The chamber was silent except for the crackling of the torches along the stone walls. Hakari stood before the King of Doer, his hands folded, his expression tight with the weight of what he had to say.
"The Code Crystals," Hakari began, his voice steady but laced with unease, "they have something to do with the upcoming calamity… but not everything."
The King leaned forward on his throne, brows furrowing. "What are you saying, boy?"
Hakari swallowed, his gaze fixed on the floor before daring to meet the King's eyes. "My lord… there is one such Code, one command whose owner holds the power to control them."
The chamber grew colder. Even the ministers nearby seemed to lean closer, their faces frozen in disbelief. The King's voice was sharp when it came again. "What? And how do you know this?"
Hakari hesitated. He could still see her face—his sister, Heena. The moment burned into his memory. *Not him. Not the King. Not anyone. I cannot tell them.* His thoughts clawed at him, his chest tightening. *If I reveal it's Heena… everything changes.*
"My King," Hakari stammered after a pause, "because I… I saw it. I saw it all. The Code Ō."
The King's eyes narrowed. "The Code Ō… I have never heard of such a code. What type of code is it?"
Hakari's lips parted, but his voice died. His eyes dimmed with sadness. He thought of Heena, of the secret that was hers and his to bear. Before he could fall deeper into thought, the King snapped his fingers sharply. The sound jolted Hakari back to his senses.
"Oh—my apologies, my King." Hakari bowed quickly, his words fumbling. "I… I don't know yet. But what I do know is… we are safe."
"Safe?" The King's voice echoed through the hall, incredulous. "Do you think me a fool, boy? You know as well as I that if the calamity is unleashed, it will tear through our world. How can you speak of safety?"
Hakari straightened, lifting his chin. "I am sorry, my King. My intent was not to confuse. I only know… somehow, I know. And when I touched the cube—the one holding the Code Crystal Stone—I saw something. A vision."
The King leaned forward. "What did you see? Speak clearly."
Hakari clenched his fists, his voice heavy. "I saw the strikes—bolts of lightning descending from the heavens. But they were not mere bolts. each one blazing with thunder. They fell towards the earth. I saw them strike… I saw Koha obliterated in the vision."
Gasps rippled through the chamber, but Hakari pressed on, his voice trembling as if he were recounting a nightmare.
"But there was something else," he whispered. "The strikes… the first were immense, tearing the skies apart. Yet they were only the beginning. Then came the colossal strikes, greater than anything I have ever felt. And when they compressed into one vast force, they reshaped into a thunder-arrow, forged and deliberate, aimed not at Koha… but at a land unknown. A place I could not recognize."
He swallowed, his chest heaving. The silence in the chamber grew heavy.
"And then," Hakari said, his tone dropping lower, "the shocking part—the fog lifted. And from within it, a man rose. His figure half-hidden in the smoke, but his eyes… they shone crimson, burning through the mist like fire. Red eyes that stared back at me."
The hall froze. No one breathed. Even the torches along the walls seemed to falter, their flames shrinking as if afraid of the words themselves.
The King rose from his throne, his voice ringing. "So you mean to tell me a man possesses such a power—a command that controls the destruction of worlds? What madness is this?.
Hakari's voice cracked. "I know it sounds impossible. Illogical. But that is what I saw. And that is why… I must know more. About the Codes. About their commands. About their purpose. Before I think of saving the world… before I even think of loving it… I must understand it. Will you help me, my King?"
For a long moment, the King of Doer studied him. Then a faint smile tugged at his lips, softened by something deeper. "You truly are the son of Shinzowa. The son of Yami Shinzowa."
The words froze Hakari where he stood. His jaw dropped. His body trembled, sweat dripping down his brow. "How—how did you know?"
The King's expression was calm, almost kind. "What do you think I am? I am a king. I know my people, even my guests. Your secret is safe with me, boy. And I will aid you in your journey. Whatever you seek to uncover, I shall assist you."
Hakari let out a shaky breath, relief flooding his chest. "Th-thank you, my King." He bowed deeply and turned to leave. But just as he reached the door, the King's voice called after him.
"And remember this, Hakari… you are a good man."
The words struck Hakari like lightning. His eyes widened. His heart skipped. *Those words… the same words from the fog, from the voice I cannot place…* He turned suddenly, shouting, "How did you know!?"
The King blinked, startled. "What?"
Hakari caught himself, shaking his head quickly. "N-nothing, my King. I… I am tired. Forgive me."
The King waved him off gently. "Rest, then. Go."
Hakari left the chamber, his mind swirling with confusion and dread. As he stepped into the corridor, he caught sight of the balcony ahead. There, under the moonlight, Kage stood beside Princess Alena.
---
"Princess," Kage said, his tone polite but slightly awkward. "It has gotten very late. The night is chilly. We shouldn't remain out here—you might catch a cold."
Princess Alena giggled softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "We can still talk. If not here… then perhaps inside." She motioned toward the chamber. "On the bed, perhaps. It would be warmer."
Kage's face turned crimson in an instant. He fumbled with his words, his hands twitching nervously. "I—I… w-what… I mean… you… bed… uh…"
Alena burst into laughter, covering her mouth. "Relax. I only meant to talk."
Hakari, hidden behind the wall nearby, had to stifle his own laughter, his hand pressed against his mouth to keep from being heard.
The Princess tilted her head. "Did you hear that?"
Kage blinked rapidly. "Hear what? N-no, not at all!"
Alena frowned for a moment, then shrugged. "Perhaps it was my imagination. Still… it *is* late. I should take my leave."
Kage bowed slightly. "As you wish, you… Ale—" He froze, biting his tongue. "P-princess."
Alena's smile softened. "I liked it."
Kage blinked. "What?"
"When you almost said my name. Say it."
"I—I can't. It would be rude."
"If you don't," she said playfully, "I shall never speak to you again."
Kage groaned quietly, then surrendered. "…Alena."
Her smile widened. "Good. That's better. Well then, goodnight, Kage."
She left with a graceful bow. Kage remained frozen, staring at the door long after she had gone. Finally, he sighed. "You can come out now."
Hakari's eyes widened. He stepped out from his hiding spot. "H-how did you know I was there?"
Kage grabbed him by the collar, glaring. "What the hell were you doing, Hakari?"
Hakari chuckled nervously, prying himself free. "Me? I could ask *you*! That looked a lot like—hmm—love, my friend."
Kage's face flushed. "Wh—what!? N-no, it was nothing! Nothing at all!"
Hakari leaned in with a sly grin. "Ooooh, was it now? Didn't sound like nothing."
Kage groaned and turned away. "Leave it. Forget it. Tell me instead—what did the King say?"
Hakari's playful smirk faded. His voice grew firm. "He said… we must leave. Tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?" Kage's brow furrowed. "So soon?"
"Yes. Tomorrow. That is how it must be."
Kage sighed heavily. "…Very well. Tomorrow, then."
Behind the chamber doors, unseen by either of them, Princess Alena leaned against the wood, her hand pressed against her chest. Her heart pounded, her face pale with sadness. "There is something I must tell you, Kage," she whispered to herself. "Something… before it is too late."