The forest hummed with distant birdcalls and the rustle of blessed wind. It was calm now. A kind of stillness only earned after battle.
Rell sat cross-legged near the sanctuary’s riverbed, eyes closed, breathing deep. A warm breeze skimmed across the surface, stirring ripples against the rocks. Ko Mala napped upside down from a branch above, snoring softly.
“I count two. Again,” a voice teased.
He cracked an eye open. The owl flapped down and landed beside him.
“Two what?”
“Girls. Pacing outside the sanctuary. Again.”
Rell sighed.
---
Outside the invisible boundary of the Mystical Beast Sanctuary, Thessia and Nexya stood ten feet apart, locked in a silent standoff. Both had their arms crossed. Both refused to blink first.
“You always follow him?” Thessia finally asked.
“I follow fun,” Nexya replied, smiling with just a hint of fang. “And right now? He’s fun.”
“I’m not here for fun,” Thessia muttered.
“Yeah, I figured. You look more like the brooding-in-love type.”
“Excuse me?”
“Oh, nothing,” Nexya chirped. “Just saying… it’s cute how you look at him when you think no one’s watching.”
“Shut up.”
“Make me.”
Their voices escalated until a distant rumble cut them off — not thunder, just Rell’s groan.
He appeared between them, hair still damp from river water, shirt halfway buttoned.
“Argue later. We go town,” he said bluntly, rubbing his temple.
The two fell silent, trailing after him on either side. Both reached for his arms at the same time.
Rell flinched — caught like prey.
Thessia latched onto his left.
Nexya hooked his right.
They walked like that for a few awkward steps before Ko Mala glided ahead with a grin.
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
“Ladies... mercy,” the monkey muttered under his breath.
---
In town, peace had barely returned.
People stared, whispered — some smiled. Word of Rell’s victory had spread like fire through dry leaves.
They hadn’t walked two blocks before the royal guard intercepted them.
Clad in crimson and silver, they flanked the trio and motioned for silence. One stepped forward, voice calm but firm.
“Lord Varellion requests your presence. Immediately.”
Thessia’s hand instinctively twitched toward her blade. Nexya’s lips curled.
But Rell raised a palm.
“No fight. Go,” he said.
---
The noble estate was draped in wealth — imported stone, fountain vines, glass panes enchanted for shade. They were brought to a high balcony chamber, where Lord Varellion waited, sipping fruit wine.
He looked... less smug. More composed. But still him.
Thessia stood straighter. Nexya folded her arms.
Varellion gestured toward Rell. “You’ve made a name for yourself. Wild thing in human skin. Even the nobles are speaking your name.”
Rell didn’t reply.
Varellion continued, tone sharp, but not unkind.
“There is a problem south of here. A region plagued with rogue cultists and corrupted beasts. My men are... limited. I want you to go.”
Rell raised a brow.
“Why?”
“I need strength unbound by politics. And because I owe you something.”
He looked to Thessia. “Your license, reinstated. Your name, cleared. Full rank. On one condition.”
Rell’s eyes narrowed.
“I go,” he said simply.
Thessia looked over at him, heart thudding.
Nexya smiled.
“Well,” she whispered. “This just got interesting.”
---
**End of Chapter**