Metanoia; The Hybrid
CHAPTER 27: BACK TO THE ACADEMY.

Tomorrow, we all get ready to go back to find a way out of the forest.

As the teacher said, we will meet Mr. Joseph. But there's no sign this forest is going to end. I also wondered why there was not a single answer from the teachers. We tried to howl, or blow up the dye in the sky, or even try to go back towards the Academy.

They seemed to be nowhere to watch our training. I thought something had happened to them. Or... Is there something in the Academy?

"Is it possible that they're on business, so they don't focus on watching our exams?" The same question I had in mind came out of Castiel's mouth.

"How can a teacher do that when his student is in this condition?" Iris Protest.

"I don't know why, I'm worried about our teachers" Piers said.

"Worry about yourself. We're still kids, and in the woods without food. Don't worry about the adults who can do anything" Xavier seemed to be getting annoyed.

The other kids were just talking about a lot of possibilities why those teachers didn't answer us. That strange thing kept me thinking. My mind is full already.

"How about this, how is this?" Dylan asked who equalized his footsteps to me.

I don't know either, Dylan. I can't think clearly at the moment.

"When it happened, because he rarely spoke, he became very silent" Edward whispered to Dylan. I can hear those who are always talking about my condition, when I am fine, maybe like that.

"I'm worried about a lot of things" Piers murmured while looking at me.

"Ah, Gara, change your bandages first" Cassa suddenly approached me, seeing the bandages surrounding my body. Everyone stopped walking.

"Not necessary, better-"

"You better shut up, your bandages are full of blood, they need to be replaced" Lilac said. As I said, I just kept quiet and watched Cassa replace my bandage. When we finished, we continued walking.

We, the Lycanthrope clan are still not wearing our clothes. Of course, something could have happened that required us to transform. So we decided not to wear it. Our bodies are covered only in the fur of our wolves.

We kept walking, then we saw an open area. Some people ran in that direction, and shouted that the area was right open. We finally came out of the forest. This place was just a field of grass filled with wind and warm sunlight. However, we did not find Mr. Joseph is here.

"What the fuck is this, where is Mr. Joseph?!" Xavier's getting pissed.

"Maybe it's not there yet, or it's going to this place" Lynx tries to think positively.

"It's getting weirder" I murmured while looking up at the sky.

Then suddenly I saw a strange creature flying above. We are all aware of Mr. Joseph was driving the creature. His face was very serious, as if something had happened to the Academy. The teacher landed perfectly, then quickly descended upon us.

"Kids, forgive-"

Luca interrupted, "Teacher, what happened. We try to contact you at all costs. There's a lot of injuries here, especially Gara."

Mr. Joseph saw me, his face was also worried and guilty. He noticed a wound in my stomach. He crouched down in front of me, looking at me with a serious face, "Gara, they're coming."

I close my eyes. Why did they come to this place?

"Who, Mr. Joseph?" Ask Dylan.

"UINI-13 forces, I'm sure you know the leader of the 13th Army, Gara" said Mr. Joseph.

Was he...the man who came back then to Claverdon?

"What does this have to do with us? They just came to visit, right?" Said Piers.

"How do I tell you? They-"

I interrupted quickly, "It has nothing to do with you guys, they're looking for my whereabouts."

Dylan looked at me confusedly, "Why did you tell them?"

"Calm down, Dylan."

"Why is that?" Ask Castiel.

"I can't tell you in detail, but they're really looking for me. Actually, not before I was 14. But I guess, because of their arrival here, they broke my father's agreement. I can't be seen by them, that's all."

"Vale?"

"His name is Vale Barbarian, Lion said he was the one who visited the kingdom of Claverdon when the Lion was there" continued Mr. Lion. Joseph

So right, it's you, Vale Barbarian.

"Sure existence, Gara? I'm sure it's just bullshit. My father not long ago communicated to me, he said the Elders and the supreme King sent the 13 CORE Forces to search for Gara's whereabouts. That's because they know you're not in the kingdom of Claverdon" Dylan said.

"Uncle Alex said it?" And Dylan just nodded.

"Don't know why, I think they were right to confirm Gara's whereabouts. As if they found you here, they would mark the Astbourne Valley region as their target. And just waiting for you until you're 14" Dylan said.

His words have a point too.

"Let's not let that Vale Barbarian find you here. Dylan's words could be the head of Vale Barbarian."

Saga, how are you doing?

"How many times do you have to ask and I have to answer. The wounds you get only apply to you. I'm just a part of your soul here. I won't feel anything."

I just feel like you're lying.

"No, I'm telling you the truth. If I take over your body, only then can I feel those wounds."

Alright, alright.

"Lion told me to secure you here, he could have known Harold's safeguards and suddenly seen you here" Mr. Joseph walked into the forest. The strange creature that flew with him followed him.

We unknowingly followed the teacher back into the forest. "What does a teacher mean by safety?" Ask Ezekiel enthusiastically.

"Harold is the Mermaid clan. With his strength, he made this forest disappear, moving to a different dimension. He recalled this ability when he heard Arthur's explanation of Psychophagos. So, if outsiders go into the forest, they won't find what's already in it" explained Joseph's teacher.

"Ah deserved to go around the sky but it was as if we were just moving in place" Luca let out a long breath.

"Hahaha, oh yeah Gara, how did you get that wound? It looks so deep and painful" Mr. Joseph looked at my wound.

"I stabbed Psychophagos-tail"

"Gosh, it's appropriate that Lion felt bad at that time. The Lycanthrope Bond Pack is really strong" it's fast.

We waited in the forest, until we got signs of auroral light appearing in the sky. Said Mr. Joseph, the sign is from Mr. Michael. At first I thought we were going on foot to return to the Academy, but I was mistaken. Mr. Joseph summoned 7 beings similar to the ones he was driving towards this place.

"What is this teacher?" Galilee Lymonova of the Mermaid clan.

"Ah, they are called Pagoni Neraidon. Aren't they so beautiful?" Mr. Joseph stroked the creature's head.

"They're beautiful, a giant peacock-feathered eagle" Sullivan said of petting them as well.

"Don't get me wrong, inside their mouths they're not as beautiful as the outside" Piers said. A second later, right in front of Sullivan, one of the Pagoni Neraidon opened his mouth. Their teeth are sharp, their saliva is flickering grey, and their tongues are split like snakes.

"Ew, awful!" With a horrified face Sullivan retreated away from Pagoni Neraidon's face.

"Hey, their teeth and tongue are just like mine!" Xavier showed his teeth and tongue. I even realized his sharp teeth and split tongue. Everyone laughed at Xavier's behavior.

"Your teeth are like my pet shark" Iris said.

"Their saliva can be a reliever of hives, and has a green leaf-like aroma. Unfortunately, their saliva can be toxic if consumed" continued the teacher.

We went up to Neraidon's Pagoni, assisted by Mr. Joseph. This creature looks very docile and obedient when on Mr. Joseph. It was as if they had truly become his wild beast.

We're flying, in space. How nice it is to be able to feel how it rises and falls in the air. I could feel my stomach full of butterflies tickling inside. The perfect wind further added to the atmosphere.

Tell you what, make all my thoughts disappear for a moment. About the beautiful woman who died horribly, about the sleeping man, or about Vale Barbarian and the rest of the army who were looking for my whereabouts. Everything seems to be lost in the wind.

I just enjoyed our short trip home.