What Elliot said resonated in their minds and it started to make sense.

"Come to think of it," Ed said. "The Earth Master also didn't have any darkness in him. Although he was terrifying since his damage output and his reach was great, he didn't have the darkness that we found in Angin or Sayu."

"Yeah," Connor agreed. "That would make much more sense. Licht couldn't have them in his grasp. He couldn't corrupt them."

"Exactly. That was why even when Licht himself was controlling his undead army, he couldn't get them past the border. The undead had a limit as to how long they can go," Elliot said. "When Licht was trying to corrupt the Masters, only Angin was affected."

"Why are all of you saying such nonsense?" Kusa growled. "You're the darkness in these lands. Foreign bastards teaming up with the filthy rebels. How dare you think that the royalty was the one in the wrong here?"

"Kusa…" Kaminari kneeled in front of the other master. "Please stop being so stubborn. Malice had corrupted DuDu and Licht. How come you can't understand that?"

"I saw you," Kusa's expression suddenly turned dark. "You were at a village and the houses were burning. Yet you were there by the entrance, grinning and laughing."

"What?" Kaminari's face contorted in confusion. "When did this happen?"

"Four days ago," Kusa said. "Four days ago, you were spotted by my own two eyes. I couldn't believe it, but it was really you."

"That would be impossible," Kaminari defended. "Just until two days ago, I was in here. I couldn't risk going out since Licht strengthened the borders."

Kusa scoffed, "Then who else was that person that I saw? He had your looks, your powers– wait, you have a flame element too, right?"

"Of course, not!" Kaminari groaned. "My name is literally my element. Even my title is a testament of that."

"Oh," Kusa paused. "Then who did I saw?"

"I don't know," the Lightning Master groaned. "That's why I keep telling you, I'm not the evil person here. My side isn't the one spreading despair and hopelessness to the people."

"That makes sense," Kusa pursed his lips. "So, the darkness is really here, huh?"

"That's what we've been telling you," Guan Yin said. "There are a lot of people in Malice's side who can copy just about anyone's appearance. They were able to mimic Kaminari's looks and made it seem like he was wrecking havoc."

"The reason why Licht and DuDu could easily call people to their side," Lance said. "Since they can't corrupt the Masters, they settled on persuasion and sabotage. Great move if you ask me."

"Then how can we clear your name?" Kusa asked. "I actually preached to bring you your head to several villages that they destroyed. I don't know how to tell them otherwise now. And can you please unchain me?"

"Not until you have proven your loyalty," Lance said. "Now, how can we change the people's minds when they have already made up their thoughts?"

"Easy," Elliot chuckled. "We can't fight against their ploy, so we should go along with it. We do what they do."

"But that will be hard," Guan Yin said. "These people had think that Kaminari was an evil person."

"Not unless we add another villain to the mix," Elliot smirked. "We add one more villain, making it seem like Kaminari and us, Avancians seem like we're the good ones."

"But how can we do that?" Guan Yin asked. "We can't possibly have another villain."

"Oh, we do," Lance chuckled. He brandished his black sword and raised it in the air, letting the aura seep out and travel down to his body to cover him with the darkness.

He forged and armor with his black aura, making it as big and villainous as he could to make it more convincing.

"Now that's evil," Ed snickered.

–

After their planning, Elliot took Guan Yin to the side to talk to her in private. Ever since he met Emperor Kang, there was a question that was bugging him that even when he lost consciousness, the question remained in his head.

"You said you were Kkeuner," Elliot confronted. "How come the emperor of Kkeun Kingdom is here right now?"

Guan Yin was silent for a couple of seconds. She looked at Elliot in the eye and there was a hint of guilt in her own when she saw how hurt Elliot was.

"Throughout my journey, I was filled with betrayals," Elliot said. "It's hard for me to determine which is which, who to trust and who to stain my blade on with their blood."

"Elliot…" the general trailed off. She sighed and shrugged, "I guess I was just afraid that you would judge me for it."

"I could never," Elliot said. "Whoever you are, whatever your past was, I can always be your friend. You can always trust me."

"Really?" Guan Yin felt hopeful. She gazed at Elliot's eyes to confirm, and ther she saw nothing but honesty. "If I can trust you, please do not tell anyone anything."

"Rest assured," Elliot muttered softly. "You can trust me."

"A couple of years ago, I was panicking because someone important to me was missing," Guan Yin started. "It was daytime when they were assigned to be in a place for an event when they were reported as missing."

Elliot narrowed his eyes, "Who do you mean? Why do I feel like he's an important figure?"

"My brother was supposed to go to a conference," Guan Yin clarified. "I was the older sibling, but since my parents were old fashioned, they decided for him to be the one to go there."

"And this brother…" Elliot trailed off. "Why do I have a feeling that I know him?"

"DuDu," Guan Yin said. "My birth name was Wen Yin, but I was married to another emperor, but decided to ultimately change my name. Wen DuDu is my brother, and he's the current Jade Emperor."

Elliot's eyes widened. He could barely believe what was going on until Guan Yin continued.

"And my betrothed husband was none othet than the Diamond Emperor himself."