’re calling me that. You know what, I’ll just let the nickname stick.”

Sapphire said with a sigh.

“You’re finally out of the Illusionary Beast Valley.”

Momo said.

“Thank god. That place is hell.”

Sapphire responded.

After the Dragna Kingdom had turned into an empire, Sapphire entered the Illusionary Beast Valley that Miko trained in when he was younger. This was at Miko’s suggestion, that she needed to become stronger than she was so that Jin won’t have to protect her all the time. She agreed and entered the valley, where she spent the last couple months.

“But you had company right?”

Alec asked.

“I heard that there were another four persons, who was a part of your group. I heard that Miko threw them into the valley months ago, before the other branches even came back.”

Sapphire nodded.

“They came back together with me, although they were all put in different levels in the valley.”

She pointed in the living room and there they could see four persons sitting with a wild and powerful presence about them. They were the members of Silver Crow that had been missing from action for several months.

“I don’t what they experienced in there, but they’re all different from how they were like months ago. And I’m not just talking about strength.”

“Yeah. The valley has that effect on people. It completely broke Miko once.”

Momo said.

“More importantly, we heard of everything that had happened. I gotta say, I’m speechless. I never expected something that grand to happen. Also I’m sad to hear about what happened to Exsul.”

Sapphire said with a sad expression. Since she and the rest of Silver crow had stayed with Exsul for 6 months in Grim City, they became close with its members.

“You’re here to check up on Bloom right?”

Momo nodded.

“She’s in the kitchen.”

Sapphire guided them to the kitchen. When they walked past the members of Silver Crow, they sensed a thick bloodlust surrounding them. It wasn’t that they wanted to attack Alec and Momo, it’s just that they lived in extreme environments for so long that they became able to kill at the drop of the hat.

‘Impressive. As they are now, they can become great tools for murder who can help pave Jin Makoto’s path to the top.’

Alec thought with a smile.

‘This must’ve been what Miko was aiming for.’

While he was thinking that, they arrived in the kitchen. When they entered they saw Bloom sitting around a table with her head down on the table.

“Bloom, Momo and Alec Dragna are here to see you.”

Bloom lifted one hand, and waved it while keeping her head on the table. They didn’t mind and sat around the table.

They sat in silence for a while, until bloom herself broke the silence.

“You know, back when we were Logan Cross and Katrine McCloud, Miko and I really loved each other.”

She said.

“But I think that I loved him more than he loved me. Even so, I was still willing to die for him and his goals. In fact, I did.”

“I heard. Miko told me about his past life before. He said that losing you was his greatest regret.”

Momo responded.

“Yeah. I figured as much. I’m not bragging, but I doubt there’s anyone who understands him as much as I do.”

Bloom answered.

“That’s why I immediately understood his message.”

She sat there for a while in silence, before speaking again.

“Jin and Kaido have decided to become Miko’s enemies.”

“?!”

Both Momo and Alec were shocked to hear this.

“They said that they weren’t fit to be his friends, so they were going to become his enemies and aim for the spot of supreme being for their own reasons.”

Bloom added.

“I think I understand where they’re coming from. So I can’t scold them, since they clearly understood what Miko wanted from them.”

“What about you? What are you going to do?”

Alec asked.

“I’m….”

She didn’t answer immediately.

“I tried to be with Miko twice in two life times, and it didn’t work out the way I wanted. I couldn’t stand beside him as a friend or a lover.”

She paused again.

“As such, I’ve decided to take a different approach.”

She lifted her head and showed her tear stained face.

“I will stand in front of the person I love the most, as an enemy. If I can’t save him from his path to destruction as a lover, then I’ll obstruct his path as a foe.”

She cleaned her face with a wet towel.

“I’m going to help Jin become the supreme being, and then comfort Miko after he lost.”

“That’s a wicked mindset.”

Alec said with a smile.

“You need wicked methods to deal with a wicked man.”

She answered with a smile.

“Well, that’s true.”

She and Momo started smiled at each other.

After talking with Bloom for a bit, Momo and Alec decided to pay Luka a visit. After Miko left, she moved out of the palace and went to live in the Lower Class District, like she used to.

She is of course under the protection of the Flameheart Clan, since she was the most eligible to inherit the clan.

When they reached her base of operations, Momo and Alec were stopped by countless people in black.

“Black Hornet, stand down.”

Momo said.

“With all due respect, we only follow our leader’s orders.”

One of the people in black said.

“Stand down. They’re our guests.”

At that moment, Robin came out and ordered them. Black hornet didn’t hesitate, and cleared the path.

“I’m sorry about that. Lulu, is inside.”

Robin told them.

They entered the base and sensed that there were a large amount of people inside, but they were keeping themselves hidden.

“It looks like all of the members of Fate returned.”

Said Momo.

“Yeah. We merged with the Black Hornets though.”

Robin said.

“We all follow Lulu, so it doesn’t matter what we’re called.”

“You guys sure are loyal to her.”

Said Alec.

“Of course. That’s why we can’t forgive what Miko did to her.”

Robin spoke with a bit of anger.

“I see.”

Robin led them to Luka’s office, and knocked on the door before telling them to enter.

“Are you sure we don’t need to wait for a response?”

Momo asked.

“It’s ok. She won’t respond anyway.”

Robin said and opened the door. The two looked at each other, before entering. When they entered, they saw Luka sitting behind her desk staring into space with a blank look.

“Luka?”

Momo called out to her.

“It’s no use. Once she has that look on her face, her mind has drifted off somewhere.”

“How long has she been like this?”

“It started when Miko left. She would have times where her mind wonders off. During that time she’s unable to hear or see anything around her.”

Robin explained.

“Is she okay?”

“….I’m fine.”

Luka surprisingly responded.

“I’m just confused that’s all.”

She said.

“Since Miko left, I’ve been struggling to cope with two emotions. Sadness and anger.”

She straightened up herself.

“One part of me wants to cry and curse him and call him a heartless bastard.”

“And the other part?”

Alec asked.

“I want to chase after him and beg him to remain with me.”

Luka replied.

“Another part of me wants to find him and kill him for betraying my feelings. I think that part of me is my Flameheart bloodline.”

“…..Yeah. I think so too.”

Momo said with a wry smile.

“It’s because I have all these emotions swirling inside me that I feel overwhelmed some times. This is the reason for my random blackouts.”

“It’s like you’ve developed some kind of a mental disorder from being abandoned by Miko.”

Alec had an intrigued expression on his face. Momo hit him in the side with her elbow, telling him to stop.

“Anyway, Luka. We just heard that the entire Grim City group have decided to become Miko’s enemies. What is your decision?”

Alec asked.

“I see….So they chose that path.”

Luka looked tired.

“I considered doing the same, so I know where they’re going from.”

She said.

“It sounds like you won’t be doing the same.”

Momo said.

“I won’t.”

Luka replied.

“I don’t intend to intentionally become Miko’s enemy or ally. I’m responsible for too many lives, and shoulder too many hopes and dreams to do something like that.”

“Lulu, we’ve already told you. You don’t need to worry about us. Just do whatever you think will make you happy.”

Said Robin.

“I am. If I abandoned everything to chase after Miko, not only would I disappoint him, but I won’t be able to forgive myself.”

Luka replied.

“Miko chose to walk a path that he believes will grant him the happiness that he’s seeking. I don’t have such a thing. In fact, I currently don’t have a goal like the others and don’t even know what I wish for at the moment.”

She said.

“As such, I’m walking the neutral path. I won’t chase after Miko, nor will I try to block his path. I’ll walk my own path and discover things I didn’t know about myself, and grow stronger along with those that believe in me. If my and Miko’s paths cross in the future, then so be it.”

“What if after he accomplished what he wants to accomplish, he desires you again?”

Alec asked.

“Then my answer will depend on what kind of people we are then, and if I still feel the same as I do now.”

Luka replied without hesitation. It was obvious that she was thinking about this for a while now.

“Looks like you really wish to just go with the flow.”

Alec said with a smile.

Luka nodded.

“Of course, I don’t intend to fall behind Miko. I can’t forgive him for not recognizing me as his equal, so I’ll prove it to him in the future.”

Soon after that, Momo and Alec left Luka’s base and decided to make their final stop.

They went to where Ace, Sora, and Hina were. When they got there, they saw something a bit unexpected. They saw the trio rather relaxed, and doing as they pleased.

Ace was playing games on his game console. Sora was listening music while toning a guitar. Hina was reading a light novel while eating some chips.

“Um…”

Momo didn’t know what to say after seeing how casual they were.

“Oh, Momo. What’s up?”

The one who answered her was Sora.

“We just came to see how you guys were doing. We also wanted to know what your next move after Miko’s departure.”

They were so casual that Alec casually revealed the reasons for their visit.

“Oh. We’re fine.”

Sora answered.

“As for what we’ll do next, we already discussed it and decided to side with Miko whether he like it or not.”

“We’re like that one stain you can’t get out that white shirt.”

Ace said with a laugh.

“Mikky left because he believed that we were too far apart, then all need to do is cut the distance.”

Hina said.

“Cut the distance? You do know that means becoming his equal or at least someone who can rival him.”

Momo said with a hint of surprise.

“We know.”

Sora responded.

“We just gotta do it, that’s all.”

Both Alec and Momo were shocked by the trios behaviors. The vibe around them was light hearted compared to everyone else.

“I’m surprised that you guys can be nonchalant about this. Are you that confident in yourself?”

Alec asked.

“You’re misunderstanding us.”

Hina spoke up.

“We’ve been with Mikky the longest, hence we had a grasp of his character for a while now. We also knew from a very long time ago that he was in a league of his own and was superior to us.”

She said.

“That’s why we decided a long time ago to reach his level. We know that it won’t be easy, but we already prepared for the worst.”

“I see. So you’re saying that you already anticipated that he will walk a different path from you guys years ago, and came to terms with it. So now you’re at the stage that you’re working to catch up.”

The trio nodded at Alec’s analysis.

“But you guys don’t seem like you’re working to reach where he is.”

Said Momo.

“Really? Just because we’re not working ourselves to the bone all the time doesn’t mean we’re not serious.”

Said Ace.

“Do you really think that you can reach Miko that easily? Getting desperate will only increase the distance between you and him. If you really want to reach him, the most logical choice is to stay true to yourself; just like Miko has always done.”

Said Sora.

His words were like a lightning bolt to Momo. They made her realize her foolishness earlier. She realized that she was just rushing everything, and that would only destroy her.

‘I can’t believe that I actually called myself his teacher, when I couldn’t even realize something like this.’

She thought with a bitter smile.

“Another thing, Mikky and I made a promise to each other.”

Hina recalled the words that she and Miko exchanged before the war.

“No matter what, I’ll always be on your side. If there comes a day I’m not the me you love and I stand before you as an enemy, I want you to kill me, because that is no longer the me I want to be.”

She told him. She remembered his reply.

“Don’t worry. No matter what happens, you’ll always be my woman. Even if we’re enemies that won’t change the feelings I have for you.”

“I’ll listen to your request, but only if you’ll listen to mine.”

“If I somehow change from the man you love into something else, I want you to kill me as well. I want the women I love to be the ones to put an end to me, and no one else.”

When she heard these words, Hina had realized that Miko was preparing to depart from them.

“If I don’t reach his level, I won’t be able to fulfill my promise to him.”

She said.

“As such, we will reach our missing family member whether he likes it or not. It’s not that we can’t, we must.”

Alec and Momo left the trio’s place and walked in the city.

“So, did talking with those in the same situation as you grant you different a new perceptive?”

Alec asked.

“……..”

Momo didn’t answer immediately and thought about everything she seen or heard today. She had to admit to her stupidity earlier. Her heart and mind that were so clouded, were now the clear like never before.

“I’ve decided to just do me and get stronger in a way that fits me. I’m sure that if I do that I’ll be happier. I’ll handle Miko as I always have. I’ll kick his ass and make him sorry for leaving me behind. I’ll keep doing it until he open his eyes. To do that I already know what needs to be done.”

She said.

“I need to become the best me that I can.”

Alec nodded in satisfaction.

“Then you need this.”

He threw a chip at her.

“What’s this?”

“A specialized training regiment that I designed after analyzing your DNA, fighting style, physical abilities and limits, etc. It is designed to improve your strengths and slowly fix your weaknesses. If you use it as reference, I promised you that you’ll grow in ways you never expected. Reaching Miko, won’t be a dream then.”

He then threw some more chips, that had the names of all of Miko’s friends on them.

“Give those out for me. They have a specialized training regiments that was tailor made for them, just like you.”

“Why did you develop these?”

Alec smiled.

“I told you earlier right? It’s my job to make sure Miko’s wishes are carried out. I checked up on everyone to see if they were up to the task, and I’m satisfied.”

He turned his back to her.

“They all have different reasons and different views, but they’ve all decided to move on and work towards becoming true individuals, not just Miko’s extensions.”

He started to walk away.

“Oh. You don’t need to worry about Sasha and Tessa. I’ve already gave them their own training chips a long time ago. They’re training hard to beat some sense in Miko, with Kimiko.”

He said.

“Be sure to work hard. The rest of the clan has already moved on and are focused on walking their own paths. It’s great that you’ve decided to do the same as well.”

“What about you?”

Momo asked as she watched him walked away.

“Me, huh? I wonder just what I should do next?”

He started laughing after saying that, and then left.

After he left, Momo looked chips and clenched them with a smile.

“Just how much of a genius are you?”