The strange being's eyes flickered from red to black before settling into a pair of warm hazel. She smiled, satisfied.
"My handsome creature, you shall be called a demi being. All of your breed will bear that name, but you, you are Nathan."
At her words, the demi being transformed into a handsome man, though a mysterious aura still clung to him like a second skin.
_The Golden Castle_
The atmosphere grew darker, hostile to nature itself. Birds fled for safety. Rodents and other creatures of the land sought refuge. These omens did not go unnoticed by those within the Golden Castle.
Lord Mars stood on his chamber's balcony, watching as the unease unfolded. "The war has just begun," he muttered.
Suddenly, the ground trembled as if an earthquake were imminent. But if one listened closely, it was not the earth shifting, it was the footsteps of a vast army. From afar, the black army marched toward the Golden Castle: giants, black-winged creatures, and humans with serpent heads, advancing as one.
Noticing this, Blake rushed to the balcony where Lord Mars stood.
"Lord Mars, what is your command?"
"Is the army ready?" Lord Mars asked.
"Yes, my lord."
"Then let them attack," Mars said calmly.
Blake left to carry out the order.
From the left came the black army. From the right, the white army, white tigers, wolves, eagles, shape shifters, and more. The two forces collided, and for a heartbeat the world seemed to stop before they tore into one another. Swords clashed. Spears pierced. Double-edged axes ripped through the air. The battlefield rang with the screams of the struck and the wails of their killers.
The war was brutal. Slowly, the dark army weakened, and their leader ordered a retreat to escape. The white army pursued furiously, cutting down many, yet the leader of the black army vanished. Without his capture, the battle felt fruitless. There was no true victory.
Blake returned to Lord Mars with the news.
"Let our army return and rest," Mars ordered. "Take the injured to the medical unit. And for the dead, see that their families are compensated. Understood?"
"Yes, my lord." Blake bowed and left the balcony.
Lord Mars drew in a breath and sighed. "It is about to get tough."
_Three Days Later_
"My lord! My lord!" a messenger burst into Lord Mars' chamber.
"Speak," Blake commanded, while Lord Mars observed the man before him.
"The villagers in the west have been attacked. Only a few survived," the messenger panted. "I was away in the east when it happened. Now my wife and children are gravely injured."
"Blake," Lord Mars called.
"My lord," Blake replied.
"Gather some men and a few medical experts. Follow him to the west and investigate what took place there."
"Yes, my lord." Blake bowed and motioned for the messenger to follow.
Lord Mars sighed and withdrew into his inner chamber.
_Lord Mars' Chamber_
He entered to find Mia staring out the window.
"You want to go out?" he asked.
Mia turned sharply and bowed, nervous. "My lord, if you will grant my request, I would love to go out."
"I will send Granny Kate to accompany you," Lord Mars said. "I have a meeting with the other lords." With that, he left.
Mia stared after him, only exhaling when he was out of sight. "Phew! That was a hell of a man."
"Really?" a voice asked.
Mia jumped in fright. "Granny Kate! What are you doing here?"
"To accompany you for fresh a… i… r," Granny Kate said, placing deliberate emphasis on _fresh air_.
"Yeah, yeah. Let's go," Mia said hurriedly, dragging Granny Kate along to distract her.
_The East Village_
Lord Mars and Blake were inspecting the aftermath, questioning survivors.
"My lord, I don't know who they were," a villager said. "Strange beings. The hair of a lion, the body of a bear. We couldn't see their faces."
"The strange being," Lord Mars muttered. Then, louder: "Do not worry. I will send guards to protect you and keep watch for these creatures."
"Thank you, my lord," the villagers replied.
_Back at the Golden Castle_
Mia and Granny Kate were walking through the garden when someone rushed forward and hugged Mia tightly.
"Huh? Help!" Mia gasped, before recognizing her. "Oh, Lola," she murmured, returning the embrace.
"I'm so sorry, I couldn't," Laura sobbed.
"Calm down. Don't blame yourself," Mia soothed. "None of us wished for this to happen."
"Okay," Laura whispered.
"Lord Cruns of Black Castle!" a guard announced.
"My god," Lola breathed, clutching her heart. "I don't know why my heart is beating for him. He looks so handsome."
Mia looked at her as if she'd grown a second head.
Charles had only come to the Golden Castle because his mate served here. Otherwise, he would have gone straight to the meeting hall instead of strolling the grounds. He greeted the three women.
"Greetings."
"Hey, I know you," Charles said, eyes on Laura.
"Yes. I'm the girl you met in the forest," Laura replied shyly.
"Ah, the crying girl," Charles said.
"Excuse me, but I have to go," Mia said, and left.
Lola and Charles watched her go. Once she was out of view, Charles turned to Lola. "What is your name?"
"Lola, my lord." She bowed dutifully.
"Okay," Charles said, then left for the hall where Lord Mars had called the meeting.
_Why does she not feel the attraction I felt?_ Charles thought, fighting for self-control. _Doesn't she know how hard I'm holding back? This is exhausting. When she learns she's my mate, I'll teach her a lesson.
Meanwhile, Lola thought was in paradise. He is really good looking, even though him and lord mars always fight he is graceful and elegant. If only he is my mate, I will touch him and feel him. With that looks of his, he will have a toned chest and six packs. How wonderful. She imagined herself caressing his toned chest and laughed sheepishly to herself.
"Lola!!" Madam Kate called
"Ma!, I am coming" she hurried towards her.