Thiji: Forgive me, my friends… I have failed you as a strategist.
Ray, patting Thiji on the back: It's all right, man. We gave it a hell of a run.
Lee: We'll get them in the future, right, Raien?
The Ninja didn't say a word.
Lee: … Raien?
Raien: I don't really feel like talking right now.
Thiji: If I may interject…
Ray: Yeah?
Thiji: I had hoped for this to happen.
Ray, Lee, and Raien: YOU WHAT?!
Thiji would proceed to pace the ground, his hands behind his back.
Thiji: Prontera, Capital of the Rune-Midgarts kingdom, guarded by the Emperium Fortress; Morroc, the Frontier City, watched over by the Emperium Pyramid; Payon, the Forest City, veiled by the Emperium Jungle; and now Geffen, the City of Magic, under the watchful eye of the Emperium Citadel. White Trinity in the South; the Battle Vixens to the West; and the Holy Saviors to the North… This was my grand plan to divide the land into three.
Lee: Are you seriously telling us that you planned this from the very beginning?!
Thiji: 'Tis a strategist's job to calculate every possibility. And now each guild has a staging area for the battles to come.
Ray: And you wanted to apologize for "failing us?" If you can split the land into three with us holding more stones than the others, then I could care less if you "failed us!"
Thiji: Which reminds me… Raien, I have an idea that you might be interested in.
Raien, reluctantly: I'm listening…
Thiji: What do you say we trade with the Battle Vixens? Their Sapphire Emperium for, say – the Emerald Emperium?
Ray: But they hate the Emperium Jungle!
Thiji: Precisely. So here is my plan…
Hours later, back in civilization, the Kafra Corporation had just reported news of the recent battle and the victory claimed by the Battle Vixens to the public. However, the information that followed would not be so heartwarming…
"Kafra Nora here! Following the recent events in the Emperium Citadel, strange anomalies in the form of powerful energy signatures erupted across the entire Rune-Midgarts kingdom! The Kafra Corporation is workin' diligently to figure out the source of the problem! Our sources indicate that these 'repairs' won't be fully dealt with for at least a year's time! So for now, the Emperium Frontier is at a close! We'll see y'all in the next year, where our three top guilds will continue their quest for fame and glory!"
Over at Amatsu, Lupi let out an enraged shout.
Lupi: I can't wait a whole year! I can barely wait a single day!
Aege: You waiting for a day would be a miracle, Sister…
Elua approached Heal-Do's room, holding the Sapphire Emperium in her hand.
Elua: Hey, Baby Sister?
Heal-Do: Y-Yes?
Elua: How are you holding up? You did great out there!
Heal-Do: I… I don't know what came over me. It was as if my inner Battle Vixen had awakened and couldn't sit still.
Elua: We could use more of that, especially for what's to come, you know? Anyway, here. Take this. You deserve it since you seized the win for us.
The young Assassin took it out of Elua's hands and smiled.
Heal-Do: Thank you, Elua. I am glad that we won… (Thinking) Though I hope Lord Thiji isn't taking it too hard… he seemed so sad back there…
Shaking the thought from her head, Heal-Do placed the Sapphire Emperium by her mirror. She and the other ladies practically threw a party inside their own home and enjoyed their night. When it was finally time to rest, Lupi, Aege, and Elua were all sound asleep. Heal-Do, however, was still wide awake, and would thus leave home to take a stroll under the moonlit sky of Amatsu. Sifting through the cherry blossom trees she would encounter Thiji, who had been relaxing by a nearby pond…
Thiji: Oh. It's you.
Heal-Do: Who did you think I was?
Thiji: Oh, nothing. I had just thought that I was alone, is all.
Heal-Do: Sorry to disappoint you, but you're not.
Thiji: Indeed… congratulations on your victory, Heal-Do.
The Assassin blushed, hiding it behind her ocean blue tresses.
Heal-Do: You're… congratulating me?
Thiji: Of course. You defeated White Trinity fair and square.
Heal-Do, slowly resting her head upon Thiji's shoulder: Well, I am glad I was finally able to prove myself to you…
The Wizard respectfully pulls away from her.
Thiji: You've a ways to go before that, my dear.
Heal-Do: I know… and I also know that I cannot defeat you in battle, but that will not stop me from trying and trying until I come out victorious.
She then turned her back to Thiji and would begin making her way back home.
Heal-Do, thinking: Farewell, my dearest Wizard…
Thiji: Oh, and do enjoy your victory, won't you?
Heal-Do, turning around: Huh…?
Thiji: While you can…
The Wizard would vacate the area and head into town, leaving the Assassin to her thoughts.
Heal-Do: I wonder what he could have meant by that…
She places her hands upon her hearts and continues her walk back. At the port of Amatsu Thiji would meet up with Ray and Lee…
Lee: You know, it's been nearly a day and you haven't given us an inkling of an idea what this plan of yours is, Thiji.
Ray: Yeah, what gives? We're not important enough to be a part of it or something?
Thiji: Raien is the most agile out of all of us, and thus the most cunning. You will see tomorrow. For now, let us rest here and wait for my brother to report.
The three of them would find an inn to stay the night. Ray and Lee were fast asleep, but Thiji kept his vigil, staying awake for the remainder of that eve until the dawn greeted the land. The sun had finally began to rise and first light would arrive. Over at the Battle Vixens' home, Lupi had risen from her bed, a big smile stretched across her face.
Lupi: Morning, sisters!
Aege: Morning, Big Sis. You're awful cheery for once.
Lupi: Stop kidding around, Aege! You know damn well why I'm like this!
Heal-Do: A pleasant morning to you two as well!
Lupi: Let's get the day started with a nice big breakfast! I think it's Elua's turn this week to cook, isn't it?
Aege: Yeah, but… (Sniffing) I don't smell anything.
Heal-Do: Me neither…
Lupi: That's weird…
The three sisters knock on the door to Elua's room, where they would receive no answer. Lupi would knock again – still no answer. They then opened the door to reveal a smiling Elua in her birthday suit, and her unmentionables scattered throughout her room. The light would hit her face and the Elf would slowly come to.
Lupi: You awake, Elua?
Aege: What's up? You're usually up first anyway, but you're cooking breakfast this week!
Elua, drowsily: Oh…g'morning, sisters…!
Heal-Do: Aege is right. Elua is the early bird of the group – no pun intended. Something isn't right at all…
Lupi: You'd be wide awake at this hour by now, Elua. You all right?
Elua, dreamily: Oh, I am just great! Ecstatic, even! (Giggles cutely)
Lupi: You're… freaking me out, Sis.
Aege: Oh, yeah, and why are you naked? You're not one to sleep in the nude… which would explain why all her undergarments are scattered about.
Heal-Do then gasped and recalled her moment with the Wizard last night…
Thiji: Oh, and do enjoy your victory, won't you? While you can…
The water elf immediately dashed to her room, pushing Lupi and Aege out of her way.
Lupi: Hey -!
Aege: Heal-Do, what are you…?
Now worried, the two older sisters forget about Elua for a moment and rush to their baby sister's room, where she is shaking in fear.
Aege: Breathe, Baby Sister. What's wrong?!
Heal-Do, quivering: I-I-I-It's… It's…!
Lupi: What the hell is going on?!
Heal-Do: It's gone, sisters! It's gone!
Lupi: What's "gone?!"
The Assassin points to the space by the mirror and they notice that in the place of the Sapphire Emperium lied the Emerald Emperium.
Lupi: So, that's the Emerald Emperium. What are you so worried about?
Aege: Uh, Big Sis…?
Lupi: What?!
Aege: We didn't win at the Emperium Jungle… remember?
Lupi: Wait… what?
After thinking for a minute, Lupi gasped and pointed to Aege.
Lupi: Aege, check outside now!
The Blacksmith parts Heal-Do's curtains and finds White Trinity just outside of their headquarters.
Aege: White Trinity… they're right outside of our home!
Lupi: Elua's sleeping in the nude...
Heal-Do: The fact that she hasn't woke up at all yet…
Aege: And the disappearance of the Sapphire Emperium…
Meanwhile, outside of their home…
Thiji: Any moment now…
Ray: I am still not getting this.
Lee: Hmm…
The Wizard would count down, "Three… two… one…" and on cue, Lupi gave a roar so powerful that she shook the land and drew her lance in anger, pointing it towards White Trinity and shooting flaming balls of fury upon them while releasing a relentless stream of swears and curses, which was their cue to escape from the town. Raien appeared and high-fived his brother.
Raien: Got it! The Sapphire Emperium – and Geffen – belongs to us!
Ray: Oh, now I get it!
Lee: That was well thought-out, Thiji. Nice!
Thiji: Everyone wins, you see: my brother is satisfied; we've secured one of the more precious Emperium Stones; and a particular female elf up there is feeling pretty good right now.
After escaping the heat (literally), they would arrive back on the docks and take the first ship to Alberta…
Ray: So, what do you guys think will happen from here?
Thiji: All I know is that when the Emperium Frontier returns, we will be more prepared to conquer its challenges.
Lee: For sure!
Ray: I think we'll go and visit the realm of the dead to hone our skills.
Lee: You mean Niflheim?
Ray: Exactly! What about you two? Got any plans for this hiatus?
The two brothers looked at each other.
Thiji: We've our own personal business to tend to, you see.
Ray: Say no more. We understand.
Lee: You don't think this means good-bye, do you?
Thiji: Definitely not. But when we do see each other again… it will be a year from now.
Ray: We'll try and write to you guys, then!
The four of them laughed as they continued their journey toward Alberta. From her window, Heal-Do would have seen Thiji sailing away from Amatsu, and she would give a soft sigh in sweet sorrow. Before Lupi would have a chance to stop her, she dashed out of her home once more and made it to the docks as quickly as she could to see Thiji leave.
"You may be gone for a year, my Lord Thiji… but I will not forget you…" she whispered to herself. The Wizard felt eyes on him as he turned his head and saw the Assassin, who gazed almost longingly back at him.
"She is definitely persistent… perhaps she may prove herself after all," he thought to himself.
She watched him sail until he was well out of her view, and vanished into the horizon. After about two hours of sailing they would make it back to Alberta where Kafra Nora was there to greet them.
White Trinity: Nora!
Nora: Hey, White Trinity! Sorry y'all lost, but hey, ya still got two stones under your belt!
Thiji: Precisely so.
Raien: Any news on the Emperium Frontier?
Nora: No, I already talked with my crew, and it's official: there's nothing else left to find here in Rune-Midgarts.
Ray: You're not saying the Frontier is done, are you?! We saw the newscast!
Nora: No, no! We said it'd be a year before we'd come to some sorta lead! But until such a time, it'll be all quiet.
She then looked at the orange and blue stones in their hands.
Nora: The Citrine and Sapphire Emperium Stones… two out of four. Definitely half, with the other guilds controlling one each!
Thiji: Which reminds me… Nora, should I -?
Nora: Oh, yeah! You and Raien need to head back home soon!
Ray: In that case, Lee and I are heading out. Thanks again for everything, you two!
The Gun-Knight and the Monk waved farewell to Thiji and Raien and left them alone. Nora would then teleport them to Prontera City where they would take the portal back home to their own world.
Thiji arrives at his homeland and meets with Princess Koyuki.
Koyuki: Prime Minister, you have returned! I am so sorry for your loss…
Thiji: It is all right, my lady.
Koyuki: What matters is that you have returned safe and sound!
Thiji: The Battle Vixens got just what they deserved, as well as the Holy Saviors. By the way, is Icerend still…?
The Princess nodded and gestured to where the room was. In the throne room, he would enter the hidden chamber once more, and would find the peculiar-looking halberd levitating on the raised dais as it was before. Tempting fate yet again, Thiji reached out to touch Icerend, but he would this time be repulsed by a chilling barrier.
"I am still not ready yet…" he sighed. "I will have to get more powerful somehow. And maybe, just maybe, you will lend me your power. Just like my brother, Raien, and my comrades, Ray and Lee, I will work arduously to prove myself to you… Icerend."
Gazing down at his right hand, Thiji clenched it in determination before staring back at the icy halberd.
In a faraway land where the mountains towered high above the heavens, Raien would enter a hidden chamber behind the war room of the village leader. There he would find a powerfully-sealed case from within. The village leader – the Lightning Shadow, as they call him – picked up the case and with a simple hand sign, lifted the seal and revealed a no-dachi made of pure lightning. He had gazed upon it, and at the far end of the room was a black and blue lion with red eyes that slept by the Lightning Shadow's side. It was a large creature of intimidating proportions, but something inside Raien knew that he would need all the help he could get for the challenges to come.
"Raien…" spoke the Lightning Shadow in a deep, booming voice, his face obscured by the yellow and white sakkat he wore, "You have grown well thus far, but you are not yet worthy of taking up this sacred treasure of our people… You must train; you must grow stronger if it is to heed your will. Learn more of the world, and gain in knowledge and strength. Only then will this blade accept you."
"Yes, sir. I will do my best," Raien acknowledged, rising from his kneeled position. He then looked out into the middle distance, thinking to himself, "I will do just more than that in a year's time… White Trinity will return someday, and we all have to be ready. Chances are that the other guilds will work hard as well, but we'll be back much fiercer than ever."
"For honor!" cried Youmei.
"For ambition!" Tsubaki followed.
"For teamwork!" said Botan & Momiji.
"For power!" Lupi shouted to the heavens.
"For courage!" yelled Aege after.
"For freedom!" declared Elua.
"For passion!" exclaimed a determined Heal-Do.
"For glory!" Ray decreed.
"For skill!" Lee spoke.
"For discipline!" Raien growled.
"For strategy…" Thiji said in his mind.
Although the battles for Rune-Midgarts Kingdom supremacy have concluded, the flames of war still burn greatly within the hearts of these twelve brave warriors. Determined as ever, they prepare themselves for the impending obstacles to come in the future. There is no telling what awaits them from here on. The Emperium Frontier is far from over – some may even say that it is never over.
But one thing is certain: this war… had just begun to unfold.