The Summer Garden's morning sun peeked through the glass door of the balcony.

It was lighting ever so slightly the painted night-sky hues of the room, as the little boy woke up in his bed. He rubbed his eyes, trying to recall when he went to sleep. he gave up - It didn't really matter. He then got up, before changing clothes. He stopped to look at his reflection in the mirror. The reflection before him stood silently - Ginger hair with light blue edges. dark blue scarf contrasting with the sleeveless yellow shirt and his open red vest. A single blue eye stared back at him. the other was covered as usual, by the forelock. After a slight moment of hesitation, the tiny boy lifted his forelock. He glared at his reflection: an eye of golden glow returned the look: Golden eye lashes and golden iris, with one golden crooked scar crossing it. Kaybol concentrated, as the golden eye began to glow – but soon faded. The boy sighed. He could use this eye to see souls and through his own bangs no problem, but he could never view his own soul. He sighed and dropped the forelock back into place, before taking another moment to study his reflection. Noticing the sadness in his visible eye, Kaybol shook his head aggressively. He then pinched his cheek a little, to try and refocus, before giving the sweetest smile his childish face could muster. He looked again at his reflection. The sadness wasn't gone, but the smile did well enough to mask it. After being satisfied, he gathered his hair and tied his ponytail back. He promptly left his room as quietly as possible, trying to not wake anybody up.

As he was on his way to the common room to read, as Kaybol stopped and inhaled the air. His role as being contracted to a Nyxian, gave him enhanced senses among other certain benefits. Someone was cooking in the kitchen. He turned around, and entered the small room. To Kaybol's surprise, it was Zutenko.

Kaybol glanced at the boy from the corner. Despite his absence of a contract to Auraiiya-Sama like him and Hilliya, Kaybol saw him as his brother. The ginger boy studied carefully the other boy wearing blue of various dark shades adjusting the beanie on his head as he poured more oil to the frying pan. Something was bothering him.

Kaybol considered his options. He could just leave him be, but the last thing he wanted was to make his brother feel lonely. For a moment, he thought of reading Zutenko's soul - but that would be rude. Instead, Kaybol decided to confront him as gently as possible. In a faint glow of his contract marking and a small “Poff” sound, Kaybol switched into his Naiyatsu form – a small foxlike bipad. His forelock remained consistent, and his scarf changed size to fit the different form. Nobody was actually sure why certain clothing stuck with the Naiyatsu form and some didn't. there was no reason to question the logic of a form meant to be used as a familiar and pet though.

The small fox climbed up the table quickly, before jumping to land on the boy's shoulder.

“Good morning, Zuten-Nii!” Kaybol said cheerfully, his voice slightly higher in pitch and squeakier in this form.

“Careful, I don’t wanna ruin it.” Zu replied absentmindedly, trying his best to not burn his omelet.

Kaybol nodded, and took advantage on the opportunity of his size to settle inside Zu's hood.

“I never took you for an early riser.” The fox said with a gentle smile. “What's going on?”

Zu shrugged. “I just felt like it, dunno.”

He moved the slightly scorched omelet into a plate, and cracked another pair of eggs into the frying pan.

“Woke up and decided to be productive, I guess.”

“I didn't think cooking would be your way to be 'productive',” Kaybol replied dubiously, “and it's the first time I saw you take initiative to make breakfast. So, what's actually on your mind?”

Zu remained silent for a few seconds, before removing the pan off the fire and turning it off.

“... Am I... selfish?”

The fox glanced at him curiously, and climbed back to the boy's shoulder.

“What makes you say that?”

“I left the castle without telling anyone.” Zu sighed, rubbing his forehead in frustration as he sat down. “I trusted a complete stranger, and made the only thing close to a family I have in this world worry about me. And even now, two weeks later, I'm still here being upset I'm grounded for idiotically risking my life!”

“Do you regret it? Meeting Neva, I mean.”

“No,” Zu said after a moment of thought. “I don't.”

“I mean, like,,” The boy continued to mutter. “I know that leaving wasn't okay, but... I do trust her, and I am glad I met her, after all. I... I do wanna see her again.”

“Then no reason to drown yourself in guilt over it.” The fox cub smiled reassuringly, his tail stroking Zu's cheek.

It seems that Zu was opening his mouth to respond, just as they were interrupted by Hilliya arriving in the kitchen.

“Oh! Zutenko, Kaybol-Chan, good morning!” the girl greeted.

“Are these omelets?” she asked with curiosity.

“Um... yeah.” Zu smiled sheepishly, as Kaybol hopped down to the floor and transformed back into his original Vastoari form.

Hilliya studied the two carefully, before sighing.

She figured she interfered. Kaybol noted to himself. I’ll have to talk to her later.

“I'll get the table ready then.” She said, before heading to pick cutlery to carry to the dining room.

Moments after, as the children settled down to eat, Auraiiya entered.

“Good morning my dear cubs~” She smiled, before noticing the omelets. “My, those we should get to eat more often.” she teased Hilliya, who simply shrugged.

“Zutenko made it. Got up early, apparently.”

“Oh?” the Nyxian turned her gaze to Zu, “I never took you for an early riser, my little dear Zutenko~”

“That's what I said, too!” Kaybol chuckled, and watched the other boy covering his blushing face with both hands. “Can we please just eat, Auraiiya-Sama?” Zu mumbled in embarrassment.

“Of course, my dear~” Auraiiya smiled, as she sat down beside him. Her laugh was soft, very different from the coldhearted persona Kaybol seen the Kiadra of the Abyssal Element used many times to assert dominance over her subjects.

The ginger boy smiled as they started to eat. They may be considered “cubs” or even “pets” to their mistress, but over eight millenias showed him and Hilliya the truth. Auraiiya-Sama for them shall always be a maternal, loving figure.

After they all finished their meals, Zu stood up to leave. But before he could, Auraiiya called his name.

“Zutenko?”

“Hm?” Zu asked, turning around to look at their mistress.

Auraiiya, in response, stood up and approached the boy.

“I had some time to think, and... I apologize.” She said softly, as she knelt down and stroke the head of the confused Zu.

“About... about what exactly, Auraiiya-Sama?” Zu mumbled, still not understanding.

“My response to your... disappearance, might have been too harsh. I simply wished for your safety, to be sincere.” She explained, a gentle tone in her voice.

Zu lowered his eyes, trying to process what was happening. “No, Auraiiya-Sama, you were right to ground me.” He said eventually, his voice quieter than his mistress's. “My actions were irresponsible.”

Auraiiya's hand slid down to Zu's chin, as she lifted his head to look at her in the eyes. “What I should have said is- your grounding shall be over, starting this moment.”

Kaybol couldn't help but grin as he saw Zu's eyes lighting up.

Auraiiya might have seen it too, and immediately added another sentence to try and tame the boy's excitement.

“However, I do have a few conditions for the manners of which you leave the castle in your future escapades~”

#

“That just isn't right...” Neva muttered, sitting on one of the sofas in the far corner of the Zdiosllin. She was deep in thought, scratching Geksio's head. On the other side of the floor, Ayalinn raised her head from giving treats to one of her other Poyuflé.

“This again?” the Demielven grunted, as she made her way to the girl. “If you're dying to see him so badly, go visit him.”

“I tried, but I couldn't find the entrance again!” she whined, and buried her face in her hands.

She searched as best as she could. In fact, she found exactly where the secret entrance was supposed to be, but she couldn't find it. She tried digging, or detecting any seals that might hide it, but it's like the path to that secret flower dome never existed.

“Maybe he decided to not meet again~” Ayalinn suggested cheerfully, but the look Neva gave her made her grin fade.

She raised her hands in a surrendering gesture. “I'm kidding, I'm kidding, geez...”

“Yeah, thanks for the help, boss.” Neva said sarcastically. She really wished she could console Ta'ala again, but he was on the upper floor, meditating. Besides, they already talked. They both agreed that Zu must come on his own terms, not by Neva showing up again out of nowhere. She just really hoped he will come, eventually.

“But you saw it too, right? With the Startail.” Neva asked her elven friend.

“Yup,” Ayalinn replied, and patted on the new pillow covered by the bit of Startail fur they didn't sell. “The kid bursting’s raw Magyo - silver fire, was it? And then summoned a big sword and sliced the squirrel's head off.”

Neva nodded thoughtfully.

“But it doesn't make sense at all. A Vastoari this young shouldn't be able to do anything like that.” She muttered again. “Why would Zu lie about that? Why claim I did it instead of him?”

“Well, maybe he's ashamed of it.” Ayalinn stood up. “Maybe the kiddo is a half-Nyxian ashamed of his own power. Happens a lot y'know.” She turned to Neva, and stretched while continuing to speak.

“Well, I better get dressed properly before we're going to hunt for dinner~”

Neva, now alone, looked at the giant tree standing in the middle of the dozens of trees that made the Zdiosllin.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a knocking on the door. As Neva stood up, the small pinkish owl slid down from her lap. As she opened the door, she was expecting a client, despite it not being Ayalinn’s reception days. However, what she found behind said door was much more surprising.

“Zu!” she exclaimed in surprise at the sight of the nervous Vastoari boy, who smiled sheepishly and waved in response.

“Hi..” he mumbled in his little shy voice, his eyes scanning the area around him. He hesitated, before reaching out to a handshake. Neva promptly ignored it, and embraced him in the biggest hug she had given in years.

“I can't believe my eyes! It is you!” she smiled.

 “I was so worried you won't come back, but here you are!” she added, as she finally released the embarrassed Zu from her embrace.

“Ye.. Yeah..” Zu muttered, pulling his green beanie down a little to cover his blushing face, just as Neva finally noticed his clothing.

“And with a lovely fashion choice, I see.” She winked, putting her hand on his shoulder and walking a little circle around him, taking in this green and pale-yellow combination before gathering herself.

“Oh, where I my manners? Come in come in!” Neva said excitedly, pulling the boy in and closing the door.

“Ta'ala! Boss! Zu is here!” she called, before turning back to Zu.

“I was worried that even if you wanted to come you wouldn't be able to, because Vasto- I mean, humans don't know how the runic Coordinates system work..”

“'Humans'?” Zu asked with mild confusion. Neva returned him a confused look as well.

“that's...” she asked hesitantly, “Isn't it how Vastoaris call themselves?”

Zu shrugged, his eyes still taking in the sight of the Zdiosllin from the inside. “I don't know, I don't really live in Vastoari society, so...”

Neva pondered for a moment, before discreetly inhaling and taking in his scent. All Nyxians had advanced senses compared to Vastoaris, but she wasn't the best at sorting what each bloodscent meant. However, there were no doubts. Zu was a Vastoari alright, and just like Ta'ala mentioned - he did have a permanent Nyxian presence on him.

Then why, she wondered, why wouldn't he be contracted at all?

Before she could ask Zu about it, or more accurately – decide on how to politely ask him about it, Ta'ala had arrived.

“Oh, hello!” Ta'ala greeted the boy, “I'm glad to see you're well.” Zu's attention finally shifted from the enormous structure of the Zdiosllin, and bowed lightly toward the fox.

“Hello, um...”

“Ta'ala.” The fox reminded him with a smile. “Is my name that hard to remember?”

“No- Not at all!” Zu immediately answered nervously. “I'm.. I'm just not very good with remembering names..” he mumbled again.

“It's alright, kid.” Ta'ala chuckled, and patted Zu on the head. “No harm's done.”

“Ho! Isn't that the snacky boy~” a smirky voice was heard, as a certain Demielven finally arrived from her room, fully dressed.

Despite his best efforts, Neva noticed Zu's expression as he grimaced.

“Ayalinn.” He muttered, trying to hide his uncomfortablity.

“Oh? So you remember MY name, but not Mr. Foxy here?” her grin widened, coming closer and shifting into her beastly form.

“Aya-” Neva tried to intervene, but was promptly pushed aside by the woman.

Zu seemed ready to run for it, as Ayalinn studied him with her sharp teeth showing in her manic smile. “How nice of you to come feed my babies, even decorated yourself for the occasion!” She added, reaching with her hand to push Zu down again.

“Ayalinn-” Ta'ala managed to say, and that was all the warning the elven woman got, as glowing patterns of runes gleamed for only a brief second, before a burst of light exploded.

Ta'ala and Neva jerked back, just as a screech of surprised pain was heard. Ayalinn was tossed back, her right hand seemed burnt all over the arm.

“Ayalinn!” Neva cried out, and rushed to her side.

The smoke faded quickly, and the trio stared in a mixture of emotions ranging from worry to suspicion and disgust, at the boy who also fell from the recoil of the blast. But unlike Ayalinn, he seemed to be unharmed.

The fox's expression changed and twisted in anger. “What. Was. That?” he growled at the boy, his patience over.

“…what...?” Zu crawled back in response to the exposed fangs of the Nyxian.

“You can't fool me anymore.” He spat. “A Vastoari, uncontracted, yet the strong scent of a Nyxian. Enough with that! So I ask again –” Ta'ala leaned closer. “What is your game?”

Neva looked in tears at the two. She wanted to stop them, but she couldn't deny the facts Ta'ala had stated. Was she at fault in all of it? Had she brought a danger to their home?

As the boy's panic clearly rose, another glow on Zu's clothing was activated. Ta'ala did not flinch. However, instead of any explosions, Zu's shadow became black as ink. Twisting, its shape has changed. In an instant, a pair of dark tendrils shot up from it and pulled Zu down into it. Then a new figure emerged, a being of raw Magyo.

“Who DARES!” The being bellowed in rage.