Trapped with nowhere to run, Felix gave himself up. He knew they hadn't been sent here to kill him, so he calmly stepped out of his corner, keeping his head down.
The air around the basilisks changed. Even without looking at them, Felix could feel the intent behind their thoughts. They were mocking him — to them he was just a powerless weakling, and they couldn't understand what the queen wanted with a small runt like him. These thoughts didn't make him angry. He knew that if he tried anything he would probably die, but still, they were getting a bit too close for comfort. He could feel their breath all over his body. They were laughing, considering eating him. One of them inched its mouth open, its jaws surrounding Felix's comparably tiny body.
Then another presence appeared.
As soon as it did, the basilisks stopped, retreating and leaving the opening clear. Felix raised his head only to see a much larger winged creature covered in scales descending toward him.
The queen's descendant. Felix had always called him Tyranus, for lack of anything better. Among the queen's children, he was perhaps the worst — he hunted for sport and enjoyment, often ripping his victims apart limb by limb.
Felix swallowed heavily.
'Oh my, am I really worth such an audience?' he said confidently, even though he was shaking on the inside.
Tyranus didn't speak. He, just like everyone else, had never learned to. But there was no need. His will was carried by his presence alone.
'By the order of the queen, I have been tasked with bringing you to her majesty at once.'
Felix was stunned. He had never seen Tyranus so… obedient. Perhaps this was an opportunity.
'How have you been? I remember when you were just a little fledgling — is everything alright at home?'
He could practically feel Tyranus's irritation. His will, carried by his presence, simply read:
'I have no time for your meaningless qualms.'
A small basilisk rose up from behind him, holding Monte in its jaws.
'You oversized lizard, let him go! It's me you want, is it not?'
Tyranus stayed still and quiet — as if saying, I'll think about it. A sinister smile formed on his face.
Felix clicked his tongue. 'Sly bastard.'
He lifted himself off the ground, flying right before Tyranus's head. 'I won't forget this.'
There was no response, but Felix could almost hear the words appear in his mind.
'That is if you live. Mother… The queen is more than a bit angry.'
Felix only pointed his head toward the queen's domain — as if saying, let's go.
Without wasting any time, the small team of basilisks departed from the blue hill, heading toward the empty green plains and straight toward the giant tree.
Along the way, Felix couldn't help but glance at Monte as he was being treated roughly — constantly shaken around, sharp serrated teeth sinking deeper into his soft fur. Averting his gaze, he stared at Tyranus, the one who had always given him the most trouble out of anyone from the plains.
Felix had lived his life always traveling, never staying in the same spot for too long — but somehow, whenever he visited the plains, he would get attacked by Tyranus and his subordinates. Sometimes it felt like Tyranus was specifically waiting for Felix to come back, just to haunt him.
He wondered when the animosity had started.
Ever since the queen gave birth to him, Felix had been nothing but kind. As a rule, he always tried to keep good relations with those he came across — even if only to serve his own goals. But Tyranus was different. Instead of ignoring Felix or returning his friendliness, he turned hostile. At first he had been like a nephew, often playing with Felix. Then, at some point, something changed. He became like a crazed maniac — so obsessed with killing that even his mother, the queen, didn't know what to do with him. As his mother, she always protected him, but Felix could see the worry eating away at her.
The Tyranus before him now was so different from his usual self that it was nothing short of creepy. His calm demeanor scared Felix more than any amount of murder ever would.
'I wonder what changed. It's only been a few years.'
Before he could think about it anymore, they had already arrived.
The tree that once stood tall with a shining green crown looked weathered — like something had been eating away at it. Somehow, without a single word spoken, Felix knew where to go, where the queen was. She wasn't in her usual place at the very top of the tree, but rather a few levels down, where the footing looked much more stable.
As they landed, Felix couldn't help but notice the distress among the basilisks. The tense atmosphere made it hard to focus. He didn't even notice the queen had arrived at the open space before him.
Tyranus bowed, the intent behind his actions reading as: I have arrived with the traitor, my queen.
She nodded her head, suddenly looking more like a queen than when she had tried to eat Astel.
Felix nervously laughed. 'Hi, um… it's been a while.'
She looked at the guards who had escorted him alongside Tyranus. Immediately they growled, lowering their claws to his level, threatening to kill him.
'Okay, okay. I'm sorry.'
She nodded again, and the guards took a step back. The air changed — suddenly suffocating. She smiled. Felix interpreted it as:
'You still use that lesser human speak, I see.'
Felix nodded. 'An old habit.'
The queen shook her head.
'You know why you're here.'
Felix froze.
'I don't suppose an old friend like you would've lied to me, right?'
Even without words, her intent was very clear. One mistake could cost Felix his life.
'I'm truly sorry, your majesty. I didn't mean to disappear on you at a difficult time like this.'
She stayed still, her presence saying: That's more like it.
'I of course do intend on keeping my promise. It's just that right now isn't an ideal time.'
The queen nodded. The guard holding Monte in his jaws squeezed — making the small mongoose squeal in pain.
'But, but I—' Felix nervously spit out. 'No. We will keep our word. You shall have your territories as you desire.'
The guard didn't let go, still squeezing. Felix's eyes darted from Monte to the queen.
'I will make sure it gets done as soon as possible,' he mumbled.
The guard finally let go at the queen's command, letting Monte fall onto the ground. With one glance at Felix, he knew what he had to do — and ran. The guard wanted to chase after him, but the queen's presence stopped him.
Let him.
The guard growled.
'The king is weak, but so am I. I expect you to finish the job.'
The queen stared at him with a devious smile on her face.
'As for the other territory — I would like you to overthrow the Mole king.'
A shiver ran down Felix's spine as the queen's intent resounded in his mind. The Mole king was possibly the worst opponent she could have chosen.
He was starting to regret making that promise — but without it, Astel wouldn't have survived. Astel was the key to escaping, to finally seeing the larger world.
He almost laughed.
What was he thinking? Astel had fallen into the ravine and hadn't been seen in weeks. He was probably already dead. It was about time Felix accepted his fate.