He folded his arms and made a facepalm. A weak smile emerged on his face.
"There are a lot of things that people don't know. I'm only here because I sense someone trespassing on the territory of The Sky.
No one is supposed to go into The Depths, and this device… from that merciless faction of The Ending, opened it."
Drimi barged in, spread her arms wide, and gestured.
"And… so what? What does that device have to do with this?"
Plados inclined his head, closed his hands, and answered with a serious look in his eyes.
"If that rift to the nation buried in clouds were to remain open, it would attract The Orb of Destruction to spread its destructive essence on not only this world but that world as well.
To destroy this world, that nation, buried in the sky, would have to be annihilated as well."
He stepped forward and sneered at the wanderers.
"But now's not the time… The Original Rulers of this world have returned."
"Original Rulers?" Drimi, Phthonus, Sally, and the rest of the group questioned.
Plados closed his eyes and unleashed a blue beam up to the wanderers.
"Yes, The Original Rulers of Gincad. The Adtraic Family's world. I highly suspect that their memories of the past have been wiped out, along with the primordial ones, the sovereigns, and the Chutots. I don't remember the happenings before, but I do know that whatever curse the Ruler of Purity has didn't originate from Gincad…"
A massive circular blue platform was summoned beneath Asahi and Aletha's feet, thus stopping them from falling. Sadiki plunged right back, with his eyes engulfed in a luminescent purple glow. Narcissa jolted hastily to Plados and screamed.
"That's my father! Please… d-don't kill him…"
An elderly lady, wearing a S-shaped dress, stepped forward, dragging her cane against the dirt, and mumbled with a smile.
"Oh no no no… we aren't going to KILL the Ruler of Purity, dearie blatantly. Actually, Plados and I have been waiting quite a long time for this moment. The Original Rulers interfering with him makes it all the easier."
She hastily dropped her cane and summoned a green-like essence and converged it with Plados' magic.
Plados gave a small smile to the elderly woman from Dreamtoe and whispered as the platform was enforced and the wanderers' strength was strengthened.
"Just like old times, Milna."
. . .
Meanwhile, standing on the circular blue platform that Plados had summoned, Asahi and Aletha gulped hard, gazing down at the land below. They were at such a height that if the platform hadn't been summoned, they would have died a long time ago. However, that wasn't the case.
Since the memories from the (redacted) have been discarded, the series of events was that, just after the device activated, they were suddenly transported here.
The strong gusts blew vividly on Asahi and Aletha's silky white hair. The twilight faded, revealing a warm, cotton-candy pink emerging from the distant oceans. The sun rose from the horizon, and above them, they could see the stars again.
Sadiki grasped his blade, feeling frenzied pulses pounding on his chest. He couldn't help but feel this electric impulse swirl down his spine, as if something was trying to stay inside him.
His eyes were fogged up by purple. He maneuvered his feet across the nearly transparent platform and struck Asahi and Aletha.
Their blades clashed and locked together. The group below watched as the fighters circled, moving in precise, repeating patterns. Above, purple lightning filled the sky.
Asahi and Aletha suddenly heard an elderly voice echo in their minds.
"Don't kill him. That boy—you know, he's the Ruler of Purity."
The wanderers gasped and slid to the other side of the platform, staring at Sadiki's face. The elderly voice continued.
He was cursed by otherworldly magic and expelled from Pladtioa. Once mighty, the curse diminished his body and memories. I waited many years, as did her daughter, for this moment.
If possible, could you merge my powers with yours? If we succeed, we may be able to separate the evil spirit from Sadiki.
Aletha had no hesitation in asking her.
"Who are you? And why are you asking this?"
The elderly voice replied.
"You're the Adtraic Rulers, correct?"
The wanderers replied quietly.
"Yes."
"Then you're the world's originals. If you destroy that evil, I'll give you some of my magic. Besides, my power could use a younger host."
As Asahi and Aletha dodged Sadiki's attacks, Asahi asked.
"It depends… what power do you mean?"
"A tiny fraction—enough to help, at least. You'll see its true power when you reach Linuxinia."
The wanderers nodded and dropped their blades, feeling the elderly energy merge into their souls. A burst of adrenaline surged through them as voices called out.
"Fluctuate like a bird, and swim like a fish. For the air and space are for all."
Afterward, their hair and eyes glowed bright green. Magical strings shot from their palms, binding Sadiki. His blade fell, his heart pounded, and his voice shook.
"AH! What are you doing? Don't you know how dangerous this world is? It must be stopped!"
The elderly voice interfered.
"That's not his true voice. Those creatures of The Ending are in your mind! Rulers—grab those strings. Pull!"
Asahi and Aletha nodded, then reached out and wrapped their fingers over the luminescent green strings.
As they did, a massive purple silhouette abruptly emerged from Sadiki's body.
The corrupted appearance on him decayed and disintegrated, revealing his proper form. He collapsed onto the floor and dropped his blade, having just endured a corrupting curse that had lasted for centuries.
Asahi and Aletha's hair flashed back to white, with their blades shining ever so bright. As dark clouds surrounded the platform, Plados held his magic tightly, and the elderly woman poured all her energy into it; a dark silhouette formed before Asahi and Aletha.
"Now, use all of your forces, and slay that corrupted entity once and for all!"
The wanderers nodded, surged at the entity, and struck rapidly. Their speed blurred their hands; from below, the crowd cheered wildly.
"FOR PLADTIOA! GO! GO! GO!"
The dark silhouette summoned two blades and rushed at Asahi and Aletha. Their powers struck back, cutting and hammering with precision, yet the silhouette continued to fight, matching their relentless assault.
"Don't stop now!" cried the elderly woman as the green light flared.
That was when they knew all of Pladtioa was counting on them. In a rush, they surged forward, clashing and forcing the silhouette to disintegrate. Adrenaline pumped through them.
The wanderers unleashed all their strength against the entity, veins bulging and sweat pouring.
As the real Sadiki lay unconscious on the platform, the sun peeked out from the clouds in one powerful gush.
The wanderers charged their attack. They marshaled all their forces and pressed forward against the entity. Then, with an overwhelming strike, they pulverized it into nothingness.
As Asahi and Aletha dropped their blades, collapsed to exhaustion, and breathed heavily, everyone in Pladtioa erupted in celebration.
"They did it! Horray!"
As the platform landed, exhaustion overtook the wanderers, and they passed out, ending their ordeal above.
. . .
After so much hardship and with no actual reward, the wanderers finally retrieved a portion of their power. It was not much, but it reinvigorated them and motivated Asahi and Aletha to move on from their past and continue their journey.
And even though the memories of exploring that ruined nation had been wiped, there were minor smudges of it kept inside their minds.
While the wanderers lay unconscious after the battle, assistance quickly arrived. With the help of Phthonus and Sally, they were escorted to the nearest hospital.
Drimi, persuaded by the elderly lady—whose name was Milna—was paid to let the wanderers sail with her to Linuxinina.
Of course, she agreed and even insisted that she would do it for free. Milna chuckled and sighed, turning to Plados, whose appearance was vanishing into thin air.
"Leaving, already?"
Milna's elderly appearance slowly faded to a familiar blonde-haired, blue-eyed woman for a moment. Plados sighed and pointed to Sadiki, asking.
"Take care of the Ruler of Purity, please. I know you saw him as an enemy—but he's suffered enough. I'll talk to the Queen of Wraileza. She's behind this—she manipulated him."
Milna nodded and smiled as her elderly appearance faded.
"I'll make sure to do that. For you, Plados. The true original Ruler of Pladtioa."
"Thank you…" He replied before vanishing into dust.
Milna released a deep sigh, closed her eyes, and demanded of the people.
"Please, escort Sadiki to the nearest hospital."
"Understood, Lady Milna." Replied the group.
Luckily, the nearest hospital was by the Pladtioa docks, a town famous for its ships. It was just a few kilometers from Purefell.
Brich offered their carriage, and they accepted.
Narcissa left for Deppenpond to talk to the Queen of Destia about the wanderers' deeds, then hurried to the Pladtioa Docks.
. . .
Hours passed, and a new scene opened.
It smelled like white ginger, cinnamon, forge, spices, jasmine, burnt wood, and smoke. He heard the waves sighing and gulls calling. Gates squeaked behind muffled walls.
Asahi was welcomed onto the soft bed surface and quickly recovered. His eyes parted.
He released a loud yawn and turned to the window.
"Daylight already?"
Beyond the square pane of the window was the sight of a massive harbor with ships, rock walls, townhouses, and sailors rotating in and out of the docks.
The sun filtered through the clear windows, revealing a large wooden room around them, with a few beds, shelves, and other items.
And just by that sight alone, Asahi knew that the others cared about them, and escorted Aletha and him to a better area.
He took a deep sigh and chose to relax some more.
After nearly dying, Asahi rested. Soon Aletha woke, bumping her head on a shelf, which she questioned, but quieted when she saw Drimi, Phthonus, Narcissa, and Sally waiting nearby.
Two slept, while the others rushed over. Drimi, dark-haired and masked, and Narcissa, brown-haired, greeted them. Narcissa knelt gratefully before the wanderers.
"Thank you so much for saving my father. If it weren't for both of you, this nation wouldn't have been here. Now that my father has been healed, the nation has become a lot more friendly."
Drimi barged in, chuckled a little, and nudged Narcissa on the arm.
"Don't worry, kiddos, you're fine and okay. That elderly woman's powers truly helped you recover faster…"
Asahi and Aletha nodded their heads silently. Drimi continued as Sally and Phthonus awakened.
"Anyways, now that I have my weapons… and once you two have got yourselves together, I'm going to prepare my ship. It's going to be a LONG ride to Linuxinia, so I hope you two don't get seasick."
Phthonus hastily rushed to two metal shelves, grabbed what looked like black blades, and gave them to the wanderers.
"My gift is thanks to both of you for changing me. I worked on upgrading your weapons and even added a hint of magic into them to make them stronger to pierce metal."
He clutched his fingers and rubbed them together.
"If it wasn't for the events of Dreamtoe, I wouldn't have changed and would have dwelt on the loss of my lover more. And also, Asahi… if you didn't know… your sister has a great voice and speech talent."
Asahi nodded and inclined his head, smoothly sheathing the new blade toward the luminance of his hip.
Remember, his hip acts as his storage; in other words, it's a backpack. Aletha mirrored her brother, jumped up, and stared at the window.
Meanwhile, as Aletha gazed out the window, Drimi swept into the room, exchanged hearty greetings with her sailors, and set about readying her ship for the journey ahead.
After a few minutes, Narcissa grabbed the same suit, earring, and other attire Asahi had worn on their 'date' from her bag and willingly gave it to Asahi, blushing immensely in the process.
She whispered while rolling her thumbs.
"Please, take it. You've earned it. Even though our date was an act, you managed to get me through my curse and change me for the better. So, in return… I'm giving you the stuff you wore on the date so that you can attract others better than me."
As Asahi gathered the suit and settled it on his lap, Narcissa let out a soft, nervous giggle and spoke up.
"I will make sure that I will find one suitable for me… someday. Oh! And also… the maids would really love you to visit the palace someday. They were REALLY invested in you."
Asahi scratched his head, his face turned red, and he nodded.
"O-Okay… I-I'll keep note of that."
He tucked the suit away in his magical storage and smiled, warmth flickering in his eyes.
. . .
After receiving gifts from friends, Asahi and Aletha realized true treasure was friendship. Despite their divinity, they reacted like mortals. Sally scratched her head and mumbled.
"If only Belial and Akwan were still here. I'm sure that they know you two are doing well! Don't worry!"
Asahi and Aletha shared a gentle laugh, tucking their gifts safely away.
After basking in the glow of their triumph, Drimi's voice rang out, announcing the ship's readiness.
The salty sea breeze danced across their faces as they stepped toward the docks, hearts brimming with anticipation for the adventures ahead.
A vast world still awaited their discovery. For Asahi and Aletha, this was only the first page of their grand adventure.
As they stepped onto the docks, their eyes widened at the sight of a colossal dark ship boasting eight to ten billowing sails.
Bold purple stripes adorned its prow, while a magenta heart gleamed at the stern. There was no mistaking it—this was Drimi's magnificent vessel.
Asahi and Aletha waved goodbye to Narcissa, Brich, and the others.
"Thanks a lot! We will miss you!" Screamed Aletha with a smile.
People jumped up and all replied.
"Thank you too!"
Drimi smiled and pulled Asahi and Aletha further into the ship, so they wouldn't accidentally lose balance and fall.
Sally and Phthonus insisted on going with the wanderers, not just because they were following them, but also because they wanted to return to their home nations.
As the bridge slowly rolled over, Drimi rang her bell. She grabbed the steering wheel and pointed the wanderers toward the sight of the parting Pladtioa.
The wind caught the sails just right, sending the ship gliding away from the docks and out to open waters.
Nearly all of Pladtioa gathered to wave farewell, a sea of hands and heartfelt wishes.
The sight tugged at Asahi and Aletha's hearts, but as every adventurer knows, the journey must go on.
Soon, the docks melted into the horizon. Drimi donned her captain's hat with a flourish and gazed up at the endless blue sky.
"Right, now who's READY to go to Linuxinia?!"
A chorus of cheers erupted within the ship, joy and excitement echoing from every corner—even Asahi and Aletha could not contain their delight.
"WE ARE!"
. . .
Sadiki stood watching as the ship slipped away, waving to Narcissa and Milna. A gentle smile played on his lips as the vessel became a speck on the horizon.
"Thank you… wanderers. Thank you so much... for undoing what I thought was impossible. You ARE the original Rulers of this world. And what you two did is just a tiny step to what could be: a better world."
. . .