King Han'ibal's deputy, Dandil, descended on Dinandul, while Deniz Iluru attacked Nakata.

At the time when the two jinzidal Kings clashed, Uznu Ururu was observing and making notes on their respective strength as dictated to him by his superior, King Dul'ururu of the second world.

It had been a long time now since they'd wanted to measure the extent of Bihanzin's pol sense. It was said to be so strong that it could defy the white beads and talismans that blocked common pol sensing techniques. This was the first time Uznu saw it firsthand. He had been observing when Bizaya and his team concealed themselves, but Bihanzin still found them, which meant the rumors about Bihanzin were true.

On the other hand, Uznu knew for sure King Deniz could kill Nakata in a short time. No one had ever fought and defeated a jinzidal King except the Black-eyed. A division commander like Nakata wouldn't be able to do it.

But a battle between Dinandul and Dandil or between Bihanzin and Daljari could end in a draw.

Uznu Ururu connected with Dul'ururu, employing a Bend called SHANKIL, using his black eyes.

With Shankil, an Ururu could share whatever he saw with a fellow Ururu. Distance notwithstanding.

While Uznu was taking meticulous notes on his future allies or enemies, the war continued.

Before long, Bizaya and his group reached the carriage. Hasanu and his team drew their swords and surrounded the carriage. The battle line was drawn.

The battlefield was now divided into three. The first was a group of tens of thousands of foot soldiers, battling each other chaotically while Damjinu interfered. The jinzidal Kings fought on one side as Uznu observed and recorded everything. Whereas Bizaya and his soldiers surrounded the carriage.

The groans of men and the clash of swords and spears were the only sounds on the field.

"Is it because she rejected you that you want her dead?" Hasanu asked, looking at Bizaya in fury. "You are certainly an ingrate considering she is your kinswoman."

It is well-known that Bihanzin's wife and mother of Hasanu and Kiru was from the Deniz tribe. The royal children of Sisiya were always seen as faraway kins to the Dennises.

Bizaya roared with laughter when he heard this. "Say whatever you will, the pen has already dried off and what was written will come to pass. It is time already for you to meet your end."

He clapped his hands and silently said some incantations. Five battle nails materialized around the carriage.

Hasanu drew his sword and stroke the nails. A reddish-brown tornado emerged from the edge of the sword and struck the nails.

Boom.

Flames rose from the clash and the earth shook. Soon, the nails drew in the tornado and both vanished.

Bizaya leaped forward and struck Hasanu with his bizarre-shaped sword that looked more like a nail than a sword, but Hasanu parried it easily and struck back. The speed of their strikes began to increase, and before long, each of them had struck the other more than twenty times.

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Rafiyan Nazara launched his spear at Kiru. Kiru drew out his sword, the famous white blade, and parried the attack by hitting the side of the spear to change its course. There was a blinding flash of lightning when the white blade touched the spear. And, in the next moment, a deafening sound arose. Dust rained down from above and covered the carriage.

This was just one strike. If Armad was there, he would have recognized this sword immediately. It was the very sword he fought against on his first meeting with Nostalgia.

The fight became intense with both opponents seeking each other's throat.

Kalhari and the Twin Executioners attacked the eight soldiers standing guard over the carriage. Considering the difference in their pol years, the three commanders didn't take long to finish seven out of the eight guards. It wasn't a fair match as the three commanders were of equal ranks to Damjinu.

The carriage was left unguarded.

Asifu 'Acid Rain' and commander Red Rider attacked the carriage.

In the instance that happened, Hasanu and Kiru left their posts for the side of the carriage. They were ready to die for their sister. A move that elicited a laugh from their opponents. How can the two men allow them to do that?

It was a heart-wrenching moment. The battle stopped for the moment and the jinzidal Kings watched.

King Daljari smiled, saying, "Now, shall we begin?" Then he ordered his remaining army to attack.

A hundred thousand men that were watching from the side roared and went for Bihanzin's army, literally swallowing them. Damjinu was holding his own. But, as the rest of the army joined the fight, the narrative changed within a short time and every hope of saving the princess seemed to be lost.

Nostalgia was about to be captured by Asifu and Red Rider with nobody there to stop them.

Bihanzin's army was being decimated by sheer numbers. And Damjinu was buried by the soldiers.

Bihanzin and his two commanders could do nothing to help as the jinzidal Kings stood on their way.

Uznu Ururu stood, observing. By the look of things, the war wouldn't take as long as he'd predicted.

***

Far away from the battlefield, Armad lied unconscious in a cave. His comrades sat, waiting for him to regain his consciousness.

There was no sign that he would awake any time soon. Everyone looked tense, even Spoon had lost his appetite.

News had already spread about the happenings on the battlefield. Their help was needed there. But they couldn't leave Armad in his condition.

Ilias went and sat by Armad. He studied him uncertainly, then spoke, "Your wife, Nostalgia, is in danger." He said this thrice and then shut his eyes with a thigh.

"I have resolved to help your wife in your stead. I may lose my life if you don't wake up. If you awoke while I am still alive, fine. If I die on the battlefield, then this is my farewell to you. Find Nusi and thank her for me."

Ilias stood and strapped his sword, heading outside. When he reached the exit, he turned around and looked at Spoon and the others. "Whoever wants to bet with his life on an uncertain future should come with me. I leave for the battlefield."

They looked at him, dumbfounded. This was suicide. They all knew it.

He was almost outside of the cave when Armad drew in a long breath and opened his eyes. He sat up, his eyes were still hazy from sleep. When he became fully awake, he practiced turning his hand to lightning and vise versa. His pol had fully recovered. So he got ready without saying a word.

Everyone froze. Ilias frowned, mouth agape. He didn't expect Armad to wake up now.

It was Spoon that broke the silence. He jumped and hugged Armad, laughing happily, and saying, "Welcome back, Wilberforce."

This brought the cave back to life. Ilias returned to the cave, still bewildered.

"Welcome back," he said after Armad was finished getting ready. "You should at least ask about what transpired after you fainted."

Armad nodded, smiling. "Yes, I should have, but do we have time for that? Besides, my friend, I am sure you will tell me everything on our way."

And so, Armad and his comrades got ready for battle.