When Arithia saw everyone rest down, she went to Lolita and Hiyama and asked them.
"I hope that you saw an improvement in Hiro. Because of what I see. He is far from that, right?"
Hiro's pout as he heard that. He crossed his arms and said that he had done what was best and that it was what was good. Arithia agreed on it, but she said that there's always room for more improvement because she did it too.
When Arithia said that, it then just reminds Hiyama and Lolita about when Arithia went by all of the sudden and they need to carry on everything as a team of two. Arithia did come and helped them to defeat the mythical dragon at the serious time. Arithia did tell Hiyama and Lolita that she would go to search for a more power and skills.
But they never know with whom that Arithia is undergoing the training. Plus, she was using a different weapon from before to match up with her strength at that time. It is obvious just how strong she has become from that training. With their team all gathered together, they finally beat the Awakened Mythic Dragon.
Arithia then gave something to Hiro and said.
"Take this as a charm. May you get stronger one day and with that you will be able to achieve what you want."
Hiro looked at the charm that Arithia gave him. It was a piece of clothing and there are words on it that Hiro can't read. But it's more to like a shining scratch than a word. Hiro wasn't sure what he should do about it. Then he could hear Mireha's voice suggesting "Why don't you tie it on your sword? That way, it will make it feel like mama is with us, right?"
Hiro think about it for a while and he could feel like there was a truth in it. So Hiro then proceeded to tie it on his sword holder and as he was done with it, Arithia then asked Hiro.
"That cloth, that sword and Mireha. What does it mean for you, Hiro? Mind telling mama and my friends here about it? Because as for mama, mama's weapon is something like a comrade that I can rely on. That I wanted to protect it and keep it with me forever. The Perfect Ancient Weapon. Where it once created a hope for this world."
Hearing how Arithia describes that sword, it just makes Hiro wonder how strong it is. He never saw Arithia at her full potential. But Hiro did hear it from the history of their kingdom that Arithia was known as a 'Hope'; meanwhile, Hikari is known as a 'Light' of that place. They both are important persons for that kingdom and they're the only people who are the immortals who are still alive until now.
Hiro looked at his sword and then at Mireha. He couldn't think of the answer. But seeing Mireha was there. The person who has been with him ever since the beginning. When she was powerless and unable to do anything. Until she received her power from Arghantium, she was able to protect everyone. Hiro then closes his eyes and thinks about how all of that means for him and spills it out.
"For me, mama. You and papa have been the strongest people in this world. You two were able to do a lot of things. That made me want to achieve something."
Hiro looked at Mireha then smiled and said,
"Then at that time, I met you, Mireha. I don't know why. But our encounter brings you and me to a lot of adventure together. To be honest, I wasn't sure why you were there. But I know that with you being my pal, then I need to protect you."
Hiro kept on smiling, and he then looked at his sword.
"And together. With hope and light that bestow upon me. I want to be someone who could protect this Kingdom. This world. Just as my father and mother are. After all, I'm not alone."
Arithia smiled as she heard that from Hiro. She then returned to her place on the spectator's bench and said as she walked away.
"Then prove it. In this battle."
Suddenly, a monster flew and stopped in front Hiro that makes him startled by it. But looking at how Hiyama and Lolita stand on the side. It seems like they have planned this all along. So Hiro then smiled and as Mireha granted him her power, Mika then got into her ready stance and fought with that monster.
"HARGH!"
Hiro dashed towards the monster's legs and gave it a scratch on its leg. The monster then quickly turned around and was about to hit Hiro using its tail. Unable to dodge it, Hiro blocked it and it caused him not to get blown away. Hiro then separated his sword into two, and he then jumped into the monster's tail and ran towards its head as he attacked the monster body as much as he could on its way to its head.
The monster shakes its body and tries to make Hiro fall from its back. But Hiro was able to maintain his stance and dashed towards the monster head to finish it off.
But as Hiro was about to give a finishing blow, the monster flew and spread its wings then moved away from there. But it didn't flee from there.
The monster then charged towards Hiro at an incredible speed and Hiro then got into his ready stance instead of running and blocking it. As soon as the monster was about to reach Hiro, Hiro held his sword strong and slashed the monster.
While it seems like he would take the monster down by that, the monster was able to move itself away a bit and hit the ground hard.
Up to Hiro's surprise, that attack somehow caused the ground to break, and they then arrived at the underground. Hiro fell on the ground and he felt hurt at his back. He then stands up, and he can see the monster stand before him.
The monster roared loud in front of him that it affected the ground. But Hiro just drew his sword and continued to fight it.
While Arithia, Hiyama, and Lolita are watching him from above. While they're watching, they could see that the monster is weakened. So it won't be hard for Hiro to kill it. But a little that Arithia wonders about her daughter is don't Hiyama and Lolita just went too far for that training?
But when Arithia looked at how that monster moves, she could see that the monster really fit for Hiro's training. Since Hiyama and Lolita are training him about reaction timing and the monster that they're using as his trial somehow has an incredible speed. So Hiro needs to react fast for each of its attacks.
Hiro tried to get closer to the monster each time he dodged the monster's attack and damaged the monster the way he could. But the monster skin was too hard that it wouldn't be easy for him to take it down.
"SWOOSH!"
Each time Hiro lands an attack on the monster, they all can hear the monster's skin are ripping and its blood coming out. But it's still standing and fighting with Hiro.
Suddenly Hiro realized that the monster began to move slower than before and began to lose its balance. So he then raised his heavy sword and pointed it at the monster.
Hiro takes a breath and he then strikes on the monster to finish it off.
"HARGH!!"
"SCRATCH!"
The sword goes through the monster's head and the monster then falls to the ground. Hiro took a deep breath and he then waved at everyone who was waiting at the upper ground. Signaling that he has already defeated the monster.
So Hiro then put his sword in the back and got on the higher ground. Hiyama threw a rope for Hiro and pulled him up to get him up.
When Hiro was holding the rope tightly to get up, he then saw something on the ground shaking, and suddenly something was pulling that dead monster body and it disappeared. It seems like something from the ground is pulling it in but Hiro was not sure why and how it is.
Arithia and the others also saw that and it just made a curiosity for them.
When Hiro had already pulled up, they all then returned to the city. They feel like they want to discuss it further. But maybe they should just take it as positive that it was just a sandstorm that pulled it down since it was too heavy.
When Arithia and the others returned, they saw that Himari was strengthening the defense of the kingdom and even repairing all the broken facilities, weapons, and armor. Maybe Himari did that just because of they all want to repair and strengthen the facility as usual. But for Arithia and the others, it seems like something bad is about to happen.
Himari saw Arithia and she then told Arithia that Hikari and Aikari are about to embark on an investigation together and they're waiting for her before they go. Because it seems like Hikari wanted to say a farewell to her. That then caused Arithia to have more bad thoughts. She then quickly rushed to where Hikari and Aikari are now and was about to say a farewell to them.
Arithia doesn't get why, but she can feel something is about to happen. So maybe she should say a farewell to Hikari.
As soon as Arithia arrived at the open hall, she saw Aikari, Hikari, and Hirumi waiting for someone. So she then went to Hikari and asked.
"Are you about to go now?"
Hikari then smiled at Arithia and nodded. He told Arithia that they're about to depart to somewhere else. Because there's something that is bothering him.
Arithia nods and understands it. Since she also just saw something that was really weird just now. Maybe Hikari did discover something too and that is what makes him want to do some investigation with Aikari and Hirumi. At first, Arithia asked Hikari if she could get along. But she realized that there's a burden that she must carry. Which is to watch over the kingdom. So she then hugs Hikari and says.
"I know that I need to watch over the kingdom. I don't know how long you will be away. But I will do my best here. As a Queen of the Atrium City. Also, I want you to do your best there."
Hikari nods and tells Arithia not to worry about it. There are a lot of things that he needs to do. But he wants Arithia to believe in her. Because at the end of everything. He promised that all of them would all be altogether forever and ever.
Arithia smiled and she then hugged Hikari's tights and stayed for a while before she finally let go of Hikari. Arithia just has some trauma that Hikari will be gone for a long time as it once happened back then. He was gone with Ai for a very long time. But Himari explained to Arithia about what happen at all of that time. The reason why Hikari brings Arithia to meet her is that they rebuild a kingdom.
Arithia knows that she can rely on Hikari. But there's just a lot of doubt that keeps coming to her and it just makes her worried about it. Arithia has been alone before and took care of a peace before. But this time, she will be watching a kingdom alone. As a queen.
It may sound weird. But Arithia told Hikari that she had a feeling that something might happen and because of that, she wanted Hikari to behave like everything around him. It might be something far more dangerous than what they have faced before.
Hikari then just smiled and told Arithia that they would all return safely. If they don't, then it means that the thing is still not over yet. Because of when they returned, everything will already end.
Arithia understood it, and she then let go of Hikari and said.
"Take care. Make sure that you will return safely, kay?"
Hikari nods and as he did, he then looked at Hirumi and Aikari who were waiting for him. He could feel that Hirumi and Aikari feel sorry about what just happened. But this is a thing that they should've done together. So Hikari won't turn back anymore.
He then smiled and said a farewell to Arithia and the others. Then he goes to Aikari and Hirumi, then asks them.
"Are you two ready to embark on this journey? It may be the beginning and the last journey anyway. But I know that we can face it. So did you two dare to walk on this path of the end together?"