(Author Note: Since I got so many suggestions during the Extra I posted, I’ve decided to close the poll early and start a new one at a later date. Isa’s next form is necessary for the story progression I have in mind so it’ll come before the fairy form, which will come next because it won the poll.)
>Arical, Fenrir Castle<
“Any news about the whereabouts of that idiot leader of the cats?” a cold voice echoed throughout the throne room of a castle completely made out of ice, causing the messenger kneeling in the center of the room to break out in sweat despite the freezing temperatures.
“I’m sorry to say that our scouts have been unable to locate him, Your Highness.” the messenger stated, doing his best not to stutter.
The woman sitting on the throne clicked her tongue.
“Useless idiots. Continue your search and report back to me the moment you find him, understood?” she commanded.
“Yes, Your Highness!” the messenger replied before hurrying out of the room.
The woman seated on the throne let out a sigh, and brushed a pale hand through her flowing silver hair. A giggle from the maid standing the left of her drew her attention.
“Is something amusing to you, Miliana?” she asked the maid.
“It’s just that ever since your loss to Garn, you’ve been chasing after his whereabouts non-stop. It’s almost like you’re stalking him. Did little Rei finally take an interest in a boy?” Miliana teased, making the other woman’s pale face blush
“M-Mili! It’s not like that!” she pouted, causing Miliana to giggle again.
“You haven’t changed a bit since our childhood, Reina. Still as cute as ever.” Miliana said with a smile.
“You’re the only person who calls me cute these days, Mili.” Reina said with a sigh.
“That’s because you always have such an intense look on your face whenever the two of us aren’t alone.”
“Of course I do. I’m the queen of the Fenrir Spike Wolves, which is the tribe that leads all the other canine type Werebeasts. I have to appear strong at all times to that I can maintain control of my kingdom. That’s why I need to find Garn and crush him.” Reina said firmly as Miliana sighed.
“Your duties as queen also include finding an heir to succeed you, Reina. You really should put more effort into either finding a mate or a worthy child to adopt.”
“Hmph. All the males I’ve met are unworthy of my attention and I don’t have time to look for a kid let alone raise one. It’ll have to wait until I’ve finished my business with the stupid lion.” Reina said in a huff, eliciting another sigh from Miliana.
“In that case, shall I inform you of the location of your foe?” a third voice said suddenly, breaking into the conversation.
““?!””
Reina and Miliana looked to the doorway of the throne room, shocked that they hadn’t sensed the presence of the room’s third occupant.
Standing in front of the closed doorway, was a man of about average height with a skinny build. He wore a black tuxedo, with a white undershirt and black tie. On top of his carefully groomed black hair stood a black top hat and a black cane was tucked under his right arm, held in place by a white gloved hand. His face was hidden by a plain white jester mask, with three curved slits place where his eyes and mouth should be. In front of the left eye slit, a monocle was attached.
“Who the hell are you and how did you get in here?!” Reina growled.
“Oh my. It seems I’ve forgotten to introduce myself. Please excuse my poor manners, my fair lady.” the man said, unphased by the murderous aura Reina was putting out.
“I have many names, but you may address me as Mad Hatter. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintances, Lady Reina and Lady Miliana.” he continued, tipping his hat to the two women.
“Hmph. So then, you say you have have information on Garn’s whereabouts?” Reina said, withdrawing her aura.
“Ah, straight to business I see. Very well then. But before that, a suggestion if I may?” he asked, the slightly cheery tone he spoke with never faltering.
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“And what would that be?”
“Since your goal is to show your strength to your people, why fight him in his element when you can instead force him to fight in yours for all to see?”
“And just how do you propose I do that? Get to the point already!” Reina shouted.
“It’s quite simple. You see, while you may not be concerning yourself with an heir just yet, Sir Garn has found himself one and has become quite attached to the young miss. If you were to take her hostage, he would be sure to come looking for her.” Mad Hatter said unhurriedly.
“You do realize that this could lead to an all out war between the us and felines Werebeasts, do you not? And what do you hope to gain from telling us this information?” Miliana cut in, clearly distrustful of the masked stranger.
“Ah, excellent questions, Lady Miliana. Now as for the answers, they both stem from the same source. You see the lady I serve under is quite bored. So it has become my duty to travel the world, recording interesting happenings and bringing them back to Milady. Sometimes the things I record are the natural happenings of the world, but other times I help events flow towards a more… entertaining direction. So to answer your questions Lady Miliana, I am indeed aware that this could lead to quite the scuffle between your two sides. In fact, it is exactly the outcome I am hoping for. But why should it matter to you? The feline Werebeasts have been your rivals for many generations now, so why shy away from confronting them now?” he said, horrifyingly calm for someone who was proposing all out war.
“Why you-” Miliana started to growl, but stopped when Reina held her hand out.
“Where can I find this girl?” Reina asked Mad Hatter.
“Ah, I was hoping that you would see things my way. Now then, the heir of Sir Garn, a young miss by the name of Styra, lives together with him on the northern edge of the Forest of Change. Am I correct in assuming you know where that is?” the man replied, delighted that Reina had chosen to accept his suggestion.
“How could I not? This winter island of Arical is directly southeast of the Artam continent.” Reina said with a nod.
“Excellent! Now that my business here is finished, I shall take my leave. I look forward to seeing how thing play out! Farewell, my fair ladies!” Mad Hatter said, tipping his hat again before slowly sinking down through the floor. Once he was completely gone, Reina turned to Miliana.
“Give the order to our best assassins that the northern portion of the Forest of Change is to be searched for Garn and his daughter, Styra. Tell them they are to remain unnoticed at all times. Once the girl is alone they are to capture her and bring her to me, alive and unharmed.” she commanded, in a tone that made clear that she was not to be argued with.
“Yes ma’am…” Miliana sighed in a defeated tone and left the room. Satisfied, Reina sat back on her throne with a smug grin on her face.
“Fufufu...At long last, it’s finally time for some payback, Garn.”
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Cookie Corner
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Today’s recipients of the “Good Job!” cookies are: Irina_Akashira and Titans!
Irina_Akashira: Gave me the idea for a rival tribe of the Nemeans.
Titans: suggested the Fenrir race
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Author Corner
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And so begins Volumne 2 of TFO!
I have updated the list of races in “Extra 1” so be sure to check it out. If you don’t see your suggestion, it means I either don’t like it, don’t know where to put it, or haven’t got to it yet.
There are still a bunch of them I have yet to put on there so keep checking back every chapter.
That’s all I have to say for now, but if I remember anything I’ll add a P.S.
GrandFinale, over and out!