Standing in front of Felix was Fea. At least, an image of her. With long silver hair, frosty blue eyes and porcelain skin, she was the definition of a proper ‘lady.’

She wore a silver-white dress that ended past her knees. Upon her head, she wore a small, vibrant crown. Even in the frozen picture, it seemed to shimmer in different colors.

She was… Beautiful didn’t do her justice. Felix’s heart instantly recognized her and, for a moment, ached for her touch. Yet, the feeling quickly subsided. She was with him, forever…

There was just one small problem with this perfect image of Fea. She had her tongue sticking out and making a face.

The juxtaposition really threw Felix for a loop.

So embarrassing…

The voice came from deep within his soul, startling him from his lingering stare.

No one was supposed to find this, Fea continued. I added this to the portal frame as my own personal joke.

Blinking, Felix could only find himself starting to laugh. The thought that a queen, the Dragon Queen, would make such a thing and hide it was far too hilarious.

For what purpose?! Why would you make something like this? he asked after settling down. Meanwhile, the others were staring at him with a mixture of surprise and concern.

Her response came a moment later. I was…bored. It was a frustrating time and I needed a distraction. I created this, knowing no one would find it, to feel better.

Her image vanished and with it, Fea’s consciousness started to fade back into slumber.

Wait! Felix called out to her. Is it… Is the portal broken?

He felt her stirring in his soul once more but it was faint. Yes…

Can it be fixed?

It can, but not by anyone here.

Then who? Is there someone we can ask for? Can Master Realgar–

My enchantments are beyond him. However, there is someone who can.

Who? he asked with baited breath. Getting the portal working once more was a top priority for him.

I can.

The moment she said the words, he felt mana swelling up from her.

Hold out your hand and touch it. It will be quick and then… And then I must slumber once more.

Felix did as he was told and touched the archway. “F– I can fix it,” he said, catching himself. Noria was still next to him and she didn’t know about Fea.

“Wait, you can?” Noria shook her head. "But what was…” Felix didn’t catch the rest of her sentence as he was already back to focusing.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Mana flowed out towards his arm, then to his hand, and finally, his fingers.

In a dazzling flash that rivaled what Aluin had done, the archway pulsed and came alive. Only, this time, it did not fade. No, the portal began to thrum, it vibrated in place as traces deep within it began to mend…

With a gasp, Felix pulled away. It was done, and true to her word, Fea was gone. “There…”

Before him the inky void of the portal returned.

“It’s working again…” Noria muttered, shocked. “How did you do that?!” she continued, this time much louder. “What is going on?! You managed to fix the portal so effortlessly– And then there was last night…”

He gave her a tired smile, his head still felt dizzy. “It’s a long story and not one I wish to share. Anyway, thank you for your help, Noria.”

She didn’t look satisfied but as she glanced at the others she realized she wasn’t going to get any explanation from them. In fact, Aluin made that obvious as he spoke up.

“Everyone has their secrets, and sometimes it's best not to pry. This is one of those times.”

Noria opened her mouth to argue but quickly thought better of it. “I…understand.” She quickly looked around the room before speaking again. “If there isn’t anything else you need from me, I will take my leave.”

“Go,” Felix said. “You’ve been a huge help, thank you again.”

She gave him and Eri a bow before rushing off.

As she left, Felix ended the portal by touching the archway and then brought his attention to the Sage.

“We have something important to discuss.”

“I am listening.” Aluin gestured for him to continue.

Felix told him and the others about what Calinna showed him, he told them of his decision.

***

“Are you sure about this?” The Sage asked gravely.

“I am.”

Eri was the next to speak. “Why?”

“Let me show you, and then you will understand.” Felix closed his eyes and brought forth the recent memory, sharing it with his family.

A moment passed and Eri furrowed her brow. “I see…”

“That storm, the big one. If it decides to move, to act, there will be no stopping it. The smaller one is just a taste of what it can do, and it alone is containing the magic of the tree.”

Aluin stroked his chin in thought before saying, “If what you are saying is true– And judging by everyone’s expressions, I’m assuming so. Then, I have no objections. Still, chaos isn’t something to make light of.”

Felix nodded. “But chaos isn’t inherently bad. And sometimes, it is necessary. Still, I will accept the consequences as they come.”

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

“Indeed, and I hope so.”

With those words, the conversation came to an end.

Felix gave a respectful nod to the Sage before taking a deep breath. “I suppose with that all said, we should probably get out there and help.”

“Yeah…” Eri said, sounding distant. No doubt she was still reeling from his memory.

Are you okay? he asked her as they started making their way out of the hatchery.

Can I lie? Her response was meant to be sarcasm but it sounded far too genuine for his taste.

You can if you want to.

She didn’t immediately speak, but Felix could tell she was trying to work out her own feelings. He decided to say more.

It’s terrifying, I know. But the tree produced that apple. I think it was a sign, perhaps a warning too… In any case, I’ve made my decision.

You know, shouldn’t we be making these decisions together? Like a family? Zira asked, clearly frustrated by his decision, and who could blame her? Especially, after everything he had said about doing things together.

But Felix shook his head no. It’s not that simple. We did not have time to discuss it– I didn’t have time. I had to make a choice right there and then. Either those storms succeed and crush our new future or I take a chance, a gamble.

A gamble that might cost you your life… Zira grumbled.

So be it then.

Felix was no longer going to remain idle or wait for others to make decisions. He was no longer going to hide from what was coming. He would meet it head on.

And tonight, I will learn about my old self…

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Solanna took a deep breath as she steadied herself once more. Her vision was dark, blinded by a strip of cloth she had tied around her head.

“I’m ready. Do it.”

She heard the sound of the target begin to swing and, in one swift motion, she brought her bow up and loosed an arrow…

It struck true, hitting the target dead center.

Solanna and her brother were practicing their archery. She, specifically, was trying something new. She was honing her skills with magic.

“Impressive as always…” her brother, Yedril, muttered from the side. He was becoming frustrated from his lack of success at the same challenge.

“Yedril, you shouldn’t be so hard on yourself. You’ve come a long way already,” she said, meaning every word. “Your proficiency with the bow is on par with most hunters–”

He scoffed. “Doubtful of that.”

Solanna took her blindfold off and looked at him. “I’m serious. Most hunters aren’t like me or Tracker. But they are good enough to bring meat for an entire tribe.”

“That’s the problem,” Yedril hissed under his breath. “I need to be as good as you and Tracker.”

“No you don’t. Your skills in cooking far surpass anything I ever could make. And, I dare say, you might end up becoming a legendary chef like… Well… Chef.“

She continued. “With how good you’ve gotten with your bow, not only could you feed a tribe you could also make the best damn meal any of them have ever had.”

Her brother rolled his eyes. “That’s all well and good, sis. But, are you forgetting why I am even training? Did you forget what Felix said is coming?”

“I haven’t… Nor have I forgotten what happened here only two days ago,” she said furrowing her brow. “I remember Calinna dying. I remember the terrified looks. And most importantly, I remember leaving the other hunters to their fate while I myself fled to the safety of the hatchery.”

Yedril took a step back while giving her a placating look. All the while, Falzan whimpered at her feet.

“Sorry,” Yedril said. “I didn’t mean it like that–”

“I know, and I know why you are putting so much effort into this. But even at your current skill, you are sufficient enough.”

Her brother let out a sigh and came towards her. “Hey sis? Do you think we stand an actual chance?”

She took his question seriously and gave it some thought. “It won't be easy. I doubt the humans will send their weakest men out to fight. Not to mention we don’t even have an army of our own…”

Her brother deflated a bit at that.

“…But, we do have a lot going for us as well. We have the Sages, we have the dragons, and–” she pointed to the colossal tree “–We have Felix.”

Yedril cocked an eye at her and gave her an amused hum. “Felix? Really? And here I thought you didn’t like him.”

“I never said that!” she shouted, annoyed once more at him. “It’s true I do question him, but I question others as well. Especially someone I happen to be related to.”

He threw open his hands. “Whoa, calm down. I was merely joking… But, I am serious about what you meant.”

She let out a sigh of her own. “Look, it’s complicated. But if someone can do that–” again, she pointed to the tree “–then they are a force to be reckoned with.”

“Hmm…” Yedril gave her a sly look. “You aren’t developing feelings for him, are you– OW!”

He fell to the ground, clutching at his crotch. Solanna had kicked him, hard.

She leaned over him as he writhed where he fell. “For the record, no, I’m not interested in him. Not like that.” However, what she didn’t say was, she did have an eye on one person…

“Now, get up! It’s your turn! And this time, try not to hit me!”

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After leaving the hatchery, Noria found herself bumping into Lorem. Her fiance had gone out to train and had taken Tzarin and Azelea with him.

“Noria! What are you doing out here?” he asked as if surprised to see her.

“I’ve finished my work on the portal,” she answered tersely, crossing her arms.

“Oh? I thought it would take longer– I mean, I know you saying that it was complex and would be difficult…” he trailed off, his tone filled with nervousness.

“It was, but apparently Felix can just fix it!” She said with frustration, completely missing his signs that something was amiss. “What’s worse is, everyone seems to think it’s fine. He grows a magical tree and no one seems to question it!”

Lorem calmed himself down before he spoke again. “Well, if I’m being honest, nothing has really been normal since I came here. Felix is…strange, but in a good way. Don’t get me wrong, there is definitely something unique about him but it's not my place to figure it out.”

“Master Aluin said something similar,” she said with a sigh. “I suppose you and him are right though, everyone has some secrets they don’t wish to share.”

Noria shook her head and finally addressed Lorem properly. “Anyway, what are you doing? Done training already?”

He suddenly froze, but Azelea had no such issues.

We go see Haldria! her partner said excitedly.

Noria raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Azelea says you’re going to see Haldria. Why?”

Lorem let out a nervous chuckle. “Well… You see… She has, uh… She has a gift for us!”

“A…gift?”

“Yeah! She wanted me to come and pick it up…”

“Only you?” she asked, narrowing her eyes. What is that woman up to now?

“W-well, not exactly but she came and found me… I figured I’ll go and see what this is all about, I knew you would be busy after all.”

“She didn’t tell you?”

Lorem swallowed and shook his head no.

Oh, he definitely knows… “Well then, how about we go together?” she said with a twisted smile. “If it's a gift for the two of us, then it would only make sense for both of us to go. At the very least, I can give her my proper thanks.”

Trapped, Lorem could only agree. “L-lead the way,” he stammered.

They, along with Tzarin and Azelea, set off for Haldria’s tent…