Travel to Althudiyu.

On the way out, you run into Taiga and ask her to keep a close eye on the prisoners. You also ask her to record any information they may be willing to share. Just to be certain things don't descend into chaos while you're gone, you also appoint Mipa the goblin to help keep watch. All three of them are tricky in different ways, and Meti has literally escaped before. However, they all seem rather defeated now, especially Anastasia. They may prove to be more useful to you than they ever were to Elok Daven if you play your cards right.

Near the front gates, you find Niki waiting.

She smiles wide. With one metal gauntlet curled into a fist, she taps her her breastplate. A shield binds her other arm. "All ready to go," she says.

"Expecting a battle?" you ask.

"No, but you're wearing your stuff too. It's our adventuring garb. We always make sure we're suited up before heading out."

"True. Knowing our luck, we'll have to fight a couple dragons on the way back."

"Don't make me even more excited than I already am." She grins and crackles as she wraps a strong arm around your shoulder and pulls you in tight. "Okay. Bend those legs and send us flying through the sky!"

"That isn't really how it works, but... let's go! Brace yourself."

She then casts an eye to you while you're preparing. "Hey. Thanks again, Kyle. Not just for taking me home, but for thinking of this to begin with. You're right. I was feeling homesick after hearing about Eva's dad and Amara's mom. No wonder they call you Hero King."

"It's all good," you say back with a smile of your own. "We'd do anything for each other at this point anyway, right?"

"That's right!"

Then after bending your knees to prepare for a leap, you thrust up briefly into the air with Niki at your side, but unlike the sunheart said previously, you don't fly. The world warps around you. The sky stretches wide. As best you can, you focus on the streets of Althudiyu, where you once took part of the Golden Sword--a tournament they host every year, and one where Niki was victorious. It's been awhile. While you can't imagine it nearly as easily as Castle Phoenix, you Bunny Hop through warping space only for a moment before you and Niki's feet collide with sandy ground.

You grunt as you thud with heavier impact than intended. The sand wafts up into the air, but when it settles, you open your eyes fully to see a street going either direction. You're right in the heart of the city, and immediately attention is placed upon you. Everyone around looks over in fear and confusion.

The town is just as lovely as you left it, however. The buildings are made mostly from sandstone, and fabrics of every colour decorate the streets, whether they hang from walls or from people's bodies. There are various stalls are citizens peddle their wares, though you do notice that it's far less bustling than last time you were here. Without the Golden Sword, it's a far calmer town, fit for the size.

Right away, a guard approaches. He grips a spear in his hand, though he approaches more cautiously the nearer he becomes. "Hey!" he shouts in a commanding tone. "Such sorcery is going to cause a disturbance. Who are you, and--" Then he stops. His eyes wide, and the tip of his spear gradually lowers to the ground. "By the gods. Is that Niki, the victor of the Golden Sword? That was an outstanding fight! I mean, it was like nothing I had ever seen before. Strange I admit, though many of the matches were. The one beside you seems familiar as well. Was he a combatant?"

"That's right!" Niki slaps your shoulder. "He didn't win, but he got close. I am Niki, like you said. Good to be back home."

"Sorry for the crazy entrance," you say. "But don't worry. We aren't here for anything weird. Just visiting family."

Two more guards, both women, come up behind the first. They seem to be whispering to one another.

The first guard turns. "Ah. Don't worry. It's just--"

"I think that's Demon King Warren, from the Empire," says one. "Should we truly allow them both to walk freely? And before winning the Golden Sword, that woman was exiled from this land."

However, the third guard shakes her head. "News that must travel so far is certain to be somewhat broken, and Tivera's business isn't ours."

"You're only saying that because you think he's hot."

"Not true!" She slams the blunt end of her spear against the road beneath her feet. Her face turns a deep shade of red. "I can't believe you'd say that."

"You best not try anything," she says, now staring daggers at you. She raises her spear up, though only to point in your direction.

Niki waves her hand dismissively. "News travels slow too. He isn't even called that anymore. I don't really understand all the political stuff, but the queen herself came to our castle, and everything is good now. Goes by Hero King Warren now, lord of Castle Phoenix."

All three guards now whisper amongst each other. All you can make out is, "That's even hotter," before their huddle breaks, and the stricter of the three steps forward. She squeezes the shaft of her weapon, stands sturdy, and eyes you up and down.

"Fine," she says at last. "But no more theatrics. You did fight well in the Golden Sword, and your companion is the champion. Like my friend said previously, the business of the Empire of Tivera isn't our own, but we must protect our people. There's already a Demon King in the Oraang Desert, and we'd rather there not be another. If Hero King is your title, then perhaps one day you might slay the wicked Vex."

You place your hands upon your hips. "Uh. Maybe one day, yeah."

"Thanks for doing your job, guys. Really. My family lives here," says Niki. "Have a good one."

The guards nod and go about their business.