-Chapter II-

            Thirteen-year-old Lumis Sakarai ran down the long, empty corridor and skidded to a halt in front of the giant double doors that opened to the throne room. He fixed the collar of his blood red shirt, took a deep breath and walked through the double doors only to meet the young princess of the 2nd Shadow Kingdom, Kinoko Yami.

            At the princess's side stood the prince of the 5th Shadow Kingdom, Kazunari Hayato, and next to him was the ruler of the 7th Shadow Kingdom, Rimi Otsune.

            Lumis stared at the three royals in disbelief for a moment, before he shook his head and addressed them as he had been taught to do so, "Kino, Kazu, Otsune…what do I own this…pleasant, yet unexpected visit?"

            Kinoko's eyes narrowed slightly at the remark, "Cut the crap, Lumi, you know exactly why we care here." Rimi and Kazu nodded in agreement to this.

            "What?" asked Lumis. Kazu took a step forward and bowed to Lumis quickly.

            "Lumi, the Kingdom of Light has grown powerful. They have a new battle leader on their side. You must lead us come the next battle, Your Highness."

            "But my father-"

            "You are almost king…" whispered Rimi, stopping him from continuing any further, "Therefore, you may lead the Shadow Demons into battle. You have the training, you shall lead us well."
            "But I-"

            "This is an order from Dark." finished Rimi.

            Kazu and Kinoko exchanged a quick glance before they turned back to Lumis, "Your Highness, you cannot refuse an order from Dark, please. If you need our help speaking with your father-"

            Lumis cut her off with a curt smile, "I appreciate your help, Kino, but no. I shall speak with my father on my own, but I shall do as Dark commands in my own time."
            Rimi smiled down at the youth, "Very well then. Let us return to our own kingdoms, Kino, Kazu."

            "Yes, Dark." Kazu turned to Lumis.

            "May Darkness be with you, Lumi."
            "And you."

-1st Light Kingdom: Hospital-

            "Ayumi! Ayumi!" yelled Ran Hikari, hurrying down the white corridors of the 1st Light Kingdom's Hospital. Twelve-year-old Usagi Kumo turned a corner up ahead and Ran slammed into her before he had a chance to stop himself.

            "Your Highness! What are you-where are you-why are you-!?" gasped Usagi, trying to untangle herself from Ran.

            "I heard what happened to Ayumi, where is she?!"

            "Calm down, Reku and Tai are with her right now," said Usagi, "Don't worry, Reku will take care of everything."

            "They called in Light? She must be really hurt…"

            "It's nothing to worry about, though…I'm surprised that she survived the battle."

            "How many died?"

            "Everyone from both sides, except for Ayumi and Hayato Kazunari from the Kingdom of Shadow."

            "That's horrible…"

            "The only reason our side survived this battle as well as we did was because of Reku…" Usagi lead Ran down the corridor to where Ayumi lay on a bed, unconscious.

            "What do you mean by that?"

            They turned their attention from each other to watch Dereku Emotoyo and Taiichi Fumito standing over Ayumi, whispering to each other.

            "They weren't ready for his new tactics, they thought the Old Light was still in power of the Kingdom of Light."

            "Do they still have Otsune?" asked Ran.

            "They're not going to get rid of her. The problem does not lie within their Old Dark, but within the leader on the battlefield. They will spot this flaw soon enough, if they haven't already."

            "What will they do then? Once they figure it out?"

            "Get rid of the old battle leader, he is useless to them now. That's how the Shadow Demons work, they throw away the weak ones instead of making them stronger."

            "So…who’s next in line for leader on the battlefield?"

            "Sakarai Lumis…and after him, should he fail in the Seventh Kingdom War, Yami Kinoko will assume rule as battle leader on the field."

            "Are those two trouble?" Usagi pressed her forehead against the cool glass of the window, closing her eyes for a second.

            "I haven't heard much about them or how they fight…but I'm sure they will be a challenge when we fight next."

            "Are you going to fight?"

            "Hmm?"

            "When the next war comes, will you fight?"

            Usagi smiled weakly, "If it happens during my lifetime…then yes, yes I will fight."

            Ran shook his head, tossing his strawberry blond locks from side to side, "I don't want to…I wouldn't want to be responsible for the deaths of those who fight…"

            Usagi opened her eyes and looked at him, "If I fight…you must lead."

            "I know…I know what I must do…"

To Be Continued