Xia Bai lies on the water's surface, barely conscious as her body moves along the waves. After helping Glyn get into the airship, she was bombarded with its anti-air magics, driving her into the sea. Just before impact, she called upon the Piece inside of her being and summoned a defensive ability that took the brunt of the barrage. Crashing into the ocean, she can only float with her body wrecked and extremely injured.

Her mind races as she stares up at the sky, her eyes glazing over as she struggles to focus. Her mind goes to Isaac, their last moments, and his death. She can feel the last of her strength fading, and she accepts it. She accepts the water’s embrace as she slowly sinks beneath the waves. Just as her head falls under, she thinks of the people in her life before finally thinking of one person.

The two exchanged blows twice, but she felt a near-instant connection to him. He helped guide her in her darkest hours and led her away from a dishonorable path. A sense of affection welled up in her chest as she sinks.

            “If I have any regrets. It’s that I couldn’t thank him for all his help before.” She thinks as her eyes close one last time.

The world around her goes dark, and water slowly fills her lungs.

            “I’m not letting you die that easily.” She hears a voice cry out.

Xia Bai shoots up, coughing up water as a hand pats her on the back. As her eyes focus, she looks up and sees a pair of mandibles coming from under a large hood. The figure sits next to her as she looks around and notices the pair are sitting on a makeshift raft floating in the middle of the ocean.

            “Anluan? You're alive?”

            “Yes. I escaped alongside some islanders. This raft was actually what Glyn made just before we arrived on that island. I survived my battle and escaped, but by that time, I could feel the fortress shaking.” Anluan explains. “I ran to the village and gave them a warning before making sure several of them escaped. Then I used this raft to get away, and then I used by Piece to locate you before you drowned.”

            “Thanks for that. But why bother saving me?”

            “Well, we need all the firepower we can get. Almost literally in your case. And even if you were dead, I would at least like to honor your passing properly.”

Xia Bai laughs. “You’d be about the only one. My master is dead, and I betrayed the people who helped us out. I know going home all I’ll face is disgrace. It would’ve been better if I died doing something considerably noble.”

            “You say that. I was in a similar state after being freed from my mental shackles. But I believe you must have at least some regrets. I know I had some regrets and wishes that kept pushing me forward beyond my darkest thoughts.”

Xia Bai stares ahead, and Miller’s figure enters her mind. “There’s someone I’d like to thank. And of course I’d want to massacre those assholes.”

            “For now, where is Glyn?”

            “On the airship. I managed to get him inside before being blown out of the sky.”

Anluan nods. “Then that’s where we’ll go. We have to stop them before it’s too late. And we have to find Glyn to back him up.”

Xia Bai spreads out her wings, noticing the damage done to them and quickly retracting them. “Unfortunately, I can’t fly right now. My wings are too wrecked.”

            “That’s fine. We shouldn’t have to worry about getting on board the airship for now.”

            “Why?”

            “There’s a lot of Mana flowing in this area. That can only mean one thing. Others are here, and they're preparing for their attacks.”

As Anluan talks, a beam of light flies across the sky above the pair. Before either of them can react, a long shadow casts over their raft as an enormous boat appears. A cloaked figure leaps down from above, landing on the raft and looking down at the pair.

Xia Bai reaches for her sword, only to feel nothing as Anluan prepares a spell.

            “Relax for a moment.” The figure says, taking off their hood.

A young Elven girl stands before the duo, looking down on them. “Who are you?” Xia Bai asks.

            “The more important question is, who are you? You don’t look like the other islanders.” She says.

            “We’re not,” Anluan says.

            “Technically, we’re Pieces for a King Candidate. Much like yourself, I assume.”

            “Oh?” She sighs. “In any other circumstance, this’d be an easy win for us. Eliminating two pieces would definitely help. But I know the boss is too much of a bleeding heart to go along with it.”

            “What happened?” Anluan asks.

            “A cease fire. Once the news of the Demon’s revival got out, the war got put on pause to deal with the threat.”

            “Oh. That makes sense.”

            “Anyway. Where’s the rest of you and your candidate?” She asks.

            “Long story.”

            “Bring them aboard.” A voice cries out over a loudspeaker. “We don’t have much time. We’re preparing the next shot now.”

            “So, what’s your deal?” Xia Bai asks.

            “We get to ask the questions here, not you. But if you have to know something, the boss just gave his go-ahead for you two to be saved. So, count your lucky stars, he’s a softy.” She snaps her fingers, and a platform descends.

She walks onto the platform, signaling for Anluan and Xia Bai. “Who are you guys?” Anluan asks.

            “Judging from the ship and the tech, I think I have an idea.”

            “Oh?”

            “You wouldn’t happen to be working for Pallan Anselm, would you?”

            “So, you know more than you let on.” She says. “Yes, I am working under Lord Pallan Anslem in his goal to become the king.”

Xia Bai nods. “If that’s the case, then we should be safe for now.”

            “Why is that?”

            “Because unless the war’s twisted, this dude’s personality. Pallan is possibly the safest candidate in the entire war.”