Akiara's group were recuperating in Kastron empire after the fight with dark emperor, Hayden. Akiara and Mizuki regained their consciousness after four weeks. Both were beaten up after using holy powers even after reaching their limit. Akiara was still resting since she broke few bones from impact of falling. Mizuki came to pay her a visit. Akiara was seated resting her back on headboard. She smiled seeing her.

She sat and held her hands, "How are you?"

"I'm doing great. I just want to get out of the bed very badly." She replied.

"Listen." her expression changed to serious, "You know..... our friends witnessed our holy powers during the battle...... and they are question us...... sooner or later."

"I know..... I was already thinking about it. Because..... sooner or later they were gonna find out about us."

She smiled relieved. She climbed the bed and rested her head on her chest. She could hear her heartbeat. She felt like she was hearing lullaby. She snuggled her face on her chest, "I missed you..... and your kisses." she mumbled.

She smiled and kissed top of her head. She glanced at her, "You missed the spot." she blushed and looked away.

She grabbed her chin and made her face turn towards her. She slowly approached her lips almost brushing against hers. Suddenly someone knocked the door. Mizuki pulled away and immediately sat on the bed like nothing happened.

"Come in." Akiara answered.

It was Arrow, Estelle and Cordelia. They entered and sat on the couch. Even Suki-san entered and closed the door behind. She also sat on the couch with them.

"Why did you lock the door?" Mizuki asked.

"So that no one other than us can hear our conversation." Cordelia replied.

"Both of you, why do you both possess holy powers?" Suki-san asked.

Akiara and Mizuki glanced each other then looked at them. Akiara took a deep breathe. She stated, "Because.... we are both paladins."

Their eyes grew wide hearing what she said. They shouted, "What?!"

"Shhhh." both placed their fingers on their lips.

"Sorry." Cordelia and others apologized.

"But how?" Arrow asked.

"Don't know. Maybe God's will." Mizuki replied.

"I thought you didn't believe in Gods." Akiara whispered. "Shut up. I'm grateful to them because I met you." Mizuki whispered back. Akiara chuckled hearing it.

"Please don't tell anyone about us. Or else those nosy priests will come to take us away. And...... I don't want to become a nun." Mizuki spoke.

"Don't worry about it. We won't tell anyone. After all.... we are friends." Suki-san grinned at them.

Akiara smiled back. She looked happy as she found true friends she can rely on.

Suki-san and others got up from their seat, "Anyways.... Akiara rest well. We need to continue our journey." they opened the door and closed it walking away.

Mizuki let out a deep sigh looking relieved. She made eye contact with Akiara, "Well.... that was unexpected. They accepted the fact that we are so called 'Paladins'." she gestured two colons.

"Yeah."

Mizuki scooted closer. She approached to her lips, "Shall we continue where we left off?"

Akiara's face turned beet red. She stuttered, "I-if t-that's what you want." she smirked and kissed her passionately. As they let go Mizuki teased, "You know how much I missed your lips."

Akiara blushed hearing her compliment. She looked away not wanting to make eye contact. But she grabbed her chin and made her look in her eyes. She wiggled her eyebrows making Akiara giggle. She couldn't resist her sweet chuckle she quickly kissed her and ran off to the door.

"Don't steal kisses from me!" She pouted. She laughed softly, "You look cute. Bye!" she walked out of the room.

__________

A group of heroes managed to enter merged small princely states that the dark emperor formed. He named the new land as Pilan empire. They confronted the the dark emperor. They noticed that he was standing on top of the border gates with a sneer on his face.

"Ohhh my..... looks like some pests I mean guests arrived uninvited." Crimson haired dark emperor commented.

"This douche knows how to mock people." One of the heroes spoke with a smug face.

"Let's kill him and get this over with it." another spoke taking out his sword.

"Yes. Come at me. Show me what you all have got." He shouted.

Without thinking twice they charged towards him. He smirked as he let himself get injured. He jumped back, "Remember my name.... its Keegan." his dripping blood started to levitate. Soon it turned into million tiny blood droplets floating in air.

"What the?!" heroes looked startled.

He snapped his fingers pointing his forefinger towards them. All the blood droplets shot towards them grazing their bodies. They didn't realize his blood seeped into their grazes. He again snapped his fingers causing some of them to writhe in pain as his blood turned into poison in their bodies. Whereas some of theirs skin darkened as he activated his curse.

He started countdown, "3.... 2.... 1....."

"AAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!" He smirked seeing their bodies exploded into pile of blood staining the ground. Other heroes and adventurers arrived. But they looked horrified seeing the sight of the massacre. Their bodies froze thinking what to do next.

He smiled like maniac, "It was an exciting sight. Please heroes entertain me with everything you have got."

_________

After more three weeks of recuperating in Kastron empire, they started their journey again. This time Suki-san was joining Akiara's adventuring party to continue. Akane's followers looked lost without Akane.

"You sure about that?" Akiara asked.

"Yes I am. I will just slow you guys down. And...... I'm sorry Akiara for everything." She smiled looking guilty.

"It's alright. I forgive you."

"I wish you all return victorious." she nodded and turned around walking towards her group, "Let's go guys." as they walked out of the empire people were cheering for them on their next mission.

They began their journey to Pilan empire after getting information from the priest. They started sailing through the sea. They stared at the endless ocean. Suki-san and Estelle looked sad and moody seeing the ocean.

"Huff....... I miss going to beach." Suki-san exclaimed sadly.

Even Estelle sighed, "Yeah. Same here." Cordelia and Arrow looked at them in confusion. Akiara shook her head with a smile.

Mizuki stood there staring at Akiara's smiling face. She even noticed ocean blue eyes were reflecting on deep blue water. She couldn't help but fall for her all over again. She came closer and kissed softly on tip of her ear. Akiara flinched by her sudden action.

Her cheeks flushed red. She whispered, "What if someone sees us?"

She smirked seeing her flustered face. She tucked her strand of jet black hair behind her ear and flashed an innocent smile. She looked astonished and rolled her eyes. She grabbed her chin and made her face towards her, "How dare you roll your eyes?"

She slapped her hand, "I dare to." she walked towards Arrow and Suki-san.

"Looks like you need to be punished." She walked back to cabin.

Later that night Akiara woke up. She saw upper bunk was empty. She realized it was Mizuki. She got down to see where she was. She noticed she was standing beside the window holding a glass of wine. Her face turned red like she is going to be wasted at any moment. She again poured another glass to drink. Akiara walked quickly towards her.

She grabbed the glass from her hand, "That's enough. You are already drunk."

"Give me back the glass." She tried taking it from her.

She shook her head, "No. You are not going to drink anymore."

She pouted, "Fine. Then I'll drink from the bottle." she took the bottle to drink it but she grabbed it from her. She spoke sternly, "Stop it. You know that you can't handle alcohol."

"Fiiiine. I won't drink if you allow me to do something?" She slurred.

"And that is?" She asked.

She came closer, "This." she looked startled by her reply but she couldn't react as she crashed her lips against hers. All she could do was return back. But she pushed her away looking embarrassed.

"You reek of alcohol. You should go back to bed. Come with me." She wrapped her arm around her neck walking towards the bed. Suddenly she kissed her neck which sent chills down her spine. She laid her down and put on the blanket. As she was about to climb up, she grabbed her hand and pulled her closer.

"What are you doing?" she whispered.

"Please give a good night kiss." she whispered back.

"Alright." she kissed her forehead but she protested, "Not there. Here." her lips came closer to hers.

Someone whispered startling Akiara, "You both look good. You both have my blessings. Make sure to invite me to your wedding."

Akiara glanced over her shoulder, "Estelle?!" she started to panic, "I-its not what you think it is."

Estelle smiled, "Don't worry I won't tell anyone. If Nee-san saw you both together... I'm sure of it that she would jump in joy." Akiara blushed hearing her compliment. She heard silent snores. She looked Mizuki was sleeping without any care in the world. She sighed and put back the blanket. She climbed the top bunk and laid down to sleep, "Good night Mizu."

Estelle smiled, "I'm glad Mizuki brought her emotions back. I'm happy that she started showing emotions. I just hope nothing goes wrong." she closed her eyes drifting off to sleep.