The girls, having faced and overcome their separate trials with effort and perseverance, proved their strength. Even at their young age, their actions offered the Beastkin Tribe a ray of hope by defeating three of the Featherlight’s strongest soldiers: Alecks, Rom, and Dante.

 

This unprecedented turn of events gave the Beastkins a much-needed advantage, especially after losing their strongest warrior, Komraad. Now, their only path to victory was to defeat the Featherlight’s chosen one, King Zayke, but he was nowhere to be seen. This uncertainty allowed Nilda, the head of the Beastkin tribe and mother of Komraad and Erica, to reassess the situation.

 

The girls, moving toward Nilda's room, reunited sooner than anticipated.

 

“Everyone!” Fae and Raya shouted, rushing toward the others.

 

Astrid and Rein, who were being carried by their allies, quickly responded. “We’re here!”

 

The girls finally reunited after their unexpected separation, hugging each other tightly to show their relief and affection.

 

“I’m glad you’re all okay, I was so worried!” Rein said with teary eyes.

 

“It was a struggle, but we made it,” Fae responded, with Raya nodding in agreement.

 

“You three looked all banged up. What were you all doing?” Astrid chimed in.

 

“You’re one to talk, you look even more banged up than us,” Rein countered.

 

“Errrr… It’s a long story, but…” Astrid was about to explain, but Kedrick suddenly interrupted her.

 

“That can wait. We still have much to do. After all, the war has not yet ended,” Kedrick reminded them sternly.

 

The girls and the accompanying Beastkins agreed and quickly proceeded inside Nilda’s main room to assess the current status of the war in Kurrbryde.

 

Upon entering, everyone felt a chill as they saw their number one enemy, the chosen one and ruler of the Featherlight race, King Zayke, sitting casually on Nilda’s seat.

 

Accompanying King Zayke was a Featherlight man with long golden hair and wearing the same white ethereal garment as the Elite Guards. His name is Jay, and he exuded a presence equal to the defeated Elite Guards, indicating he was next in line.

 

As soon as everyone realized the threat in front of them, they stepped back into a defensive position. All of them had just finished fighting strong opponents and were not at full strength.

 

This is bad. We can’t win against him even if we band together. Even securing an escape route is impossible, Rein thought grimly.

 

While everyone feared King Zayke’s overwhelming presence, he was completely relaxed. 

 

“Ahh… so this is the seat of the strongest Beast in this land. It’s very big and fancy. I’ll get used to it in no time,” he commented casually.

 

Everyone was too scared to respond. King Zayke’s presence was even greater than Nilda’s.

 

“What is he doing here? Isn’t he supposed to be fighting in the war? That’s what all of you are probably thinking right now,” King Zayke assumed, almost reading their minds.

 

Kedrick, though composed, knew one wrong move could mean disaster. “You read our minds like a book. What could a chosen one like you want in a place like this?” Kedrick asked nervously.

 

“Isn’t it obvious? A Titan chose me to rule this world. What I want is something no one has ever dared to chase. I want everything to be mine and mine alone, and I will start by conquering all my oppositions,” King Zayke answered confidently, a terrifying declaration of selfish ambition.

 

Rein quickly pieced it together. I see. He’s planning on destroying all the great races and their chosen ones so that he’s the only one left on top.

 

Everyone knew immediately that negotiation was impossible. Survival was their only option.

 

Just then, Nilda, who had been on the frontlines but noticed something amiss, arrived. She entered the room, and everyone felt her imposing presence, which was a huge relief. Her huge size and overwhelming aura were incredibly reassuring.

 

“Ahh… you're finally here. I've been waiting for you, leader of the Beasts. I'm here to give you a chance. Bow down to me and swear allegiance, or face annihilation,” King Zayke demanded.

 

Nilda clenched her fists, her voice fierce. “I don’t bow down to anyone, and as long as I’m still alive, I will never allow you to succeed.”

 

King Zayke laughed uncontrollably, mocking her. “What are you talking about? I have already won. The only person who had any chance of defeating me has fallen miserably, and he dares to call himself a chosen one when he couldn’t even control his powers. How pathetic.”

 

Nilda was triggered but maintained her composure, prioritizing the safety of the girls and her allies.

 

“Enough talking. I’ll crush your skull with my bare hands and prove to everyone that you don’t need a chosen one to beat another chosen one,” Nilda declared.

 

“Aah… such confidence!” King Zayke responded, then commanded Jay, “You! Prove yourself to me by defeating her, and I will allow you to join the Elite Guards if you win,” he offered.

 

“As you wish, Your Highness,” Jay agreed. He cast his Light Magic, summoning a bow and arrow made of radiant, golden light, and attacked Nilda.

 

[Light Magic: Radiant Volley]

 

He fired a single arrow of light that split into a thousand pieces. Nilda blocked all of it with her body, not even using her aura, her natural toughness was enough.

 

“Is that all you got? It barely itched me,” Nilda taunted.

 

“I’m just getting started,” Jay responded irritably.

 

He fired light arrows continuously. Nilda continued blocking them with her body, shielding everyone behind her. Jay’s attack lacked stopping power, but he could fire multiple arrows nonstop without exhausting his mana, keeping Nilda occupied.

 

Nilda could end the fight instantly, but doing so would destroy the mansion. She fought conservatively, using minimal strength.

 

“Don’t worry about us, Ms. Nilda, I can still cast a defensive spell, so just focus on defeating them,” Rein assured her.

 

“That’s not it. Receiving the enemy’s attacks head-on is her way of assessing their strength. Just watch and trust in the power of the one they call the Iron Huntress,” Kedrick reassured the girls.

 

“So this is the limit to your potential. You still need a century or two before you can take me down,” Nilda assessed, marching forward, unstoppable despite the bombardment.

 

Jay started seeing the huge gap. “W-why! Why aren’t any of my attacks working?” He complained.

 

Nilda wasn't the leader just because she was the strongest, she was the leader because she was the toughest, the unbreakable wall protecting Kurrbryde.

 

“You’re facing the ultimate defense of this land, and not a single time has she ever fallen,” Erica chimed in, having recovered enough to join the others.

 

Jay, scared that his king would punish him for failure, decided to use his trump card.

 

“Fine! No more holding back!” Jay shouted. He was about to cast his ultimate magic, but Nilda stopped him instantly.

 

Before he could finish chanting, Nilda grabbed his face with her huge arm and crashed him into the ground, leaving him unconscious. “You’re not the only one holding back,” Nilda said, then immediately turned her attention to King Zayke. “You’re next!” She declared.

 

King Zayke wasn't upset. Instead, he clapped his hands in applause. “Bravo! What a show you have given me!” He said in awe.

 

“Give it up already! All your comrades have been defeated, you have nothing on your side anymore!” Raya pointed out.

 

King Zayke laughed menacingly in response. “I never needed them to begin with. I can just create my own army with a simple flick of my finger.”

 

Everyone’s hopes were shattered. Without even chanting, he summoned thousands of enormous knights made out of radiant light out of thin air, which he could command at will. Each summon was as strong as his Elite Guards, and he had total control over them.

 

“Do not leave a single one alive,” he commanded.

 

Their allies were exhausted. It was up to Nilda to defend her home and people against the most powerful foe they had ever faced.

 

While the fight in Kurrbryde raged, I was flying toward Komraad’s location. I finally arrived at the enemy’s base, the Azure Kingdom, and felt Komraad’s presence fading.

 

I was skeptical but noticed the place was nearly empty. I immediately went to where Komraad was, sensing him inside the majestic, enormous castle on the floating middle island. Entering a room at the top of the castle, I saw him tied to the ground with chains made of light. I transformed into my human form and landed beside him.

 

“K-Komraad!” I shouted, worried.

 

As I approached, I noticed he wasn’t himself. He was emitting a pitch-black presence, his face filled with rage and fury. He resembled a mindless beast ready to lash out. I didn’t know what to do.

 

“Don’t worry, I’ll figure out how to free you from these chains and bring you back to your usual self. I promise,” I declared.

 

As I tried to figure out how to break the magical chains, a mysterious figure suddenly appeared, interrupting me. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” he advised.

 

I-impossible! How did he sneak up on me? I didn’t feel his presence at all! I worried.

 

“Who are you?” I asked, preparing for the worst.

 

“I’m Lou, the strongest member of the FeatherlightKing’s Elite Guards and bearer of the title, Right Arm,” he answered without hesitation.

 

Him declaring he’s the strongest must be true. His presence alone is enough to prove it, I assessed.

 

“Are these chains your doing? If so, would you mind removing them?” I asked peacefully.

 

“If I free your friend, he’ll wipe out everything in his path. Even his allies are no exception,” Lou responded gravely.

 

“I won’t let that happen. Not if I bring him back to his senses first,” I assured him.

 

“His mind is already lost in abyss, engulfed by his rage. It will take a miracle to bring him back,” he explained.

 

“Then I’ll make that miracle happen, so I’m begging you, free him at once,” I pleaded.

 

“I’m afraid I can’t do that,” he responded, his determination clear.

 

Neither of us would budge, so we prepared for a fight. Komraad was running out of time, so I got serious from the start, recalling Rein’s lessons. Just like how we practiced, Ina. Imagine the shape of the spell you wanna cast, then give it a command.

 

While I was casting my spell, Lou attacked without hesitation, summoning light chains to capture me.

 

[Light Binding Magic: Chain Prison]

 

I dodged the attack and finished casting my spell in time.

 

[Cat Magic: Homing Paw Missiles]

 

I conjured dark energy projectiles shaped like cat paws. They homed in on the target, but instead of exploding, they inflicted random bad luck upon contact. I created this unique spell for enclosed areas, as my other spells were too destructive.

 

Lou focused entirely on dodging, unaware of the spell's effect. I used this opportunity to attack him with another spell. While he was busy dealing with the Paw Missiles, I conjured a beam of dark energy and fired it at him. He noticed and shifted to defense, coating himself in chains to create a shield.

 

“Unfortunately for you, my chains are not only for binding,” he revealed, then cast an offensive spell.

 

[Light Magic: Chain Knuckle]

 

He created a huge fist of light chains and attacked me. I switched to defense and focused on dodging. He was faster, and he was about to land a hit when something unexpected happened.

 

One of the tracking Paw Missiles struck him. He braced for an explosion, but nothing happened, or so he thought. The huge Chain Knuckle he cast suddenly unraveled, missing me. He was confused until he realized the effect of my spell.

 

“I see, so that’s the effect of your spell. What an interesting magic, it’s amazing how it disrupted my magic the moment it touched me,” he assessed.

 

He’s not wrong, but it’s not entirely right either… The bad luck effect he receives is entirely random when my Homing Paw Missiles touch him.

 

Figuring out half of my ability, he immediately shifted his focus to attacking me, knowing my magic would be dispelled if I were defeated.

 

[Light Magic: Chain Whip]

 

He summoned a chain of radiant light and used it as a whip. I dodged the initial attacks, but the chains suddenly changed trajectory mid-air, catching me off-guard and binding me.

 

I panicked briefly, then realized a way out. I transformed into my cat form and slipped out of the chain binding. I immediately cast a beam of dark energy, missing him on purpose.

 

“How unfortunate,” Lou said.

 

“Sorry, but I wasn’t aiming at you,” I responded, hinting at my real target.

 

He thought I was attacking him, but I was destroying the huge glass chandelier attached to the ceiling above him. It fell directly at him. He noticed my plan at the last second and shielded himself inside a dome made of chains.

 

While he was shielded, I hid my presence to sneak an attack. As soon as he lowered his barrier, I struck him with another Homing Paw Missile. He anticipated the missile and countered it.

 

[Light Magic: Chain Wheel]

 

He created multiple rings from his chains, using them as blades to eradicate all the Paw Missiles. He succeeded, but it was too late. I was already behind him, ready to unleash a fully charged attack.

 

[Cat Magic: Purr-fect Punch]

 

Using my right arm coated with dark energy, I punched Lou with everything I had. He coated his chest with chains at the last second to reduce the impact, but I still managed to shatter his defense, leaving him nearly unconscious and down on his knees.

 

I was close enough to prevent him from casting any more spells.

 

“Let’s not drag this any further. I’ll face you as many times as you want until you release my friend,” I demanded.

 

To my surprise, he immediately admitted defeat.

 

He stood up casually, like nothing had happened, and responded, “You win. I don’t have the will to fight anymore.”

 

“Ehhhhhhhhh? Y-you’re not tricking me, are you?” I asked, confused.

 

“I am telling you the truth. I never had the slightest intention of going all out to begin with. I was merely testing your strength and capability,” he explained.

 

Unsure, but with Komraad running out of time, I chose to believe him.

 

“Will you release my friend then?” I asked.

 

“I’ll release your friend, but only if you abide by my condition,” he suggested.

 

I didn’t want to accept, but Komraad’s fading presence gave me no choice. “What is it?” I asked.

 

“I need you to lend me your power. Please stop our King in my stead,” he responded.

 

I was confused. Why would he want to stop his own King?

 

“Why do you want to stop your King? Aren’t you on his side?” I asked for clarification.

 

Lou looked sad. He decided to tell the truth. “I used to be his only friend when we were young. That’s why I’m the only one who knows the real him,” he revealed, launching into a story.

 

“You see… we Featherlights used to have limited freedom when Zayke’s father was still on the throne. His father was a tyrant who oppressed the weak. Zayke promised himself that when it was his turn, he’d change everything for the better. The Zayke I befriended was a kind fellow who wanted to be the pillar of hope for his people. All he ever wanted was to see everyone smile and fly freely. That’s why he was chosen by the Titan of Light, not his father. But then, something changed.”

 

“When the tyrant king died of old age, Zayke finally became king. Instead of changing things, he followed in his father’s footsteps, worse even. No one knew why, but I know the real him is still there. I believe the late tyrant king has done something to him, but I don’t know what,” he explained. He bowed his head and begged, “Please, help me save him.”

 

I was shocked but felt his sincerity. “W-why make your move now when the war has already started?”

 

“Because I’m not powerful enough to stop him. I needed someone strong enough to hold his ground against him. I thought your friend, a chosen one, could defeat Zayke, but he failed miserably. Only a chosen one could defeat another chosen one, but with your power, it might be possible to stop him. Please lend me your strength,” he pleaded.

 

His dedication was admirable, but my answer was set. “I’m sorry, but I must decline. This is Komraad’s fight, and it’s up to him how he will end it,” I responded with full determination.

 

Lou’s frustration was visible. “I told you already! That beast is beyond saving! His fate is already sealed!” He shouted.

 

“You may be right, but as long as I’m here, I won’t let fate win! Just like how you believed your king is worth saving, I also believe the same for Komraad. After all, he’s the very first friend I made when I arrived in this world, and he’s already family, even though he doesn’t know that himself,” I genuinely admitted.

 

Lou struggled, but he finally understood the meaning behind my words and agreed. “Sigh, I give up on persuading you. Do whatever you want, I won’t get in your way anymore, but I won’t unbind your friend until you manage to calm him down and bring him back to normal. I can’t have him rampaging all over the castle,” he demanded.

 

“That’s fine by me, thank you, Lou,” I responded wholeheartedly.

 

“Wait for me, Komraad, I promise I’ll bring you back,” I whispered to myself with full determination.

 

Our goals aligned, and we put our differences aside. I rushed to Komraad, worried I was already too late. His intense rage almost overwhelmed me, but my determination was stronger.

 

“Damn it Komraad, this is so unlike you! Get your grip together and come back to us! You have families waiting for you back home,” I shouted, but it didn't work.

 

Seeing him like this made me emotional. He was my first friend and helped me survive this world. Now it was my turn to help him.

 

“I’m sorry if I didn’t take the time to get to know you better, but once this is over, I promise I’ll listen to you all day until my eardrums bleed, so come back already, you stupid dog! We need you… I need you. I don’t know if I can handle being a mother to those three, but with you by our side, I have a feeling it’s going to be okay,” I confessed, being honest with my feelings.

 

I noticed Komraad’s internal ember was about to be extinguished. Instinctively, I reached out my hand to touch it, hoping to prevent the flame from burning out. As soon as I touched it, a surge of his emotions and memories flew into my mind. I got dizzy, but an amazing idea suddenly popped into my head.

 

“That’s it! I know what I have to do now,” I said confidently.

 

I touched Komraad’s ember again, concentrating my mind on finding his most important memories, hoping it could bring his senses back. Fortunately, it worked, though not in the way I intended. My consciousness slipped from my body and was suddenly transported into his mind, allowing me to witness his memories firsthand. A mix of excitement and nervousness filled my heart, the ray of hope I had been looking for.

 

This might work! I’m sorry, Komraad, but I’m gonna invade your privacy for a little while.