The End of a long day

Londra awoke to a weight on her chest and two sets of eyes watching. One she knew quite well. She reached up to pet Delta. The other was Trinity, her blue eyes focusing on Londra. Trinity’s long orange hair was healthier looking while her white and green ears contained more color. Londra did the same for her. “I take it… I must be awake?”

“Yes, master,” Trinity started slowly, twitching her ears. “You are now. May I remove it master?”

Londra rolled her hazel eyes watching Delta’s black tail show his amusement. “Yes, please.”

“Right away, master,” she responded slowly with a happy tone. She pulled the curse up and sliced through it in five places with her sharp white claws. “All done, master.”

“You don’t have to call me that,” Londra said, sitting up to pet the two, feeling the difference instantly. With a warm smile, “I am your friend, Londra. No need to call me master but know I will always protect you.”

“I am your friend?” she asked slowly. Londra nodded, stroking her again. “You are my friend!” she said just as slow but louder. “I have a friend… I am happy… mas… Londra.” This caused those awake to hold in their emotions since her slow voice was so full of them.

Londra picked her up, holding her close for a moment. “The vault will always be open for all of you. I am glad to have such a wise and powerful friend. Your markings are so unique. Mostly orange with a left green ear and a right white ear. Then you have short socks on your feet. With the right front foot being a slightly darker orange, left front white, right back blue, and left back is green.” She said stroking each listening to Trinity purr happily. She could tell that this Feline Drake had never had this kind of attention and it broke her heart. She continued to touch her as she pointed out all her different markings while the others moved closer. “Then there are two spots of white on your left side and a large spot of blue. On your right side there is a large spot of white with two spots of green and one spot of blue and your stomach is all orange. You are so special, then again, so are the others in their own ways.”

“I have a kind, loving, friend,” Trinity said slowly while purring.

Londra looked around to see half of the team was awake while the Feline Drakes were watching Trinity closely… not with jealously but understanding. “More than one, we are all your friends. Belle looks like she wants to be a great friend too.”

“I like Belle a lot,” Trinity admitted slowly, her head turning towards Belle. Belle was trying to keep her sharp, oval, light beige face from showing any emotion yet there was moisture in her deep blue eyes. Belle nodded at Trinity with a wiggle of her long, Elven ears that were far from her head holding back, her long, loose, platinum hair. Trinity continued in her slow way, “We talked about many things. She always waited for me to stop. Belle is my friend too!”

“Okay, enough before everyone is crying,” Delta huffed with his male adolescent voice while rubbing against Trinity. “We need to wake the others and free them, remember.”

“That is right!” Trinity said slowly with passion. “It is my first special job! Let’s start with Anna next. Katie and Anna are alike according to Belle. Katie has soft, long, green hair. They could be great friends once Anna is awake again.” Delta nodded, pulling his black, six-tipped, wings out waiting for her to do the same. Then they flew a few feet to land on Anna’s chest.

Londra sighed, getting out of bed, heading to the bathroom before tears could stream down her face. Alden was watching her movements. She looked stable so he stood to gather with the others around the map on the table. Londra returned to see Trinity working on Robbie while Katie and Anna were talking softly, but quickly about a spell. Anna's heart-shaped, light tan face was beaming with excitement as she stroked Katie.

Londra walked over to pat Zeke on the back, smiling at his simple green short-sleeved shirt accenting his muscles and hidden ribbons of green within his honey skin. “So, how are things?”

“You… well as fourth,” Zeke stared, clearing his throat and standing a bit taller. Not that he needed to since he was a foot taller than Londra. Londra did her best not to smile or laugh at his serious, long, honey face. His golden eyes shining brightly. “I made some decisions for us. I do believe they are the right ones.”

Rus pulled out a chair, sitting before he laughed at the struggle Zeke was having. He crossed his muscular brown arms before him trying to look as serious as Zeke, mocking him like a brother. Zerina rolled her deep blue, outlined eyes before gently slapping him on the shoulder. He caught her cinnamon-colored hand briefly and a smile came to her long face. She pulled it out to rub his bald head roughly, dodging his hand again causing her short, turquoise hair to swirl around her slightly pointed ears. 

“Well?” Londra asked with a smile noticing almost everyone was awake right now. Fenten, Fern, Iris, and Momo were coming out of the Fairy House and landing on the table. A unique color combination. She watched for a moment, but they all folded their wings down. Fenten was looking up at Zeke then side stepped behind Fern, so he didn’t laugh. His cicada shaped wings, making a transparent blue cape with indigo, white, and blue accents, edged in green that moved enough to cause his neat, indigo hair to swirl into his light blue eyes and caramel, accented, oval face.

Fern didn’t seem to care as her vivid blue eyes searched the room. Her simple, blue, short-sleeve shirt and loose, yellow pants complimented her oval, butterfly shaped, pink wings containing lines of white with blue, orange, and yellow accents created a unique cape. Her loosely braided, violet hair was draped down her right shoulder. She smiled at Iris and Momo who still looked a bit unsure. Then twirled her head so her braid gently wacked the chuckling Fenten.

Iris and Momo stood hand in hand, both looking healthier wearing simple cream clothing. Londra was sure that they had little choices after their horrible ten years. There was still a bit of confusion in Momo’s silver eyes, but the color was returning to his deep honey, oval face. His long platinum hair wasn’t greasy looking and his swallowtail, butterfly-shaped wings were folded like Fern’s to create a cape of green having lines of red with spots of silver, orange, and yellow. Iris stood straight while there was little emotion in her almond, diamond face with slight undertones of blue or in her blue-indigo Demon eyes. Her short green hair with black highlights looked healthier. Her cape looked layered since she had eight, great sword shaped, wings that were transparent green with indigo swirls and black circles all edged in black membrane. Londra smiled at them all.

“Married couples may share a bed, but we ask that the curtain be pulled,” Zeke started, bringing Londra’s attention back to him. “Thanks to pretty boy’s magic we can have some alone time in our minds before sleep so that is the best course of action for now. Until we have walls, but that is not something we are discussing now,” he said, his golden eyes narrowed on Rus who just smiled.

“That is a very good decision,” Londra agreed looking around at everyone. “I like it, next.”

“Since there are more of us than spots on the table… Zerina and Belle helped strengthen the dumbwaiter so it can hold twelve meals. Thus, the ladies will eat first, they will not wait for us, but we will be around because our best ideas happen during mealtimes. The eight Feline Drakes will eat next, then our meals will come up.”

“Clearing out some space at the table while we are still all nearby, and we have the simple fold up chairs so nobody has to stand,” Londra nodded. “It is easier to eat at a table. Maybe we should see about moving furniture around and fitting another small table in? But in the meantime, that works great. I agree that it isn’t a priority. We have a lot to do in a month.”

Zeke nodded looking around to see how they would do that. It wasn’t like the beds could be moved but the other furniture could be squeezed together a bit more and the main table could be closer to the beds. He continued after the thoughts ran through his mind. “While the others are learning tomorrow, we are going to do some more reconnaissance on the camps near Verde, Lunshine, and Milton. We believe that if they watch us take down a camp, they might be more apt to try it themselves. We looked at the two we purified. The weaker one is being rebuilt but the stronger one is still a forest, for now.”

“That sounds good too,” she smiled, leaning against him in a sisterly way. “You did fine.”

“I even talked to the new Duke and Archduke about visiting. They too think it is a good idea, one that should be sooner rather than later,” Zeke said proudly.

“No time like the present,” Londra smiled causing the others to groan. “I know Helen said a month, but I would like to try the nest on the twenty-sixth and the hive on the twenty-eighth giving us two days of leeway. Nice that we found it out on the first of June.”

“Yea, figured that,” Fern sighed wandering around on the table.

“It is the best course of things,” Helen agreed wiggling her left ear. Her sharp oval, light beige face and green eyes had a slight hint of happiness to them, since she was holding Alex’s left, cognac hand. “Time does fly. I joined you a week before we took on the camps, yet it feels like forever ago.” Alex nodded enough his short, auburn hair framed his square face while his steel grey eyes had a bit of humor within them.

Rus laughed as he realized something. “We are keeping up with Anna’s crazy schedule! She planned on two months to figure out the M-Ms. We are going up against the worse part of the M-Ms on the two month mark! We applied to be a Adventuring Party on May first!”

“I did,” Anna smiled, her deep green eyes twinkling. She pushed back her long, deep red hair behind her light tan ears to frame her heart-shaped face. “But it might be quicker. I figured it would take us two more months to get the attention of everyone to let us into a Trial. Now it will be so much sooner! The middle of July is what Archduke Dristen was talking about.”

“I don’t know why you are smiling about that,” Robbie sighed, wandering the room with his wings out. The new members were trying not to stare but they had never seen pure white, feathered wings that created a perfect upside-down u shape that reached almost two feet above his head and stopped just above his ankles. Robbie didn’t care if anyone was watching, his wings just needed to be out after the last few days. He used them more and more when they were traveling. His green eyes met Anna’s with a half-smile on his soft oval, buttercream face while his short, auburn hair slightly moved as he walked. “We could slow it down a bit.”

Now everyone was laughing while the newest members wondered why they were in a hurry. They all smiled, hoping they would be informed soon.

“Dinner will be up in ten,” Trenton said, returning to smile at tiny Fern. Shadows took him down to almost her size, seven inches instead of five. She laughed, jumping into his strong golden pecan arms. He spun her around, letting his short, layered black hair move around his long face and slightly pointed ears. Iris and Momo watching while holding hands, a bit confused by the conversations but if they were together and healthy, what did it matter?

“Show off,” Sasha mumbled with a smile on her buttercream, long face with hidden scales. Her evergreen eyes glowed watching Fenten in his little form. Wondering if everyone could read her thoughts, nervous hands began to comb her lose, long yellow, green, and red hair. “I can’t shrink… but my snake tail can grow longer.” This caused Fenten to grow to his human size to wrap his arms around her. Her smile deepened, so glad that she was using her legs, so he didn't have to straddle her snake tail. He had no idea what feeling that caused.

Londra turned to see Jackie hovering before her and noticed the others were taking their bathroom breaks. “Hi, Jackie, feeling better?” Londra held her light beige, hands out for her to land in. She expertly pulled in her blue wings with green tips before landing. This is when Londra noticed that Jackie’s long tail could almost wrap the around her long body.

“I do,” she said crisply. “I have been awake for the last thirty minutes. I like Trenton, he told me that confusion leads to frustration and anger. Thus, I would like to ask a question.”

Londra smiled, stroking the short-haired blue cat with green tipped ears and lovely indigo eyes. “If we can answer it, we gladly will. What is on your mind?”

“The village that… housed me. They called me the bringer of the third retaliation. Their eyes were always mean, and I was always exhausted because I couldn’t heal myself. I was mean to you… I apologize… but they were always so…” Jackie huffed, yet her voice always was crisp and precise.

“Well, that is just foolishness,” Belle stated, sitting down at the table watching the others practicing their flying. “The third retaliation began twenty-five years ago when a human village was supposedly poisoned. They went crazy and killed two non-human villages. Thus, we were rewarded with Green Goblins or what we call Manifestations of Malice and the black mist clouds disappeared,” she answered almost as crisp and precise as Jackie causing a few to chuckle.

“Okay, that helps a bit, but I am still confused,” Jackie answered, snuggling her body closer to Londra but her eyes continued to look around at the strange grouping that the party consisted of.

“I am too,” Katie added with her smooth voice, flying to Anna who smiled widely. She began to stroke her, enjoying the softness of her long green hair. She then gently touched the indigo tips on her ears. Katie closed her amber eyes while purring.

“It isn’t’ something that magical animals would know or understand,” Robbie mumbled petting Katie not realizing that Anna had stopped because of where his hand was. A few watching smiled deeply instead of laughing at his absentmindedness.

“I apologize for not starting at the beginning,” Belle stated as Trinity landed on her lap. Her long ears vibrated in happiness. “Energy or mana is part of everything. It changes positively or negatively depending on the emotions of what lives around it. When the negative outweighs the positive the continent retaliates against the living hoping to make them focus on staying alive. The first stage of retaliation is tainted creatures and all their forms of mutations. If the negative evens out, then there are just a few tainted animals and mutations to remind them of their transgression.”

“Belle’s voice is so pretty,” Anna sighed as Robbie sat down beside her pulling his white, feathered wings back into his body. Belle smiled, motioning for Anna to continue. “The second stage of retaliation is two parts,” Anna informed. “First, ancient magics are sealed deep within Trials and the memories are gone. Second, black mist settles over a village, killing all. The black mist stays there and doesn’t grow if at least half of the mutated tainted creatures within are purified steadily. But since it constantly creates creatures, most visit monthly or weekly. Usually three patches…?”

“That is correct,” Londra nodded, sitting down with Jackie while Delta was in Alden’s arms behind her. “The three villages that are destroyed push the scales of balance to the negative and it takes years to get them rebalanced if the continental leaders want to. If the positive to negative mana is less for three years, then two of the black mist clouds disperse, leaving one. But that one must be monitored for the other two can come back in an instant. Plus, if they are neglected, they will move, destroying another village.”

“Wow, that sounds horrible,” Julius commented, wandering around the room unsure if he wanted to sit or not. His green eyes always returning to Mara who was leaning against a wall watching everyone with her lovely navy-blue Demon eyes. When they connected with him, he waved with a slight smile on his light tan, square face. He flipped his short, red hair like Trenton had taught him causing her to chuckle softly and Trenton to smile. Then he returned to the conversation, “How do you know that?”

“That is where my continent is at,” Londra sighed, stroking Jackie.

“Wait, you figured it out… how much did you remember?” Anna asked quickly, her deep green eyes wide as she looked at Londra.

“Enough I could watch a message that my mother sent,” Londra answered, smiling at her friend. “When I was little, we had three black mist clouds but when I was a teen it had turned to one. Yet the negative was winning and another appeared. When I left… we had two black mist clouds. Now the third reappeared... a year ago.”

“So, Manifestations of Malice are worse than that?” Jackie wondered, her long, blue tail curling. “Why would they think I brought them? I have only been here for around two years. I told them that. Wait… they were mostly humans… I was someone to blame?”

“You would be right on all counts,” Iris confirmed, taking a seat at the table letting her Sprite wings slide into her body smoothly. Her almond, diamond face with undertones of blue and blue-indigo Demon eyes showed just how much she had despised that village. “The village wasn’t a pleasant one to be stuck in and we both were stuck there. If I knew you were being… belittled like I was, then maybe we could have been friends already. I am sorry, I was in a lot of pain… Anyway, Manifestations of Malice, are worse because there are so few ways to combat them. A huge, tainted creature you can figure out how to deal with but M-Ms… well they are excellent at teamwork and overpowering, then poisoning. Few know how to combat or purify the poison. They torment any they kill, thus pulling out fragments of soul before eating the whole soul. That way they can produce more of their kind. When you are afraid enough to welcome death, a piece of your soul breaks off. They eat that then let you think you can get away. Now you don’t want death but escaping. They let you… just long enough your soul begins has a sliver of hope. Now they trap you again. They never kill instantly, it isn’t fun. They wound, poison, or knock you out unconscious so they can play later. If you do escape your soul can rebuild completely but it takes time to deal with that trauma…”

“We have done it,” Momo added softly. “I was lucky to escape an attack with most of our family because we worked together. Iris’ story is similar in that aspect, and one reason we both joined Green Cleanse. M-Ms can be born of a burst of negative energy, a part of a tormented soul, or just through intercourse whether it be within their own species or another. They are born of eggs… the weakest M-Ms just have a few soul pieces while the strongest have more than ten souls.”

Robbie sighed loudly, blinking his green eyes. “Yea, so much more than ten souls.”

“Well, that took us down a dark path,” Rus stated since everyone twinged when the dumbwaiter bell rang. “Ladies, here is your food. Guys move away from the table… or better yet serve.” With this the Feline Drakes left the laps and gathering on the back side of the table near the wall speaking about all they had just learned with low voices.

Rus and Trenton began to carry the plates to the table, but Delta chuckled, using his magic to bring them all to the ladies. Londra smiled, “sorry, I didn’t ask if our new members were allergic to or disliked any food, did I?”

Iris and Ryan had already dug into the turkey on their plates with sighs of enjoyment. Londra had her answer, so she looked at the males who just shook their head, looking at the plate of food with longing. There was a strange silence after the cats were given their stew. Londra was finished, so she stood motioning Alden to sit since their food would be up soon. A few of the other females were done so they switched out too but set up the folding chairs to stay around the table.

Londra broke the silence, “What is on your mind? Like Jackie said, we can’t help your anxiety if we don’t know what you are thinking.” She heard Jackie purr behind her.

“What will tomorrow look like?” Ryan wondered, her cat ears twitching in her black hair. The fur on her hands was gone and she was starting to grow back muscle she had lost which confused her. Her diamond, dark honey face was so full of questions while her long tail that was silver with dark grey tiger striping was just hanging behind her. She was sitting behind Marrow who was happily eating but stopped to listen to the answer.

He looked up and focused on Londra, while wondering so many of the same things. His short, pale yellow hair was expertly parted around his wide, dark yellow horn while being held back from his long, dark brown face by his large, oval, Kaijin ears. The undertones of yellow in his dark brown skin were more prevalent while he too was growing back muscle. His Kaijin marking appeared more vibrant. The thick green line above and below his eyes, the medium brown lines below and above the green and the wide center line of gold that highlighted his silver eyes were all now pure colors. Londra smiled and nodded towards Anna who would start.

“We wake between six and six fifteen because we leave at six thirty. There is a morning dance workout for all parties held behind the Adventure’s House,” Anna stared with a smile, stroking Katie who was on her lap. She was sitting behind Robbie, so she didn’t get any of Katie’s green hair in his food before her magic took care of it. “There are six parties, all with at least sixteen members and all have at least three magical animals, so it is quite the group. But it is so fun!”

“Yea,” Zerina chuckled, her foot gently tapping Rus while he ate. He said nothing but Trenton across from him could see Rus smiling while he ate. Alpha stopped the antics by jumping up into her lap. She immediately began to stroke him causing him to curl up in her lap. “I remember thinking they were crazy. How could dancing help but my endurance and body control just got better and better with each day. Plus, it is fun... so much laughter.”

“It is enjoyable to watch when you get up to speed,” Rus commented, quickly blocking a tap but he missed her foot and connected with Alpha’s black tail. He heard Alpha's low growl before he continued. “It took a while to appreciate the sights,” he ended with a smile. This caused Zerina to touch his bald, brown head which brought laughter from many.

“The workout is around thirty to forty minutes,” Londra continued with a smile hoping that Zerina and Rus had ironed everything out. It did appear to be the case since they were back to the games. Delta returned to her lap while watching the others flying to their destination. “After we return here. They usually don’t have anybody downstairs, so we eat down there. We just eat what they give us so if you want something special you must speak up before we leave. It is usually egg based…”

“Wait, you have eggs!?” Marrow interrupted, licking his lips. His long, brown face showed just how much he missed eggs. Even his silver eyes within his Kaijin mask glowed in anticipation. “How, all of the chicken farms have been abandoned in the area…”

“Well,” Fern started with a chuckle, folding her pink wings behind her slowly wandering the room casually examining the new faces. She was sick of sitting. “We have taken on lots of tainted chickens and turns out the eggs that are on fire can be purified and safely used. We make them quite mad and get a few dozen before we finish and purify them. Then we give them to the restaurants around here that are nice to us, especially those that feed us.”

“It is true,” Helen confirmed, a single ear nod. Her sharp, oval, light beige face and green eyes showing little, but the ear nod did it for her friends. “I never would have thought but…”

“Next we get clean and shower,” Sasha continued, bringing it back so they could get to the point. She was a little nervous to meet the new members, but they seemed fine and didn’t seem to stare at her hidden scales or snake tail. She wanted to be honest, so she was sitting with her snake tail instead of legs beside Fenten with Beta in her lap. “It is a bit chaotic but so fun. Oh, wear comfortable clothing to the workout because you will be sweating by the end.”

“After, we head back to the Adventure’s Guild House,” Mara added wandering the room with Fern, a strange duo. She was still watching Julius using her navy-blue Demon eyes to make sure he was free of the curse. This is when she noticed that Alden’s curse had turned into a spell on not just him but them all. With a slight smile on her oval, ivory face bringing out her violet undertones she looked at Alden then nodded. He nodded back as she continued, “Since we are… different, the Archduke sends us special tasks to take on. Robbie goes over them then we set off in teams. Usually, we are back by dinner. At least that is a relatively normal day with us.”

“Tomorrow, we would like you to go into the Learning Room for your allotted time,” Londra stared. Now she had everyone’s attention. That was what they wanted to speak about.

“Don’t worry,” Theda started in his monotone voice, landing in Mara’s arms. She smiled and leaned against the wall to watch Julius, which made a bit of pink appear across his square, light tan face. Theda knew and purred. “It is easy and fun. We found a way to befriend the spell, thus no headache. You are sleeping afterwards but no pain.”

“Seriously?” Momo asked with so much anxiety showing in his deep honey, oval face and silver eyes. Helen tried to reassure him with a serious nod. He relaxed a bit but still was having trouble accepting the words, so he fluttered his swallow-shaped, butterfly wings that were folded like a cape behind him creating enough air around him to slide his long, platinum hair across his right shoulder. The air also blew Iris’ short green hair with black highlights causing her to smile slightly.

“Yes, I was skeptical too,” Helen agreed, figuring they needed her to speak. She looked around to see the others also couldn’t believe it. “But it is so true, and it was fun. Londra will explain.” This caused Anna to pout a bit until Katie purred.

“Told you,” Delta mumbled. “Anything they are told they can’t, they find a way to do it.”

Londra stroked Delta with a smile. “It is like this; the spell must be sentient if it can converse with you and understand what you are asking to learn. Most don’t ask, they just demand. If that was me… I would be upset. Now if someone asks politely and appreciates me then I would be happy. No headache that way.”

Ryan frowned, her diamond, dark honey face showed a lot of emotion. She closed her unique silver-violet Demon eyes to think about the past. Her long, tiger-striped, silver and dark grey tail circled around her. “I don’t think I ever said thanks… now that I think about it, I wonder why?”

“Maybe, because it was always explained as a tool?” Iris wondered. She nervously moved her almond hands with undertones of blue through her short, green hair with black highlights while her diamond face and blue-indigo Demon eyes showed her confusion.

“Even tools need to be taken care of,” Marrow stated simply with a nod. “What do you desire us to ask? I believe I heard about basic questions.”

“First,” Anna jumped in, creating the Personal Impenetrable Skin spell for all to see. “We want to ask Castaspella if there is anything she suggests. Then she can add it to her library as Personal Impenetrable Skin spell.”

“Your four as well,” Londra prompted to the female Feline Drakes who left the laps they had landed in to hovered above the table studying the spell. “We will give you some basic questions, I am sure you will add your own.”

“Nope,” Marrow said with a chuckle. “I know enough… that is way out of my league and quite impressive. Who is Castaspella?”

“That is what we named the learning spell,” Zeke answered, getting up to clear the table. “When it looks more female then Spella, and when it takes the male form Cas.”

“I like that, simple but so unique,” Ryan responded. “That is a no for me too.”

“Like this…” Trinity asked slowly. Now everyone was studying her copied version.

Momo laughed, “beaten by a Feline Drake. I think I can recreate it, but I can’t use it so…” He took a minute to copy it, showing Anna and Londra who nodded in approval.

“Oh, I think I got it,” Nala, Katie, and Iris said at the same time causing a bit of giggling.

“I can’t hold it long,” Katie sighed as her version started to fade.

“It was right though,” Anna reassured. “I am sure you will be able to after tomorrow.”

“I am going with no,” Jackie stated. “It is interesting. I was sure Trinity could do it.”

“Thank you, friend,” Trinity said slowly with such happiness. This caused Jackie to purr as the ladies returned to the laps of their new friends.

“Okay, this is for you all,” Londra started. “Start with introductions and a bit of small talk, for those who can do the spell ask what she thinks. Her opinion is invaluable. Then ask to learn how to strengthen your telepathy. Ask politely every time. Next ask if you are able to teleport safely. If it is a yes, ask to learn all the spells required to do it correctly and your limits. Ask about Purifying Flame the same way. Always treat her with respect yet as a friend, she likes to joke around too. Next would be blanket questions. What is the best weapon for me to use, and would you please teach me some technics that make my fighting better. What is the most powerful spell that I can learn easily and all the spells I need to control it perfectly. Remember, never ask to practice. She will tell you to practice if you don’t have the technique right. Once she states that you have learned the spell or skill move on. Don’t forget to ask about evolution, you might want to do that before the blanket questions. For Zeke, she stopped time to do his, thus he didn’t lose his time to learn. She did the same with Zerina.”

“That doesn’t sound like a lot,” Jackie started in her crisp precise way. “But, at the same time it does. Alpha said something about controlling weapons. We can do that?”

“Yes,” Theda answered as a blade appeared before his head. “I can even control it with my eyes closed. We practice body movement while the others dance. There are birds there and we chase them… all in fun, so we all get stronger and so do they!”

“Those were two different thoughts,” Alpha stated in his near perfect way.

“I can’t wait for tomorrow,” Trinity started slowly, “I get to make a new friends again!” This caused Belle to snuggle her tightly.

“One more thing before bed,” Ryan stared with a yawn, “I sound like an old lady.”

“No, your body is healing, it takes a lot of energy since that spell is massive,” Fern encouraged. “We do a lot of sleeping… but then again we pack so much in a few hours… like this morning.”

Ryan smiled, her cat ears twitching in her hair, “I am more than willing to hunt females now that I can see again. What are you thinking the teams will look like?”

“I too will help do that,” Iris added. “Have done it for years, not that I missed that but… The more that look the less time they have to… eat their own eggs or any other gross thing.”

“That helps, thanks,” Londra nodded, “Four teams, each with two Feline Drakes. Two teams of six and two teams of five or three teams of six and one team of four.”

“Interesting,” Robbie started sitting back in his chair his green eyes looking forward but not seeing as he thought. “Keeping the couples together to maximize the chance of soul crystals. Yet, Anna and I are both powerhouse mages. Should we be left together?”

“From what I have seen the term Sage would better suit you but it isn’t used here much,” Marrow commented. “Probably… Arc-Sages if I am being honest.” This had the other six nodding in agreement and Anna smiling.

“We put Ryan and Marrow with you, they are both strong fighters,” Londra suggested.

“Who would be the team of four as if I have to ask?” Alden projected before looking over at Mara who shrugged.

“Well,” Robbie stared to answer, “Londra, Alden, Mara, Julius, Delta, and Trinity. Two powerhouse mages, Londa and Trinity. Alden could rotate with them but mainly would be fighting with Julius, Mara, and Delta. If we did split up a couple… putting Helen with you guys would be the best bet. We have time and plenty of camps to experiment with so we could rotate to find the best teams for the nest and hive.”

“I don’t mind either way,” Helen answered with a smile. “We will only be apart during the female hunt. The two teams of five just move towards each other to fight the males.”

“My second favorite is Mara of course Londra is my first. She rescued us after all,” Theda stared in his monotone way. “But I think my abilities would be better served on another team. Say…with Katie, Ryan, Marrow, Robbie, Anna, Sasha, and Fenten.”

“Good choices,” Robbie nodded. “Another team could be Iris, Momo, Zerina, Rus, Calla, Zeke, Alpha and Nala. Then the last could be Trenton, Fern, Belle, Peter, Alex, Beta and Jackie. That is my best guess at this time, what do you think?”

“Then we head towards Londra,” Trenton started with his low voice, “that sounds like a good starting point. When we thinking? In three days?”

“Wow, you think we are going to be ready that quick?” Momo wondered. “I haven’t flown in ten years… I guess if we are, we are,” he added with a shrug.

“Funny thing, time,” Julius started with a chuckle. “If you think about it… our days have been long, but we have only been together a little over a month.”

“That is because we pack three days’ worth into one,” Fern agreed with a smile. “I understand though. Eight months to get done everything we want.”

“Eight months?” Marrow wondered with a frown.

“There is no way the king lets us continue together,” Helen answered. “Think about it. The only protection we have is the initial eight months of an Adventuring Party. After that he could decide to separate us or even enslave us all. But they have a plan for all of that, yet it requires a lot of different steps. It is a logical plan.”

“I see what you mean, look what was done to us,” Momo said slowly before realizing something. “That is why they want to go into the Trials! To figure out how to teleport to another continent. A ship would work but could be stopped so easily.” There were a lot of nods around the room.

“Let’s get through tomorrow first,” Londra chuckled. “After the Learning Room I would like to introduce you to the ladies of Three C’s, it is where we get our clothing. They can dye your M-M clothing, and we can go shopping. I am sure you don’t have a lot of clothing.”

“Never thought that was possible,” Marrow mumbled rubbing the muscle that was returning to his arms. “Color would be nice.”

“Yea, they can dye the chest strap so it matches your skin,” Rus added. “Very nice.”

“You are such a… your shorts are brown like your skin too!” Zerina complained. “Just had to be the funny one.”

“You don’t want me to look naked?” Rus asked with laughter in his voice.

“Whatever!” Zerina chuckled.