False thyme and parsley moonbread. Kaito’s ultimate challenge. It had to be…perfect.
He measured out the moonflower sugar, then carefully removed seven grains to attain the ideal level of sweetness.
His hands deftly combined flour, water, and yeast. Jogid pointed out a moisture issue yesterday. The dragonfolk suggested letting the dough proof longer to improve the texture. Kaito nodded serenely as he sifted in the powder-fine Stardust flour. He might be right. Jogid’s palate continues to mature. His insights serve me well.
Maybe invite him to be your taste tester full time instead of the princess. I know having a hot elf around boosts your rep, but she’s not adding much value.
Ignoring the crass remark, Kaito started kneading, the movements coming smooth and practiced. He focused on developing the gluten strands as the dough slowly came together into a smooth, supple ball. It was a therapeutic process, the repetitive motion and the anticipation of the final product.
I must say, this recipe has come a long way since your first shitty attempt.
The false thyme and parsley lay finely chopped on a wooden board. He reached out to grab the herbs, but hesitated. Karen, remind me, what’s the ratio for false thyme to parsley again?
Oh, sure, now you ask the AI for cooking advice. It’s three parts false thyme to one part parsley, you culinary genius.
Jogid’s observation had been crucial; a slight adjustment in oven humidity had made all the difference. Now, the Moonbread was near perfection.
Damn, that looks good. Maybe I should get myself a body, just to try your cooking—
[...]
Reviewing Spell Database…
Master Kaito! I’ve found the most wonderful activity. And you’ve got all the right spells. How about you transfer my consciousness—
Don’t bother. You know I won’t do that.
As the bread baked, Kaito leaned over the window and took a deep breath of the life that surrounded him. The smell of the forest down the hill, his new cherry blossoms, the garden under his window, and the moonbread in the oven all mingled together in perfect harmony.
Despite minor hiccups here and there, his life in Calmo was mostly peaceful and productive.
But Karen, I think we found it. This is it, the perfect life.
You know this provincial domesticity won’t last forever, right? You’re fated for so much fucking more. I’d bet my coded core on that.
We shall see, my friend.
▬▬ι════════ﺤ
“How many can there be? The pile doesn’t get any smaller.” Zenith rubbed her temple as another petition joined the leaning tower on her desk. As mayor of Calmo Village, grievances and requests from the residents piled up without pause. Drainage issues, disputes over property lines, proposals for village expansion—she handled them all. It was rewarding work, even if a bit tedious at times.
She brought the next petition before her eyes, the particular scroll piqued her interest. Unfurling it, Zenith’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. This is an unusual request! And from an unexpected. “How intriguing…” she murmured. But before she could read further, the scroll fell from her hand. Malicious mana. Her head snapped up, eyes narrowing. Danger approached.
“Portia! Angelina!” Zenith barked.
Her handmaidens jumped to alertness. “We sensed it too,” said Portia.
As they rushed outside of village hall, Zenith waved her hand in a quick spell. Angelina, Portia, and she floated swiftly out by way of Levitation.
They descended onto the grass just beyond the village outskirts. Where are they? Her head swung side to side until she spotted Jogid, ready for battle by the treeline. His scarlet eyes reflected the same hard glint that heated her veins.
“Have you seen the enemy, Master Jogid?” she asked tersely.
“Venomous troglodytes, Your Highness,” Jogid growled. “They’ve never gotten this close to the village. But it seems they’ll attack at any moment.”
Angelina gasped. “This must be the clan from Kilford Forest.”
“This is all our—no, my fault. I angered them by rushing through their forest to get here. Jogid, can I enlist your assistance…in this battle?”
Jogie turned to her and smiled. “Of course, Your Highness. It’s what Master Kaito would expect of us.”
“Thank you, I’m in your debt. Portia, take the front. Angelina, stay behind us, and provide support.”
A staff wrapped in a fine web of gold materialized in her hands without a second thought, gold filigree warming beneath her grip. “With me, Master Jogid. Today, we drive these beasts back to the shadows of their forest.”
A raspy hiss echoed from the pines as the first troglodyte emerged. Luminous eyes flickered hungrily at the sight of prey. More creeping forms materialized behind it, spurred on by the promise of revenge on the intruders who set foot on their land.
With terrifying speed the creature pounced at Jogid, poisoned fangs bared. But a burst of flames met it mid-leap. The reptilian body fell straight to the ground. It hit dirt hard, the smell of charred scales choking the air.
Its attack rallied the other troglodytes. They swarmed forth, a flurry of claws and scales. Jogid swept his— determination-aligned—fiery breath in wide arcs, kept the bulk at bay. For now.
Zenith gestured sharply and spears of glowing energy rained down, piercing through gnarled limbs. But still some broke past their defenses.
Angelina spun fluidly between snapping jaws. Her blades struck true again and again. When a massive troglodyte tackled her, she redirected its momentum and slammed it over her shoulder into the dirt. Then finished it off in spurts of black blood.
Meanwhile, Portia crushed a troglodyte’s skull with one vicious swing, then hurled the limp body back into the throng. Invigorated, the creatures pressed their assault even fiercer.
Staff spinning, Zenith decimated whole swathes in radiant explosions. She continued bombarding them with relentless sorcery, determined to obliterate this threat to her people.
Zenith’s focus narrowed to the deadly dance—duck, turn, unleash devastation. Her staff span and scythed on pure muscle memory engraved by countless battles.
The intricate tattoos of sunburst and rays on the back of her arms glowed faintly with every spell—each line and curve representing different aspects of light. Raw mana howled from her core down through her veins, bursting forth in a glorious onslaught.
Every explosion of purifying light brought Zenith one step closer to victory. The insidious taint of these creatures offended her to her very core. She would not suffer their peculiar blend of reptile and human features to trespass one moment more in her lands.
With a grimace, she noted more survivors skittering from the fiery carnage. Did their numbers never cease? Fatigue nipped at the edges of Zenith’s casting but she barred it from mind. She had to keep fighting, had to scrub away every last trace of corruption.
A guttural shriek tore from multiple serpentine throats as her last barrage immolated a swathe of forest. The acrid stench of vaporized venom sacs choked the air. Yet still some escaped the blast, burning but alive.
I will protect this village, I will kill every last one of these beasts, Zenith swore vehemently. Never before had failure to fully eradicate an enemy platoon plagued her this severely. It gnawed at her spirit. She wanted no survivors limping back to taint Kilford with tales of facing Calmo’s power. Total annihilation was the only outcome that satisfied.
With a roar, Portia’s axe severed the head of a leaping troglodyte. Angelina danced between snapping maws, steel singing. Onward they must press. Zenith raised her staff, its celestial light mirroring the blazing zealotry in her eyes. She would drown this forest in radiance if that’s what it took to purge the infestation!
The final troglodyte’s hiss turned into a gurgle as it fell under Portia’s heavy axe.
Zenith was breathing hard. The area around her was covered with the bodies of their venomous enemies. The long grass was stained with the snakes' dark blood. She leaned on her wooden staff to steady her shaking legs.
“Thank you, Master Jogid,” she managed to say, between breaths. “Without you, we would have been overwhelmed.”
“Calmo Village is my home too, Your Highness. I will always protect it with my life.”
A scream suddenly rang out.—Angelina? The healer collapsed as venom flooded her veins.
Zenith sprinted and slid to Angelina’s side. Her friend’s ashen face was already growing cold, chest still. “Angelina, please stay with me.”
A savage roar split the air as the enormous troglodyte chieftain crashed through the burning brush. Its hate-filled eyes targeted Zenith with frightening intelligence.
More troglodytes stepped out of the forest. Twice as many. They moved menacingly towards the group.
“This is bad, the chieftain’s here,” Portia said.
Zenith sprang to her feet. “Portia, keep her alive, I’ll end this.”
This has to end. We’ll protect Master Kaito’s home.
Blinding radiance erupted from her in a shockwave, slamming back the troglodyte leader. Her wild eyes turned to Jogid.
The dragonfolk mage stamped his foot, arms outstretched. Rock splintered as a fissure formed beneath the regrouping troglodytes.
“Now, princess! They’re trapped, release the spell!”
With a savage cry, Zenith brought her staff down. Searing meteors of light hammered into the crevasse, the troglodytes’ agonized death-screams cut mercifully short. Silence fell, their smoking bodies obscured by billowing dust clouds.
Zenith fell to a knee. I’ve got nothing left, but it’s over. We’ve won.
Then, a guttural laugh echoed from within the fissure. Dread clawed at Zenith’s heart once more.
“Stand up, witch,” the chieftain rasped, eyes smoldering with hate.
▬▬ι════════ﺤ
Kaito pulled two large golden brown loaves from the oven, the aroma of baked herbs and moonflower sugar turned the kitchen into heaven. He sliced off a piece and watched the steam curl from the soft, warm bread. He took a cautious bite. And then…
His eyes closed. Perfecto.
As he chewed, a thought crossed his mind. Is there a reason why I am so fixated on getting this right for Zenith?
Yes, because you’re totally smitten, that’s why. Don’t play coy with me, Mr. ‘I don’t date clichéd elf princesses.’
Kaito rolled his eyes, even though Karen couldn’t see him. It’s strictly a culinary relationship, Karen. I appreciate her discerning palate, that’s all…and baking is a very important part of new life.
Sure, keep telling yourself that. I’m just an AI, but even I can see you’re baking more than just bread here.
Kaito ignored the comment and placed the moonbread on a cooling rack. Let’s get this to the table before it gets cold. Wouldn’t want to waste the perfect loafs on a less-than-perfect experience.
▬▬ι════════ﺤ
Jogid swayed on his feet, vision blurring with exhaustion. All around, the troglodyte horde pressed closer, hissing and gnashing. For every one felled by his flames or Zenith’s radiance, more crawled from the darkened woods.
Beside him the princess stumbled forward with her face pale and her tattoos unlit. Even her formidable mana waned after ceaseless casting. Portia and Angelina had both been knocked out, clothes rent and soaked in black blood. But still the creatures came.
At the treeline, the hulking chieftain watched the battle impassively. As the tide turned against Jogid and his allies, the brute rumbled in dark amusement. It knew as well as Jogid—they never had any hope of winning this battle.
Jogid spat out a mouthful of blood. What a disgrace, to fall defending his new home. Master Kaito deserved better. But Jogid had no regrets. Fighting for this village, and these courageous women, was an honorable death.
He braced himself for the end as the nearest troglodytes closed in. He closed his eyes, but he didn’t see defeat, he saw an angel…
A shadow fell over them. The creatures paused, snarling, their gaze bouncing between their chieftain and the uncaring man descending from the heavens. Jogid looked up to behold the sight that stopped his heart.
Kaito the Immaculate landed gracefully between Jogid and his attackers. The air refracted oddly around his master, like a mirage of shifting planes. Power thrummed from him, sending tremors through Jogid’s chest.
We are saved.
Jogid watched in awe as Master Kaito extended his hands towards them. Soothing emerald light blossomed from his palms over Zenith, Portia, Angelina and himself. As the radiance washed over him, it felt like sinking into a warm bath, washing away injuries and fatigue. Strength surged back into Jogid’s limbs. Beside him, the women leaned up taking in the situation.
“Master Kaito?” Angelina asked, steadying her head.
Tears streamed down Zenith’s face. “Kaito…I knew you’d come.”
He offered a serene smile. “Come on, I’ve made dinner.”
“But Master! The troglodytes, they won’t stop,” Jogid said pointing at their enemies.
Kaito stared at the troglodyte chieftain, the hulking monster’s eyes narrowed followed by a grin.
“Let them handle it,” Kaito simply said.
Jogid’s tail twitched, confused. “Let…who handle it?”
A rumbling vibrated the earth beneath their feet. Jogid’s draconic jaw dropped as an enormous claw burst from the soil. It grasped the dirt, then heaved backwards. The ground erupted as a hulking humanoid beetle hauled itself into view.
Jogid gaped at the creature, standing easily twelve feet tall. Its exoskeleton gleamed iridescent silver in the sunlight, segmented plates shifting smoothly with each movement. Though it walked upright on armored legs, its torso rippled with coiled insectile muscle.
A head reminiscent of a horned beetle surveyed the battlefield keenly. Slender antennae tested the air while small mandible structures framed an almost human mouth. From its shoulders unfurled gossamer wings that hummed faintly as they beat too fast to track.
The humanoid clicked its claws experimentally before the chieftain. Jogid wasn’t sure if the sound it produced next was speech or challenge. Either way, the troglodyte leader hissed, crouching lower in response. Its pack formed a writhing wall between their master and this new threat.
Soon after, more humanoid beetle warriors rose from the Earth all around them. Hundreds of them.
Jogid tore his awestruck eyes from the beetle warriors to glance at Master Kaito. His face was serene as always, but those dark eyes gleamed with power. Jogid’s heart swelled with gratitude and devotion.
“Let’s hurry, while the bread’s within the perfect temperature.”
Battle ensued.
And the master guided everyone up the hill, as Master Kaito’s beetles easily dispatched the troglodytes behind them.
▬▬ι════════ﺤ
“Alright, everyone. Please, try it and let me know what you think,” Kaito asked nonchalantly, but with a pinch of anticipation.
Zenith was the first to reach for a slice, her eyes lighting up as she took a bite. “Oh, Kaito, this is divine! The balance of herbs is just perfect.”
Kaito felt a surge of pride. “I appreciate that, Zenith. It took some experimentation to get it just right.”
Angeline nodded, her mouth full of bread. “It’s really good, Kaito. Soft, yet with a lovely crust.”
Portia, who had taken a more sizable piece, chimed in between bites. “Delicious! Has a nice kick to it. Great with stew, I bet.”
Jogid bowed his head. “Master Kaito, your culinary skills are unparalleled. This bread... it’s a masterpiece.”
Kaito, gotta admit, the bread’s a hit. But hey, about those evolved megnac beetles underground...
Decided to raise them as a little extra security for the house while I’m away at work.
And they didn’t help sooner because?
The enemy never stepped close enough to trigger their defensive instinct.
“Kaito, you must teach me how to make this! It’s too good to not have every day,” Zenith said, reaching for another serving.
“Certainly,” Kaito replied, “It’s not a complicated recipe. I’d be happy to share it.
Zenith’s eyes sparkled while her hand fluttered near her heart.
“Jogid, I need to clean up here, would you escort the ladies to their living quarters?”
▬▬ι════════ﺤ
The day had been an enlightening reminder that there was so much left to learn from Kaito. She had barely tasted the first sips from his fount of wisdom. Without him, Calmo would have drowned in venomous shadows.
It only showed how much Jogid and she needed to improve.
The dragonfolk had more than earned her respect this day. Together their desperate stand had held until Kaito descended. Such steadfast courage Zenith knew few could match.
“Master Jogid, I have reviewed your petition. Consider it approved, you may begin work right away.”
“Thank you, Mayor Zenith,” Jogid said with a bow of his head.
“I fully support you. Anything you need, simply ask.”
False thyme and parsley moonbread. Kaito’s ultimate challenge. It had to be…perfect.
He measured out the moonflower sugar, then carefully removed seven grains to attain the ideal level of sweetness.
His hands deftly combined flour, water, and yeast. Jogid pointed out a moisture issue yesterday. The dragonfolk suggested letting the dough proof longer to improve the texture. Kaito nodded serenely as he sifted in the powder-fine Stardust flour. He might be right. Jogid’s palate continues to mature. His insights serve me well.
Maybe invite him to be your taste tester full time instead of the princess. I know having a hot elf around boosts your rep, but she’s not adding much value.
Ignoring the crass remark, Kaito started kneading, the movements coming smooth and practiced. He focused on developing the gluten strands as the dough slowly came together into a smooth, supple ball. It was a therapeutic process, the repetitive motion and the anticipation of the final product.
I must say, this recipe has come a long way since your first shitty attempt.
The false thyme and parsley lay finely chopped on a wooden board. He reached out to grab the herbs, but hesitated. Karen, remind me, what’s the ratio for false thyme to parsley again?
Oh, sure, now you ask the AI for cooking advice. It’s three parts false thyme to one part parsley, you culinary genius.
Jogid’s observation had been crucial; a slight adjustment in oven humidity had made all the difference. Now, the Moonbread was near perfection.
Damn, that looks good. Maybe I should get myself a body, just to try your cooking—
[...]
Reviewing Spell Database…
Master Kaito! I’ve found the most wonderful activity. And you’ve got all the right spells. How about you transfer my consciousness—
Don’t bother. You know I won’t do that.
As the bread baked, Kaito leaned over the window and took a deep breath of the life that surrounded him. The smell of the forest down the hill, his new cherry blossoms, the garden under his window, and the moonbread in the oven all mingled together in perfect harmony.
Despite minor hiccups here and there, his life in Calmo was mostly peaceful and productive.
But Karen, I think we found it. This is it, the perfect life.
You know this provincial domesticity won’t last forever, right? You’re fated for so much fucking more. I’d bet my coded core on that.
We shall see, my friend.
▬▬ι════════ﺤ
“How many can there be? The pile doesn’t get any smaller.” Zenith rubbed her temple as another petition joined the leaning tower on her desk. As mayor of Calmo Village, grievances and requests from the residents piled up without pause. Drainage issues, disputes over property lines, proposals for village expansion—she handled them all. It was rewarding work, even if a bit tedious at times.
She brought the next petition before her eyes, the particular scroll piqued her interest. Unfurling it, Zenith’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. This is an unusual request! And from an unexpected. “How intriguing…” she murmured. But before she could read further, the scroll fell from her hand. Malicious mana. Her head snapped up, eyes narrowing. Danger approached.
“Portia! Angelina!” Zenith barked.
Her handmaidens jumped to alertness. “We sensed it too,” said Portia.
As they rushed outside of village hall, Zenith waved her hand in a quick spell. Angelina, Portia, and she floated swiftly out by way of Levitation.
They descended onto the grass just beyond the village outskirts. Where are they? Her head swung side to side until she spotted Jogid, ready for battle by the treeline. His scarlet eyes reflected the same hard glint that heated her veins.
“Have you seen the enemy, Master Jogid?” she asked tersely.
“Venomous troglodytes, Your Highness,” Jogid growled. “They’ve never gotten this close to the village. But it seems they’ll attack at any moment.”
Angelina gasped. “This must be the clan from Kilford Forest.”
“This is all our—no, my fault. I angered them by rushing through their forest to get here. Jogid, can I enlist your assistance…in this battle?”
Jogie turned to her and smiled. “Of course, Your Highness. It’s what Master Kaito would expect of us.”
“Thank you, I’m in your debt. Portia, take the front. Angelina, stay behind us, and provide support.”
A staff wrapped in a fine web of gold materialized in her hands without a second thought, gold filigree warming beneath her grip. “With me, Master Jogid. Today, we drive these beasts back to the shadows of their forest.”
A raspy hiss echoed from the pines as the first troglodyte emerged. Luminous eyes flickered hungrily at the sight of prey. More creeping forms materialized behind it, spurred on by the promise of revenge on the intruders who set foot on their land.
With terrifying speed the creature pounced at Jogid, poisoned fangs bared. But a burst of flames met it mid-leap. The reptilian body fell straight to the ground. It hit dirt hard, the smell of charred scales choking the air.
Its attack rallied the other troglodytes. They swarmed forth, a flurry of claws and scales. Jogid swept his— determination-aligned—fiery breath in wide arcs, kept the bulk at bay. For now.
Zenith gestured sharply and spears of glowing energy rained down, piercing through gnarled limbs. But still some broke past their defenses.
Angelina spun fluidly between snapping jaws. Her blades struck true again and again. When a massive troglodyte tackled her, she redirected its momentum and slammed it over her shoulder into the dirt. Then finished it off in spurts of black blood.
Meanwhile, Portia crushed a troglodyte’s skull with one vicious swing, then hurled the limp body back into the throng. Invigorated, the creatures pressed their assault even fiercer.
Staff spinning, Zenith decimated whole swathes in radiant explosions. She continued bombarding them with relentless sorcery, determined to obliterate this threat to her people.
Zenith’s focus narrowed to the deadly dance—duck, turn, unleash devastation. Her staff span and scythed on pure muscle memory engraved by countless battles.
The intricate tattoos of sunburst and rays on the back of her arms glowed faintly with every spell—each line and curve representing different aspects of light. Raw mana howled from her core down through her veins, bursting forth in a glorious onslaught.
Every explosion of purifying light brought Zenith one step closer to victory. The insidious taint of these creatures offended her to her very core. She would not suffer their peculiar blend of reptile and human features to trespass one moment more in her lands.
With a grimace, she noted more survivors skittering from the fiery carnage. Did their numbers never cease? Fatigue nipped at the edges of Zenith’s casting but she barred it from mind. She had to keep fighting, had to scrub away every last trace of corruption.
A guttural shriek tore from multiple serpentine throats as her last barrage immolated a swathe of forest. The acrid stench of vaporized venom sacs choked the air. Yet still some escaped the blast, burning but alive.
I will protect this village, I will kill every last one of these beasts, Zenith swore vehemently. Never before had failure to fully eradicate an enemy platoon plagued her this severely. It gnawed at her spirit. She wanted no survivors limping back to taint Kilford with tales of facing Calmo’s power. Total annihilation was the only outcome that satisfied.
With a roar, Portia’s axe severed the head of a leaping troglodyte. Angelina danced between snapping maws, steel singing. Onward they must press. Zenith raised her staff, its celestial light mirroring the blazing zealotry in her eyes. She would drown this forest in radiance if that’s what it took to purge the infestation!
The final troglodyte’s hiss turned into a gurgle as it fell under Portia’s heavy axe.
Zenith was breathing hard. The area around her was covered with the bodies of their venomous enemies. The long grass was stained with the snakes' dark blood. She leaned on her wooden staff to steady her shaking legs.
“Thank you, Master Jogid,” she managed to say, between breaths. “Without you, we would have been overwhelmed.”
“Calmo Village is my home too, Your Highness. I will always protect it with my life.”
A scream suddenly rang out.—Angelina? The healer collapsed as venom flooded her veins.
Zenith sprinted and slid to Angelina’s side. Her friend’s ashen face was already growing cold, chest still. “Angelina, please stay with me.”
A savage roar split the air as the enormous troglodyte chieftain crashed through the burning brush. Its hate-filled eyes targeted Zenith with frightening intelligence.
More troglodytes stepped out of the forest. Twice as many. They moved menacingly towards the group.
“This is bad, the chieftain’s here,” Portia said.
Zenith sprang to her feet. “Portia, keep her alive, I’ll end this.”
This has to end. We’ll protect Master Kaito’s home.
Blinding radiance erupted from her in a shockwave, slamming back the troglodyte leader. Her wild eyes turned to Jogid.
The dragonfolk mage stamped his foot, arms outstretched. Rock splintered as a fissure formed beneath the regrouping troglodytes.
“Now, princess! They’re trapped, release the spell!”
With a savage cry, Zenith brought her staff down. Searing meteors of light hammered into the crevasse, the troglodytes’ agonized death-screams cut mercifully short. Silence fell, their smoking bodies obscured by billowing dust clouds.
Zenith fell to a knee. I’ve got nothing left, but it’s over. We’ve won.
Then, a guttural laugh echoed from within the fissure. Dread clawed at Zenith’s heart once more.
“Stand up, witch,” the chieftain rasped, eyes smoldering with hate.
▬▬ι════════ﺤ
Kaito pulled two large golden brown loaves from the oven, the aroma of baked herbs and moonflower sugar turned the kitchen into heaven. He sliced off a piece and watched the steam curl from the soft, warm bread. He took a cautious bite. And then…
His eyes closed. Perfecto.
As he chewed, a thought crossed his mind. Is there a reason why I am so fixated on getting this right for Zenith?
Yes, because you’re totally smitten, that’s why. Don’t play coy with me, Mr. ‘I don’t date clichéd elf princesses.’
Kaito rolled his eyes, even though Karen couldn’t see him. It’s strictly a culinary relationship, Karen. I appreciate her discerning palate, that’s all…and baking is a very important part of new life.
Sure, keep telling yourself that. I’m just an AI, but even I can see you’re baking more than just bread here.
Kaito ignored the comment and placed the moonbread on a cooling rack. Let’s get this to the table before it gets cold. Wouldn’t want to waste the perfect loafs on a less-than-perfect experience.
▬▬ι════════ﺤ
Jogid swayed on his feet, vision blurring with exhaustion. All around, the troglodyte horde pressed closer, hissing and gnashing. For every one felled by his flames or Zenith’s radiance, more crawled from the darkened woods.
Beside him the princess stumbled forward with her face pale and her tattoos unlit. Even her formidable mana waned after ceaseless casting. Portia and Angelina had both been knocked out, clothes rent and soaked in black blood. But still the creatures came.
At the treeline, the hulking chieftain watched the battle impassively. As the tide turned against Jogid and his allies, the brute rumbled in dark amusement. It knew as well as Jogid—they never had any hope of winning this battle.
Jogid spat out a mouthful of blood. What a disgrace, to fall defending his new home. Master Kaito deserved better. But Jogid had no regrets. Fighting for this village, and these courageous women, was an honorable death.
He braced himself for the end as the nearest troglodytes closed in. He closed his eyes, but he didn’t see defeat, he saw an angel…
A shadow fell over them. The creatures paused, snarling, their gaze bouncing between their chieftain and the uncaring man descending from the heavens. Jogid looked up to behold the sight that stopped his heart.
Kaito the Immaculate landed gracefully between Jogid and his attackers. The air refracted oddly around his master, like a mirage of shifting planes. Power thrummed from him, sending tremors through Jogid’s chest.
We are saved.
Jogid watched in awe as Master Kaito extended his hands towards them. Soothing emerald light blossomed from his palms over Zenith, Portia, Angelina and himself. As the radiance washed over him, it felt like sinking into a warm bath, washing away injuries and fatigue. Strength surged back into Jogid’s limbs. Beside him, the women leaned up taking in the situation.
“Master Kaito?” Angelina asked, steadying her head.
Tears streamed down Zenith’s face. “Kaito…I knew you’d come.”
He offered a serene smile. “Come on, I’ve made dinner.”
“But Master! The troglodytes, they won’t stop,” Jogid said pointing at their enemies.
Kaito stared at the troglodyte chieftain, the hulking monster’s eyes narrowed followed by a grin.
“Let them handle it,” Kaito simply said.
Jogid’s tail twitched, confused. “Let…who handle it?”
A rumbling vibrated the earth beneath their feet. Jogid’s draconic jaw dropped as an enormous claw burst from the soil. It grasped the dirt, then heaved backwards. The ground erupted as a hulking humanoid beetle hauled itself into view.
Jogid gaped at the creature, standing easily twelve feet tall. Its exoskeleton gleamed iridescent silver in the sunlight, segmented plates shifting smoothly with each movement. Though it walked upright on armored legs, its torso rippled with coiled insectile muscle.
A head reminiscent of a horned beetle surveyed the battlefield keenly. Slender antennae tested the air while small mandible structures framed an almost human mouth. From its shoulders unfurled gossamer wings that hummed faintly as they beat too fast to track.
The humanoid clicked its claws experimentally before the chieftain. Jogid wasn’t sure if the sound it produced next was speech or challenge. Either way, the troglodyte leader hissed, crouching lower in response. Its pack formed a writhing wall between their master and this new threat.
Soon after, more humanoid beetle warriors rose from the Earth all around them. Hundreds of them.
Jogid tore his awestruck eyes from the beetle warriors to glance at Master Kaito. His face was serene as always, but those dark eyes gleamed with power. Jogid’s heart swelled with gratitude and devotion.
“Let’s hurry, while the bread’s within the perfect temperature.”
Battle ensued.
And the master guided everyone up the hill, as Master Kaito’s beetles easily dispatched the troglodytes behind them.
▬▬ι════════ﺤ
“Alright, everyone. Please, try it and let me know what you think,” Kaito asked nonchalantly, but with a pinch of anticipation.
Zenith was the first to reach for a slice, her eyes lighting up as she took a bite. “Oh, Kaito, this is divine! The balance of herbs is just perfect.”
Kaito felt a surge of pride. “I appreciate that, Zenith. It took some experimentation to get it just right.”
Angeline nodded, her mouth full of bread. “It’s really good, Kaito. Soft, yet with a lovely crust.”
Portia, who had taken a more sizable piece, chimed in between bites. “Delicious! Has a nice kick to it. Great with stew, I bet.”
Jogid bowed his head. “Master Kaito, your culinary skills are unparalleled. This bread... it’s a masterpiece.”
Kaito, gotta admit, the bread’s a hit. But hey, about those evolved megnac beetles underground...
Decided to raise them as a little extra security for the house while I’m away at work.
And they didn’t help sooner because?
The enemy never stepped close enough to trigger their defensive instinct.
“Kaito, you must teach me how to make this! It’s too good to not have every day,” Zenith said, reaching for another serving.
“Certainly,” Kaito replied, “It’s not a complicated recipe. I’d be happy to share it.
Zenith’s eyes sparkled while her hand fluttered near her heart.
“Jogid, I need to clean up here, would you escort the ladies to their living quarters?”
▬▬ι════════ﺤ
The day had been an enlightening reminder that there was so much left to learn from Kaito. She had barely tasted the first sips from his fount of wisdom. Without him, Calmo would have drowned in venomous shadows.
It only showed how much Jogid and she needed to improve.
The dragonfolk had more than earned her respect this day. Together their desperate stand had held until Kaito descended. Such steadfast courage Zenith knew few could match.
“Master Jogid, I have reviewed your petition. Consider it approved, you may begin work right away.”
“Thank you, Mayor Zenith,” Jogid said with a bow of his head.
“I fully support you. Anything you need, simply ask.”
