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        Diamondback’s Nest was a familiar sight after their adventure together. Their travel took them a total of two months, and by that point, their close friends, especially Raine and Asterios, had become worried. They expected their travel to last at least one month, but it was apparent that it was much longer than that.

        Their reason was simple. It was distance. Going around finding information about Asran took more than a month, and from Asran’s fortress (which had been repurposed into a shelter, along with the establishment of a Wanderer’s settlement) back to Diamondback’s Nest took more than half a month due to detours and dangers involved. Not only that, people who knew they were Wanderers offered jobs for travel muns, which was essential given that they wasted a lot of them for information regarding Asran and supplies. Akandi and the manticore (who had found proper clothes and his muzzle removed) got their first taste as Wanderers and bounty hunters. For Akandi, it was more like a new job, but for the manticore, it was something entirely new. He came from a distant land, one that did not need mercenary work for its problems, as he claimed he was a soldier once.

        Asran, after being captured, was docile and somehow harmless, but in their early journey back, Narati needed to convince Karkas that he meant no harm, despite of him trying to convince himself otherwise. The Fa’ar did not cause more trouble than complaining about the space. Despite of him winning against Asran by turning his tricks on him, seeing that he broke down after being tricked and was willing to follow them was surprising, even for Narati.

        But despite all that, Akandi got his heart broken when he lost his lover, who was so overwhelmed by the ‘gruesome’ yet ‘enlightening’ experience that she broke her relationship with Akandi, who objected those kinds of perversity. It was then that Akandi realized that she did not even love him like he did, and had been having affairs behind his back before she disappeared from Akandi’s life altogether, which prevented her from witnessing the death of the Collectives. She was dropped in Unistad, and Akandi did not look back at her, heartbroken.

        This went on for a while until Narati offered the feline the job with the Wanderers, and some pep talk from Karkas who had similar situations a long time ago eased his heart somewhat. Akandi was perfectly okay by the time they reached Diamondback’s Nest, and was ready to help. He forgave Narati for his complex plan, but still resented the fact that he was tranquilized.

        The Wanderers were not slavers or joining a slave company, so the group tried not to paint their prisoner as such. Fortunately, Asran’s face wasn’t very well-known, even to those who he had wronged, given how generic his face was. When they needed to get into a town, the ones fulfilling requests were Karkas, Akandi, and the manticore, while Narati stayed with Asran, getting to know him to break the silence. For Narati, he did not mean Asran as an enemy, and he could be a good asset.

        Somehow, due to the side effect of being restrained, Asran started to become more and more close to Narati, especially since they both had the same interest. Their talks turned from Fa’ar related to personal matters, sometimes overheard by Karkas, who started to worry if his friend was being tricked. Narati promised Asran the pleasure of subjecting himself for others, but not necessarily a slave, which intrigued, yet worried, the older Fa’ar, who had not had such experience before.

        “Just so you know, Nara, I enjoy seeing people getting tied up or encased in you-know-what, but to experience it yourself…it felt unnatural.”

        “There is a reason those people volunteered, right? If you can switch, it can give a better perspective later,” said Narati.

        “You sound like you have someone who share that experience already.”

        “I am. She’s my, uh...friend?”

        “Friend, or something closer?”

        “Just friends. We like to ‘play’, but we don’t do ‘that’. There’s nothing sexual about that, even if uh…we flirted. Nothing came up from that, except mutual interest.”

        “How about if we…go for it?”

        Narati chuckled. “I’d love to, but I’m not that kind of Fa’ar. I still prefer the company of females. But I hope you find one you’ll commit with, even if you’re still our prisoner.”

        “Huh. Talking about our interests really make the distinctions blur,” said Asran.

        Thus, after they reached Diamondback’s Nest, the first thing Narati did was to go to the Spider Forest and meet with Arachne. The spider-woman was happy that Narati came to visit her, and was even happier when she realized what her friend’s visit was all about.

        “He seems like a subby material,” said Arachne while caressing Asran, who was gagged and bound. Asran looked nervous as he tried to break eye contact with Arachne, which made her giggle.

        “He wasn’t one, by the way. I just want to convince him that this might work. He may stay here for a while, given that he’s our prisoner. Oh, and use these.”

        Karkas, who accompanied Narati, put down a crate. Arachne opened it and gasped.

        “Where did you get all these?”

        “His personal collection. Won’t want them to go to waste, right?”

        “Oh, I have a lot of ways I can use these, not just for you, or the Fa’ar, but to anyone who trespasses.”

        “And with this…can I assure your cooperation for the future?”

        “Certainly, my dear,” said Arachne. “I need a little privacy, or you two want to join?”

        “We’re a little busy catching up,” said Narati. “By the way, he’s eager.”

        The two parted, with Arachne getting ready to take Asran to somewhere private, while Narati and Karkas, accompanied by two giant spiders, walked out of the forest. Along the way, Karkas said, “I still feel we should kill him back then.”

        “And what? Killing is the least you can do for him. He needs to change to a better cause. His manipulative skill and his deductive skill is needed.”

        “I’ve known Asran for a while, and I know he will turn coat the moment we are weak.”

        “Have you ever talked with him, though?”

        “He might’ve been acting.”

        “He might’ve, but he can’t lie to us if he’s bound like that, right? And besides, we became close friends.”

        Karkas scoffed. “Yeah, right. ‘Friends’. You’re too soft, you know that.”

        “It’s not like being a hard Fa’ar might change things, you know,” said Narati with a sad look. “All I do is making them think my race even worse.”

        “Then make them see that they are wrong. You cannot think that following their whims will keep you out of trouble. You are one of the Wanderers now, and you must be proud of that, even if our little business is little. You must show them that a Fa’ar will make a change, and that is to know when to be ruthless and when to not.”

        “I…don’t know where to start.”

        “How about convincing visitors that you, and your race, is trustworthy, and not hiding every time someone is requesting help?”

        “I don’t.”

        “Not just you. Every Fa’ar. Work with that, and you’ll find yourself, and your people, propelled into the same line as the rest of us. But I guess you’re right. Asran may have done bad things, but as an asset, he’s important. I hope whatever you’re trying to do to him doesn’t end up turning him into an obedient slave, or even broke him to the point of no return. I know he deserved it, but…well, you know.”

        “I told Rachne not to get too hard on him. Anyway, I like your food. Do you think I can…?”

        Karkas smiled. “I’ll make some food after I clean myself,” said Karkas. “What are you going to do?”

        “I’m gonna take a nap. I’m not opening the workshop for today. I’m beat.”

        As they walked out of the forest, they went their separate ways. Karkas went back to his home, and Narati to his, parting with good vibes with them. Narati didn’t know that the croc could cook, but now that he knew it, he wanted to eat it, presumably with Raine and the others.

        He just wished they weren’t as busy, though.

***

        The manticore was a sight to behold, given his unique physiology. For a chimeric race like him, he was seen as exotic, especially when he could not even talk the common language around that part. He felt unwelcome, seeing that he could not understand what they said and he was standing in the town’s circle as if without purpose.

        That was when he was greeted, coldly, by a minotaur, with his language.

        “(Well, well. I’ve met chimeras and three-headed hounds, but a manticore, in this town? That’s something new),” said the minotaur. “(What are you doing here?)”

        “(Look, I don’t mean you harm),” said the manticore. “(I’m here because I don’t know how to get back to Minos. Do you…)”

        “(Minos is three months’ travel from here, through the sea),” said the minotaur, indifferent. “(I suggest you get out before you’re perceived as threats. Right now, these people think you’re exotic, but someone will be scared of that tail of yours).”

        “(I meant no harm),” repeated the manticore.

        “(It’s not going to change if you can’t speak their language),” said Asterios. “(I know you’re harmless, but I hope you understand).”

        “(Then teach me how to talk their tongue. I am in debt with the crocodile man, and I want to repay him however I can).”

        “(Your race is geared towards violence. I don’t know which god is responsible, but no one’s going to be safe with you around).”

        The manticore lowered his head in sadness, with the minotaur looking at him with intense stare. When he wanted to go back to his work, however, the manticore said, “(I’m sorry…if my brethren kill someone you love).”

        “(At least you admit that you’re dangerous. I have no ill will towards you, but it’s for your own safety. And no, I don’t have someone killed by a manticore).”

        “(So, will you let me stay? Please? I don’t know the currency here, and I can’t talk their tongue. If you can teach me how and let me work, I can make good of my promise of being harmless).”

        Asterios looked at the manticore, who, despite of his imposing muscular build, was not as proud as his body suggested. After contemplating for a while, he sighed, and said, “(Can you smith?)”

        “(I can…use a sword, if that’s enough. My family’s in the Minoan military for generations).”

        “(A generational Minoan military! Now that’s another surprise. Not to mention, a manticore),” said Asterios, genuinely surprised. “(Clearly time has changed. What’s your name?)”

        “(Atroklos),” said the manticore.

        “(Until you…we…can go back to Minos, we need to raise some money. While you’re at it, talk to me about Minos nowadays. I miss my home).”

        They both started working for the duration of that day. Most of the time, the people were fascinated by the new employee, given how exotic he was. Some of the children even tried playing with his stingers, only for Asterios to prevent it. Atroklos felt like he started to like it, after years of imprisonment inside that fortress. He didn’t know what happened to the rat, but he sure knew that the three of his allies made sure that he was dealt with.

        That night, after Asterios closed his shop, he invited Atroklos to eat. The manticore, hungry, was eager to eat some, with the minotaur nodding in approval.

        While the minotaur was cooking, they talked about things, and became close. Asterios didn’t know many things had changed in Minos. Since the region wasn’t devastated by the war, it became a stabile region. Quests were things of the past, with a stable city government making sure that they would not cause unnecessary war. They made their own rules, yet abide to others.

        After a particularly lively dinner, both walked outside, with Asterios saying to Atroklos about his experience and the people in Diamondback’s Nest. They met Narati, who smiled back towards both before going somewhere with a human friend.

        “(So, this is the town during the night),” said Atroklos. “(Feels like a party).”

        “(Not really. It’s always like this at night),” said Asterios.

        They walked in silence for a while, before Atroklos said, “(Why…did you try to protect me back there? No one here seem to mind a manticore walking around with his stinger exposed, so why?)”

        “(I don’t know…maybe because of my past).”

        “(Past?)”

        “(It’s a good thing you were born 27 years ago. In my time…slavery was a thing).”

        “(I read about that. It’s abolished some 200 years ago).”

        “(Back then, slavery of all races was big. We went to the town square, found some slaves chained to a pillar, and put a bid. There was always one chained to that pillar, most with many stories of their own. Some lost their property, others were captured enemies. But many of them were simply orphans who had lost their parents during the war or any quest, and was sold to pay off their debts).”

        “(For someone who lived during that time…it must be hard for you).”

        “(I was born in a warrior family, following the tradition of our fathers. The king of our polis was a respected warrior himself, so I got around, even if I’m a minotaur. With that kind of influence, getting slaves was kind of a pastime for my brothers and my sisters. Somehow, I was the weirdest of the bunch).”

        “(How so?)”

        “(I didn’t have a personal slave until I’m 25, and on that faithful day…he’s there, looking at me as if begging me to get him).”

        “(And that slave was…)”

        “(A manticore. We get together well. I taught him how to read and to organize, and even take him on some of my quests. He got along pretty well in my company, too, and it was great times).”

        “(So, your attitude towards me was because he…)”

        Asterios chuckled. “(No, he did not die, nor did he got an angry mob attacking him out of hate. Or, if I’m being forward, he did not betray me. Yes, being a manticore, his stinger might have caught someone and kill them, but that’s not why. The reason was…because of his age).”

        “(Excuse me?)”

        “(He was 15, and I was 25. For a male around that age, it was considered adult, and…well, you know Minos back then. We were all very free, full of crafty spirit. I was one of them, and…I found out my reason to get him. It was because…I had feelings for him).”

        “(For a manticore?)”

        “(Is it that weird?)”

        “(No. It’s just…you’re a bull, and he’s a lion-scorpion hybrid. Kind of an odd pairing, isn’t it?)”

        “(You know how it was. It was so free back then. I’m hardly the unique one, you know. My older sister had a whole harem of boys around his age. I only had one, so it’s nothing to brag about. The fact that he was a manticore did not change things).

        “(I was so protective of him, even trying to tell him that he could not be with me in a crowded town, and he obliged, since he was a slave. We went on our life normally, until one day…one of my jobs turned out trapping me for a while. I was trapped for a while, but then, the Wanderers helped me, and I went out, into a devastated world of kill and be killed).”

        “(And because of that…)”

        “(Of course, he already died by this time. My only regret was that I did not free him before I went to do that quest. He must’ve died a slave. No one cared about someone’s slave. I felt bad, but time could not be rewind. If I could…I could just free him, or take him with me. I hope he’s up there, on Elysium, running on the green fields, free of all earthly burden. Ah, but I’ve talked too much about my reason. But still, you cannot walk around with that stinger exposed like that. You need a pouch to cover that tip).”

        “(A pouch? I don’t know how much you know about manticores but I prefer that part free of anything. Wearing something over it just doesn’t feel…right).”

        “(I know you manticores are uncomfortable with it, but bear with it, okay? People here don’t know how dangerous your stinger is).”

        The manticore begrudgingly grunted, then walked back with the minotaur. But even then, at least he knew why the minotaur was so stuck up with trying to protect him.

        He just hoped his life there would not turn into shambles.

***

        That night, upon invitation, Raine, along with his friend Alter, who Narati knew a while ago. Alter was still as happy when they met the fox, with cheerful personality like a young girl eager to socialize, yet something seemed different, yet Narati could not understand what.

        It was when Raine whispered to Narati when the Fa’ar asked him did he understood the difference, and he blushed, embarrassed about not knowing it soon. Raine just smiled and said, “Better to find a colorful one than none, right? Oh, and I want to hear about your travels with Karkas and...Akandi, right?”

        “Yes, I am,” said Akandi, who sat near Narati. “And you’re Raine, right?”

        “Raine Winlow, at your service,” said Raine. “Welcome to the Wanderers, Akandi. It’s good to have a mage with us. We’re, uh…kinda short on mages since the last fiasco.”

        “But I thought you’re also one. Narati told me about you. What kind of magic do you learn?”

        “Well, I’m not that much of a mage, but I can enchant.”

        “An enchanter, huh? There was a school dedicated to enchanters, but it’s long gone. Not many practiced that craft nowadays since many considered it an art of violence, given how most offensive magic you use is mostly an ‘up close and personal’ kind of thing.”

        “Yeah, that’s my style, alright,” said Raine. “But an enchanter school? Wow. I thought it’s a craft for novice mages like me.”

        “Don’t belittle yourself, Raine,” said Akandi, smiling. “It may seem so easy to use, but if you use it with your combat skill, it can become deadly. If you want, I can take you to abandoned magic school libraries with details about that craft.”

        “Really? Damn, you’re resourceful. I thought being an enchanter doesn’t need to be a true mage, but I’m clearly wrong. When can we start?”

        “As soon as you’re able. No rush, Raine. We just came here, and Karkas here is surprisingly a good cook. Aren’t you, Karkas?”

        “Heh. Yeah, I admit so,” said Karkas while handling a cooked meat to the middle of the table. “Loved cooking back before Asran. Now that he’s out of play and harmless, I can return to this passion again.”

        “What happened to him?”

        “Oh, he’s in the forest…having a little ‘talk’ with the forest dwellers,” said Karkas while winking towards Narati.

        “Just don’t get overboard,” said Raine, understanding what they meant.

        “I won’t let Rachne do that.” Narati then turned towards Alter. “Say, Alter,” he said. “Why wear those if, well, you know…”

        “What? Can’t I have a hobby?” said Alter while eating the meat. Upon tasting it, Alter made a foxy sound and said, “Holy spirits! This taste like heaven! It’s so tender and easy to eat! How did you cook this?”

        “Stewing it for 5 hours will do the trick, along with some spices we got back in Asran’s fortress,” said Karkas. “I have some seeds already planted in my backyard, and with the water from the river, I can get them cultivated for spices. For the meat, it’s a hunting reserve I got from some hunters passing by. I never thought they had this much meat, and, knowing that I’m a croc, they gave me a bunch. Oh, and the eggs were giant lizard eggs, so if it tastes weird, just let me know. I am trying a bunch of new things, so some might taste experimental and…huh?”

        Karkas just noticed that the rest of the guests stared at him in confusion and surprise. Raine and Narati, who knew Karkas longer than the rest of them, were the ones who looked at him with the most confusion. They thought that the croc was a different person, like the twin of Karkas. He seemed so different, both in mannerism and personality.

        “Uh…why are you staring at me like that?” asked Karkas.

        “No, it’s just…I’ve never seen you so eager like this before. Normally you are a brooding, loner personality with revenge in your mind, but you seem so...light,” said Narati. “Did that green thing do this to you?”

        “Green Giselle? I slip some of them in the food,” said Karkas. When Narati and Akandi became surprised, he said, “Don’t panic! If used sparingly, it can be used as food spices, too. Just don’t burn it, or you might become high, except if that’s what you want. I have some planted on my backyard.”

        “Aside from that...you seem to have a lot of knowledge of spices and things. I never thought you have this kind of knowledge, since well…you don’t read.”

        “I based them on experience, and yeah, I cook sometimes if there’s a place to do so. Narati got the first impression of it months ago, before our travel.” When he still got a look from Raine, he somehow understood what his gesture meant, and said, “Look. Just because I’m a croc, doesn’t mean I need to act like one, right? And besides, you might not know, but the croc tribes, especially the shamans, know a lot about these things. It’s nothing weird at all.”

        “It’s weird for us outsiders.” Raine then cleared his throat, and said, “But enough of that. Let’s eat more of these while they lasted. Karkas’s food’s a good thing that come out for a while.”

        And so, they talked, laughed, and drank, having a lively dinner with unique foods made by Karkas, a croc who did not look like a cook at all, but apparently was one. Narati, who travelled with him for almost two months, became closer with him, even considering him a good friend of his. They were both very happy with each other, and Raine, who looked at them, were so glad that Narati could finally found friend with someone who had finally released his vengeance against his race.

        That night, they had a silent and sedated chat that went on through the night. Narati, Karkas, and Akandi took turn in talking about their travels, with Raine and Alter eager to hear about it. They drank some good wine Narati bought from a travelling merchant, and it was a pretty nice party.

        After they finished their travel story, Raine and Alter clapped their hands, with Raine saying, “That’s one hell of an adventure you can write into a story with. You should do that, Akandi, seeing how you’re the most literate of all of us.”

        “I’ll try. It’s one hell of a journey, and I want to immortalize it,” said Akandi. “Now, if I can get some paper, ink, and pen, I might start.”

        “One at a time, Akandi,” said Karkas.

        “Oh, I heard about you too, Raine,” said Narati. “You have your own story to tell us, right? C’mon, tell us.”

        Raine looked at Alter, who nodded with a smile. He drank another shot, and said, “Ah, well, you might think I’m talking bullshit, with all the wine I’m drinking, I’m not sure if the story won’t turn into a rambling of sorts.”

        “I’ll try to fill in parts of it,” said Alter. “I don’t drink like you guys, and I have a good memory.”

        “Thanks, Alter. Let’s start…where?”

        “From the beginning. I think it’s right after these guys left.”

        “Oh, right.” Raine then sat upright, looking at his friends with mannerism like a storyteller.

        “Now, it all started when…”