— I'm glad you're here! — said one of the scientists, with a relieved tone.

— What's wrong with the mini-ghoul? — exclaimed Fernanda, rushing in, accompanied by the scientists.

— He's agitated, it's better for you to see him than for us to try to explain! — said one of the scientists, with concern in his voice.

They went to the room where the mini-ghoul was.

— He's really agitated... Why is that? — exclaimed Fernanda, seeing the mini-ghoul in his nervous state.

— It was sudden. He started banging on the bars and has been like that since just before we called you! — explained the scientist, with a tense expression.

— Isn't it hunger? — exclaimed Fernanda, looking for a simple explanation.

— No, we tried to throw a ghoul to him and he ate it, but he continued to be agitated! — said the scientist, with a confused look.

— So it's not hunger... How strange! — Fernanda murmured, frowning.

— Strange, huh? When you see the video we recorded of him before he got agitated, maybe you'll understand. — said the scientist, trying to convince Fernanda to watch it.

On the monitor, the camera's video showed the mini-ghoul sleeping peacefully. Fernanda watched intently.

Suddenly, in the video, the ghoul stood up and stared at the ceiling.

— Did he get scared? — Fernanda exclaimed, with a worried expression.

— It seems that's what happened... But watch! — said the scientist, pointing to the screen.

The mini-ghoul stood there, staring at the ceiling. In a few seconds, he said:

— "Monarch"!

Shortly after, the mini-ghoul began to bang on the bars frantically.

— And now he's been like that ever since! — concluded the scientist, worried about the situation.

— "Monarch"? What does that mean? — exclaimed Fernanda, intrigued.

— We don't know... It was the only time he said anything! — said the scientist, not understanding.

— Maybe the boy can get some information. I'll call him and let him talk to the ghoul! — said Fernanda, with an idea.

— Do it! — replied the scientist, with urgency in her voice.

Fernanda walked away and started calling Kay.

On the plane, Kay's cell phone started ringing in her pocket.

— Aren't you going to answer it? — exclaimed Rem, looking at the cell phone.

— It's Kay's cell phone. — said Mira, quickly identifying it.

— It could be Fernanda or one of the girls. — said Rem, with a worried expression.

Mira took the cell phone from Kay's pocket.

— It's Fernanda! — said Mira, looking at the cell phone.

— It must be about the mini-ghoul. Answer it! — said Raven, urgently.

Mira answered and put it on speakerphone.

— I need you to order the mini-ghoul to calm down and I need you to get some information out of him! — Fernanda said, with urgency in her voice.

— So... Kay is sleeping! — Mira said, with a tone of frustration.

— Wake him up! This is urgent! — Fernanda said, impatiently.

— Okay! — Mira replied, with determination.

She picked up the coffee pot and poured some into the cup, bringing it to Kay's nose.

Kay, still asleep, picked up the cup and drank the coffee.

— Wake up! — Mira exclaimed, lightly hitting Kay.

But Kay was still unconscious. Mira poured more coffee into the cup and repeated the process. Kay reacted again, drinking the coffee, but remained unconscious.

— He's not waking up! He just started sleeping! — Mira said, frustrated.

— Try to wake him up, this is urgent. Call me when you can! — Fernanda said, anxious.

— Okay, but what's wrong with the mini-ghoul? — Mira exclaimed, pouring more coffee into the cup.

— He's agitated, but before that, he seemed scared and said one word: "monarch"! — Fernanda explained, through the call.

— "Monarch"? What does that mean? — Mira exclaimed, confused.

— A sovereign! — Rem exclaimed, trying to help understand.

— That's for humans, but what does it mean for ghouls? — Fernanda exclaimed, with a growing doubt.

— Doesn't it have the same meaning? That must be why he was scared! — Rem said, thoughtfully.

— But that doesn't make sense... There are no other ghouls alive here at the institute, so there's no reason for him to be scared! — Fernanda stated, with a confused expression.

— It was just an opinion... In fact, a ghoul speaking a human word is already a case we should pay attention to! — Rem said seriously.

— I informed the captain that you were already heading to the second division. He said to keep up this pace! I need you to wake Kay up so we can get more information! — Fernanda said urgently.

— Damn it! This is the last chance! — Mira exclaimed, determined.

She removed the cap from the coffee bottle.

— Are you really going to do this? — Sarah exclaimed, surprised.

— If he doesn't wake up now, it will only be when we reach the second division base! — Mira said, with a mischievous smile.

She placed the bottle near Kay's nose. He reacted, holding the bottle and drinking the coffee.

— Sometimes I think he lost the sensitivity in his throat and tongue! The hot coffee, and he drank it as if it were water! — Raven said, with a surprised expression.

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Kay finished drinking all the coffee from the bottle.

"I drank all the coffee? And now I'm going to be without it for the rest of the trip?" Kay exclaimed, waking up and looking at the girls.

"Doesn't he look different?" Sarah exclaimed, surprised by the transformation.

"It's like an energy drink... Now he's excited and full of energy!" Rem said, with a smile.

"That's why I don't let him drink all the coffee at once!" Mira commented, with an alert look.

Kay laid her head on Mira's lap and took her cell phone.

"Is it so bad to make Mira give me the bottle?" Kay exclaimed, with a mischievous smile.

"I need you to order the ghoul to be quiet and try to get information about the meaning of the word "monarch"." Fernanda said urgently.

"Okay, put him on the video call and let me talk to him!" Kay said, pulling Mira's hand to her face, with a determined look.

— What's gotten into him? — Raven exclaimed, surprised by Kay's sudden change.

— I told you... It's like an energy drink. His heartbeat is racing, which means his body is hot! — Rem said, explaining the situation.

— You mean he's...? — Raven exclaimed, with a worried expression.

— Very little! — Rem replied, with a light laugh.

Mira was petting Kay.

— He seems to want to be spoiled! — Sarah commented, with a smile.

— I told you, it's little, but it happens! — Rem replied, with a playful tone.

— Spoiled? — Raven exclaimed, confused.

— Did you think it was something else? — Rem exclaimed, laughing lightly.

— He's going to try to talk to the mini-ghoul! — Fernanda said, with renewed certainty.

— Just put it near the microphone, I'll activate it! — said one of the scientists, adjusting the equipment.

— He's agitated... Lucky he can't break it! — Kay said, looking closely at the screen.

— Block your camera, Kay! — Raven whispered, with a worried tone.

Kay obeyed immediately. The girls also approached, eager to observe the screen.

— He's listening, you can talk! — the scientist said, with a firm voice.

— You can talk, Kay! — Fernanda said, on the other end of the line, with a confident tone.

— Mini-ghoul! — Kay said, clearly and authoritatively.

On the screen, the mini-ghoul was hanging from the bar, suddenly still, as if waiting.

— Return to the center. I have some questions! — Kay ordered, maintaining a firm posture.

The mini-ghoul seemed restless, but obeyed, slowly sitting in the center of the cage.

— Knock on the bars once for yes and twice for no. Have you eaten today? — Kay asked, with a serious tone, trying to understand the ghoul's behavior.

The mini-ghoul knocked once on the fence with his tentacle.

“Is this right?” Kay exclaimed, with a doubtful expression, to Fernanda.

The mini-ghoul knocked once again, thinking it was with him.

“Yes, it is!” Fernanda replied, affirming with confidence.

“Why are you agitated? Is it because of this “monarch” thing?” Kay exclaimed, with a tense voice, as she observed the mini-ghoul.

The mini-ghoul knocked once again on the fence.

“Is it a problem?” Kay exclaimed, worried.

The mini-ghoul knocked once more, confirming.

“Is this monarch a ghoul?” Kay exclaimed, frowning as she looked at the screen.

The mini-ghoul knocked once on the fence, confirming.

“And are you scared?” — Kay asked, her voice thick with tension.

The mini-ghoul stood still, without answering.

“Is he strong?” Kay insisted.

Once again, the mini-ghoul knocked on the grate, confirming.

“Stronger than the captain?” Kay asked, skeptically.

This time, the mini-ghoul didn’t answer.

“Stronger than that human who faced you in the cave?” Kay asked, trying to probe deeper.

The mini-ghoul knocked once, confirming.

— Are you sure about that? — Kay asked, now with a more serious tone.

The mini-ghoul knocked again, without hesitation.

“Stronger than me?” — Kay asked, staring at the screen.

The mini-ghoul remained still, hesitant.

“When he doesn’t answer, it’s because he’s not sure, right?” — Kay concluded.

The mini-ghoul knocked once, confirming his theory.

“That seems problematic…” Kay murmured thoughtfully.

“A ghoul stronger than my father? That’s impossible!” — Mira said in disbelief.

“I don’t believe that either!” — the other girls agreed, along with Rem.

Kay looked up at the screen, her expression tense. “If he’s agitated now, does that mean this monarch is coming over there?”

The mini-ghoul stood still again.

“You don’t know… Can you locate him?” — Kay asked.

The mini-ghoul knocked twice, denying.

“Can’t you? Then why did you get agitated today? Is this ghoul acting up?” Kay exclaimed.

The mini-ghoul knocked once, confirming.

“Wait a minute! Is this ghoul smart?” Kay asked, narrowing her eyes.

Once again, the mini-ghoul knocked on the fence, confirming.

“And can he order other ghouls?” Kay insisted.

The mini-ghoul knocked again.

“Is there a strong ghoul going there?” Kay asked, her voice getting firmer.

The mini-ghoul knocked once, confirming again.

“Is this ghoul stronger than the captain?” Kay asked, doubt evident in her voice.

The mini-ghoul stood still.

“Were you able to locate this ghoul before?” Kay asked, trying to fit the pieces together.

The mini-ghoul knocked twice, denying.

"So, you mean you couldn't do it before, but now he's gotten closer?" Kay deduced, her eyes fixed on the screen.

The mini-ghoul knocked once, confirming.

Kay took a deep breath, staring at Fernanda. "Damn it... Call the captain and order the entire army to return and stand guard over the kingdom!"

"I'll do it," Fernanda replied urgently.

"We're returning!" Kay announced, ending the call.

"Okay!" Fernanda replied before the connection was cut.

Rem watched Kay with a doubtful expression. "Do you believe that?"

"He has no reason to lie." Kay sighed, clenching her fist. "Tell Alex and Brenda that we're heading home."

"Okay!" Sarah replied, getting up to go to the cockpit.

"I'll call Thais. She was in Mineforde," Mira said.

— I'll try to call Fiona. — Raven said.

— Explain it to them. — Kay ordered, adjusting her posture.

Rem frowned, looking at him. — Are you really going to believe that there's a ghoul stronger than my husband?

— I don't want to believe it. — Kay replied, with a distant look.

A few seconds later, Raven lowered her cell phone. — She's not answering!

— Not here either! — Mira said, frustrated.

Before they could react, Kay received a call.

— Did you get an answer? — he asked, answering quickly.

— That’s a problem. All the statistics from the suits show that the soldiers’ heartbeats are elevated. The captain is in combat! — Fernanda said, her voice tense.

“Dad!” — Mira exclaimed, alarmed.

Kay took a deep breath. — Free the mini-ghoul. Tell him to go kill this ghoul. Can you talk to the captains?

“I can,” Fernanda replied.

“Great. Have ten ghouls separated and left outside the base, and start by calling Captain Renji, then Yumi, and lastly Haruki. Leave another ten ghouls separated at the institute.”

“I’ll talk to them, but... Why?” Fernanda asked, confused.

“I’m going ahead,” Kay said, ending the call before hearing more.

Raven’s eyes widened. “It’s more than a day’s flight! It’s impossible!”

“Don’t worry. It’ll work out.” — Kay replied, adjusting her weapons.

“She’s right. It’s impossible! Trust my husband!” — Rem said, exasperated.

Kay went to the cockpit and returned in a few seconds.

“It’s not that I don’t believe him, but I want to be sure,” he said, determined.

Suddenly, the back door of the plane began to open.

“Sarah, use the tentacles!” — Kay ordered, running to the back of the aircraft.

Sarah promptly obeyed, blocking the girls’ path and preventing things from falling out of the plane.

“Wait!” Mira shouted, trying to reach him.

“I’ll wait for you there, with the others!” — Kay said, putting on her mask before jumping out of the aircraft.

“Kay!” Rem shouted, irritated.

“Close it!” — Sarah ordered.

Alex obeyed, and the back of the plane began to close, bringing calm into the cabin. Sarah retracted her tentacles.

“How did you know that was what he wanted?” — Raven asked, looking at Sarah.

“Because he’s the only one who manifests wings.” — Sarah replied, crossing her arms.

“That boy sometimes irritates me…” — Rem murmured.

“Mom?” Mira called, worried.

“Let’s go back.” — Rem said, taking a deep breath and sitting down in her seat.

They had no choice but to wait.

“Call Fernanda and ask for support from the fifth division!” — Raven suggested.

“We don’t have her number.” — Mira replied.

“Call Emilia and ask the king to ask for reinforcements!” — Raven insisted.

— Don't do that. It'll only worry people. If he was going to call for backup, Kay would have talked to Fernanda before jumping out of the plane like a madman. — Rem retorted, irritated.

— He must not have... — Raven began, hesitantly.

— He's your boyfriend. You should know he's reckless and lazy, but when it comes to killing ghouls and protecting people, he comes up with the best plan. — Rem replied, with a slight tone of admiration.

Suddenly, Raven received a call.

— Unknown number! — Raven murmured, before answering.

— Kay used the limit break! — Fernanda said, on the call.

— He what?! — Raven exclaimed, worried.

— Who is it? — Mira asked.

— Kay used the limit break! — Raven repeated.

— No way! — Mira said, showing concern.

— Is he okay? — Raven asked, still on the call.

— It seems that his heart rate is high, but it was already like that on the plane, wasn't it? — Fernanda asked.

— So he's okay? — Raven insisted.

— Yes, for now. But that's something he shouldn't use like that! — Fernanda replied.

— He'll be fine. Did they release the mini-ghoul? — Raven asked.

— They're going to take him in the cage to near Mineforde and release him there! — Fernanda said.

— Be quick! — Raven exclaimed.

— I'm going back to the base. It's better to keep track of everyone's statistics there. — Fernanda concluded.

— Okay! — Raven replied, ending the call.

— What did she say? — Mira asked.

— Kay is fine, and the people from the institute are going to take the mini-ghoul in the cage and release him near Mineforde. — Raven explained.

Meanwhile, Kay flew at high speed, cutting through the sky with the enormous wings of the suit, like a true dark angel advancing towards the battlefield.

Scene changes to before Fernanda's call, in Mineforde.