When they walk out of the forest, the sun is already beginning to rise over the horizon, painting the sky with a hue of pink and orange.

Lloyd still isn't too convinced on how magical the Opux is, even after witnessing it with his very own eyes. He's read about it many times before, but nobody has ever actually found one, and it was only ever named as a legend.

Yet it exceeds his expectations -- he has never thought it would turn out to be so magical; but then again there's Kai, who can produce flames out of thin air and Rose, who has control over nature.

To everyone else, Opuxes are only a mere legend, and perhaps that's what they'll always be; but to them, they've seen a whole new world, and it all started with a simple flower.

The air around Rose is lively and she's cheerier than ever, smiling brighter than the rising sun as she skips along the grassy ground, leaving her happy mark all over the place. It is rather obvious that she's extremely delighted by their little adventure that made her discover her gift of nature and made her realise nature has much more to offer than she believes.

And since nature has always been her element, she feels more than protective over every little thing it has to offer.

Perhaps that's why the Opuxes are now resting in Rose's arms, or why she'd even gathered them in the first place.

Glancing sideways, Lloyd is almost sure Lancaster has the same thing on his mind. After all, knowing him, he's always the most superficial one in the group -- he is sure to have questioned his eyes at one point or another after all the events.

But he doesn't say a word. Lancaster remains silent at the side, working out something important in his mind.

"Are you sure you're fine?" Alaina asks Kai, who looks very lethargic.

"It's about time I catch up on sleep," he yawns, then mutters, "my sister's going to yell at me --"

He stops suddenly when he walks right into Lancaster, who appeared suddenly in front of him.

"What is Caelus' Anthem?"

"What? Why?"

"Answer me. Please."

At this, Alaina raises a brow questioningly. Lancaster hardly -- never -- uses the word 'please'; he's never one to require anyone's help, anyway.

When Kai runs his hand through his hair as he thinks, remaining hesitant, Lancaster asks impatiently, "did they change the Anthem recently?"

"No. Wait -- yes," Kai replies, "only minor words, though. Why?"

Once again, Clyde's voice echoes in his mind. Just remember my words. The Anthem.

"Lancaster?" Alaina asks, when she notices him spacing out.

It isn't like him to just stand there and space out. Alaina nudges him lightly, looking curious and worried. Having discussed and talked enough about the magical Opuxes, Lloyd and Rose are finally able to catch up to them after they'd suddenly stopped walking.

"Ruler of the skies and all of lands; amidst the skies there's a heart of gold, the spark lies beyond," Lancaster says slowly, thinking back. "Is that it?"

"No, no, that's not it," Kai says, shaking his head. Thinking for a moment, he then says, "ruler of the skies and deep within; amidst the skies there's a heart of fire..." Glancing up towards the sky that's gradually lighting up, he continues, "and the spark lies within."

Kai seems to be proud of himself for remembering, because he throws his hands back around his head and continues to walk forward. "What you said earlier was the old version. The new one's not so different -- only a few words' difference."

Still not moving from his ground, Lancaster takes in the words, processing everything in his mind. He is right, about how when Clyde had mentioned it to him, he noticed minor differences in the Anthem from what he remembers. Only a few words' difference, just like what Kai said.

Somehow, he just can't seem put the pieces together. Lancaster knows it's all somewhat important, like Clyde's trying to deliver a message, yet he is unable to figure it out.

Just remember my words. The Anthem.

So he does, repeating in his mind the correct version of the Anthem Kai had just told him:

Caelus, ruler of the skies and deep within; amidst the skies there's a heart of fire, and the spark lies within.

And although he hasn't a clue as to why it's necessary for him to remember according to Clyde, somewhere deep inside him, he knows it's important.

Pushing his thoughts aside, Lancaster focuses on the matter on hand. They now stand on a tiny grassy hill, the strong wind whipping through them, as they overlook the Kingdom of Caelus in the distance from their positions.

"And how exactly are we going to make our way in now?" Lloyd asks, squinting his eyes to have a better look at the walls. "I highly doubt they would let us in through the front gates."

At this, Kai nearly trips over the air, realisation dawning. "You're still trying to get in?"

"Why not?" Rose asks innocently.

"Aren't you people from Theia?" Slowly, Kai begins to recall the events back in their holding cell. He remembers asking 'and what brings you here, all the way from Theia?', but even until now, he still hasn't gotten an answer. Narrowing his eyes in suspicion, he questions again, "just who are you people, and what business you have in Caelus?"

"That's it!" Alaina exclaims suddenly, making the others jump. "Kai, you can get us in!"

"But your highness," Lloyd says quickly, "he's in the same position as us," he finishes nervously, stealing a glance at Kai.

"And that's all thanks to you people, thank you for the reminder," Kai snaps, glaring at him. "I've had enough with you; just who are you people?"

Alaina gives him a look. "Will you help us, if I tell you that our business in Caelus might possibly change the fate of Asteria?"

With a look of disbelief, Kai scoffs. "You've given me enough trouble. And the fate of Asteria, really? What are you, Gods?" He crosses his arms, turning around. "Besides, it's not like I can help you -- like you said yourself, I am doomed, just like all of you."

Who are these people? Kai wonders over and over again, his patience slimming by the second. Fate of Asteria. Are they, by any chance, talking about the soon to be emperor?

Before he has a chance to question, Alaina's voice interrupts him. "You have a secret passageway."

Grinning from behind Kai, Alaina knows exactly what she's saying, and she's confident, despite the funny looks she's receiving from the others. After all, she'd seen with her own two eyes that Kai was finding his way through a small barred passageway somewhere along the walls of Caelus when they'd first arrived.

"Who told you that?" Kai turns around immediately to face her, his face bright red.

"You did," she grins widely, using words Lloyd once used on her, "just now."

His face turns crimson red. Fighting back the urge to burn everything in his sight, he demands, "tell me what I want to know first."

"What do you want to know?"

"What exactly is your motive in Caelus?" Kai asks, knowing they wouldn't be able to achieve anything without his assistance, hence changing the tides.

Sighing, Alaina ponders about this. It's rather a long story, and she wonders about his intentions -- whether he's a friend or foe, whether it's really safe to trust someone like him, who changes his mood and intentions like the weather.

But after all they've been through, Alaina doubts it; she knows better.

"Long story short, we're rebels against the formation of Empire Asteria, and we're joining the rebellion forming in Caelus. Are you happy with that answer?"

"There's a rebellion in Caelus?"

"According to an informant, yes."

A rebellion in his homeland. Kai has never heard of it, but then again, he never pays much attention to the current events -- except for the formation of the empire. That is too big of an issue to ignore. After all, it has his entire kingdom shaken.

He remains silent as his heart fights the conscience of his mind. His mind is telling him to ignore them, to just go home. Your family is waiting for you. But the memory of his family only brings forth another thing to worry about: his family isn't happy with the idea of an empire. Fight for your family.

Stop fighting against it, and start fighting for it.

Under a clear mind, Kai purposefully and intentionally allows his heart to sway. Then again, when does he not?

"I'll help you -- but on one condition."

Nervously, Alaina says, "what is it?"

But Kai only smiles, and her heart lightens immediately, flushing.

"Count me in on the rebellion."