The Animal Kingdom

It had been days of travel, and now here I was, kneeling on the forest
floor, my knees sinking into the dirt. I tried to keep my breathing steady, focusing on the faint crimson
glow surrounding me. The light pulsed softly in the dimness under the towering trees, but the warmth
running through my hands felt unstable, like it could slip away at any second.
“Come on… just hold it together,” I muttered under my breath, but the frustration in my voice didn’t help.
It flickered, and then—nothing. The glow was gone. Again.
I gritted my teeth, trying not to let the weight of my failures crush me. Kuro had made it very clear I
needed to figure this out. His voice still rang in my ears: “If you want to keep yourself safe out here, kid,
you’re going to need more than healing. There are worse things than wild beasts out here.”
I hated how much his words were true, but even more than that, I hated the memory of being
powerless. Layne, Lyra—I’d stood there like an idiot while my friends got hurt, too weak to protect them.
That feeling had burned itself into me, and no matter what, I wasn’t going to let it happen again.
I clenched my fists, willing the magic to come back. I could do this. I had to do this. But as much as I
tried to control it, the glow refused to stay. It was like the power itself was mocking me.
Behind me, Kuro chuckled. I turned to glare at him—he always seemed to find my struggles amusing.
He was leaning against a massive redwood, his usual smug smirk in place, flask dangling from his
fingers like he didn’t have a care in the world.
“Not bad, kid,” he said, raising the flask slightly like he was making a toast. “But crimson magic doesn’t
work like that. You can’t just shove your emotions down and expect it to listen. You have to channel
them—control through connection, not suppression... At least, that's what someone more professional
might say,” he added with a crooked grin.
“Easy for you to say,” I muttered, wiping my hands on my thighs. My voice was sharp, but I could feel
the heat rising in my cheeks. He made it sound so simple.
“Hey,” he said with a shrug, “you’re the one who asked for training. Don’t get snippy with me.”
I rolled my eyes. “I’m not snippy.”
“You’re totally snippy, kid. Look, we’re almost there. One more step, and we’ll be at the border of
Hytalia and the Animal Kingdom. Focus up, kid. We’re almost there, and I need you sharp.”
I sighed and got to my feet, brushing off my dirt-covered knees. Around us, the massive trees loomed
like silent guardians, their branches weaving together far above to form a dense canopy that blocked
out most of the light. Ahead, the forest gave way to a deep ravine, the kind that made my stomach drop
just looking at it. Shadows filled the chasm, and the stone bridge stretching across it didn’t look much
sturdier than the fallen logs we’d crossed days ago. Beyond the bridge was Hytalia—the edge of
everything I've learned so far.
Kuro pointed toward the bridge. “That’s our way across. The city’s got a magical barrier—no one gets in
without permission.” He paused, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. “But don’t worry, I’ve got friends.”
“Friends?”
Before he could answer, a shout echoed from the other side of the ravine. I turned and squinted,
spotting two figures running toward us, one of them waving both arms like they were trying to flag us
down. When they got closer, I realized… they had ears. Like actual, twitching, cat ears.
The first woman had white hair tied into loose braids that trailed behind her as she ran. Her tunic,
adorned with playful tassels, fluttered with each step, and she practically radiated energy. “Kuro!” she
shouted, sprinting straight at him.
Before I could blink, she threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around him in a bear hug. Kuro
stumbled slightly but caught her, looking vaguely annoyed.
“Not in front of the kid, Ana,” he muttered, patting her awkwardly on the back.
The woman, Anabella apparently, released him and spun toward me, her eyes widening. “Oh my gosh,
aren’t you just the cutest thing!” She bounced forward, her excitement bubbling over. “What’s your
name? How old are you? Are you training to be a mage?” Anabella’s eyes narrowed suddenly, her tone
shifting from excitement to concern. “Have you been traveling with Kuro? What’s he been doing? Is he
treating you right?” She leaned in conspiratorially. “Want me to kill him?”
I stepped back instinctively, my mouth opening and closing as I tried to figure out what to say. Before I
could answer, the other woman stepped forward. Her dark hair framed her calm, serious face, and her
leather vest and steady stance screamed “bodyguard.”
“Easy, Ana,” she said, placing a hand on Anabella’s shoulder. Her voice was soothing, but there was a
firmness to it that made me instantly feel safer. “You’re scaring her.”
Anabella stopped bouncing and gave me a sheepish smile.
Kuro took the opportunity to jump in. “Aria, meet Anabella and Yuki. We used to adventure together.”
He gestured between them. “Ana’s a little… much. Yuki keeps her in line.”
Anabella pouted, crossing her arms. “I’m not that bad.”
Yuki’s lips twitched, like she was suppressing a smile. “Right.”
Kuro jumped in, smirking. “Hey, compared to me, you’re all amateurs. Relax, I’m a great teacher. Right,
Aria?”
“Oh no,” I groaned, my shoulders slumping. “Not this again.”
“We were ambushed by slimes,” Kuro continued, turning to the others with an exaggerated smirk. “I
fought them off like a hero, of course. But Aria? She managed to lose to one. A slime.”
“It was slippery!” I cut in, throwing my hands up. “And it kept splitting every time I kicked it. That’s not
fair!”
“Slippery slimes,” Kuro said with mock seriousness. “A new menace for the history books. Really, I
should’ve taken notes on your technique. The panic flailing? Genius.”
Anabella shook her head, stepping in. “Kuro, don’t tease her. She’s just starting out! What kind of
teacher does that?”
Yuki gave a rare smile, her quiet voice carrying a hint of amusement. “At least she didn’t trip like
someone else.”
“That was tactical positioning!” I shot back before Kuro could respond, crossing my arms.
Anabella wagged a finger at him. “You’re the worst teacher. She’s just starting out! You can’t just throw
her into a fight with slimes and expect her to know what to do.”
“What’s to know?” Kuro replied, smirking. “You kick the core. Not… whatever it was she was aiming
for.”
“I was aiming for the core!” I protested, crossing my arms. “It was… moving!”
The laughter bubbled up again, and despite myself, I couldn’t help but smile. As much as I hated the
teasing, there was something oddly comforting about it.
Yuki cleared her throat, pulling us back to the task at hand. She handed each of us a small vial filled
with a glowing blue liquid. I stared at mine, confused. “What’s this?”
“Disguises,” Kuro said, tipping his own vial back like it was nothing. “Drink it, and you won’t look human
anymore. Trust me, the folks on the other side of that bridge aren’t big fans of humans.”
He smirked, gesturing to the potion. “Funny thing is, this stuff was made for them to look human when
they visit human cities. Conveniently works in reverse for us.
I hesitated, watching him down the potion without a second thought. Swallowing my nerves, I took a
deep breath and drank it. The liquid was cool, like fresh mountain water, but as soon as it hit my
stomach, an uncomfortable heat surged through me, leaving a prickling sensation in its wake.
I reached toward my head, a faint tingling sensation prickling just above my temples, and my fingers
brushed something soft and… fuzzy. Ears. I had ears. Cat ears! The realization hit me all at once—this
wasn’t just a disguise, it felt disturbingly natural. Like these ears were a part of me, not some magic
trick. It was fascinating and unsettling all at once.
“Oh no,” I whispered, twisting around in a panic. When I glanced behind me, I saw the fluffy, olive-green
tail swishing gently. I grabbed at it, twisting sharply to get a better look, again and again, my feet
tangling beneath me as I spun in tight circles, but it was always just out of reach.
Anabella doubled over, laughing so hard she nearly fell over. “She’s even cuter now!” she managed
between gasps.
Even Yuki’s calm demeanor cracked, her cheeks pink as she glanced at me. “She… is quite adorable,”
she admitted softly.
I groaned, covering my face with both hands.
This was going to be a long trip.
Kuro motioned for us to head toward the bridge. As we walked, he leaned down and whispered,
“Alright, kid, here’s the deal. You’re a little girl from a village on the outskirts of Hytalia, and I’m your
uncle teaching you magic. But whatever you do, keep the crimson stuff under wraps for now, yeah?”
I nodded, still adjusting to the weird sensation of my tail swishing behind me. “Got it,” I muttered, though
I wasn’t entirely sure I could pull off the story.
At the far end of the bridge stood a checkpoint, guarded by towering beastfolk with thick fur, sharp
eyes, and weapons that looked way too sharp for comfort. Their presence was intimidating, but they
barely blinked when Anabella waltzed up to them with a carefree grin, handing one of them a card. She
flashed him a playful wink, and his stern expression instantly crumbled, replaced by a deep blush.
The guard cleared his throat awkwardly and waved us through, barely able to meet her eyes. Anabella
giggled as we walked past, clearly proud of herself.
As soon as we crossed the grand gates, the dense forest opened up into something I couldn’t have
imagined in my wildest dreams. The Animal Kingdom wasn’t just a city—it was alive. Towering trees
with trunks as wide as houses stretched high into the sky. Their interiors had been expertly hollowed
out to create homes and shops. Thick, sprawling branches arched gracefully overhead, forming natural
canopies that framed the bustling streets below. Smaller structures seemed to grow naturally from the
earth, entwined with roots and vines that made everything feel like it had always belonged.
The streets were bustling with activity. Beastfolk of every shape and size filled the space, their
movements as vibrant and lively as the city itself. I saw raccoon-eared merchants chatting with
customers at a fruit stand, fox-eared kids chasing each other down cobblestone paths, and even a pair
of rat-eared artisans carefully painting a mural on the side of a tree. The air smelled like fresh earth and
wildflowers, with hints of something spiced and sweet lingering in the background.
I couldn’t help but stare, my mouth slightly open as I tried to take it all in. “This is… amazing,”
Kuro noticed and grinned, throwing an arm around my shoulders. He seemed a little more drunk than
usual. “Anabella runs a cafe just around the corner. Best drinks in town. Everyone here knows her.”
As he spoke, I only now noticed his new appearance. His usually unkempt gray hair now had wolf ears
poking out, twitching slightly as if responding to the bustling sounds around us. I blinked, realizing how
seamlessly the potion had worked on him too, blending him into this strange, lively world.
Suddenly, a voice called out from the crowd. “Hey, Ana!”
Anabella waved cheerfully. “Good to see you, Taro!” she called back, her energy somehow managing
to light up the already vibrant street.
We turned a corner and stopped in front of a cozy-looking building nestled between two massive tree
trunks. Ivy and colorful flowers clung to the walls, and a wooden sign above the entrance read The
Cozy Nook in elegant script. Just as I was admiring the place, a group of children bolted out the door,
giggling and covered in crumbs.
“Hey, watch it!” Kuro called after them, stumbling back a bit. Anabella just laughed and ushered us
inside.
The interior of The Cozy Nook lived up to its name. Instead of rigid tables and chairs, the room was
filled with cushioned couches and oversized pillows, all in earthy tones that matched the natural feel of
the city. Lanterns hung from the ceiling, their soft glow casting a warm, inviting light over everything.
Behind the counter stood a man with wolf ears and a dignified air, dressed in what looked like a tuxedo.
His sharp eyes scanned the room, landing on Anabella and Yuki first. “Welcome back, you two,” he
said, his tone polite but warm. Then his gaze shifted to Kuro, and his expression flattened. “And…
Kuro.”
Kuro grinned, raising his flask in a mock toast. “Belf! Still holding down the fort?”
Belf sighed, his composure barely flickering. Anabella stepped forward with a mischievous glint in her
eye and gestured toward me. “Look at her, isn’t she adorable?”
I froze under Belf’s scrutinizing gaze. His sharp eyes softened slightly as he nodded. “Quite so,
Princess Anabella.”
My stomach dropped. “Princess?” I repeated, the word slipping out before I could stop it.
Kuro clapped a hand on my shoulder, laughing. “Oh, didn’t I mention? This is Anabella Matia, of the
Matia nobles. Her family basically runs this city. That makes her a princess, even if she doesn’t act like
one.” He gestured to Yuki. “And Yuki here is her loyal bodyguard.”
Anabella winked. “Not just loyal—adoring.”
Yuki sighed but didn’t deny it.
We settled into a seating area, sinking into the plush cushions. I could feel my cheeks heating up as I
sank deeper into the oversized pillow I’d chosen. It was ridiculously soft, wrapping around me like it had
a mind of its own, and before I realized it, I had sunk so far in that getting up felt like a distant possibility.
“So cute” Yuki murmured.
I looked away, my face burning, and summoned a faint healing glow around my hand to calm my
nerves. The soft light reflected in Yuki’s eyes, and for the first time, she smiled—just a little, but it was
there.
Kuro leaned forward, his tone shifting to something more serious. “So, about Aria. She’s a
mage-in-training, learning to control… a unique kind of magic.” He glanced at me, his expression
steady, like he was trying to encourage me without saying it outright.
Anabella and Yuki exchanged a look, and it wasn’t long before they were tossing out ideas. “We should
take her to the family castle,” Anabella chimed in . "Don’t worry, Aria. They’ll whip you into shape. And
hey, I’ll be there to make sure you’re treated nicely. I’ll keep an eye on them—and you."
Yuki rolled her eyes but followed up in a serious tone. “Our teachers could help her. They’re strict, but
they’re the best.”
“What about you, Aria? Training with us won’t be easy,” Anabella asked.
I hesitated, but only for a moment. The memory of Layne and Lyra flashed through my mind—their
pain, my helplessness—and I clenched my fists. “I don’t want to feel powerless again,” I said, my voice
steady despite the lump in my throat. The memory of standing frozen while Layne and Lyra got hurt
flashed through my mind. “I want to be strong enough to protect the people I care about. No more
hiding.”
Yuki’s eyes softened, and I thought I saw a flicker of admiration there. “That’s a noble reason Aria. We
can work with that.”
With our plan settled, we left The Cozy Nook and began making our way toward the castle. The sun
was setting as we walked, casting long shadows over the city. At the top of a gently sloping hill, the
Matia family castle rose like something out of a storybook. Its walls were covered in vines, and the
banners of black and maroon hanging from the towers caught the last rays of sunlight, their edges
glowing faintly in the warm twilight.
When we stepped inside, my breath caught. My eyes darted around, overwhelmed by sheer beauty.
The castle’s interior felt alive with color. Flowers of every shape and shade were tucked into alcoves
and decorated the hallways, their soft, fragrant blooms cascading over stone planters. Some glowed
faintly, like they held a touch of magic themselves. A man near one of the larger displays carefully
snipped at a cluster of leaves from a strange, purple-tinged plant, placing them delicately into a woven
basket. What were they using the leaves for? Medicine? Spells? I was too nervous to ask. I couldn’t
stop staring at the blossoms—there were kinds I’d never seen before, their petals twisting in intricate
patterns that felt otherworldly.
Anabella twirled around, her white hair swinging as she gestured dramatically. “Welcome to my humble
abode! Pretty nice, huh? Feel free to be impressed.”
Kuro smirked. “Humble’s not the word I’d use.”
She ignored him and leaned down to pluck a vibrant blue flower from a nearby planter, twirling it
between her fingers before offering it to me with a grin. “You’ll find these everywhere around
here—they’re magical, just like the rest of the place.”
I smiled shyly, taking the flower.
Yuki, ever composed, motioned for me to follow. “Come on, Aria. Your room’s this way.”
When we reached my room, Kuro, Anabella, and Yuki left, promising to return in the morning. Alone, I
took a moment to breathe, taking in the elegant furnishings and the warm glow of the lantern by the
bedside. Exhausted, I put the blue flower on the bedside table, then lay back on the soft mattress and
pulled the blankets over me. It was much more comfortable than the inn—though still not quite the
same as the comforts I knew back on Earth.
“Tomorrow,” I whispered, a small smile tugging at my lips. “Tomorrow, I’ll start becoming the person I
want to be. The person I need to be.”
I glanced down at my hands, feeling the faint echo of the crimson magic I’d tried so hard to control.
I stared at the soft glow of the lantern. Everything about this world felt impossibly surreal—the towering
trees, the bustling streets filled with beastfolk, and now the comfort of a bed that felt worlds apart from
the worn sheets back home. My mind wandered to the quiet evenings I’d spent alone in my room,
clutching memories that felt like they belonged to another life. I’d never imagined stepping into anything
like this, let alone surviving it. The thought brought a bittersweet smile to my lips. "How did it come to
this?" I whispered, more to myself than anyone else. But even in the chaos, there was a strange sense
of belonging, as if the journey itself was reshaping me into someone stronger, someone I was starting
to recognize in the mirror.
With those words grounding me, I summoned a soft healing glow, letting its warmth lull me to sleep. As
I drifted off, the faintest flicker of a dream came to me—a bracelet, glinting in the darkness, slipping
from my wrist and tumbling away into shadows. The sight left me with a hollow ache, a reminder of
something I couldn’t quite hold onto, even in dreams.