Chapter 10 – The King's Audience
The trio slammed back into their own time, gasping for breath. Koto staggered, blood dripping from his ear. "That… sound wave. My head's still ringing."
Makio steadied him, eyes wide. "If you hadn't fought like that, we'd be corpses."
Koto forced a crooked grin. "Guess teaching brats karate wasn't a waste after all." His knuckles shook, betraying the pain behind the joke.
Tako's face hardened. "No more underestimating Kyuta. He has the third stone."
Two weeks later, Saturday arrived. Soldiers were already waiting. "The King demands your presence," one barked.
Dragged into a vast hall, they stood before King Batharzar. Golden robes shimmered as the ruler leaned forward. "Why trespass in my pyramid?"
Tako raised a hand. "We… need to speak privately." After a tense pause, the king allowed it.
"We can't tell him about the stones," Tako whispered.
Koto smirked, though bruised. "So what's the excuse, genius?"
Tako straightened. "We'll say… we chased our cat."
Moments later, the king's booming laugh echoed. "A cat? That is your reason?" His eyes twinkled with humor. "Very well."
But behind that smile, his gaze sharpened—like a man who knew far more than he let on.
Cliffhanger: The King's generosity was a mask.