Inside the café, Hanabi lounged on a small couch, idly stroking Plu’s soft fur as she spoke with Lily.
“Did you see the look on Rai’s face when Plu stole that cookie,” Lily said, her laughter bubbling up.
Hanabi grinned, her cheeks flushed red from Ti. “I know, right? He looked like he’d seen a ghost!”
Alan, immersed in his book yet again, sat at a nearby table, his brow furrowed in deep concentration as he absorbed the knowledge within its pages. Occasionally, he glanced up, his gaze drawn to the window where sunlight filtered through. Beside him, Eiji was playing with his food.
“And this little fishy,” Eiji said, pretending to have the fish-shaped head of a cookie swim gracefully through the water, “went straight to my tummy!” dropping the fish directly into his stomach, immediately melting into his chair right after. After a moment, he uttered, “Now I’m sad…” Noticing the controller, Eiji snatched it up. “Let’s see what we got here.”
“Grace,” Hanabi said as Grace entered with a plate containing a cookie for Lily and Hanabi, “you should have seen Rai’s face when Plu went for that cookie.”
“Hardly fair,” Rai said, stubbornly; a bump protruded from his head.
In Grace’s café, there was a glass-encased Lumi Lumi on display. These cookies always taste better the longer they age, and Rai had been trying to steal that particular cookie for quite some time—or rather, steal any he could get his hands on.
Grace chuckled, noticing Rai's grumpy demeanor, “Well, Rai, you know, in this café, a good reputation is worth more than all the treats in the world.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Rai said.
“She means stop stealing,” Lily said bluntly, and Hanabi nodded in agreeance.
“Yeesh didn’t know you’re all joining Tux’s profession…” Even as chief of police, Tux worked more on the detective end of things, often probing with questions, “Besides, that one wasn’t even my fault...”
“Yeah, but you wouldn’t have been blamed for it had you not been known to have done it, many times before,” Hanabi said.
“HA! That’s where you’re wrong; I never successfully stole one…” Rai said, stubbornly folding his arms.
“Not sure if that’s something to brag about…” Alan said looking up.
“Uhhh,” Eiji, leaning against the table, sighed softly as he flicked through channels on the small television mounted in the corner, scanning the screen for something, anything, to capture his interest. “When’s our next mission going to be?”
“Eiji, you’re not an apprentice…” Lily said.
“I like to consider myself an unofficial, official member,” Eiji stated. “They’ll call me, the shadow elite! He appears and disappears before you even know he was there…”
“Did you just describe Aegis?” Lily said.
“Uh-” Eiji was stumped.
“He’s referencing Rat Man. He dresses up in a costume, scurrying through the sewers to catch villains who are trying to invade Root-Tham,” Rai said.
“Born in darkness, raised by turtles,” Eiji said, holding the tablecloth over his face, showing a menacing glare.
“Sounds like quite the show…” Lily said.
“Boys will be boys,” Hanabi whispered to Lily, causing her to giggle.
“I have to say, your design for the cookie is truly unique,” Alan said, splitting the cookie in two and taking a bite of the chocolate half.
The cookie, normally snickerdoodle flavored, was shaped similar to a Beta Fish, however, the tail instead resembled a blossoming flower, similar to the flower known as ‘Lumi’s’. Because of the design, the cookie can be split into two flavors. The first half, the portion of the fish, being of snickerdoodle, and the second half, the portion that consisted of the flower, being of whatever the customer desired; as long as the flavor was on the menu that is.
“I didn’t come up with anything—other than a minor addition to the flavor. When I was younger, I came across the recipe in a little lock box, hidden under the floorboard of my home. It was when I still lived within the Kingdom of Keltzer... In it, the recipe, and a letter that read, ‘A place to call home - Lumi Lumi.’
“Interesting,” Alan said, making a note of it.
Hanabi, walking up to a frustrated Rai, split her cookie in half. “Here, one Lumi for you, and, one Lumi for me.”
“Hanbi… You’re the best!” Tears welled in Rai’s eyes as he grasped the cookie, before shoving it down his throat.
Grace’s eyes wandered around the room while taking in the lively atmosphere, she recalled a time from long ago. You’re the best…
“You, okay?” Lily asked, seeing Grace’s saddened expression.
“Huh? Who me? O- Of course.” Noticing the empty plates lying around, Grace stated, “I’m going to wash these, I’ll be right back,” she said, pushing past the swinging doors that lead to the kitchen in the back.
“Nothing good on?” Rai asked, turning his attention to his friend.
Shrugging, Eiji’s gaze remained fixed on the screen. “Just the usual stuff. Nothing worth watching.” Flipping through the channels, one landed amongst many beautiful women. Eiji raised an eyebrow, but sensing Lily behind him, he quickly placed his hands across his head, though the reprimanding smack never arrived.
“Hey, isn’t that Mu’s Fashion Extravaganza?” Lily said, pointing excitedly at the television.
“You’re right! I totally forgot it was today,” Hanabi said, swiftly standing beside her.
“Fashion whatta?” Rai said.
“It’s only the biggest and most thrilling fashion show in the world,” Hanabi said.
“Hey, the Fashion Extravaganza’s today? Mu’s designs are legendary,” Grace said, grouping with the other ladies.
The channel displayed a dazzling runway with models strutting down the runway in an array of extravagant outfits, each more stunning than the last. The models would each confidently strike a pose, before turning away and leaving the way they came. Over the runway, there was a sign that read LUMI. Determined by the audience’s reaction, and the voters online, it would fill up with pink glowing energy, starting from the left, and once it reached the very last letter, it would ring, signaling the model's advancement to the next round – one in which they had very little time to get prepared for!
“Wow, look at those designs!” Hanabi said, her eyes wide with awe.
Jewels and portraits floated around the ballroom which the crowd occupied. There were even invisible stairs and an infinite chocolate fountain, suspended upside down, though the chocolate never fell out of it.
“Like magic…” Eiji said, now fully invested.
“Mu the magician hosts the event,” Hanabi said.
“Up next, hailing from the Holy Land of Cronos, the wonderful, the amazing, Lizel!” Mu announced. He was floating in a colorful chair, high above the audience.
The model had a beehive design on her head; bubbles emerged from the holes, and as they popped, butterflies emerged, fluttering into the sky.
People cheered her on, though the LUMI meter only made it to the letter M, disqualifying her.
“Hey look,” Lily said, drawing attention to the screen.
Draped in a coral pink dress with shells that seemed to morph into dazzling pearls – depending on the viewing angle – Ayame.
“She looks amazing! I didn’t know she was in the show…” Lily said, gazing at her social media in which Ayame normally posted.
“You’re following Ayame?” Rai asked.
“Of course! We girls gotta stick together. Besides, she’s quite the personality,” Lily admitted.
“Next, a social media extraordinaire with a personality that will have you scrolling for life, the beautiful, Ayame!”
Ayame walked the runway, winking at her many fans along the way. She struck a pose, before twirling in a circle, causing the pearls lined in her hair and dress to evaporate, leaving a dazzling shimmer in the air around her. As she strutted away, the digital board slowly filled to the final letter. Just before leaving everyone's sight, she lifted her back leg, winking and blowing a kiss to the many behind her.
“LUMI!” one girl shouted.
“Absolutely!” more shouted, wearing t-shirts with Ayame’s face on them.
“Lumi Lumi Lumi!” Lily shouted, rapidly tapping away at the voting button from her badge.
“What’s up with all this Lumi lingo?” Rai muttered to Eiji.
Hanabi, turning to Rai, said, “It means sweet, you know, because Lumi’s-”
“I get it…” Rai said, boredom evident in his tone.
“Whatever, jerk,” Hanabi said, folding her arms while facing away from Rai.
“It means whatever you need it to mean, at least from what I can tell,” Lily said.
The stage shifted colors, while all the lights directed towards the runway. Mu, standing upon the magically floating chair, announced, “Ladies and gentlemen! A warrior infused with the Stormforge Root, ranked third in the mighty Illuminus Elite. Her spirit, rumbles through our hearts, like lightning, striking at the core of our being!”
“Ahem,” Eloise quietly uttered, glancing at Mu.
“Uh- I’m pleased to welcome, the beautiful Eloise of Thundertyde!” Mu shouted.
On-screen, as the camera panned across the crowd, Alan’s heart skipped a beat. “Eloise!” he shouted, blood splurging from his nose.
“Is that Eloise?” Rai said, leaning in to get a closer look.
“Wow,” Lily and Hanabi said, in awe of her outfit.
“She’s… Beautiful,” Grace uttered.
“Oh, now it’s okay to glare,” Eiji said, though he too couldn’t help but fathom Eloise's beauty.
As Eloise stepped forward, her figure was enveloped in a bolt of lightning that seemed to protrude from the ground, and when it disappeared, a gown that shimmered like the stars upon a still lake. With each step, a lingering jolt of electricity burst into the air, forming small orbiting balls of electricity. Eventually, the entire room was lit by the electric balls.
One fan tried to touch it, and it dispersed into gold-glimmering dust.
The crowd held its breath, captivated by the sight unfolding before them.
Nearing the end of the runway, she struck a pose, and upon turning, the entire lot of floating buzz balls, burst, releasing a gold sparkle all over. With a touch of static electricity, the gold sparkles, spiraled in towards Eloise, enveloping her in yet another dress.
“Did she just change outfits three times… in one walk,” Ayame whispered, peeking from behind the curtains. “Eloise is amazing!”
“How am I going to go after that…” Rina said, sighing as she was set to go next.
As Eloise neared the end of the runway, the crowd erupted into applause, a thunderous roar that echoed throughout.
“LUMI!” everyone screamed at the top of their lungs, and the LUMI meter filled instantly.
Plu, strolling across the table, accidentally stepped on the controller, causing the channel to change.
“OH! Did you see that takedown?!” the announcer on the tv spoke of another man.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
Rai spoke, “Finally, Keltzer Wrestling!” Rai’s mood quickly lifted. “Hm, must be an older recording of WWIE.”
“Plu, we were watching that,” Lily said. Plu, seeing Lily and everyone gazing at it, held the controller above its head, wobbling as it carried it over to Lily. “Awe, thanks Plu,” Lily said, however, at the edge, Plu, inspired by the wrestlers on TV, hugged the controller instead.
“Pluuu!” it yelled, falling backward and plummeting off the table, slamming the controller into the ground, and shattering it. Plu’s arm fell over the controller, and Eiji quickly dropped to the ground.
“One, two, three!” Eiji shouted.
“Plu!” it said, tossing its hands up and falling on its back.
“Atta boy!” Rai said to Plu.
“I thought you liked the show?” Lily said to Eiji.
“Mm, yeah, but I like a lot of things,” Eiji shrugged.
“Grace… You wouldn’t happen to have another controller, would you?” Hanabi said.
“Unfortunately, no, and the tv can’t change channels any other way. I’ll have to order a new one,” Grace said, walking towards the back.
“Guess it’s wrestling for now,” Alan sighed.
Alan’s disappointed look caused everyone to laugh when a sudden deafening siren washed over everyone’s laughter, making every bone in their body vibrate from the force of the alarm resonating throughout every household in the empire and the kingdom surrounding it.
Grace came running around the corner, “What’s going on?!”
The television screen, previously revealing wrestlers, flickered into a static screen, with words that panned across, reading, ‘Please remain in your homes until further notice.’
Rai, Lily, and Alan’s badges started to light up, and upon pressing the button, a hologram of the emperor showed up.
“Apprentices, you’re to report to your Hall Master immediately where you will be given further instruction. This is not a drill. The Kingdom of Aurahelm will likely be sacked, tonight,” Emperor Adonis spoke.
“Aurahelm…” Rai said.
“But that’s where…” Hanabi muttered, though before she could finish Rai had already burst out the front door.
Not again! Rai said, running as fast as he could in hopes of making it to his sister’s side.
***
Tanabe, standing alongside Eloise on the outer walls of the Kingdom of Aurahelm gazed out into the moonlit night. “They're just standing there…”
Stretching the entire length of the walls defending Aurahelm—fifteen thousand soldiers. Torches flickered between every other hundred.
“The dead, awoken at last,” Marco, the number five elite said, furrowing his brows.
Tanabe recalled his first encounter with a knight fury, Seph, the man with the seeker root… He had almost died from that plunge. Everything went black the moment he hit the water; the next he remembered, he was awake, lying in a hospital bed within the Empire.
“What if they attack?” Tanabe said, glaring at the many homes behind them.
“I’m afraid, with a force like that, even I won’t be able to stop them from infiltrating,” Eloise said.
Tanabe frowned, “I see…”
“But,” Eloise continued, “you can be sure as hell it won’t be easy for them,” her smile gave Tanabe new resolve.
“Right. It won’t,” he said, glaring at the army before them.
“Why now of all times?” Marco muttered to himself.
Elsewhere, standing outside, on a spacious porch, Giaus gazed in the direction of the Kingdom of Aurahelm, his arms crossed as he awaited the outcome.
***
Rai, entering the enormous hallway before the throne room doors, was greeted by Lily and Alan.
“How’s she?” Lily said.
“She’s fine,” Rai said. “From what I hear, they’re just standing out there; so, I figured I'd check before I get in any more trouble…”
“You don’t have to worry about getting lectured, they’re still figuring out what the heck’s going on from what I’ve seen…” Alan said. The door remained open for the time being. They each rushed through the doors, which finally shut behind them as they joined other apprentices and elites.
“Hey, sorry I’m late,” Lily said, standing beside Haruki, but he didn’t respond, focusing on the meeting.
“Aegis.” Rai saw him among the elites. Aegis, sensing Rai’s presence, looked his way, nodding slightly, and Rai did the same, though he wasn’t sure if Aegis saw it or not. “Where’s Tanabe and the others?” Rai asked himself, under his breath.
“The elites are all either on a mission or reinforcing Aurahelm right now,” Seppe whispered back. “So are many of the apprentices.”
Apprentices were to be slotted beside their hall master when addressing the emperor in large meetings, and if the hall master wasn’t present, the next elite within their residing kingdom. The title of Hall Master is awarded to the strongest five elites, who as an award, may claim up to a fifth of all the territory within the kingdom they reside. Marco happens to be the fifth-ranked elite, making him not only a Hall Master but also the current leader of Aurahelm.
“They just popped out of nowhere!? How can that be?” Han, the sixth-ranked elite, said.
“Excuse me, allow me to get this correct,” Aegis said. “The enemies outside, are of the dead?”
“That is correct,” Emperor Adonis spoke. “During the Jade Wars, my father came across these things, only, they weren’t some hideous creatures like the stories make them out to be, but rather people, just like you and I. General Kur will inform you about the rest.”
“The only real difference between us is that they each carry a unique marking in the shape of a blue demon’s face; that, and all the furies, be it a child or adult, have been reported dead in many of our records.”
“Dead?” Rai said.
Just then, one of the guards came over, “Apologies, but, H- He’s here…” he spoke.
“The leader of the Knight Furies?! He’s come?” Reezo said.
“I wonder what type of man he is,” Mu, the eleventh-ranked elite said.
“If a man at all,” Kenji said to himself, peering towards the entrance of the throne room.
“What’s the leader of the furies doing here…” Ayame said.
“Let him in,” Emperor Adonis said. As Veni, leader of the Furies, stepped into the grand hall, a hush fell over everyone. His long, flowing blue hair, gleamed even more than his female assistant, Camille, who stood beside him. The collar of her shirt was decorated with the symbol of the blue demon, a stark contrast to the subtle markings on the Furies themselves. “Welcome,” Adonis began, “it is indeed an honor to have one of the four great pillars of the world grace our halls.”
Veni gave a slight bow, smiling slightly. “The honor is all mine, Emperor Adonis,” he replied, his tone relaxed as ever. “Your empire has flourished under your rule, a testament to your leadership and vision.”
The emperor nodded, “Yes, our empire has seen remarkable growth in recent years,” he agreed. “But tell me, Veni, what brings you to our doorstep today?”
Veni’s smile widened. “I come bearing both greetings and, a call for peace.”
Adonis raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. “Peace?” he remarked. “But forgive me if I find it somewhat… misleading, that you would travel all this way, with an army of thousands, simply to offer compliments and peace…”
“Must remind you, it was your elites who ransacked and destroyed a large portion of our castle, not to mention the core which you believed to be the source of our existence,” Camille spoke, carrying the same fierce glare as Eloise.
Veni, however, held a hand up, stopping Camille.
Rai slouched over, knowing he was the one responsible for that. So, this is Veni… When under the Furies' captivity, never once had he met Veni or his assistant, though he heard the name more often than not.
“Yes, it was to only be a scouting mission, but I’m afraid things got out of hand. I do apologize on my elite’s behalf; however, I am still curious as to why now, of all times, you would seek such a compromise,” Emperor Adonis said. “Could you not have come immediately after the end of the Jade Wars?”
“Do sheep and wolves share the same bed?” Veni responded. “Not even Nefarian escaped the clutches of those willing to extort and utilize them for their aim of conquering the task of claiming all the tokens.” Lily's eyes revealed signs of anger and sorrow; she was well aware of the history of her people. “That is why I’ve kept our gates sealed for so long, until the world was ready, however, things are changing. There are forces in the works, ones of great evil that threaten to cast a dark shadow over the lands,” Veni said.
“And who’s to say, you aren’t that shadow,” General Kur said.
“General Kur, the stories I’ve heard are quite impressive,” Veni said. “You have the right to think so, but no, the people in my kingdom, we simply wish to live in peace.”
“Living isn’t exactly in the dictionary of the dead,” Han stated.
“It is more in them than in many without the will to do so,” Veni replied.
“This peace,” Emperor Adonis said, having thought it over. “How’re you intending to go by it? Furies, a race of those who’ve long since passed, are feared and hated amongst those in the empire and the kingdoms, if not the world. How would you quell such hatred and fear?”
After a moment, Veni spoke. “Games,” he replied.
“Games?” Rai wondered out loud.
“What sort of games?” Emperor Adonis said.
“A competition, between the apprentices of the empire,” Veni said, staring at them all, “and, the youths representing the Knight Furies.”
“Preposterous, that would only create more division,” Han said.
“That is, unless, instead of pitting them against one another, we will pair them together, as a team,” Veni said.
Reezo contemplated the idea, seemingly acknowledging it could work.
“Teaming... with the dead?” Ayame shuttered at the thought.
“You might find, for humans, the dead aren’t so easy to be accustomed to,” Han said, his hand curling into a fist.
“True, but the same can be said of ghosts,” Veni stated, glaring at Aegis.
Does he know about Aegis’s four-star root? General Kur studied the man known as Veni. Where is he getting his information from?
“You’re quite the interesting man indeed…” Emperor Adonis said. “Alright, so be it.”
“Emperor Adonis, are you sure?” General Kur said.
“Don’t worry, we will host it somewhere outside of the empire, and away from the kingdoms, say, the Floating Mountains of Bonsku, during the Skyward Finales. These games can be an addition to the event,” Emperor Adonis then looked at Veni, saying, “In an attempt to bring our people closer together, after the placement exam, we will hold this competition.”
After, the apprentices were dismissed while everyone else stayed behind to discuss a few more things.
“I can’t believe one of the four pillars of the world's here…” Alan said.
“What are Pillars?” Lily asked.
“It’s a title handed down by the Axien Church. The pillars of the world are considered the four most powerful and influential people in the world, and unless you’ve received permission from the church, only they have authority to deal with them,” Marco said, appearing by the lot.
“Marco, does this mean everything’s alright?” Rai asked of Aurahelm.
“Indeed, the armies have already started their retreat,” Marco responded, causing Rai to sigh a breath of relief. “You’re all to wait on the upper level until dismissed. Now, I must be going, do get back safe.”
“Got it!” everyone replied.
On the upper level, Ayame stretched out on a couch that she was sharing with Lily and Plu. “Good grief, I didn’t even get the chance to get undressed,” Ayame said.
“I was four shots deep in Ti,” Lily seconded, sinking further into the couch.
Meanwhile, Rai and Alan were playing card games.
“I’ve got you now!” Alan said. “Your loss is inevitable. I’ve studied all your moves, and all for this moment. There’s no way you can escape the ancient-rooted realm of shadows.”
Smirking, Rai shouted, “Sike! Check this out!” He slapped a shiny holographic card down.
“AGH! A shiny Minus and it's a-!” Alan slapped his face in shock.
“Green Eyes Root Dragon, use Root Blast!” Rai hollered.
“Waah!” Alan slapped his forehead on the table.
“Told ya, you can read all the books you want, but against the king of games, you ain’t winning diddilly squat!” Rai said. Opening his finitypad, he marked another point in what looked to be many in his favor, with zero in Alan’s…
“Wow, he saves the win permanently,” Lily said, shaking her head.
“Duh,” Rai answered back. “You know how many times I’ve had to argue my win. Nope, I’m keeping it right in here,” he slapped the book close.
Seppe, admiring a painting he had propped on a stand, grabbed it and brought it over to the group, flipping it around, saying, “Voula!” It was a painting of Plu, standing amongst Minus holding a card to the sky. “A masterpiece, no?”
“Whoa!” Rai said. “This is so cool!”
“Plu!” it replied, happily jumping off the couch after seeing the portrait. Plu hobbled towards Seppe, jumping up and down, reaching for it.
“No, this is true art. It belongs in the museum,” Seppe said.
Angered, Plu kicked Seppe in the shin, before wandering off.
“Why am I among the pile of dead Minus…” Alan said.
“It gives the painting more depth,” Seppe stated, “wouldn’t you say Haruki?”
Haruki, however, was resting on a couch, unresponsive, as was Kiku, though she slept upside in a giant bean bag.
“Noooooo! No! No! No!” a voice resonated from a room further off.
“What’s that?” Lily said, getting up. It sounded like a little girl was in trouble.
The apprentices that were awake, followed the noise, creeping carefully towards the door from which the noise was coming from. Lightning outside caused them to tense up as rain started to batter the window.
Approaching the entrance, a large ominous shadow lurked on the other end of the door. “You go, Rai,” Alan said.
“Hey, don’t rush me.”
Lily, tired of waiting, pushed past the boys, opening the door and walking right in with Ayame, though soon covering their eyes. Their eyes had to adjust to the bright colors... Toys and drawings were scattered across the floor, including many stuffed animals.
Inside, delicately manipulating dolls with furrowed brows, a little girl said, “You can’t just leave her like that, Prince Julian! She trusted you!” she shouted. The doll representing Prince Julian wore a dashing suit. “She knew the risks, Miss Tofi. I am the rightful heir to the throne, and I must do what is best for the kingdom,” she said in the prince's supposed voice. Tofi’s doll, dressed in a pink gown, slumped dejectedly, as Tofi directed its head downward. “But I thought you loved me, Julian,” Tofi whispered in the female doll's voice; the kid's own eyes began to fill with tears. The little girl’s grip tightened on the dolls, her frustration mounting, and with a swift motion, she separated the dolls. “You’ve broken her heart, Julian. And now, she’ll never trust you again,” Tofi said, her voice tinged with sadness. Sniffling caused Tofi to glance up, seeing Lily and Ayame.
“No please,” Lily said, eyes glimmering, “go on.”
Ayame nodded in approval.
“Um, who’re you?” Tofi said.
“We’re apprentices, and who might you be?” Ayame said, just as Rai and Alan entered the room.
“Apprentices? A giant smile spread across Tofi’s face. Just like Tamma!” she said, happily.
“Tamma... You mean Tamarri?” Lily asked.
“Mhm, he’s the best cook in the whole wide world!” Tofi said.
“Whose Tamarii?” Ayame asked, and as if the timing couldn’t have been more perfect, turning around the corner, Tamarri. “BEAR!” Ayame said.
“Huh- Oh, hey guys. I wasn’t expecting to see you here,” Tamarri replied.
“Tamma!” Tofi shouted, running over and climbing up his back.
“What’s up man, or Nefarian…” Rai said.
“It’s fine,” Tamarri said, waving it off, though he did look exhausted.
“You just get back from a mission or something?” Rai said.
“No, they had me patrolling the Kingdom of Excalibur all night, I’ve just got back…” Tamarri said. “I was told to wait here, so I thought I stop by and visit Tofi.”
“Hm, what’d you gonna make,” she said.
“Well, Tofi, I was hoping to take a quick rest before-”
“Help!” Everyone, turning their gaze, noticed Lily standing halfway out of the window.
“Hey what’re you doing, you’re gonna get yourself killed,” Rai said. The empire's upper level, stretched several stories high.
“I can’t move,” Lily said. Suddenly, threads appeared wrapping her entire body.
“It’s because of you meddling kids, that my life of luxury is over!” Fu stated, appearing on the shoulder of Lily.
“It’s Fu!” Alan said.
“This freak show again?” Rai said.
“Let me go-” threads quickly wrapped Lily's mouth, silencing her.
“I had everything I could have asked for… Money, power, women…”
“H- Hey, let’s not be too hasty now,” Rai said.
“You’ll pay dearly for this!” Fu shouted, aiming to toss Lily out the window.
“Hey!” Rai lunged forward, but in a flash, the room swirled with the many paper drawings across the floor, momentarily blinding everyone.
Standing in another area of the room, Tofi had Fu in her hands, while the threads binding Lily, were severed. “You’re perfect! You’re going to be my new friend.”
“What the-” Fu, the puppet, seeing himself in the girl's grasp, said, “Who the hell are you?!” Immediately he was smacked in the head, causing his head to spin around thirty times before coming to a stop.
“No bad words!” Tofi said. “Now, let me introduce you to Izzy, she’s recently going through a tough time.
“Hey! Let me go you little-” Tofi smacked the head of the doll, placing it in a toy prison. “See, now you’re on time out.”
Tamarri, gazing at the rest, stated, “That’s Tofi for you. She may be a child, but she’s still the number twelve Illuminus Elite.”
“This girl’s an elite?” Rai said, flabbergasted.
“I thought Eloise was the only female in the elites?” Alan said.
“Well, she’s an elite, but not officially. As you can tell, sending a little girl out on dangerous missions probably wouldn’t sit too well with the public. Especially someone as innocent as Tofi here,” Tamarri said.
“Hey Tofi, thanks for helping me back there,” Lily said, then sticking her tongue out at Fu, who only sneered in response.
“Help?” Tofi responded, clueless, but then everyone’s badges started to go off.
Taking his out, Rai said, “Looks like we're finally dismissed.”
“Yay,” Ayame said, dialing a number. “See ya,” she stated, quickly waving goodbye and leaving. You could hear Rina on the other line as she left.
Beside Fu, in the toy jail, was another stuffed animal. “So, what’re you in for?” Fu asked it, though he got no response.