The Ancient Illness and The Heroes of Sakura World Part 6
Kiro and Angelique stand side by side, the air between them crackling with unspoken tension.
Kiro: Are you sure she is here?
Angelique: Yes, the stone my brother gave me is guiding us. It almost pulls me forward, making it impossible to ignore its call.
Kiro’s headache throbbed more intensely with every step through Ravenwood, especially as he neared the mysterious house.
Kiro: I’ll search the area and meet you back here soon.
Angelique hesitated as she approached the unfamiliar house, only to spot a stranger moving in her direction.
Angelique: I am sorry to intrude on your property, but I am here seeking someone.
Ghesba: Who are you seeking?
Ghesba felt a thrill of triumph as her scheme succeeded in luring Angelique here, though Angelique remained unaware she was expected.
Angleique: I am here seeking my older sister Lana.
Ghesba: I see. As it happens, we’re holding a celebration later today. You’re welcome to stay and wait—she will be here.
Angelique: Thank you. I apologize for intruding, but it’s urgent that we bring her home.
As Angelique and Ghesba continued talking, Kiro’s headache began to fade. He wandered down an unfamiliar path and discovered a staircase leading below.
When he reached the prison room, memories rushed back to him. After all this time, he had finally found his sister.
Scene: Kiro and Kita lock eyes, a cloud of uncertainty swirling between them.
Kita: Kiro? ! How did you kiro: Your spell kept me away for a while, but I never imagined fate would reunite us. As I drew closer, everything returned to me.er to where you were.
Kiro: It’s time we prepare, little sister. Let’s go home.
Kita, afraid, believed she had more time. She never expected to face him like this. She had once escaped by casting a spell to make them both forget, but now, with him so near, her freedom was over.
Night was falling as Revi, Cleo, Ember, Ghesba, Amie, Lana, and Angelique all arrived together.
Cleo: So, do you have all the ingredients needed to complete the spell?
Ghesba: Yes, I have everything I need, she said with a sly smile. Ember and Lana, get everyone into position.
Lana was about to move when she suddenly shouted, “Now!”
Revi and Amie unleashed their power, trapping Cleo, Ember, and Ghesba and suspending them in midair.
Ghesba: What is going on?!
Cleo: Let me down. How dare you?!
Lana: You trained me well, but you never truly knew me. I could sense your emotions and knew something was wrong. I turned to Amie for help, and together with Revi, we set this trap.
Angleique was so confused as she wasn’t part of her plan, and didn’t know what was going on, but she was glad to at least have found Lana.
Revi: You all will be punished for your crimes and provide us with the cure we need to end this illness.
Angelique: Are you saying they are the ones that create this weird illness killing everyone?
Ghesaba: There is no cure.
Revi: Not true! As Amie led us to where it is.
Cleo: Why would you betray me? Betray Vervana?
Amie: I am tired of the chaos, war, and living this way. I want to live a normal life. I want to be free of all this evilness. I am sorry, but I have to think of myself.
Lana felt relief that the ordeal was over, but guilt lingered—she hadn’t been able to warn Kita, knowing the walls had ears and their plan would fail if discovered.
Revi sent a mental message to her brother; soon, the crew would arrive to take Ghesba and the others into custody.
Angelique: It’s good to find you. My name is Angelique. I am your adopted sister, and I know you are adopted as well, but anyway, I am here to get you.
Lana: Emperor Ray? What happened to father?
Angleique: He died from the illness that has been spreading.
Angelique stood in silence, unable to summon the courage to tell Lana about their brother Ray’s illness.
Angelique: I know this is difficult, but your family needs you. We have to go home.
Lana: I understand. Lana had to compromise herself and decided she had to prepare for a journey back, which she didn’t want to take.
Lana: Sigh, where is Kita?
Angleique: Kiro told me she will be going back home to Kita. I am assuming that you are speaking of.
Lana paused for a moment. Why would Kita and Kiro be together? Why would they return home? And where was home now?
Angleique: I am not sure, but Kita is Kiro's long-lost sister.
A sense of dread settled over Lana as she realized where they had gone. "I suppose there is much to do in Komamajo," she said.
Lana and Angelique began their journey, bidding farewell to the group.
Revi, Verie, Vivo, and the others gathered again at Oren’s home, tension charged in the air.
Oren: I have a request for you and Revi, he said, turning to face his siblings with a serious expression, his voice heavy with unspoken emotion.
Oren: Protect Elysium. She is with child.
Revi and Vivo stared at Oren, silent with shock at his words.
Oren: I know, he replied. Sorrow and regret clouded his features as he looked between his siblings. He had never imagined loving anyone but his wife. Yet, for years, he had felt like a guest in a marriage not of his choosing, unable to share this truth until now.
Oren: Keep the child safe, and when the time comes, find a worthy family for her to marry into.
Oren: I must remain here. The barrier around Ravenwood keeps me from leaving.
Revi: But— Vivo cut in, comprehension dawning on his face. Vivo turned to Oren and nodded solemnly. We’ll find a way to keep her and your child safe, he promised.
Revi and Vivo knew leaving Oren behind in danger was painful, but they understood the risk if he returned. The group departed for Phenix Dragone with Elysium, resolute.
Scene transition: In another part of the realm, Angleique and Lana.
Angelique and Lana traded stories from the past eighteen years, marveling at the tides of change. Lana’s mother had sent her letters, but nothing could have prepared her for the whirlwind of the last year. Thanks to Lana’s magic, their journey now took only two days, a miracle compared to the months it once demanded.
Angleique: I am so sorry that you didn’t know about Father.
Lana: I understand. I am thinking my mother probably did not tell me for a reason. Maybe some tampering with the mail. I don’t know, but I am thinking who it might be.
Angelique: Who would tamper with the mail like that? Usually, servants are vetted, especially after what happened to the palace long ago and the attack by Vervana.
Lana: Hmm. The only one who hated my relationship with my mother was Mara.
Angelique turned the thought over in her mind, realizing how perfectly it fit. She and Mara had always kept their distance, and Mara’s dislike for her was no secret.
Lana: We are finally home. Lana's nerves have been building as she can’t wait to find Kita and save her, but it’s been overwhelming, and the more emotion she feels, the more Lana senses something stirring within Angelique, a new life brewing.
Angelique: I think you might be with child.
Lana: I think you are with child?
Angelique: That’s impossible, she laughed—then paused as realization hit. Oh no.
Angelique: Is it Kiro’s child? With every word, Lana’s shock grew sharper. The thought that Kiro could have a secret child and a life she never knew sent her mind spinning, but urgency pressed her forward.
Lana: At least you have a family who stands by you. Come—let’s face Mother together before I leave.
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Three days earlier, before Lana and Angelique's arrival.
Emp. Ray: Roxana, I said we would speak later.
Roxana: I want to talk now. We need to decide our son's future, and you need to marry me. I have your heir.
Emp. Ray: I don't think it's best for the Kingdom.
Roxana: The Kingdom... What about me?
Emp Ray: I will assign you as my concubine, and our child will be heir to a high title.
Roxana: I don’t want that. I want more. This is ridiculous. Roxana stormed out, her frustration blazing. Out of nowhere, a sudden blow sent her sprawling. Mulyn whisked her away, vanishing just as Mara entered the meeting room.
Emp. Ray: What now, Mara? His words snapped with irritation.
Mara: I am here to give you options. If you don’t select the right one, then I will have no choice but to act violently.
Mara: I have Roxana and your child with me. If you want them back, you need to hand off the throne to me.
Ray: Are you mad? What is wrong with you? Why would you betray your own family? His anger crackled in the air.
Mara: I gave you the option, but you hesitated. You know where to find me. Ray stood rooted in disbelief, then hurried to his mother, resolve hardening as he prepared for what came next.
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Scene transition: Back in the present, Lana inhales deeply, steeling herself to confront her mother.
Lana steps into the room, her heart pounding as she faces her mother.
Mulan: Lana! I have been so anxious about you. Did any of my letters reach you?
Lana: I missed you every single day.
Mulan: I was afraid you were angry with me because you didn’t come to your father’s funeral.
Lana’s eyes filled with sadness as she replied, I never received your letters.
Mulan’s voice trembled as she turned to her mother, Ling. Who would dare meddle with the letters? She demanded, searching her mother’s face for answers.
Ling: I cannot say for certain. But if I had to guess, Mara is the only one bold enough, especially after what just happened.
Angelique: What has happened?
Mulan: Mara has threatened the life of Lady Roxana and Ray’s child.
Angelique and Lana locked eyes, shock flickering between them. The revelation had caught them completely off guard.
Angelique: When did this happen?
Mulan: I do not know exactly, but Mara is holding them hostage for the throne, and Mulyn is helping her.
Angelique: I cannot believe Mulyn would betray us like this.
Ling: She is just like her sister, always hungry for power.
Lana: I might have a plan, but do not tell Ray yet. I need Mulyn to come with me on a journey.
Earlier, racing against the deadline, Lana led Mulyn into the mountains. It was the only place she believed Kita could be—the wild landscape where their destinies first intertwined.
Mulyn: Why did I have to come here with you? Couldn’t they have found another warrior to deal with this?
Lana: I would think you would want to spend some time with your sister.
Mulyn: You are no sister of mine. You are just a nobody—" Lana cut her off, suggesting, "Why don’t you go ahead? I will check the other side. We can finish this quickly if you do not want to be near me."
Mulyn stormed away, falling right into Lana’s plan. Lana caught a whisper of Kita’s presence on the wind and slipped after her, heart pounding.
Kiro: Why Kita? Why don’t you want us to be a family?
Kita: A family? How? You killed our family?
Kiro: I had no choice. They were going to send you to an old man who collects rare females. The Safar family, the worst nobles, treat women like objects.
Kita: What? When did this happen?
Kiro: You were too young to understand.
Kita: But you didn’t have to kill them! You could have just helped me run away.
Kiro: Kita, it doesn’t matter. We can be together.
Kita: No, we can’t. I am your sister.
Kiro: I am adopted, so we can.