I was still inexplicably fused with Mina.

  While washing inside the bathroom, I couldn't tear my gaze away from the mirror. What stared back at me was nothing short of incredible, and a little unsettling.

  There I was, or at least the spitting image of my human self, but with a few minor quirks: Oni horns jutted from my head, and a pair of fuzzy feline ears twitched where my ordinary ears once were. Sure, there were other peculiarities: I was a bit taller, certain curves had... enhanced, and my muscles had taken on a slight definition I had only dreamed of achieving in the gym.

  But there was no mistaking it—it was me before the monsterfication.

  I grimaced when I pulled away from the mirror, probably the Mina side of me trying to process the surreal reality of this form. It was both exhilarating and terrifying. As I exited the bathroom to my bedroom, I felt the weight of the duality of my existence pressing down on me. I was KiAera in name and form, but Mina's essence lingered within, influencing my thoughts and emotions.

  My hand drifted toward where I had been wounded by Jalkra. Luckily I had managed to heal it in its entirety with [Fire Heal]. Still, it bothered me as to how potent the healing was as everything from within had been restored.

  "Why are we still merged?" I asked as I emerged from the bedroom. The echo of my question hung in the air like an unanswered riddle.

  "Hey! Snap out of it!" Liozel's voice broke through my reverie, and I turned to see him staring at me. "You look like you just saw a ghost!"

  I forced a smile, though I knew it didn't reach my eyes. "I'm fine, really. Just… thinking."

  I took his hand and we both headed into the lobby. Everyone turned to me, concern painted across their faces. I looked around and began to inform everyone about my predicament.

  The first to approach me was Skadi.

  She sniffed me. "Merged? You mean, like, you and Mina are still... together? That's kinda wild! But you don't look like you're in any danger. Just different."

  "That's the problem!" I said, crossing my arms. "I feel her so strongly, and yet… I don't know how to separate us. It's like I'm wearing her skin, living in her mind, and I can't tell where she ends and I begin."

  I spotted Tailza, and immediately my pulse eased. Tilz stood at her side, now bandaged and looking more composed, glanced at me. "You sound a lot like her," he said, then laughed. "But seriously this is such an odd predicament. What have you both gotten yourselves into?"

  I shrugged, doing my best to mask the anxiety in my chest. "It's complicated. I didn't ask for this to happen, but here we are."

  Liozel tugged at the pants, and I gushed at the warmth of his trust. "But we're going to figure it out, right? You're still you, and you've done so much already." His faith inspired a flicker of hope in me.

  Skadi nodded, voice almost grating to me. "Yeah! If anyone can handle weirdness, it's definitely you! Plus, with all of our friends here, you're not alone!"

  "Friends…" the word echoed in my mind. It felt foreign and familiar at the same time. I glanced at the gathered group, each face reminding me of the bonds we'd forged through struggle and adventure.

  "You know," Tilz continued, his eyes lidding slightly in thought, "the merge could be an expression of how connected you both are. Maybe it's not just about the power; it's also about understanding. You've both faced horrors, and now you're intertwined. It's something that could either be a curse or a blessing."

  "Yeah, well, it feels like a curse right now," I said. "I just want to be me again, without feeling like I'm sharing my consciousness with someone else."

  "Have you tried talking to her?" Tailza chimed in, her eyes earnest with concern. "Maybe if you reach out, you can understand what you both need."

  "I didn't think about that," I admitted, glancing down at my hands, which felt both familiar and alien. "It might help if I could have a conversation with her. But how do I do that when I can't even tell when she's in control?"

  "But we don't have time for clarity," Liozel interjected, his small fists clenched defiantly. "We have to prepare for Dominus! What if he finds us here while we're waiting around for… whatever this is to resolve?"

  His concern was valid; I could almost feel the heat of Dominus's fury creeping back into the air, a reminder that our time was limited. "You're right, Liozel," I said, taking a deep breath. "We need to figure this out and fast."

  "Before we get too caught up in this whole merged saga," Loa said with her incessant pragmatism, "we need to focus on the immediate threat. Jalkra is still lurking. He may begin his search for us."

  Scarbol, who was lurking at the edge of the lounge, expression turned serious. "Yes, and we need a solid plan to withstand his next assault. But first, we must ensure your safety, KiAera. If you truly have the potential to ascend to an [Alpha] of the Merecritt, it may help us against him."

  "Then let's find the MereChieftain," Skadi said, her eyes bright with determination. "He'll know what to do. Plus, it could connect you back to Mina's side of things. The Heartwood Grove is a magical place—maybe it can help with your bond."

  I nodded, feeling the weight of responsibility settle on my shoulders. "We have to reach the MereChieftain. He can guide us to the trials I need to undertake to gain the strength to stand against Dominus."

  "Then let's not waste any time," Tilz said, standing up straighter. "We'll start preparing. And no pressure, Skadi; lead the way when you're ready. We'll help you reach the Heartwood Grove."

  "Sure, Mr. Tailza's dad!" Skadi said with a giggle.

  "No. Please don't do that, Skadi!" Tailza hid her face with her hands, looking quite adorable.

  Tilz patted his daughter's back and chuckled. "You know you'll always be my little warrior, right?"

  Tailza peeked through her fingers, a shy smile creeping onto her face. "I know, Dad."

  I almost caught Skadi's slight mood shift as she watched Tilz and Tailza share that tender moment. Her vibrant pink fur seemed to lose some of its luster, and I could see her ears droop slightly. It was a subtle change, but one I noticed.

  Before I could say anything, she shook her head vigorously, as if trying to shake off a shadow that had crept into her heart.

  "Alright, you guys! Enough daydreaming! Let's prep for the Heartwood Grove!" She bounded into the next corridor of the Crystal Shelter, her voice full of energy once more, but I could see the hint of sadness still lingering in her eyes.

  I followed her as we existed the shelter into the glade. "Skadi," I called gently, wanting to draw her back into the light of this moment. "Are you okay? You seem… off."

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  She shot me a sideways glance, her voice pitched slightly defensive. "I'm fine! Just… thinking about stuff, you know? Like how cool it would be to have a family like that someday."

  "Family is an important bond," I agreed, trying to wrap my mind around what she was feeling. "But you're not alone, Skadi. You have us."

  "I know, I know!" she exclaimed, her paws twitching with pent-up energy. "I just… sometimes I wish I could have what you guys have. A dad, a mom..." Her voice wavered, and I felt a pang of empathy. It was clear she cherished the dynamics she saw unfolding between Tilz and Tailza, even if it stung a little.

  "Look," I continued, kneeling so I was at her level. "I know things have been tough for you. But we're here, you know," I said, hoping to comfort her. "Your friends can be your family. Look at us. We may not be related by blood, but we're a family forged in battle and shared experiences."

  I looked at her expectantly, but Skadi didn't respond immediately. Instead, she paused to kick a pebble while staring at the ground, letting my words hang in the air. The silence felt heavy, creating a bridge in the space between us.

  Finally, Skadi's ears perked up. "You really think so?"

  "Absolutely. You've got us, and we're not going anywhere. We're all in this together."

  Liozel chimed in as he approached from a miniature portal. "Yeah! You can be part of our family too, Skadi! Just like you've always been."

  Skadi's eyes glistened as she looked up, sniffling. "Oh, guys. You really know how to make a Skadi's heart sparkle!" She sprinted in a circle around Liozel before curling around him. "Come here and cuddle with me, cutie Lio!"

  Liozel squirmed in her embrace, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "Uh, Skadi, okay, okay! Just don't squeeze so hard!"

  I laughed at the sight, enjoying the brief moment of levity.

  I watched as Skadi released Liozel, her spirits obviously lifted. "Thanks, guys. I needed that!" She shook herself out, her fur fluffing back up to its vibrant pink. "Now, let's get moving before we get caught up in the warm fuzzies!"

  So we did. The glade was alive with the sound of rustling leaves and distant bird songs as we made our way deeper into the forest. My heart raced, not just from the excitement of venturing toward the Heartwood Grove, but also from the growing anticipation of meeting the MereChieftain. What would he say? Would he help us?

  As we walked, I caught snippets of conversation from Liozel expressing his thoughts on the upcoming trials, Skadi animatedly discussing her past adventures with the other Merecritts. At one point I even caught Tilz offering words of encouragement to Scarbol and the kobolbos.

  "Yo!" I halted when I noticed the head of Gilbud—the elephant calf monster—popping out of the ground. "Oh boy. Now I know what they meant. You look so much like Mina, yo!"

  I knelt as I rubbed behind his large ears without a second thought. "Hey there, little guy!" I said with a smile, feeling a rush of warmth at his enthusiasm. His ears twitched in response to my touch, and he made a soft, happy sound that reminded me of a gentle trumpet.

  "Yo! You're really KiAera, right?" he exclaimed, his big, round eyes lidding with that of suspicion.

  "Of course!" I laughed, my heart swelling with delight at the attention. "You know me!"

  Gilbud nodded. "Yo. Sure. Sure. How does being like that, uh, feel?"

  "Yeah, well, I'm still figuring things out." I grinned, ruffling the soft fur on his head. There was something so innocent about him that it made my heart ache a little, but in the best way.

  "You're gonna leave again to fight the bad guys, right, yo?" he asked, his expression serious now. "Like Dominus?"

  I nodded solemnly, knowing the weight of those words. "That's the plan, Gilbud. But we need to get stronger first. That's why we're headed to the Heartwood Grove to see the MereChieftain. He may have some answers for us."

  "But, yo! You just came back!" Gilbud sounded genuinely concerned, his eyes wide with worry. "What if you get hurt again? I don't want you to leave!"

  I knelt down beside him, bringing my face closer to his. "I understand, Gilbud. Trust me, I want to stay safe too. But sometimes we have to face challenges to protect those we care about. If we don't do this, Dominus could hurt others. We can't let that happen."

  His ears drooped, but he seemed to be absorbing my words. "Yeah, yo, that seems pretty reasonable KiAera, but I still worry about you!"

  I smiled softly, touched by his concern. "Don't worry about me. I have my friends with me." I gestured toward Liozel and Skadi, who'd paused to watch our interaction. "Together, we can take on anything, even if it seems scary."

  With a faint smile creeping back onto his face, Gilbud nodded. "Okay, but you better come back! Promise?"

  "I promise," I said, pinkie-swearing with his trunk. "No matter what happens, I'll find my way back to you." With that, Gilbud perked up again, his ears bouncing joyfully as he said, "Good! Because I want to see you use that shiny blue fire again! It's awesome, yo!"

  Liozel laughed. "Yeah, it's pretty cool, but make sure not to burn anything down while you're at it!"

  "Hey! I won't!" I said playfully. "I've got this under control. But I appreciate your concern!"

  When I turned back to Gilbud, I didn't expect the perturbed gaze he was giving Liozel. He pulled himself out of the earth and circled around the T-Rex kitten. "Yo. It's still so strange seeing the little guy outside his egg."

  I followed his gaze and saw Liozel, who seemed caught off guard by the sudden attention. "Whoa, what's up?" he replied, looking back and forth between me and Gilbud. "Am I that much of a bother, Gilbud?"

  Gilbud shook his head. "Yo, not at all! It's not about that! I meant—it's hard to believe that you were the same egg-kiddo who used to be carried around all the time."

  Liozel blinked, processing what Gilbud had said before nodding in understanding. "Oh, right. I guess that's fair."

  I stifled a laugh, remembering the long hours Liozel had spent in his egg, curled up against me and snoring away. I had gotten used to the feeling of his warm shell against my chest, but it was true that he'd grown so much in such a short time.

  "Yeah, it's true," I agreed, reaching out to ruffle Liozel's fur. "You've come a long way, and you're a lot less cranky now."

  Liozel rolled his eyes, but I could see a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Wait till you see me grow big and surpass you, big sis!"

  Skadi giggled as she pressed against him. "In your dreams, little Lio!" She bounded forward to nuzzle-tackle him affectionately. "You'll always be a kiddo to us, no matter how big you get!"

  Gilbud watched the exchange with wide eyes, his floppy ears twitching in amusement. "Yo, this is just wild."

  I glanced over at Gilbud, unable to hide the smile on my face. "You think this is wild? Just wait until you see what we can do when we work together!" I held up my fist in front of me, and Liozel bumped it with his own. "We're going to show Dominus that he can't mess with us!"

  "Well, yo, I guess I better wish you all good luck then," Gilbud said, nodding. He suddenly trumpeted, alarming us.

  "Yo! We should hold a proper celebration for his hatching. Introduce him to everyone! We're able to do that before you head out again, right?"

  I hesitated, thinking of the urgency of our mission, but Skadi spoke up before I could answer. "Of course! There's no better time than now to celebrate something as special as baby Lio's hatching!" She glanced at me. "And besides, we need some R&R before we dive into the trials, yep?"

  "Well," I mused aloud. "I suppose that would be a nice way to wind down before we head out. Plus, it'd be a great chance for Liozel to meet the others."

  Gilbud nodded in agreement, his ears bobbing happily. "Yo! It's settled then! Let's get everyone together for a grand hatching party!"

  I turned away, scrutinizing the glade. "Hey, question, Gilbud. By any chance do you know where GamaGen is? I feel like he'll want to be there to witness the party as well."

  Gilbud stared at me and pointed his trunk to the forest. "He's out there, somewhere. I can tell him to come back if you need him, yo."

  Outside the shelter? But why? I did my best to keep my expression neutral. "No, no. It's fine. I'll go get him. You guys just go ahead and tell the others about the party, okay?"

  "Yo! No problem. I'm sure they'll be super excited for it!" Gilbud replied, bouncing slightly on his stubby legs.

  I laughed and ruffled his fur. "Good! Now let's get going before we lose too much daylight." With that, I took off, heading into the forest. As I walked, my mind began to race with questions. What was GamaGen doing out here? And how long had he been gone? I couldn't help but worry that he might be in some kind of trouble.

  The trees were thick, but the path was well worn and easy enough to follow. I kept my eyes peeled for any signs of GamaGen as I made my way deeper into the forest. Finally, after what felt like hours, I spotted something glinting in the sunlight ahead. I thought imagined it until I noticed the bright pink petals pirouetting in the breeze.

  When I came close enough to see them, I could see that they were flower petals, but unlike any I had seen before. They were a vivid shade of pink, almost glowing in the light, and their edges were lined with golden filigree. I paused to examine them more closely, marveling at their beauty.

  Just as I reached out to touch one, a voice spoke from behind me.

  "Ah, Miss KiAera, or shall I begin calling you Miss Kinaera? Are you perhaps feeling conflicted as to your name? Is it still Mina within?"

  I whirled around to see the fluttering figure of GamaGen, who was looking down at me with his wise, kind eyes.

  "GamaGen!" I cried, relief flooding through me. "What are you doing out here? And what are these beautiful flower petals?"

  Of course, he remained silent as his gaze drifted toward the petals. He floated downward, picked up a petal, and then turned back to me. "These petals belong to the Yae Flowers. The flowers of love and hope. I'm sure you've heard of them."

  Extra note: We're really doing all we can to bridge Chaos Chimera together, and we're striving to become much more consistent once we complete the third volume~