When Felix opened his eyes, he was met with the sight of a young child dressed modestly in a violet floor-length dress with a leather belt wrapped around the waist. The neckline and cuffs included ties to adjust for comfort, and the fabric looked to be cotton sewn for comfort and to withstand the cold. Her bck hair was tied in a ponytail that bounced as she pyed with Reta's furry tail. Reta rested her head on Felix's chest, staring at the curious child and watching her giggle as her tail tickled her face.

  "Soft!" She chuckled, her cheeks turning rose with a delighted blush. She looked back as Nihja entered the room behind her, and the little girl hid her face behind her hands in a bashful manner.

  "There you are," Nihja smacked her lips, shaking her head and scooping the little girl in her arms. She leaned in and pnted a long smooch on the child's cheek as she cooed back with a rge smile. "You little rascal, this pce is off-limits."

  "Sorry." She held her close, then turned and pointed at Reta. "Doggy!"

  Reta sat up, her face softening as she admired the child's innocence. "Not a dog, a wolf."

  "You heard her, she's a wolf." Nihja bounced her in her arms, looking down and spotting Felix's opened eyes. "Apologies, did we wake you?"

  "Nay bother." Felix groaned loudly, pushing himself to sit up. The muscles in his right arm were unable to respond, feeling somewhat numb to him. Reta pced a paw to his back to support him, pushing him up while steadying his bance. "Gods, how long have we slept?"

  Nihja gnced at the melted candles hung by the door. "About seven hours, give or take."

  "Then why do I feel like I haven't slept in ages." He asked, staring at his wrapped-up arm. Reaching up with his good hand, he traced his fingers around the cloth that hid the right half of his face.

  Reta caressed his arm with caution. "Your wounds have only begun to heal. The body needs rest to compensate for the energy it burns to recover."

  The little toddler pointed at his face with a look of awe. "Hurt!"

  He stared back and offered a humble smile with an affirming nod. "Just a bit."

  "More than a bit." Nihja argued back.

  The little girl turned her head to Nihja. "Mommy, is he going to be okay?"

  Nihja nodded back. "He needs plenty of rest, some good food and healing herbs but yes, he'll recover in time."

  "Does this mean we can have chocote?" She giggled gleefully, csping her hands together.

  Nihja scolded her. "Mitzi! A nice hot pourage with a slice of cheese and bread would be more fitting."

  Mitzi held a hand to her mouth to hide her ughter. "Chocote is good food, yush?"

  "More fitting to be a chocote treat, really." Felix added.

  "Chocote treat-o! Chocote treat-o!" Mitzi cpped her hands and bounced with joy in her mother's arms. Nihja gave Felix an irritated look, to which he sunk his head under his shoulders in an apologetic look. A brief chuckle escaped his mouth, which caused a jolt of pain to surge through his chest.

  Reta took notice and helped him y down. He stared at his right arm, his face twisting as he fought himself to lift his arm. He could bend his fingers and wiggle his wrist, but his shoulder refused to cooperate. "Ahh, damn. S-Something is wrong with m-my arm."

  "You had a dagger pierce through your arm and make it its home for an hour; some damage is to be expected." Reta scolded him, annoyed as she slid off the bed and leaned to his right side. "Lie still, baka! Too much effort and you will undo the progress you've made."

  "She's right." Nihja chimed in, pcing her hand on his forehead. "You're burning. We've got some soup boiling for you, it'll only be a mome-"

  "Mommy, look!" Mitzi pointed toward Reta.

  Everyone turned their attention to the young wolf as her body glistened with sweat. She stepped back, pressed against the wall and keeping her eyes on her paws. A tingling sensation coursed under her skin, accompanied by a feeling of soreness. Her wolfish traits turned from a bright blue that matched her hair into a shrouded bck color, dark enough that light could not pierce it. Her paws, her tail, and her ears were entirely bck when without warning, poof! They disintegrated into ash and flew into the air, shrinking until nothing remained.

  She flexed her hands and wiggled her fingers, even gnced over her shoulder to see her butt devoid of a furry tail wagging behind. A sense of relief washed over her as she closed her eyes and smiled, having her body returned to normal. "Finally." She whispered.

  "What was that?" Nihja asked, both she and her daughter shared the same look of bewilderment.

  Felix leaned his head back into his pillow. "Her curse has gone."

  "For now." Reta reminded him, balling her hands into fists.

  "Fascinating." A voice commented from behind the parted door. Felix recognized him by his green eyes, bck wavy hair, and his genuine smile as he entered the room.

  "Alphonse?" He asked.

  Reta stood up and sped towards him. "You're part of that court! Here to send us to our death, again?"

  Alphonse jumped back, his hands raised with wide, frightened eyes. "Easy now, easy! I-I'm not here to hurt you."

  "You couldn't if you tried." Reta growled back. She stopped in her tracks when Nihja stepped in, shaking her head.

  "Reta, stop! He-he helped us escape the court after you transformed!" Shouted Felix.

  Reta gred at him. "This man is no ally. He caged us like animals!"

  "I-I'm sorry." Alphonse stammered out, poking his head over Nihja's shoulder. "I wasn't privy of all the details, and I don't have that kind of authority. I'm one of the councilmen; I can't just order everyone to stand out and release you. I had to py along."

  "Py along?" Reta hissed in disgust. Her eyes fred at his excuse, her fists shaking with hunger. But she hesitated when Mitzi hugged Alphonse's legs and stared back at Reta with a frightened look. Reta stepped back, gncing between the three, and then looking at Felix. He shook his head, pleading with her to stop.

  "Urr!" She growled, pulling away and standing by the wall furthest from them. Crossing her arms, she looked away and stayed silent, hearing the sigh of relief from Alphonse.

  "Thank you." He gasped, scooping up Mitzi in his arms. "It's okay, pumpkin. Daddy is fine."

  "Dad?" Felix raised his brow, his eyes darting to Nihja. "So that's why he helped us."

  "Hey now," Alphonse scowled. "There's more to it than that."

  "Alphonse is the reason how we got you two out, and he's how we got you back in." Nihja expined, kissing his cheek. "I'll be right back."

  "Huh, fancy that." Felix looked at the pair with awe, soaking in the reveal as Nihja stepped out. He paused when Janette entered, their eyes lit up as she smiled and moved in for a hug.

  "Heyyy," She pulled back and noticed Reta. "You're normal again."

  Reta scoffed, staring at Janette's waistline wrapped in cloth. "How is your recovery?"

  "Coming along better, thanks." She patted Felix's arm, leaning in and turning his face so that she could get a better look to his right side. "How are you feeling?"

  "Tired, sore, hurting." He listed off, "Could be better."

  Alphonse cleared his throat to get everyone's attention. "I believe you know that Kershin Market has been on high alert since your escape."

  "That wasn't us!" Felix began to expin, "That was-"

  "Perdilius' doing, yes. Janette and Tootsie told us about what happened after you fled for home, and I'm sorry. Felix, you haven't seen what happened when you lot arrived. Can you walk?"

  Felix nodded.

  "Okay." Alphonse breathed in. "Please follow me."

  He escorted them out the door and down the hall, where the exit traveled upstairs. Felix looked around as they found themselves at the sight of a modest home interior, with a small kitchen and a furnace at the corner. Nihja gnced up from the kitchen with a bowl of stew ready, eyeing Felix as he took careful steps following behind Alphonse. Mitzti stood by her mother, stirring the boiling pot and waving ecstatically.

  "Sorry love, I thought it would help if I showed them the state of things." He expined with a shy grin.

  Nihja frowned. "He can peak out for no more than a minute."

  "You heard her," Alphonse raised his hand, escorting them outside.

  Felix shuffled out the door and gnced around. His eye looked around and widened at the sight.

  Before, the streets were cluttered with people squeezing in one direction or the other, with morning bells chiming and the hollers of salesmen and women pitching their products. But the shop facing them was left in shambles; it's support beam was sliced in two, and the perched toppled over the shop entrance. Numerous cw engravings scattered along the walls and stores, with trash littered around the cobblestone road. Reta accompanied him and stayed silent, recognizing the damage that the street endured. One of the nearby buildings had been burnt to a pile of soot and rubble, a familiar sight that pained them to see.

  Gone were the sounds of people bargaining or children pying in the street corners, as all that remained were several armed guards wearing matching banners and a group of peasants helping their neighbors clean up and scavenge their homes for valuables. One man passed by on horseback, dragging a cart cluttered with reeking bags in the back. Felix gagged at the stench and turned his back on them, refusing to take another look.

  "Good Gods, what the hell happened here?" He asked, retreating back into their home.

  Alphonse shut the door and sighed. "The council was led to believe that this was the work of several dangerous Monster Girls that somehow snuck into the city. Zena cimed that this was Perdilius' doing, but she had no clue how. That is, until Janette told us about the colrs."

  Janette chimed in with a hopeful look. "Would it help if we tell the other members of the council?"

  Alphonse shook his head. "Things are too chaotic for them. Some members demand retaliation and enforcement, stricter ws and curfews. My brother and I are focused on recovery, cleaning the city and helping the people as best we can. We may have to raise taxes on trades for some time to cover the cost, but we'll do that after we dip into the city funds. The people have been through enough."

  Janette reached out for his arm. "Let us stay for the night while we think of what to do next, please?"

  Mitzi skipped in and hugged her dad's legs, looking up at him with a pleading look. "Does this mean I can have an older sister?"

  Alphonse considered her words, tussling his daughter's hair and sharing a look with Nihja. She nodded, confirming his thoughts. "Sure, you can stay for the night."

  "Yay!" Mitzi cheered, hopping around Janette and tugging at her dress. "Up! Up!"

  Janette hesitated but picked her up at her insistence, nervously keeping her steady. Nihja giggled at her awkwardness with her little girl.

  "We can see about extending your stay if you need to," Alphonse expined, "As soon as I come back, that is. There are a few public matters I need to attend before sundown, so do make yourselves comfortable. Felix, you cannot be seen outside. Too many people may recognize you from the court and we can't risk any more trouble. Janette, if you need to step out do so without trouble. Let me be clear, we are able to help so long as you help us help you. If either of you are caught or recognized for any reason, then I can no longer be associated with you for the safety of my family. Is that clear?"

  Felix and Janette nodded in agreement, with Reta keeping quiet.

  "You," Alphonse pointed at Reta, snapping his fingers in coordination with his eyes blinking as he struggled to recall her name. "Sorry, was it Reta? I will be needing you to come with me for a moment of your time?"

  "Me? Why?" Reta frowned.

  Alphonse was quick to lower his hands. "I already said I'm able to help under the right circumstances. Here in the Green District, you'll be safe in my residence, in my house. But I need you to accompany me to the Bck District, I have a private carriage waiting outside. You'll need a cloak and veil to hide your blue hair, then we can go. Trust me, this is of a personal matter that affects you as well."

  Reta gnced at her friends before turning to him with a shrug. "Fine, where may I find these clothes?"

  "In my room," Nihja offered Felix his bowl of stew, "Here, eat. Rest up while I take your friend to get dressed."

  Felix nodded and took a seat, blowing softly into his stew as steam rose from its surface. He took a sip, watching as Janette stepped up to Alphonse, flinching as Mitzi pyed with her brunette hair.

  "So, Al." She started, "I do have someone I want to see here, you said it was fine for me to go?"

  He nodded. "Follow the others, Nihja can help you."

  "Thanks." She smiled and moved along, carrying Mitzi with her. Only he and Felix remained in the kitchen area, accompanied by the slurping sounds of Felix enjoying his stew.

  "Hey." Felix called out, "When you helped me, you asked why I risk my life to protect KuliKuli. Why?"

  Alphonse sat beside him, breathing in deep. "I've studied monster girls in my own time, I learned about how some approach through methods of seduction to entice their victims into ying with them. I wanted to know if this was a simir case with you."

  Felix frowned. "Is that why you saved us, for study? Is that how you met Nihja?"

  "My curiosity for Monster Girls was present years before," He expined, "When I met Nihja, I hadn't a clue about her being a Lesser Succubus. She didn't show any traits or signs of one, like the pages insisted. She didn't pounce on me at night or whisper melodies that wash my mind with thoughts and dreams of her. She was... beautiful, headstrong, resourceful. I liked her, more than I cared to admit. Things progressed, we grew attached and she would admit to me about her being a succubus."

  "And?" Felix raised his eyebrow in interest. "Did that change how you saw her?"

  "Did it impact you when you fell for KuliKuli?" He asked in return with a knowing look.

  Felix nodded in agreement, finishing his bowl of stew with a sigh.

  "I realized that Monster Girls aren't the way they were documented in scrolls and books. Some can be feral, but some are... familiar, like us."

  Alphonse and Felix looked up as the girls stepped into view. Janette wore a beautiful green silk dress with ces down the front, decorated with silver trims running along the edges under her winter cloak, while Reta wore a more modest long blue tunic dress with a ce around the waist and a gray cloak over it. Her head was wrapped in a matching cyan veil that tied her hair back, hidden from view. Felix snickered at the sight, she would look beautiful were it not for her grumpy look.

  "Be silent." Reta hissed, aware of his reaction before turning to Alphonse. "Come, the sooner we depart the sooner I can be rid of these rags."

  Alphonse chuckled, getting up from his seat when Felix stood with him. "I want to see Zena."

  Both Alphonse and Nihja quietly turned to look at him. Felix was met with a sinking feeling in his chest judging by their nervous faces. "You wouldn't let me see her then, I want to see her now. Please."

  "Felix." Nihja sighed, "Zena is in the Green District but it's not a good-"

  "Please!" He begged, "I know I've asked for too much but, after that I can stay here all day."

  Alphonse inhaled deeply, drumming his fingers over the wooden counter. "I can arrange to take you there, but it will have to be by evening. Daylight is too risky and I've a lot schedule for today."

  "Thank you." Felix bowed his head, relieved and grateful. "Thank you."

  Alphonse checked the door as the sound of horses arrived by their doorstep. "The carriage is here. Reta, Janette, we need to go."

  Both women nodded and followed him outside when Felix called out for them. "Be careful out there!"

  "We will." Janette smiled back, carefully climbing into the carriage and keeping a hand on her stomach. Felix watched them step inside before Nihja shut the door, keeping him and Mitzi with her in the house.

  "Felix, I'll have some more herbs delivered here shortly. Would you like another bowl of stew?" She offered.

  "No but thank you for the offer. I'll be upstairs." He said.

  "Fine, Mitzi take him to his bed."

  Mitzi giggled and held Felix by his left hand, fshing a toothy grin and leading him to his room.

  Felix smiled, her smile and energy reminded him so much of KuliKuli. He needed to rest for now, to heal and get his energy back.

  The sooner he could recover, the sooner he could go back to find her.