Chapter 393 - Soar

The next day came soon. Even before the sun had risen, the Cedar Palace was already alive with activities. The morning's hustle and bustle were more than the routine as servants poured into the huge courtyard forming an organized ȧssembly, leaving a huge space in the middle of the place as they waited for their masters and mistresses.

Today was the day they'd depart to the other world. Even if everyone knew that the masters, Gin, Ryuu, and Sora would be okay, not the same applied to the Young Mistress of the House, and their hearts were clouded with worry in spite of the serene expressions on their faces.  

Everyone had risen already and by the time that the sun did rise from the horizon, the group had already eaten and was ready to go. Miharu, Rin, Midori, and Sonoda stood next to Aki and Chiaki, waiting for their turn to say goodbye. They had stayed at the Cedar Palace specifically for this – to be able to say their temporary farewells and to wish their friend to be well, take care, and to return as soon as she's done with her business on the other side.

Everyone present knew what needed to be done. Everyone was aware of how treacherous the quest would be. However, even with the concerns in their hearts, none of them voiced their fears out like. Just like Aki did last night, in spite of their uncertainties, they believed she would overcome everything.

"It's time," Ryuu announced as he raised his finger pointing upwards and a dark tattoo spiraled from his arm until it reached the tip of his finger. A blinding blue light appeared as the tattoo turned into blue flames the shape of a dragon as it went out of the Koutaishidenka's body. The flames became bigger and bigger until it manifested a solid form.

Aki and the others' mouths hung open in shock as they all looked up to see the huge dragon standing in the middle of the yard. It's the first time they'd seen Mavara and they all couldn't help but stare at him in awe. After all, dragons existed only in legends in this world.

They hadn't recovered from seeing the dragon when Ivan also called forth his vermillion birds, Bibi and Rashel. The fire elementals let out a cry of joy after being let out.

The elementals would serve as steeds for Ryuu, Alinea, Perun, Yuuka, and Ivan. As for the Gin, he could fly by himself so there was no need. Perun could fly as well, but since Yuuka was with them, he opted to use one of Ivan's elemental birds as they couldn't let Yuuka mount the vermilion bird alone.  Elementals were perceptive of people's fear, and the birds were flighty ones.

Perun placed his hands on Yuuka's waist and hoisted her on one of the birds' back before mounting it as well. Ivan followed suit, mounting the other vermillion bird.

"I'll see you guys soon," Alinea promised with a wink before Ryuu wrapped his arm around her waist and jumped high and landed on Mavara's back. "See you!" she waved at the others as the elementals flew one by one.

"See you," Gin told Emi after giving her one last kiss and he too soared up in the sky.

Everyone at the Cedar Palace continued to wave at them until they all disappeared in the sky. Normally, they couldn't freely use the elementals as they were visible to the people. But Perun was with them and he could mask their presence.

"Oh, yeah, I forgot I haven't dealt with the metal bird that ate people yet," Ivan told the others seriously.

"What metal bird?" Gin asked, and everyone turned to the Emperor of Kres with a frown.

"It's a huge elemental bird that's made of metal. It has a see-through belly where you can see all the people it ate." Ivan frowned as he tried to remember what he saw the day he arrived from Ged. "Actually it's not see-through. It has holes on its belly like windows…"

"Because those are windows," Gin deadpanned and Alinea fought hard not to laugh.

She could totally relate with Ivan though. She used to call cars metal carriage when she first arrived.

"That's called an airplane. A flying vehicle that humans use," she explained and Ivan looked amazed.

"I wish to try traveling on one when we return," Ivan announced.

"Aren't you an emperor? Should you be really traveling a lot?" Ryuu asked and Ivan grinned.

"Thanks to Ritz, I'm always traveling within Ged anyway. Also," he gave Ryuu a sly look. "When we return to Ged, you, grandpa, will be emperor."

Alinea was going to protest but remembered that Kres was Kresnik's nation and Ryuu was the Returner to Ancestry of the Fire God. As a rule, regardless of where he's from as long as he's Kresnik, the current emperor would abdicate and put Kresnik on the throne.

"Warm the seat longer. I have no plans to settle in Ged for several years," Ryuu answered and Ivan was quickly depressed.

The travel towards the portal in Hakone was not that long. Alinea turned her head to see Yuuka's nervous expression nearby and secretly smiled. Her mother was obviously frightened but she was being a sport and bearing the fear.

In reality, the Maki's were happy enough for the shadow lurkers within them to starve to death. They could be extracted anytime already. But Perun didn't do it yet.

Alinea asked her father why they had to take Yuuka with them to Ged, but then she realized that it was the wisest thing to do at the moment. Fanya was still nowhere to be found. As long as Czernobog's alive, the derailed former deity could transfer her soul to anyone along with Ozomene. They had a feeling that Fanya now knew who Yuuka was, and the possibility she'd strike while they were away was huge. For Fanya who hated Shitara a lot, there was no question she'd try to kill her in the cruelest way possible.

So yes, they had to take Yuuka with them to Ged so that Perun could ensure her safety himself. Perun technically couldn't join the fray. When he released the first seal, he would let the others deal with the dark elemental armies that would go on a rampage. He, however, would be staying in Ritz with Yuuka and watch the battle through Aurel's eyes.

Only after they defeated the Black God could they let go of Yuuka again. Perun would erase their memories and the Makis would go on living as if they'd never met with deities. Alinea knew that this would be only temporary though. She knew that her father would go and win her mother's affections again.

"We're almost there," Gin announced, and all of them started to descend.