The team finally entered the City of Dichondra just as the golden light of late afternoon poured across the horizon. Their journey had been long, and the moment they stepped through the massive living gates of the city, a wave of murmurs spread among the citizens who had gathered to greet them.
At the center of the welcoming party stood King Bard and Queen Olivia, both dressed not in overwhelming royal extravagance, but in elegant garments woven with natural fibers and faintly glowing threads that reflected the city's harmony with nature.
King Bard stepped forward first, his presence calm yet commanding.
"Welcome to Dichondra," he said warmly, his deep voice carrying across the gathered crowd. "Travelers from Lucindor, your arrival honors us."
Queen Olivia followed with a gentle smile.
"You must be exhausted from your journey," she said kindly. "Our city welcomes you as friends."
The citizens surrounding them bowed respectfully, though the atmosphere was not stiff or formal. Instead, it felt natural—almost familial.
Alice's eyes widened with amazement.
"Oh my… this place…" she whispered.
Within seconds she had already pulled out her diary and began scribbling furiously.
"Floating lanterns… glowing trees… beastfolk merchants… winged creatures above the rooftops…" she muttered to herself as her pen raced across the pages.
Helmond chuckled quietly beside her.
"You're going to fill that book before we even reach our rooms."
Alice didn't even look up.
"Absolutely worth it."
Meanwhile, Leo and Rein had unknowingly fallen into step beside each other. Their hands were still clasped together from earlier, fingers intertwined naturally, though neither seemed to realize it.
They walked quietly through the city streets.
Rein glanced around, her eyes reflecting the glow of the magical flowers lining the pathways.
"It's beautiful…" she murmured.
Leo nodded slowly.
"Yeah… it really is."
Helmond, walking behind them, noticed immediately.
He smirked.
"Well, well…"
But he said nothing—yet.
The soldiers of Dichondra soon approached them politely.
"Honored guests," one of the knights said with a respectful bow. "Please allow us to escort you to your quarters."
Leo nodded.
"Lead the way."
As they followed the knights deeper into the city, the true nature of Dichondra slowly revealed itself.
Unlike Lucindor's gleaming marble towers and meticulously structured streets, Dichondra felt alive.
Massive luminescent trees towered above the pathways, their branches stretching across entire districts like protective guardians. Their leaves shimmered in soft blues, greens, and golds, glowing faintly as if infused with natural magic.
Vines draped gracefully from rooftops and balconies, forming natural arches across walkways. Some buildings were even partially grown into the trees themselves, seamlessly blending architecture with nature.
Animals roamed freely among the people.
A massive horned beast the size of a carriage walked calmly beside a group of children, who laughed as they patted its thick fur.
Small glowing creatures fluttered through the air like living lanterns.
Strange birds perched on street signs, their melodic calls echoing through the city.
Alice gasped again.
"This city is a living ecosystem…" she whispered while writing.
Rein smiled softly.
"It feels peaceful."
Leo watched the interactions carefully.
Humans spoke casually with elves. Beastfolk traded goods beside ordinary merchants. Magical creatures rested calmly beside citizens without fear.
There was no tension.
No hierarchy.
No superiority.
Everyone simply… coexisted.
Helmond folded his arms.
"Interesting," he muttered. "A city where everything lives together equally."
Leo nodded.
"Lucindor could learn something from this place."
Soon the knights led them to a massive structure grown partially from the roots of an enormous tree.
"This will be your temporary residence," one knight explained.
Inside, the halls were illuminated by glowing flowers embedded into the walls.
The rooms were prepared carefully, each with soft natural lighting and windows overlooking the jungle-like city.
One by one, the team was escorted to their rooms.
And finally—
Leo and Rein were separated.
Their hands slowly slipped apart.
For a brief moment, neither of them moved.
Rein blinked slightly, as if only just realizing.
"Oh… we were…"
Leo rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.
"Yeah…"
Helmond coughed loudly behind them.
"Adorable."
Rein's face turned slightly red.
"Goodnight, Leo," she said quickly before following the escort to her room.
Leo stood there for a moment before finally entering his own.
The next morning arrived quickly.
Sunlight filtered through the towering leaves of Dichondra's trees, casting soft beams of gold across the city streets.
The team was summoned early.
A royal messenger knocked on each door.
"His Majesty requests your presence in the Grand Meeting Hall."
Within the hour, Leo and his companions were walking through the palace once more.
This time, the atmosphere felt different.
The hall they entered was enormous, with massive roots forming natural pillars along the walls. Long tables were arranged in a semicircle where the kingdom's highest officials sat.
Whispers filled the room.
Concerned whispers.
Anxiety hung in the air like a storm waiting to break.
At the center stood King Bard.
When Leo and the team entered, the room fell silent.
The King studied them carefully before speaking.
"Thank you for coming so quickly."
Leo nodded respectfully.
"You mentioned something urgent, Your Majesty."
King Bard folded his hands behind his back.
His voice was steady—but heavy.
"Tell me… are you aware of the unknown creature that has been terrorizing our lands?"
A quiet ripple passed through the council members.
Leo's expression hardened instantly.
He stepped forward.
"Yes."
The room stirred.
Leo continued.
"Our lands have faced something like this too."
The council members leaned forward.
Leo's voice grew colder.
"We were attacked by a Tyrant."
The word alone sent murmurs across the hall.
One official whispered nervously.
"A Tyrant…?"
Leo nodded grimly.
"It nearly wiped us out."
Silence followed.
Leo clenched his fist slightly.
"At the time… we couldn't defeat it."
The weight of that statement filled the room.
Queen Olivia looked troubled.
"You believe it is the same creature?"
Leo's eyes burned with determination.
"Yes."
The officials exchanged startled looks.
One council member stood up.
"That would mean—"
Leo interrupted calmly.
"I've fought it before."
The hall fell silent again.
Leo's gaze sharpened.
"And I hurt it."
A tense pause followed.
Then Leo finished.
"And this time… I intend to finish what I started."
Even the guards standing by the walls straightened at the intensity of his words.
Rein stepped forward next.
Her voice was composed but urgent.
"Your Majesty, we need information."
King Bard nodded.
"What kind of information?"
Rein spoke clearly.
"Can you locate the creature?"
She continued.
"If we know where it is, we can confront it before more villages fall."
The King immediately raised his hand.
"Sir Aldric."
One of the armored knights stepped forward and bowed.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Report."
The knight straightened and spoke firmly.
"Our scouts have confirmed that the creature has already terrorized four villages."
Gasps echoed across the chamber.
"The most recent attack occurred in the Village of Willow."
Leo's eyes narrowed.
"What about witnesses?"
The knight hesitated.
"That is… the problem."
Rein frowned.
"What do you mean?"
The knight looked uneasy.
"No one can describe it."
A murmur spread through the council again.
Leo crossed his arms.
"That's impossible."
The knight shook his head.
"The survivors claim they saw something… but every account is different."
"Some say it was massive."
"Others claim it moved like a shadow."
"One villager insisted it had wings."
Another claimed it crawled like a beast."
Helmond raised an eyebrow.
"So no consistent form."
The knight nodded.
"Exactly."
Rein looked thoughtful.
"A shape-changing entity…?"
Leo shook his head slowly.
"No."
His voice was quiet but firm.
"It's the same thing we fought."
He looked up at the King.
"And it's getting stronger."
Silence returned once again.
Finally, King Bard spoke.
"If what you say is true…"
His voice lowered.
"Then our kingdom faces a far greater threat than we imagined."
Leo met his gaze.
"That's why we came."
Rein stepped closer beside Leo.
"We won't let it destroy more villages."
The King studied them for a moment before nodding slowly.
"You have our full support."
The meeting soon concluded.
One by one, the officials filed out of the chamber, whispering nervously among themselves.
Eventually the massive doors closed.
Now only Leo and his team remained.
Leo exhaled slowly.
Then he turned toward his companions.
His expression had changed.
The calm traveler was gone.
Now he looked like a commander preparing for war.
"We need to discuss this further."
Helmond leaned against one of the root pillars.
"Finally."
Alice closed her diary.
"I was hoping you'd say that."
Rein stepped closer beside Leo.
"So what's the plan?"
Leo crossed his arms.
His voice was steady.
"We come up with a strategy."
He looked toward the distant jungle visible through the hall windows.
"To find that creature…"
His eyes hardened.
"And capture it."
Outside, the rising sun pierced through the towering trees of Dichondra.
Golden light flooded the city below.
It looked peaceful.
Beautiful.
Alive.
But somewhere beyond the safety of those glowing streets…
Something monstrous was waiting.
And this time—
Leo was ready to face it.