After barely escaping the deadly attack from the mysterious organization known as Crystal Hollow, Kuma pushed forward, dashing desperately toward Nibel with his unconscious friends in his arms. His demon mark, now dimming and fading, was nearly depleted of mana, but he refused to slow down.

“Kuma, you need to slow down! I can take your friends safely. At this rate, you’ll collapse!” Rufus urged, his voice filled with concern as he caught up to Kuma. But Kuma didn’t respond; he kept moving, determined to reach the safety of the city.

As they approached Nibel, Kuma’s mark completely faded, weakening him. With one last burst of strength, he pushed himself forward, only to crash down in front of the city gates, creating a small crater in the ground. He passed out, unconscious.

Rufus arrived just behind him, with Freedo still perched on his shoulder. The guards of Nibel, alerted by the commotion, rushed to the scene, recognizing Kuma immediately.

“What happened? Huh? It’s the King’s son! And some girl and… a dinosaur?” one of the guards exclaimed in shock.

“Don’t just stand there! Get some stretchers and take them in. And call the King and the rest of the healers! He’ll want to know what’s happening!” Rufus commanded urgency in his voice.

The guards quickly followed his orders, placing Kuma, Amy, and Jagger on stretchers and carrying them inside the city, led by Tuskarr.

“You’re okay, big brother? You could use some check-up too, even with that arm crafted for you,” Tuskarr said with concern, eyeing Rufus’s mechanical arm.

“I’m fine, little brother. Even though the attackers we faced had strange powers, I escaped just fine,” Rufus reassured him. “Take care of these three, especially Kuma. He pushed himself beyond his limit with that mark you reported.

“Understood. Come to my lab,” Tuskarr responded, his tone serious.

Riyu, Kuma’s father, rushed to the healing chambers, finding Amy and Jagger being treated by healers. Alan, one of the healers, stopped him. “Are Kuma and his friends okay?” Riyu asked, his voice filled with concern.

“From what I’ve heard, Kuma’s companions are fine. But as for Kuma… we don’t know yet. He seems to have suffered the worst of it, and we have to wait until they wake up,” Alan explained.

The next day, around noon, Amy slowly opened her eyes, seeing Riyu healing her bruise. “Aaah, Kuma!” she shouted, memories of the fierce battle flooding back. Thinking they were captured, Amy instinctively summoned her wand and shot a star beam at Riyu.

With quick reflexes, Riyu caught the wand and redirected the attack out the window, the beam harmlessly disappearing into the sky. “Whoa! Calm down. You’re Amy, right? We are friends,” Riyu said calmly, holding her hands to show he meant no harm.

“Huff… huh? You are…? Where am I?” Amy asked, her vision clearing as she saw Riyu’s gentle expression.

“My name is Riyu Kor. I am Kuma’s father. And you are Amy, correct? You were wounded along with your friend, so we brought you to the healing chambers.”

“This… this is Nibel? Wait, where are Kuma and Jagger? Are they okay?” Amy asked, her concern growing.

“They are fine. You’re the first to wake up. The others are still unconscious—” Riyu began, but he was interrupted by Jagger’s voice from another room.

“No, no! I’m not going back there! Who the hell are you? Are you with Darkan?!” Jagger shouted, his voice filled with panic.

“Well, I guess he’s up now,” Riyu said with a sigh as he moved toward the other room, Amy quickly following behind.

Entering the room, they found Jagger cornered, holding a table defensively against the healers. “Back, I say! You’re not taking me to that hellhole!” Jagger growled, swinging the table around.

“Jagger, wait! You’re safe!” Amy called out, positioning herself between Jagger and the healers with her arms raised. “See, I’m fine! These guys healed us. We’re in Nibel!”

Jagger paused, lowering the table slightly as he recognized Amy. “Amy? Are you okay? We’re not captured by… these guys?!”

“I’m fine. Now put the table down and calm down, we’re safe!” Amy reassured him.

“Okay, okay… sorry, guys,” Jagger said sheepishly, putting the table down. “I thought you were the villains we fought.”

“That’s alright, young one. And I assume you’re Jagger. I’m Riyu, Kuma’s father,” Riyu said, stepping in as the situation calmed.

“Yes, I’m Jagger. Wait a minute, where’s Kuma? I don’t see him in any of the rooms,” Jagger asked, glancing around worriedly.

Riyu sighed, as he showed his concerned expression. “Kuma is fine. He hasn’t woken up yet. I don’t know how or what he did, but he dragged both of you from the battle to here, exhausting himself beyond his mana limits.”

“He saved us… wow… he’s really… amazing… Can we see him?” Amy asked, her voice soft with admiration.

“Of course. He risked everything to save you two. Follow me,” Riyu said, leading them through the healing chambers.

They reached the final room in the basement, where Tuskarr was examining Kuma’s vitals. Kuma was shirtless, floating unconscious in a bacta pod, his body surrounded by healing water. Freedo sat next to the controls, waiting patiently for his owner to wake up.

Amy and Jagger gasped as they saw Kuma in the tank. “Is he…?” Amy asked, her voice trembling.

“He is fine. He hasn’t woken up yet. After he dragged you two here, he collapsed from pushing his mana limits. Unfortunately, since chimeras are so rare, we don’t know much about their biology, so we have to keep him in there while his body recovers,” Tuskarr explained.

“Kuma, please get better soon,” Amy whispered, her hand resting on the pod’s glass.

“Yeah, you’ve done so much for us. Hope you wake up soon,” Jagger added, placing his hand beside Amy’s.

Deep within Kuma’s consciousness, he found himself surrounded by an endless void. “Where am I? Dad? Amy? Jagger? Where are you?!” Kuma shouted, panic rising in his voice. Suddenly, the ground beneath him cracked, and he plummeted into the abyss, screaming in fear and confusion.

As he fell, he began to hear voices and see faint images of people. The voices were unfamiliar, and the images blurred, making it impossible for Kuma to identify them.

“Tushar, you may not understand why we do this, but one day you and your brother will understand.”

“Damn it, you orca, this is not the way!”

“I’m sorry you’re in pain, but in our family, this is always the way to deal with darkness for generations.”

The voices continued, echoing in his mind as if hours had passed.

Finally, he heard a voice he recognized—his own. He saw a faint image of a fortress, the place where Riyu had found him. He saw his younger self crying, reaching out as if trying to grasp something or someone. “Big brother! Where are you? I’m scared! What is happening?!”

The voice was abruptly cut off by a deafening roar.

Kuma landed once again, shaking off the disorientation. “Ugh, what was that?” he muttered, standing up and rubbing his eyes. Before him stretched a purple aura bridge, reaching far into the distance. “This place is strange, but it looks like I only have one way to go… no choice but to move forward,” Kuma said, determination replacing his fear as he began to walk along the mysterious bridge.

As Kuma explores the mysterious world, his real body is still slowly recovering as Amy and Jagger try to settle in the palace, occasionally visiting Kuma in hopes he wakes up soon.

In one of the visits passing by Tuskarr’s lab, Amy and Jagger see Tuskarr working on Rufus’s mechanical arm with Rufus present.

As Amy and Jagger enter the workshop, the rhythmic clinks of metal and the whirring of machinery fill the room. The duo watches as Tuskarr makes the final adjustments to Rufus’s mechanical arm, his focused expression on the mechanical arm as he tightens a few last bolts.


"Looks alright, big brother. I don’t see any damage, but with my adjustments, you should be able to use it with more power and speed for longer periods," Tuskarr says, stepping back to admire his work. "Give it a go."

Rufus stands, flexing his mechanical arm, rotating the joints, and testing the newly enhanced capabilities. The arm moves fluidly, with a new sharpness in its movements.

"Feels good. Thanks, little brother," Rufus says, a satisfied grin on his face. As he turns to face the door, he notices Amy and Jagger standing there. "Oh, you two. You're up and about?"

Amy offers a shy smile and a small bow. "Yes, we woke up a few days ago. I realized we never properly thanked you for saving us."

Jagger nods in agreement. "Yeah, if it wasn’t for you, who knows what would’ve happened. That masked girl… she kept talking about wanting our souls. It was terrifying."

Rufus waves off the thanks with a modest shrug. "No need for thanks. I was in the area because I was ordered to follow Kuma to ensure he is alright in his journey to Lemuria. It was his first time to be out of the city. Plus I couldn’t just stand by and let those masked freaks do whatever they wanted. Especially their strange goal to get Kuma." He glances at Tuskarr, who nods solemnly. “Why? We do not know. But due to this fight. We do know their Organization name, Crystal Hollow.”


Amy's eyes flicker with worry. "Do you think they'll come after us again?"

Rufus pauses, considering the question. "Hard to say. These guys seemed pretty determined but if I had to guess, they won’t make a move again until they’re sure they can win or achieve whatever goal they have. For now, you’re safe here in Nibel. We’ve got guards and defenses in place, plus Tuskarr here knows his way around tech better than anyone."

Tuskarr chuckles softly. "Just doing my part. But Rufus is right, you’re safe here. You should try to rest, and gather your strength. Kuma will need you when he wakes up."

“Oh yes. You are Tuskarr. Kuma told me about you as well. He said you’re skilled with techs and you could try to fix up my ship. To hope to take me home?”

“A ship… mmmm…. Like the one running on water?” Tuskarr asked.

“No no… well… it’s the one that flies with warp drive.” Amy responded.

“Sounds intriguing. I would love to examine it when I have the chance. As soon as Kuma is clear, I’m making sure he’s ok. We can see if I can’t set it up to fly again. For now, you and Jagger can visit Kuma and rest your bodies.” Tuskarr said with a smile.

“Yeah, it makes sense since I’m not from here. Don’t want to cause trouble. Such an amazing King to give us hospitality like this.” Jagger said.

“If our King wasn’t like this, we wouldn’t have Kuma here.” Rufus said.

“What do you mean?” Amy said as she expressed her confused face.

“Let me put it this way. If it wasn’t for Riyu’s morals, Kuma may not have survived alone out there. Kuma was such a small child when he adopted Kuma years ago, even some were against the idea.” Tuskarr explained. “But if you want to hear more, I say ask him yourself.”

“So amazing… if only we had more people like him.” Amy said as her eyes sparkled.

“If you want to know more of the story, I say go meet Riyu. If I know where he is, he’s probably at the top of the palace.” Tuskarr said as he pointed his paw up. “He and Kuma usually like to enjoy the view from up there.”

“Oh ok thanks, Tuskarr. I’m going ahead. Jagger, are you coming?” Amy said as she headed to the door.

Jagger paused, thinking for a moment. “I was thinking I might try to arrange a meeting between Riyu and my own King, back in Las Mesozoic. Maybe if they meet, we can start mending some of the old wounds between our Clans. But I’ll catch up with you soon.”

Amy nodded, understanding. “Alright, Jagger. I’ll see you later.”

“Mmm, not a bad idea. If you’re good friends with Kuma. I suppose it's a good opportunity.” Rufus said.

“Of course, Kuma risked his life for me and I want to thank him.” Jagger said.


With that, Amy left Tuskarr’s lab, her mind racing with thoughts of Kuma, her home, and the mysterious organization that had nearly taken their lives from them. She made her way up the palace, heading toward the top where Tuskarr said Riyu might be.


“As Amy headed toward the tower of the palace, Kuma, still stuck in his consciousness, still walked along the purple bridge, until he finally reached a large gate, bars stretched for miles, with a large blue crystal in the middle with a paw print imprinted on it with 4 locks.

“A gate? What is this place?” Kuma mumbled as he examined the gate. “Four locks but I don’t see any keys anywhere. Or the fact I don’t have them! But somehow, I feel like I know this place… as if I’m supposed to put my paw on it.”

Kuma heard another voice as if it sensed Kuma. “Your courage will only get you so far, chimera, but let’s see if fate will allow you to pass this challenge. Place your paw on the crystal if you dare to put your soul to the test.”


Kuma stared at the gate, a sense of familiarity mingling with unease. His heart pounded as he tried to make sense of the overwhelming sensation that urged him to touch the crystal. The intricate design of the gate, with its towering bars and the enigmatic blue crystal, seemed both welcoming and foreboding.

He clenched his paw into a fist, his mind wrestling with the conflicting emotions swirling inside him. "Why does this feel so... right and wrong at the same time?" he whispered, his voice barely audible in the vast emptiness surrounding him.

Meanwhile, Amy reached the top of the palace. The view took her breath away—the sprawling city of Nibel below, the mountains in the distance, and the clear, endless sky above. Riyu stood at the edge, gazing out at the horizon, his posture calm and contemplative.

“Your majesty?” Amy called softly, not wanting to startle him.

Riyu turned, offering her a gentle smile. “Hello, Amy. How are you feeling? And please just call me Riyu, no need to be formal.”

“Hello Riyu,” Amy said, trying to match his relaxed tone. “I’m feeling better, thank you. The view up here is incredible. It’s hard to believe how much there is to Nibel, and it’s a lot more than I’d imagined.”

Riyu chuckled softly, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “I’m glad you like it. Nibel has always been a place of great beauty and resilience. It’s a reminder of what we have to protect. Not just the city but the citizens and Kuma.”

“I can see that, I truly admire your resolve to ensure everyone is safe. I have to ask though, I was told that Kuma was adopted by you and yet I heard some may not be happy with your decision choosing to take him in.” Amy asked as she sat next to the edge with Riyu.

“It is due to a couple of reasons. Since this war of conquering each other territories and supplies and all for powers. Even I try to bring peace between clans. The fights don't end without loss or bloodshed. Each side had lost their friends and families, causing the cycle of revenge and hatred to keep going. Some clans can have some powerful family members, such as the Chimera family from Mythical Clan. Chimeras such as Kuma are known as powerful mana users with destructive powers. Kuma may have yet to show that potential destructive power but Chimeras are still rare these days. Even seeing one can bring panic over their common sense and want to run away or end it quickly before they get killed. Even one of my soldiers tried to kill Kuma when I reached to protect him.” Riyu explained as he remembered the incident with General Bruno. “We believe Kuma may be the last of his kind.”

“Wow… this must be tough for Kuma being the last of the Kind and people are afraid of him because of his species.” Amy said

Riyu nodded solemnly. “Yes, it’s a heavy burden for him. Being the last of his kind comes with both extraordinary potential and immense pressure. However, the fear and suspicion from others never stopped him from trying to show he is more than just a dangerous species. I chose to adopt him but not because I chose to take pity for him but I believe with me as his guide, he will grow to be the mighty warrior for Nibel in the future.” Riyu said with a smile, looking at the horizon. “And show the world that we are more than just different species. If possible, a change for the next generation… when he takes my place on the throne.”

Amy admired the conviction in Riyu's voice and the weight of his words. “It sounds like you have a deep faith in Kuma’s potential and in his ability to bridge the gap between fear and understanding. That’s a powerful vision.”

Riyu’s gaze remained on the horizon, his expression a mix of hope and determination. “Yes, I believe in him.”

As Riyu and Amy exchanged words, the castle started to shake as the floor below broke, seeing several rock golems emerged from the ground.

“What the?!” Amy shouted as she levitated into the air to see the golems from above.

“Rock Golems! Take cover, Amy!” Riyu shouted as he thrust his arms toward the golem, unleashing the wind toward them. “Wind Burst!” Riyu shouted his spell name as the air thrust toward the golem, pushing some of the golem flying off the tower to the palace grounds below.

“Few of them left, I got this!” Amy shouted as she grabbed her wand and shot off a few celestial beams at the golem, with the golem grinding and groaning at the impact of Amy’s attack!

“Good distraction, Amy!” Riyu shouted as he grabbed his sword hilt, strangely no blade on it. Until he imbued it with his sky magic and the wind appeared around the hilt acting as the blade. “Be gone, intruders! “Riyu shouted as he slashed the golem in half and he kicked them off the tower to below.

The golems crashed below, getting up as if they didn’t feel pain as they regenerated their slashed off body parts.

“Damn it. They regenerated?” Amy growled.

“I must not have gotten their core. Still, it’s strange, they don’t normally gather in groups this large nor they’re native to this city.” Riyu said.

Alan came up to the tower, with an urgent expression on his face. “Riyu! We have intruders! Golems everywhere in the city and the palace! We have reports of two enemies, they could be controlling them!”

“Two enemies with an army of Golems?” Riyu said as he gazed toward below, seeing his beloved city under attack. “What are their intentions?”

Chapter 10 ended.