This chapter is a prequel.

Chapter 14

The Frog, The Toad, and the Newt

3 Years Earlier…

Aaron Ro'Meave teared up at the site of his dead parents. He then felt nothing but unrelenting anger for the toads that killed them, hell, whoever may have orchestrated the attack.

From then on, Aaron would hate all toads, no matter if they had to do with his parents' deaths, or not.

Knowing he can't stay here, he runs away from the house.

The toads that killed the Ro'Meave parents returned to the West Tower. They informed their captain, Beatrix, that the job is done.

Beatrix was a female toad with long, black hair and she was wearing purple armor with a spiked shoulder pad. She had two yellow eyes with some small purple pupils.

Next to her was her lieutenant, Dareth, who wore brown armor with no shoulder pads. He had two glowing yellow eyes with no pupils at all.

After being informed about the dead frogs, Beatrix gave a happy smile, while Dareth looked the opposite.

Ever since he started working here, Dareth always felt that the toads' methods of enforcing rules were super over extreme. He never said anything about it, though. However, now he decided that enough is enough.

"You know what?" he shouted. "I have had enough of the toads' extreme methods of punishment. I QUIT!"

As he's about to leave, Beatrix blocked the way out.

"I'm sorry," she said, bringing out a long rusty sword. "But I can't let you leave."

"Oh yeah?" Dareth replied, bringing out a rusty spear. "Well try and stop me."

The two charge at each other and duel. They swing their weapons at each other, always blocking and dodging each other's attacks. Eventually, Beatrix manages to disarm Dareth of his weapon. Afterwards, Beatrix swung her sword at Dareth's face, and he didn't have time to dodge it. The sword hit Dareth in the eye. He screamed in pain as he put his hand on his damaged eye. He still fights the pain and continues fighting his former captain. Eventually, he finds a weakness. He sees Beatrix not trying to defend her legs, so he hits her legs and knocks her off balance. After doing that, he made his way to the door and ran out of the room.

Catherine moved out of the Capital to start a new life among the common folk. Unlike most newts, she saw no issue with these common folk.

After a while, she found a damaged house in a small town and fixed up the house, making it her new home.

After living in this house for a week, Catherine went out to do some shopping, when she saw a blue frog walking around.

The frog appeared to be very injured with a ton of cuts and bruises all over his body. His clothes were also ripped up.

Out of worry for him, Catherine approached the frog boy and brought him to her house. She grabbed some wipes and wiped the blood off of the frog's body before patching the cuts.

Aaron was at first shocked seeing this stranger help him during his time of need. He was also glad that he was saved after spending so long without a home. He requested the Newt Lady if he could stay, and after thinking for a bit, she allowed it.

Dareth was on the run for a while. Ever since he said the toads' system of government was wrong and quit, Beatrix had sent her soldiers after him. He was on the run for a week.

One night, Dareth found a small town and as soon as he did, it started to rain.

Dareth went door to door hoping someone would allow him to spend the night at their place, but none of them let him in. After going to each house, he was at the point of giving up, but he persisted, rather facing another rejection than getting captured.

He knocked on the door, and a pink newt answered.

"I mean you no harm," said Dareth. "My living space has been compromised, and I need a place to stay for the night."

Catherine stared at the toad for a while before allowing him inside.

Dareth explains to Catherine about how he decided to quit the Toad Army after deciding the toads take things too far on a daily basis. Now he's on the run. Catherine understands and allows Dareth to stay here.

Aaron comes down to get some water when he sees the toad in the room.

"What's he doing here?" he asked angrily.

"Aaron, please understand," said Catherine. "This toad is in a bad situation and needs help. Could you please at least tolerate him, for my sake?"

Aaron was reluctant at first, but he nods in agreement, as he doesn't want to disappoint his new mother figure.

And that is how these three met.

We'll get back to the story as soon as I can.