The next morning, Hifung and Ray entered the royal chamber.
Inside, the King sat alone at his desk, papers stacked high before him.
Hifung: Good morning.
Ray: Looks like you're buried in work, huh?
King: Yes. These are all from the Grand Council.
Hifung: Oh...
King: So, what are your plans now?
Ray and Hifung glanced at each other, a bit confused by the question.
King: You're not planning to just sit around the kingdom, are you?
King: Young men like you have the talent—and the potential—to become truly powerful.
Hifung gave a small smile.
Hifung: I'll be heading to the Sixth Realm.
Ray's eyes widened in shock, while the King remained silent.
Ray: The Sixth Realm!?
Hifung: Yeah. After you returned, I stumbled upon an ancient gate.
King: A gate... to the upper realms?
Hifung: Yes. I'm certain of it.
The King smiled slightly.
King: Then go forth with strength.
Ray: In that case, I'll come with you. But I need to prepare first.
Hifung: Alright.
Ray left the room and headed home.
King: Hifung.
Hifung turned to face him.
Hifung: Hm?
King: You know... Micyl has feelings for you, doesn't she?
Hifung was slightly surprised.
Hifung: Yeah...
King: I, too, was once a young man, hungry for ascension to the upper realms.
The King turned his gaze toward the window.
King: I was nearly married. But something unexpected happened... She died, during one of our adventures.
Hifung's eyes widened, caught off guard by the King's story.
King: After that, I chose to stay in the Milty Kingdom, striving to become king instead.
King: I once found an ancient gate too. I'm sure it led to the Sixth Realm.
Hifung (in his heart): He also found one...?
King: But after losing her, I chose not to pass through.
King: I never married. I have no heirs.
King: One day, you must find Micyl—and protect her.
Hifung smiled faintly.
Hifung: Someday, I'll return... and take her with me to the upper realm.
The King smiled, warm and wistful.
---
That evening, Hifung stood at the kingdom gates with a travel bag slung over his shoulder.
Beside him were the King, Feds, and Darius, all waiting.
From afar, Ray came into view, running toward them. When he reached Hifung—
Hifung: Ready?
Ray: Of course.
Suddenly, Vlyn appeared nearby, surprised to see them.
Vlyn: Hifung? Ray?
Hifung turned toward her.
Hifung: Mother?
Ray turned as well.
Vlyn: It's been a while.
Vlyn: Where are you two going?
Hifung: Ray and I are heading to the Sixth Realm.
Vlyn gasped.
Vlyn: The Sixth Realm!?
Vlyn: But the pressure there could kill you!
King: Don't worry. These two are already far stronger than I ever was.
King: They're the heroes who saved the Kingdom of Milty.
Feds and Ray gave small, modest smiles. Vlyn, however, looked baffled.
Hifung: Don't worry, Mother. I'll be just fine.
Vlyn: Alright then... By the way, where's Micyl? Isn't she going with you?
At the mention of her name, Hifung's expression faltered.
The King, Feds, and Ray all fell silent.
Hifung: No... Micyl won't be coming with us. Not for now.
Vlyn: Oh...
King: Hifung, it's getting late. You should be on your way.
Ray: Agreed.
Hifung: Let's go, Ray.
Hifung: Farewell, Your Majesty. Sir Feds. Mother Vlyn.
King, Feds, and Vlyn: Farewell.
As Hifung and Ray began to leave, the King called out once more.
King: Hifung! Ray! Make sure you come back with all your limbs intact!
From afar, Hifung waved without turning back.
Hifung: You bet!
They disappeared into the distance.
---
Deep in the forest, the two continued on foot.
Ray: "Come back with all your limbs," huh?
He chuckled softly.
Hifung: Haha. What if we return with extra limbs instead?
Ray looked at him, confused—but said nothing.
Nightfall was approaching. Suddenly, the sound of rustling grass caught their ears.
In an instant, they leapt backward, away from the noise.
From the bushes emerged four ragged-looking men—bandits.
Ray: Who are they?
Hifung: Forest bandits, probably. They prey on travelers.
Ray: Ohh, great.
Bandit: Hand over everything you've got.
Hifung: And if I refuse?
Bandit: Then you die.
The bandits charged forward.
At the same time, Hifung and Ray summoned thunder swords into their right hands.
The bandits drew their own steel blades, unfazed—at first.
They closed the distance rapidly. But Hifung and Ray moved even faster.
In a flash, the bandits' swords shattered, and they were flung backward by a surge of wind magic from the duo's left hands, crashing into trees.
Three of the bandits lay unconscious. The last one, barely standing, still gripped his broken weapon.
Hifung: I'd suggest you run while you still can.
Bandit: You... You're strong...
Bandit: But you'll never defeat me!
He charged at Hifung, swinging wildly with the broken blade.
Hifung simply stared at him, mildly amused.
Hifung: Amusing.
Suddenly, the bandit's feet sank into the earth—trapped.
Bandit: Wh-What the hell!?
Hifung: Now... maybe you'll want to surrender?
He turned his back and walked past Ray.
Ray: You're just going to leave him like that?
Hifung: When his friends wake up, they'll help him.
Hifung: This way, they won't chase after us.
Ray: O-Okay...
Ray followed behind.
---
By midnight, they arrived at a cave.
Hifung: This is it.
Ray: Inside here?
Hifung: Yeah.
They entered, their footsteps echoing through the narrow passage. A soft glow appeared at the end of the tunnel.
Inside a small chamber stood a large gate, white waves pulsing at its center.
Ray approached the gate, looking around.
Hifung: Careful. One touch, and you'll be whisked away to the Sixth Realm.
Ray froze.
Ray: O-Okay.
Hifung: Since it's already late, let's rest here first.
Ray: Alright.
They sat down on stones at the edge of the chamber.
Hifung: Phew. That was a long trek from Milty.
Ray: Yeah...
Ray's gaze remained fixed on the gate.
Hifung noticed and tried to reassure him.
Hifung: Hey... you nervous?
Ray turned to him.
Ray: A little, hehe.
Ray: We still don't know how intense the chi pressure is in the Sixth Realm.
Hifung: True. But it's night already.
Hifung: We'll go in tomorrow morning. I'm gonna get some sleep.
Ray: Okay.
Hifung lay down on the stone while Ray stared at the gate for a while longer... then followed suit.
---
The next morning
Both woke at the same time.
Hifung: Yaaawn... Morning, Ray.
Ray: Morning, Hifung...
They packed their things and stood before the gate.
Suddenly, Hifung noticed something etched into the edge of the gate:
"Ryuo found it."
Hifung: Ryuo?
Ray turned to him, confused.
Ray: Ryuo? The King?
Hifung: Huh? Is that King Milty's real name?
Ray: You didn't know?
Hifung: Haha, nope.
He turned back to the inscription and smiled. Then his gaze locked onto the swirling center of the gate.
With a thin smile and sharp eyes—
Hifung: Let's go in, Ray.
Ray: Yeah.
They raised their right hands, touching the white wave in unison, eyes closed.
---
–End of Arc–
---
[Author's Note]: Did you enjoy the story? I truly hope you did. Feel free to leave a review or comment—and don't forget to share it with your friends!
[A/N]: You might be wondering where Micyl disappeared to. Discuss it with your friends—what really happened?
[A/N]: I hope you've enjoyed the