Kichi caught herself by grabbing ahold of a rib in the hallway. The red light of the moon filtered into the windows facing the mountain hallow. Three visions assailed her, and she struggled to make sense of the flood of images, words, and sensations.

A man sat on a throne with a black sword, but the kingdom was small and blighted. Whitebeard turned to her on the bridge and said, leave now, but fire enveloped her when she turned to go. She watched herself burn away. Lastly, Masahide lay in a pool of blood, and Ema turned to her and said, why didn’t you use me?

When the barrage ceased, she straightened and turned toward the grand hall. Somewhere in the fragments that created the premonition, she needed to go to Whitebeard.

Tosa’s transparent hair caught the red light and shimmered on the wall when she bounded around the corner, holding Yoshiie’s hand. The pair skidded to a stop when they saw Kichi.

Letting go of Tosa’s hand, Yoshiie made a deep bow. “Kichi, it’s good to see you. I’ve been working on my swordsmanship day and night. I would like to spar, if possible.”

“Look at her,” Tosa said. “She’s worried about something and is in a rush. We shouldn’t keep her.”

Kichi felt the pull to leave but resisted saying what bothered her. Since all knights used mystical items, it shouldn't, but she felt like a charlatan. “Yoshiie, I didn’t beat you with skill. I have an item that allows me to focus my talent and see where you’re striking before you do.”

Yoshiie waved it away as if it didn’t matter. His slender form matched the sword at his hip. “That changes nothing. I believe that skill with the blade can defeat anything, that it’s limitless. Whatever made you as great as you are, it’s for me to become better.”

That didn’t make any sense at all, but Kichi nodded. “I should be going.”

“There’s the word,” Yoshiie said, “That the King is dead. And you look like you’re on a mission. We’re joining you.”

Kichi didn’t want to involve them. “No, it’s okay—”

“Yes, let’s do it together,” Tosa said.

There wasn’t a good reason to turn down the help. Whatever drew Kichi to Whitebeard may need more knights. When the three of them arrived at the guarded door, five others appeared from the stairwell. Masahide and Ema approached with Gon in tow. Hisa and Kiyosue followed, and the group of them faced the guards.

Evidently, the Duke replaced the guards with stronger Black Order knights because shields bloomed and protected the door. Hisa poked her cane at one of the bubbles and said, “Pop.”

An explosion of air obliterated the shields and sent the guards into the door. The wood splintered, and they collapsed.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

Inside, Whitebeard lay in an awkward position, sleeping on the marble. The necromancer sat on the high seat. She had a breast out that looked like a drawn leather sack, and at the nipple, a man suckled and dribbled milk.

To both sides of the witch, two underworld hounds sat on their haunches. They sniffed the air, taking in the group's memories and emotions, which they seemed to delight.

“How rude,” the necromancer said, “To barge in on a woman feeding her baby. William!”

The man unfastened himself from the tit and stood beside the high chair. “Yes, Mother?”

“Show them out.”

Tosa took a step back as she drew her pure sword. “He only has ten horizontal rings but dozens of vertical ones. I’d never seen anything like it. It’s half as many as the necromancer. Still, he must be very powerful.”

Vertical rings? Kichi remembered Tosa mentioning more than just the common rings but wished she’d asked more about them while she’d had the chance. Instead of focusing on that, she pushed her curiosity away and remembered Ema in her premonition. Use me.

Kichi didn’t draw her sword, instead, she knelt and put her hands on the black marble. Heat poured out of her. “Masahide, Ema, let me control your magic.”

Masahide opened the conduit to Mount Templar. “I wouldn’t let anyone else use the Champions magic. Use it wisely.”

The conduit felt like holding onto a bucking horse. She brought it under control and said, “Ema hurry.”

“I don’t know what to do.”

Masahide watched William approach. “Ema, Everywhen.”

The world rippled, and Kichi took control of reality. An idea took hold immediately.

The Dream Sword looked like glass made of the cosmos. It stretched six feet long and bent the light around it. Masahide took the handle and looked at Kicki. “This is amazing. Tandem Dream Sword.”

Hisa stood above them, at the center of a body of wind. When she moved, it moved. Yoshiie flourished his sword. Kiyosue made fists, and a statue ripped from the wall and hovered beside him.

The necromancer cackled and walked from the chair to the back of the dais. “Children at the playground. William, don’t hold back. If there are deaths, so be it.”

“Yes, Mother.” He blinked, and his eyes shone like stars. “The only one of you who stands a chance against me remains chained to the floor and refuses to stand up for himself.”

Whitebeard had moved to a seated position on his knees. “I mean to stand trial. But what you say may be true. Everyone, leave. I’m not in need of rescuing.”

Kicki felt the Dream Sword as if it were her and not Masahide who wielded it. It seemed impossible that this man could stand against it. “No, Whitebeard. I don’t know if I can trust you if the Knight’s Oath does not bind you.”

Whitebeard shook his head. “Please, everything is about to happen at once. The realm needs you. I do not.”

Masahide raised the blade spangled with lights. “I’m with Kichi this time.”

Whitebeard smiled.

Kichi

Level: 12

Focus: Prescience

Secondary focus: Lava+3, Tandem Dream Sword

Weapons: pure sword - 5% pure

Items: Near Field Amulet (Prescience+2, focus)