ZERO MADE IT INTO CENTRAL AKUNI to find that it had become a bleak shell of what it once was. The colors remained physically, but the bustle of the streets had disappeared almost entirely and the life of the town seemed to be at its last breath. Whatever had happened in his absence from Crenon was certainly not good.

Things continued to grow bleak as he approached the palace as if there was something in that grand structure draining the buildings around it of all life. Eventually, once he reached the palace gates, he saw it. He saw a poster advocating for conscription and requesting that they meet in either Murasakino, Central Akuni, or Jidi. The recruitment process had already begun.

Zero charged toward the palace of Akuni, ready to continue with his plan, knowing that he needed to make haste now more than ever. War was about to break out and Zero did not know of any way to prevent this event other than his current plan. Once more, he found himself pondering whether he had any other options, still finding none. Regardless of whatever diplomacy he could try, he saw that Satsujin was fixed in his ways. He was not likely to back down from his stance, and thus Zero was not likely to back down from what he felt was necessary.

As Zero entered the palace, it seemed unusually vacant. The main halls were empty, unlike the previous times when Zero was there and the palace was littered with people from the Saisei Coalition. The sound of a slow clap came from behind him. Zero turned to see that it was Satsujin.

“I presume you have the Kenshis?” Satsujin asked Zero.

“I have them waiting in a forest,” Zero answered. “I will bring their corpses to you as soon as I can.”

“That will not do,” Satsujin replied.

“What do you mean?” Zero inquired.

“See, I realized during that period that you were fetching those two,” the emperor began. “I finally found who my biological father was. His name was Farin Spurling. Later on, he married a woman named Noka Oritsu, which I’m sure you know is my mother. Once I was born, Farin had both myself and my mother removed from Aotoshi. He went on to marry a different woman named Demetra Mujihina. He took her last name and, after a long stretch of lineages, their great-grandchild was born. His name should be familiar to you.”

“Kawata Mujihina…” Zero answered, under his breath.

“Precisely,” Satsujin continued. “With that in mind, that means that I have an ancestral tie to Lanya. Once she and Musuko die, I can inherit the Fabled Swords that you crafted those eighty-odd years ago. And that is why our previous arrangement is no longer feasible. I wish to take their lives with my own blade.”

“I’m not so sure I can allow that to happen,” Zero responded, somewhat wary of what would happen if this were to be carried out.

“Why would it matter to you?” Satsujin beckoned. “Either way, those two royals are going to die, so why would you care who makes the killing blow?” Suddenly, Satsujin was able to infer and found his answer.

“Nevermind that,” he carried on. “I already found my answer. You don’t want me to keep my position here. You’d rather those two royals be brought back to the throne to hinder the progress of these Joined Nations. You’re an enemy to change, aren’t you? That’s why you’re so insistent on having those damnable mayflies be killed where I can’t see them!”

“That’s not true!” Zero called out, trying to save face. He knew that Satsujin only needed confirmation before Zero’s plan would reach foil.

“Is that so?” Satsujin responded. “Then why don’t you bring the two into the palace to receive a proper and guaranteed execution? After all, you’re awfully protective of them for somebody who requested to kill them personally.”

“That is beside the point,” the youngest of the Kantokus refuted.

“I’m afraid that is the point, Zeronius.”

“I am not an enemy to change! I am the arbiter of change and I am wanting to help you with this progress!”

“Then why do you hold me back?”

“Why do you not trust me?!”

“Because I have seen through your ruse,” Satsujin said as he drew his sword. “But rest assured, when your life is on the line, you will reconsider.”

“Satsujin, you and I both know that this is impossible! The maila cannot be killed by any mortal weapons!”

Satsujin does not speak in response to this. Rather, he retains his determination and takes his blade to his finger, prodding it. He winces in slight pain as blood escapes from the tip of his finger. Zero realized at that moment that there was a true risk to his life, for the first time in all 282 years of his life.

“I was certain that you would show great apprehension toward our plan after the banquet,” Satsujin continued. “After all, when you were so ready to question my means in eradicating the Kenshi Dynasty, I couldn’t help but feel that you may stray from the intended path. That’s why I kept some garnium from that sack I gave you and fashioned this.”

Zero’s dread continued to pile up as he realized the dire situation he found himself in. Of course, his previously intended plan was at risk of failing now more than ever. Success in its previously intended form was impossible. He knew not to challenge Satsujin at this moment. He was certain that he could not draw his sword fast enough to avoid death and wished not to take that risk until he had an advantage.

“Now, are you going to do what you need or are you going to disobey your emperor?”

A silence wiped over the palace before Zero answered Satsujin’s interrogation.

“I will follow your commands, Great Emperor.”

“Wonderful,” Satsujin continued. “Just to make the job easier, I have two men that will be helping you throughout your endeavor. They will make sure that your task is completed as intended.”

The two men appear from either side of Satsujin and stand beside Zero. Satsujin gave a signal to the two men, who directed Zero out of the palace and out of Central Akuni.

“Now, maila,” the first man said. “Lead the way.”

Having no choice in the matter, Zero led the two men toward the forest where the children waited for his arrival. All the while, a single fragment of a sentence resonated in his head. “All but the maila, who will be the one to end the feuds forever.” Does ending the feuds mean the death of a bloodline? As far as Zero could think of, that was the only possible answer. Either Satsujin would die or he would kill Lanya and Musuko. There is no other way, it would seem.