Sheu and Najo are still trembling, Siris' blood drying dark across their clothes. The memory of Melli's strength lingers in their bones.
Andzani, slouched against a broken stone, his cream jumpsuit soaked crimson, lifts his head. One eye barely open.
Andzani: "You should all go back. I'll stay here in case more Terrors show up."
Koji: "But Andzani, we can't leave you by yourself."
Andzani: "Don't argue. These are direct orders from your general. And besides… I'm the only one who can still fight."
Kuzai, bruised but standing, brushes dirt from his pants.
Kuzai: "Let's go."
The others hesitate, but his tone leaves no room. Slowly, they follow him.
As Andzani sinks back into the earth, Moto sits beside him, quietly wrapping the bandages off his burned hand.
Andzani: "I thought I told y—"
Moto cuts him off, his voice deeper, steadier than usual.
Moto: "I came here of my own will. I'll decide when I leave."
Andzani studies him for a long moment — surprise flickering across his exhausted face — then looks forward again.
Andzani: "…Suit yourself."
Moto turns toward Sheu and Najo.
Moto: "You guys can go. And thanks… for standing with me."
They nod, reluctant, before heading back toward the capital.
Shadows in the Forest
On their way, Sheu and Najo pass Aemon — half-hidden in the trees. They don't notice. He waits until they're gone, then slips silently in the opposite direction, toward the border.
At the palace, Khosa rushes to Koji and Kuzai the moment they enter.
Khosa: "Are you all safe?"
Koji and Kuzai recount the battle in grim detail. Khosa listens, jaw tightening.
Koji: "Andzani stayed behind to hold the line."
Najo: "He's brave."
Khosa shakes his head.
Khosa: "Not bravery. Rage. He won't return because he's consumed by it. He holds me responsible for all this."
Koji: "Don't say such things, my lord. Everyone adores you — Andzani included."
Khosa: "As a brother, yes. But as a leader… he despises me."
He straightens. "I'll speak with him myself."
He orders Trinity to see that the wounded are healed, then departs for the border.
Betrayal at the Border
Andzani sits in silence, fists clenched, shoulders shaking faintly with suppressed fury. Moto leans beside him, trying to ease the tension.
Moto: "It's going to be okay."
Andzani: "…Don't pity me, kid. My problems are nothing compared to yours."
Moto: "If you think so. But still… anger is a poison."
Andzani scoffs.
Andzani: "Preachy, like your brother. Just leave me alone."
Moto smiles faintly.
Moto: "He's always right, though."
Andzani: "Yeah. He says that… then picks fights with Gehen's leaders."
Moto chuckles.
Moto: "Wait — Gehen has leaders now?"
Before Andzani can answer, the bushes rustle.
Aemon bursts from the shadows, knife flashing. His face is twisted, his eyes brimming with tears.
Andzani blocks the strike with a groan, blood seeping through fresh bandages.
Andzani: "What are you doing, Aemon?!"
The knife slips from Aemon's hand. And then — his body splits. A double steps out of him: green-haired, grinning wide. Grillet. He snatches the blade mid-air and slashes toward Andzani's ribs.
Moto moves on instinct, grabbing the knife before it can connect.
Moto: "Stop!"
Grillet sneers, using Moto's grip as leverage, spinning into a backhand that forces him to release. He retreats into Aemon — only to burst out again, punching Andzani hard in the gut. The wounded Guardian stumbles.
Grillet: "He's weak. This is our chance."
Aemon flinches, shaking his head.
Aemon: "Grillet, s-stop… let's just go."
Grillet's grin sharpens.
Grillet: "No. Not until we finish him."
He wrenches the knife back from Aemon's hand and strikes again. Moto intercepts with a kick, knocking the blade into the dirt.
Aemon freezes, horror in his eyes.
Aemon: "Grillet, enough! Let's leave!"
Grillet: "Damn it… you always do this."
He fades reluctantly into Aemon's body as the boy turns and runs, vanishing into the night.
Andzani, chest heaving, shouts after him.
Andzani: "You're dead, Aemon! Do you hear me? Dead!"
Confessions
Moto stares at him, stunned.
Moto: "What… was that about?"
Andzani spits blood into the dirt.
Andzani: "Aemon's clan were a threat to Zen. I eliminated them. Khosa stopped me before I got to the boy. Since then… he's been nothing but trouble."
Moto reels, whiplash coursing through him. The same man who wept over a fallen Guardian, who fought for his people with everything he had — had also slaughtered an entire clan.
Khosa arrives just in time to hear the echo of his brother's words.
Khosa: "Andzani—"
But Andzani doesn't look back. He just walks away, shoulders rigid.
Andzani: "Leave me alone."
Moto watches him go, beginning to understand why Khosa rules with caution. Andzani burns with love for his kingdom — but that same fire threatens to consume it.
Khosa sinks down beside Moto, weary, defeated.
Khosa: "I'm no good."
Moto turns to him, incredulous.
Moto: "How can you say that? You've brought peace to your kingdom."
Khosa: "What peace, when my own brother won't speak to me? When I send children from foreign lands into battle? The state you're all in… is proof of my failure as a leader."
He stares at his hands. "And still, I can't agree with Andzani's view."
Moto answers without hesitation.
Moto: "I volunteered. And from where I stand — you've achieved what I want for the whole world. If I can bring your kind of peace everywhere, there won't even be a need for armies."
Khosa blinks, startled by the weight of his words.
Khosa: "…That's a grand mission. But… I believe you can do it."
Moto smiles faintly, remembering.
Moto: "You're the second person to ever say that."
Khosa: "Really? That's a shame."
Moto: "I don't mind. The first was my brother. Once he said it, nobody else could convince me otherwise."
Khosa chuckles softly.
Khosa: "Andzani talks about him often… sometimes I think he wishes your brother was his instead."
Moto shrugs.
Moto: "If I ever run into him, I'll send him your way. You two share more than you think."
Khosa studies him, then nods, calmer than before.
Khosa: "Talking to you has eased my mind. Come on — let's get you healed."
Moto glances back toward the dark treeline, then follows with a smile.
Moto: "What if there's another attack?"
Khosa: "The spirits will warn us. Always."