Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Long ago in a place barren and waste, came 5 friends to settle and to stand.
They flew from east and landed in sand
for all the eye can see, potential with no end

But to change such land, they asked so kindly
Pray to above, to The Almighty
And come he may with his smile so brightly
To the 5 friends who stood idly

The first of the friend
Came to the almighty
He begged and prayed so profoundly

“Oh dear Almighty,
Please change my hands
To make these lands,
To ways you will commend”

The almighty laughed
And took his hand

“My close friend,
You have no need to descend
For you i will lend
My powers to invent”

The first friend jump in joy of bottomless end
He sprawled and went
To make the Land

The second of the friend
Came to the Almighty
Joyous smile overextend

“Oh wonderful almighty
We are alone and despondent
With no one else
I beg with full ardent
A land with more friends”

The almighty laugh
And shook his hands

“My dear friend
I can never think of more than who stand this present
But you who live with fervent
To you I will lend
To make as many friends
Till your heart content”

With glee the second friend went
To give his friends
A wonder of new end

The third of the friend
Came to the almighty
A bit more weary
His voice quiet and contend

“The great almighty
I humbly stand
Here for you and recommend
The time that spend
The law i can't seem to comprehend
Please bestow me of knowledge of no end”

The almighty laughed
And took his hand

“My humble friend
This power i can never lend
But if time is your question
Then i will lend
My power of when”

The third friend smiled with content
Thanked him with no end
And of he fled
To learn to questions of then

The fourth of the Friend
Came before the Almighty
In tears he shed

“Almighty i beg
I could not think of a purpose to append
I wish to give my life to end
Until then,
My life has no intent”

The almighty laugh
And shook his hand.

“My lost friend
Your life, i will never end
But i will give you a purpose to append
Before you i will lend
The power of end”

The fourth friend cheered in joy
Off he went and joined his friend
And waited For the last friend to come to them

The last of the friend
Came to the almighty
With a more sinister revenge

“My dear friend
You must feel tired
I wish nothing else
To help you with this quest
I humbly stand
To share the power of my friend”

The almighty looked contemned
And said to the last friend

“Your heart is not with your friends
You wear a mask and pretend
Your greed yelled with no end
My powers you wish to apprehend
To you my powers is none to lend
Until you have learned and amend ”

Angered and betrayed
The last friend lash and tried to defend

“To my friends you send
Powers of no end
But to me of humble intend
You have condemned?”

“Your friend all have wished to make this land
To make it their denn
But to you, you prefer it rend
Your humble intend nothing but pretend
To give yourself the stem
Of their powers I lend.”

In anger,
The last friend fled
Far away from the land of his friends
Ashamed and betrayed,
He promise to come back again
With a curse far beyond their powers
And torment with no end
His anger still can be heard in present
In the heart of the edge of all land.

End of Book 1 Prologue 

Chapter Text

“UrcuSel!” a young grey rabbit screamed before the group of hunched beasts. The high-pitched scream stunned the Hord Wylderns in their tracks. A four-legged beast is known for their hive-like minds, rough dark fur, and triangular ears that rival those of fennec foxes. 

Their long snouts were capable of smelling blood over a kilometre away, and their fangs were sharp enough to cut through Oaken trees. Often seen in packs of twelve, these beasts were a hassle for farmers, especially in the harvesting moons. Their only flaw was their weak stature.

She stepped back slowly, never letting her guard down. Even as they seem short-minded, they had a knack to sense a weakness in their enemies. She stepped over the many dead that lay lifeless under her. Now only three left. She took up her position behind her father. He held with him the family staff; battered through hundreds of battles and worn to its core. Behind them were the farm grounds, no backing down now.

The light shine that passes through the cracks of the leaves above spoils the misty morning air. The indicator of the morning sun finally peeking over the horizon of the new dawn. The smell of the Oaken trees mixed with the wet soil drove her senses for a euphoric ride, but it was not the time to sit and gaze. With the last spell, she can finally feel her mana is running dry and soon, she will have to take another bite or this encounter will leave her less of the bunny she was. 

An ungodly roar tears through the morning silence. Two four-legged Wyldern finally charged through and closed in the gap hastily. The two bunnies readied for the dive. 

“Somnum!” The young doe cried out before a wisp of purple hue whizz passed her shoulder and onto one of the charging beasts. The Wyldern veered off course and crashed to the bark of an oaken tree beside her, and not long after was already in deep slumber.

“PagostiriaTra” the olden hare casted. His staff shot out razor-sharp ice that managed to pierce the other beast. Pitch black blood gushed from the wound, but it didn't deter its charge. Eyes focused on the two bunnies, it took the shots before diving for the olden hare. The aged lapin did not expect the Wyldern to push through such a spell. trying to conjure up a Deferenum spell but with his mana running low, he was limited. He braced for a hard impact as the beast left the ground to dive straight toward him. His maw opened to show many of its fabled teeth.

“ApofluctusDen” the young bunny jumped in front of him and curled her arms inward. The beast’s body was thrown as it was gushed back by a force unknown to him, hitting the Oaken tree a couple of metres away. The Oaken wood broke in half as soon as the beast made contact. 

The last Wyldern finally looked over to his last dying ally and squinted at the 2 bunnies. The 4 legged beast wasn’t the largest of the bunch that attacked just a few hours ago. Seeing his adversaries take down the brutes twice as large as he was good enough reason to turn tail and run back deep into the shadowed forest. Knowing he was outmatched for the encounter. 

With the last beast finally running away, Judy fell to her knees, panting. The last spell took a lot from her and she could feel that even holding her body was a large enough task as it is. The old lapin rushed over to her side.

“Judy! Are you okay? Any scratches? No spell crashes?” The worried bunny held her close as she grew limp by the second, frantically spotting any discrepancies in the light armour she would wear in these attacks.

“Dad, I'm fine, just a little tired” the hare huffed out a laugh.  

“Come let's get you back inside and out of this mess.” Judy’s caretaker put his arm around her to help her back to the burrow where no doubt her sister would have already made some healing sap for them to use or a nice stew from the latest harvest. Anything other than the smell of the rotting corpse of the Wyldern beast that lay like dolls under their feet. Rest assured, one of her sisters will burn these to ash by noon. 

As they navigate throughout the maze of blood, they find themselves back into their croplands. Hundreds of freshly grown Tomats and Cumbers ready to be plucked from their stem to be either sold or eaten in a nice salad.

They arrive at the front door of their humble abode and knock. Several clicks of the door lock made it clear that her sister, Violet, had made sure to keep the burrow safe in such a case they would fail. The door opened to show a small and warm place she would call home. Where the smell of the stew encompasses your body and spiritually heals her. The safe haven in this world that she had but a sliver of understanding.

And who better to greet her than her eldest sister, violet, whose role in this household is akin to a cleric for the external wounds, and internal wounds. Her green gown had become an inseparable icon with her red half-moon glasses. 

“What happened?!” Violet rushed over to Judy's side, sharing the load with her father.

“I’m fine, I just ran out of mana, that’s all.” Judy reassuringly said to her family member. Although their worries could not be quelled by simple words.

“That is very serious Judy, what if that last beast was still hungry for blood and I wasn't there,” her father paused dramatically to lure in the attention of the young doe, “wasting your mana on such a dangerous spell could have killed you!” He scolded the grey doe.

“And what if I didn't? I'm not gonna stand around as that thing attacks you. It could’ve killed you with a bite. There is no doubt that I wouldn't risk it all for you.”

“You’re not thinking clearly,” Judy sat down at the table as her father continued to scold her, “that spell was so dangerous to cast without a staff Judy, I told you only Sefelanous spells in these attacks.” the olden doe exasperated to which Judy sighed.

“I am more than capable of casting my spell dad, I practiced in the library as you said.” Violet handed Judy a glass of mana fresh off the block. She took the cup and hurriedly chugged the liquid down, it tasted like burnt toast left on the fire overnight. A taste no one would find pleasing

“But without a staff, anything can go wrong. You could’ve been blown back by your own spell and you could’ve been hitting that tree instead of that thing. That could’ve killed you instantly!” 

“Please, this always happens after every attack!” Violet barges in before the debate could reach a boiling conclusion, “Dad, you need to take a nap. You’re clearly tired. I’ll handle things with Judy.” Violet gave off a reassuring smile before he reluctantly left for his quarters. Having his eldest child worry for his most troublesome is enticing after the long battle they had. The click of the door finally let Judy heave out a hushed screech.

 “Ugh, why does he always do this every time we go out? This is so unfair!”

“Judy, you know exactly why and I've told the same thing to you for weeks: he loves you very dearly.” Violet was a calm-mannered sibling. Even as she comforted Judy, she could see her lost mother in her.

“It’s just— I'm not a child anymore! I know how to handle myself.”

“And that's what he expects of you,” Violet stood up and made her way to the kitchen where Judy could smell the sweet scent of homemade carrot stew, “You’re twenty-two now Judy. Closing in on finding yourself a mate and finally settling down.” She grabbed a bowl and started to take the contents of the bowl with a large spoon. 

“He expects you to make your decisions and he expects you to choose the right one. And I know his choices may differ from yours, but you need to accept him for who he is.” She came back and put the bowl for her sister to munch on as she listened. Judy gave her a small smile and although she had a different thought, she was right. Besides, there's someone else she prefers talking to.

“Now eat up and get ready. Harvesting season's finally arrived. And you gotta take the first shift.” Violet left to wake up the rest of her siblings, not a whole lot of work since only twelve of them are under this burrow. As Judy ate silently at the table, she couldn't help but gaze at the family photos. To the picture of when her father was a more happy hare next to a serene and caring doe she once knew.

End of Book 1 Chapter-1

Chapter Text

Judy wiped the sweat off her brow and continued her plunders of the plants. She huffed and puffed before she managed to rip the carrot from the ground and put it in her basket. The Harvest was a majestic event celebrated by many rabbits in the area. Though the glaring heat made it no less fun than sitting in the middle of a scorching magma field. The sun was especially menacing today.

Over the fields that hardly measured up to other houses, Judy saw many of her siblings partaking in the harvest. From her younger eighteen-year-old sister Cotton to her elder brother Jason, all hard at work plucking various greens and fruits from their stems. Their family was one of the smallest in all of the burrows. As they were only a family of thirteen bodies including their father. 

Some of which have reached mating age including her sister, Violet. But finding one was another problem for them to tackle. Being a part of a small family, their marriage proposal wasn’t so politically sound to the Houses. Marriage was always seen as a way to grow the family and their farms. with only 12 other family members, their family couldn’t possibly aid the bigger Houses in any way. 

“Judy!” A call from the burrows dragged her attention to the bunny in the doorway. It was Manny who had called her; one of her younger siblings, though could that be said if they are only a year apart? “Violet’s calling you!”

Judy packed up the freshly sprouted vegetables back into her basket and made her way into the house with her earnings. Stepping into the house, she saw her sister ready with her dark green robe, and underneath, she could see the brown leather that protected her mid-sections. She looked to be writing something in her journal on the dinner table,

“What’s the occasion, sis?” Judy asked.  

“Gearing up to go to town. You should too.” 

“Why isn’t Dad going?”

“Tired. He sent me to help you contact the dealer.”

Judy just gave a nod before putting the basket in the kitchen. She went to the family showering station and took a quick wash before she changed into her white tunic and brown stockings. For protection, she opted for the brown leather that kept her snug and prepared. The armour was susceptible to most attacks but that won't be a problem if she could avoid such encounters in the first place. She equipped her leather boots and draped her dark purple cloak she would use when leaving the house. Unconventional wear that left her bearing a strong resemblance of a bolden buck, but she preferred it. With a bright look in the mirror, she opened the door and made her way to the stable.  

Bags of the first harvest were finally rounded up and ready to be delivered to the market. Sacks filled with Carrots and Tomats. The cart was a no-looker either, the oaken vehicle was made by her great-grandfather and was the only method of transportation her farm had. The one pulling the cart, though, changed each generation. The 6-legged tamed was the youngest Equestorn Wyldern they could find at a low price. The only beast she wouldn’t have to pull a spell on. They were carnivorous beings, and mostly passive until attacked. With no ears, it relied mainly on its impressive eyesight and touch to guide itself. 

She grazed her hands upon its rough tanned skin, where old scars of older owners left their marks. Slowly going forward until her hand met its muzzle. The beast reacts accordingly to the touches. She guided the Wyldern out to the muddy courtyard where the cart was being prepared. One of her brothers attached the cart whilst she helped load more vegetables onto the cart. Her sister wrote down every sack that was being loaded with her journal. After the cart couldn’t bear anymore, Judy and Violet hopped on.

“Is Pegasus Ready?” her sister said before she hopped beside her.

“As always.” Judy snapped the leash and Pegasus rode off steadily over the unpaved road. The journey would take roughly an hour to the nearest village, OakenWood, the village named for the trees that surround it. The road was wild and bumpy, the village roads never spread this far from the centre. Mud and trampled grass covered most of the road. On the horizon, she could see their neighbouring farm, House Lays. Their fields stretched over the horizon and accommodated more variety than hers did. With only a line of Oaken trees that divided the two farms. On their front, she saw they were finally shipping off their third and final cart to OakenWood. Their gaze wasn’t an inviting sight for them, not to Violet at least.

“Never too good when that happens” Violet huffed, shuffling in her seat as soon as they were out of earshot.

“ I wish I could show them a piece of my mind, let’s see how they like it when they lose someone special to them.”

“Judy, that wouldn’t be good for any of us. It's best to drop it.”

“Easier said than done, mammals here don't understand the things we went through Vi.'' An exasperated Judy flailed her hands around, causing Pegasus to divert as a result. “Always judging us. It's been years and I'm sick of it.” she snapped the rope again to make Pegasus centred on the road.

“It wouldn't necessarily be their fault. We were the ones to break tradition. Besides, someone feels our pain, like House Bellus or House Grey.”

“One is a Predator and the other is another small family. We’re all in the same boat. Disregarded by every other House in BurrowPlanes.”

“You can’t define families by their worst. Their families reach hundreds, they can’t possibly all think the same.”

“The rest are followers, they would follow or risk getting thrown out.” They passed another House, this time House Horu. The third richest House in the BurrowPlanes, with over a dozen rabbits all tying up their carts and their stares were, even more, agitating for Judy. 

“Why couldn’t they just accept dad as their own? So what if he can’t get over mom’s death and can’t move on? That shouldn’t matter. He’s still a farmer like any of them and twice as hardworking and triple the bunny they could ever be.” Violet truly looked to Judy as a strong figure in the house. Though she understood her most notorious weakness was her unconstrained action. Never thinking before she acted, but maybe that's what she needed as a beacon of hope.

“And the next would be House Gess.” Judy exasperated tiredly

“Memorized the houses already?”

“Only the ones in this trail,” Judy stopped to ponder, “at least the richest weren't interested in us.”

“How could they, their eyes are always on the money.”

As they passed the house of wood and layers of cobblestone, designed by the best architect in the BurrowPlanes. Behind the building stretched luscious fields of various fruits and vegetables, some aren’t even native to the surroundings. The sun shining through the hundreds of bunnies already in the field, and their fleet of carts all ready for the next shipment was mesmerizing in a way. It felt like it would’ve taken Pegasus forever to traverse such lands and yet, their Wyldern would do it in minutes. A couple of curious gazes here and there but ultimately not all too worrisome. The fleet of workers merely noted their presence and got back to work.

The next half an hour went by in a blur, passing the next three Houses without a hitch. And by that time, the roads were paved and the horizon was filled with a bustling sound of a working village. The chimneys of trailing smoke atop their wooden structures with a large spire perturbed from the village centre were a familiar sight to Judy. 

Entering the roads of the small village has been a euphoric sense to her as it was years ago. Such a crowded yet civilized place of trades, where kids run wild as they play around, and parents talk of goods and prices. Places like these make her wonder how majestic towns would be. Towns like ShireStar or even HavenReign could be hundreds of times larger than OakenWood, and every corner is a new surprise. 

Oaken barks would be used for nearly any structure in sight. It was the most structurally sound material nature had to offer and being the village’s most abundant resource, it was the perfect material to use. Not a surprise that half of the village was carpenters selling all sorts of wooden items from dolls, to furniture, to many designs of various staffs. 

Traversing the roads here was much smoother than in the rocky roads of the countryside. Paved with hardened stone, the only thing she had to worry for was the pedestrians and running children. Their dealer was on the other side of town so their trip was far from over.

Passing by the aforementioned spire meant they were in the centre of the village. Mageia always had a tradition to make the tallest structure of the town to be right in its centre. Some say this helped the forefathers to find their way back to safety from their adventures to the Wyld. OakenWood’s structure was a wood spire carved from, surprisingly, OakenBark and Judy's neck would ache if she looked to the tip of the spire for too long. 

On its carving, she could see many stories of tales she would read in bed. From the great adventure of the lonely toad to the dark wisps of the edge, and on the top was a carving of the first 4 titans holding up what appears to be an orb of magic at its tip. 

Finally, Judy turned around to a busy road of markets. Many of them are opening and unpacking the goods to be sold. Setting up their stalls to be the forefront of their business. 

“We’re here.” Judy stopped in front of a small stall in the middle of the busy road where a quiet old bunny had been waiting for their arrival. Violet quickly disembarked from the cart and made her way to talk to the dealer. Get the payment and off they went with a profit. Maybe even do a little shopping. But Judy wasn’t interested in any of that. With what little gold she had from her weekly allowance, she left as soon as Violet started talking with the hare. Business was never her forte, but she did find herself drawn back to a particular place whenever she arrived in the village ever since her youth.

She disembarked quietly and started to make her way out of the busy road with every footstep more silent than the last. unto the main road and right across, she saw the store she would go to every few months, Grey's Real Good Bakes. Avoiding any ongoing traffic or the busy mammals running here and there in the rush hours, Judy made it across the streets unscathed and opened the door into a whiff of freshly baked bread. 

The shop bell rang and attracted all the attention to her direction where she received some uncomfortable glances. The patrons here were sharp-toothed, unlike her but it didn't make her stop and run away, she found the sight rather welcoming. She approached the counter, under a heavy barrage of glares of the diners unto a familiar face. A slightly overweight fox Behind the counter had already taken note of her presence and return with an ear to ear smile

“Judy! Happy seein’ yawl ‘ere!” A red fox joyously exclaimed with a smile with his soft southern accent. Likewise, Judy returned the courtesy to meet her long childhood friend.

“Hey, Gideon, how’s the shop going?”

“Great! thuh shop's been lively than ever” Judy could see the wonder twinkle in his blue eyes as he kneaded the dough in front of him, with a smile stretching so wide, she was almost afraid it would strain his muscles, “So aah'm guessin’ 2 more CinnyBuns fer yawl an ‘im?” Judy smiled and nodded.

The crimson fox went to work with the dough. Preparing the special treat for his 2 friends to which he finds solace in this nation of bigotry. After all, there was a reason why his only patrons consisted of predators.

“How was the last few months?” Judy said, trying to ignite some conversation. To which Gideon didn’t directly answer but kind of shied away. Judy pressed on the question, “Have they hurt you in any way?” 

“Nuthin’ serious. nuthing’ aah won't come back from.”

“When?” The question was more of a demand. Gideon reluctantly answered with a sigh.

“ uh couple weeks ago, they Attacked at night. Just thuh glasses, nuthin’ stolen”

“Gidd you have to fend them off, they can’t treat you like this, this is unfair.”

“ah thought uh thet many tahms before, but fah respond, thay finally can pin may down, thay have thuh law. Ahm Just a fox.” Judy was sad for his fox friend. Prejudice and chauvinism did not bode well with her. The oven opened and out came the flames before it dimmed, “Don’t sweat it Judy, ah can take em, this village won't git to me”

“You’re a sweet fox Gidd,” his smile is only a painful reminder of the life he lived. But respecting the wishes of the fox, she promised not to get involved in these sort of things, “just watch your back”

“He’s already watching,” Gideon pointed to the sky and towards his heart, “and these buns are nearly reedy, want may tuh pack it out fer ya?”

“Sure, thanks Gidd” the fox pulled the buns from the blazing heat using his wooden paddle to show a lump of freshly baked pastry, golden brown and sizzling with sweetness. As the buns cooled off, the paddle turned from the flat structure to a green orb held in place from 4 sides. The buns were carefully and intricately wrapped around with paper to be brought by hand.

“An thet’ll bay 20 G’s.” Judy reached into her pockets and grabbed what was left of her allowance. Just enough to cover for the sweet treats. Soon she was on her merry way to a familiar place. A place of a fond memory.

 Down the road not far from here, she stood before an alleyway left alone by others. They wouldn’t dare enter here. The atmosphere left anyone uncomfortable,  and the dark shadows made it easy to get mugged. But to one that has gone here many times before, she knew it was his home. 

She entered without hesitation. She traversed wet mud and puddles. The alleyway then split into a fork in the road, but traversing these damp roads for years had told her of the exact path she had to take. The left, then the right and so on and so forth till the darkness soon faded. Into a small clearing surrounded by wooden walls. The ground has turned dry and a mammal sat on a cardboard mat. The smell of burning charcoal lingered in the air and the warm aura felt safe. 

“Are you lost, little bunny?” the mammal asked her under his hood. Judy stood there with the treats in hand. She did not answer directly and instead sat down before him. He waited for a minute before he asked again.

“Are you lost , little bunny?” Judy sniffed before stifling a surprised gasp. At that moment she had not seen the other mammal before her. She jumped instinctively and tried to run away, but where can she hide next? The alleyway was her closest friend for now.

“I'm sorry mister, I didn't mean to cross here, I just..”

“Say no more” the hooded mammal cut her off, “I see in your heart, it was an honest mistake.” With every soft word he spoke, Judy felt more and more on edge but she couldn't understand why. It might have to do with the staff he had close to him. Her parents had told her of many dangerous spells that might kill her, and with the right words, she was as good as dead. But something about it made her mesmerized. Maybe the fact of its Deep purple orb, or the aged OakenBark that held it in place. One thing was for sure, those inscriptions were not of her language.

“Where are your parents? I too would worry to know my child had ran off without me” He suddenly asked, snatching back her attention to the hooded figure who had the staff.  She then remembered why she was here in the first place, what went down at that alley, how she got lost, and the men that chased her here, she began tearing up again. Wiping away the tears, she weakly spoke,

“I don't know” the grey doe finally sat before him, hugging her knees close to her chest. Even under the shadow of the night, she could see his discomforted frown under the hood, “my dad told me not to talk to strangers”

“A wise advice”

“You’re not one of the bad people he told me about are you?” there was a hesitant pause before he answered again,

“No, no I'm not.” Then silence ensued as they both sat, the two mammals unable to conjure up any sentences to say to the other.

 Then a trickle of rain started dropping. One by one, the droplets made contact with the ground, making a symphony of clatter on the roofs that surrounded them. Then accompanied by the cold breeze, her teeth started to clatter together, shivering in the cold autumn night. 

The mysterious mammal quickly took off his hood and gestured to her, and she hesitantly looked over the coat before grabbing it slowly, paws touching just momentarily. She held it closely before she covered herself from the cold air. Found under the hood was also lined with leather and soft as wool, she feels as if she could hide in it forever, or until her parents found her. When she looked back to thank him, she had realised why her instinct was raging. Before her, sat a grown feline with tanned golden fur who easily stood more than five times her size. Black streak of fur from his forehead to his muzzle. Judy nearly jumped away before she realised a dark cloth that covered his face.

“You’re blind,” she said matter-of-factly. 

“Very observant of you,” he replied sarcastically. The silence then continued but as the mysterious mammal thought of another word to say, Judy was observing him. Observing his eyes that stayed covered. Imagining to live in a world of darkness.

“I’m surprised you haven’t run away, most farmers wouldn't stand around with an otter in their presence, let alone a caracal.”

“H-how did you know I live on a farm?” she stuttered

“I could smell the fresh vegetables off of you, the dirt that soil your feet, and the rough pads when our paws touched. Not rough enough to be experienced but one from birth.”

“But you can’t see if they’re true”

“I don't have to” Judy was in awe and gazed over to her tufted ears who were vigorously shaking around in place. As if he was finding a noise around him. As the rain poured around him, he seemed still, unaffected by the rain around him.

“My dad told me you’re dangerous mammals, and you eat our kind, do you actually eat us?” she had to know if her father’s words were the truth. This prompted a smile on his muzzle.

“No, we aren’t as we were many many years ago, we have changed. So rest assured, I won't eat you,” Judy asked more questions, her father never let her close to any predator in her life, and now sitting face to face with one made her brimming with questions.

“They say your claws are sharp enough to cut any prey.”

“That is true,”

“Have you used it to kill bunnies?” Judy shuddered just by the thought of it. But calmly, he replied.

“I have used them to defend my beloved before, and I hope to never use them again.”

“Where is your family?” The question made him shift in his seat. 

“Gone” sorrowed by the loss, his head hung low as he said. Judy put a hand over her mouth to stop a gasp from escaping 

“I’m sorry, I didn't know”

“It’s fine, they’re long gone from this world.”

“Do you miss them?”

“Every day. I would give anything to have them back.” another long pause as he slowly trailed.

“I missed my Mom,” Judy said under the soft trickle of raindrops.

“You too have suffered a loss?” Judy nodded before she realised, gestures meant nothing to a blind mammal.

“Yes.”

“Your mother must be a kind person.”

“She is.” There was a long pause as she let the sniffles and tears get carried with the rain, “i- I want my mommy back” she let the tears loose for the stranger to whom she never even knew his name. 

“I too understand your pain. Not a day goes by that I wish them back.” he paused to choose his words, “but the more I wish upon a star, the more broken I become. Pain is a cruel man, but a good teacher, your loss can give you experience. Take my words, painful as it is, mourning is good for the first few weeks, after that, it's time to let her go. To live in that world is to live in a fantasy.”

Judy sniffed at hearing his words. Wise words yet it still stings to know her mother won't be around anymore. She slowly starts to realise the rain had stopped momentarily and heard a cry in the night that caught her attention

“JUDY!!” a call she had recognized as her father. 

“I believe our time is almost over Judy.” Judy frowned before she gave back his hood, “And by the sounds of it, he is very worried for you” Judy finally stood for what felt like an hour. She looked back to the blind feline and asked one last question.

“Will I ever see you again, mister?” He smiled one last time before he put the hood over his head and replied.

“I will always be here. And next time, call me Max.” Judy smiled before she ran off out to the call of her parents, hopefully, she could remember the maze she had to traverse through to run from her chaser just moments ago, only to find a single path out to the main road. She hadn’t asked how and just ran out to find her father just across the streets shouting her name with a couple of siblings beside him. 

She screamed out to them and leapt in a tearful sob. 

***************************************** ********************************************

After the encounter, The night was vague by the death and mourning tears. And a memory which will forever be ingrained in her mind.

“Are you lost, little bunny?” he asked one last time before Judy smiled. Softly open the basket to reveal the sweet treats and finally say.

“No… I’m where I want to be”

End of Book 1 Chapter-2

Chapter Text

“JUDY!!!!” a feminine voice bounced off the brown palisade that surrounded them and a white haze jumped from under the hood of the predator. Quickly engulfed with a cold breeze around her body, was a scaled creature who slithered tightly around her. A four-legged Lizard, many people thought went extinct long before the fall of the Titans that came before mammals, a Dhjaregena

Her kind always resembled those of large dragons which hide in the mountain on a bed of gold coins. Her white scales felt smooth even through the leather armour and her black-tipped tail was tickling her as she moved around her waist. But unlike dragons, she had no wings to boast about. 

“Don't break the ribs, Anni, those are complicated to heal.” Max unhoods himself to show off the same cloth that covered his eyes. Judy laughs at the little frown of her small friend. 

“Ooo are those Pastries? I smell CinnyBuns!” she slithered hastily down into a fresh warm basket. 

“No,” Max’s paw hastily grabbed his staff and levitated the white lizard from her original trajectory, “how many times must I tell you, to wait for the treats.”

“But they’re Cinnys, and Gideon makes the best Cinnys in all of Epta.”

“Behave.” Anni pouted and sat between the two larger mammals, awaiting her treat. Judy only smiled and handed her the sweet pastry. The pastry was evidently half the size of her and she treasured it like a dragon with gold, Anni engulfed the whole pastry in a cold hug before she started munching on one side. The second pastry Judy uncovered and started to eat with her close friends. Max only sat and watched as the two enjoyed the sweet pastry from the fox down the road.

“You sure you don't want any? I have more in my allowance to cover all three of us.”

“A generous offer, but I Wouldn't want to burden you with such a menial task.” 

“I don’t think it's fair, you know? You’ve helped me through the last ten years and I haven't even given you a piece of pastry.”

“I appreciate you as a friend Judy, and as my friend, you would do as I desire. Correct?” Judy hummed, “Then under my wish, never burden yourself to award me with anything. Enough of me, how are your last few spells I have taught you? Finding them sufficient to deal with the Wyldern attacks?”

“Dad doesn't like the more aggressive stuff,” Judy replied as she nibbled slowly on the Cinnys.

“Pity, the aggressive ones are fun. Trecarious spells were always a delight to cast.” 

“Especially the last one you thought me”

“Infauliac? Preposterous, that spell is harmless. The safest Trecarious spell!”

“He’s only looking out for me, and any Trecarious in his eyes are dangerous”

“Hmmmmmm,” Max pondered a bit by himself. Thinking of a solution, “ well I suppose it would be fine if he decides to bear the offensive load to himself. But that does not mean you may lay off the Trecarious spells. All the spells are important in some way and to achieve the best, you must learn them all.”

“You think I can still do it?” Judy hesitantly asked while she nibbled her treat. Her ears lay flat against her back.

“Why the sudden change of heart? You have never given up before, why give up now?” 

“I mean, could I still become a Mage?” Max's head was crooked and his ears fidgeted from side to side, “I mean I'm already twenty-one, and I'm nowhere near HavenReign or have myself a mentor that could get me accepted in a Magestry, and my dad and everything...” Judy screamed in frustration of her far-fetched dream out of her reach. Sighing in desperation, her hopes wither away with time and all that Max can do is give sympathetic frowns.

“Judy, you may never give up hope. I will help you in any way possible. But rest assured, you can never leave your father as it is. An opportunity will arise, in the near future, you will finally gain what you desire most. You just need patience” The words were soft and soothing but Judy still felt like crying. Her life flipped on its side as it is. 

“How is he?” Max asked as he patted Anni who was happily devouring the CinnyBuns. Presumably asking about Gideon, and hopefully trying to get her mind out of her abysmal life. 

“Cheerful and hopeful” Max pondered the answer before coming to a harsh conclusion.

“Another?” Judy had not answered that question but her silence speaks volumes, “that fox is too naive, I already told him to move to another place, yet he is adamant as ever.”

“His father and fore-father have long lived in that house, it isn't right for him to just leave, the village is wrong to treat him like this.”

“They can't be asked to evacuate for no reason.”

“Well maybe just accept him as his own. How hard could that be.”

“Under that tyrant you call a queen, pretty difficult I'd say.” Judy stayed silent and nibbled on her sweets before she mumbled out a question.

“Would Michani be better?” The question prompted Anni to look hastily to the face of her companion. His maw flattens to a straight line.

“Michani is not better. Prejudice is rampant under king lionheart as well. But at least he could live his life in peace and obscurity.”

“I'm sick and tired of all this. The people who run the nations are cruel and speciest, we have to overthrow them.” Max frowned at the sudden outburst. 

“Violence isn’t always the answer. You have to wait for the right moment.” Max tries to stay positive, being a beacon of logic to the much more emotion-driven hare, “Tell you what, remember the story of 5 friends?”

“The fairy tale?” Anni asked, confused as she finished her CinnyBuns and closely loomed over the treat that Judy held.

“Yes. the fairy tale. ‘My lost friend Your life, I will never end But I will give you a purpose to append Before you I will lend The power of end.” Max quoted the verse for word.

“The fourth friend?” Judy said, almost hesitantly. Confused at whatever is implied by the golden feline.

“Yes, the fourth, or most people would call him the end. He is more than just a character from an old cubs novel. He is a show of a concept of the universe that nothing lasts forever. And in the fourth friend, we can learn patience. Time is a slow friend and doesn't take any orders. But to every end, a new beginning” Max said softly and confidently to the grey hare. Giving her a small slight for hope. Maybe things weren’t so bleak after all.

 Then a warm smile turns into a horrified gasp. His maw hung open in the air. He was focusing on something, it wasn’t unusual, but this time, he seemed to be lost for a while. Then a confused Judy turned worried. His hands turned a darker shade of black and his mouth started to foam. 

“Max?” Judy hesitantly leaned closer and tried to reach for his hands but when they touched, he was blown back by a force unknown by the hare or the white creature. His body struck the wall with unforeseen speed, leaving him kneeling over, grunting as he started coughing out a dark liquid.

“MAX!” The two companions rush to his side to watch him spit out blood. His cloth uncovered to show his pale white eyes. Shocked and scared. As if he could see ghosts under the blind eyes of his. And in the corner of his eyes, Judy could see a tear started to form

“I’m fine”

“You don't look fine at all.” Anni hurriedly said, before hugging his companion. Stretching out her tail and her head to cover his torso before releasing an icy aura around her, “that’s gonna be complicated to heal.” Anni commented as Max grunted and sighed. Grabbing his staff, using it to help him up. Judy grabbed his cloth that covered his eyes to feel a sensation of dried blood and tears. 

“What was that?!” Judy half screamed at the feline who was limping out past his usual mat. 

“A bad omen, a horrid vision, something I fear. I have to leave immediately.” he hastily walked out of the small clearing.

“What? why? You haven't answered my questions yet.” Judy stood to try and keep pace with him.

“Don’t come looking for me Judy.”  He covered his head with his hood and started to swirl his staff, “and go home, I'm afraid bad news awaits you there.”

“What?” a dark mist covered Max's body and his staff started to bleed out dark ink from the sphere.  

Judy tried to stretch out to his friend. But met with a cold wisp of air that he had left. He was gone. She looked around her in the small clearing to see that she was left alone.

Confused and worried. She rushed out of the alleyway, but she couldn’t find the black hooded figure anywhere, he was gone. He wasn’t the type of mammal to drop out so quickly. something was happening and she was frightened at the prospect. 

‘Bad news’ the words came ringing out and she held the crimson coloured cloth tighter. She had to get home. Judy sprinted over to Violet. Running till her breath was ragged all to the market road where she had left Pegasus. Violet was already packing up to leave the dealer when her eyes spotted a grey fur ball closing in quickly.

“There you are, I was worried sick for you. Don't just - ” Judy cut her off by grabbing her arm and rushing over to the driver seat and she snapped the rope and set Pegasus running. 

“Whoa, Judy, slow down!” Violet exclaimed. Pegasus sets off. She had to swerve over a stand as she flew out the market road and onto the main road, nearly toppling over the sides.  Even as the roads were not as filled as it was half an hour ago, various obstacles still stood in the way. In her vision, she caught a glimpse of a walking pedestrian. Judy acted quickly and pulled the rope to the right. Pegasus changed his course almost immediately and nearly crashed into the opposite coming traffic before Judy turned left again to the correct way of the road.

Violet tried her best to hold on but every bump sent her floating in the air for a couple of seconds. Her screams were also accompanied by another enraged driver that shouted profanity towards her, but everything seemed to fade out of existence. Her eyes were focused and thankfully the children were currently attending mass this Saturday. Leaving her to deal with the other carriage drivers. Pegasus wasn't even supposed to go this fast but in times like this, she cares not for some wyldern.

Going around the OakenWood spire nearly set violet out of the chariot. Luckily she managed to grab a piece of faulty wood that started to deteriorate out of the carriage before she was thrown out. Managing to hold on with whatever strength she had left. 

“JUDY SLOW DOWN!!” Violet exclaimed again whilst she held on for dear life. Judy finally realised the peril her sister was in and reached out to her whilst her left hand held the rope. Violet reached for her hand before she screamed out again, “EYES ON THE ROAD” 

Judy refocused back and saw she was swerving off course and managed to drive on to the opposite way. Judy turned back to the left, right before another carriage was millimetres from collision. Her sister was thrown to the back of the carriage where she would remain for the duration of the journey.

 Out of the village and into the fields in record speed. Out here was a little quieter. There weren't many carriages that traverse here at this time, but where the carriages failed to make the challenge, the unpaved road came back to bite them. 

 The cart jumped violently and with every jump, Violet's cry from the back became louder and louder. Though her cry was more and more drowned by the racket of the wheels crashing on rocks. Passing by all the houses to the one she currently calls home. With every jump, she would hope the cart wouldn't break in two and leave her rolling in the mud. Judy never cared though, in her eyes. Her father is everything to her and if anything happened to him, she would surely be more than devastated.  The hour drive was cut down to half the time and a very violent violet started screaming for dear life.

“JUDY! What has gotten into you!” Judy jumped off the cart, ignoring her sister’s cry and her sibling’s concerned stares from the fields. She dashed straight through the front door with a valiant cry.

“DAD!” she screamed as she busted through and scanned the main room and saw a grey ball of fur sitting in the dining room, enjoying his carrot stew from last night and his mana from the cup. Judy jumped and hugged her dad tightly as if she would lose him. 

“Judy! What was that?!.” Violet said huffing as she tried to keep pace with her, far more superior, athletic sister. Judy held the cloth tightly in her hand. Remembering Max's words. 

“I had a bad feeling dad was in danger but I guess my feelings were wrong.” Judy heaved a sigh of relief. Before she sat down beside her father. catching her breath as she looked at him up and down. Hoping no scratches or deep gashes had been inflicted to him while she was gone. Nothing but his grey fur covered him.

But other than the wounds, she found more unsettling things. With his eyes were not the usual bright almonds, but deeper chocolate. His nose was twitching as all bunnies who have felt anxious. And a letter of a black stamp in his hand was the most worrisome. Black stamps would only be used from the Mageian High Court.

“Dad? Are you okay?” Stu tried to give her daughter the best smile he could muster, but all a facade, and she knew it. Violet snatched the note instantly from his grasps and her ears fell in mortification. 

“What?”

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In a far distant forest, where trees were no longer green in colour and orange leaves dropped by each second to cover the ground to only quickly sink under the earth, a dark mist appeared. Out came a feline dressed in a dark hood. With him, held a purple orb on a dark brown staff. The mist appeared for only a second before he fell to his knees, vomiting a dark liquid mixed with his blood. 

“There there,” A small white dragon patted his back with her black-tipped tail before she asked, “Now, mind telling me… What the fuck was that?!”

“Hard to explain directly”

“How is that possible? I've seen you explain how a fight is going to go down in perfect accuracy. How is anything hard to explain?”

“It was a spell crash. I tried to control it, but it backfired.”

“And the spell?” Max gulped before he sat back up and wiped his mouth.

“Sight-see”

“Let me get this straight, in addition to scaring us both, you have decided to use an old spell to see the future, mind you a spell that has been illegal in Mageia for over centuries, and all you have to say is that it's a bad omen,” Anni flails her arms in exaggeration only to have a nod in return and a hum. Anni released an exasperated sigh, “You're a poet, I get it, but does every word out of your mouth need to be a mess?”

“I’m sorry I can't explain further, old friend, but little time is left. We must venture out to the Wyld to save Epta once again” Max held his staff and used it to stand. Making his way slowly to the nearest village in sight where his first of many obstacles stands. 

“You say this like we do this all the time”

“But we did”

“That was eons before now, and the last one ended greatly. Are you even sure she’s ready?”

“I have confidence in us,” Max started walking slowly toward the small village, “and as for her, she was ready the day we met. I'm sure of it.”

“Fiiiiiiiiinnneeeee. But I expect some payment in cinnys after this” Anni hugged his friend's torso to heal his ever so present internal wound. Hearing him grunt a little to the pain always made her smile in the darkest of days. 

“That's the spirit,” Max huffed up the hill and into a clearing. “Right, our first victim is a lone ranger in StormySky.” a concerning statement to Annie as the city he mentioned, wasn’t even in Mageia. 

End of Book 1 Chapter-3

Chapter Text

“I will miss you all.” Violet hugged her very few family for what might be the last time, “You guys be safe out there. And remember we’ll stay right here.” she said to her father and her two younger brothers who she has sworn were no older than five just yesterday.

“You boys go ready up outside and we leave in a few minutes. I need to talk to your sister for a minute.” Johnatan and Adam, who she recognized from her litter, hopped outside where a caravan had been awaiting for their arrival.

“How is she?” 

“The screams and bang have died down but I can still hear her mumbling through the door this morning.” Stu sighed and grabbed his new staff. A simple blue orb on an OakenWood branch. It wasn’t the best staff, but it would serve him well. He paused to think about his emotional daughter that kept him staying longer than he should. Wishing he could unlock the door and see her face one last time. He cursed the almighty for such a turn of events. A peaceful harvest was all he hoped for, yet this would come rolling down.

“Make sure she’s alright, Violet, and don’t wait for us to go home. Farmers life is gonna be tough with only ten of you.” Stu finally waved goodbye with a fake smile, hoping to lift up the spirit of her other beloved daughter. He stepped out the door to be greeted by one of the Emparatus, elite soldiers that would be tasked by the queen herself. 

With a frown, Violet returned the gesture, seeing her father leave for a war she wasn’t sure they’d win. They called it a defence for the motherlands, to fight for the queen, but the war with their neighbouring nation, the Michani, was nothing more to satiate that old ewes warmongering tendencies and to finally quell her hatred towards the predator kind. 

The friction between Queen Bellwether of Mageia and King Lionheart of Michani was evident but not shown at the surface, and now the people can finally witness the brewing hatred between the two. She could only pray, the almighty had planned a swift battle, lives were not to be thrown, but cherished. Though souls were not seen as much to a warmonger.

 The caravan was soon heard leaving the front walk. Leaving Violet alone in the house with nine of her younger siblings fast asleep. All but one of course. The Bunny in question. Maybe it was time to pay her a visit.

The last few days have been hectic. As the boys went to the city for newer gear, Violet has been trying desperately to calm her little sister. This was one instance where her irrational action could get herself killed and Violet's only response was to lock her in her own room. The wooden door could never contain the beast within her, but gave them just enough time for the caravan to come. She wishes it could have ended on better terms.

The halls of this dire morning were silent. She would think every hall of every house was like this. Down the main hallway, was Judy’s room. She almost felt bad for her, being kept for the last day or so, but she couldn’t take any chances. She knew her little sister too well and whatever she planned would end up killing both herself and her father. She stood with bated breath in front of her door and knocked gently. 

…

No response.

She tapped the door again. 

…

Still nothing.

Violet reaches over her belt to retrieve the house keys. She carefully picked Judy's door and inserted the metal bar to the keyhole. The klick followed with a gentle creak of the hinges. The room was a mess, everything was trashed and even her clothes were sprawled all over the place. The shelves were pulled from their support and the bed flipped over. In the centre, knelt the rabbit responsible for the destruction. Her head dipped and ears lay flat against her back.

“They left, haven't they?” Judy asked in a hushed whisper. Almost as if she was out of energy, tired from all the destruction she had laid. Violet’s heart ached for her. 

“Yes they have” Violet answered and she closed the door behind her. She wanted to light the candles in her room but seeing as there weren't any candles that weren't snapped in half or completely melted, she decided to make her own.

“LumenSel” a small ball of flames appeared in her hand and the room felt its first wash of light after a full day. Under the light, she could see a wave of other features she missed. The clothes were torn, some burnt wooden shelves beside some melted candles showcased some extent of the damage, so did the scrapes of claw marks on her dirt wall where she tried to dig herself out of the burrow. The bunny in question wasn't any better. She wore the same white tunic and brown leather stockings she had since yesterday. Sprinkles of maroon covered her paws, and her fur was ecstatic. She held in her paw, only a maroon coloured cloth and it seemed to be burnt slightly on the edges.

“I’m sorry,” Judy’s ear twitched and slowly she pounded the ground, “He regretted every decision to put you here.”

“You locked me here...” her voice trailed.

“Judy please understa-”

“YOU Locked me, in here, as they left” Violet flinched as she screamed. Judy slowly turned to look at her. Her eyes were puffy and red from all the crying and she looked like she could barely stand, “Whatever happened to having each other's back.”

“You were going to get yourself killed!” Violet approached her sister although hesitantly, “Judy you were going to burn the draft notice and intercept the caravan, that could get yourself killed for going against the high orders. These things are out of your control, I was looking out for you.” She sat close, holding the ball of light closer. 

“But not for dad? He’s going to get killed for a stupid war.”

“Dying with honour for his country.”

“Who never loved him.” Violet frowned at this as she couldn’t exactly find an effective rebuttal. While what he did was noble, the fact would always remain that he wasn’t accepted even in the burrows for going against traditions, from remaining single throughout his life to working with a predator, it felt like he couldn’t do anything to please the others.

“Look Judy, that might be true but we can’t do anything about it. The order was from the queen, we have no say in the matter. Please let it go” Judy furrowed her brows and her eyes were filled with more than determination but also hatred. Pure and blistering heat from the inferno of rage within her.

“No, we always had the choice” Judy quickly stood and started to run towards the door. Violet eyes turned wide as the caravan was still out at the next house. She was planning to intercept the caravan even in her weakened state. She tried to reach for her little sister but met with nothing but air as even in her exhaustion, she was still faster than her. 

“Judy no!” she tried to scream out for her but she had already left the room. She cursed as she should never have left the door unlocked in the first place. She hastily stood up and chased after the younger doe. 

Once out on the hallway, she could see some of the other siblings opening their door to the sudden ruckus and Judy’s back running out of the hallway into the kitchen. Violet gulped as she pulled up her skirt and continued in pursuit. She huffed, dragging the green dress around in a laboured breath. Running in these were horrendous even without the shoes. she arrived just barely in the dining room before Judy had unlocked all of the locks to the front door.

“Judy Don’t!”

“If you aren’t with me, then you’re against me Vi, I’ll do anything to get father back.” She looked back at Violet with a look of determination before she opened the front door. What met them was not a sight of the dimmed blue morning sky, but a hooded stranger that blocked the archway. 

Violet eyes widened at the sudden intrusion, but secretly released a sigh of relief as her sister seemed preoccupied. She had decided to work on one problem at a time. She rushed over to the kitchen to grab her father’s old battered staff and meet the strange mammal at the door.

“I’m sorry sir but we aren’t accepting an-” she stopped in her tracks when her eyes laid on the said mammal. She could feel her instinct finally coming to life. A creeping chill ran down her spine and she found herself unable to speak. Under the hood, she could see a maw of a large cat-like predator, with his toothy grin that showed his fangs. Eyes slits of white were entrancing in a way. The mammal that stood before her was a predator. What’s more dreadful, was what he held in his right hand. A staff with a purple orb, an orb only given to sorcerers from prestigious academies. It was her turn to freeze in place.

“Yes?” the stranger asked. Violet gulped and tried her best to form a sentence.

“I- I'm sorry si-sir. But w-we’re not accepting any v-v-visitors today.” she shied away under his gaze that felt chilling. Whilst her father didn’t outright hate them, he didn’t completely trust them either. He wouldn’t take the risk of predators that could kill him with a swipe of their paws.

“Shame” Violet was drenching in sweat and her mind had wandered to unpleasant places. Her nose was twitching relentlessly and she could feel her breathing starting to shorten. The predator started slowly lifting his staff and this all but sealed Violet's resolve. It was her time to defend her family and the ones she loved. Her father entrusted her with this task, and she won’t let him down. She steeled herself to go ahead with not only a predator but what might be a sorcerer-level predator. She aimed and screamed.

“ApofluctusDen!” the words rang and the blue orb of her staff lit with an azure glow. She concentrated her resolve. The hooded mammal was blown back a couple of metres as he stumbled to his knees but remained to stay upright. The force managed to knock his hood off his head and 2 tufted ears sprang up to meet her. It was a caracal with who she had picked a fight with. He brushed off his shoulder before his searing glare focused on her. Chills ran all through her body as the death glare bore through her. 

“Now that wasn’t very nice was it” the caracal lifted his staff once again and Violet's heart sank as she prepared to counter the spell. He stabbed the ground and nothing… 

She heard no spell before roots started to raise from the ground and pinned her legs where they stand, 

‘Impossible, how could he have casted without even uttering the spell’ she thought. Even some of the sorcerers she knew, wouldn’t dare touch on the art of silent casting for the dangerous demise it had brought on many others. Violet struggled to get free and decided this is where she would stand her ground, she held up her staff and aimed. Hopefully, she remembered how to cast the Trecarious spells. Rusty as she was, she wasn’t going to die without a struggle

“Fulma-” Violet ate her tongue and gasped when from the corner of her eye, she saw a grey haze jumping over the House fence, “Judy no!” she screamed for her little sister who had taken the time to make a dash over to the caravan whilst she was preoccupied with the sharp-toothed mammal. The staff sparked and Violet flinched from the sudden shock of the staff, throwing the staff to the ground. She didn’t care for the staff as she pulled on her legs to at least attempt to catch up to her sister. 

Her struggle was met with no resistance as the roots started to recede in the ground. Violet’s eyes widened and she looked up to find her sister, hoping to dash to her as soon as she could. But to her surprise, her sister wasn’t running. Thrashing around in the air throwing profanities to the random stranger before she took a look at him and hung there silently as she levitated to the front door. Violet prepared for the worst and even prepared to risk casting a Trecarious spell without using a staff but a necessary risk she would take if it meant to save her family. 

As the stranger walked slowly to the front door, carrying her little sister on a leash, Violet’s nerve came crawling back. A sorcerer predator who performed silent casting would do that to any bunny. More so now that he held her sister captive. 

“Ms Violet, I purpose you stop thinking of the various spells to kill me with and restrain your sister.” The stranger let Judy down to walk with a face of defeat to her side. She had never seen Judy so beaten before, her ears hung low and stayed behind her as she shied away from the stranger’s view. She slowly rubbed her forearm and bit the inside of her cheek. She looked back to the stranger and this time, had a more calm face.

“What do you want?” she asked with a little disdain in her voice, offering to help a predator who attacked you wasn’t up in her mind, but he helped her sister from getting murdered by royal guards, which made her reconsider. He slowly smiled as he looked between the two of us.

“I need Judy’s help.”

End of Book 1 Chapter-4

Chapter Text

“So why do you need her?” Violet said from beside her to the golden feline across the dining table. 

“Straight to the point, I see,” His smile was soft and calming, despite challenging her sister on a mage to mage combat just moments before, “Well, I require your sister, Judy, for my quest across the lands.” Adventures aren’t so rare in the modern days. Many young mammals are recruited by veteran explorers as their escorts for their journeys. Some live in legends and replace their Mentors, many don't live after the first few weeks. But it was a peculiar sight for this veteran explorer to drop by their house instead of setting up drinks at the local tavern. 

But Judy could hardly focus on the conversation. Between her growling stomach and her sleep depravity, she was just happy to get some food in her. She sipped gratefully on the hot stew, feeling warm and cuddly inside. From the corner of her eyes, she could also spot some of her siblings in the hallways. Awoken by the ruckus and staying out of curiosity. After all, it isn't every day that a predator would step into the Hopps household. 

“And how long will that be?” His smile falters and is replaced by a nervous chuckle. 

“I don't know,” his voice was almost hesitant.

“I’m not sure you understand how desperately I need that answer. We're a small family as you can see.” She gestured to the hallway of curious siblings, all wide-eyed to the threat of the room. Max had only pointed to his white irises, and her face was hit with a warm splash of discomfort.

“Point is, we can’t afford to lose Judy,” she quickly drove the statement forward, “especially now with the harvest and when we’ve already lost our father and two brothers to the war.” Max looked towards his paw. He was pondering his option.

“I can at least guarantee her safety and will be paid handsomely by the end of the journey.”

“I need more, money isn’t going to cut it Mr, Millanus,” she pushed up her glasses up the bridge of her nose, “I need something that can benefit all of us at the moment.” She once again gestured to the bunny-filled hallway. Just as Max opened his mouth, a small, yet fierce voice came from inside his hoodie.

“We can get your family back!” the voice exclaimed from the inside of his hood and by the looks of it, even the golden feline was surprised. The declaration caught Judy in full attention.

“Who’s that?” Violet asked slowly. A scaly creature crawled out of Max’s hood and slowly walked towards the dining table, using his hands as a bridge to the wooden platform. 

“ What is that?! ” Violet nearly jumped from her chair if it weren’t for Judy’s hand on her shoulder.

“It's ok, she’s friendly, she won't bite,” Judy tried to pacify her sister as she held her forearm in a firm grasp, “She’s a friend.” She turned to look to the hallway and saw her brothers and sisters filled with awe of a small dragon in their presence.

“Anni Alora, and I'll be speaking for the both of us,” she sat at the table and outstretched her front paws. Violet hesitantly took them and shook gently. Afraid to hurt such a small creature, “This here is my theatrical centric partner in crime,” she gestured to the blind feline behind her.

“I would like to point out that I did not start the fight.” Max commented.

“You showed up to a small burrow in the morning, with your hood on and a wicked grin, what did you think she would think other than ‘this guy’s gonna murder me’” Max pouted and sulk in his seat and mumbled out.

“It was for the aesthetical reasoning,” he put the hood over his head and went back to sulking in his seat.

“What did you mean you can bring my family back?” Judy asked in optimistic cheer. The white scaled creature softly smile and replied,

“Yes, we can.”

“IF we can!” Max barges in momentarily, “While we do know the artefact exists, we do not know if the artefact remains in the place I remembered it.”

“You’re very good at giving people hope you know that?” Anni said sarcastically, “Yes we don’t know if it's still there but it's always worth a shot right?” she gave a soft and assuring smile, but one that she knows is but a facade.

“I’m sorry, do you mind telling us exactly what this ‘artefact’ is?” Violet asked, air quoting around the word artefact. Her patience running thinner by the second, “I’m not sure I believe the fairy tales you’re giving us.”

“Well the artefact we speak of is the Book of Gifts.” Judy’s head tilted. It might be the lack of sleep talking or the feline was just insane. 

“You need to stop reading those cub fairy tales,” She said, crossing her arm, finished with her bowl of stew, “That book is just a myth.” Max frowned at their scepticism.

“And who is to say myths don't exist?” 

“Do you have proof?” Violet said as she squinted at the feline. He in turn looked at Anni.

“Well, we do, but it's best to keep this between us,” Anni said as she jumped to Max and crawled back into his hood.

“That means, no eavesdropper .” Max declared with a loud boom making the two hare jump slightly. His eyes turned a bright white before his movement seemed to stop. In fact, everything seemed to stop. Judy was confused at what's happening, whatever he just cast, it wasn’t taught or written anywhere in the libraries she went to. She turned to the bunnies of the hallway and saw a frozen wall of hares. Their fur was perfectly still and their eyes completely wide. She turned back to the feline and saw no difference.

“What in the almighty?” Violet's alarmed voice questioned. She stood up quickly, pushing the chair behind her too fast. The furniture jolted from its passive state and slowly, the chair ceased to move entirely, being a couple of centimetres off the floor. Floating mid air. 

“Relax, He just froze time for a bit while I show you something,” the white scaled creature appeared from under his hood, bringing out a piece of paper, “But we only have a few minutes before the spell dies.” She laid out the paper, unfurling the crumpled fabric on the table. On the paper itself, Judy saw a drawing of a land unbeknownst to them with a glowing circle around a structure on its left side. On the bottom, Judy saw a golden stamp with a foreign insignia. This seemed like something straight from a fairy tale.

“What's this?” Violet asked as she took a seat. 

“This is a map which he recovered a few days ago,” she explained. Judy wasn't listening as she was focused on other things, like the inscription above the stamps, all seemed to be in bright gold, but that wasn’t the strangest thing about it. The writing seemed familiar, yet she has no idea what it meant.

“What are these writings?” she started running her paw over the inscription slowly.

“That's just some Meratal stuff, only Max knows how to read it.” she pointed back to the feline who was frozen in time,  “But he translated it to me already.” 

‘Meratal language?’ she recited in her head. She remembers her father used to say something about it, a language long forgotten, and didn't matter any longer. It was the time Judy tried to show her father the inscription of Max’s staff to understand what it had meant.

“What does it say?” Violet asked, brimming with curiosity about the map of what could be an artefact that never existed.

“He said ‘to know of knowledge is a curse, to keep that knowledge is the blessing.’” The hare’s ear sprang up in full attention. That wasn’t the only word for word of the last line of the book of the said fairy tale, but to be written in a dead language on a paper torn centuries ago, it was more than eerie. A sudden shock as thunderous gong rang. Judy and Violet clutched their ears and clenched their teeth from the loud bang. Their eyes slam shut from the pain.

When they opened their eyes, the sound had stopped and Max was breathing heavily from across the table. The map was no longer on the table and Anni was nowhere to be seen. Judy looked back to the hallway of her siblings and was relieved to find their chest rising and their eyes blinking. Visibly confused at whatever had happened.

“The paper was quite old. It wasn’t made of tree fibres or any leaves, but hardened skin from an old titan,” he commented as he straightened his back and looked back at the 2 hares.

“So that fairy tale was… true?” Violet's voice was visibly shocked.

“You’d be surprised at how many of said fairy tales are based upon real events and even realer artefacts.” Max took his mug and started to chug down his mana which was provided to him. Judy could also see that his paw had started to turn a darker shade of black, just like the last time he left her.

“And as for some of those problems,” Max pointed to the remains of their family staff on the front steps of the house, “I am willing to provide whatever necessary. That is of course if Judy even desires to come.” Eyes now landed on the grey hare. Under the pressure of choosing the faiths of more than just her father, was probably not the best place to be when your restless endeavours the night before have left you with half the thinking capabilities.

“Fine. I believe she is old enough to choose for herself.” Violet said as she finally gave Judy the spotlight. “Which is it, Judy? To stay and help your family with the farm as your father had intended, or going on some measly and potentially useless adventure” she said the last with enough venom to sting the feline’s heart.

“It is no measly adventure, and I would appreciate it if you would use the banner of Quest~ .” Their bickering started to blend into seamless noise and her head started to throb. Her actions the night before had left her numb. Sightings of regrets came crawling on her neck. She took a deep breath and weighed both sides of the coin to the best of her sleep-ridden brain.

She didn’t want to leave her sister as it is. Even though their lands could not be compared to the others of the BuroughPlanes, it was still a full acre that needed to be tended by each day. This would be difficult with only the nine of them. Her father too wouldn’t dare risk her life for his. He wouldn’t even consider, for they both know where she earned the stubborn trait.

But on the other hand, she could finally be the difference of the world. To finally have a say in the matters. To follow her heart's desire. To become the shield and guardian of her family. To finally be free to follow her desired path other than the one her father laid before her. To finally go beyond the range of the BuroughPlanes and finally see the world for what it is.

The final decision was not an easy one to pick even if she wasn’t euphoric from the sleep depravity, but ultimately she knew what she needed to do. Whether to pick from her reasoning or desire, then she would have to pick…

*************************************************************************************

“I’ll be perfectly honest, I wouldn’t think you would choose this path” Max explained as he strides carefully across the muddy tracks of the road. “I wouldn’t be angry if you had chosen the other.”

“Yeah, well it was my choice and I hope I didn't choose the wrong one, Violet didn’t look too happy with it.” She silently said as she walked with him. She had changed to a more comfortable attire she was familiar with. White tunic with her brown leather chest piece, over black leggings and leather boots, and of course her purple cape. The shower was long and reflective, contemplating what she had done just minutes before.

Her sister was displeased, to say the least, but she did try her best to cover her dismay. Her brothers and sisters, however, had shown their emotion on their sleeves. Whether for the better or worse. But the deal was sealed and Max had the engravings to show. As they left, she had spotted Max Handed her sister a pouch of something, and a new staff.

“Where did you get the staff?” she asked again on the silent morning.

“I made it.”

She gawked at the statement, “The staff was not too intricate, I only gave it just enough will to make it last for a decent time. It's sturdy and decent, but not my finest craftsmanship. Give it a month and it soon will show signs of wear and tear.” 

“But I was only gone for ten minutes, you made it in ten minutes?”

“What in the blazes are you talking about?” Max asked in disbelief.

“You were gone for nearly an hour, bun,” Anni said as she took her spot on his shoulder, “We almost broke down the door cause we were scared you might have passed out or somethin’.” Has she been contemplating for an hour in the showers? Time flies fast when you’re half asleep.

“Aside from time, the casts weren’t too demanding either. Root mending spell and a crystallized spell won’t take too much from you. And combine a little bit of focus and will and you have yourself a green sceptre, ready for harvest.”

“You mean, I could have made my own staff all this time?” 

“I don't see why not,” Max replied before he grabbed her paw and dove in some shrubbery, “And we have arrived at our ride.” Behind the leaves of green, she was met with a large carriage. Large enough to fit her whole family inside comfortably. The large wooden structure was created more as a trader’s caravan with a large cloth as the only shade to hide from the sun. In the front was an Equestorn Wyldern, though from what she could see, this one was far more youthful than Pegasus. 

“I see that you’ve been busy the last few days.” Judy looked at the back and spotted huge amounts of food and mana to be utilised throughout the trip. There also laid some unknown metal components she wasn’t too familiar with. “I’m not sure if we’re going on an adventure, or starting a colony,” she said playfully. 

“Not an adventure. It's a…” Max trailed off as he spotted Judy already hazily sleeping on some soft cabbages and tomatoes, “ …Quest” Max gave a soft smile before he levitated some blankets over the tired hare and took to the helm of the wagon where a red furred creature was awaiting for him.

*************************************************************************************

On the other end of the realm of Epta, in a city of wealth and fortune. Languid footsteps echoed against the white marble of the Mageia stronghold. A beige woollen creature in dark robes walked the hallways of her Mistress. It seemed colourless and needed more décor, but he wasn’t here to judge the decorators for their subpar work; he was here for very serious business.

         He was here to bear upon the Queen the news. News that unfortunately had to be unwelcomed. He would fear her wrath, but his duty as second in command is to deliver such news. As he neared the grand hall, he could finally feel the sweat roll down his forehead. His ears finally caught wind of chanting and screaming from within, indicating the council was in full effect. To him, this was only more pressure to be had. As he opened his amber golden eyes, they were met with chaos in their natural form. A couple of kits fighting in the playground was far more civilised than what he witnessed.

The room fortunately looked the same. The large purple banner with the Mageia’s emblem etched in a glorious gold was the most prominent sight of the bunch. In the middle, the round table stood, which had, surprisingly, maintained its circular shape. On the other side of the room, sat with her hooves on her temple as she calmly sat in the middle of the chaos of council. Elevated above the rest, was the Queen herself.

“This would not be. a month!?” a beaver he could only identify as Rover Redtooth screamed his points, “Those sharp-toothed animals would be ready by then, we must push it forward if we are to gain the upper hand. And why the clearing, we should attack through the Sennrian where they least expect it.”

“With all due respect bucktooth,” an unknown pig spat out to a seemingly hot-headed beaver, “you wouldn't know a good strategy even if it hit you in the head.” This seemed to anger the beaver further.

“Why you little--” the brown creature grabbed the hem of his dark robes and almost vaulted the table to start a brawl with the pig before a loud voice quelled the outrage.

“ENOUGH!” The queen shouted as seeing her second in command had her hopes for some good news. But alas, she would soon realise, she would prefer the deafening sound of the council instead, “It would appear that my associate Doug has come bearing some news. Won’t you tell the council the news Doug.” her voice soothing and desperate for anything to brighten her day, further adding to his anxiety. The urge to run had increased exponentially after hearing her hopeful voice to hear some pleasantries in this evening of chaos. He steeled himself to finally bear the news, under the council’s gaze no less.

“The golden one has returned.” He said with a frightful tone. With his fur-raising behind his neck and sweat rolling down his brow. The council sat in silent distress. Most of the council had a panicked glance towards the queen, then there were others who knew not of the golden one and looked utterly confused. The queen's frown was justified and her head hung low. She had both hooves on top of the podium.

“Would you please leave us council mammals,” she looked up with a glare of great might, running the chills on the ram’s spine who was on the unfortunate end of her sight. All the council mammals slowly stood up and started making their way to the door. Passing the ram with their eyes of sympathy, for her wrath was not to be taken lightly. As the door closed behind him, he swallowed the anxious feelings away, reminding himself that she would never hurt him, would she?

“How.” it was but a silent whisper, but it managed to catch his tongue off guard, almost fearful for his life, he scrambled to find his voice.

“T-the guards had found a high usage of magic in the region of the BuroughPlanes, and they have told me it was…” he trailed off before the queen squinted the answer out of him, “I-it was unfamiliar to them.”

“How unfamiliar? ” she interrogated the ram further making him squeal.

“We still haven’t found him yet, but when asking the mammals in the place, their magic sight showed one thing, that it looked tainted, like a…”

“A chill that ran from your head to your toe, begging for you to stop?” the queen finished her explanation.

“Yea, something like that. But we haven’t heard from the locals about a golden furred individual yet, not as of this moment.

“Call off the search, it's him.” the queen state with a dejected tone

“Your highness, how could you be so sure?”

“Cause he is the only mammal who knew of such magic. Cursed magic. No other mammal could survive its clawing power unlike him. No mammal could stand the corruption as he could. If it wasn’t him, we would have found a dead body now covered in black ink.”

“Are you sure there is not an apprentice that he could have taught?” the queen pondered to herself, to think of everything her father had taught about this particular mammal.

“No. He works alone and he’s dangerous. No sane mammal would approach him.” The two stood in silence, the queen more distressed by the scenario than he was.

“I don't get what the big deal bout him is,” the ram regretted anything that just came out his mouth. As soon as the words spilled, a glowing dark glare of the queen was cast over the wooled creature. Making him feel smaller than he should have.

“Don’t you get it?!” she half screamed, “He will be a thorn to our side. He would foil all my plans.”

“He’s just one mammal,” he tried to rebuttal but again came the rumbles of the room as her power surged through the walls. He could sense the dripping of power under the queen and hoped he wouldn’t have to stay against her wrath any longer. 

“Don’t underestimate this mammal Ramses. My father was unfortunate enough to, and he was less the sheep he was.” the ram gulped from her threats, “Leave!” the doe demanded, prompting Doug to turn tails and sped walk straight to the door. On the other side, he saw the council mammals all eavesdropping beyond the door, as any curious mammal would be. 

He barges through the wall of councils, not minding their yelps as he pushes past them, to quickly make the first ride back to the BuroughPlanes. As for the queen, angered from the news and a heart sank to the stomach. Of Course, after all the years of silence, he would appear only when her plan is in action. As the council members all took back their seats and the door soon shut with a satisfying thud.

“Should we postpone the attack further my Queen?” A bunny said with bated breath. Dawn thought slowly, weighing the options, but it was a clear choice for her. This was her moment, she had trained her whole life for this, and she won’t let one individual postpone it any longer.

“No, we will initiate at the next moon fall, as planned.”

“And of the golden one? ” he said in a hushed tone as if his voice could summon the mammal itself. Again, the queen pondered, how devoted was she to her plan? The answer…

“I will deal with him myself.” she declared with her power seeping through the room. “See it that General Bogo is prepared to attack by the next two Fortnite. Do not fail me.” She ordered before she took her to leave from the Grand Hall and onto the main hallway. Walking with pace to catch up with Doug, she once again pondered the strategy. 

He was as a phantom, a mystical being that couldn’t be caught. But if she had learned anything from her father before he passed, it was how to catch a ghost. But first, she needed a bait, and knowing his heroic and theatrical nature, her father gave her one piece of advice before his deathbed.

“Make him bite something that would make him a mammal.”

End of Book 1 Chapter-5

Chapter Text

Judy woke to the harsh bumps of the caravan. She had never felt such a disturbance before. The jolts had never felt too immense on the unpaved road of the BuroughPlanes. She sat up and finally assessed her surroundings. 

Bags of sweet carrots and lettuce she had the fortune to sleep upon. She was aboard the carriage Max priorly shown to her before the sweet embrace of rest took over. She stood up, balancing herself as the caravan continued to jolt under her. Making her way to the back of the vehicle. 

Out to the carriage, she saw plenty of green. Rich brown trunks of the Wyldern forest to the vibrant light of the sun which shower the scenery with glory. Not to mention, leaves, everywhere. This was no road that she knew or would ever know. This was the Wyld, unfiltered and untampered.

She felt a wash of dread as she processed everything around her. Whilst the Wyld had its beauty, there was a reason why mammals would never venture too far off the village. In the Wyld, where the savage Wyldern lives, comes those who loved the taste of meat, the taste of mammals. More so the fact that the carriage was filled to the brim with food, enhancing the flavours of the wind. She rushed to the front of the carriage, stepping over the carrots and tomats as to not spoil them early, to spot a hooded creature on the helm of the caravan.

“Why are we traversing the Wyld? Wylderns are gonna come after us.” She tapped on the shoulder of the hooded creature but she did not come face to face with a familiar tanned fur. The first thing she caught was red, burning fierce as a wild fire in the forest. It reminded her of her friend Gideon from the pastry store, but unlike his azure eyes and tubby nature, she was met with a striking emerald gaze and a lanky form.  He had a toothy grin to show his fangs he wore so proudly. 

“The sleeping carrots finally awakes” his voice was silky smooth, as if he had been reciting the lines before she had woken up. Spilling with confidence in his voice. But the more she had looked at him, the more she realised his unusual attire. Under the dark hood, she spotted a white button up uniform under a dark emerald tie and a pine coloured vest. Unreasonably well dressed for a fox in these parts. Atop his ear, was a golden rimmed goggles with its lenses dipped in green. 

From the many visual evidence, the well dressed manners, the goggles, his pocket watch, and the overall fact of his species, Judy made a good conclusion on what mammal he was.

“ApofluctusDen” the cast was calm and so simple, yet a tremendous force hit the caravan from the abyss. Rocking the caravan to its core and frightening the Equestorn Wyldern from moving any further. The fox was blown back by a force that seemed foreign to him, crashing to the tree across the Wyldern. He fell to the soiled ground with a harsh thud. He grunted from the pain.

“Why have you stepped into our border, Michani, and where is my friend?” The questions sounded more of a demand as she armed herself with every cast of the Trecarious branch that she had practised before, “Do not lie to me fox or you will face my wrath.” She hopped from the carriage to the Wyldern grounds and scowled at him. the fox grunted in pain as he unhooded himself, showing two black-tipped triangles atop his skull.

“Well if you’re aiming to be cute, you did the job.” disarming her threat as ‘cute’ had struck a nerve on the bunny. She grabbed the nearest rock with brows furrowed as she screamed.

“IncendiTra!” The rock burst in a ball of flame before she threw it at the fox in question. She was shocked to see the fox much alive and under a green translucent barrier. His hand had formed a shield between him and the molten substance. The flaming rock seemed to fall off as a water on glass to burn the grass underneath him.

“Now that was not so cute.” he reached under his hood to uncover a sort of barreled device. Before Judy could understand the contraption, he had pulled the trigger and out came a small breath of fire before a metal ball came hurling at her in blinding speed. She only had moments to think of the spell.

“Verso!” she said hastily, raising her hand to meet the ball and quickly direct it somewhere else. The metal sphere came hurling past her and unto a nearby tree. The bark exploded into numerous pieces. The tree, having lost its structural support, came crashing onto the ground with a reverberant crash. Further excelling the chaos of the peaceful Wyld.

The fox hummed in satisfaction as he lowered the device. Judy squinted before he pulled out a blade from under his hood. Encoated with what seemed to be mana. He pulled another trigger on the hilt and the blade erupts in flame. 

‘A flaming sword?’ she asked in her mind, ‘well two can play at that game’. She reached deep into the ground, arms deep unto the soil to perform some daring spells.

“RadixCel” the roots of the OakenBark came under her command. Forming two swords made of wood and stone for her before unearthing to show the blade for the red predator, “IgnisTra” the blade of stone and wood ignited in blazing heat. The response was a mere grin from the sharp-toothed mammal.

“This will be interesting” his words dared the young bunny as Judy led the charge. Roaring to life as she swung the blade towards the fox before he conjured his shield once again. Blocking her attack with the shield and dashing to the side before launching a counter attack with his flaming blade. He was quick, but Judy was quicker.

She parried his blade with her right, causing sparks to ignite as metal hit stone. She was quick to counter the parry and swung back with her left, only to hit nothing. The fox jumped over her blade and landed gracefully a good distance away. He grinned before he pulled out the same device as earlier. He took aim and winked at her. 

Noticing the same danger, Judy prepared her deflection spell once again. But when the loud bang had ignited, the bullet wasn’t aimed towards her. It whizz past her entirely.

“You missed fox”

“I never miss” she spun her head around to meet with a Caeyus Wyldern, a Wyldern known to blend in surroundings as they stalk their prey, waiting for cover of night before devouring them. Its skin turned from the brunette surrounding to its natural dark ink. The Wyldern came tumbling down with a hole on its forehead leaking hazardous dark ink.

“Boop” Judy jumped slightly as she felt a soft touch of metal on her shoulder. Turning to see the fox had closed the distance and touched her with his sword, “I win” his smuggish smile and calm eyes was more friendly than the ones he had shown her just moments ago

“What a marvellous spectacle..” a familiar voice came from the caravan. It was Max who sat on top of the carriage tent, legs crossed and smiles stretching from ear to ear. He had been witnessing them both for the last minute or so and only now he seemed to voice himself.

“I wouldn’t call that show if they truly wanted to kill each other.” Anni spoke from his shoulder

“Nonsense, I'm sure they wouldn’t do that.” Now Judy was utterly confused. 

“Oki what the fuck is going on.” she dropped the blade on the ground, “where were you?! And who is he?!” he screamed at the feline for some answers.

“Tranquilium.” He pointed his staff to Judy and She felt warm and giggly, almost delirious all the sudden, “Anger will get you nowhere young Judy. Now as for my location, I have been here meditating. Only now do I see that you needed a beacon of guidance when you awoke from your slumber. That was my mistake, I apologise. And for who this cunning fox is, I see no reason why he could not apprise himself.” Judy glared down at the fox who was using his blade as a walking stick.

“Nick Wilde, at your service madam.” she wanted to knock that grin off his muzzle.

“Don’t madam me, You tried to shoot me”

“I didn’t shoot first.” he held his hand up in defence as he walked back to the caravan.

“You were a Michani, how should I know, you were helping us,”

“Right,” Max clapped his paw to silence the two bickering mammals, “Let's get a move on before the Wyldern starts to realise we’re amongst them.”

“I think they already know we’re here goldie.” The white lizard pointed towards the shadows of the forest to see a horde of yellow eyed creatures. The silence was unnerving as the two teams made eye contact with each other. The yellow glares now spreaded around them. Under the shadow of the trees, more observers came to surround them. 

“Well, If the Hords want a fight, then let's give them one.”

The deafening bang cut through the tension like a hot knife through butter. The first Wyldern Horde fell with a sickening crunch. Nick had taken the liberty to shoot another shot from his sidearm, which seemed to anger the horde. They came out from the darkness and Judy could see more than a dozen or so.

Judy grabbed her blade off the ground and made a dash to the nearest Wyldern. Slashing it in half before blocking an attack from a Wyldern and dashing to its side to deal a lethal blow. She looked behind her and another four had already taken their places. The horde was never strong or fast, but where they lack they make up in numbers. Sheer and utter numbers. 

Nick had taken the moment to reload his three sidearms and started blasting more away but that hardly made the dent in their amount. Not soon after, he had run out of ammunition to refill and switched to his blade. Pulling its trigger, the silver steel covered itself with screaming orange flame. Elegantly he danced with blades as he fought through the horde. Slicing one in two before he was attacked from behind. Spinning around as he burned his blade further to keep the horde at a distance. He observed his surroundings and nothing other than the horde was awaiting for him. He sighed as he equipped his goggles and prepared for a long evening.

Max was still on top of the caravan, waiting for Anni to finally set herself inside his hood. He jumped from the top and came crashing down between the horde in a thunderous spell. Sparks flew everywhere as the horde was fried to a burning crisp. He lifted his staff and a bright flash blinded the horde in their spot before Max could breath his fire. While thirty lay dead under him, forty had already taken their place to surround him. 

“There’s too many,” Nick said as he sliced another three of Wyldern from the sky as they pounced and fabricated his shield as another three tried to slash his sides.

“It’s a nest, we’re outnumbered” Judy shouted as she spun around and severed all eight Wyldern as they tried to pounce her from all directions. They couldn’t win unless they found their breeding ground. Until then, they would have to fight them wave after wave. There could be up to hundreds of Wyldern, thousands if they were unfortunate and without the blaring heat of the sun to weaken them, this was a battle to be lost.

“RadixCel!” Max screamed as the ground broke in two and an army of roots came out to skewer the Wylderns in his path, “We have to get back to the caravan and make for the hills” He struck the ground with his staff and a low rumbling of the earth surrounded him.

“Earthquake!” Nick screamed but Judy was quick to come to a conclusion. 

“It’s a spell. Run while they’re busy!” The Wyldern scrambled in fear from the low rumble. Judy dash to the caravan, taking advantage of the chaos Max has made. Nick had dashed to the caravan, sheathing his sword and shield. 

Jumping to the caravan, Judy sighed as she was back in safety. The caravan rocked slightly as Nick hopped on the back of the caravan. Max had taken to the helm. 

“The tree’s in the way!” The fallen bark from before had hindered their retreat. With the rumble decreasing in magnitude, the Wyldern are recouping together and had already made dashes to their direction. Judy and Nick fended them off from the back of the carriage. Nick had made an effort to hold the line with his shield, and Judy was slashing anyone who got past.

Max was hard at work to levitate the bark away. Using such strong spells before might rack him more kills, but now, he was struggling to even lift a simple bark off the ground. A soothing cold aura around his torso finally gave him the strength, only momentarily to lift the bark of the ground. With a grunt, he put the bark beside the road and hit the Equestorn with a calming spell to ease with guiding them. 

He snapped the leash and the caravan was rocked to life. The Equestorn started to run for their lives as the Horde Wyldern catched up. Judy could hear the scrapes of their claws against the wood of the wagon. From the corner of her eyes, she could see a couple hordes had taken to the trees. She could spot the faint glow of their eyes above them.

“Above!” Judy screamed while she hacked away at the endless pouncing Horde. Trying their best to board the vehicle. 

A couple thuds were heard from atop the caravan’s measle tents. The Hord Wyldern had jumped from the towering trees onto the vehicles and were trying to slash their way inward, hoping to surround the slashing grey hare beneath them. Before they could get through the thin cloth, the bright flames of Nick’s blade once again coloured the scene as one of the wyldern stumbled in 2 halves off the caravan and unto the Horde, knocking several down with them.

“You better run while you still can.” Nick said with a smirk even if he was outnumbered seven to one. The Wyldern growled at the threat and three pounced as they had the chance. Nick could deal with the first and the second with a slice of his blade, but the third saw an opening and swiped his disfigured paw towards Nick. On a solid flat ground, he could have stepped away and dodge the attacks, but this was not solid flat ground and he realised a little too late as he took a step too far.

Nick lost his balance as the concave shape of the tent deceived his footwork and left him dropping to the hard running ground. Acting hastily, he anchored his claws against the side of the tent in hopes to get a better grip. Releasing a sigh of relief as his sharp claws tore through the tent but managed to hang on by the threads, But as the growls atop the caravan reveal, he wasn’t out of the woods yet. 

On the helm, Max was in a bit of a kerfuffle. While he wasn’t fighting, he was tasked to lead the caravan to safer grounds. But being deep in the Wyld, that terminated most of his options. Villages were too far and turning back would only lead them to the breeding grounds of the horde. That would be an unfortunate end for his quest. Worst yet, he was relying mainly on reserve energy. Keeping his eyes on the road was his adversary. From time to time, he drowsed off before a tight sharp sting of freezing ice stabbed his midsection.

“Don’t sleep yet!” Anni screamed from inside of his hood. Max knew not of the state the two mammals behind them lay in, but he hoped it wasn’t anything severe. Cause he was dangerously in the red and in need of some mana.

Behind him, Judy had her hands tied to the massive amounts of horde chasing them. The caravan wasn’t fast enough to outpace the horde, and they weren’t once to quit even if they were out of the breeding ground’s range. Annoyingly relentless beings she would curse till the day she died. Hacking away at any who dared to touch the caravan’s pristine wood or pounce to try and board it, but she was feeling her energy reduced more and more. 

“ApofluctusDen” the blast sent a good chunk of the horde stumbling as Judy’s breathing quickened. The spell was more to catch her breath rather than stopping the horde. She crashed towards the wooden surface of the caravan, wishing to let the whisper of sleep serenade her to a wishful wonderland. A low growl caught her attention, causing her eyes to snap wide awake. 

A Wyldern had managed to hang on barely by the ledge.  Judy attempted to stand up but it was too late. The Wyldern had pounced and swiped his claws against the mid-section of the bunny. She stumbled back and met with the wall of the caravan. 

Her cry was fierce as the wound cut deep and blood started seeping out onto her white tunic. She shut her eyes forcefully and grinded her teeth. She could live through it, but the burning sensation would leave her defenceless till she found herself some aid. Unfortunately, Nick was hanging on barely, and Max was driving.

This seemed like a bad nightmare. They have yet crossed the regional border, and they have already lost, to the Wyld of all things. She heard a low growl coming from the Wyld beast in front of her. Without much left option she decided to give it up. It was foolish to have risked her life like this. She could have just stayed just like what her father would have wanted. With a possibility of him coming home after all. 

Why did she have to listen to her feelings? A single drop of tear rolled down her cheek as she faced down the Wyldern. She accepted her faith. Her only desire was that her father would forgive her foolishness. 

As the Wyldern jumped, maw wide open, ready to dish the final blow to the small hare, she met with darkness.

End of Book 1 Chapter-6

Chapter Text

Judy jolted up in a cold sweat, as if she had been stuck in a dreaded nightmare. Panting, she looked around. She could see… nothing. She stood up from the glassy floor of… nothing, and spun on her heels to meet… Nothing. That day she learned of what darkness felt like. 

Darkness was cold, silent, and more than anything, alone. It was… unnerving. Yet that is what she sees. Nothing. Surrounded by the cold chasm, covered by the blanket of silence, with no hope of life anywhere. 

“Hello?” she called out to the void, “Max?”, she walked about, taking a gander through the void while she was assaulted by the echoes of her word.”Vi!... Anybody!?” She screamed as her feet started to take pace and walking turned jogging to running. Her eyes welling and her heart sank beneath the floors, “Am I…” her voice trailed and the weight of the idea, brought her to her knees. 

“Soon. ” Judy’s head turns on a dime. A voice? It was unfamiliar. It was gruff, almost guttural, similar to the snarls of the Wyldern Beasts. Her eyes wandered around but she could not find the source, “ Sweet Judy.” the disembodied voice spoke again, and once again Judy was desperate to find the soul.

“Who are you?” she asked the spectral voice, his reply was a deep chuckle that reverberated around her.

“You should not ask something you are not ready to face.” the voice now seemed to cover her, it was everywhere yet, nowhere.

“I fear no one.” Judy proclaimed in the heat of the moment but his laugh disheartened her hopes of any courage. 

“Mighty for a rabbit.” The assault was clear to her and she felt her veins boil with hard molten. 

“Show yourself!” She demanded the voice and not a second sooner, a shadow formed beyond her. Still with no body to show for but those eyes, the eyes that would dare the fire. The colour of burnt steel, the sunset would envy them till the end of time, “are you death?”

“I am not,”

“Then I am not dead?” she asked in hopeful passion,

“Not yet” 

“Not yet?”

“You will die soon, ” the shadow stepped closer and while Judy had a tendency to run, she could not feel her instincts drive her. It felt cold in the chasm, “ You are unconscious, and soon to be feasted by your captors.” he pointed towards a window, a scene that was unfolding before her as she slumbered. Nick was still hanging by the caravan, Max practically had one eye closed, and herself surrounded in a pool of her own blood.

“Oh…” her ears drooped and she felt limp. She had failed, she regretted every decision she had made. ‘If only...’ repeated in her head, as a broken record, replayed.

“But” Judy snapped to the shadowed figure who showed a piercing gaze of mischief, “I can help you.” she could see a white smirk under the shadow but she could care less. Her ears sprang up in action and her paws balled up into fists. Filled once again with a searing heat of hope within her.

“How?”

“I am not bound by the laws of your world. I can help you defeat them, and save your friends…” His proposal sounds too good to be true. She eyed the shadow carefully.

“And what do you want from me?” 

“Do not worry, you will know when the debt has to be repaid.” his words were ominous at best, she didn’t even know his name. But the way she saw it, there was no other way. She would die, even if she woke up this very moment, she lost too much blood and her mana was the only thing keeping her going. She had to take the proposition from the stranger. Her only hope was that the stranger would not return to ruin her.

“I accept.” the grin was wide and the laugh was eerie, but the deal was set in stone,

‘No turning back now’

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The sharp pain on his side isn't helping anymore. The tiny nips from Anni’s soothing aura had turned more to unpleasant bites. The sensation of dipping his bare body in the frigid water of winters. The pain helped keep him awake, but soon enough, it’ll drain his own life form. Becoming apparent that if he were to live past this point, drastic change of strategy had to be made. 

“Anni,” he said as he grunted against her freezing aura, “Help… Nicky” His words came out as a release of air rather than a form of sentence. A white haze jumps from under his hood and his heat finally returns. Soon the sweet embrace of sleep will lullaby him back to a world of wonderland, but he hoped he would give them just enough time to get past this encounter. 

Upon the side of the caravan, Nick was hanging on for dear life. Scaling the side of the caravan as a rockwall to dodge the feeble attempts of the Wyld on top and Wyld below to deal a fatal blow. Times like these are exactly why he remembered why he hated the Wyld. Why did he agree to venture again?

‘Right, the golden caracal who gave me a hundred gold and promised more after. That makes sense’

He hated to admit but his arms were getting tired quickly, and he needed to get out of this situation, or his arms would give in and he would fall straight between the horde. Every hard bump of the Wyld ground was not helping in the slightest as he was rocked back and forth. His wish would be granted swifter than he had anticipated. 

“Need a hand?” a feminine voice asked him from above. It was the little dragoness that was usually seen under that golden feline’s hood. The white creature had her forehands outstretched to grab his paw. Even if it was too big for her, she still made an attempt to pull him atop the caravan. She was surprisingly strong for her size as she held her ground and pulled him up, but as his hands finally hung on the edge, and as his head brought above the top of the caravan, he spotted at the corner of his eyes, the two Wyld behind her. Their snarls were only as wicked as their teeth.

“ANNI! Look out!” He warned the small white dragon of the impending danger. Time seemed to come to a standstill. The Wyld’s pounce was lethal and in a single swoop, Anni was in the maws of one of the beasts, lying limp as a leaf. He looked in horror as Anni was chewed and swallowed whole in front of him. Their sharp teeth undoubtedly had sunk into her flesh and his only saviour had been devoured right before him. 

She was dead… A life he was sure didn’t deserve to be taken so early. He never even got to know her that well. He growled at them, Staring the vicious murderers straight in the eyes, their scowls were threatening, but his was fierce. He pulled himself up from the edge and took his stance. No weapons, if these savages wanted to play dirty, he’d gladly play their game. His blade was knocked from his hands at the first impact but he still had his physically projected shield in his gauntlet and his unloaded sidearms.

He had to go savage. Using the weapons he was given at birth, he showed his fangs and unsheathed his claws, ready to brawl with the two Wyld.

But as they showed off themselves, one of the Wyldern started to shiver. As he breathed out, cold wisps of white air started to form. And his eyes became droopy and its usual dark ink was turning white.

‘In the summer season?’ Nick thought to himself. This was usually the pattern for Wyld in the winter as they hibernate. Most would shed their dark ink fur for white ones. To blend in to the surroundings and to shield themselves from the cold, and was that water vapour he saw coming out of its mouth? It was no less than twenty-five degrees outside.

The Wyldern dropped over, suddenly, spazzing violently as Nick and the other Wyldern partner watched cautiously. The breathing quickened and suddenly, the vibrating stopped, so did the breathing, so did everything. The now white wyldern seemed to be frozen with its eyes wide and still glowing a faint yellow. Nick eyed the body closely before it started to emit a cracking noise. It sounded like someone was picking on ice from within the body.

Like an egg, The body cracked open into two parts, breaking at its abdomen, and out came a very very angry looking Anni. The second Wyldern growled at the not so dead lizard that came out of his friend's corpse. 

The white blur dashed straight for the other wyldern. She latched on to its neck and dug her way in. She started to burrow her way into its body and a cold started to affect him too. Nick could only widen his eyes as what had happened to the other, started to affect the Wyldern. The sudden shivers, the change of colour, spasms, then death before Anni once again inelegantly broke the Wyld in half again.

“I FUCKING HATE GETTING EATEN!” she screamed to the two now dead wylderns as she huffed out an angry growl. Nick was speechless as he witnessed the dragoness nonchalantly went down on all fours and walked away from the scene as if she didn’t just kill two wyld with hypothermia in the summer heat. He really needed to get to know his allies better. After a good five seconds staring at an unforeseen threat, his feet finally moved to pace up with the lizard. 

Nick hopped down to the front of the carriage and saw a very tired caracal trying his best to guide the Equestorn around the maze of trees.

“What can I do?” Nick asked hastily as he approached the dozing feline. Taking the leash from him and finally driving the carriage for him.

“Need… Mana” Max said weakly as he slouched down to the side.

“He needs mana immediately, do you have some?” Anni asked more worriedly for her partner. Nick was in a dilemma. He did have some, but it wasn’t exactly safe for consumption. The Mana he had was concentrated and highly volatile. Used mainly to ignite or to blow something up like his blade. But seeing as he just recently lost his blade, the Mana has no future purpose.

“I don’t think it's safe to drink.” He reached into his vest to pull out a small cylindrical metal container, not any bigger than his own hand, and looked at it. “This thing is concentrated” 

“Just give me the damn thing!” Nick flinched at her voice and handed her the container. He hadn’t told her how to open the thing before Anni used her claws to poke a small hole at the side and held it above Max’s open mouth. Slowly the light blue essence was dripping to his open mouth. He witnessed as Max's eyes started to dart awake and his body came alive. His paw reached for the container and he started to hold it himself. Compressing the metal container desperately till none was left.

“Fuck yea, that’s the good stuff.” He wiped his mouth to clear the dripping Mana and stood and stretched his back. Nick, once again, was flabbergasted. He just witnessed a mammal drink what is essentially engine fuel and not only live to tell the tale, but loved it. He really has to know his allies a lot more. 

“Where’s Judy?” Max asked him.

“Last I saw her, she was at the back slicing more of em.” a sudden burst of energy came to life as the caravan exploded. The hood was cleanly burnt off and the structure rocked side to side. Nick looked behind him to see the cloth had all but evaporated and he himself was caught staring at the levitating bunny who was dripping with power unbeknownst to him. It felt cold all of the sudden. Shivering in his place, it didn’t feel like Anni’s aura, it was more eerie. But Nick couldn’t look for long as he had to drive off what remained of the caravan.

Max, though, was witnessing the grey hare in all her glory. Judy didn’t have her usual amethyst. Her eyes filled with an unfortunately familiar orange hue. Her body finally touched the solid ground and she rushed to the back without saying a word. He couldn’t hear her cast anything but it was evident she had suddenly learnt to silent cast. That never surprised him, what did however was what spell she used.

A sudden ball of fire came raining from the sky, laying waste to the horde in their track before he had seen the most powerful fire wall, casted behind them. A fire wall so ferocious that it turned everything in its wake, to ash. Even though some lucky few escaped the Armageddon unscathed, She managed to deal with them easily. Hopping down the moving caravan, the horde’s attention diverted instantaneously. Now it was just Wyld with the little grey hare. Fourty or so stood against her, growling. she casted a thunderous Lightning that managed to gloomen the skies. 

This wasn’t judy. Those are Sorcerer level spells. Spells that he forbid her to learn before she mastered the basics. 

“Nick stop the cart” Max demanded as he eyed the bunny closely.

“What?!” 

“Do what I say fox!” Nick quickly stopped the Equestorn in their tracks and looked on as Max hoped to the back of the caravan. Running to the bunny before she suddenly turned her head to show those alluring oranges he had faced off before. The colour he despised so, the bane of his existence. He stopped dead in his tracks. To face down the enemy in his friend with a scowl. Her only reply was to smirk at him, before the orange started to fade away and her amethyst started to be visible again. 

He breathed out a sigh of relief, but after she collapsed to the ground did he realise she was dripping blood from her abdomen. He made a hasty dash to the dying bunny and let Anni out of his hoodie and unto the wilting hare. She wrapped around Judy’s body like a bandage. Covering any deep gashes she could find, and finally releasing her, ever so coveted, cold aura.

Nick walked to the current trio and eyed them carefully before he shouted.

“What the FUCK was that?!”

End of Book 1 Chapter-7

Chapter Text

Book 1 Chapter 8: Shifting Tides and Trailing Winds

The Wyld was a dangerous place. A place where disease and dangerous beasts run rampant. No command, no structure. Just chaos. Which was unfortunate because more than half of the Mageian land was covered in the Wyld. Cities surrounded by the trees that block the sun, and villages raided by Wyldern beasts from time to time. It was a risk to live in such a place, yet it has become the norm for its people.

Which is why it was particularly intriguing when a prominent figure would step outside the safe zones and venture to the Wyld themselves. Where the sun would not help them and the ground unpaved and rocky, it was as safe as an open fire in a wooden house. But the queen was persistent to join the hunt.

She put the trust in her Council members to carry her work and prepare the invasion in due time. She however trusts no one to handle that wretched mammal who calls himself the golden one. Slippery and persistent, the mammal would find various ways to wriggle himself out of any situation. 

“My liege, would it be wise for you to join us?” a young eastern grey squirrel across from her seat had asked. 

“I believe it is in my interest to join.”

“But it's dangerous out here my queen, we could get attacked by the Wyld or attract diseases, or maybe-”

“Silence! I have full trust in my guards to protect me in the Wyld, but that beast, no one can handle. I must see to its destruction myself.” The Queen’s voice was demanding and cold, Rerm had no interest in finding himself an enemy of such a powerful mammal. Concede to fight another day as they said, and there is some truth to the word at the moment.

“Yes your royal highness.” The squirrel returned to writing several other royal decrees the queen would see forth later, but as of now, Dawn was pondering. The initial findings of Doug was right, they had indeed found his hideout. 

Disappointed as the small clearing was, she had other uses for the homeless setup he was living in. The walls are lined with his magic and his markings. She had only needed a small glimpse and a tracking spell to finally know where to look. 

To her surprise, this entire town was covered. It looks like he was busy while she scoured her half of the land looking for him. Whatever he casted, it seemed to cover every portion of the town, making it difficult for her to track where exactly he had been. With great difficulty, she finally found a trace more prominent than the rest. 

She followed his essence throughout town, amused that he had managed to walk amongst her people in secrecy, even if there was a bounty atop his head. Stopping by seemingly random places like a pastry store, and a wood carver. The owners had no clue a golden mammal had entered their humble abode. 

She wondered what black magic he had used to blend in with this small town. A disguise spell? But this magic wasn’t as basic as a disguise. Maybe it was an illusion? but there were no traces of magic in their eyes or maybe he merely levitated to the sky and walked by the clouds? Or it could be something she has never seen before. Whatever it was, the tracking spell is more than enough to capture the remains he has left behind from using it.

The path leads to a small burrow on the side of the town. The family seemed poor with their small farmhouse.

She had learnt from them that the golden one had visited just a few days prior and had taken one of their sisters. She had to reflect a tad bit longer than necessary at the sudden revelation. For as long as she lived, it was always known that he would always work alone. He never trusted anyone else, and that drew in two conclusions, either he had taken her as a civilian shield, or he had taken her for other uses. Because as her father had told her, a dangerous mammal never needed anyone else.

For now, the hunt begun and as the hunter, she has the perfect bait to lure her prey into the open. She just has to know where they would set up camp. After all, even if he could walk a thousand miles, the hare with him would always weigh him down. 

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‘Don’t forget your promise’ 

Judy jolted with a small scream as she sat straight up on the bed. Awakening drenched in her own sweat as she panted heavily, trying to recomposure herself. A soothing voice tried to coerce her back to the bed but she tried desperately to fight it. Not caring who the voice came from. 

As her hyperventilation stabilised and her brain finally cleared, she finally got her senses back one by one. First it was her touch. And what she could feel was… Pain. An excruciating amount of pain. So much pain that she felt like passing out again. Only her determination managed to keep her awake.

Then came her sight. The dimmed room lighting was kind on her as she started to collect her surroundings. The architect seemed to still be Mageian with its simplistic design material. White concrete walls behind a dark oaken pillar under a wooden beam ceiling. 

Third came the smell. The oaken gave her nose a nice earthy smell. A smell that reminded her of home. A calming smell in the sea of pain she is experiencing.

Finally, came her hearing. With her sonar like ears, she finally zeroed in on the nice voice trying desperately to calm her down. 

“Lie back down Carrots, you’re hurt!” It was the sound of a worried Nick whilst he gently tried to push her back down. Finally, after a full minute of struggle, she finally relented and laid back down on the soft bed with a wince. 

“Gave me a fright there Fluff” Nick breathed a sigh of relief as he sat down on the side of the bed, “How’re you feeling?” He asked kindly while he laid a paw on her arm.

“Everything is painful… What happened to me?”

“Its a bit complicated…” Nick said unsurely

“What happened?”

“well…,” Nick trailed his words as he fell into an uncomfortable silence. He didn’t know how to start this story, but after some time, he started to explain what had happened in the Jungle. From the moment they were riding for their lives, to his hanging moments, then finally, to her sudden transformation. By the end of it, Judy’s eyes were as wide as saucers.

“Glowing bright eyes? Like a god or something?” She asked

“Well, yea but scarier”

 she gave Nick a small hum before she assessed her side of the story. She remembered the Wyldern who tore her midsection which is what the burning feeling might be. She lifted the blanket to see a red-stained white tunic wrapped by healing cloth.

After passing out though, everything seemed vague. All seemed a bit blurry. She remembered a rough silhouette but no mammal. A voice but no mouth, and a feeling she can’t quite feel. She pushed the memory down and instead opted to look around. 

Beside her was Nick sitting with patient eyes as she took everything in. The desk behind him was cluttered with a mess she wasn’t quite familiar with. Circle metal objects and long metal tools littered the desk. Past the desk, she looked around the room again. This time under a steady heart. She was right to think it was an inn but unlike the inn back in her village, it seemed to be more opulent. The wood that held the room was cut more precisely and the plaster wall was backed with cemented bricks.  The room lacked proper dust and its ceiling was missing their spider webs. 

It was an Inn alright, just a very expensive one. She was ogling the craftsmanship of the room at and Nick couldn’t help but snicker a little laugh at her. He hopped off the bed and returned to the desk to continue his work. 

As he continued to tinker, Judy tried to get some sleep, but after a few minutes of failed attempts, she finally admitted defeat and started to edge her body to the bedside. The pain stung her more than she imagined, and the bed being intended for medium sized mammals didn’t help either. Judy didn’t like admitting defeat though, so she struggled her way silently to the edge. Getting accustomed to the pain rather quickly. 

She arrived at the edge and she hopped down and nearly slipped as she felt the smooth wooden floor. She calmly walked to Nick’s desk as he tinkered with a device. She tip-toed to finally be at eye-level with the table. She could see Nick tinkering with a device with a handle, but she didn’t know what it was for. 

“What you got there?” Nick nearly threw the device to the ceiling as he jumped at her sudden presence. 

“Judy!” He put the device down and turned his attention to her, “shouldn’t you be resting? Like on the bed?” 

“Yea but I don't like staying at one place for too long. Now scoot so I can see what’re you up to” she started to sit on the edge of the quite decently sized chair. It was big enough to fit two small mammals but It wasn’t big enough to leave a large gap between them. They both sat awkwardly on the chair but neither dared to back down. 

“So are you gonna explain this… thing?” Judy started and Nick took the hint to just dropped the awkwardness. 

“Well, This is a handle for my sword, which unfortunately got lost back at the fight. I’m currently making this one from the scraps i can found here but metal was not a very common material to find in Mageia.”

“Yea well our country isn't very known to use advance materials”

“Luckily I found enough iron to cast it into the shape of the blade which I have here” he pulled out a long blade from the side of the table before he laid it down before her. “But unfortunately, I need a combustile which is not produced here.”

“A what?”

“Combustile? Like crystalized mana specifically design to spark fire when given enough force?” He explained further. 

“Never heard of it”

“Really? Then how would you, say, light up a stove or a fireplace?” Judy simply but her arms on the table, palm up and breathed out a spell. 

“IgnisTra” Her arm suddenly went ablaze and Nick defensively tried to swat away the fire before taking a closer  look at the glowing flame. Perplexed at the stunt.

“Wait so you can just make fire out of nowhere?” Nick asked as he slowly tried to touch the flickering light.

“Yep. It's probably the easiest Trecharious spell out there.”

“Doesn’t it hurt?” He closely examined the fire before he pulled his arm away after getting burnt.

“Nope, The spell protects itself from the wielder, that is if it doesn’t crash.”

“Crash, as in like when a caravan crashes into a tree or something?” Judy flamed out the fire as she was starting to feel the fatigue crawling. 

“It’s just another term for failing the spell. Spells have specific Willpower requirements and the more intricate ones need a lot more precision than the one I just did.”

“So you could over do it?” 

“Oftenly they do.” Nick started noting down the important points of her demonstration.

“Hey I'm glad you’re happy to learn but you have any Mana I could drink, I’m very tired.” she exclaimed as she place her head on the table. 

“Here, This is all I have right now” Nick lent her his small flask. Fraily she took the flask and started to drink the liquid without remorse. “You should rest quickly, we need to go take a look around the city as soon as possible,”

“Why? Where are we anyways?” She gave Nick his flask back after she finished the contents. 

“I don't know either, Max left me here with you and he hasn’t come back over the last five days.”

“I was out for 5 days?!” Judy nearly screamed.

“Well yea, you lost like a galloon of blood when we were done patching you up” Hastily Judy jumped off the chair and started searching for her leather armour. “Well You can still rest, I got this unfinish blade to do before we leave”

“Max hasn’t returned. He might be in very big trouble.” She quickly strapped herself into her leather armour before wincing a tiny bit from the pain. “And knowing him, he’s attracted to it like a Pyron to fire”

“Fine, But you’re helping me make the rest of this sword” Nick started to neatly pack his tools and his materials into his leather bag. Judy on the other hand is hastily wearing her boots and has already started searching for her small bag of supply she brought with her. She opened the closet in hopes to find her small leather pouch filled with herbs and potions. Instead she found something else particular. There lying in the closet was a staff snuggled by linen. It seemed untouched.

The staff had a teal orb with a light brown staff. The staff had near to no intricate carvings and the Teal colour told her this wasn’t meant to be used to perform higher level spells. As of now though, it was perfect for her. She sized up the staff and felt it firmly in her hand. It suited for her height standing roughly around her shoulder.

“Hey Nick, whose staff is this?” she screamed to Nick from across the room. To which she got a very swift respond.

“Beats me” Judy decided to act now and asks questions later. She took the linen and started to make a makeshift pocket for her new proclaimed staff. As she carefully slid the staff inside the designated position, her eyes spotted a small engraving on the sides. It seemed familiar to her but she couldn’t make heads or tails of the inscription. She decided to tuck it away for now. 

She slung the staff over her shoulder and looked over to Nick. His bag slung over his shoulder and his cloak had covered most of his suit. His goggles were nowhere in sight and it looked like he was just some Mageian fox. Deciding he was covert enough, Judy decided to finally leave the inn. With no clue which city they were in or their exact location, but she had an idea where to check first. 

End of Book 1 Chapter-8

Chapter Text

*CLANG* 

the sound of Metal against stone woke Max from his slumber. Stumbling to sit up, he struggled to grab something on his nightstand. Frantically he started flailing his arms around before he realized. 

“Right, prison…” He recalled the faint memory of being thrown into the small room he currently resides in. He sat by the edge of the small excuse of a prison bed and feel the cold stone touch his bare hind paws. 

Around, he started sensing the room again using the senses he still possessed. Using his touch to feel the ragged walls of the prison walls. His ears to hear the soft snores and the dreamer's rumble of the inmates next door. His nose to smell the putrid stench of decaying vermins. His tongue to taste… well he wasn’t a savage, so he kept his tongue nice and clean before he starts licking things that shouldn't be licked. Then lastly, his soul sight to peer into the mammals that share the same fate as him.

The darkness would’ve been unbearable without the sense of soul sight to brighten his pitch-black view. Looking around him to see various lights of different soul orbs. All in deep slumber, all slowly vibrating in a slower sporadic movement, and all different in their own way. Some were larger than others. Some even bigger than his own cell. Some are sharper and more defined while some are vague and lack their shape. Bright orbs with different colours of all the spectrum of the rainbow. 

All had their story and all were interesting, he was sure, but all souls around him shared one thing in common, dimmed and weak. Weakened by the captivity they were held in. lacking in freedom and yearning for release. Every soul was similar in a way yet so much more complex once you take your time to analyze them. That is until he spots one bright star in the sea of despair. 

“Excellent,” he said under his breath as his mouth produced its coveted half smile. It was a little far but nothing he couldn’t reach. Max walked to the bars that tried to keep him detained. Slowly he felt his way to the front exit and finally touched the cold metal of the prison bars. He cast the ignition spell in short bursts so as to melt the bars enough to mend them and careful enough not to turn them into a hot mess of magma by accident. 

“Max!” a small whisper shouted in his ears. Causing him to let go of the metal before it was hot enough. “What are you doing now?” He sighed as he tried to answer as quietly as possible.

“What does it look like I'm doing? I’m attempting my daring escape.”

“By going through the front door?” Anni started to crawl to his hands, leaving small trails of cold whisps throughout his body. “I thought you wanted to get caught. Why now do you want to escape?” 

“Because now, the third character has finally arrived.” 

“The third?” A loud bang could be heard down the hall and Max winced reactively. Covering his paw over Anni protectively as he saw a peculiar-looking soul approach him. It wasn’t dimmed like the ones around him. It was defined yet dull, and it shone with yellow light yet glowed a sinister black hue. 

“Ah finally awake eh ‘The Golden One?’” he said his nicknamed endearingly. As if to taunt him, “I’m just here to give you your last meal, but while I’m here” His ears picked up something traveling through the wind. It was definitely wide but it wasn’t heavy. Whistling through the air, he had no idea what it was until it hit him. Knockback by the force, he stumbled to his knees as the metal plate slammed into the stone ground with a loud clang. It was a miracle the inmates around him weren't startled by the loud noise.

“Enjoy the grub!” He shouted as he strolled through the hallway with his pompous laugh. The plate was hardly filled with any food, to begin with, but it would still leave a stain on his prisoner garb. 

“Blasted, the service here is unacceptable. I’ll be sure to comment on it before I leave.”

“It’s a prison boo, what did you expect?”

“That is true, but still. No way to treat an enemy they’re about to execute I’m sure.” Max started to walk once again to the prison door. Seeing left and right to see if there weren’t any more sinister souls around him to see his attempts. Of course, they weren’t. Trusting in these runes has made them incompetent to stop a mammal-like him. Runic engravings littered the cell like salt in a dish. So thoroughly done, it etched itself unto the soul plane. Fortunately, he has been training in countering runes for the last eon or so.

“What time is it at the moment darling?” Max asked his small compatriot as he cast his spell again. Slowly melting the metal bar quietly without dragging too much attention from the other inmates. The metal started to mend to his every force and he opened the bars big enough for his frame to exit the cell. 

“Judging by the light comin' in, I’d probably say way too early for your shenanigans.”

“Perfect.” Max took a step outside his cell and breath the not-so-cleaner air from his cell. 'Escaping Prison has never been easier' he thought as he grinned slightly as he made his way down the hall. There was a light skip in his step as he approached closer. Surrounded by the dimmed light of hapless mammals in their cells, he finally found his way to the one he’s been dying to meet. Lightly he tapped on the bar to drag the attention of the mammal currently in front of him.

“Just leave me alone… haven't you taken enough already…” her despair evident. 

“By whatever do you mean young one? I have only met you mere seconds prior.” he heard light shuffling and finally slow footsteps.

“Who are you? You’re not supposed to be out of your cell,” she whispered. 

“Allow me to introduce Myself, Maxwell Millanus,” He extended his paw beyond the bars in hopes she would accept it, “and yes, I shouldn’t, but it would appear it’s finally time for me to take my leave.” He felt a decently sized paw touch his own and he firmly grabbed it and shook it in a formal handshake.

“Why are you here talking to me,” she asked bewildered over a complete stranger telling her he was going to escape the prison.

“Well, I wanted to offer you a chance.” He warmly smiled at her. Hoping she would say yes.

“A chance?”

“Yes, a chance to come with me and leave everything behind. A new life, beyond the pain and beyond the regret you have”

“You don't know a single thing about me…”

“On the contrary Ms. Winters, I know quite a bit. I might not know the specifics but I can see your soul as clear as day. Tormented and in pain, yearning closure and I can give you a medicine to the sorrow you feel etched within you.” the silence befell the two mammals as they ponder in contemplation. Hand still interlocked in a firm hold of a handshake. 

“Which is?” she asked, with hope lacing her voice.

“Freedom…”

*************************************************************************************

“I get the reason why I have to be under the hood, but you’re still a good citizen right?” Nick asked Judy as they pushed their way through the market crowd.

“Well, it's always best to be safe than sorry. Max is a wanted criminal everywhere and who knows who’s seen us together.” Judy started looking around at the map she had bought with the gold Max had conveniently stored in her pants while she had passed out. Oddly enough it was just enough for the map she needed. Taking a sharp right to the alleyway, she grabbed Nick's hand and yanked him through the tough crowd. 

“Relax Judy, He’ll be fine. I mean he knocked out like eighty of those Wylderns just a few days ago”

“Wylderns, not other mammals. He is dangerous and capable but I'm not sure he can handle a full battalion of guards of a prison compound.” 

“I think you’re just hungry, Blueberry?” Nick offered her a pawful of blueberry. Judy looked at his paw and then back to him.

“Did you buy those?” 

“Nope just nicked them under the vendor's nose.”

“Nick! That's stealing, you can’t do that.” Nick pouted as she lightly scolded him.

“It's fine, it's not like he’d know a couple of blueberries missing anyways.” Nick popped one in his mouth before again offering the blueberries to her.

“Nope, You cannot just steal from other mammals Nick.” her speech of righteousness got caught as she heard a loud rumbling of her stomach echoing through the walls of the alleyway. 

“Right, and when was the last time you ate something?” she held her stomach begrudgingly and she felt the smell of blueberries guide her even more. 

“Last week, but that's no biggie. I can always just drink more mana.”

“Yee but don't forget, the only thing that will stop you from turning into a Wyldern, is the food you eat.” once again he offered Judy the handful of blueberries, and begrudgingly, she took the blueberries and start devouring them. One by one, she started to realize how close her soul was to breaking. 

“Better?”

“Yea.” the reply was almost a whisper. Nick took that as a sign of defeat and grabbed the map from Judy’s hand with nearly no effort. 

“Then enjoy them while I try to make heads or tails of this map, I feel like we’ve been going around in a circle for the last hour or so.” Nick looked through the map and started to note down the separate buildings, “alright, the prison should be around this corner.” he started walking to the main street again and beckoned Judy to follow him closely. 

“What did he promise you?” Judy asked still munching on the leftover blueberries. 

“What?” 

“What would you get after finishing the quest with him?” 

“Oh…” Nick's ears flatten for a fraction of a second but quickly jumped back to life with his reply, “Money. He’d promise me so much, he said I wouldn't have to work another day in my life.”

“Specifics?”

“Now we wouldn’t want you to get jealous and cause problems now do we?” He gave her a slightly smug smile and continue to walk to the prison. Judy thought better than to press on an obvious lie. Max never promised money, it was always a lazy option for him. He always finds something they desired. Always knew what to offer you in times of great need. Made the deal a tad too enticing to be real, but in a way, he always gave what he offered. In Nick’s case, it was something a little too personal, but she knew better than to pester her only current available ally. 

“What about you? What did he promise you?” This time, Nick had the pleasure to ask her. 

“Oh, same” This was an obvious lie to both mammals but it sent a clear message in her opinion. ‘Won’t tell me yours, then I won’t tell you mine.’ After the small exchange, both mammals walked in uncomfortable silence as they headed to the cell compound. Going around the corner after corner before they finally face to face with what could only be described as a reused twenty-story tall cinder block. 

Sharp edges and uninspiring design made it the perfect show of the dull life its inhabitants live. The walls weren’t coloured in the slightest. Showing its bare stone white colour with pride. Holes of various sizes show the lifeless husk they would call prisoners. Being given the bare minimum of survival, Mageia was always ruthless to law-breakers, especially if they were of certain species. 

“ShireStar Prison, A beacon of power and fear. Towering over the city like a Thorup breathing down on its citizens.” Nick said valiantly as he sipped his coffee at the cafe next door, “really shows you the mind games the queen plays on her citizens even if she wasn’t there.”

“I’m surprised you even know of the place” 

“We might not be able to cross the border, but words are not mammals. We hear plenty of stories of predator defectors from Mageia.”

“There's defectors?”

“Obvious hundreds of them have crossed the border in secret. Have been for years now. The same goes both ways. Which only strengthens the segregation the queen and king wanted all these years.” Judy wanted to comment on the obvious chauvinist behavior of the mammals, but right now is not the time to be talking about controversial political status. 

“We need a plan to get Max out of that prison. Any ideas?”

“Are you even sure he is in this prison? How are you sure he hasn’t been either transported to another more secure prison or maybe even killed already?” Nick asked this time while eating his freshly baked bread. This time bought with actual Gold.

“I’m sure. If it has only been three days, then the higher ranks haven't noticed he’s been captured yet and still would have to send a message on what to do with him. As for execution, Mageia loves to show its people what a mammal looks like without their heads.”

“Grim and inhumane but I don't know if Michani’s strategy of death without notice is any better,” Nick said matter-of-factly.

“Well, in any case, there's a high chance he’s here”

“Or he’s playing a prank on us and left us in this city while he gets the treasure for himself.”

“Nick!” Judy exasperated loudly, “He would never just abandon us.”

“It was a suggestion carrots. Besides, it’s not like that’s not a possibility. He saw what happened in the Wyld a couple of days ago and maybe he decided to leave us here for our safety so he could get the treasure himself cause he only trusts himself.” the suggestion made Judy’s blood boil. The thought of Max abandoning her after everything they had been through was definitely foreign and wild. It wasn’t like him to doubt anyone's ability. 

“No, he would never. I have known him for more than fifteen years. He’s a good friend and he never backs down from a promise. He’s here and I know it.”

“Well, you’re the boss. So let's say, hypothetically, he is held over there. What’s the plan to get him out?” Nick now finishing the rest of his small sweet pastry and Tea, leaned over to hear Judy’s amazing plan. Judy pondered just a bit before he answer.

“We should try to sneak past the guards and escape the prison without ever being noticed by the guard”

“Good suggestion, but how would you do that without knowing the layout of the prison or the schedule of the guards?”

“Well, I can always try to act like a visitor and see what the layouts are. Then we can plan further after I managed to get out with more information.”

“Too long, here’s my call. I detonate a small explosive charge at a certain location to cause mass panic. With the panic, we can slip past the guards and find exactly where Max is being held and we can get him out in record time.” Nick clapped with a smile, whilst Judy wanted to beat him with her chair.

“Nick that's dangerous, and that would cause even more death than necessary,” Judy sighed and leaned back in her chair. “We have to use my approach to minimize the casualties. We don’t want to alert the queen enough as it is. If we stay hidden, they won't know Max has two other allies and we use the surprise somewhere else.” Nick clicks his tongue and whilst he understood the point Judy tried to make, he still doesn't believe in the plan.

“The queen is alerted enough if she gets the news that He’s resurfaced. This will just delay the inevitable and most likely waste time we don’t have. What if she already knew he had resurfaced and is following our trail right now?” 

“Impossible, Max is smart enough to not leave any tracks behind.” Judy crossed her arms and is starting to get annoyed by his arguments, “This is stupid, I know Max the best, he would’ve gone with my plan. I’ll take command.”

“Nope, he never said that you’d be second in command. In fact, he told me I should take command.” Judy was taken aback by that statement. Burning with hatred and a stint of betrayal, Judy wanted to scream. But she was wiser than that. Carefully raising her voice enough to make a statement but not enough to make a scene, she replied. 

“When did he say that?”

“When he left to get supplies.”

“Obviously he said that 'cause I was in a fucking coma, ever thought of that?” 

“True but maybe he knows you’d be a lousy leader in the first place” both are intent on winning the argument and both too hard-headed to give the other the leeway. The two were stuck in a stand-off. They stared deeply into each other’s eyes with burning hatred and resentment. Hoping that looks could kill. Silently they both reach for their weapons.

“You know I’m not sure we actually found who won back in the Wyld. How about we find out now?” Judy suggested with a devilish smirk. 

“I’m sure I won that carrots, or have the coma rendered you scatterbrained”

“My name is Not Carrots.” Judy’s masked smile fell and revealed her irritated face. the tension is perceivable in the air and the poor cafe was about to be a battlefield between two equally strong mammals.

“Then how about a rematch” Nick’s toothy grin was tempting Judy even more and in a split second, she could end this mammal’s life but with every waning second she let the atmosphere fester into a bubbling mess. Slowly methodically thinking of all the various spells she could use to destroy her adversary.

*BOOM*

End of Book 1 Chapter-9

Chapter Text

An ear shattering explosion roared throughout the sky. A blast so loud and powerful, the ground shook by the sheer might of the shockwave. In an instant, panic encapsulates the city. Seeking shelter, every mammal of all sizes scours the street in search of safety. Before another explosion rang through and the debris started to coat the roads. Chaos ensues as the screams and the steps muffled the loud blast. 

The shockwave itself managed to knock Judy’s balance and she tried to grab the table for safety, but that too fell by the force. Making both her and the inanimate object hurling down to the ground. Feeling the rumbling never seeming to stop, she scattered under another random table before she took in the sight outside the small cafe. Inhabitants screaming and running for cover as white debris fell from the skies, soldiers screaming order and trying to guide them to safety. More heavily armed soldiers came around the corner and disappeared in the direction of the prison entrance. 

She felt her senses heightened as the danger loomed over the city. Her breathing started to quicken and her mind ran a million scenarios at an instant. Lost in the thought of chaos, she hardly realised a small tap on her shoulder which managed to take her out of the trance. She looked behind her to see Nick without his smug face just moments ago. Both of them shared the look of fear and yet understanding that whatever caused this explosion had something to do with him. 

“Come, we don’t have much time. We gotta get to the prison.” Nick broke their silence and started to look around for guards before he dashed into the alleyway. Even though her instinct told her to stay right under there, Nick was right to jump in the opportunity. The explosion caused a much needed distraction and she didn’t hesitate once Nick took lead. Running after him into the narrow hallway. 

“We have to go around the back, there’s bound to be another secret entrance behind the prison or to the side.” Nick started to make a round corner and dashed at full speed. Trying his best to remember the map and the secret pathway around the prison. Despite his best efforts though, a single fork in the road left him stump and he quickly pulled out the map and tried to capture his bearing on their location. But as he twisted the map to point north, Judy grabbed his paw, causing him to drop the parchment paper.

“Judy, the map!”

“Leave it!” Nick taught better than to question and separate with his only ally for the moment. Even if his instinct said otherwise, he took the gamble and followed suit. Being twice the size, Nick evidently won’t manage to catch up to her but as she disappeared into the next turn, Nick used more of the gifts of his ancestor. Sniffing the air, thankfully he could still track her faint scent and never let down his pace. After another right turn, the first of their many challenges arose.

A tall wooden wall as towering as a bear, spanning the whole hallway, blocking their path. Judy tried to think of various ways she could get over the fence and the many spells she could use, but it was now Nick's turn to show her the way as he made a dash to the wall and jumped as high as he could. He clung to the wall like a koala as his sharp claws made their mark on the fence halfway up the wall. He didn’t exactly elaborate on what the plan was, but maybe Judy had an idea on what to do after. And after a brief inspection, a sparkling idea forms.

“Nick, catch me!” she screamed to him before she started to make a dash to one of the walls of the narrow way at breakneck speed. Just before she would crash into the hard wall, she jumped and directed her hind legs to land directly on the wall. Carrying the momentum, she redirected her aim to Nick’s direction. With his quick witted brain, Nick quickly outreached his paw and managed to grab Judy’s paw just in the nick of time and redirected her up the wall. With her remaining breath she screamed out.

“ VelocitaSel ” as she casted, Nick eyes widen as both she and him became a vague blur of grey and red. He let go of the wall and let the momentum carried both of them over the wall. Whilst Judy could land gracefully, Nick hardly could regain his composure as he stumbled down to the ground. 

“Wow!” Nick screamed from the ground as he got back on his feat. but while he had no problem with his recovery, Judy’s body has taken quite a huge toll from the spell. 

Panting heavily as she knelt down to the ground, she could still feel the searing pain of her abdomen. Her body had still not recovered from her near-fatal injury. Noticing her distress, Nick scuttled to her direction and knelt down next to her to assess her wounds.

“Carrots, take it easy! Your wound still hasn’t healed.” Judy wasn’t one to quit even in dire situations like this but she duly noted her friend’s concern and decided to reduce her spell casts to the bare minimum. She nodded and tried to get back to her feet with the help of her vulpine ally. Slowly they picked up their pace as the chaos seemed to be settling and the smoke had stilled above them. She could still hear the orders of guards scattering within the prison walls but she knew the opportunity was slipping from their grasps.

As they continued their journey to the secret back door entrance to the prison, they rounded the corner to meet a solid brick wall. The back door to the Prison… Was not here. Only flat concrete met the duo spanning as tall as the prison itself. Perplexed, Judy took a step back, Tracing the map in her head once again. Looking for a misstep in her steps but to no avail. She remembered it this way.

“Judy, I Don’t see a way we can enter from here.” Nick’s frustration was visible as he re-examined his choices. Maybe trusting the map was the better option. 

“No, this is the way.”

“Where fluff? All I see is hard concrete.”

“The map contained a door here, there should have been a door…” Judy’s voice turned hopeful to desperate as she rubbed her paw to the wall, hoping her memory hadn’t been playing tricks on her.

A defeated sigh escaped her lips and her ears descended her back. With no further explanation, she must’ve taken a wrong turn. Down the wrong alley and her confidence was their undoing. The opportunity slipped and soon Judy couldn’t bear looking at the prison. 

“I’m sorry Nick, I messed up…” her apology was short but sincere, “Lets just head back to the cafe and come up with a better plan to break him out.” Judy started retracing her step and headed back to the cafe but as the rock he was surveying, Nick was unmoving. Scanning every inch of the concrete wall.

“Nick, Lets head back.” Judy called him back once again to try and get his attention because he was obviously preoccupied with something. As she looked closely, Nick started to approach the wall. 

“We were looking for a secret entrance weren’t we?”

“The map’s legend said it was so I guess?” Judy accompanied her statement with a uninsured shrug, “Just leave it Nick, it's not here.” Judy didn’t once look back to him and as she rounded the corner, she heard him say.

“So Why am I halfway through the wall?” the note took her by surprise and she finally snapped her head around and found him mingling with the concrete a couple metres off the ground. Her eyes widened to his discovery.

“A secret entrance isn’t such a secret if everyone could find it right?” he said with a smirk and for once, she didn’t want to slap it off his face

*************************************************************************************

“IgneusTerra.” concrete cracked under the power of such spell and peel as they terraformed into sphere centred in front of her. If that wasn’t enough, the flames started to spark from within and soon turned the dangerous boulder into a raging fireball. The newly formed spell started to chase the frightened guards. Crashing down the hallway with a loud crash, she’d be surprised if any mammal could survive such a chaotic spell.

“Does one need such a blaring spell as that?” He heard the sound of rattling steel coming from the next corridor and he could show her what true power looked like, but he decided to choose a much simpler spell to fend them off. A slight lift of his hand from the base of the door to the top, lifting the concrete below to block the hallway completely.

“Sometimes a simple spell is all we need.” he said with a smile but all he got back was a scoff.

“This place is crawling with guards, and my spells are effective in dealing with them.” she stopped in her tracks to finish her sentence without looking back at him, “Permanently…” she said the last part in a more sombre manner. 

“Yes, there are more spells that could do that without making such a ruckus.”

“Look, you asked for my help to get out of here, so I’m using everything I have to get out. If you don’t like that, then find someone else to escape with.” his response was to simply nod with a smile and let her continue as he followed her through the cell blocks. 

“IgneusTerra.” she casted once again to clear the next hallway and soon his concern turn shock. He knew she was talented but he hadn’t believed his eyes when she casted 2 ArchMage level spells without showing signs of stopping. 

‘Interesting’ he silently mumbled to himself as he silently watched her in play. Providing what little support she needed, he followed her as she continued to walk over the guards. 

“MinimoTra.” she casted the spell and blinded the next hallway of guards with a blinding light.

“ VirtuSel. ” Max casted before she could unleash her next spell and she felt a flaming course of energy run through her entire body. Almost as if she had been shot with a lethal dose of Adrenaline. Her heart raced as she tried to focus on her next spell. 

“IgneusTerra!” she creamed the next spell, trying to get the energy out of her and out it went. Out in a spectacular bang as she reeled from the spell, everything became a sudden haze. Suddenly she found herself lying on the floor as she recovered quickly from her sudden outburst. Sitting up from the floor, she surveyed her surroundings. 

“You seemed knocked out.” the outline of a knelt golden feline caught her eyes, “I think you should take 5 and I’ll deal with the next batch of guards.” he stood and started to walk in the direction she casted her last spell. A million thoughts ran through her head as she remembered what happened. One persistent question ran through her head as her vision cleared.

‘Did the spell backfire?’

As the smoke cleared, she found herself lying on the floor and a sudden burst of light came through. It was no ordinary torch light. Every other torch light dimmed in comparison as her vision crystalized and soon she faced the colour blue. A nice bright blue sky with the splotched white clouds painting the view. 

She got up to her feet in disbelief and started running to the light and she came face to face with her destruction. The prisoner had a nice new window the size of a moderate mansion as she looked up and saw the hole stretched over a couple stories above and below her level. She gulped down a nervous lump in her throat and slowly looked at her trembling paws and made a strong conclusion.

‘That did not backfire.’

-

“Catch him!” a guard screamed as Nick started picking up his pace. Soon after they found the entrance, both he and Judy got separated as guards closed in from both sides. In the chaos, they lost each other and soon Nick was running from the guards in a long narrow hallway. The place was an evident maze and even after using all his senses, he was no closer in figuring out where his next step needs to be. 

He turned around the corner and a sense of relief washed over him as he came face to face with bright amethyst. 

“Judy you’re okay.”

“Not as much as I’d like to be…” She grabbed her abdomen to reveal the scar has taken a much higher toll than she’d like.

“Over here!” The sounds of guards caught the 2 mammals by surprise. They could not rest yet and soon they were both running away from the guards once again. Trying their damndest to lose both the guards. With Judy’s wound taking much of her pace, It was now Nick’s turn to slow down to her pace.

“How in the great almighty are we going to find Max in this maze?” Nick shouted over the loud clatter behind him. 

“Just keep heading up, They’d keep him in high security I’m sure.” Nick nodded and proceeded to grab something from his pocket which looked like small beads the size of blueberries. He grabbed a handful and threw them up on the hallway and they stuck on the ceiling of the narrow pathway. 

Quickly he grabbed his pistol and aimed a shot straight to one of the beads. The shot connected with one of the beads and caused a chain reaction to take place as the small explosives inside them detonated. The explosion caused a massive collapse of the hallway that hindered the guards movement, giving the duo some much needed breathing space. 

“Quick, up the stairs.” Judy lead the way up the spiral staircase 

“Seriously Judy, We got to find him quick before I ran out of stuff to throw at them.”

“Honestly, If I didn't know any better, I would have thought your pockets would be endless by the amount of stuff you have thrown at them”

“Surprisingly, I don’t have an infinite pocket. Believe it or not.” The air felt the sudden drop of tension as the duo joked around on the way up the stairs. Soon they found themselves on the top of the staircase and heaving a hard breath as they captured back the lost air. 

“Okay, I wouldn’t want to make your wound worse, but I think we have to split up if we want to find him in this huge prison.” Nick started to walk in a direction, expecting her to take the other one.

“No, We gotta stick together. We’d both get over run by ourselves and you said it yourself, you’re running out of tricks to use.” She ran to catch up to him and walked on his left as they continued to formulate their strategy.

“While that is true, we’d be a much smaller target and they’d have to split their forces to catch both of us.” he rebuttaled back and soon the 2 couldn't decide what to do. Just like the time at the cafe, over an hour ago, both wouldn’t back down from their convictions.

“We’d cover more ground if we split.”

“And we’ll be picked apart by the amount of mammals that they have. You have no idea how much they could spare in a prison like this.” Soon the 2 of them weren’t headed off in any direction as the screaming match continued to separate the duo in their styles of escaping the prison.

But luckily both of their senses were dialled to 11 when a sudden projectile headed in their direction. A large boulder of sorts as Judy heard the parting of air in large amounts and Nick could smell the smoke emitted from the object. Thinking on their paws, Nick hastily set his shield in between him and the projectile and Judy slid behind him for cover as they braced the impact which came suddenly. A splat of melted molten rocks slid off his shield just like the time Judy casted the same spell when their duel took place.

The pair came face to face with a white vixen, shorter than Nick by an inch or two but much more built. It seems as if she had just casted that without a staff and was still huffing deeply as if she had run a marathon. She virtually had no armour on her. Tunic Shirt with leather pants and a belt lined with empty pockets. Her fur was as pure as the snow and her eyes reminded Judy of the colour of a clear sky but within them, she saw a bloodlust fury of a warrior. 

“Michani?” she scrunched her brow, “I don't know why You’re here Machine but I’ll make quick work of you.” the threat did not fall on deaf ears as the duo took their battle stance. Ready to respond to her threat with the threat of their own. 

Judy assessed the situation, she could think of a couple of Deferenum Spells but she doesn't think she’d risk using a Trecharious spell in her current conditions. The staff she held in her hands firmly could take the beating but she was unsure if a mammal of her skill would fall by a couple of simple spells. Coupled with the fact that Nick had lost his sword and his supplies running dry, with nothing noteworthy but his shield, Offense was out of the picture.

But they’d be damned if they would let this obstacle stop them from their objective. As they prepared for a scrappy fight, the tension in the air solidified and the 2 sides steeled themselves. The screams of ordered guards from the background muffled away and all they could focus on was the opposition. Every breath, every twitch and movement was meticulously counted. Anything could’ve set them off.

“As much as I’d like to witness such a brawl, Could we perhaps postpone such a fight till after we leave the vicinity?” Max said as he grabbed the white vixen’s shoulder. Startling her from her stance and making her squeak out a small yelp of surprise from the fox.

“Max! Thank god you’re okay.” Judy ran to her friend and gave him a deep hug

“You know them?” The winter fox’s demeanour relaxed and even Nick put away his shield as he approached the group. 

“Quite, The partners from my stories. Judy, Nick Meet Skye. I met Skylar as an inmate here and in exchange for our help for freedom, she’ll help us on our Quest.” Nick was sceptical but Judy was more than willing to welcome another friend. Outstretching her paw which was gladly accepted by the Vixen. 

A sudden clatter of metal on stone caught the four’s attention. They could hear hundreds of them closing on their position and they knew the time they had was limited. 

“Well with introductions established, Why don’t we have a bit of practice.” all 3 mammals looked back at Max with a small smile on their face.

“Why not?”

End of Book 1 Chapter-10

Chapter Text

“ FulmanTra ” Skye breathed out as the exhaustion is closing in on her. Reaching her wits end, she found herself slowly falling behind the group, stranded in the maze which they call a prison. She panted as the bolts of light jumped from guard to guard, dealing a stunning blow in its wake. But as she soon realised, the more she knock them out, the more they came.

They came from every angle. She could hear them approach her from the front, a squad of soldiers from behind, the rustling of metal from the left and orders shouted from the right. She was surrounded once again. She wanted to cry, stop kneel down and break in front of them. She was this close and yet she felt freedom is still out of reach.

“ MinimoTra ” She started running towards her captor and a bright white light blinded the whole hallway. Stumbling against each other, the diversion had managed to create the opening she needed. In the midst of the chaos, she saw an opening between their legs. She rode the floor across to the other side and quickly got back up. 

As the sounds of the metal cladded knights fell to the floor, she didnt look back to admire her work as the times before. Not interested in stopping for anything. Running through the hall, she left her sense of direction after the 100th turn and decided to trust her gut but right now she had to admit that she was lost. 

Whenever she would head in a straight line, she found herself back where she started, every right turn felt futile, every left turn led her nowhere, every stairs up would get her to the floor below and the stairs that led down would constantly lead her to a dead end. She’s starting to think there are more forces here than they realise. Something far beyond their control. A magical maze of sorts. 

If that was the case, she was in deep trouble. With her mana running dry, her physical stamina finally reaching its limit, and the revelation of this magical prison maze, she was in tears as she fought relentlessly. As the next corridor came into her view of the countless guards, she dashingly made a right turn and was greeted with even more of them. 

“ MinimoTra ” She tried to cast her spells but nothing came through. She couldn’t feel the energy running up her spine. She couldn’t feel the tingling sensation of magic in her paws. She realised she was completely out and so did her adversaries. They gave her a sick twisted grin and soon her heart plummets further. 

They closed the distance between them and the white vulpine turned her tail and dashed to the last remaining free corridor as the tears slowly streamed down her face. She was never going to stop running. She was never going to quit. One part of hope but another part of fear. 

Largely due to the  penalties imposed to those who even dared escaping. It wasn’t because of the lights of hope shone brightly within her, but the deep abyss she saw over the horizon that kept her going. She couldn’t stop running 

‘I can’t’ the constant nagging in her mind is starting to get louder as her legs grew more tired. As much as she would love to run from the guards forever, she knew her body would likely reach its peak soon and then all would be over. Everything, her progress, her life would be a waste. 

‘I can’t’

She took another right turn and she could finally see a small glimmer of light in at the end of the tunnel. A small fire of hope reignites in her and she soon found herself pushing pass her bodies breaking point. 

‘I can’

The small voice finally rooted in her favour. Urging the vixen to press on. Ignore the pain and exhaustion as the end is finally in sight.

‘I can’

As she approach the end of tunnel, she could feel her hopes rising high. Rising to its zenith point, to the point of ecstasy. She could smell her freedom all she had to do was cross that door. She steeled herself to push through and one massive shove later, she was out into another hallway. 

Looking forwards, then left, then finally right. It all looked identical to where she was when she started. She let out a silent scream and looked back at the narrow hallway and find the door gone and in its place was another long corridor.  Eyes widened in realisation, she felt the last ember that kept the hope alive had been extinguished. 

‘I can’t’

In desperation, her mind started to question itself. ‘Was it a mirage, was it all just a fantasy. Where the hell was she?!’ She couldn’t finish her question as once again she was found by the knights. 

‘I can’t’

Left foot, right foot, left foot. She pressed on as long as she could. Maybe if she distract them enough, the others might escape. Might find the freedom she couldn’t.

‘I can’t’

‘I can’t’

Once again the voice grew in frequency and in volume.

‘I can’t’

She wasn’t going to

‘I can’t’

‘I can’t’

She needed to. 

‘I can’t’

She tried her best to ignore them but as she took another left turn to a dead end, she realised her futile efforts are ultimately in vain. She looked behind her and she already spot several dozen guards blocking her exit and she couldn’t win. 

 ‘I couldn't’

She never stood a chance to begin with. She heard the guards approach her closer and she could do nothing. Nothing but fall to her knees. She was so tired, she couldn’t even describe her pain. She couldn’t scream to the world, or fight back when they took her. She could barely lift her paws. She let the tears flow freely. Dictated by gravity as they fell one by one to the hard concrete bellow. 

She looked back at her paws. Dust clinged to them as the marathon left her drenched and sombre. Gone was her beautiful white she was so proud of. Replaced by the dulled ashes of her hopes. Her whole body convulse as they dragged her long. Unable to stop the rush of adrenaline coursing through her. pulled by the collar as her feet dragged against the ground. Unable to stand for herself… or anyone. 

When the guards put her in another holding cell, she finally broke. Sobbed and wailed into the lonely abyss. Despaired and tired, it wasn’t long till she laid down on the cold ground and curled herself to sleep. Fearing of the day that will follow.  She hoped the other made it out but as she will soon realise, no one could have escaped The Maze.

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“IncendiTra” She casted boastfully as the streams of flame engulf the whole corridor. Most of the mammals dive out of the path and managed to escape such gruesome death, but to those caught in the crosshairs were not so lucky. As they charred out of existence, she breathed a sigh of relief. 

“Well how would you escape a prison?” Nick once again asked Judy the question.

“We should let the corridor guide our path.” Judy said adamantly as she followed Skye closely behind her.

“I implore the two of you to please quit the bickering” Max had his paw on the bridge of his nose, “The team will arrive nowhere if the both of you don’t learn to compromise with one another.” he let out a deep sigh and continued to walk behind them. Marking each room with a specific rune. 

“Well I say we blow out a hole and get out that way. It’s the easiest and most efficient. And this hallway doesn’t have an end to it. We’ve been walking for hours,” Judy shook her head.

“That would be too dangerous. A spell like that requires a lot of focus and if any of us were to cast that, the risk would outweigh the rewards.'' Once again they’ve reach a cross in the roads both on their physical road and mental road.

“Alright, what about we split to cover more ground and whoever gets out first, can help the other get through?” Nick suggests.

“NO!” Skye’s scream was almost uncharacteristic for her demeanour. All eyes pointed to her, she realised her previous response came out more panicked than she intended. She quickly composed herself. Further explaining, “The walls, they live, they move. If we split, we’ll be lucky to find each other again.”

“Indeed, I’ve been covering our paths with these runes,” Max showed a freshly crafted rune, glowing orange from the amount of heat he used to ingrain them. Too many, the engravings looked nothing more than shapes scribbled unto stone. “They help both mask our location and make the chamber night impossible to shift.”

“Hold on, how do you know how to use runes? They’ve been forbidden to learn ever since Dawn’s ancestors took power.” Judy asked her mentor as she closely examine the rune before her. The rune consisted of 3 rings that formed a triangle with a line that connected them as a snake would a prey. “They burned every book and murdered any mammal who knew them."

How did you learn this?” While she knew his tendencies to throw the laws out to sea and curse their names to the wind, learning runes was challenge in it of itself seeing as its knowledge was scarce as it is. Max had a sudden change of face. As if he realised the mistake he just made but quick to defend himself.

“I’ve learnt them when I was a child.” he looked like he was carefully assessing his words. “I had a vision of their existence and someone helped me learn them. Unfortunately, he is no longer with us.” The 4 mammals had a sudden tense aura surrounding them.

“Alright, then?” Judy’s response was hesitant. So was everyone else she was with but Max had a gift of finding people like these. After all, he found a Dharegena in the woods one day. A mythical species thought to be extinct ever since the time before mammals. An outlaw harbouring illegal knowledge feels more believable in a way 

They all let the moment go as they continued their journey. Seeing as the number of guards have diminished substantially, Judy felt confident enough to take lead again. Even with her wounds. They followed her through, making sure to stay as a pact throughout the whole process. 

They walked another hour or so in the hallway before they saw a small glimpse of light at the end. While Nick showed his emotion on his sleeve, as well as Judy, Skye was different.  Tormented with the memory of the time before, she even took a step back when she saw the light. 

Both Nick and Judy continue on their path to exit. Skye, on the other hand, was stuck in place. Frozen in time and staring straight through. The memories of that day, fresh in her mind. The false hope, the aftermath, the pain and grievance. She could recall all the memories vividly. 

Haunting images of the door closing rapidly and of to another set of hallways kept repeating. She felt her legs weaken under her like she had just ran the whole way but she knew they’ve only been walking. She suddenly felt the walls closing around her. She could hardly breath but she tried to push as much air into her lung. It all just felt too familiar. 

‘I can’t’ 

She repeated forcefully in her head until she got sick and finally felt a strong warm feeling engulf her. She could barely hear the words coming in her ears but she felt the only thing she needed in a while, a warmth of home. She clutched the body as close to her as she she could. Letting the drops of fear return to her eyes… Clutching her eyes shut, away from the memories, away from the pain. Finding her solace in the warm body against her. 

Both Judy and Nick had first notice the white vixen in distress when they heard her sniffling. Judy could even hear her faint heart rate jump drastically. When Nick laid his eyes on her, she was a mess; a farcry of elegance from before. 

Nothing around her posed any threat yet she cowered in fear. Afraid and fragile, she hunkered down to make herself look small. The hallway was quiet with only sniffles and sobs filling the air yet she covered her ears as if there were other voices. Her eyes screwed shut yet there were no blinding light to hide from. 

Broken was the only way to describe her. Overwhelmed by the emotions, she faltered further as she burst into a wail. 

“You’re safe now, Skye. You’ve nothing to fear.” Max soothingly said as he caress the top of her head. “They’ll never catch you again.” The group stood there in silence as they comforted her. As the seconds turned to minutes and the minutes turn to a full blown hour, she slowly but surely gathered her strength. Finally having the power to tear away and take the first few delicate steps towards her next life. 

“Are you ready?” Judy asked her and Skye’s only response was a small nod. Slowly she approach the door. One step at a time. Every one of them she took laced with caution and apprehensiveness. Both Nick and Judy followed after. Vigilant as she was. 

Max on the other hand was slowly observing them all from a distance. Smiling as she took the steps to her freedom. It was in this moment, Anni popped up into view. Sitting on his shoulder as a parrot would. Observing them as her caretaker was. 

“One hell of a team you made.”

“The compliment is appreciated but the quest is long from over,” Max commented slightly as he watched Skye finally arrive at the footsteps of the door. “This is but a glimpse of the challenges they would face and I have foreseen the roads ahead.”

“And it wasn’t pretty?”, Max shook his head as they continued to keep their distance from the rest. Careful to make sure they couldn’t hear them.

“Fret not my dear. There will be carnage, for lack of a better word.” Max looked ahead as Skye took the handles of the door and twisted the bulb slightly. With a gentle push, he could make the outline of a bright light ahead. A small smile plastered on his muzzle as he continued to walk behind them.

“You’ll have to tell them soon,” Anni said as she slowly crawled her way back inside of her usual place with a hardened frown on her face. Back to being the calming aura that Max desperately needed. 

“I know.” Max’s smile fell instantly as he came to realise the whole weight of their adventure. “No matter how much variant of our time I saw, There’s nothing that could stop them from knowing.” He silently watched as Skye took Nick and Judy’s paw and walked out with them. Out into the blinding light. 

“I just hope I’m ready for that.”

End of Book 1 Chapter-11