Meanwhile, on Thronax, Gara had slept soundly after feasting on fruits and berries.
When she woke up, a sudden thought struck her—Rex had been frozen into a statue.
Panicked, she rushed outside Luna's den—and froze.
A group of lion-like creatures loomed over Rex, eyeing him as though he were prey. He lay motionless, silent, as if already dead.
"No… nooo! He can't die… not here…" Gara gasped, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Her scream caught the creatures' attention. They lunged at her—but before they could reach her, Gaiku leapt forward, seizing their necks. Sensing danger, the others retreated into the shadows.
"Oh, my dear," a voice purred from behind a bush. "You're quite in love with him, aren't you?"
Gara spun around. "W-What? I… I don't love him! It's just… he was dead!" Her voice trembled, tears still rolling down her flushed cheeks.
"Stupid," Luna said with a sly smile. "Your training's done. Now get up." She gestured toward Rex, who remained motionless on the ground.
"Did… did those lions go away?" Rex asked, rising to his feet.
"You ugly moron! I thought you were dead!" Gara exclaimed, throwing herself into his arms, still sobbing.
"But… why are you crying? I can't die before you, Gara," Rex murmured, holding her tightly.
"You perv! You always want to take advantage," Gara protested, pushing his hands away—but he caught hers.
And then… the weather shifted. The sky, heavy with clouds, opened up, and rain poured down, soaking them both as they stared into each other's eyes.
"Hey! You two, if you're done with your little romance, get inside! I won't give you medicine if you fall sick," Luna shouted from the den's entrance.
Suddenly aware of how close they'd been, both Gara and Rex froze. Their faces burned crimson as they quickly dashed inside. Luna's voice followed them, roaring at their carelessness regarding the weather.
"What can I do about you two? These are the years of hormonal uprising, you know," she said, waving her hands with mock exasperation.
Inside, Gara vanished, embarrassed. Rex lingered, stunned, until Luna leaned closer. "If you want to make her fall for you, do what she likes," she whispered conspiratorially.
"Can… can you really help me?" Rex asked, eyes shining with hope.
"Well," Luna replied with a cunning smile, "most girls fall for strong boys with great physiques."
"Ah… okay. But I'll improve my behavior too, since she doesn't like my current one," Rex said shyly.
"Oh, so romantic," Luna teased, leaning toward his face as though about to kiss him.
Rex stiffened and pulled back.
"Ah, that's the spirit, my boy!" Luna chuckled.
"Now, let's return to your training," she said.
"But the weather?" Rex complained.
"Leave it aside. Training comes first," Luna said grumpily.
"Ah… not now," Rex said, glancing out at the storm.
"Stand up, my boy. You have to become Gara's dream man," Luna said proudly, as though recalling something from her past.
---------
As Luna and Rex entered the rainy forest, strange sounds echoed around them.
"What's up with this noise? It's coming from over there," Rex muttered as they walked along the dead paths.
"You wait here. I'll check it out," Luna warned sharply. "And don't move until I tell you."
"Fine, I'll stay here," Rex said, crossing his arms in disgust.
"Ugh… you stupid boy," Luna sighed as she marched toward the source of the sound.
This sound… I feel like I've heard it before, Luna thought, moving deeper through the bushes.
Through the dripping leaves, she caught sight of several shadowy figures. Their movements were sharp, hunting, as if searching for prey.
"No… it can't be. Masups," Luna whispered, her body stiffening with a chill that ran down her spine.
Her heart pounded. How did these creatures enter the royal forest? Without hesitation, she sprinted back toward Rex.
Rex saw Luna rushing toward him, her face pale with fear. Before he could ask, she transformed into her wolf form, grabbed him in her jaws, and bolted.
"Luna?! What the heck are you doing? That hurts!" Rex cried, muffled.
"Shut up, you duffer," Luna snapped in a strained voice. "If I open my mouth, you'll fall—and those Masups will eat you alive!"
"What? What are you even saying?!" Rex shouted, thrashing, but Luna ignored him, racing until she reached her den.
Suddenly, the ground beneath them shook violently. The den was destroyed—trampled flat.
"What's all this? Where's Gara?!" Rex yelled as he slipped from Luna's mouth and rushed forward.
"Wait—!" Luna tried to warn him, but from the ground beneath Rex, a Masup emerged.
It lunged, jaws wide, but a green sphere blasted into its face, sending it staggering back.
"What the hell is happening, Luna?!" Rex demanded.
"Gara! You're safe!" Luna exclaimed, spotting her friend.
Gara appeared, hands glowing with magic. "I was reading the green witch book you gave me when the earth started shaking. Then I saw these creepy shadows outside!" She hurled another green sphere, blasting a Masup into the mud.
"I don't have time to explain—and this rain makes it harder to hold them back," Luna said through clenched teeth.
"Then we run!" Rex shouted, dodging another attack.
"Yes! Grab my fur!" Luna shifted into wolf form again.
Rex and Gara climbed onto her back, clutching her thick fur as Luna dashed into the storm.
"Now will you tell us what those things are?!" Rex shouted.
"They're Masups," Luna answered, breath heavy. "Long ago, my master's father defeated them. They helped the current king to seize the throne."
"I didn't ask for a history lesson—I asked how to kill them!" Rex growled.
"You idiot! They can't be killed—they're already dead. They belong to the shadow hollow race!" Luna barked, her paws sinking deeper into the wet soil with every stride.
"We can run to the palace!" Gara shouted.
"No use," Luna snapped. "We have to leave this planet—now!"
"But how?!" Rex demanded as another Masup lunged toward them.
"Witches can teleport," Luna said, glaring back at Gara, "but this kid isn't ready yet. So, we'll use a spacecraft."
"What the heck are you talking about?!" Gara's voice trembled as she slipped, but Rex caught her and hauled her back onto Luna's back.
"Just stay quiet. When I say jump—you jump," Luna growled, eyes sharp with resolve.
Both nodded.
As they neared the ruined den, Luna knew what to do. She bounded inside, released a powerful howl, and a glowing doorway appeared at the entrance.
"Now! Jump!" she commanded.
Rex and Gara leapt through, crashing into the metallic floor of a spacecraft.
"Ow—my head," Rex groaned, sprawled upside down.
Luna shifted back into human form and dashed inside after them. "Gara! Press the blue button—now!"
Without hesitation, Gara slammed the button. The ship's doors sealed shut, engines roared, and within seconds the craft lifted off, soaring into the stormy sky.
"Finally… we're safe," Luna exhaled, steadying the controls.
Gara stared out the window as the rain faded beneath them. "What's happening down there now?"
"We escaped," Rex muttered, rubbing his head. "But may God protect those still left behind."