In Thailand — One Year Later
Patty stood by the large transparent window of her new home, the light spilling gently across the polished floor. The transfer had been a complete success; she had left Sumdem behind and moved to Thailand.
She spoke softly into her phone.
"Yes… the house is lovely. Thank you."
She hung up.
"I hope the young master is safe… it's been a year since I last saw him."
Her thoughts lingered, heavy with concern.
Suddenly, her phone rang again. An unknown number.
She paused for a moment, then smiled faintly.
"Yes?"
Asuna's voice came through coldly.
"Why didn't you tell me about the fight that happened between Alex and Damien?"
Patty tilted her head slightly.
"Not the hello, how are you I was expecting to hear… but it's okay. I wasn't even aware of all this. Damien and the young—"
Asuna cut her off sharply.
"Ohh please, drop the act Patty. No need to act all smart with me. I've got eyes everywhere, and I heard you were the one that even treated his wounds. You better not even try to get close to him or else."
Patty's expression darkened slightly.
"You're threatening me? You think he would believe you? If you told him you were Asuna, the daughter of Orahime and you have lived for decades? Or that the maid that's working for him is actually one of the descendants of the palace who ate the flower of life and have lived for decades? Or you would tell him I'm actually from Elder Cian's family and we're experts when it comes to healing?"
Asuna's tone sharpened.
"You had the strength to stop Damien from fighting Alex, but you chose to play the victim. What if he died?"
Patty replied calmly.
"Alex needed to grow already. That's why I didn't stop Damien."
Asuna scoffed.
"Wow. I didn't know apart from Mauja, Alex had another mother. Where's my father's blade? How did Alex come into possession of such thing?"
Patty narrowed her eyes slightly.
"You're asking the maid this type of question? He threw it off the cliff. Mauja and Zuko must be looking for it as we speak."
Asuna's voice dropped.
"Let me not repeat myself. Are you with my father's blade?"
"No," Patty said firmly. "Like I said before, Alex threw it off the cliff."
Asuna paused.
"Let's just see how true your words can be."
She hung up.
Orahime Palace — Forbidden Place: Zandra
Mauja stood alone, phone pressed tightly against her ear.
"What do you mean Alex has possession of the blade? Remember that demonic child of Charles has already told him everything about me and you're telling me he has the blade?"
Her voice rose sharply.
"That stupid boy knows a lot already. He also knows about awakening—and that I've awakened. He's starting to become a threat. I could have just ended him when he was still a child."
A pause.
"What do you mean you're asking me what to do? You should go and fucking get that boy and get the blade away from him!"
Her eyes widened.
"What do you mean he threw it off the cliff? Then go and get it before Zuko does, you stupid fool!"
She threw her phone across the room and began breaking everything within reach.
"Alex…"
Her teeth gritted.
"I swear if Zuko gets his hands on the blade first, then I'm going to end you. First it was that troublesome sister… and now you. Choosing Flora over her own mother?"
Her breathing grew heavy.
"I've raised a set of ungrateful beings…"
Men dressed in black entered the room.
"Tell Jaiz to bring Asuna back right now, and get me an audience with Darius. Tell him it's high time he returns his favour to me. And tell him to kill anyone that steps foot in Zandra."
They nodded and left.
Mauja laughed bitterly.
"They want to ruin everything I've planned? I even died for the throne… it won't be fair if the throne gets passed to Alex. Never."
Her phone rang again.
She answered immediately.
"Zanu is on the throne now? Kill her. Kill that child of hers. Kill Manu. Kill Asuna. Kill Alex. Kill Zuko. Kill Flora. Kill everyone. Everyone that wants to take the throne from me. It's high time I claim what's mine…"
Outskirts of Sina
Zuko spoke on the phone, his tone amused.
"Alex threw the blade off the cliff? And here I was thinking Damien ended him for good…"
He inhaled deeply.
"Right now, Mauja might try to make a move."
A smirk formed on his face.
"It's high time this game gets bloody."
He laughed.
"The game of who claims the throne begins. First come, first serve. The Flower of Life, the Scarlet Blade—they're not myths. They're real. Orahime, Hiruko… they're all real, alive, and after the throne."
He hung up and walked into the parlour where Flora was waiting.
Flora sighed deeply.
"We need to make a move now before this game of thrones starts, or else—"
Zuko interrupted calmly.
"I've already made arrangements. Elder Cian has a daughter, right? Did you know she's still alive? If we can find her, then maybe… just maybe… there's a one percent chance we can bring Damien back."
Flora's expression tightened.
"Just forget it. Let that boy rest. Don't include Elder Cian's daughter in all this. Isn't that why she left in the first place? To avoid all this drama?"
Zuko's eyes hardened.
"You have no right to decide who gets to rest or not. Your job is to keep playing the victim and lure Mauja's daughter here. If her father knows his daughter's life is in trouble, then for sure he will come out to save her."
Flora stared at him silently as he laughed.
"Don't worry. You'll enjoy all this when everyone is out of the way. Now start packing. I don't want to meet Mauja here… not like this."
Flora left and locked herself in her room.
She picked up her phone and called someone.
"Yes… are you alright? Thank goodness. Please be safe and stay away from harm. Everyone wants the throne for themselves. Meet up with Alex for now. I'll also escape from here tonight… let's meet at our agreed destination, okay?"
She hung up.
Forgive me, Zuko… but I can't go on living like this. I don't want anyone to die anymore.