THREE DAYS PASSED BY SINCE OUR TRIO HAD LEFT KASHIKOI’S HOUSE FOR CENTRAL AKUNI. Yukan was sitting upon a bed in a motel room as Ite and Kadaina continued to interrogate him.

"So, the blade that you found at the bottom of a pit marked you with that rose design," said Kadaina, "and now we're in Central Akuni for no reason other than 'you want to be here'."

"It's not that simple," Yukan claimed. "We need to be here. This is the only place that can help us now."

"I don't understand what's going on with you," Ite exclaimed. "Are you okay with having that mark for the rest of your life? I thought you were dead and-"

"We both thought it was game over, Yukan," Kadaina continued. "I thought you ran out of pawns and made your final move."

"We're not here for sightseeing or something," Yukan interjected, continuing with his statement from earlier. "I should have died in that endless pit but I didn't. This blade chose me for a reason. We need to speak with King Yokina of Akuni."

"What?!" Ite shouted, as confused as ever. "Where is this coming from, Yukan? Did you hit your head too hard on the fall? I'm getting very concerned about your mental health."

"Are you insane?" Kadaina joined in. "What makes you think the King will see you? We're worse than pawns on his board. We'd be lucky to even be the tiles he plays on!"

"Stop with the chess references you nerd," Yukan retorted. Ite approached the newfound wielder of the Omega Blade.

"Yukan," she began. "Please tell us, tell me what's going on with you. This is the first time you've said anything since we got here and now you want to go talk with a king?"

"Listen to Logic McGee over here," added the young mage. "You're not making any sense right now! Kashikoi is dead and now you want to head to a random-ass place for unknown reasons. You need to explain yourself. Give us something, anything to get into that thick skull." Yukan took a deep breath in, trying to collect himself. He was worried about what might happen when he told them his intentions but now was as good a time as any. After a few seconds, he began speaking again.

"I wish to talk to King Yokina for a very important reason," he began, unloading the burden on his mind. "We are not heading to Central Akuni for no reason. He's the only man that can declare war on Aotoshi." He knew that as soon as he said that three-letter word, the complaints would file in from his two comrades.

"War?!" Ite exclaimed, completely baffled. "Yukan, do you have any idea what that would do to the population of Akuni?! This is insane!"

"LISTEN TO THE ONLY LOGIC LEFT IN YOUR LIFE, DUDE!" Kadaina yelled out. "I fully agree, Ite. Starting wars isn't a way to solve problems."

"This is the best way to-"

"Yukan," Ite interrupted him before he could state his reasoning. "Please just listen for a moment. I know you're still going through the stages of grief. I know what's happening with you, but resorting to violence isn't the answer. When my parents died, I was angry at the world. I wanted everyone to feel my agony and heartbreak. I envied people who still had their regular lives, but please Yukan. We don't have to do this. Everything turned out all right. I was somewhat raised by my mindless uncle. We don't need to-"

"Guys," Yukan interrupted, needing to explain himself. "I know you're not going to be 100% on board with this, but this is the only way I can kill Kunshu. With him still breathing, still living, and walking around arrogantly, I can't face the reality that he may never be punished for his crimes. It's on my mind constantly, the lives he's ripped apart. The number of people he's murdered out of pure malevolence keeps me awake at night and trapped in nightmares of hell. If not us, who? Who's left to step up and kill him? Aren't you angry, Kadaina?! He murdered Kashikoi in front of your very eyes. We can't let his sacrifice be for absolutely nothing!"

"I guess there's no persuading you out of this," Kadaina sighed. "I am your loyal friend from here on out. 'Chess holds its master in its own bonds, shackling the mind and brain so that the inner freedom of the very strongest must suffer,' as said by Albert Einstein. I am willing to suffer with you to win this board over."

"You really are a nerd," Ite added. "What he says translates to 'We will help you, Yukan.' I don't know what's going to happen or where we're going to end up, but we have your back."

She then pulled Yukan into an embrace. Time seemed to slow down even further as Yukan felt this. He felt a warmth that he'd only known from his past, as he realized that his life had changed. This once constant feeling, this harmony he'd felt at this time, was now foreign. He wished he could stay here for the rest of the time he had left on this wimpy ball of dirt and water floating aimlessly through the cosmos. However, he still knew that such a life would be impossible so long as Kunshu was still after him.

"Thank you, Ite," he uttered, breaking the silence and letting time return to its original speed. "Your support means more than you could ever know."

"The sooner we see this king," interjected Kadaina, "the sooner you can realize how hopeless this plan is. Let's go."

The three of them then checked out of the motel and got back onto their horses. As our trio headed toward the heart of Akuni, Yokina's Palace, they knew that it was now or never if they were going to succeed in bringing their foe to justice.

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The next day, the three of them finally arrived at the city's gates. The area was filled with people from all across the country. Markets lined the streets in a tidy row, with inns being placed in-between many of the shops. The occasional vendor could also be seen along the flat cobblestone road as the children played, without a care for what the real world held for them.

"This place is very charming," remarked the youngest of the three. "Oba, Ani, and Shisuta would've loved to be here. Mind you the twins would be demanding money from us for the food stands."

"We should bring them here sometime," replied Ite. "I heard they have a beautiful flower festival."

"That would be nice to see," Yukan added. "Central Akuni is a lovely place to visit for festivals. We should find a place to eat. Not sure about you guys, but I could eat a cupboard of food right now."

"I'm sure there are plenty of places to eat around here," Kadaina said before directing their attention to a fast food place called Lord Sandwich.

The three of them entered the restaurant and ordered their meals. Kadaina ordered a chicken strip meal, while Ite ordered a double cheeseburger. Yukan, being the hungriest of the three, ordered the largest burger on the menu, one of the most revered sandwiches in the joint: the Meaty Monarch. This burger had some sort of element from each of the animals that you could get food from. The burger had three patties of beef, fish, and chicken; some slices of bacon; and the usual condiments of ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise. Fortunately, Yukan's budget was flexible enough, but it had understandably begun to dig a sizable hole into his savings account.

After their food arrived, they got themselves situated in a booth.

"So," Kadaina said over the sounds of dishes being washed and other conversations, "are we just gonna walk in and request an appointment with Yokina?"

"Not sure yet," Yukan answered, his mouth half-full with a bite from his burger. " We can figure that out tomorrow."

"Do you think we'll be able to bring our weapons with us?" Ite asked, probably unaware of the implications.

"I doubt it," answered Kadaina, before entering a more sarcastic tone of voice. "The guards usually do pat-downs at the door to make sure his majesty stays unharmed."

"I'm getting quite attached to it," Ite laments. "I've decided to name it David Bowie." She began laughing at this pun of her creation to lighten up the mood.

"I know," Yukan added, "you've been sleeping with it. To think I've already been replaced." The three of them share a chuckle as Yukan dramatically puts his hand on his forehead.

After the three finished their meal (and Yukan reportedly set a record for the fastest time taken to eat the Meaty Monarch), they checked into an inn for the night. As Ite and Kadaina went to bed, Yukan lay on his back on the balcony pointing to Omega Blade toward the sky. The pale moon glistened off of the blade and the light seemed to cover the sword in its entirety. Eventually, Yukan decided that it was a good time to call it in for the day and he joined them in rest.