Pranked by a dude inside a fucking tree.

Just another day in Sayama.

It wouldn't hurt her pride so much if the old coot wouldn't stop cackling at her. Her forehead started to ache with how long she was frowning.

Stella's expression softened when the laughter was suddenly dampened by an unknown source. Then, she jumped back when the section of the tree trunk next to her twisted with a sickening sound. The thick bark contorted unnaturally, forming a sizeable cavity similar to the one she was tricked into pursuing.

The elder's fluffy head poked out of the newly formed hole like a squirrel. "Aw, flip that frown upside down! I do that with every newcomer!" He chuckled like a mischievous toddler.

Stella's face returned to her chiseled scowl.

The elder sighed. "Fine. I should've realized you'd be more of a sourpuss." Before the girl could lash out, he cleared his throat. "My name's Hōkō! I'm the elder and leader of this beautiful village called Pantsti! Welcome, Stella!"

The Human pinched the bridge of her nose. "No use holding a grudge, Stella. Just go with the flow."

The elder snickered again. Right, he could read her thoughts...

"I apologize, girl. There will be no thought-reading from now on, I promise! Though, I admit it's so tempting!" His untrustworthy, toothy grin and pearly white teeth practically goaded her to punch them into oblivion.

She closed her eyes, clenched her fists, then took deep breaths. "Calm down, damn it! These Wolves are just weirdos, that's all!"

After her eyes were open, she saw Hōkō's eyes now in a worried gaze. "I apologize, Human. I guess I was too excited for our meeting." He lowered his head, almost as if he was bowing. Hell, maybe he was.

Her eyes refused contact with his. "Fine. I'll let that slide."

His attitude brightened once again. "Great! It would be weird if we were left on bad terms. Makes training awkward, for sure!"

Wait, what did he say?

Stella raised an eyebrow. "Training? With you?"

"Of course! Teaching people about releasing and strengthening their Saniya is what I do all day, every day! Not much else to do stuck on a tree!" He examines her for a few seconds. "However, you're much older than the usual initiate..."

That comment made the girl uneasy. "Is that a problem?"

Hōkō shook his head. "No! Not at all! It's just curious how your people treat Saniya."

She nodded. "Tell me about it. I didn't know that was a thing until I saw Lien throw a spell. It was something I could only see in fantasy before."

The elder hummed. "I see. Then, I suppose these next few days will be quite enticing for you!" His bright, genuine smile reminded her of her pup friend.

"Have you taught Lien, too?"

"I've taught every single pup in Pantsti for generations! Even before I made this ancient tree my permanent home!"

Huh. Why didn't Stella question that earlier?

The girl's curiousness returned with full force. "Wait, you actually LIVE in this tree?! Why?! Do you stay there all day?"

Hōkō giggled at the Human's barrage of questions. "Oh, girl! I'm fond of you already!" He regained his composure, taking a deep breath. "I didn't jest. This pego tree is and will be my permanent home for centuries. As for why..." He winked mischievously. "I'll keep the boring details for my class, but let's just say there's a reason I'm alive for this long."

Stella's head projected the imagery of the old Wolf meditating hard enough so he could become one with the plants. Shit, would she need to meditate? It was so dull...

"Yes, meditating is part of the process, unfortunately."

"You said you wouldn't-"

He shrugged. "I lied. The temptation was too strong."

Stella narrowed her eyes, almost growling. "I don't like you very much."

The elder cackled. "And I'm too old to care! Now, do you want to defend yourself from those assassins or not?"

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That sentence pierced through her anger like that kunai did to her stomach. Callous comparison aside, Hōkō was right. Stella had to set aside her grievances with the old coot if she wanted a second chance in this forest.

She straightened her posture, resting her hands on her hips. "When can we start, coach?"

The elder smiled, then let out a yawn. "Tomorrow, child. I might not move much, but I get so easily tired at my age..." A branch next to him waved as if it was shooing Stella. "Go have fun with your girlfriend or your fellow Human."

Stella frowned. "Excuse me?! She's not my-" Her eyes widened. "Wait, you know about the Knight?!"

Hōkō nodded. "His mental defenses are formidable, but nothing I couldn't peel off with time. However, his good intentions are enough for me not to ruin his facade." He winked. "Don't tell him I know that. Or do it. I do not care either way!"

"Weird motherfucker..." She became more uneasy about what awaited her tomorrow with each passing second of his presence.

"S-Sure..." Stella's feet shifted unquietly. "I'll... let you sleep." She pointed her thumbs at the exit. "Tough day for me, too."

The elder yawned while nodding. "I've heard from Capt. Tash. It couldn't have been easy. But standing resolute despite these events says a lot about your courage. Your determination is admirable, child!"

Oh. The Human wasn't expecting that level of praise from Hōkō.

"You should rest for today." The elder advised. "However, I want to impart some wisdom to you. About Lien." The last sentence came with a weighty tone, still novel coming from his lips.

Stella's heartbeat bolted. She only nodded in response, afraid of even uttering a word.

"Young love is wonderful! There's no mistake about that!" Hōkō's closed his eyes, his voice carrying a sweet sense of nostalgia that was quickly replaced by a sober tone. "However, you have a tough road ahead regarding you know who."

The captain's threat echoed in her mind, making her wince.

"Now, you can forget asking me to read her mind and tell you whether she reciprocates your feelings. You have to take the leap of faith. Just comprehend that Tash has a reason for not bearing the sight of Humans..."

Stella's lowered her head. "The war..."

Hōkō tilted his head. "By that logic, everyone here should hate you. For some, that's more than enough. For others..."

The girl looked at him, puzzled. "I don't get it. Am I missing something?"

He shrugged. "Not my secret to tell. But maybe another one's lips are less sealed than mine."

That son of a bitch really enticed her curiosity, just to keep it vague? Bastard...

She sighed. "Thanks..." Then turned to the exit.

"Tomorrow morning, after the initiates! Asra will give you more details!"

Stella responded with a weak hand wave of acknowledgment.

Back in the village, she saw The Silver Knight in a secluded corner, busy talking to himself? Maybe he had one of those communicators in his ear, like in the movies.

He was pressing a button on the right side of his helmet. "So, yeah. All my planning went down the drain. I'd appreciate it if you refrain from laughing until the call ends!"

Hunch confirmed!

"Uh-huh. The girl is fine! Only an unfortunate incident with a Weasel, but I promptly healed her wound in a second!"

Well, Stella wouldn't say it was precisely in a second. Though, it could've been how she perceived time while agonizing and bleeding on the ground. Hard to say.

"Me?! I admit it's refreshing to finally have someone else know my identity. The assassin threat is nerve-wracking, though. Thank you for asking, Your Majesty!"

The girl's body froze. "Your Majesty?"

"I'm sorry for taking too much of your time! I'll be back as soon as possible! Have a nice day!" He let go of the button and then sighed while hunching his shoulders. "How will I fix this?"

Stella flashed a snarky smile. "Don't tell me a proud member of the Dragon's Guard doesn't know what to do!"

The hero gasped, jumping an impressive distance. Drama queen...

"S-Stella! How're you doing?!" A few fake drops of sweat flashed on top of his eyes. He had no control of his emotes, apparently.

The girl narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms. "Relax! Why're you acting like I caught you watching porn?"

He put his hands on his hips. "Okay, first, we must seriously talk about your foul language!"

She scoffed. "Whatever."

Asra lifted two fingers. "Second, I was speaking directly with Queen Malka! Hearing confidential information that could break the peace of this kingdom could burden you for life!"

Stella protested. "Do you NEED to be that dramatic with EVERYTHING!? Besides, it sounded more like small talk than anything else. I didn't know you two are friends."

The hero shook his head. "We're not. She's only my boss. I'm lucky she let me live under her roof in all her boundless compassion!" He clutched his hands above his chest while little stars replaced his eyes.

The girl couldn't hold her laughter. "I think you idolize her a bit TOO much."

The Knight became flustered. "Excuse me?! What are you implying?!"

She waved her arms. "Nothing! I'm just messing with you! Geez!"

He closed his fake eyes, then turned his head, tsundere-style. "Good. Rile me up like that, and I'll push you extra hard tomorrow!"

Stella blinked twice. "Tomorrow? I thought it would be Hōkō!"

Asra puffed his chest. "The elder's Saniya class is only HALF your training regimen! In the next evenings, you'll take your body to its limits with ME! The Silver Knight!"

Why did he keep making the same pose EVERY TIME he shouted his stage name? She had to respect how committed he was to the character.

But, hey! She wouldn't spend all day with that weird old coot! Now, she would spend the rest with a caped, eccentric guy in spandex, too! Wasn't this the best?!

Being Robin must suck ass...

Stella punched the air a few times. "Bring it, hero! I'll knock you cold before you know it!" Whatever weirdness would come her way, it was worth the results. Just thinking about it makes her blood pump hotter than ever!

The guard lifted his fist in the air. "That's the spirit! And I'm ready to prove your boastful claim wrong one of these days!" He clenched his knuckle so hard the girl could hear his rubber glove almost tearing apart. "Also, how did your meeting with Hōkō go?"

Stella kept silent for about a minute, gradually making Asra's helmet emote more concerned.

Should she tattle on the elder? He said he didn't care, so...

"Ste-"

"HE KNOWS YOUR SECRET IDENTITY!"

His "eyes" grew the size of watermelons.

"STELLA, WHAT THE F-"