"Kashi!" Stryke called with worry as he grabbed the daeben and spun him around. "Are you okay? Any injuries? What was that earlier? I've never seen you chant before! And that blood! What was that ab—" Boink! "Ow!" The young tora yelped in protest as he massaged the bump on his head.

"One question at a time," Kashi playfully admonished as he blew on his knuckles. He then rapidly answered, "I'm fine. No injuries. And earlier's a secret." The daeben's eyes sparked with deadly intrigue as he said, "It's my secret weapon."

"Cheh. Stingy." Stryke pouted, but before he could protest any further, Absalon tapped his head, and then looked at Kashi.

The old general's eyes held equal parts worry and resolve as he asked, "Will they be a problem?"

"The adjudicators?" Kashi shook his head. "Not directly at the very least. I cannot say for sure what tricks they might pull though. We have to be on guard."

"Ah..." murmured Paris as he let out a defeated sigh. "To think you would make an enemy of the adjudicators of all things." Contrary to his words, however, the King sported a bright smile as he lamented, "It would seem we are in for some hard days ahead." Glancing at Kashi, he added with a smirk, "At this rate, I might be forced to fight a few battles, don't you think?"

Kashi, however, responded with a condescending smirk, "Sure. Get some babies and you can fight all you want."

"You!" King Parissius spluttered, but then harrumphed. "I will leave you to attend to your guild. I must placate the guests. I am sure this fiasco frightened them."

"Then, I will leave that to you, Your Majesty," agreed Kashi. "Thanks for the help."

King Parissius brushed his hair, a twinkle in his eyes as he replied, "Of course. It's the beautiful thing to do, after all." He chuckled as he turned and walked towards the nobles. "See you soon, Kashi."

"Likewise, Your Majesty," replied Kashi. He watched as the young king walked up to the guests, Paris' brilliant smile, serving to soothe their nerves. The daeben smiled, and then took a deep breath. He then slowly breathed out as he turned to look at Lunette, who was supported by her brother.

Kashi hesitated as he looked at the songstress. "Lune..." He started to reach out his hand, but Lunette instinctively pulled back, terror and fear in her eyes. Kashi sharply pulled back his arm, and tucked it behind him, a bitter smile on his face.

Realizing what she'd just done, Lunette's eyes watered with guilt. However, right now she could not help it. Whenever she looked at Kashi, all she saw was the emotionless eyes that stared her down as she choked. "Kashi... I..."

"No, it's fine," retorted Kashi with a shake of his head. "It's my fault this happened." The daeben sighed, and then looked at the rest of the Maggots who regarded him with strange looks. "Well, I suppose I owe you all an explanation." He turned to Jade and mimicked a dome with his hands, "Jade, if you would, please?"

"Sure." Jade nodded, and then cast a spell for an isolated zone. A translucent dome covered the Maggots, blocking out all outgoing sound.

"Thanks." Kashi, after ensuring the dome was in place, proceeded to spill the beans on his life. Everything from his parents' identities, to his peculiar relationship with Razznik and Suzuki.

By the time he was done, Stryke and Jade were in tears, while Shokō and Syèl sported complicated expressions. Leila, who already knew the truth, gazed at the floor with sullen eyes, while Absalon gazed at Kashi with concern and worry. Meanwhile, Miote sighed and then shook his head, as understanding finally dawned. Now, he knew why he had always felt like Kashi and Suzuki were different people. They actually were from the start. But if this was the case, then the man who sent him on this mission to begin with also knew the truth.

While the Maggots dealt with the truth in their own ways, Shadow stared at Kashi with a mixture of anger and sorrow. The assassin wanted to hate Kashi for what he did to Lunette, but his heart would not let him. Especially when Shadow knew that Kashi was not truly responsible. Also, Suzuki had brought Lunette back to life, so he couldn't even completely hate the other 'Kashi' either.

"Shadow." Kashi sighed as he observed the wariness and rage in the assassin's eyes. "That's fair I guess." With a smile, he turned to look at Syèl. "I'm going to look up that dragon. You coming?"

Syèl looked at Shokō, who shrugged. Grinning, he turned to Kashi and said, "Looks like I'm tagging along. I could use the change of scenery too. Too much's happened tonight."

"Heh. You could say that again." Kashi then took out a few paintings from his inventory. "I'll be right back," he said as he walked over to the kings. He handed the paintings to them, explaining they were gateways to his inner world. He quickly taught them how to use it, and then said that if he did not return in time, they could enter his world. Once they did, Drixali would let him know to help them get back to their respective kingdoms.

After ensuring the kings understood his instructions, Kashi returned to the Maggots. The daeben looked at his companions, a warm smile on his face as he said, "I don't say this often and I'll probably never say this out loud again, but I am truly thankful for each and every one of you. If it wasn't for you all, I, Kashi, as I am today, would never have existed." Kashi bowed at the waist, and then said once more, "Truly, thank you all for accompanying me this far."

Bam!

Angered by the daeben's tone, Stryke punched Kashi's chest, tears pouring down his eyes as he questioned, "Why are you talking like you're going to die!? It's not a given that you'll lose right? You can't just roll over and die like that!"

Kashi chuckled as he reached out and patted Stryke's head. "Thanks, Stryke, but don't worry. I don't plan on dying any time soon."

Stryke's eyes lit up as he looked up into the daeben's eyes. "Then!?"

"No, I won't defeat Suzuki either," concluded Kashi. He glanced at Leila as he then said, "That blockhead might not realize it yet, but there are people who would be devastated if he's gone for good." The daeben looked at each Maggot, as a confident smile spread on his face, "All I have to do is find a way where we both win. Easy right?"

Absalon laughed as he shook his head. "If nothing else, that optimism of yours might just save you both." A red, mage staff appeared in the general's right arm as he declared, "I've decided. As an old man, a gamer, and a general of the Hopeful Maggots, I will help in whatever capacity you require to reach the best conclusion." Bam! Absalon stomped his staff on the ground to accentuate his point, following which, his howling wolf crest began to glow.

Stryke laughed as a short sword appeared in his hand. "Well, if we're making promises, then you betcha ass I'm getting in on it." Bam! "Kashi, you have my sword. Whatever you need, whether in-game, or outside, I got your back." Just like Absalon, his emblem started glowing through his clothes.

Bam! Jade grinned, electric sparks zapping through her eyes as she took stomped her feet against the ground and said, "I have my own reasons, but I cannot let either of you die. So, you have my full support." The emblem at the back of her right brightly glowed following her declaration.

Bam! Shokō stomped a sheathed katana against the ground, gaze solemn as she looked at Syèl. "I know firsthand how damaging secrets can be." She then looked at Kashi and said, "You, Kashi, were brave enough to share the truth with us. That trust you have in us, I will endeavor to repay." Her emblem, located just behind her left hair, glowed through her hair.

Syèl glanced at Shokō, a bitter smile on his face as he scratched the back of his head. He then smiled as he looked at Kashi, "You've got a ton of baggage, and I've got some bones to pick with you." He paused, and then glanced at Shokō and Lunette. "But, I can't let you die. Either of you. So, for as long as I live, you'll have my support." He grinned as the emblem on his chest began to glow. "...If you can handle it, that is."

"Not bad is it?" Leila stated as she looked at Kashi. Somehow, her gaze seemed to pierce through the daeben to the other person hidden within. "Having people care for you." A smile curled up the edge of her lips as she stated, "It goes without saying, but I'm firmly in both your corners. I failed Razznik. I do not intend to fail you both." The emblem glowed on Leila's chest, just over her heart, revealing how closely she regarded the guild.

Shadow stared at the Maggots, and then glared at Kashi. "I cannot bring myself to forgive you." He paused, his gaze mellowing as he admitted, "However, I do not want you to die." He looked away and grumbled, "You need to be alive for me to hate you." Despite his words, the assassin's emblem resonated with his heart, and glowed brightly.

Kashi smiled as an unfamiliar heat burned his heart. He then hesitantly looked at Lunette, who regarded him with conflicted eyes. The daeben wanted to say something, but Lunette suddenly walked out of Shadow's hands. Kashi found his tongue frozen as the songstress walked up to him, her gaze getting more and more determined with each step.

Within moments, Lunette stood before Kashi, who still did not know how to react. "Lune—"

Pa!

"Oof!" Syèl exclaimed with amused shock as he looked at the crisp red mark on Kashi's cheek.

Kashi barely had time to recover from the shock when Lunette suddenly wrapped her arms around him, trapping him within her embrace. The daeben was about to say something, her trembling arms froze the words in his throat. Only now did he understand. Lunette hadn't gotten over the trauma. Far from it. If violent traumas could be forgotten so easily, psychologists would have long gone out of business.

Lunette, at the moment, was fighting against her instinct to run away. It was the only way she could show her support for Kashi, so he did not misunderstand. The howling wolf emblem began to glow from her forehead as she buried her head in the daeben's chest.

Kashi, understanding just how difficult this must be for Lunette, patted her head, and said, "Thank you..." He then looked at the rest of the Maggots and said, "Thank you all. I promise I won't disappoint you guys."

The daeben wanted to say something else, but a prompt interrupted him.

Kashi raised a brow in interest as he examined the prompt. Well, this certainly brought up mixed feelings. On one hand, he was naturally excited about the prospect of the Hopeful Maggots' evolution (whatever the hell that meant.) But on the other hand, two guilds had already achieved this so-called evolution, putting them at a firm disadvantage.

Furthermore, what in the hell was Enlightenment supposed to mean? How would he achieve that? Kashi had a thousand questions, but he decided to push them to the back of his mind. He was not the type to waste time on something he could not solve. Eventually, time and luck would sort things out... hopefully.

Kashi closed the prompt and then looked at Lunette. He held her arms, and gently unlatched them from his waist. "Thanks, Lune. You don't have to try so hard." As he spoke, Lunette looked into his eyes, but then flinched and immediately looked back down. Kashi revealed a bitter smile as he said, "I'm sorry. I truly am. One day, I'll find a way to make it up to you." He then looked at Syèl as he said, "But for now, a little distance should do both of us some good. As it happens, I have somewhere to visit. We'll talk when I get back."

"...Okay," said Lunette, her heart tearing to pieces as she watched Kashi walk up to Syèl. Although he didn't show it, she could tell he was hurt by her reaction. He just didn't want her to feel bad.

Kashi, oblivious to Lunette's thoughts tapped Syèl's shoulder as he said, "Ready?"

"Ready as I'll ever be," replied the halben. Syèl laughed and then said goodbye to Shokō, before jumping out the now, open roof.

Kashi thanked the Maggots once more, promised to be back as soon as possible, and then also leaped onto the roof. Soon, both men had disappeared into the city streets under the pale moonlight.

Meanwhile, as the Maggots returned to their rooms, two maids stared at the ceiling, and then at the stones and dust around the ballroom. The first maid laughed as she lifted her skirt and walked out of the room. "Oh dearie me. This was billed as an all-night event. It's the morning crew's business, not mine."

The second maid, meanwhile, had black lines running across her face as she grumbled, "I knew I should not have asked for that extra shift..."

A/N: Off to go see about a dragon...