Back in the main library, piles of books stacked high on the table. Nyra, Valerie, Valen, Rachelle and Mirael sat reading amidst them.

Suddenly, a shiver travelled down Mirael’s spine. Her hand froze above the page.

“What was that?” she thought, but after a moment, she shook her head and returned to her book.

“I haven’t found anything useful!” Nyra complained.

“Magic crystal of light is a forbidden item, potion of healing is forbidden; if you interact with magic, report it immediately,” Mirael read aloud, exasperated. “This book is completely useless. It’s like it was written by someone convinced all magic is bad.”

“I’ve read through several books about the Dawellen Palace and Lornyth’s history,” Valen said. “Not one mentions magic or protection spells. Most theories only talk about the strength of the materials forming the palace walls, claiming they’re nearly unbreakable.

They all turned to Valerie, expecting her to say the same. But she sat in silence, surrounded by a ring of open books and loose notes.

“Have you tried looking at texts written in other languages?” Valerie asked. “Just reading records in Lornythian won’t get us very far.”

 A sudden snap of a book echoed behind them. All heads whipped around.

“There is a lot of magical information in here, but I don't know how useful it will be,” Rachelle sighed, holding a green leather book.

“Where did you find that?” Valerie asked, putting her book down. “All I’ve discovered so far is that they eradicated magic from Lornyth after exiling all mages, and that’s from a book written in the beastan language.”

“One row over,” Rachelle explained. “In the section with copied forbidden library texts, they made public.”

Rachelle’s words had barely settled when a frantic shout echoed down through the library.

“Elena!”

Nyra shot to her feet. Her chair toppled over.

“That was Eldric!” she yelled, bolting toward the forbidden library.

“Nyra! Wait!” Valerie called after her.

Mirael frowned, glancing at the green leather book in Rachelle’s hands. “If she’s gone to the forbidden library, she won’t get far without a key—”

But her words faded as Nyra vanished down the corridor.

***

Nyra arrived at the Lioness door, and with a light push, it opened. She stepped inside, glancing around—and immediately tripped.

“Oof--! Eldric? Where are you?” she called.

No reply came.

“I said wait,” came a voice behind her.

“Oh, sorry, Princess,” Nyra said.

“Just Valerie,” she corrected quickly. “Here—give me your hand.”

A sudden shimmer ran over Nyra’s skin as she placed her hand in Valerie's. Her muscles seized, fingers curling, and in an instant, Nyra’s hand shifted into a paw. The seam of her dress tore sharply.

“Nyra!” Valerie gasped.

Nyra let out a low rumble in her throat.

“Let’s go look for Her Majesty,” Valerie said, steadying herself. “I think we unknowingly passed His Majesty on our way here.”

***

Meanwhile, in an unknown place, a bright light flared.

Elena staggered forward, shielding her eyes as the light faded back into the book. The scent of ink and parchment was gone, replaced by the clean, damp smell of stone after rain.

She blinked rapidly, trying to take in her surroundings. Tall shelves stretched in every direction, filled with books whose covers shimmered faintly. Strange symbols pulsed along the floor, their rhythm syncing with her heartbeat.

A faint sound echoed behind her.

Her grip on the green leather book tightened. “Who’s there?” Her voice sounded smaller than she intended.

No answer—only the soft sound of footsteps nearby. Not hurried, but steady, deliberate.

A shadow moved between two shelves—tall, broad-shouldered, with ears flicking forward to listen. In the dim light, she caught the glint of eyes reflecting green.

Elena’s chest tightened. “I… I don’t want trouble.”

The figure stopped, tilting its head slightly, as if puzzled by her fear. The air between them stirred, warm with the faint scent of wild herbs and smoke.

Then, in a deep, quiet voice, it said,

“Are you lost?”

“I think so,” Elena managed after taking a steadying breath. “I don’t know how I got here.”

“Take my paw and follow me. I can take you to the surface. Our elder may be able to help,” he said gently.

“Thank you,” Elena sighed in relief.

When they reached the surface, Elena squinted, raising a hand to shield her eyes from the sudden glare. The sun blazed overhead, its golden rays washing over a vast desert that stretched endlessly before her. The sky was a piercing, cloudless blue.

Before her stood the figure. He was a dog beastman. His long snout and keen green eyes marked him unmistakably. His fur was a warm sandy brown, blending almost seamlessly with the surrounding desert.

He wore loose, lightweight desert robes, ochre and rust-toned, fluttering slightly in the dry breeze.

Beneath Elena’s feet, the ground radiated heat, rough and blistering against her soles. Tiny grains of sand swirled at her ankles as the wind whispered across the dunes, carrying the scent of sunbaked stone and distant sage.

The desert’s vast emptiness echoed with silence, save for the faint rustle of sand against fabric and the steady breaths of her companion.

He turned to Elena and froze.

“Your Highness!” he blurted.

“You recognise me?” Elena asked, puzzled.

“Yes, I saw you in Valroth two years ago. You hid your face, but I could see the sadness in your eyes,” he said. “My name is Fenric, it’s an honour to meet you, Your Highness.”

“It’s my pleasure,” Elena replied softly. “You may call me Elena. I’d rather not draw attention.”

“I would never wish to be disrespectful,” Fenric said. “May I call you my Lady instead?”

“That’s acceptable,” she said with a faint smile.

Fenric guided Elena deeper into his village. Soon, a young girl approached. At first glance, she appeared human, with warm brown eyes, sun-kissed skin, and dark hair tied neatly back.

But as Elena drew closer, she noticed the girl’s gait—graceful and light, her legs covered in sleek tawny fur that tapered into delicate gazelle hooves. Draped in a simple split skirt tailored to her frame, she carried a neatly folded bundle of sandy-beige fabric tied with a thin braided cord.

"Pardon me,” she said quietly. “Please accept these clothes. The Elder requested it,"

Elena accepted it with a puzzled glance, her fingers brushing over the material. It was lighter than silk, yet stronger, made to breathe in the desert's relentless sun.

The girl led her into a small shop, behind a screen. Her hands were gentle and practised, wrapping each layer with care. The fabric cooled Elena’s skin as it settled against her, draping without clinging. A narrow sash of deep bronze was cinched around her waist, drawing the layers into shape.

When Elena emerged, the transformation was striking. A headscarf draped loosely over her hair, framing her face while allowing a few silver wisps to slip free. The rest of the fabric cascaded down her shoulders and trailed across her back like a soft, flowing cape. The girl adjusted the circlet resting against Elena’s forehead, the faint design of a lioness etched at its centre, hidden in plain sight.

The girl then guided her through the village. Elena took in the sights: a bull beastman speaking with a cow beastwoman before a weapon shop; a lizard beastman running a fruit stall with his child.

At the far end of the village stood a dark green tent, its canopy adorned with chains of white gems that shimmered faintly. Two guards with spears flanked the entrance.

“The Elder will see you now,” one guard said.

As Elena turned to thank the girl, she had already slipped away.

They walked to the tent entrance, but the guards blocked it with their spears.

“Alone,” said the other.

“Fenric bowed slightly and stepped back as they allowed Elena entry.

***

Meanwhile, back in the library, Eldric arrived at the table with Percival close behind.

"Elena’s gone! Only her shoes remain!" Eldric said in a panic.

“What!?” Rachelle cried. “Valerie and Nyra just ran to the forbidden library after we heard your call.”

“You stay here with Percival,” Eldric ordered. “That green book—find out what’s in it. It looks like the same one that took her away. I’ll check on the girls.”