(Five Days Later)

Neverport was evolving at a staggering pace. The once modest village was now a bustling town, growing stronger with each passing day.

Arthur arrived once more, accompanied by two druids, carrying another crate filled with artificial druid magic. As they approached the newly renovated presence chamber, he noticed how much had changed. The room now had a more modern and structured design, a reflection of Neverport’s rapid transformation.

Cj stepped aside, allowing them entry, "Becca's inside. Fair warning—she’s exhausted."

Arthur gave a respectful nod before stepping in. He was met with a strange sight—Becca pacing back and forth, her eyes wild with exhaustion, muttering something in a foreign tongue. She suddenly turned, spotting him.

"Hello, Wolfman. How doing you?" she greeted, her words slightly jumbled.

Arthur dropped the crate onto the round table, giving her an assessing look, "You look like you've seen better days."

"Better? Ha!" Becca let out a dry laugh, still pacing, "For five days, I’ve been drowning in immigration issues. I thought I’d finally get a break, but no—now I have to approve new laws and deal with a tax increase. And to top it all off, I have to explain the existence of the third prophet child without sounding completely insane."

Arthur’s gaze shifted to the five towering stacks of papers beside her throne, "And where’s Axel?"

"Gone. He and Ivy went off somewhere. His usual way of saying, ‘I’m not doing this, but you can.’ And to make things worse? I know he can fly. I’ve seen him do it—carry people effortlessly. And yet, instead of taking me, he grabs Diego, shouts ‘Onwards to battle!’ and vanishes. So now, I get to suffer in paperwork while he plays hero. And knowing him, he won't be back for hours."

Arthur’s eyes flickered to her right arm, which was brimming with magic essence up her right shoulder.

"How about a walk?" he offered, shifting into his wolf form.

Becca hesitated, looking between the stacks of paper and the door, "I haven’t tried animal transformation yet, but here goes nothing." She focused, attempting to shift into a wolf—only to find herself transformed into a lioness instead.

She blinked in surprise.

Arthur chuckled, "Don't be alarmed. Your spirit animal is a reflection of your true self and inner hunter. Now, let’s walk." He padded towards the exit.

Before following him, Becca turned to the two druids accompanying Arthur, "There’s a sanctuary house reserved for druids. If you need to rest, my guards will take you there."

As Becca left the room, Philly and Cj stood frozen, eyes wide.

Stolen story; please report.

"Please tell me I’m dreaming," Cj muttered, utterly bewildered.

Becca grinned playfully. "Roar. I’m a bad kitty." She strutted past them, joining Arthur on the streets.

---

As they walked through the village, the sight of a lioness and a wolf drew plenty of attention. At first, some villagers reacted with fear, but as soon as they recognized Becca’s voice, the tension eased.

Children ran up eagerly, giggling as they reached out to touch her soft fur, while others cautiously petted Arthur’s wolf paws.

"So, Arthur," Becca said as they strolled, "what’s life like in the wild? Since you don’t usually stay in towns or cities?"

"It’s peaceful," he replied. "We druids rarely use our human forms unless for combat or to blend into society. In our true forms, we live as Lady Artemis intended—hunting for food, playing among our kin, protecting our offspring. We live freely, and that freedom is at the core of who we are."

Becca listened with fascination, "Do you think Lady Artemis would be proud of how her creation has turned out?"

Arthur’s expression darkened slightly, "I believe she would laugh at how divided we’ve become. There are those, like Atlas, who remain true to her teachings. Then there are others, like myself, who only follow certain aspects of her ways. No matter how much the world changes, our love for Artemis remains unwavering."

They stopped before a statue of Artemis, shifting back into their human forms. Arthur reached out, placing his hand on the flower on her palm.

"I’m surprised you never asked why we need those rings from the island," he remarked.

Becca twirled a strand of her hair, "I figured you’d rather explain it to Axel, since he’s the one leading that mission."

Arthur smirked, "True. But you’re the leader of Neverport, so you should know." He sat on the fountain’s edge, and Becca followed suit.

His expression turned somber, "We lost our forest to another group of monsters. The Werekin."

Becca frowned, "What’s a Werekin?"

"They’re descendants of demi-humans and druids. They retain full animal appearances but adopt human mannerisms—walking upright, wielding weapons, speaking our tongue. But their feral instincts and monstrous strength make them more abomination than kin."

A thought struck Becca, "Did they… hurt someone you care about?"

Arthur’s grip tightened around the wolf fang pendant hanging from his neck. His voice was low, restrained.

"It was a normal day. I was with my pups and my mate in the Great Forest of Livvanner. Then they came—a white werewolf leading its tribe. They attacked without warning, slaughtering our people. We fought, but their numbers were overwhelming. We were forced to retreat. If only we had known the army they were bringing that day… maybe I wouldn’t have lost my family to those brutes. I won’t rest until I send them to the Eternal Garden, where they can finally graze in peace."

Becca could see the pain in his eyes—the primal, seething grief of a wolf who had lost his pack. His hands trembled slightly, but he held back the tears.

Without thinking, she pulled him into a hug.

"Let us help you reclaim your forest," she said softly, "Neverport is growing. We have an army willing to fight. And with Axel leading the charge, you’ll be able to give your family a proper burial."

Arthur stiffened in shock. "...Why?"

Becca pulled back, meeting his gaze with unwavering determination.

"Because if I have the power to help someone in need, then I damn well will."

A slow smile formed on Arthur’s lips, "You truly are an interesting woman." He exhaled, nodding. "Once Axel retrieves the rings, we’ll discuss it further."

Becca grinned. "And I promise—we’ll give them a proper burial."

---

Meanwhile, in the underground dungeons of Sungalepore…

A familiar figure sat in the darkness, bound in heavy chains. His once-vibrant hair and eyes were now completely black—drained of their Hax, leaving him vulnerable.

Jay was bruised and battered, subjected to daily beatings meant to break his spirit.

Yet the fire within him refused to die.

He clenched his fists, his breathing ragged but steady.

He was simply waiting.

Waiting for the moment he could break free from this prison of steel.