Tempest Kingdom, November 27th, 2032

  It has been a whole ten days since Kettei and friends have solved the Falkia crisis and lives seems to have kinda turned into the university monotony of lessons, home and studying. Kettei and Sora especially had to grind in order to get on par with the rest. The blond man especially, since he had to handle a lot of stuff. That day though, everything was about to take a turn. Since it was a Saturday, Kettei used the day off to cycle to the castle in order for Queen Victoria to answer some questions he had in mind since he had come back from the falkian kingdom. That day, Rob accompanied him, as he was the queen’s secretary and having him around would’ve facilitated their entrance

  “So, why are we here, Kettei?” Rob asked, as they walked thru the castle alley, Their footsteps echoing in the emptiness of it

  “You see, I’ve been having some questions since I came back from Falkia. About the scrolls, what’s their function and having you around facilitates things” Kettei explained, calmly

  “So… I’m sort of your bargaining chip?” Rob asked, confused

  “No, not at all, but you being close to the royal family and the queen’s secretary is a huge perk” Kettei replied

  “That’s a fair point. Alright then, but you owe me some sushi later” Rob replied, snickering, as Kettei rolled his eyes. Five minutes later, they were at the queen’s throne room, as they both knelt down

  “Your majesty, I need you to answer some questions for me” Kettei said, as the queen slightly turned his gaze at him

  “I assume it’s about the scroll and I did promise you some informations. Sorry I couldn’t receive you but my husband had a terrible backlash after Tempest’s loss by your hand” The queen explained, as she lifted the sleeve of her hoodie, revealing a lot of bruises and scars. In that moment, Kettei’s fury was about to erupt, but he kept it cool

  “So” Rob spoke up, having noticed Kettei’s anger and taking over: “What are these seven scrolls and what are their purpose?”

  “In ancient times, there lived seven leaders across the then united Malagea Kingdom: Mohtuni the Brave, Gideon the Proud, Ariel the Hopeful, Astraea the Fair, Yomiko the calm, Torvin the Wise and Filippo the Protector. They ruled their own tribes, respectively the now Tempestians, falkians, bellumians, leadalians, sakurians, Klobs and Necorots. One day though, a war broke out, which led to the Magalea Kingdom to split into the seven kingdoms you know today. That war was won by Yomiko the fair, who wrote the borders free and fair for everyone to have access to all goods easy and quick. Those scrolls include their values, and their way of ruling a kingdom, but legend say they could bring back one of the seven legends” Queen Victoria explained, as she sat down the throne

  “So what? Even if they came back, Kettei could beat them” Rob replied

  “I doubt that. According to historians, they’re as strong as fifty Goloas. Basically, even if Kettei were to train for a long time, he’d end up dead” the queen stated

  “Our only option is to keep at least one of these scrolls away then. If they’re not reunited, then no legend will be summoned, but we all know how power hungry the king can get. Just ten days ago, we stopped the Falkian invasion” Kettei commented

  “Which raises the question: Why did you spare that whole army?” Rob asked, turning his gaze at him

  “They’re all fathers. They have people waiting for them at home. I just can’t bring myself to take lives for my own revenge. I want the king dead? That doesn’t mean innocent people have to pay that price” Kettei replied, as Rob looked at him with a different look

  “Well, looks like the mighty Kettei is compassionate when he wants to” Rob commented sarcastically: “Speaking of, where’s your pirate friend?”

  “Oh, Alice? She came back to Falkia for the weekend to hang out with her former crewmates. And to get her paycheck as well” Kettei replied

  “Whatever happens” the queen interjected, calmly: “Do not let the king or your mother get their hands on that thing, Kettei”

  “I understand the king, but why my mother?” Kettei asked, confused, as the queen turned towards Rob

  “Mihailoglu, can you please leave us alone?” She asked, as Rob nodded, bowed and left the throne room. Once alone, she spoke up again: “So, as you may be aware of, your mother has been acting weirdly”

  “She’s been acting like that since after my dad’s passing. I was too dumb to notice it” Kettei added, in a sad tone

  “Young man, it’s not your fault. As a matter of fact, I suggest you have these” the queen commented, as she handed him a package: “This might shatter you, so better if you look at those by yourself. And I mean truly by yourself”

  “I see. Thank you, your majesty” Kettei replied

  “Also, and I don’t know if you noticed, but a rift opened up yesterday. Near the forest. Alice did start going to falkia, but she stumbled across something, or someone, should I say” The queen said, looking at him

  “I did notice something, but didn’t pay much attention to it. I was resting with Sora and another bunch of friends. You know, playing videogames and all” Kettei commented, scratching his head with a laugh

  “Deserved rest, I’d say, but you should meet up with her and see what’s all about. They should be at the hospital” Queen Victoria stated, as Kettei nodded

  “Will be done, your highness” Kettei replied, as he bowed and left the room, still clenching tight the package

  “So, what’s up?” Rob asked, having waited outside a whole quarter of an hour for him

  “Apparently, a rift opened in the sky, and Alice knows something. I have to go to the hospital, so I’ll see you later” Kettei replied, looking at him: “If something strange goes on, let me know, okay?”

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  “Will do, Kettei” Rob replied, as he pat his back and headed out. Meanwhile, Kettei teleported a moment to his room and hid the package under the mattress of his bed and then back to the castle, where he grabbed his electric bike and cycled all the way down to the hospital, where Alice was waiting

  “There ye are, Kettei. Let’s go” She said, leading him to one of the hospital rooms. There, a white-haired lady was in one of the beds, her eyes closed, covered in blood from her heavy injuries, connected to a machine: “I thought you’d know something about this”

  “I’m sorry, Alice, but I have no idea who this one is. We should question her once she wakes up” Kettei responded, as he looked at her: “That said, pass me some medical-use alcohol, and some cotton”

  “Did ye really have to specify?” Alice asked, bothered

  “Knowing you, I would’ve found rum instead” Kettei replied, deadass

  “Yer so annoying. Alright, I’ll find ye the alcohol and cotton” Alice replied, as she went looking for it. Not long after, a nurse came by to check on the unknown lady

  “Poor soul. Who caused this to her?” the nurse murmured, as she looked at Kettei: “Are you her boyfriend?”

  “What? No. I don’t know her. Although she does sorta look familiar, now that I look closer” Kettei replied, curious. Just then, Alice arrived with alcohol and cotton, as Kettei grabbed it and started cleaning her wounds: “That’s as much as I can do, unfortunately… I’ll be going, Alice. My mom and sister need me. If she wakes up, take her to Kamome, I’ll come there once I can”

  “Will do, Kettei. See ye later” Alice replied, looking at him as he went away: “He’s annoying but he helped Falkia, but holy crap I want a rematch with him so damn badly!” She added, slamming a fist at the wall, nearly shattering it. Meanwhile, once outside, Kettei opened the package the queen gave him. In it, there were some pictures, dated May 2019, a few months after Yui’s birth. One of those pictures showed her making out with General Carl-Johan, as Kettei gritted his teeth in anger. The next one, however, made Kettei’s blood boil, as it showed Hotaru, the king and general Carl plotting for something. He decided to keep his suspicions hidden, as he cycled back to Kamome, where Yui was practicing her magic skills. Once she saw Kettei, she rushed to hug him, but Kettei didn’t hug back, which caused Yui to worry

  “Are you ok, big brother?” She asked, looking up at him

  “Eh- Oh, yeah. Sorry, just… Spacing out” Kettei replied, hugging back: “Can you go spend time with Rosalba for a bit? I need a teensy bit of time for myself”

  “Oh, okay! But later I need you to see my new spell!” She exclaimed smiling, as she headed back inside. Once she was gone, Kettei laid his back against the wall, sitting down and trying to connect the dots, but the hints he had just didn’t make sense to him. Was his mom plotting with the royals to kill his father? Was she faithful? How is all of that connected? What’s real anymore? Those were all questions that were circling in Kettei’s mind, and would continue to until Tuesday 30th, 2032. There, Sora and Rob were talking about what happened in Falkia, as well as the upcoming Christmas holidays

  “So, Rosa attacked Kettei? And made him lose 20% of his vision?” Rob asked, curious: “But why would she do that?”

  “Your guess is as good as mine” Sora replied, as he looked towards a sleepy Kettei: “Hey there. Went to bed late again?”

  “Sorta. I went to sleep at 1:30 am” Kettei replied, yawning: “But I spent the whole weekend without a wink of sleep”

  “Why, if I may?” Rob asked

  “About all the shit going on lately. Here, look at this” Kettei replied, handing them the package, where they saw those two pics. Pics that made Sora hella mad, as his mom was a cheating one, and his step-dad was so abusive, he ran away at 12

  “We’ll help you solve it, don’t worry” Rob said, as he looked at the mad Sora: “You in?”

  “Kettei, would you be mad if I punched your mom?” Sora asked, trying to calm down

  “Not at all, just not now. We don’t have anything against her” Kettei replied, as the three entered in class. During the history lesson, however, Alice barged in, panting

  “May I… Have a word… With Kettei?” She asked between pants to the professor

  “Sure, young one. Kettei?” the professor replied, looking at the tall, blond guy

  “Well, I was getting bored anyways, and like a quarter of the class left so I’ll see you in a bit… Maybe, depends on the gravity of the situation” Kettei said, closing his book and heading outside with Alice: “Take some deep breaths and explain what’s going on”

  “Well, the girl woke up. Says she’s yer ex. Whatever the hell that means” Alice replied, as Kettei’s eyes widened in shock

  “I beg your pardon? You said she’s my what?” Kettei asked again, not sure if he heard right

  “Yer ex, Kettei. And if ye wanna explain what that is, it’d be better” Alice replied, as Kettei sat down

  “Ok, first of, an ex girlfriend is what we consider a former person we used to date. Second, that can’t be my ex girlfriend. I’m pretty sure there’s a misunderstanding. Give me one minute, I’ll be right back” Kettei explained, as he headed inside

  “What’s going on?” the professor asked

  “Sorry, but I have to leave earlier, something came up at home” Kettei replied: “She was my neighbour” he added, making up a lie

  “Well, okay. I’ll see you next time” the professor said, as Kettei packed the backpack, signed the paper and headed out. Once outside the school, Kettei held Alice by the shoulder and teleported them both to the hospital and went straight to her hospital room. There, the white-haired woman had her black eyes open, but was still in a vest. However, as she saw Kettei, she quickly dashed at him, throwing a punch at him, which he blocked. Her outburst left everyone in shock, including Kettei

  “Hey, what’s going on with you?” Kettei asked, confused

  “Don’t act like you don’t know, you bastard!” the mysterious woman replied, furious, as she attacked two times more, firstly with a punch, then with a kick. As her leg was to connect, Kettei ducked and swept her leg, making her fall and placing a knee on her back and holding her arms pinned down with an hand

  “Calm down. You’re in an hospital. You just woke up and are under meds, so you better stay put for now” He responded, calmly and gently, as he stood up, took off his sweater, remaining in a t-shirt: “Here, you must be cold” he added, as he handed her that

  “I don’t get it” the mysterious woman murmured: “You’re Kettei Izawami, right? Why are you being so… oddly nice? Aren’t you supposed to kill me?” She asked, confused

  “Who do you think tended to your wounds? He did. You’re literally speaking to the same person who just twelve days ago spared 70.000 people from burning alive” Alice replied, calmly, as the other woman looked at Kettei, but then at Alice

  “Not buying it. Maybe he manipulated you into thinking that. He’s not what he looks like. He’s a monster” she replied

  “I beg you not to insult my name. Now, how about we roll back a couple of things and start from the beginning? Who are you, firstly?” Kettei asked, as he looked at the white-haired lady

  “My name is Moonlight, and, albeit hard to believe, I come from the future. And you, Kettei Izawami, are my ex fiancé” She said, looking at him. Upon hearing that, Kettei and Alice’s eyes widened, and as proof, she showed the ring he gave her, confirming her statement: “In my timeline, you’re known as Kettei the Trickster, given your sneaky ways of killing people”

  “That doesn’t sound like him at all!” Alice exclaimed, interjecting her: “The Kettei I know is a caring, smart, charismating person who would spare his enemies. And now you wanna tell me that HE becomes a cold-blooded assassin?”

  “It’s true! He killed my entire family. I almost had him, but then this rift opened, sending me here” Moonlight replied, as he looked at Kettei: “Although this Kettei feels different. His presence is warm and welcoming, like the one I fell for”

  Just as she finished talking, the sky became cloudy, and the ground began to shake violently, as another rift opened, and this time, Moonlight began to tremble, so did Alice and Kettei

  “This presence… It’s so ominous” Alice commented

  “It’s him. This is Kettei the trickster” Moonlight added, as once the rift closed, a figure wearing a dark cloak was fluctuating near the forest, his blonde hair moved by the wind, the unmistakable scar across the eye, the yellow eyes and the towering stature. In a moment, The trickster teleported in Moonlight’s hospital room, as for the first time, two sides of the same medal, past and future Kettei, stared deadly at each other