Back at the Palace
The time difference between the palace and the outside world was not the same.
It had only been a year outside… but within the palace, many years had passed.
Manu and Asuna had disappeared that night, and the elders had finally denied Zanu the throne.
She had grown old—no longer the strong figure she once was. Helpless.
"I thought I would lead forever… but time wasn't on my side."
Her voice was quiet, almost hollow.
"My Hikaru is already fifteen years old… and for some reason, he has already awakened. I guess Manu tried to kill him since birth…"
She sighed deeply.
At that moment, Hikaru entered the room.
"Hikaru: What did the elders say concerning the throne?"
Zanu stared at him without answering.
"Hikaru: Answer me already. What did they say? Would they give me the throne?"
Zanu exhaled slowly.
"Is that how to say good morning? Just because you have awakened doesn't mean you are capable of sitting on the throne. Do you think this is some game to you?"
Hikaru frowned.
"I should be the one asking you those questions. Ever since you came down from the throne, you refused to pass it to anyone. You prefer to feed birds than to—"
"ENOUGH!"
Zanu's voice thundered through the room.
"You have no idea what's going on at the moment. It would be best if you took your mind off the throne."
Hikaru stepped forward, undeterred.
"Why? Alex, Mauja… none of them have come to claim the throne. A war is approaching—a scary one at that. If we don't act fast, we will all regret it. I have powers, and I'm not scared to use them."
He turned toward the door.
"My coronation will be held this evening. Feel free to come."
He exited.
Zanu remained still.
"Hikaru… you fool. I'll need to send you off to a far place before you carelessly lose your life."
Back at Sumdem city:
Alex packed his bags, preparing to leave.
But something caught his attention—a cloth-wrapped object with writing on it.
He unwrapped it slowly.
The blade has already chosen its master. Don't be foolish to throw it away again. Go to the palace and claim your throne. The sooner, the better don't you think so? ~Patty
Alex stared at it in silence.
"I always had a feeling there was something different about you… If you know so much about the palace and the blade, then you must be from there too."
He scoffed softly and placed the blade into his pocket.
"Seriously Patty… just who are you?"
His gaze lowered slightly.
"In a month's time, all my wounds have strangely healed up fast…"
His phone rang.
"Hello?"
Aruna's voice came through urgently.
"Alex! Thank goodness, can you hear me? It's Aruna speaking! Whatever you do, don't go back to the palace—your life is in danger! Hello?"
Alex frowned.
"What kind of prank call is this?"
There was only silence on the line.
He hung up.
And began his journey toward the palace to claim the throne.
Aruna lowered her phone slowly.
"Hello? Hello? Why did he cut the call?"
She turned around—
Jaiz stood behind her, holding a gun.
"This must be her doing, right? That bitch… Mauja."
Jaiz spoke calmly.
"All you have to do is follow me… and no one gets hurt, okay?"
From a distance—
Flora spotted Aruna.
"Aruna! Aru—"
She ran toward her.
But before she could reach her, Jaiz raised his gun and fired.
Flora collapsed instantly.
Aruna screamed and rushed to her side.
"Flora?! No!"
Tears filled her eyes.
"How could you…? Zuko wouldn't let this slide!"
Jaiz simply switched his gun.
"I'm just doing my job."
He fired again.
Los Angeles Malibu — Diego's Place
Asuna stood in front of Diego, her expression cold.
"I've fulfilled my mission to Maria. I'm handing your daughter to you. Now that she is in your possession, don't you dare let her out of your sight. Feel free to cut her limbs if you have to."
Manu looked at her in shock.
"This is Diego… your abusive father."
Asuna's voice remained calm.
"Make sure you have some father and daughter bonding time."
Manu's eyes widened.
"You disgusting people… you tricked me? So everything you said was a lie?"
Asuna shook her head.
"No. The palace is no longer safe for you. For your own safety, you will stay with your dad for now. I promised your mother I would reunite you both. And besides… the way you were scheming in the palace was too much. Who knows—you might sabotage my plan as well. This is for your own good, Manu."
Manu's voice broke.
"Screw you… what do you know about what's good for me? I pray Mauja destroys—"
Asuna's eyes flared.
In an instant, she kicked Manu, sending her crashing into the wall-mounted TV.
"Sorry… I lost my cool there."
She turned to Diego.
"You should control your daughter… or else."
Diego laughed nervously and signaled his guards.
"No need to worry. Take her to the basement and lock the doors."
The guards obeyed.
Diego leaned back as a maid poured whiskey into his glass.
"First it was Maria… and now they give me this problematic child of hers…"
He sighed and downed the drink.
"Get me the dealer. I'll sell her before she becomes a problem for me. And make sure to keep an eye on her… if we get on Asuna's bad side, we are all dead."