You’d think a Neutral establishment would keep things from going totally ballistic, especially since it was not a bar.

Wonder was once more reminded the stupidity of humanity.

The stop had been a Hunting Lodge. It doubled as an inn, so their small group definitely weren’t the only lodgers for the night. Kat went to the general guests quarters, though, while Wonder and Izuku were allowed to the main hunters’ quarters. Since Izuku needed the potty, Wonder took him to the lobby.

Dumb idea.

When he opened the door, there was a gunshot.

Izuku let loose an ear-splitting scream of static. Wonder quickly ducked and wrapped his baby up in his arms, glaring at whoever dared shoot at the lil’ innocent.

Good news, it was clear very quickly that they hadn’t been targets. The scream had stopped everyone, and they were all sheepishly looking at the door. There was a myriad of hunters there. The gunner was a dwarf, and he was pointing it at the ceiling.

Wonder hissed, “You. Assholes.”

Wonder turned on his heels and stormed back towards the Inn. Izuku’s clothes were definitely ruined, and his sobs weren’t stopping. But at least the static shriek was over.

A maid must have heard, because she came running around the corner. “Is everyone all right?!?”

Wonder said, “You guys have a hole in your roof now, but Izuku is unharmed. I do need a bath, though.”

The maid nodded. “Of course. I just finished cleaning one of the rooms… you can use that. Follow me.”

Thankfully, Izuku was calmed pretty quickly. Water and bath toys were a miracle then.

Once his baby was calm, and Wonder was also in a set of PJs, Wonder carried his son back to the Inn’s lobby. A merman in a tank-wheelchair combo looked up. He seemed a bit nervous. Was he the manager? Or just the poor cashier?

Wonder said, “I need to rent one of the rooms on the non-Hunter side please.”

The merman calmed and rang Wonder up immediately. Kat appeared and jogged over. “What happened?”

Wonder said, “One of the idiots was being careless with his gun. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but it scared the crap out of Izuku. Quite… literally too.”

Kat winced. “I… I’m sorry. Dammit… so you’re spending the night over on our side? I hear the Hunters room…”

“This room is warm and clean. I’ll take that.”

A deep voice said, “Excuse me, sir?”

Wonder turned around, and saw Gunner. He frowned deeply. “Yeah, Blasty?”

The dwarf winced, then sighed. “I guess I earned that. Just wanted to apologize for earlier. Didn’t mean to scare the tyke, just makin’ a point.”

Wonder said, “You need to watch it, buster. If that had been angled the wrong way…”

He shuddered at the thought. He said, “But I’ll call forgiveness for now. Though I have to ask… what the beepity-beep was going on in there?!?”

The dwarf tilted his head towards the general direction of the plains the Lodge was in front of. “They say there is a pack of Lightwraiths out there.”

Wonder said, “Lightwraiths? I guess that makes sense… I hear plains are their natural habitat.”

Gunner shrugged. “I guess so, but I’ll tell ye they aren’t as common anymore. You’re more likely to find thee in deserts.”

Gunner sighed. “There is some debate over if we need to go take ‘em out or not.”

Wonder said, “Uuuuuuuuh, why be dumb and initiate a countrattack?”

Gunner said, “That is what I was sayin’! But hey, no Dark Hunter wants to speak to a Light One.”

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Wonder groaned. “So this is the stupid Sponorship thing. Ho boy.”

Gunner said, “Yep. Decent money, but makes a decent man bullheaded.”

Wonder said, “Money does that to most folk. Anyway, thanks for the apology and news, but I’m gonna just take Zuku here and go to bed.”

Izuku yawned. “Beddy time…”

****************************

Morning came, and there was a shock in the wagon.

Kat yelled, “WONDER!!! WONDER THIS IS YOUR EXPERTISE!!!”

Wonder jogged over. “What the… when do I have an expertise?”

Kat pointed inside the carriage. “Since you’re the parent!”

Wonder rolled his eyes and looked inside. Something had commandeered Izuku’s travel blanket. It slipped, revealing white skin and hair, and a ruby eye. There was a young female child’s hiss, then the figure retreated back into the blanket.

Wonder said, “What the… wait.”

He looked at Kat, thinking of the conversation with Blasty last night. “You’re thinking what I’m thinkin’?”

Kat said, “Maybe. I have some Knights scouting the area for the rest of her Tribe. But… Wonder, she’s barely a newborn. She probably ran in here because of… yeah. I don’t think we’re going to find the rest of the pack live.”

Wonder nodded, and looked at Izuku. “Sweetie, stay with Stormy out here.”

Izuku nodded, cuddling up to the lead wolf of his pack.

Wonder climbed in. He willed an info box to show, and it did:

Lightwraith Hatchling

While technically a desert spirit, Lightwraiths can be born in any place with intense sunlight. Lightwraith hatchlings do best when near a light source, and can use intense light magic to defend themselves. They are also impossibly fast. Unlike their Dark counterparts, the Forest Spirits, Lightwraiths do not have Taming Abilities, but instead can use magical enhancements on their parent.

Taming Is Not Yet Available, But Still Unlockable

OK, maybe this was doable.

Wonder carefully sat by the lil’ one. “Hey sweetie… my name’s Wonder. What’s your name?”

The red eye peeked out from underneath the blanket again, but did not say a word. Wonder reached into a pack and pulled out some berries. There was an instant perk. Wonder held out his hand with the berries. “Here, are you…”

A shriveled hand grabbed the berries and instantly the blanket was a ball again. Though the clear sounds of eating could be heard.

Wonder said, “Wow… hungry.” And he thought he’d have to mash the berries up.

Wonder pulled out more berries, offering it when the hatchling was done. They went through about five handfuls before the hatchling was done. She peeked up at Wonder, the ruby eye now more curious than wary.

Wonder smiled gently. He then remembered something. Lightwraiths need light. “Want to go outside? I will be with you every moment.”

The hatchling’s eye widened in fear. But then there was a weak nod, and the blanket shoved off. Wonder was gifted with a small, toddler-sized female. Nearly every part of her was stark white, almost glowing. She wore a ragged dress, but that was filthy with dirt and blood. She was very skinny and seemed dried out.

Wonder held out his arms, and she climbed into them. Wonder gently carried her out.

Kat hissed, “Oh no…”

The hatchling quickly clawed into Wonder. With actual claws. Thankfully so tiny it only stung, but…

Wonder said, “Kat, back up. She’s still wary of humans.”

Kat nodded and quickly backed up a lot. Izuku tilted his head in curiousity, but got his wolves to back up.

Wonder nodded in approval, then sat on the steps of the wagon. Allowing the hatchling to stay in full sunlight. “Here you go. Light makes you feel better, right?”

The hatchling loosened her grip a bit, looking up at the sun. She then shifted so she was sitting on Wonder’s lap instead. She played with his purple hair.

Wonder giggled, rubbing her back. “There you go. That feels better, huh?”

He looked at Izuku, and debated. He then said, “That lil’ guy on the wolf is my son. His name is Izuku. Want to meet him?”

The hatchling looked at Izuku, who brightly smiled. She was quiet and still, then looked at the wolf. Izuku instantly got off and said, “Stormy stay here!”

He waddled a few steps. The hatchling relaxed, then started to climb off. She then spotted a Knight and scooted right back onto Wonder’s lap.

Wonder rubbed her back. “Hey… don’t worry. I’m not gonna let them hurt you. You’re family now.”

The hatchling looked up in confusion. She then said, “Da… da?”

Trust Levels Reached. You may now Adopt Lightwraith Hatchling. Ado…

Wonder hit the yes button so fast the readout wasn’t even done loading. He smiled down at his new daughter. “Yes. I’m your dada now. And Izuku is your brother.”

The hatchling looked at Izuku. “Bruh… tha.”

She giggled, finally smiling. “Brutha! Dada!”

Wonder smiled. “That’s right, Sakura… Brother and Dada.”

Then it happened.

ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: TWO UR MINIONS RECRUITED/ADOPTED!

TAMING LEVELS HAVE REACHED BEYOND REQUIRED LEVEL.

ADVANCED CLASS UNLOCKED: BEAST TAMER

DO YOU ACCEPT THIS…

Wonder didn’t even think twice. The moment he saw Beast Tamer was unlocked, he was slamming the damned button again.

He now needed an actual Beast, though.

Baby dragon was probably a good place to start, unless Izuku could teach him to tame wolves.