A firm knock on the door interrupted the room’s activity. It was the assistant from earlier, returning with food. “Come in!” Niles called. The door swung open to reveal a procession of royal kitchen staff, pushing wagons laden with an absurd variety of dishes—a feast fit for kings. Or, as Squeaky seemed to assume, a welcome banquet in his honor.

The thunder phoenix turned its glowing eyes toward Niles with an almost pleading look. “Go ahead,” Niles said with a grin. Without hesitation, Squeaky fluttered over to a wagon stacked with grilled fish, earning a startled yelp from one of the kitchen staff. The servers didn’t dare say a word, though; in a castle like this with summoned champions from another world, even a mythical bird joining a feast was just another day at court.

As the staff left, the door reopened to admit Xhiva, Roy, and Gustavus, who wheeled in Felix on a rolling bed. The young guard looked ghastly—his skin pale as snow, his eyelids barely lifting, and his breaths ragged and unnatural, like something was strangling the air out of him. Niles felt a shiver of helplessness, unsure how close Felix hovered to death’s door. He forced himself to think positively. “It’s all up to him,” he thought, hoping Felix’s spirit would fight to stay tethered to life.

“What’s with the bird?” Roy asked, pointing at Squeaky, who was now perched on a table, devouring fish like it was a competition.

“It’s my familiar,” Niles explained casually. “A gift from Lord Aldric. It’s a thunder phoenix, apparently. I named it Squeaky.”

“Squeaky?” Gustavus blurted in horror. “You named that majestic creature Squeaky?”

“Cool name, right?” Niles replied, his grin unshaken.

Gustavus shook his head in disbelief. “You had the chance to call it something epic like Zapdos or Thundralis, and you went with Squeaky?!”

“Fair point,” Niles admitted with a shrug. “But it’s too late now. The name’s locked in.”

The resignation in Gustavus’s expression mirrored the earlier despair of the bird itself.

“Anyway,” Roy interjected, steering the focus back to Felix. “He doesn’t look great. What’s the plan now?”

Xhiva’s eyes, however, were firmly fixed on the feast. “Now we eat,” he declared, rubbing his stomach.

Gustavus smirked, pulling out a stack of blank paper. “And keep the energy up. I’ve got an idea—let’s invent a card game!”

Xhiva frowned. “How is that supposed to help?”

“Simple,” Gustavus replied. “We’re going to play Plump. It’s loud, chaotic, and perfect for keeping the buzz alive.”

“Never heard of it,” Xhiva muttered.

“You will!” Gustavus said dramatically. “Roy, you cut the cards. I’ll draw the jacks, queens, and kings—we’re doing this right.”

With no better ideas, Roy obediently began slicing the paper into rectangles while Gustavus feverishly sketched. Xhiva dug into the food with gusto but paused when he noticed Squeaky attempting to hoard every last piece of grilled fish, puffing up in defiance as if to ward off the prince’s appetite.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

The room was soon filled with laughter, arguments over card designs, and the occasional squawk of protest from Squeaky, who was very clearly staking his claim as the real ruler of the grilled fish, fending off Xhivas tempted fingers.

A knock sounded at the door. "It’s me, Xander," came the familiar voice from the other side.

"Come in!" the group called out in unison.

Xander entered, a glint of amusement in his eyes as he spun a glowing blue crystal in his hand before tossing it lightly into the air and catching it again. The artifact was unmistakable—the legendary skill-revealing crystal, priceless and sacred. "Are you ready to head into town?" he asked, directing his question to Niles.

His gaze quickly caught on the bird perched confidently on the edge of the table. "Is that a familiar?" Xander’s tone carried a note of intrigue as his sharp, calculating eyes studied the creature.

"That’s right!" Niles said cheerfully. "It’s a gift!"

But it was unclear if Xander even heard him. His attention was completely absorbed by the bird. "I’ve never seen anything like it," he murmured, stepping closer. Then, to everyone’s surprise, Xander gave the bird a graceful bow. "Pleased to meet you. I am Prince Xander, the first prince of Xandria."

Squeky tilted its head, meeting the prince’s bow with a dignified nod of its own.

"Marvelous creature," Xander said, his voice almost reverent. "Familiars are rare enough, but one such as this… it’s unheard of. Who did you say gave it to you?"

"It came from Aldric," Niles replied. "Though apparently, it was originally Aurelia’s."

Xander nodded thoughtfully. "A fitting gift from one such as the goddess herself." His eyes returned to the bird. "And what is its name?"

The room went silent. Everyone looked to Niles, who, unfazed by their reactions, grinned.

"Squeky!" he declared proudly.

Xander raised a brow, his expression caught somewhere between confusion and amusement, as though trying to decide if Niles was joking. When it became clear he wasn’t, Xander offered a diplomatic, "That’s… unique."

"Right?" Niles beamed, utterly convinced he had chosen the perfect name.

Turning back to the bird, Xander held up the crystal, his movements deliberate and respectful. "Squeky, would you mind touching this? It would allow us to see your skill."

Squeky looked to Niles for approval. With an encouraging nod from its master, the bird chirped and gracefully glided over to perch on the crystal.

The artifact glowed brightly, and golden letters shimmered in the air for all to see:

[Name: Squeky (Familiar)]

[Level: Unknown]

[Strength: Unknown]

[Speed: Unknown]

[Stamina: Unknown]

[Magic: Unknown]

[Spirit: Unknown]

Skill: Stormbound Messenger

Xander clicked on the additional information icon, and the skill's description materialized. He read it aloud:

"With lightning speed, this skill allows the familiar to locate and deliver messages to any individual it has bonded with. A bond is formed simply by physical contact with the familiar, creating an unbreakable link for communication across vast distances."

Xander’s eyes widened slightly as the weight of the skill sank in. "This is..." He paused, struggling to find the right words.

Even Xhiva, who had been devouring his meal moments earlier, stopped mid-chew, his expression shifting to something more serious.

Xander cleared his throat, regaining his composure. "This is an excellent skill," he finally said.

Niles threw his arms up in celebration. "You hear that, Squeky? Congratulations!"

Squeky puffed out its chest and flapped its wings dramatically, as if to say, Of course, I’m excellent.

Xander extended his hand toward the bird. "Proudful Squeky, may I form a bond with you?"

"That would be perfect!" Niles chimed in. He grinned, realizing how much simpler communication would be with Squeky. "Go ahead, Squeky. Feel free to bond with everyone here."

In a flash, the bird darted around the room, lightly brushing against everyone to form the magical connections.

Xander nodded in approval. "Now, I believe it’s time to head out." He waved lightly to the group.

As Niles followed, he called back, "Good luck with the card game, everyone!"

Squeky, perched proudly on Niles’s shoulder, gave an affirming chirp. Together, they left the room with Xander, bound for the city, ready to find a way to help Felix recover.