Zest lowered his head, muscles tensing as he prepared to leap. Oath stepped closer, her eyes wide and ears twitching with distress.
"It's a trap," Zest growled. "Something is coming."
"Oath can feel it too."
"No, it's just Nex," I said with a frown, then sighed.
"Intruders!" I heard him shout from within the trees. "You shall not pass! Leave this place and never return!"
He was well hidden, but that wasn't a problem.
I spotted him. The streaks of shadow-blue fur across his body were unmistakable. He stood on a nearby tree branch, his eyes blazing with anger. His wings stretched outward. His fingers were tipped with long, sharp talons, poised to strike.
Zest snorted and lowered his head. I gave his neck a pat.
"Nex, it's us," I said.
The Nexburst looked at me, his shadowed face untouched by the darkness through my feline vision.
???
[Status Analysis] Nex the Nexburst
Faux Nym: [Nex]
Species: [Nexperbax] — [Nexburst]
Alt Species Name: "Zoom Bat"
Dominions: [Disrupt] [Unleash] [Virtuoso]
APeX: [141,422 Units]
Attributes: [Wind] [Sound]
Evolution Stage: [Emergent]
Current Variant Grade: [Rare]
???
"KiAera? What happened to you? You feel different."
"I could say the same to you," I replied. "You look like you're ready to mince us into dinner."
Nex snarled, then lowered his claws.
"Tch. Sorry. I didn’t realize it was you. You’re all... different."
He exhaled and looked away.
"You have no idea what kind of day I've had. This forest is crawling with intruders. They're everywhere."
He withdrew a shadowed shuriken, one that had been aimed for the nape of my neck, and continued.
"I’ve been fighting nonstop for hours. I think it’s safe to assume you three are the reason for their retreat. The disturbance that dragged me here."
He blurred from his position, reappearing closer as he flapped his wings and sneered.
"My siblings are already on their way to reinforce me. They should arrive shortly."
"Who are the intruders? And how are the others?" I asked.
He shrugged, then perched himself smugly atop Zest’s head, making himself comfortable.
"Bunch of buzzer monsters. No idea who they are, but they're not from around here. As for everyone else, they’re probably at the Crystal Shelter. We’ve all been training like crazy since you left."
"And how long has it been?"
"Cycles? About five. Give or take."
That... wasn't too bad. That left us nine days to prepare for the tournament. I whispered the thought to myself.
"So we're on Cycle 30. Well, for me at least."
???
[Status] KiAera's
Creature: [Merecritt] — [Meremecritt]
Innate: [Human]
Age: 300 Cycles (25)
Dominions: [Revise] [Virtuoso]
APeX: ["500,000" Units]
Limit Cap (APeX): [74,250,000 Units]
Attributes: [Fire] [Beast] [AltRe:]
Evolution Stage: [Dominant]
Current Variant Grade: [Unique] ☆
Active Transformation: [None] [Dormant State]
???
Oath moved into my peripheral vision. She smiled and waved at Nex.
"Hello. Oath is pleased to see you again."
"Ah, Oath. You look much better without that armor on."
Oath giggled and drifted closer to Nex. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she reached out to touch his wings.
"So soft."
"Hands off the merchandise, will you?" Nex said, pulling his wings away. "You’ll mess up my fur."
She laughed again and stepped back, her tail curling around her legs.
"Sorry. Oath is still adjusting to this new body."
Zest snorted, steam rising from his nostrils.
"I am also still learning to control my own. Though I feel more myself now than before. That feeling of power, of strength, is still overwhelming at times."
His antlers sparked dangerously where Nex had perched. Zest spoke again, voice low.
"It would be the perfect time to test the storm on a lousy pest."
Nex rolled his eyes and leapt into the air, hovering a few inches above us.
"Oh, please. I'm not afraid of you, Thunder Buck. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll scout ahead. If you decide to follow, try to keep up."
He vanished in a streak of light, leaving behind only wind and the scent of ozone.
"He is so irritating," Zest rumbled, his muscles rippling beneath my fingers.
I gave his neck another pat.
"It's fine, Zest. He can be a bit much, but we need him on our side."
I felt his sigh in my bones.
"Very well, KiAera."
Zest lowered his head, then kicked off the ground, launching himself forward with a thunderclap of hooves.
It didn't take long to reach the Crystal Shelter. I dismounted and moved toward the crowd gathering in the field. Everyone was ecstatic. Better yet, they were all accounted for. Safe. The village was untouched.
I loved that they were fine. My monster crew.
"Look who's decided to show up!"
That was Mina's voice. The Oni stood at the front of the group with her signature grin.
???
[Status Analysis] Mina the Minokaurbo
Faux Nym: [Mina]
Species: [Oni] — [Minokaurbo]
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
Alt Species Name: "Oni with Minotaur Horns"
Dominions: [Revise] [Generalist]
APeX: [85,118 Units]
Attributes: [Brawl]
Evolution Stage: [Emergent]
Current Variant Grade: [Rare]
???
Her horns were different. So was her muscle tone. An Amazon in the making.
She had evolved her variant grade since I left. I couldn't have been more proud. Though that only deepened my concern about what they'd all been facing in my absence.
"That face of yours is crummy with questions. Must be wondering what happened, huh, Kia? Just know I kept this motley crew intact while you were away."
I nodded and met her fist bump.
"You did wonderful, Mina."
She grinned even wider and thumped her chest.
I scanned the crowd. They kept their distance, holding their energy, trying not to swarm me. But the joy and excitement were palpable. Only one broke the stillness.
"Oh, don't take all the credit, Meanie! Skaditty helped with the assembly and management! So did Gilbud and Loa!"
Skadicritt bounced above the group, using her long, fluffy ears to glide through the air as she spun in a twirl like a puppy with the zoomies. That was new. The ear-flight. And that angelic aura. But her lush, pink fur still sparkled like starlight—just as I remembered.
???
[Status Analysis] Skadi the Merecritt
Faux Nym: [Skadi]
Species: [Merecritt]
Dominions: [Augment] [Virtuoso]
APeX: [101,000 Units]
Attributes: [Beast] [Celestial]
Evolution Stage: [Fledgling]
Current Variant Grade: [Rare]
Personal Note: "The tiger-striped squirrel critter."
???
Gilbud dug himself out from the earth, tears streaming down his face.
"Yo! You're back again, Ki! You gotta stop disappearing on us, ya got it?"
It sounded more like a plea than a demand.
???
[Status Analysis] Gilbud the Plelepun
Faux Nym: [Gilbud]
Species: [Plelepun]
Alt Species Name: "Tunnel Elephant Calf"
Dominions: [Revise] [Generalist]
APeX: [29,440 Units]
Attributes: [Terra]
Evolution Stage: [Fledgling]
Current Variant Grade: [Uncommon]
???
But I was more than happy to oblige with it. I gave him a pat, running my hands through his large, rugged ears.
"Can't make any promises. But I have returned."
The rest of the crew followed, greeting me and Oath. Even Zest looked stunned by their warmth and acceptance.
Dime the Dideinofern licked my face. She, the Dimetrodon monster, had been one of the patrol leaders.
???
[Status Analysis] Dime the Dideinofern
Faux Nym: [Dime]
Species: [Dimetfern] — [Dideinofern]
Alt Species Name: "Dimetrodon Monster"
Dominions: [Unleash] [Generalist]
APeX: [64,599 Units]
Attributes: [Plant] [Relic] [Wind]
Evolution Stage: [Emergent]
Current Variant Grade: [Uncommon]
???
Then came Saptal and Sapshorla. I was genuinely astonished to see they had evolved from [Fledgling] Sapkin to [Emergent] Saploom. The tree-monster duo had since joined Dime's team.
???
[Status Analysis] Saptal the Saploom
Faux Nym: [Saptal]
Species: [Sapkin] — [Saploom]
Alt Species Name: "Looming Sapling"
Dominions: [Manifest] [Generalist]
APeX: [45,133 Units]
Attributes: [Plant]
Evolution Stage: [Emergent]
Current Variant Grade: [Uncommon]
???
???
[Status Analysis] Sapshorla the Saploom
Faux Nym: [Sapshorla]
Species: [Sapkin] — [Saploom]
Alt Species Name: "Looming Sapling"
Dominions: [Manifest] [Augment] [Generalist]
APeX: [43,333 Units]
Attributes: [Plant]
Evolution Stage: [Emergent]
Current Variant Grade: [Uncommon]
???
The two willowy plant beings waved their wooden hands as they ambled toward me. Their silken cloaks fluttered softly in the breeze, blending effortlessly with the backdrop.
I watched them wistfully. Despite their plant features, something about them felt distinctly human.
Sapshorla, now tinged in pink and gray with bark-textured skin, had the beauty of a dryad. Her forest-green eyes contrasted with the pink petals that adorned her crown. Her hair, made of vines, roots, and leaves, flowed just to her shoulders. Her limbs were long and slender like branches reaching skyward. She carried herself with a serene maturity, a calm that had deepened with her evolution.
Saptal, by contrast, looked more robust and athletic. His bark, rich and fir-colored, wrapped around a frame resembling that of a lithe, well-built athlete. There was an elven elegance to him. His root-like limbs were sinewy and strong, and his deep green eyes shone with fierce determination. Yet beneath that rugged exterior, there was a gentleness that softened him.
Both stood a head taller than me. Saptal even more than that. I didn't mind. In fact, I felt a thrill in their presence.
"Glorious sunlight to have you back, KiAera," Sapshorla said, dipping her head with a slight bow.
Saptal struck the pommel of his bladed staff against the ground. "That's right. Yer tardiness had us all wrapped up in distress. Glad yer back home. It's an absolute joy, friend."
The two raised their arms in welcome.
I stepped in and embraced them both. They groaned as I tried to restrain my newfound strength. Despite that, they each gave my head a gentle pat in turn. Then they did the same for Oath.
The wyvern stalked toward me next.
???
[Status Analysis] Kyrawl the Skyrawsoar
Faux Nym: [Kyrawl]
Species: [Skyrawltal] — [Skyrawsoar]
Alt Species Name: "Feathered Wyvern"
Dominions: [Augment] [Generalist]
APeX: [91,656 Units]
Attributes: [Deino] [Wind]
Evolution Stage: [Emergent]
Current Variant Grade: [Uncommon]
???
I walked forward. Kyrawl the Skyrawsoar followed, meeting me with one of his fierce wyvern stares. Then he grinned, flashing razor-sharp teeth. He leaned down, and I booped his nose.
He rumbled.
"Welcome back." Then he turned and nuzzled his head against Oath's.
"What's up, KiAera! Heard from Nex that you came crashing back! You won't believe the stories we have to tell!"
That excited voice, full of bright lilt and energy, belonged to Rox. It was followed by two large bat-like silhouettes that swept overhead, blocking out the sun for a moment.
???
[Status Analysis] Rox the Nexburst
Faux Nym: [Awaiting…]
Species: [Nexperbax] — [Nexburst]
Alt Species Name: "Zoom Bat"
Dominions: [Disrupt] [Generalist]
APeX: [108,109 Units]
Attributes: [Sound] [Wind]
Evolution Stage: [Emergent]
Current Variant Grade: [Uncommon]
???
???
[Status Analysis] Viz the Nexburst
Faux Nym: [Awaiting…]
Species: [Nexperbax] — [Nexburst]
Alt Species Name: "Electric Zoom Bat"
Dominions: [Disrupt] [Virtuoso]
APeX: [105,528 Units]
Attributes: [Sound] [Wind] [Voltage]
Evolution Stage: [Emergent]
Current Variant Grade: [Uncommon]
???
I smiled when I saw them land. Rox and Viz, the siblings, had evolved—from [Fledgling] Nexperbax to [Emergent] Nexburst. They radiated with vibrant, singing vigor.
Perl was perched on Rox's shoulder and gave me a prompt bow. It appeared she had made a similar development in her evolution. The songbird monster had changed. The crest on her head had become a semiquaver. Her body, still small, was nearly as large as a parrot. Yet her aura remained the endearing prima donna figure that I remembered vividly.
???
[Status Analysis] Perl the Perlachime
Faux Nym: [Awaiting…]
Species: [Perlachirp] — [Perlachime]
Alt Species Name: "Vibrant Songbird"
Dominions: [Disrupt] [Generalist]
APeX: [41,601 Units]
Attributes: [Wind] [Sound]
Evolution Stage: [Emergent]
Current Variant Grade: [Uncommon]
???
"Seems like Nex had been overworking you guys."
Viz gave me a nervous nod, avoiding my gaze.
"T-that's right. We've been working hard. J-just in case you didn't make it back. Even if that sounds… ridiculous."
I dipped my head. "Not ridiculous at all. It's a delight to see you healthy."
The two glanced at each other, then smiled.
"Yep! We're going to give those Jalkra Clan fools a run for their crystals!"
"Big sis! Big sis is back!"
Liozel's voice melted my heart. The little dino tyke rode atop Amber's back. The ratite monster gave a thrilled whoop as they approached.
???
[Status Analysis] Amber the Leagleap
Faux Nym: [Amber]
Species: [LeapLeap] — [Leagleap]
Alt Species Name: "Running Ratite"
Dominions: [Perceive] [Generalist]
APeX: [57,702 Units]
Attributes: [Wind] [Beast]
Evolution Stage: [Emergent]
Current Variant Grade: [Uncommon]
???
"KiKi is back! We missed you so much!"
She dashed toward me, and I gave her feathers a gentle rub.
"That's right," I said, lifting Liozel into my arms.
We were together again.
But even as I held him close, I couldn't shake the weight of GamaGen's absence.
Liozel nuzzled his nose against my cheek.
"You look like you've had a long journey, big sis. Don’t worry. You can take your time telling us all about it."
I nodded, then turned my gaze to the crowd. Their eyes were fixed on me. They had come out here to see me, despite the danger.
"There's no need to delay things further. We need to resume training. But first, let’s return to the shelter to rest."
Mina stepped forward with a confident smile.
"I gotcha covered, Kia. I'll keep these dweebs in line. You go ahead and recharge your batteries."
I looked around at them. The Chimera Crew. My crew.
"Thank you."
We were finally together again.
Well, not all of us just yet. I headed to the Kobold Residence where I spotted him. I stepped toward the statue. No, not any statue. It was Scarbol petrified into stone. My hand rested against his shoulder. I made a silent vow. To bring him to his original state.
Violet was not to going to be left unscathed after what she'd done.
I was the last to enter the shelter. I looked up at the sky. It was darkening—not from nightfall, but from incoming clouds.
And I knew those clouds. I could smell their stench.
I closed the shelter doors with a heavy thud.
There was no time to rest.
There were intruders. And they were coming.
??? // ???
Meanwhile…
A hive of honeycombs buzzed with frenzied activity.
A great wasp-like monster hovered before an elegant creature draped in opulent gold and black stripes. A soft fuzz of cotton encircled her throat.
"Bzzz… As I have mentioned, my queen. Three new disturbances with incredible power have entered the territory we intend to occupy. Their energies are immense, and they've caused several of our patrols to fall back."
The queen lifted a leg to her face, inspecting it. She ran her claws over her armored skin as if she had been touched by filth.
"Bzzz… This is of no concern. My children and I will destroy them with ease. I shall lead the hunt personally."
The general's antennae twitched as he bowed.
"Bzzz… As you wish, my queen."
Beneath the queen's robes, appendages parted like ribbons, revealing limbs that ended in drills and claws. She spread them wide, her wings buzzing with deadly rhythm.
"Bzzz… We shall tear them apart with glee. Those who stand against us will share the fate of those before them. We shall devour this world's energy until nothing remains."
As she spoke, more insectoid monsters emerged from the hive, forming a swarm.
That was when I appeared.
With a smile. Gentle as it could be.
The swarm came to an abrupt halt. For a moment, they seemed to twitch as though I was the one launching the invasion. As the air grew thick with surprise. The queen's wings buzzed softly.
"Bzzz… Who are you?" she demanded. "How did you get here? Who allowed this little critter in!"
I smiled wider. My eyes flashed with light.
"Greetings. I'm KiAera of the Chimera Crew." I offered her a curtsy. "And I've come to deliver a warning. If you do not leave my forest at once, we will be forced to act against you."
Another wasp-like creature stepped forward. He radiated strength. Likely her General.
He looked me over, mandibles twitching.
"Bzzz… Are you responsible for the disturbances my soldiers mentioned?"
"Disturbances? No no. I've heard of your disturbances. That’s why I came. My crew and I cannot abide by your actions. Leave peacefully, or we will make you."
The General's antennae twitched in annoyance. His stinger shifted, morphing into a blade, and he pointed it at me.
"Bzzz… I do not know how you slipped past our patrols, but your presence is an act of aggression. Prepare yourself."
I frowned. My tail swayed behind me.
"I gave you a fair warning. You chose to ignore it."
I raised my hand into the air.
A grand sphere of [Spectral Flame] ignited, spinning wildly as it grew into a burning ring of death.
I lidded my eyes and my ears lowered.
"Now… face my wrath."
I snapped, the [Spectral Flame] shot forward, and the hive ignited.
