The night in Neverport was a rare occasion of joy for its residents.

  The festivities stretched late into the morning, and many of the adults tasted alcohol for the first time in years.

  It was a much-needed reprieve after so long without celebration.

  Becca, one of the revelers, had passed out at home. When she awoke, the morning light pierced through the window, and she sat up, attempting to shake off the lingering nausea. Her head throbbed, but the sickness wasn't just from the drinking. She was used to the feeling by now.

  CJ and Philly were sprawled next to her. CJ lay surrounded by empty bottles, his face buried in the floor, while Philly was inexplicably stuck in a barrel.

  With a groan, Becca rose, stretching her stiff limbs, and made her way inside to check on Emily. She found her daughter sleeping peacefully, the soft rhythm of her breath filling the room. Becca smiled softly, relieved to see Emily enjoying herself for the first time in what felt like forever. She'd played with her friends, eaten well, and laughed — all things Becca hadn't been able to provide in recent years.

  Becca quietly approached Emily, lifted her gently, and tucked her back into bed. She kissed Emily's forehead before leaving the room, her heart swelling with a rare warmth.

  Walking out of the house, Becca couldn't help but take in the sight of the village. People were laughing, singing, dancing. For once, the air was light with happiness. Something the village hadn't experienced in far too long. She wondered what it would be like if Neverport grew, became a true kingdom. A place where hunger, fear, and war were things of the past.

  But for now, it was small. Still, the possibilities were endless, especially with the man who had made it all possible.

  Becca walked toward the camp where Axel had set up a small tent. He was grooming Diego, his horse, while Patricia sat by a fire, humming a soft melody that mixed with the crackling flames.

  "Have you decided?" Axel asked without looking up, already knowing she was there.

  Becca hesitated before replying, "No… I'm still unsure. I've never met a monster, let alone thought of trading with one. I don't know where to turn."

  Axel paused in his grooming and sat down on a nearby log. "My father once told me something about making decisions. First, ask yourself: How does this decision benefit me? How does it benefit those I care about? What will the other party gain, and what risks am I taking? If you sit with me, I'll offer more perspective."

  Becca crossed her arms and sat down, unbothered by his royal tone. "Alright, let's hear it, then."

  Axel nodded, shifting into a more serious tone. "Let's talk about the options. The druids pity us. They think humanity deserves extinction because of the destruction we've caused to nature. The demons don't agree with extermination, and they offer help, but they want one thing: to expand their race. They do this by helping us in exchange for taking over places we abandon. Finally, the orcs don't care much for either side—they want only strength and the thrill of battle."

  If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  Becca frowned, trying to make sense of it all. "Then wouldn't it make sense to ally with the demons?"

  Axel shook his head. "Not so fast. Demons are helpful, yes, but they do so for their own gain. They have the ability to corrupt both the soul and body of humans. Emily, for instance—if she's exposed to their influence, she might unknowingly change into one of them. You wouldn't even notice at first."

  Becca shuddered at the thought, her stomach twisting in fear. "Okay, what about the orcs."

  Axel gave a soft chuckle. "Orcs love chaos. If you ally with them, the village will constantly live in danger. They'll challenge us in every way possible, and the strong will always dominate. No one will be safe."

  Her eyes widened in horror. "That... sounds awful."

  Axel nodded gravely. "As for the druids, they're unlikely to trade with us. Even if they did, they wouldn't help in the war. Their loyalty is to nature, not to us."

  Becca sat back, her mind racing as she processed his words. Each option felt more dangerous than the last. The druids were distant, their help uncertain, but they seemed the least risky. The demons were tempting but dangerous, and the orcs were clearly not an option.

  She stood up abruptly, the decision suddenly clear in her mind. "We'll go with the druids."

  Axel raised an eyebrow. "Why the druids?"

  Becca twirled a strand of her hair nervously. "The demons could corrupt us, and the orcs are a disaster waiting to happen. The druids may not be perfect, but it's the safest choice."

  Her voice faltered under Axel's steady gaze. There was something intense about the way he was watching her, and it made her uncomfortable. But before she could say anything more, Axel stood up and climbed onto his horse.

  "Alright then. Let's go."

  Becca blinked, startled by his readiness. Axel tied his hair into a neat bun, removed his cloak, and tossed it to Patricia. "I'll be back," he called, as she caught it with a serene smile.

  With that, Axel waited for Becca to climb onto the horse behind him. She sighed and reluctantly mounted. "Let's just go already," she muttered.

  The journey east took them through the grasslands, heading toward the druid tribes. As they rode, Becca tried to distract herself by talking to Axel. "So what's the deal with Patricia? She seems... off."

  Axel chuckled, but there was no humor in it. "She's broken. I don't know what happened to her, but it's clear William did something terrible. She rarely speak anymore. She just sings or knits baby clothes. Or stares off into space for hours. I'm not sure how to help her at her current state. But the very least, I will support her."

  Becca frowned. "And you're okay with that?"

  He sighed, his tone switching from light to somber. "I'm not. But I can't let my emotions get the best of me. I need to stay focused."

  The silence between them grew heavy, and Becca couldn't help but wonder about their pasts. She hadn't seen them much during the party, and now she knew why.

  "Listen," Axel continued after a moment, "When you meet the druids, remember that they respect nature above all else. They love animals, plants, and beauty. If you know a thing or two about that, you might get along fine."

  Becca grinned confidently. "My mom taught me about cows and flowers. I'm cute, so we'll be fine."

  Axel laughed. "We're doomed."

  Thirty-five minutes later, they arrived at a small forest just east of Neverport. The trees were tall, and vibrant flowers dotted the landscape. But the peaceful beauty of the place turned unsettling when Becca realized they were being watched—by the animals.

  Axel drew his sword, and without a word, handed one to Becca. "Don't attack them unless you have to. Just block and parry their strikes if needed. They're—"

  Before he could finish, an arrow flew toward him. Axel swung his sword and effortlessly cut it in half. "Be on guard."

  Suddenly, arrows rained down from the trees, aimed directly at them. Axel leaped from his horse, twirling his sword in a fluid motion. Becca was taken aback when she saw blue symbols glowing on his bandaged arm. With a quick slash, Axel released a wave of blue energy that sliced through the arrows, disintegrating them before they could reach them.

  The attackers retreated into the forest, watching silently from the shadows.

  Becca stood frozen, eyes wide. "YOU CAN USE MAGIC?"

  Axel turned to her, a confident smile on his face. "What kind of king would I be if I didn't have the power to back it up? Let's move."