With the jaquins regrouping to devise a new plan, Kizin starts struggling to escape. As it manages to free one of its massive hooves from one of the holes it made in the brittle rocky surface, a deep growl escapes it doing so. The jaquins surrounding the massive beast all gasp in terror, realising it soon won't be trapped any longer and their strategy will be short-lived; they need to increase their efforts in bringing down this threat to Vallestrella…
At this time, Alacazar enters the scene. Stroking his beard, he surveys the situation.
He catches Zephyr's attention. "I thought all humans had left Vallestrella! What is their wizard doing here?" the grey jaquin exclaimed in surprise while eyeing Corona and Verago.
Corona emits a soft growl. Weary from the battle and the long-lasting damage Kizin has inflicted on the jungle, he holds humans responsible for this eventful ordeal. "Ignore that human! They are the ones who released Kizin. Besides, Quita Moz never mentioned humans joining our fight. We are not destined to confront this foe together. Once this is over, I will decide on their presence in Vallestrella. Now, we must stop Kizin!" Corona declared defiantly.
After Alacazar has overcome his astonishment as to why so many jaquins seem on edge while circling a huge dust cloud near the treeline, he lays eyes on Kizin amidst that chaos. Partially concealed in the veil that is dust swept up as Kizin continues freeing itself, Avalor's royal wizard eyes the gargantuan creature fascinatingly. "That – is the largest bull I've ever seen! It certainly doesn't look friendly." he commented with a certain intrigue.
Hearing him think those words out loud from nearby, Verago and Zephyr quickly approach the royal wizard. "Bull? Do you recognise that creature?" Verago inquired curiously.
"Well, yes. These beasts are used in the neighbouring country of Cordoba as draft and pack animals. I never expected to encounter one so immense. I guess it must be something indigenous to this realm."
"No! Kizin was released by humans. It is from a different realm, one with nightbirds and duendes. Quita Moz told us that." Verago interjected sharply.
"Hmm… Duendes – sound familiar.' the royal wizard of Avalor said in thought while running his free hand through his beard, 'Ah, yes! The Maruvians mentioned them in their texts and I added them to my compendium some time ago. That means there must be a portal between that realm and Avalor as well…"
"You share valuable information with us, no doubt. But now is not the time.' Zephyr intervened and gazed back at Kizin before adding, 'We have a problem at paw that needs solving."
"Right! If what you say about my fellow travellers is true then I refuse to stand by while you face this ordeal alone. Though I can't reverse the trouble my people have caused, I will help you and put my magic to good use." Alacazar declared strongly.
Verago and Zephyr exchange a look of initial disbelief, which soon turns to relief. However, their moment is short-lived as Corona lands beside them, bearing an angry look. The teal-and-indigo king demands sternly: "What are you two doing? We need a new plan of attack!"
Zephyr turns to his king. Through a calm and raspy voice, he says: "King Corona. I believe Alacazar can aid us. He possesses magic that we can utilise against Chatana – and Kizin alike. Moreover, I recall that Quita Moz had a promising complement to his portend: 'You will receive aid from an unexpected source when the situation seems worst'. We are at that point now and I am willing to believe that Alacazar is this source."
Being advocated by the grey jaquin's support, Alacazar demonstrates his aptitude for magic by pointing his tamborita at himself. He then incants the word Llévaluq which has an orange aura appear around him, making him lift in the air for a brief moment before landing back on the same spot. The royal wizard then suggests confidently: "King Corona. I am inept at spellcasting. I've mastered it over the years. This monster might be too big to fight. If you'd allow me, I can transform it to a smaller size. This way, we can catch it easy."
Much is at stake. The fight against Kizin and Chatana has been chaotic and, above all, unfruitful as Kizin is still causing havoc. Corona releases an exasperated sigh. As king he's known for being assertive; of all decisions made he can count on one paw each time he'd come around from one. Now he'll have to add another one to that list. After all, both Zephyr and Alacazar have made valid points. The teal-and-indigo king knows he'd always decree in favour of the realm. With a certain resentment, he nods encouragingly at the royal wizard of Avalor.
Alacazar points his tamborita at Kizin with a demonstrative gesture, preparing to cast his spell. "Let me handle that 'bully' of yours." Alacazar said in a serious tone but leaving room for a pun.
The many years of being a wizard have led Alacazar to acquire vast knowledge of spell casting. He'd trained himself in upholding concentration during the preparation and casting of spells, as well as pronouncing the words right and hitting the drumhead with precision timing.
Thus, he begins a rhythmic alternation between chanting words and striking the tamborita's drumhead using his free hand. Alacazar is aware that the transmutation spell is complex. He knows it'll demand all his focus and he'll need to channel an immense power through his arcane extension. The embellished instrument starts emitting a purplish glow that intensifies with each hit. Alacazar understands well that transmuting a creature of such size requires significant effort, being an absolute test of his endurance as a wizard.
Alacazar fully commits to the task. He never exerted himself so intensely on a creature as monumental as Kizin. His face portrays the picture of intense concentration: eyes narrowed, teeth gritted, and beads of sweat trickling down his face as he begins to feel his magical energy dwindle swiftly. Alacazar groans as he tries casting to his limits: "The magic – surrounding… ARGH – this monstrosity is potent! It must have been – cast by – another formidable wizard… But this wizard has one more trick – up his sleeve!"
The royal wizard of Avalor tilts his tamborita sideways, unlocking even greater power. "Now, this is the – power I was seeking!" he exclaimed as his hands trembled from the immense power coursing through them.
Alacazar must persevere. For all he knows, this may be the single time in his life that using his powers matters the most to secure the lives of others; these battling jaquins all depend on his will and determination! This ideal fuels his desire to succeed and Alacazar manages to maintain the spell, which becomes a flashy and brighter beam of light emitted from the tamborita. Once it breaks through Chatana's magic and hits the massive bull, Kizin starts squealing and twisting. In between the low-pitched roaring, it also lets out thundering bellows. It's a clear uttering that this monstrosity is finding itself in a state of absolute discomfort.
By now, Chatana has no other choice than to leave Kizin amidst the upheaval and flee from the magic being cast on her newest child. As she lifts herself into the air, Pili quickly grabs her by the ankles. "Hey! You weren't thinking of leaving me behind, were you?" he asked grouchy while pulling himself up toward her shoulders.
Chatana ignores him as her attention is drawn to Alacazar. Through sheer anger, she begins waving her arms in an intricate set of gestures to prepare a magical attack against the royal wizard threatening her "child". That is until Quita Moz swoops in from behind and knocks the tiara from her head, immediately crippling Chatana's ability to cast. She frantically looks beneath her to see where her tiara fell, ignoring the oracle sunbird. Quita Moz easily catches her by wrapping his serpent-like body around hers, restraining the wicked sorceress and effectively trapping Pili in his grasp as well. "You two have caused enough trouble with your magic. Let someone else have a go!" Quita Moz stated in a nearly lively manner.
Chatana watches how Kizin begins its transformation. An aura of light surrounds the huge bull as it shrinks slowly. Alacazar attempts to make it smaller. However, the transformation spell is taking too much of his powers. The royal wizard cannot maintain the spell properly, causing Kizin to also transform into a different creature altogether. Once Alacazar's magic is near depletion he ceases his casting. The moment the aura of light begins to fade, everyone lays eyes on the new form Kizin has been given: an upright-standing childish green plant with a distinctively red mushroom on its head.
Being completely trapped between Chatana and the serpent-like body of Quita Moz, Pili can be heard muffled: "What just happened? I can't see anything! Why is everything so quiet?"
Meanwhile, Kizin gazes around him in silence. The world seems so different now: everything around him looks bigger… Or has he become smaller? Kizin cannot tell. All he notices is the astonished stares received from the jaquins, his "mother", the oracle sunbird, and the human spellcaster. After an awkward moment of exchanging gazes, a sulky look appears on his face as his lower lip begins trembling. The upright-standing childish green plant then starts crying and runs off, away from all those who've hurt him in his previous form. With each of Kizin's steps, the jaquins and Alacazar feel the ground trembling lightly. Despite being shrunk, he remains larger and heavier than humans and jaquins.
"Uh-oh." Alacazar said quietly.
"What happened to Kizin? It sounds like a wailing child…" Verago remarked in surprise.
A bewildered Corona glances at Alacazar. "¿Qué hacías?" the teal-and-indigo jaquin king asked austerely.
"It became something different. Kizin was meant to shrink to a regular-sized bull. I must've lost control over the spell."
"We must stop it! It still is bigger than any of us." Zephyr proclaimed hastily.
Alacazar points the tamborita at himself for the last time today, casting a spell to replenish some of his magic. "Now then. One more spell to round up this mess? Coming up!' Alacazar said almost enthusiastically and then shouted while tapping his tamborita twice and aiming it at Kizin, 'Hueloctla Nahua Cencama Quazica!"
Kizin halts as he's completely surprised by two magic white spheres that rise from the ground around him. As both spheres continue ascending around the upright-standing childish green plant, Kizin notices how material follows both spheres and builds up around him like a casket. Before Kizin realises what's happening he's brought into a slumber, trapped both physically and temporally inside a structure equal in appearance to a termite hill and bearing blue and yellow stripes.
At first, everyone eyes one another and holds their breath in suspense about whether Kizin will break free. Then, someone breaks the silence by shouting heartily: "Kizin and Chatana have been defeated!"
A widespread cheering immediately follows, erupting from all jaquins on the battlefield. Everyone's elated and compliments each other while tapping each other's shoulders or giving high fives using wings. Alacazar also cheers by holding his arms up high.
While the cheering is ongoing, Zephyr turns to his fellow general and king Corona: "Now, what do we do with Chatana? Keeping her here, within the same realm as her most dangerous creation, seems an ill path to thread. I would say we send her far from here."
Alacazar joins the conversation and says: "I happen to know of a jail that can house this sorceress. The Maruvian civilization may have disappeared but some of their buildings have stood the test of time. One such building is a place of holding able to imprison her for the time being."
An encouraging nod escapes both Verago and Zephyr. It's then that Verago notices how one jaquin has remained subdued during this time of joy. "King Corona. Everyone is thrilled over this victory. How come you look troubled in a moment that requires celebration?"
The teal-and-indigo king eyes both generals in disdain. "This is no time for pleasantries now. We are in the aftermath of war. Not all of us are happy yet. And why should you? Can you not feel it? The air reeks of fear. Not everyone is seen… There is a scent filling this place: a scent that repulses me, one of… death. We need to confirm that everyone is alive still. We must find everyone and bring them together at once!"
Though Zephyr realises that Corona speaks for himself, he knows the king is right about the headcount. "Wise choice." Zephyr agreed and ordered part of the Skyguard to scout for the unaccounted jaquins.
One of the Skyguard soon flies over the outskirts of the former battlefield, his eyes squinted in utmost focus to avoid missing out on details on the ground below him. At a given moment he notices something in between some bushes. Something colourful has been hidden, or sought cover. He touches down close to said greenery. Using both his wings he pushes aside branches to get a clear view of what he just spotted.
It's then that his eyes widen in fear with his mouth agape. "Oh, no…" he murmured in anguish.