Disclaimer: See Prologue.

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Previously...

Karyluna, the queen, mind you, sent me to assist her daughter White Rose on her Trial: to save Paradise from repeated danger. So far, we made it out of the frying pan and into the fire. See, we successfully entered Lost City and passed through the security, but both of us fell into a weak spot of a platform. Therefore, we plummeted into the slums. Is there a chance that we'll be safe from blown identity, and worse, death? We'll cross our fingers on this one.

Chapter 3, The Feral and the Divine

Toboe's POV

We sneaked into the dome successfully…and heard Hige's stomach growling. After we split up a minute later, Hige, for some reason, knew where we should go. That was strange, since Hige claims that he doesn't tell us much about the past or something. Suddenly, the divine scent was here…along with a loud shriek.

"EEEEEEEEEK!!! LOOK OUT BELOW!!!"

The humans nearby heard the shriek, too, and ran frantically. The scent grew stronger as the cloaked figure kept falling. Right away, Hige and I grabbed a cloth nearby, ignoring its owner, stretching it and caught the source of the scent successfully. When we peered closer, it was a young girl who appeared the same age appearance as me. We couldn't see her face due to the cloak and scarf, but we can see some of her auburn hair and sky blue eyes. Not to mention that they are…pure.

"Are you okay?" Hige asked the girl.

"I am now. Thank you." She responded.

I don't know why…but…when I look at her, and hearing her normal voice, I felt something strange inside of me. Something…funny… I bet Tsume would know about this if he sees her. But…would he react the same as me? I don't know what kind of girl she is, but from the blessed scent, I still know that she's neither a human or a wolf. Then…why is she here in the city?

"Be careful when wandering above. There are some weak spots up there." Hige said.

"Oh…I didn't realize that. But no worries; I'll go back up there." The girl spoke with a nice grin, underneath her scarf. "I'd best be on my way now. Thanks again for breaking my fall."

The girl ran off, but was stopped by a gang.

"Looks like we gotta help her again." Hige spoke as we dashed to the girl.

"We see you're a newcomer, kid." One of the muggers said as he walked near her.

"Yeah, once you're in our range, we can't let you run off easily." The second member added.

"If you wanna leave, then pay up or turn in something good." The third added, too.

"……………" The girl couldn't say a word as she puts her hand on that weird stick.

"How about that bag? It may be of value." The fourth broke the elbow space between him and the girl, grabbing the front of her gi. "Just hand it over!"

Feeling a bit of anger, I charged at the guy, knocking him over.

"Get your sticky hands off her!" I shouted. "You shouldn't treat girls like that!"

The girl ran off. When the other guys tried to go after her, Hige blocked their path.

"Don't mess with us, or we'll come after you!" The boss shouted.

As we were about to defend ourselves, we ducked instead when a flinging brass staff was twirling around through the air like a boomerang.

"What th-AHH!!!" One of them cried as he became unconscious by the impact on his head.

The others followed with the same treatment, falling down alternately like dominoes. The flying staff returned to the direction where it came from. At last, we heard a clanking sound of lighter metal objects and a thank you. When I thought about it, that staff was that object the girl carried in her sash. How did she extend it? Finally, the sound of fading footsteps was heard.

"I didn't know she's that strong." Hige said as walked to the direction. "Up ahead, there's a staircase that we can take. It'll take us out of the slums."

He was right; a staircase was there in front of us. Somehow…I wonder if that girl would make it up there, and avoid any hazards above? There might be guards, but I'm not sure. Yet…she quickly returned the favor when we were surrounded by the muggers. She can be unpredictable, but… I'm still worried about her.

Blue's POV

All this time…Pops and I were alone…since that day. He had a family, and I was their pet. Yet…I may be a wolf-dog, but Pops is like a father to me somehow. He, his wife and son, even me were living happily in Curios. That is until it was destroyed, along with everyone Pops and I knew and loved. I saw wolves, and I had a strange feeling that this isn't their responsibility. If it's true, then who's behind it all?

We got separated at a point, but I was found by other wolves. I know something was wrong back then during the siege. And it seems Hige has a thing for me on our first meeting. At some point, Cheza was caught and so was I. Later, a former researcher named Cher was looking for the lunar flower maiden, too. So far, we've reached the lost city, snatched some tags and made it through into the peculiar citadel. We tried to get information, but no one understood us as if they were brainwashed. But a cat said that they're all, mentally put, zombies. I guess those in the slums were not affected, which may mean the city here has a strange force. He, in a way, asked me to follow him; there might be answers nearby.

The cat lead us to a bookstore, where his owner is. Cher asked a few questions regarding Jaguara's keep. The owner sold a map with the keep's location, but he claims that after being an outsider, he has gotten used being here. However, his cat said that his owner is still not used to it. No wonder this shop is in the alley. When Cher and I were about to close the door behind us, a cloaked girl entered the bookstore, saying "Excuse me".

For some reason, Cher was curious about the girl. I saw a colorful bird perched and sat on the bookstore sign. Since we don't see any animal in these parts, is that bird the girl's familiar? We stood for a few minutes and listened through the door. It feels like message tennis between the owner and the kid…

"Hello. Are you looking for anything particular?"

"Um… Lemme check the shelves…… Huh?"

"Something of interest to you, ma'am?"

"Yes……… This scroll here."

"Oh, this thing. No one can untie and open the gold rope. I really don't know why. Maybe it has to do with that charm over the tie and knot."

"I'll take it. For…how much?"

"Five credits. It's been sitting here for years, and no one wants to buy it."

"Credits… Hmm. Here you go."

"Thank you. And good luck opening it. ………… What? You've opened it! How did you…?"

"I…have a bit of talent with charms like these."

"Can I see the scroll's contents?"

"Um…okay."

"…………The text is ancient. I'm sorry, but can't read it."

"I can, so I'll translate it for you:

Oh, southern cross above thee…

Descend thy shimmering dust to

The foul luminescence that doth holds

My form in place…

Shower thine light and…."

"Is there something blank?"

"No. It's there. It's just that it's a…"

"I see. It's a one-shot spell scroll, something that a noble would use wisely. No wonder nobody can open it."

"You could say that. So…what can you tell me about the flower maiden?"

"Ah. The Lunar Flower Maiden is being held in Jaguara's keep for a reason."

"What's that?"

"I've been hearing from the soldiers that Paradise is opening gradually. Yet…I don't know if this is a good thing for all of us."

"Okay. Thank you again."

"Be careful, wherever you go, young lady."

"I will."

"What kind of kid would want to be involved in a dangerous task?"

I recognized the voice. It wasn't the owner's, but it was the cat. To my surprise…

"I'm a kind of girl who'll save many from a big demise…that's what."

"Oh…good luck, then. If you can hear me, then are you…from above?"

"My scent will tell you right away. I must go now."

…She can…talk to animals? But she looks so human, yet…she doesn't smell like one. She walked out the door and that bird perched on her shoulder again as they left into the street.

"That girl…" I muttered.

"She can use magic, can she?" Cher asked.

"I think so." I answered. "And I picked up her scent which is somewhat sacred, blessed, or holy. And I…don't think she's an ordinary kid."

"Let's go, Blue. We don't want suspicion nearby." Cher said as we left the alley, and searched for the path to the keep where Cheza is kept.

Cher's POV

As an hour or so have elapsed, we couldn't find the path to Jaguara's keep. So, we took a breather in a park of some sort. I asked Blue about her origin and she answered that her hometown, Curios, was destroyed by wolves, yet the sound in her voice isn't entirely sure about it. And she was not sure if she can go to Paradise due to the fact that she is half wolf. But I encouraged her that we'll go there, to Paradise, together.

We continued on through the city, and encountered by a few soldiers along the way, stopping us on our tracks. They asked us where we truly originated, and Blue responded that we came from Curios. We suddenly wondered why the armed guards spoke negatively about the ruined town, but Blue seemed to understood when they told us the truth: they destroyed Curious, only to search and hunt down wolves. Feeling a bit of rage, Blue attacked the soldiers. Unfortunately, they found out what she really is with the visors. When they were about to shoot her…

They were stunned by a strange sounding melody. We looked and saw that bird from earlier, and quickly, one recovered guard was being lifted into the air and thrown at the others.

"Get outta here, now! I'll take care of them!"

We ran out of the alley, but the guards recovered quickly, aiming their firearms at the child. We couldn't leave, and watched. They opened fire, but the young girl used her crosier, twirling it to deflect the bullets like a shield. Once they're out of ammo, they were surprised, and immediately were being clobbered by the staff afterwards in a swift bludgeon. The girl used her acrobatic reflexes and jumps to reach the rooftop. That was our cue to leave pronto, leaving the soldiers lying there, injured.

"Is she a wolf, too?" One guard asked.

"The visor didn't show, but…for some reason…"

"What? Is she even human at all?"

"No…she…looks the same…but she has wings on her back!"

"Who, or what is she?" I wondered.

"I'd like to know that." Blue responded. "I have to go for the moment, I have some news to tell."

"Okay. Blue, be careful." I cried calmly.

"I will." She said as she leapt upward.

Quent's POV

The city seemed complicated at first entry. I thought there wouldn't be wolves here, but I saw one over the arch in an alley. I tried to aim. Unfortunately, I was too intoxicated to focus. There was no point in chasing them. So I went on my way. Dunno why, but I could've sworn that I saw guards swoon like a rodent that was just knocked hard or ran over by a charging vehicle. But the condition I'm currently in wasn't behind this; it's no illusion.

"What happened here?" I asked them.

"Y…you again? Are you sure…you're not insane this time from drinking?" One guard woke slowly.

"Just tell me now." I insisted with a low tone.

"Fine. We were…beaten by a kid." Another responded.

"What does this kid look like?" I asked.

"She has long brown hair, wears an olive green cloak, a birch brown gi over a sea green robe, and magenta dyed leather shoes." The second described.

"Not to mention…she knows how to use a crosier as a weapon. And her familiar paralyzed us with a simple tune." The third added.

"Our advice to you…" He added before the others joined him in saying…

"Don't mess with her."

I know who would match the descriptions. I remembered back in the refuge truck, it made sense when she showed a bit of a fighting spirit in her. It looked like she showed more of her valiant side against the soldiers. I couldn't think anymore when one guard warned me even more.

"If she's able to beat a few armored soldiers, can she take on a noble like…Jaguara?"

"Not a chance. Jaguara's stronger than that kid, though not as acrobatic as her. Not only that, but she can cast some spells."

"But we didn't see the kid cast one. Is she saving her energy for Jaguara?"

"I'm not sure…"

Being unable to hear anymore useless info, I left the wondering men there in the alley. I wandered more. I am now curious about the seer's purpose, since that attack gave me some kind of hint. And then, I heard the familiar voice, telling me…

"So…I…never knew we'd meet again."

She was leaning on a wall, hiding from the soldiers. Has she been hiding all this time? Yet…where's her bird-friend? Sensing my thoughts, she asked…

"You seem…curious about my task?"

"Yeah, why th- no, why on earth are you here in the city?" I nearly said a crude word at an innocent child. I should be grateful. Otherwise she'd cover hear ears.

"If you must know…I came to save Paradise, not seeking it."

"Really? So why would a seer fight the guards?"

"I'd figure that they were the ones who killed not only wolves, but humans as well, especially villagers, like the town you were from. I overheard that they were the ones who destroyed it, not the wolves. Believe me, I was there in ruin; the spirits of your family gave me a request to tell you this. So I came all the way here. And also…I…"

"…And you kept your word; I believe in you, seer. I kinda knew you're somethin' else. Though you're not a wolf, but somethin'...miraculous. It's like you came down from above, saving us humans. Just tell me...WHAT are you?"

"Oh…you really ARE curious." She takes off her hood, continuing on. "Although this realm is dying, don't tell anyone this…"

She moved to the my ear, whispering, "I'm an Angel; that's why I'm on this mission. Oh, I almost forgot. The ghosts of your late family asked me to give you this."

She took out an encased instrument. Wait, I know that shape and insignia…

"That's my guitar! I…used to play that with my once long-time friends in events back home, but that's all the past. No offense but… Keep that thing. The inner musician died anyway."

"I understand." she said as she stashed the string instrument away. "I'll just hold on it as a keepsake. I'm sure in the future, I'll give it to someone you know."

I felt surprised at first, but settled down immediately.

"Go for it and bring salvation to humanity. I know you can. Save us all." I spoke afterwards.

The girl already put her hood and scarf back on.

" Easier said than done!" She responded quickly as she jumped to a rooftop.

"...So...they DO exist." I told myself in thought.

I put my hand on an empty satchel in my trench coat. I've been holding it for some time, but I didn't use it. So I think she would, though. Immediately, I shouted:

"Hey, hold it!"

The girl just stood above me, looking down at me literally.

"What is it, sir?" The girl asked.

"Take this!" I shouted as I tossed the satchel.

The child caught the bag with both hands. She moved some things inside it.

"Thanks! I will be needing this!" She shouted back as she leapt off, and the bird flew back to her.

My wonder about the kid has left me when it was fulfilled. Having no more intentions, I wandered again until sunset.

White Rose's POV

"Not good!"

Huea flew back to me from inspecting the force field. When it's not good, that means the stronger the force field , the more difficult it is for the signal to get through.

"What can we do then, Huea?"

"We may have to weaken the force field ourselves, but deactivating it is a bad idea."

"I get it. Doing so will cause the civilians to panic, though the 'mindless zombie' spell will be broken. We could try to weaken the shield, but I have no technical knowledge like Grandma or Aunt Shiva."

"I have some info in my tiny brain from listening to your mother and grandmother chitchatting. If the controls look familiar, I'll give you instructions step by step. And let's hurry."

"Right."

I noticed that my little feathered friend carried a card in her beak.

"What's that you're holding?"

"Oh, this thing? I took it while you knocked those guards silly. One of the guards seem to be in charge of the shield that we're looking for."

"So, it's a keycard. Let's take it with us."

Huea nodded with approval before I jumped to rows of cables, using them as parallel bars in gymnastics, or trampolines at higher ground. I made it to the roof of the keep. Before I reached an opening in the keep, I said to Huea…

"Once the shield's weak, we have to come back out to use the Ark crystal. I mean, that's one of the instructions in the note, right?"

"Yeah. C'mon, let's make haste; it's almost sunset."

I leapt, searching for the source of the shield's power while Huea searched for it from above. This seems harder than I thought in the beginning, but…

"White Rose!"

"What is it, Huea?

"I found it! Follow me!"

Huea flew faster, but I'm still agile enough to keep pace with her. She stopped and perched on top of a door to the controls for the shield. It was locked with a simple mechanism with a card slot. So I used the keycard and tweaked the stuck lock a little with my mind. When I heard a faint voice from the system…

"Unlocked."

"Bingo! We're in." Huea spoke.

I simply smirked to myself as the door opened. We went inside and saw some dials, a few meters, switches and levers. Immediately, Huea flew around, examining the controls.

"This could get steep, but I think I know what to tell you. But these controls are sensitive. If we made a mistake, an alarm will go off and we'll get caught. You'll fail the Trial if you're a goner."

"Good luck…for both of us, then."

Huea slowly gave me instructions to use the controls. It's a bit harder than the candles and the altar.

"Okay… To start off, pull the second lever from the far right. The screen should be on…asking for a password. By the way, lucky for you, the password is in the card. It's-"

"I know. It's 'like-alike'." I responded as I entered the password.

"Password accepted."

"Now, use five switches, while ignoring one between two of each group from left to right, to activate the dials near the middle meter. ………… Good, now, use those dials ONLY to lower the weather protection rate. … Excellent. Then, go to the seven colored buttons. The green or blue button should do, but the color depends on the setting from the dials. Hmmm, since you adjust them to fairly low, press the blue button. … Wonderful! Last, but not least, to confirm the new setting, input the password one more time."

I typed in the password and…

"Password accepted. Shield setting changed."

We ran out the door and looked above. The sky became a little faint.

"Now we can save the remaining humanity!"

"Let's get to work, White Rose."

I channeled some of my magical and psychic energies into the crystal; magic for guiding the Ark, while ESP for amplifying telepathy when announcing the civilians about the rescue. I rushed to an almost high point so people can hear me. I took a deep breath and cleared my throat before making an audible announcement.

"May I have your attention please? … May I have your attention, please! What I am about to say is urgent. This world is going to die, taking every last breath of life with it. But do not be alarmed, fellow beings, for I have arrived here to bring salvation to each and every one of you. I shall send an illuminating crystal into space and a ship will descend from above to guide you to safety. Heed my advice and the angels will pick you up. Ignore me, and face the wrath of the surroundings soon."

"Hey! It's that girl who beaten us to battered bruises!" A guard shouted.

"Who do you think you are?!" shouted another.

"I'm an oracle!" I answered. "And you should never ignore one!"

"The words are nonsense! This kid is lying to you!" said an armored soldier, pointing at me.

"Don't believe him! You will soon witness the consequence for those who refuse my warning. I shall send the crystal now…"

As I spoke with my mind, the crystal slowly flashed until it glowed brightly, being raised into the sky. As thirty seconds passed, the arriving ship descended to the earth. At first, the soldiers continued to shout that it was a lie, but my enhanced voice spoke:

"Would I EVER lie to the human race?" I responded as I took off my cloak…to show that a simple pair of spread wings are not a lie.

From the looks of many, it's like they've never seen an intelligent specie before. Pretty much, I guess not all realms are the same. Some have one higher specie, while others have many sentient races. Immediately, I flew down and slid into a hole, following the hidden path into the keep, with Huea hopping behind…

(To be continued.)

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How was this chapter? Review again 'cause I'm a bit weary from checking on things here. If I see any flames, I'll get rid of them.