Ikenga and Kana flew their djinns into the tunnel. It was dark and Kána had to use a glowing orb to illuminate the tunnel as they flew down. The tunnel was surrounded by a smooth wall with a reddish tinge that gave the impression of dried blood.

After flying for some time, the air heated up. But that only served to encourage them. The djinns just kept pushing forward.

They flew for three days nonstop before the tunnel ended abruptly, throwing them out into the clouds. Sunlight blinded them from every angle and all the heat from the tunnel became child's play. They could see the sun up close and it felt like they were being burned alive.

"My lord," Kana said, removing his shirt so it didn't catch fire. "Is this the fate awaiting anyone who enters the tunnels without an invitation from the Denizens?"

"Yes," Ikenga said. He smiled and ordered his djinn to fly down.

"Without your protection, my lord," Kána said. "I could have died from falling through the tunnel for three days. And if I survive that, the heat will melt me down. No wonder all the people who try it before are dead."

Ikenga just laughed. The old man was kidding. There was no way he would die from just that.

Once they reached the ground, they released their djinns and continued walking on foot.

The soil was white with no buildings on sight. They didn't see any beasts either. At some point, a huge mountain appeared in front of them. It took them twenty minutes to reach the top of the mountain. Ikenga looked at the map in his hands and then looked around again. "Come on, Kana. It's around here."

A weak smile appeared on Kana's face. He'd been getting worried about the whole thing. That was why he didn't want Ikenga to come with him. The danger of the underground world was just too much and very little was known of it. Ikenga was too important to be allowed there. And such tasks should be left to people like him who could be replaced. Ikenga didn't agree with him, of course. "There's honor in taking risks," he had told him.

Ikenga nodded to a nearby tree. "Let's sit here and wait."

After they sat down, Kana brought out a bottle of water and offered it to Ikenga.

"I will soon put together an army the world would be afraid of," Ikenga said. "But this is a big task even for me and it requires a lot of time and effort."

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Kana nodded. He knew the plans of his master better than almost every other person in the world. Someone might think him mad for believing it but he knew better.

The two continued the conversation for the next ten minutes before Ikenga pointed forward with his finger. "Ah. There he is."

An old man came from behind the surrounding trees and walked toward them.

When the man came closer, they smiled at him and he smiled back. They seemed to be familiar with each other. "As the treasurer of King Amraikugyu Bayajidda," the man said. "I command you to prove you have his blood."

Ikenga smiled. He casually cut his right palm with his sword. The treasurer stepped forward and put the blood on a paper with a seal on it. The paper glowed brightly as the blood touched it. Then the seal changed into a statue. The statue walked for seven steps and then disappeared. The treasurer fell to the ground pledging allegiance to Ikenga.

The man looked old, too old to be carrying a sword and yet, he had one. His skin was tanned and his eyes showed emptiness. He said, "My name is Daddara Bayajidda. And as I said, I am the treasurer of your great grandfather, King Amraikugyu Bayajidda, who ruled all the empires of the lower worlds. As his blood, I believe you know what happened to him and the deal between him and the other tribes. You should also know about the four artifacts he left behind for his heirs. I assume that's why you are here."

Ikenga nodded, and the man continued, "The complete map of the underground world, a sword called Yura-shira, a book of spells that teaches how to control the King Steps, and finally an essence board carrying his will."

Tears welled up in his eyes as he explained, "As the treasurer, I apologize to you for the incident that caused Bihanzin to steal Yura-shira and the essence board. I have no excuse, just take my soul for it."

The man stretched his neck and waited for Ikenga to execute him. But Ikenga just smiled and shook his head. "Anyone can make a mistake. Besides, because of what happened we get to know who Bihanzin is, which is something nobody else knows, not even Ururu. Many just know him as Bihanzin Sisiyu. We wouldn't have known it if it wasn't for you. You fought well, Daddara. Even going as far as using your life essence. Your bravery will be rewarded in due time."

The old man smiled. In his mind, he remembered king Amraikugyu and compared him to the young man in front of him. They looked similar and their pol wasn't all that different either.

After a while, the old man went on, "I still have the map and the book of spells." He retrieved a long piece of paper with a map on it and a small book the size of a palm and handed it to Ikenga. Ikenga took a look at both items and then threw them into his storage ring.

"Greetings to you for keeping them safe for hundreds of years. From today onwards, you are free to do whatever you want."

Ikenga and Kana turned to leave but Daddara remained on the ground, saying, "If you'll accept me, I will continue to serve you for the rest of my life as I promised your grandfather."

Ikenga turned around with a smile. He knew how strong the old man was. He was one of the very few who were still alive after the fall of Bayajidda. The few who knew the history of the seven worlds.

Ikenga nodded. "Welcome to the new Bayajidda army."

***

Surprisingly, seven days after this incident, Ikenga, Kana, and Daddara appeared in Sisiya, the kingdom ruled by Bihanzin. When they arrived, they just looked for a cave outside the capital and stayed there.

Bihanzin had been their enemy forever. What could bring them here?