“LOOK OUT!” Ace came forward and shielded me. In the process, Ace’s arm got a second-degree burn. Ace winced in pain as he immediately removed the sleeve on that particular arm.
“No…” I whispered. Horrified at what I saw. Then I turned to glare murderously at Camille. “It was you, wasn’t it? You set him free!”
Instead of looking guilty, Camille had a crazed look in her eyes. “Nate is mine. He is mine. If it weren’t for you then I would have become his queen!”
“Nate and I are not in that kind of relationship!” I told her. “And he doesn’t belong to anyone!”
But as hard as I tried to convince her, it seemed like Camille couldn’t hear any of it as she just screamed. “Shut up, SHUT UP! You’re just saying that because you are going to take him from me!”
My whip was ready at my side to strike her when I saw her raising her hands for an attack. Viex was busy healing Ace and Custard was pinning Ferius to the ground.
Which means I have to deal with this myself.
“Enough!” The first prince of Tereau yelled at her. “You can’t kill or harm her just yet. We still need her to free the Chimera.” Then he looked at me with a smirk on his face. “Come here, love, and won’t you do us a favor of freeing my father’s partner?” When I didn’t move or responded, he grabbed a sword from his belt and pointed it at my sister’s neck. “Now!” He says while nudging at the cloth that Kellar was holding.
I forced my feet to go forward and kneeled beside Kellar as I grabbed the wrapped arm of Ferius from him. It was gruesome and disgusting. And I could clearly understand why Ferius got rid of the arm in the first place.
It was already damaged to the point that it barely looked like an arm at all. It now looked like a dried-up old branch of a tree.
‘Princess, it’s Javi. Please don’t look at us.’ I heard Javi speaking in my mind. ‘Prince Kellar and Princess Stella are conscious, but you must not let them know. Whatever your decision is, we will support you.’
I looked towards the first prince of Tereau. “I need water.”
“For what?”
“For the chalice.” I told him.
The man lets out a huff before throwing me a bota bag. I grabbed the chalice from my bag and started filling it with water. As I did, I felt the pain of a burn on my arm as Ace’s wounds began to heal.
“What are you doing?” Ace looked at me when he saw that I just dropped my blood into the chalice. I gave Ace a stern look to let him know that I know what I was doing.
‘Master, are you sure about this?’ Custard was asking me worriedly.
‘Princess, as soon as the chimera is out, we don’t know just how powerful it will be.’
‘I know. But we are still sticking to the plan.’ I told them. ‘We will release the chimera, and then we just have to pin it down until I can throw another dose of cure to it. Javi, you tell Kellar about the plan as well and make sure to get the both of them to safety when the Chimera is here.’
‘Alright, princess. I will let him know.’
“What’s taking you so long? Just do it already!” The first prince yelled at me as I locked eyes with Ace.
He was frowning, and for the very first time, I saw fear in his eyes as he looked at me. I gave him a smile before I whispered the binding words to the chalice and poured the continents over the arm.
All of us immediately backed away as a growing dark cloud started to come out of the arm. Javi morphed and grabbed both Kellar and Stella out to safety while Viex and Ace grabbed me as well.
“I don’t like this.” He says as we both watched the dark cloud finally taking its form. First comes the head of the lion, next is the sheep, and finally the snake for the tail. The creature looked so horrible as if it was in so much pain that with its first cry, all I could hear was it beginning me to end its life.
‘Tamer! Please, kill me!’
‘My master is dead. I wish to join him!’
‘It burns. Please make it end!’ Those were the cries of all tree of its heads.
“Qioura!” Furious yelled. “Get this bastard wolf off of me!”
Since Ferius is still technically its master, it had no choice but to comply. Thankfully, Custard managed to avoid it as he jumped back.
‘Master? How are we going to deal with this?’ Custard looked fearfully at the chimera, which was still roaring in pain. And even though it wasn’t mine, it still hurts to listen to their cries.
“Pin it down!” I ordered them as Ace and I got off of Viex back so he could help Custard to fight the chimera.
A lot of things were happening all at once. The moment Viex left our side, the first prince of Tereau lunged for us.
But thankfully, Ace was there since I was still too distracted from keeping an eye out for my familiars. Ace grabbed his swords and skillfully blocked his attack with one sword while he used the other one to cut the first prince’s neck.
Then, he kicked his body and decapitated his head away from us. “Don’t think I missed hearing you call her ‘love’.” He says and began looking all around us. “Now where is that bitch Camille?”
We found Camille attempting to make her escape but failed when the Chimera, in its fit of rage, turned its back to her. The snake at the end of its tail bit her face and I could hear her choking a scream before the snake finally released its hold on her.
Now, Camille laid down on the ground lifelessly as her face melted.
It’s acid. Now that is just cheating!
“Custard, Viex! Watch out for the tail. It can produce acid!” I yelled at them warningly. The two of them cautiously circling around the chimera with Viex facing its tail and Custard facing the two heads.
Custard lunged and swiped at the goat head of the chimera. The snake reacted and tried to bite him but Viex wrapped his tail on the serpent’s head. The lion retaliated and was able to grab Custard by the neck. He whimpered but plunged the horn on his head to the goat’s neck.
“This is getting us nowhere.” Ace muttered and placed his hands on the ground. Vines started to emerge and wrap around the chimera. But I pulled Ace aside when Ferius charged at us.
“Let monsters fight monsters and humans fight humans.” He says.
“You’re more like a monster to me.” Ace says before giving me a side glance. “Focus on your familiars. I will handle the mad king.” He says.
I nodded and placed as much distance between them as I could. I grabbed the bota bag on the ground and let out a breath of relief when there was still water in it. As I added a drop of blood to the chalice, I heard the chimera roar
When I looked up, I saw that Javi has joined in as well as she rode on the chimera’s back and sunk her teeth into the lion’s neck. As the lion roared in pain, Custard was free and he took that opportunity to scratch the goat’s eyes out.
Ice started to form on the chimera’s legs and I could already tell that Stella and Kellar were nearby.
‘Master, hurry!’
“Nachos.” I whispered into the cup and ran to the chimera as I threw the water over the lion’s head.
As I did, it finally stopped its struggle and just stood there. I heard Ferius letting out a roar of rage as he ordered the chimera to attack me.
It struck me as odd that it wasn’t responding to him anymore after I threw a cure at it. Then I realized something. I looked at the lion’s head as it was the main body of the chimera. “Qioura was your name, right? You already died a long time when he experimented on you. It’s just the magic that has been keeping you here.” The lion lets out a soft mew as it confirmed my question. I saw all three of its heads tipping down to bow at me before they vanished, leaving alone a strange bulb of yellow light.
“Kaya?” I turned to my left to see that Kellar and Stella have just arrived.
As Kellar spoke, the bulb of light suddenly became a white wolf in front of our eyes. ‘Actually, Kellar, it’s Nagga. And I am a he and not a she.’ Nagga went for Kellar and rubbed his head onto Kellar’s cheek. ‘Thank you for keeping our princesses safe. I hope that you will enjoy your new life here in Thalia.’
“I should be thanking you, Kaya - I mean - Nagga. For...For being with me all throughout my childhood.” Kellar says and I could hear the sadness in his tone as if he already knows that this is goodbye.
Just then, Nagga came to me. ‘You’re not really the smartest tamer, which is why you resemble Varon a lot. That man never thinks!’ Nagga chuckled. ‘But even so, I want nothing more than to rejoin my master in the afterlife. Thanks to you, Qioura and the other can finally rest in peace.’ Nagga came and placed his nose on my forehead. ‘Thank you again, princess.’ And with that, Nagga finally disappeared along with Qioura.

“No!” As soon as I turned, I saw Ferius coming at me, but he dropped to the ground when an arrow shot his legs. Ferius turned to glare at Ace, who now stood beside me, and knocked a couple more arrows that pinned his arms and legs to the ground.
“Any last words?” Ace raised a brow at him.
“You think you have won?” Ferius laughed. “Try looking around you for once.”
As we did, we saw in horror as rogues started to gather all around us. Kellar, Stella, Ace, and I immediately back and formed a circle while Viex, Javi, and Custard stood in front of us on each side.
“We just can’t have a break now, can’t we?” I sighed.
“Now I just feel sorry, King Ferius.” All of us turned the moment that we heard a familiar voice. I could not help but smile widely when we saw Nate being accompanied by the other royals and soldiers. I saw Ren, Dan, and Fred standing beside him. “These rogues are actually our prisoners and they are not here to help you.” Nate’s eyes found us and gave us a cocky grin. “Hello. Miss me?”
Ace rolled his eyes at him. “Wow.” I laughed. “You guys look terrible!” I said as I eyed their torn clothes and disheveled hair.
Fred laughed while Ren, Dan, and Nate gave me a dirty look. “Speak for yourself!”
On the other hand, a few of the soldiers came to grab Ferius, who was now mumbling something under his breath.
“Uncle! Auntie!” She lets out a squeal as she ran to hug Luke, who was now back on his feet. He and my aunt laughed as Stella embraced them. Then Luke looked up and met my gaze when Stella left their side and talked to Chace. The look on the fairy prince’s face was grim.
“I’ll go and talk to the kid.” Ace told me before he left my side.
As he did, it was Luke who now stood in front of me. He was scared of me. “Rose, I’m terribly sorry that it has come to this. I tried to tell you all but he wouldn’t let me. So I did what I can to hinder his plans. My child, if there is anything that I can do for you, please do not hesitate to ask me. Please, forgive me.” He bowed.
At that moment, I saw Stella running to Luke’s side. She must have been worried that I would yell at Luke for putting my family in danger. But I didn’t yell at him. In fact, I wasn’t even angry because I saw how he is and I know that he has been sincere to us this entire time.
“Well, for starters, just be Stella’s lab partner and be the best uncle for her.” I told him.
Luke was stunned and blinked several times to see if he was dreaming. Then he began to smile slowly. “If that is all then I would be very much happy to oblige.” He turned and hugged Stella back while my aunt came to hug me as well.
“Dear, thank you. I know that all of this is my fault.” My aunt says.
At her words, my eyes cast on Nate, Fred, Ren, and Dan who were now talking and laughing among themselves as they all watched Ferius and the rogues being taken away. Then, I glanced at Viex and Custard, who has become my best pals in the entire realm. And lastly, my eyes found Ace’s as he was walking towards us.
I looked at my aunt the moment Ace was at my side. “Then it really is your fault that I was able to meet my other family.” I told her with a smile.
My aunt looked at me and she finally smiled. All guilt has been rid of her eyes as she went to Luke’s side.
“How’s Chace?” I asked him as I saw Kellar and Stella trying to talk to the fairy prince.
“Gregory lost his eyesight in the battle and Camille is dead. The kid will need some healing time before their kingdom will declare him as the newly crowned prince.” Ace says.
“That’s harsh. Camille is evil but I don’t think that she deserved that kind of ending.” I said.
Ace scoffed. “She deserves it. But I won’t tell Chace that.” He added when he noticed that I was starting to give him a warning glance. “By the way, can you see if my face has any dirt on it?”
When I looked up at him, Ace leaned in for a kiss that lasted a few seconds. When he pulled back, he was smirking. “There’s dirt on your lips. I just came to get it.”
I chuckled. “Yeah, right. I think you have one as well. Let me get it for you.” I pulled him by his shirt as we shared another passionate kiss.
I wish the most would have lasted longer but then we started hearing a few cheers. When we looked up, I saw that everyone was watching us. I groaned and covered my face in embarrassment.
How could I forget that the others were still here!?
Ace moved in front of me to glare at them. “COVER YOUR EYES OR I WILL PLUCK IT OUT FOR YOU, YOU PESKY SIDE CHARACTERS!”
“WOO! THAT’S OUR BROTHER RIGHT THERE!” I heard Eltur and Darem screaming from somewhere in the crowd as they laughed.
“Shut up!” Ace continued to scream. “STOP LOOKING AT MY WOMAN YOU STUPID SINGLE PEOPLE!” Sadly, the crowd did not care as they cheered loudly for him and even clapped their hands.
Ace screamed as started running after the crowd. Specifically targeting the ones who cheered the most.
As of now, Stella was at my side and comforting me for the growing embarrassment and Ace continued to curse and threaten everyone. Viex, Custard, and Javi were now in their regular forms and playing with each other.
“I think all is well that ends well, right, Amy?”
Just as I was about to answer her, I saw some movement in front of me. I saw Ferius with his sword pointed at us. I tried to grab my whip but it was missing. Instead, I hugged Stella and shielded her with my body.
“No!” Luke screamed as he jumped in front of us. Stella let out a scream that alerted the others.
“UNCLE!” Stella cried as I pulled her closer to my body. She wanted to go and help Luke but looking at where the blade pierced his body, we know that it was too late.
Ace tried to run back to my side but Ferius threw Luke’s lifeless body over to him along with the sword. Then he grabbed something out of a leather bag.
It was the orb.
“Time for you two to return back to your world!” He laughed as he pushed us both to a portal that opened behind us. As he fell, I could hear Ace screaming as Ferius continued to laugh.
“I won...I WON!” He lets out a deranged laugh before his head rolled to the ground. As his body fell, I saw Ace reaching out to grab my hand.
But it was too late.
The portal has closed and it has taken both Stella and I along with it.