*Teresa*

I sighed as soon as the others left. Perhaps, I should've gone with them after all. My eyes darted to the imposing palace behind me. Zafir, I didn't get to speak with him much during the Mahoulympics. Part of me was afraid to. I'd allowed myself to think we could be something more than friends. Not that he even saw me as one, to begin with. When Akari asked him who I was in the palace, he'd said I was just an acquaintance. That was worse than being friend zone. At least with the latter, one knew they meant something to the person.

I slapped myself. "Move it, Teresa. Ya got to learn how to make topia powder!"

A lobby of white marble with a water fountain with two angels greeted guests. The two looked just like the angels we had met at the base of the divine ones' mountain. Whoever made it must've met Halim and Aquarina in person or used a reference created by someone who did.

I closed my eyes and tried to get a sense of the layout of the place. It wasn't as massive as the royal palace back home, but it was still impressive in its own right. Made more so by its ancient lineage. Out of the four nations descending from the Seven Archangels, Mizu no Kin was the only one whose original executive building remained in use by its monarchy. Making this the oldest palace in all of Zionia. Surprisingly, its interior and exterior didn't give away its age. Whoever did the renovations did a great job.

I laughed. It was silly of me to have thought a prince, especially an heir, would have eyes for a country bumpkin like me.

"Teresa, don't you think you're hard on yourself?" a child-like voice called out. It was one I hadn't heard since I was a kid.

"So, you finally decide to talk to me, Tadakatsu," I said, grumbling. "For a guardian angel, you haven't done much guarding."

Tadakatsu laughed. "Well, you certainly can take care of yourself. That said, I'm pretty mad at you too. You know how painful it was to endure that demon's acidic smoke? I could've died!"

"Aren't you already dead?" I asked as I walked in the direction I had sensed Zafir.

"What? No! I'm not like your cousin's angel tool. My soul was born with your naginata. That's why, if I die, I'm gone forever, no rebirth."

I bit my lip. "Seriously?"

"Yup! However, I have heard of cases where if one reaches a certain level, rebirth is possible. But that's for ancient weapons. I'm only eighteen!"

"Come to think of it, who made you?"

"Huh? You don't know? It was your dad."

"Eh? If Daddy made you, that means you share the same creator as the five weapons of prophecy. Can you do stuff like Agnes can? Or at least Carlos?"

"N-no... I'm a pretty basic naginata."

I sighed. He really wasn't useful at all.

"Anyway, you should really fix me!"

"Is that why you decided to speak to me?" I asked, staring at the spear tip strapped to my back. It was the only part of Tadaketsu left.

"No. I just wanted to push you to get over what's bothering you. Remember why you're here."

I sighed. "I know, to get to topia powder to help heal my annoying cousin."

"Exactly! Now, get going!"

I grumbled. Why did he even care about Roa?

"It's not so much that I care for that cousin of yours. More so that I wish to see you accomplish your goals for once."

I gasped. "What do ya mean?"

"I know that I haven't really been much help in this area either, but I figured you would've found motivation on your own. Guess I was wrong."

I huffed. "That's not very helpful!"

"Teresa?" I looked forward and saw Zafir walking back over to me. "Are you okay? You're talking to yourself?"

"I'm not. I'm talking to my angel," I said, averting my gaze.

He crossed his muscular arms. "You have a guardian angel?"

"Yeah, though he's useless."

"Hey, I'm just saving my power for the big battle!" Tadakatsu yelled.

Wait, I thought he said he had no special powers. Saving up his energy wouldn't do any good.

"Oh, if you want, I can take you to a place that sells angel tools. Though, I'm not sure which ones will awaken as you lack affinity with water."

I grabbed what remained of my naginata. "It's fine. This is enough for me."

"Teresa," Tadakatsu said, sniffing.

"Dad made it for me after all. Sure, it might not be as fancy as his magnum opus, The Five Weapons of Prophecy, but it does its job fine."

"So you don't see me as useless after all?"

"No, I do, Tadakatsu. It's your weapon form which is useful."

"W-why are you so mean. I thought we were having a moment!"

I laughed. He sounded like Dad when Mom would tease him.

Zafir smiled. "Seems like your angel is as colorful as you."

My cheeked reddened. "Colorful."

He turned away and scratched his right cheek. I could swear, he was blushing too. "Y-yeah. Lively."

I snickered and walked ahead of my not so prince charming. "Show me how to make that topia powder."

He smiled. "So that's why you came here. Though, I'm not the one who's going to make it. Medbo is."

I tilted my head at him. "Who?"

The prince grinned. "A medical bot. I bought one from Kuroriku after I saw it in action."

"Oh, those robots we saw in the herb room?"

"Yeah. I planned to have it make the powder while I joined my sister and the others at the beach. If you want, I can have it record the process."

"It can do that?"

"Yeah, it sure can."

Wow, technology in the cities was more impressive than I thought.

He laughed. "What's with that surprised look? Recording features are nothing new. They've been around since your dad was a kid."

I turned away. "Jerk!" I mumbled.

He sighed. "Sorry, I didn't mean to make fun of you."

"Hey, Zafir. I need your signature on these papers," a voice called out. A white-haired man strode through the blue carpeted hall. He raised an eyebrow at me. "Who might this be?"

"This is Teresa."

The stranger folded his arms. "The girl you told me about?"

Zafir spoke about me? Wonder what he said. Hopefully, nothing rude.

"Yeah. The one with great massages!" Zafir said, grinning. "That's right, while you're here, can you give him one? His shoulders have been aching."

I leered at him. Was that all he thought about me?

Zafir's friend glanced at his shoulder. "It's fine. Plus, I don't like the thought of a woman of low birth touching me. You have heard what massagers like that do for men willing to pay them a little extra, right?"

I blinked. What was he talking about?

Zafir sighed. "I assure you, Teresa's not like that. Though, she might gawk at you."

"Are ya trying to help or hurt?" I asked, elbowing his side.

The prince laughed. "Help."

Zafir's friend scoffed. "Whatever, I'm incredibly busy to rest anyway. Hurry up and read through these and sign them. It's the military budget increase approved by parliament earlier today."

"Military budget increase?" I asked.

Zafir nodded as he took the papers. "Yeah, it's to buy equipment that will hopefully help with the war you're waging."

"So, she's part of the Kurorikuian endeavor," Zafir friend said as he leered at me.

What was his issue?

"Here you go," Zafir said, signing off on the document. Did he even read it? Though, considering he knew what it was for, he might've already known.

"Alright, I'll hand it over to the parliament. Oh, right, we have a meeting this afternoon. Don't forget to attend," his friend said, closing the binder with the signed legislature.

"I know, I won't forget."

The guy eyed me as he walked away. "Don't make any more mistakes, Zafir. You've made enough already."

I glanced at Zafir, who had an apprehensive look on his face. What mistakes did that guy refer to?

"Is something the matter, Zafir?"

He gave me a slight smile. "No, everything's fine."

I narrowed my eyes at him. What was he hiding?

"If you say so. Though, that guy has got to be one of the rudest secretaries I've met." Not that I'd met any.

Zafir snorted. "Secretary? Ran is one, but not the kind you're thinking of. He's the Secretary of the Upper House. Basically, the equivalent of your Prime Minister."

"Oh, so that's why he spoke to you in that tone."

Zafir averted his eyes. "Yeah. Well, he's also my cousin and a fellow knight."

"Wait, that guy is one of the Seven Seas?"

"Yeah, he wields the mighty sword, Pers. Said to be capable of cutting the ocean in half."

"What?" I asked, staggering back. I'd seen some crazy stuff, but an ocean cut in half wasn't one of them.

Zafir laughed as we walked again. "Not that I've seen him do so, but I wouldn't put it past him. Ran is a strong guy. He's also as ambitious as Hyosetsu. Seriously, think Kohri might be my most laidback cousin."

I laughed. "Heard you can be pretty uptight yourself."

He laughed nervously. "Heard that from Rosa, huh?"

"Yup. She said you act like her bodyguard."

"Well, someone had to protect her." He lowered his head. "If only I had been there for her at the ball."

"You can't blame yourself. We were trying to seal the portal that Etsuo's parents opened up."

He continued to look down. "I know, but still."

I slapped his back, causing him to yelp. Seemed he still hadn't recovered fully.

"Why did you do that for?"

"To get you to stop mopping around," I said, glaring at him. "Now, let's hurry up. I want to go to the beach as soon as possible."

He smirked. "I thought you wanted to learn how to make the powder."

"Medbo will record it for me!"

"True. The medical lab is a bit further. Then you can go pick out your swimsuit with the others."

My face flushed. Why did it sound as if he was flirting? Come on, Teresa, don't fall for it again. Plus, he's going to be a father soon. You can't keep a baby away from its dad.

Zafir turned away. "Sorry, I didn't mean to say it like that."

"Overly eager, you mean?"

"Y-yeah. It's not like I want to see you in a bikini. Not that I would mind." He facepalmed. "Uh, just forget it. I'm digging myself deeper."

"He's really bad at phrasing things, isn't he?" Tadakatsu asked.

I nodded. He sure was. Though, it was cute to see him try to correct himself. Wonder if I would ever get over him entirely. It would've been easier if he had just been another pretty face.

*Silas*

After leaving the palace, we headed to a swimsuit store to get some swim gear. Kiara grabbed a one-piece but then left it behind, got a yellow bikini, and ran into the dressing room.

"Is Kiara alright?" I asked.

"I think Dine made her choose that," Etsuo said, staring at some shorts.

"Looks like the idea of my sister in a bikini is making your banana rise," I said, snickering at Monkey Boy's beet-red face.

He coughed as if choking. "B-banana?"

"Yeah. You know that thing we guys have. Or do abysmals not function the same way?"

"I know what you mean! I'm just taken aback by that mouth of yours. How can a kid your age say something s-so vulgar?"

I rubbed my ear. "Gosh, didn't expect you to sound like a mother. Even my mom wouldn't react so dramatically."

Etsuo sighed. "You truly are a piece of work, kid."

I gritted my teeth. "Who are you calling a kid? I'm only three or four years younger than you!"

"Silas, stop fighting with Etsuo!" Kiara said, walking out of the dressing room. The bikini looked nice on her. Didn't think that the tomboy would be able to pull it off, but she did!

"Y-you look nice," Etsuo said, moving his arms toward his groin.

I laughed. Knew the monkey was a pervert.

"R-really?" Kiara asked, blushing.

Etsuo simply nodded.

"Yay! Told you so, Ki!" Dine said, taking control.

I looked around the store at the other customers. Hopefully, they didn't think that my sister was nuts. I mean, Ki was strange on her own, but this was taking it to another level.

My eyes widened as the princess walked out of the dressing room with a white skirt and frilled tank top.

"Huh? Is something wrong? Why are you staring like that?" Marina asked.

I closed my mouth. "W-what do mean? There's nothing wrong other than having you around."

He puffed her cheeks. "I see, then I better make myself like water and flow!" She turned around and ran over to Kiara.

"Wow, so cute!" my sister said.

Marina laughed. "You look nice in that too. Really suits your eyes!"

"You think so?"

I bit my lip. Why did I tell her that? Was I really incapable of giving a compliment?

Etsuo leaned toward me and snickered. "What was that?"

I glared at him. "What was what?"

"You were blushing just now. Don't deny it. I saw it with my own two eyes!"

"Well, you must be visually impaired as that didn't happen."

Etsuo chuckled. "In denial, huh? It's fine. You are a guy too. It's to be expected that a cute girl like Marina would make your 'banana' rise."

"S-shut up! It wasn't like that. It's just blushing," I yelled, poking him in the chest.

He laughed. "So you finally admit it!"

I gulped. Great, he got me!

"Have you boys decided on anything?" Kiara asked as she and Marina walked over.

"I have!" Etsuo said, raising a pair of red shorts.

"Oh, those look nice," Kiara said, grabbing them. "Put them on."

Etsuo nodded and ran over to the dressing room. He sure seemed excited about them. Not sure why, they were just swim shorts.

"Have you not picked out anything?" Ki asked, peering over my shoulder.

I put down the shorts I was holding. "Not sure what to buy. I've never worn swim shorts."

"I can help, even if you are a rude kid," Marina said.

I scoffed. "I'm not a kid, plus we're the same age."

Marina searched through the various swim trunks.

"Hey, I said something!"

"I know."

She had no comeback? Really? Maybe she did deserve to call me a kid...

"Here, try these on!" Marina said, handing me some black shorts with twin green lines on each side.

"If you say so, but would a girl really know what's best for a guy to wear? I mean, maybe if you were a raging tomboy like my sister than I would consider it."

"Sy!" Kiara said, giving me a noogie.

"Hey, stop that!," I said, prying her fists away from my head.

Marina giggled. "Just try it on and see if you can say that."

"Alright," I said, taking the shorts she picked out.

"Oh, and try on this shirt and these sandals too!" She snatched a white shirt and some red sandals nearby.

Why did I get the sense that she was just getting random stuff?

"I should pick out some footwear too. Don't want to ruin my skate shoes with the sand," Kiara said, looking around. Yet she recently fought an acidic smoke using demon with them on.

I sighed and ran over to the dressing room. It didn't take long for me to finish changing, unlike the Monkey boy who was taking longer than he should've.

"How do I look?" I asked, walking out.

Kiara put her index fingers and thumbs together. "You look kind of cool."

I scoffed. "I always do!"

Marina crossed her arms. "Did you not see yourself in the mirror?"

I scratched my head. "Not really, but Ki says I look cool, so I trust you made the right choice."

Marina sighed and grabbed me by the shoulders. "You're an odd narcissist."

"N-narcissist?"

"Yeah, never met one who didn't check himself out in the mirror. Here. See yourself."

A black haired boy with red eyes stared back at me. I averted my gaze.

"Sy, what's wrong?" Kiara asked. She dropped her sandals and rushed over to me. "Why are you avoiding the mirror?"

"I... I see Dan!" I blurted out, pointing a the mirror.

"Dan?" Kiara stared at it.

"I see my face as his whenever I look at it now," I said, closing my eyes. "I know it's not him, but it still hurts to see."

Marina let go of me. "Dan's the boy who perished, isn't he? Brother mentioned going to his funeral."

"Yeah. He was our brother," Ki said, hugging me. "He was a lot nicer than Sy, but he resembled him a lot. I think that's why he sees Dan in the mirror."

We might not have been real twins, but Dan was still my brother.

"He is, not 'he was'. Remember, he might not be dead yet," I said, cling on to my sister.

Kiara stroke my hair. "Sy..."

"Yeah, he's right. There's a chance that we might still be able to save him," Etsuo said. He wore his white robe over his shorts for some reason.

"There is?" Marina asked, furrowing her brow.

Kiara smiled. "It's slight, but it's possible. Dine did get out of it alive after all."

"Yeah," I mumbled. I looked over my shoulder at the mirror and reached a hand toward it. Dan gazed back at me from the other side, stretching his own hand out.

Hold on, Dan. We'll figure out a way to save you.

**Solar Note: Hope that you enjoyed this chapter! Contemplated making only the Teresa part Episode 26, but decided to include the Silas part in after all for a bulkier chapter.**