"Perhaps we should shift into our [Sapling Forms] so we don't draw any more attention."

  KiAera's ears twitched as she overheard Saptal and Sapshorla talking

  "Oh?" Sapshorla exclaimed. "Brightness, Sapkin! That'll make us smaller! Otherwise, we might not even fit wherever KiAera's taking us.

  "Exactly what I was thinkin'! Let's get to it!" Saptal said eagerly.

  Both Zeldritch nodded before closing their eyes. Their bodies compacted and shrank rapidly, until they stood barely a meter tall instead of towering over everyone.

  KiAera watched in awe as the once-giant Sapkins became miniature tree-like beings. In this so-called [Sapling Mode], they had a flower-like appearance, leafy blooms atop their heads, leafy arms, root-like legs, and a soft, plant-woven shawl draped across their shoulders.

  "Well... This is unexpected," KiAera admitted with a smile. "But I'm glad you two are willing to follow me like this."

  She found them almost adorable. Their new faces were marked by three eyes arranged in a neat triangle.

  Saptal and Sapshorla gazed at her, waiting for her reaction.

  KiAera stepped closer. "So... What exactly happened to you guys?"

  Saptal chuckled, rubbing the back of his head.

  "Well... Ya see, in our normal forms, we're huge compared ta most creatures. But shrinkin' down makes movin' around a lot easier. Perfect for hidin' from monsters in the undergrowth," he explained with a grin. "And this way, we don't gotta worry about hurtin' anyone by accident either."

  "Yep! It's really useful for stayin' safe!" Sapshorla chimed in brightly, her pink tint more vivid than usual. She was more animated than KiAera had ever seen her. "And our powers still work in this form, so we can defend ourselves if we need ta." She hugged Pi Osseod and bounced excitedly.

  KiAera's smile softened. She turned toward Amber, who was staring wide-eyed at the Sapkins' new forms.

  KiAera beckoned her closer. "Ready?"

  Amber's laughter bubbled out as she skipped forward. Before KiAera could react, Amber seized her by the nape and, with surprising ease, swung her onto her back with a playful "LeeLee!" KiAera landed with a soft plop on Amber's fleecy back.

  "Yahoo!" Amber whooped, stretching her neck. "Leelee ready!" She bounced in place, making KiAera wince at the jolt.

  "Settle down, Amber." KiAera's arms wrapped around her neck, her ears curling instinctively over Amber's shoulders like reins. "You're fine with me up here, right?"

  Amber looked back with a toothy grin. "Mmhm!"

  Riding an ostrich-like beast had never crossed KiAera's mind, yet here she was, embracing it as though it were natural.

  She smiled softly at Amber. If she's fine with this, maybe I should make proper reins once we're back at the Crystal Shelter.

  Turning to Saptal and Sapshorla, she said, "I guess we're all ready then." She adjusted her seat on Amber's back. "Let's go!"

  Saptal grinned and nodded. "Aye!"

  Sapshorla burst into hearty laughter, while Saptal chuckled under his breath.

  KiAera blushed faintly as she realized the two Sapkins were watching her closely. Clearing her throat, she composed herself.

  "Alright then... Let's go!" She raised her hand dramatically, pointing toward the Crystal Shelter. "To the Crystal Shelter!" She nudged Amber's sides gently.

  Amber neighed joyfully before galloping forward, her powerful strides sending up clouds of dust. Saptal and Sapshorla kept pace easily, their root-like legs carrying them in long, effortless bounds.

  KiAera closed her eyes briefly, focusing on balancing atop Amber. Her ears curled firmly around Amber's neck. She could feel every powerful yet smooth stride beneath her, the motion both steady and exhilarating.

  It's almost like flying, she thought, savoring the rush.

  When she opened her eyes, the Sapkins were running beside her, glancing at her curiously from time to time. She blushed again, averting her gaze.

  This feels strange... but maybe it won't be so bad having companions like this. Maybe... I could even get used to it.

  The thought made her smile warmly. She was actually looking forward to spending more time with them.

  "This feels amazing," KiAera exclaimed, grinning broadly. "Thank you all for this!"

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  The two Sapkins, with Pi Osseod in tow, exchanged a glance before returning her smile.

  "No problem!" Sapshorla said cheerfully. "We're happy ta help! Anything fer our friend!"

  "Aye! Ya could've just asked if ya wanted ta ride one of us earlier!" Saptal teased.

  KiAera laughed, shaking her head. If only it could always be like this...

  "Well, maybe we should do this again sometime, right Saptal, Sapshorla?" KiAera said, patting Amber's neck fondly.

  ???? ? ????

  ★ Saptal the Sapkin's Bond:

  Bond Created!

  Budding Stranger → ★ Budding Companion!

  ???? ? ????

  ★ Sapshorla the Sapkin's Bond:

  Bond Created!

  Budding Stranger → ★ Budding Companion!

  ???? ? ????

  The two Sapkins glanced at each other before bursting into laughter. "Ya sure ya ain't a Merecritt, KiAera?"

  She laughed with them, focusing again on her goal, returning safely to the Crystal Shelter with her friends.

  ???//???//???

  "K-KiAera... What... What is... this..." Saptal muttered, his voice trembling with both awe and fear. His three eyes widened in shock at the sight before them.

  KiAera mirrored his confusion. They had reached the glades where the Crystal Shelter stood, but the "upgrades" she had requested from GamaGen and the Plelepun had turned it into something far beyond her intentions.

  The shelter was now massive, dwarfing the trees around it and towering five stories tall. The entire structure was crystalline from top to base, glittering in the sunlight. Even the doorway had changed, reshaped into a sharp triangular arch.

  It shimmered brilliantly, beautiful beyond words.

  But one problem remained...

  Why in the world did it look like her?! More precisely, the head of her Merecritt self, with two huge rabbit ears jutting out, and a flaming tail for no reason at all!

  The Sapkins peered down at her suspiciously. KiAera frowned, burying her face in her ears.

  "This isn't what I asked them to make... I look like some kind of egotistical lunatic..."

  "Wow!" A gasp of wonder escaped Amber's beak; she was ogling the towering crystal building before them. "Kiki, how did they build that thing?! Did the Plelepun help make it too?! Can I stand on it?!"

  She bounced excitedly toward the structure, eyes wide and beak curled into a grin.

  KiAera stayed silent, unsettled by the fact that the Crystal Shelter looked like her. The Sapkins eyed her with suspicion. She could only meet their gaze with a frown.

  "This... This is my... err... our new home, I guess?"

  "So... is that what ya meant by upgrades?" Saptal asked carefully.

  "N-no! I-it's not like that!" KiAera stammered, ears twitching as she looked away. "I asked two my monsters companions to fix a few things—add some defenses, walls, places to sleep, maybe a dining room so I don't keep eating on my bed, and—"

  She stopped when she caught Saptal and Sapshorla's skeptical stares, then sighed.

  "Alright. I asked for something bigger and nicer. But not this." She gestured sharply at the giant crystal head. "I never told them to make it in my image. Now I look like some egotistical lunatic."

  Saptal raised a bushy brow at her, as if doubting her. KiAera held his gaze firmly. "I did NOT ask for that," she snapped, her tail flicking with irritation.

  "You... yer so innocent it's funny," Sapshorla giggled, her cheeks tinged pink.

  Saptal folded his leafy arms, still unconvinced. "How'd somethin' unnatural get this massive?"

  KiAera had no answer, until she noticed GamaGen hovering toward them. She waved him down. "Hey! GamaGen!"

  「Welcome back, Miss KiAera,」 the sentient book greeted in his usual calm tone, as though oblivious to her frustration. 「We did some remodeling on your behalf. Have you noticed the upgraded facilities?」

  KiAera jabbed her thumb at the crystalline effigy. "That thing's a monstrosity." She crossed her arms and glared.

  「I see… You're displeased with the new and improved Crystal Shelter?」 His raven-symbol shimmered in the colors that exhibited curiosity and mirth. Yellow, then orange.

  "Displeased? How the heck did you even build that in a single day?! This goes way beyond what I asked for. Just look at it!"

  Her outburst drew the Sapkins, Amber, and even the gathering Osseods' attention.

  「Your command was to create a home with necessities and defenses,」 GamaGen replied smoothly. 「We simply followed the mental blueprint you envisioned for a 'home.' With the Plelepun, the Osseods, and my direction, we constructed what we call 'The Crystal Shelter v2'—with a few... additions of our own.」

  The raven-symbol tilted knowingly. KiAera's face flamed, only for her to ease up as she exhaled to dispel her flustered feelings. She understood they didn't mean harm. Not like she disliked the structure. However, she still wandered about their intentions in renovating the building in such a way.

  The Plelepun popped up beside her with a cheerful wave. "Yo! Evening, KiAera!"

  "Evening? You guys turned my head into a building without asking. Don't you think that’s a little much? And what's with the name? 'V2'? I didn't want something extravagant—let alone rabbit ears and a flaming tail!" She scowled, ears drooping.

  "Yo, we tried our best," the Plelepun chuckled. "If you don't like it, we can always make something else. No big deal."

  "I guess..." she muttered, still glaring at the oversized replica of herself.

  "It's weird," Amber chirped. "It's your head, Kiki!"

  Big Osseod bounded forward with a joyful cry, pointing its stubby leg at the structure. "Big KiAera! Big KiAera! Big KiAera!" The other Osseods echoed in chorus.

  Despite herself, KiAera smiled warmly at them, her irritation softening into a fond ache in her chest. She scratched the back of her neck. "Alright, you win. Sorry for snapping."

  The Plelepun and Osseods cheered, bouncing happily. Amber giggled while the Sapkins chuckled at the display.

  "So... we're really sleepin' in that thing? With you guys?" Saptal asked skeptically.

  "Yeah, sure. We'll move stuff in after dinner. There should be a kitchen and dining hall inside, so we should be fine for now." She offered a small smile.

  Saptal brightened, nodding. "Alright then."

  「Indeed,」 GamaGen said, voice turning solemn. 「We built this to show our gratitude, Miss KiAera. Your kindness and generosity touched us, and we wanted to repay you.」

  KiAera blushed faintly. "Oh... thank you. But that really wasn't necessary."

  The book floated closer, pages fluttering. 「It's the least we could do for our leader.」

  Her expression softened. "Thanks, GamaGen. I mean it."

  "Yeah, thanks, GamaGen!" Sapshorla chimed. "Yer so thoughtful!"

  The book regarded the Sapkins before inclining slightly. 「I'm glad Miss KiAera has recruited such fine companions. I look forward to working with you.」 He turned to Amber. 「And you as well, Amber. You've done well caring for your leader.」

  Amber whooped and bowed her head with mock solemnity. The Sapkins exchanged amused glances.

  "Ya sure talk a lot, huh, GamaGen?" Saptal teased.

  The raven-symbol shimmered in quiet acknowledgment.

  "That's enough lingering out here. Let's see what kind of place you guys made for... us," KiAera motioned toward the shelter.

  With a final sigh, she relaxed her shoulders and looked up at the glittering effigy. "Alright. Let's go have dinner."

  The group cheered and moved toward the entrance of Crystal Shelter v2, GamaGen and the Plelepun following close behind.