Hours passed. Finn approached Niles, clearing his throat. “Sir Niles—”

  Niles turned, raising a brow. “Just Niles is fine. Or King Niles. That works too.”

  Finn blinked, as if he'd just heard the cringiest thing in existence. “Niles,” he repeated, deciding to ignore the king-bit, “I’m hungry.” His voice was straightforward, his eyes unwavering.

  Niles nodded. “I’ll see what I can do. But first…” He strolled over to Vulcan. “How’re you feeling?”

  Vulcan coughed. “Better. But all I can do is talk and lie on my back.”

  Niles’ eyes lit up. “That’s great!” Then he caught himself. “Not the bedridden part. Sorry about the injuries and blah blah, but—” His grin widened mischievously. “I’ve got the perfect job for you. Only you can pull it off.”

  Vulcan raised a skeptical brow. “What exactly can a man who can’t even stand up do?”

  Niles leaned in, voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “We’re going to take over their fort later.” He pointed at the palisades being erected beyond the barrier. In the center, soldiers were hard at work constructing a wooden fortress—complete with watchtowers, doors, and even beds being carried inside, likely for the elite Xargian Guard. “And I don’t want to move into some poorly built dump.”

  Vulcan’s eyebrow arched higher.

  “I’ll let you pick your room first,” Niles added.

  A slow, knowing grin spread across Vulcan’s face. “Now that’s interesting. I’m in.”

  Niles called Felix and Winston over. Together, they carried Vulcan to the edge of the barrier, positioning him where he had a full view of the enemy’s fortification efforts. They laid down some grass and spare clothes to make a makeshift pillow for him.

  On the other side, a few Xandrian soldiers glanced over—and immediately recoiled.

  “Oh no,” one groaned. “It’s him again.”

  His companion blinked. “Who?”

  “The old man who wouldn’t shut up about how we built the gallows last time.”

  Recognition dawned on the second soldier. He paled. “Oh gods, no. That was horrible.”

  Vulcan met their gazes with a wide, knowing smile. “I’m baaaack!”

  The first soldier groaned. “Please, no.”

  But it was too late. Vulcan’s voice carried like a seasoned foreman inspecting a job site. “YOU CALL THAT A FORT?!” He gestured wildly from the ground. “I REMEMBER YOUR FACES! IF YOU COULDN’T EVEN BUILD A DECENT GALLOWS RAMP, HOW DO YOU EXPECT TO MAKE A FUNCTIONAL STRONGHOLD?!”

  “SHUT UP! WE’RE DOING OUR BEST!” one of the soldiers shouted back.

  Vulcan shook his head in disapproval. “I THOUGHT XANDRIA HAD MORE PRIDE THAN THIS! HAVE YOU ACCOUNTED FOR WIND? RAIN? OR ARE YOU BUILDING A HOUSE OF CARDS?!”

  The soldiers hesitated, glancing at their shoddy framework.

  “OTHERWISE,” Vulcan continued, “WE’LL ESCAPE LIKE RATS!”

  That got them. One soldier groaned, rubbing his temples. “Ugh… Fine, old man. If you’re so smart, tell us how to do it properly.”

  And just like that, from inside the barrier, Vulcan began instructing the enemy soldiers on how to fortify their own camp—whether they liked it or not.

  Then Niles went onto his next mission, to get some food for Finn.

  As the Xandrian army continued erecting palisades around Niceland. The elite Xargian Guards gathered for a private meeting.

  Mostly, it was Bear shouting at his comrades.

  But one issue—one mistake—Elephant refused to let slide.

  “Bear,” he said, folding his arms. “What was the purpose of the poison?”

  Their appointed leader scoffed. “It was never meant to kill them. Just a way to force them out of the barrier. Once they stepped outside, they would have been given the antidote.”

  Elephant’s gaze hardened. “That’s weak.” His tone carried no rage, only cold judgment. “That’s not how a commander of the Xargian Guard should handle things. How do you think Dragon would have dealt with this?”

  Bear’s teeth clenched. “DRAGON IS NOT HERE. I AM THE COMMANDER FOR THIS MISSION.”

  A new voice cut through the air, calm yet sharp. “And how does our commander think the mission is going so far?”

  All eyes shifted to the one who spoke—a Xargian Guard wearing the snarling helmet of a Crocodile.

  The tension thickened. Bear turned, his monstrous form rippling, half-shifted between beast and man. His paws reformed into hands as he reached for his sword. “If anyone wants to challenge me for my position, be my guest.” His voice was low, simmering with barely restrained violence. “I’ll take on all of you.”

  A female voice, steady and unimpressed, intervened. “Calm down, all of you.”

  Vulture.

  She stood with her longbow resting at her side, a quiver of arrows slung over her shoulder. She didn’t raise her voice—she didn’t need to. “We need a plan.”

  Bear scoffed. “We already have a plan. We starve them out and drag them back to the capital as prisoners.”

  Vulture sighed, then gestured beyond the camp, toward the vast, untamed wilderness. “Have you forgotten where we are?”

  The group fell silent.

  She continued, measured and firm. “This is Monster Island. We can’t stay here for long. The faster we finish this, the better.”

  Bear’s lips curled. “Vulture, your lack of courage is disturbing.” He sneered. “Perhaps that’s why you favor the bow—so you don’t have to fight up close.”

  Vulture didn’t flinch. If anything, amusement flickered in her eyes behind her helmet. “No,” she said, settling onto a crate and crossing one leg over the other. “It’s because I can’t handle your smell.” She rested her chin on her palm, watching him with a lazy smirk.

  Before Bear could fire back, another figure approached. A woman, clad in armor, locked her snarling helmet into place.

  Hyena had returned.

  Bear’s sneer deepened. “Speaking of failures,” he said, “welcome back… Hyena.”

  She was calm. But her voice? Lethal.

  “I failed to enter the barrier,” she admitted. “Your failure resulted in the death of Doctor Palmer.” She stepped closer, then sat beside Vulture. “How do you plan to explain that to Dragon?”

  Bear inhaled sharply, searching for the right words. “I… I…”

  But the words wouldn’t come.

  He looked around at his comrades—his brothers and sisters in war, raised in the same brutal fire, feared across the realm. Yet now, with their true commander absent, their strength alone wasn’t enough.

  Because leadership wasn’t just about power. It wasn’t about being feared.

  It was about judgement.

  And right now, they had none.

  A soldier stepped into the gathering. “Apologies for interrupting, but Elephant—your presence is requested at the barrier. Would you come with me?”

  Elephant didn’t hesitate. He didn’t ask permission. “Of course. Lead the way.”

  Without another word, he turned and followed the soldier.

  Bear’s jaw clenched. That was it? He could just leave? Just walk out in the middle of the meeting like he wasn’t under his command?

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  His hand shot out to grab Elephant’s arm—

  But Elephant barely acknowledged it. With the same effort one would swat away a fly, he slapped Bear’s hand aside and kept walking.

  Bear growled, fists tightening.

  A new voice cut in. “I have an idea.”

  The speaker was another Xargian Guard, his helmet shaped like a shark’s maw. Bear exhaled through his nose, motioning for him to continue.

  Shark cleared his throat. “Niles seems to trust Elephant, at least somewhat. What if we let him handle the negotiations with Sir Niles from now on?”

  Bear’s expression darkened. Then he snapped.

  “That TRAITOR, Elephant?! WHAT MAKES YOU THI—”

  He never finished.

  In an instant, a blade was at his throat. So fast, so precise, it was as if its wielder had teleported.

  Gasps erupted from the group.

  “WOLF, STOP IT!” someone shouted.

  “CALM DOWN, WOLF!”

  But Wolf wasn’t listening. His focus was locked on Bear, eyes burning beneath his helmet. His sword remained steady, a hair’s breadth from slicing flesh.

  “I dare you,” Wolf said, voice low, dangerous, “to insult Elephant one more time.”

  Vulture and Hyena exchanged looks.

  Then, as if this was all just routine nonsense, Vulture reached into her pouch and offered Hyena a strip of dried meat. Hyena accepted, biting into it as the two watched their comrades bicker like children.

  Vulture sighed, shaking her head. “I miss Dragon.”

  Hyena chewed thoughtfully. “Too many meatheads on this expedition.” She swallowed. “Shall we leave?”

  A smirk curled behind Vulture’s snarling helmet. “Let’s go to the beach.”

  To them, this wasn’t a mission anymore. It was an inconvenience.

  Casually, Vulture raised a hand. “Oi, Bear! Me and Hyena are heading out. Enjoy the rest of your little meeting. See you at dinner!”

  Before Bear could snap a reply, he had bigger problems—namely, the blade still pressing against his throat.

  Wolf’s patience was running out.

  “Apologize,” he demanded.

  Bear bared his teeth. “I’ll never apologize.”

  Steel flashed as he drew his own sword.

  In the next breath, the two clashed.

  The rest of the Xargian Guard erupted into chaos—some cheering, some trying to pry them apart, all while Vulture and Hyena strolled off like this was just another day at the office.

  The soldier leading Elephant stopped just short of the barrier. On the other side, Niles stood with Finn at his side.

  Niles waved. “Hi again, Elephant!” he called out, cheerful as ever.

  Elephant approached with his usual calm. “Sir Niles, how can I assist you?”

  Niles placed a steady hand on Finn’s small shoulder. “He’s hungry. Would you mind sharing some food and water with him?”

  The gathered soldiers erupted into laughter.

  They pointed at Niles and Finn as if they were jesters who had just delivered the greatest joke of the century.

  “What a lunatic! He really thinks we’re going to help them?” one soldier wheezed, gripping his sides.

  Another nearly doubled over. “That’s the whole point of a siege, you idiot! No food, no water!” he gasped between fits of laughter.

  The jeering continued, but Niles remained unfazed. He didn’t so much as blink, his gaze locked onto Elephant’s eyes.

  “Without poison,” Niles added.

  The laughter only grew louder.

  Truth be told, Niles had never had an audience laugh this hard—not even back on Earth when he attempted stand-up at an open mic night.

  Elephant, however, didn’t laugh.

  Instead, he nodded. “Understood. I’ll get you something.”

  The entire group fell silent.

  Elephant turned to Finn, his voice noticeably softer. “Beef or fish?”

  Finn hesitated, glancing down shyly. “Beef… please.”

  Elephant crouched slightly, meeting him at eye level. His next words carried warmth.

  “I’ll be right back.”

  Then he stood and walked away from the barrier.

  The soldiers erupted in protest.

  “What are you doing?!”

  “You can’t be serious, Elephant!”

  But the giant warrior moved unfazed through their shouts, heading straight for a crate of supplies. He pulled out two portions of dried beef, a jar of water, and two goblets.

  The commotion was loud enough to halt the duel between Bear and Wolf.

  “What now?!” Bear growled, wiping sweat from his brow.

  A soldier sprinted up to him, out of breath. “COMMANDER! YOU HAVE TO SEE THIS! QUICKLY!”

  Without hesitation, the Xargian guards abandoned their fight, rushing after the messenger.

  At the barrier, Elephant set down two plates. One remained outside the barrier, and Niles reached for it. The moment he pulled it in, it passed through effortlessly.

  He handed it to Finn.

  Then Elephant poured water into both goblets. He placed one at the barrier, allowing Niles to retrieve it and give it to Finn.

  The protesting murmuring from the soldiers only grew.

  Then, without a word, Elephant reached up and unlatched his helmet. The sculpted, snarling elephant face was removed, revealing the man underneath.

  He picked up his own goblet of water and took a slow, deliberate sip.

  “I’ll wait here,” he said simply, “so you see it’s not poisoned.”

  Then he took a piece of dried meat and chewed.

  Niles grinned. “Oh man, you’re…” He chuckled, shaking his head. “Something else.”

  Felix had arrived just in time to witness the scene. He stepped forward. “Elephant, would you mind pressing a finger to the barrier?”

  Elephant nodded and did as requested.

  Felix pressed his own finger against the other side, making contact through the shimmering divide. A moment later, he pulled his hand back and smiled at Niles.

  “He’s not a good guy,” Felix said.

  Then, his grin widened.

  “He’s a great guy.”

  Niles smirked. “I had a feeling about that.” He turned to Elephant. “My famous gut feeling.”

  Then, sincerely, “Thank you, Elephant.”

  From a distance, Bear had seen everything.

  Rage boiled over.

  He charged forward, roaring, “ELEPHANT! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! FEEDING THE ENEMY?! HAVE YOU GONE MAD?!”

  Bear stomped forward, each step carrying the weight of barely contained rage. “YOU’RE A—”

  He stopped short.

  In the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Wolf watching him intently, observing. Calculating.

  Bear clenched his jaw and redirected. “THIS IS A CRIME!” he bellowed instead, jabbing a finger at Elephant’s exposed face. “AND PUT ON YOUR HELMET! YOUR IDENTITY IS A STATE SECRET—WE’RE XARGIAN GUARDS!”

  His voice dropped lower, almost reverent. “We are the sword and shield of Xandria.”

  A reminder. A warning.

  But Elephant remained unmoved, sitting there like an unshaken bull beneath a cork tree. When he finally spoke, his voice was steady.

  “If feeding a starving child is a crime… then maybe there’s no point in any of this.”

  Bear recoiled. “What? Speak sense!” he snapped.

  Elephant simply reached for his helmet. “I was eating, so I took it off,” he said, slipping it back on. “That’s all.”

  Bear’s lip curled. “You’ll pay for this, Elephant. No rations for the rest of the trip. That’s your punishment.”

  Elephant didn’t flinch. “If that’s the price for doing the right thing, I’ll gladly pay it.”

  A new voice cut through the tension.

  “I’ll share my rations with you.”

  Wolf.

  Bear turned to stop him, but before he could, another voice joined in.

  “I’ll share as well.”

  A soldier wearing a crocodile-shaped helmet stepped forward. “I owe Elephant a debt of gratitude.”

  One by one, more Xargian guards joined in, pledging to share their supplies.

  Bear’s fingers twitched at his side, but he said nothing.

  Meanwhile, across the beach, Hyena and Vulture sat in loose clothing near the water. Vulture had an arrow nocked, her bow drawn as she tracked a fish swimming near the surface.

  She let the arrow fly. A clean shot.

  “What are they arguing about now?” she asked, glancing toward the ruckus beyond the barrier.

  Hyena let out a long-suffering sigh. “Who knows? They always find something to fight about.” She stretched her arms. “Can you catch more? I’m sick of dried meat.”

  Vulture grinned, drawing another arrow. “Coming right up!”

  Back inside the barrier, Niles finally spoke, cutting through the heated discussion outside.

  “Don’t worry, Bear.” He gestured toward Finn. “It’s just for him.”

  His voice was light, disarming. “Us grown-ups won’t take a bite.”

  Bear’s eyes narrowed. “And how do we know that?”

  Niles shrugged. “Gentleman’s agreement.”

  Bear’s brows furrowed deeper. “And what is that?”

  Niles smirked. “When two men make a deal based on trust, without needing papers or signatures—just their word.”

  Bear’s expression remained unreadable. Then he shook his head. “I don’t understand.”

  Niles couldn’t resist. “Somehow, I’m not surprised.”

  Bear exhaled sharply through his nose, a sigh of reluctant defeat. “Fine.” He turned to Elephant. “No punishment. But consider this a warning.” Then, without another word, he strode off.

  Niles glanced at Elephant. “What’s his deal?”

  Elephant’s voice was calm, as if Bear’s outburst had never happened. “He wants to succeed. It’s the first mission he’s been entrusted with.”

  Niles considered that. Then, casually, he added, “What if I let you inside the barrier? You can look after your holy crystal—not that it’s here.”

  Elephant took a slow breath, processing the offer.

  “Thank you, Sir Niles,” he said at last. “I’ll speak with Bear once he’s calmed down.”

  He paused.

  “I just hope that will be enough.”

  The rest of the Xargian guards scattered, their snarling beast-helmets gleaming in the light. Niles watched them go, their presence both fearsome and oddly unified.

  “They really stood up for you,” he remarked.

  Elephant smiled. “We’ve been together as long as we can remember. We’re family.”

  Niles took a good look at him before the helmet clicked into place. There was something familiar about his face. His short dark hair was uneven, with patches missing where twin scars formed an ‘X’ down the side of his skull. Tattoos—small red tusks—marked his cheeks, and around his massive shoulders hung a necklace of gold and ivory.

  Niles tilted his head. “What’s with the red tattoos?”

  Elephant shrugged. “I’ve had them since I was born. Since they looked like tusks, the Xargian Guard named me Elephant.” He chuckled before growing thoughtful. “None of us know much about our past. Where we’re from. Who our real families are.” He flexed his fingers, as if searching his palm for answers. “That’s why the Xargian Guard is my family. Every member, my brother or sister.”

  He hesitated, then added, “But once, in the harbor, I saw a sailor from a distant nation. He had similar tattoos.”

  Niles leaned in. “Where was he from?”

  “The nation of Dinozonia,” Elephant said. His voice carried the weight of distant longing. “The land of beasts and barbarians. Ever since, I’ve wanted to go there.”

  Niles stood as well. “So why don’t you?”

  Elephant turned away, his voice steady. “My place and duty are here—with my brothers and sisters. I serve the crown of Xandria with honor.”

  He walked off, pausing only to glance back. Enough time had passed to know that the food or water wasn't poisoned. “I’ll see you later, Sir Niles.”

  Niles nodded. “Thanks, Elephant.” Then, under his breath, he grinned. “I’m definitely recruiting you later on.” He turned to Finn, "it's safe to eat now". The boy began to eat and drink.

  Suddenly, a shadow streaked across the sky.

  Squeaky.

  Niles’ face lit up as the small avian shot downward, lightning crackling faintly around its wings.

  “Squeaky!” he erupted, holding out his arms. “I missed you, buddy!”

  The legendary bird of storms landed gracefully, nuzzling against Niles’ arm with a chirp. The bond was immediate.

  “How did it go?” Niles asked.

  Squeaky chirped rapidly, wings flaring in excitement. Niles nodded as if he understood every word.

  “You found Gingerbeard’s hideout?” he asked.

  Squeaky grinned—at least, as much as a bird could—then let out a mischievous chirp that sounded an awful lot like confirmation.

  Niles smirked. “Perfect. That means we have our first invasion target.” His chuckle grew increasingly sinister, and Squeaky joined in, letting out chirps that disturbingly resembled laughter.

  Then Niles’ gaze drifted toward the beach, where Hyena and Vulture had gathered an impressive pile of freshly caught fish.

  He grinned.

  “Squeaky,” he said slowly, “think you can snatch all of that and bring it over here?”

  The bird let out an eager, affirming chirp.

  Niles lifted his arm, positioning Squeaky like a throwing dart. “We’re eating good tonight.”

  And with that, he hurled the little lightning bird straight toward the unsuspecting Xargian fishermen’s haul.