"Intelligence is the Key to Success"

— Albert Einstein

Everyone was so frightened by Amarok’s awakening and roar that it sparked an idea in my mind. If this plan worked, we might win this battle.

Alvin: What are we going to do to take down these three idiots this time?

Violet: Actually, Alvin, we’re not going to do anything.

Luna: Are you out of your mind? There’s a madman outside chasing us!

Merlin: You seem to have a plan.

Alpha: We need to think this through carefully; our decisions could be our end.

Violet: Will you listen to me now?

Luna: Of course, V. Tell us your plan. rolls eyes

Violet: First of all, Luna, I didn’t like that eye-roll of yours. As for the plan, Merlin, remember the hologram you used? You projected yourself, and I thought it was just a hologram.

Merlin: Yes, yes, I remember. So?

Violet: It means Houdini could use this spell initially to implement a tactic.

Alpha: I see, that’s very clever. This will keep them occupied until they understand what to do, and—

Alvin: And while they’re busy, we can sneak up behind them and set a trap.

Luna: Like the Turan tactic. Yes, it makes sense.

Violet: You figured it out quickly, team, but the crucial point is Amarok. I have a very important task for him, but we must all play our parts seriously, understood?

Alpha extended his hand and said:

Alpha: I’m in.

Luna: Me too.

Alvin: I am too.

Merlin: I’m definitely in.

Kasparov: I could be in or out.

Merlin, Luna, Alvin, and Alpha: Kasparov!

Kasparov: Okay, okay, I’m in.

Amarok: Rrrof rrrof howls

Violet: Yes, Amarok, let’s deal with these despicable bastards.

Luna quietly slipped to the back and headed into the forest to gather a few griffin friends for aerial support. Meanwhile, Alvin and Alpha explained the plan to Amarok, reassuring him to avoid fear. Merlin and I were filling our potion vials.

Merlin: I hope I live long enough to teach you how to make these potions.

Violet: We will, but would you like me to share a little secret?

Merlin: Of course.

I leaned in and whispered:

Violet: My great-grandfather taught me runes when I was a child. He would always draw with me when I wanted to draw, and I realized they were runes. Technically, I already know magic.

Merlin: Hahaha, clever girl. Shall I share a secret too?

He leaned in and whispered:

Merlin: I had already figured that out when you managed to open that rusty door.

He pulled back and winked at me. This guy was becoming more and more attractive every time. Or maybe I thought so because it was the first time my heart experienced love. As I looked around and prepared the potions and remaining materials with Merlin, some thoughts crossed my mind.

We had all gathered at the door, and all we could do was talk aimlessly until something went wrong. Merlin cast a spell to project us: "Spectrallis Illudre," and said to act and behave as if we were going out to join them. We had a twin version of ourselves, and we set the plan into motion. The holograms went out one by one. Outside the door were Victor, Victoria, and in front of them, a man with a sack over his head kneeling on the ground. Magnus was beside them, but I couldn’t see Veronica or Aiden. A small panic gripped me, and Merlin must have felt it because he quickly came over and took my hand.

Victor: Well, well, well, look who’s here. The famous Violet. Actually, no, she looks more like her brother.

Violet: My brother? Hahaha, you fool, I don’t have a brother.

Victoria: Magnus, remove the sack.

Magnus took off the sack from the kneeling man’s head, and we locked eyes. This appearance, these ears, these eyes, these glances. Whatever they had done to him, his ears were fox ears, he had long orange hair, and his muscles were well-developed.

Violet: I don’t even know him.

Victoria looked at me with a sad expression.

Victoria: But he is your real brother.

Violet: Maybe, even if that’s true, I didn’t grow up with him, nor did I experience a sibling bond.

Merlin: But that doesn’t mean we’ll leave him in your hands.

Alpha: Definitely not.

Victor: How tragic. I can’t believe it. You idiots who think you’re better than me. Thanks to Violet, when Rein Orka is mine, I will finally save my daughter.

Alpha: Your daughter? It’s a pity she has such a father.

Merlin: What does he know about fatherhood? If he were a good father, he wouldn’t experiment on orphans.

Violet: You’re right, my dear. He’s just a fool who cares only about his ambitions. I bet there’s a bomb around all their necks.

Magnus: At the end of this, those bombs will go off, and we’ll be free. So, filthy slut, don’t resist and surrender, so a girl’s life can be saved.

Victoria: He’s right, my child. The universe will be rebuilt.

Victor: Pure Violet, she doesn’t even know her own world.

Alvin: As if you’re any better, you can’t even complete a full transformation.

Victor: Is that why you faced defeat last time?

Hector: Both of you, shut up. Our lives are at stake here. Hand over that damn sphere, and let everything end.

Merlin: If you keep talking to us like that, I’ll stop saving you. On the other hand, let’s make a deal, Victor. What do you say?

Violet: What deal? Merlin, no deals. Forget the plan.

Merlin: I know, V. We had a plan, but maybe this is better for all of us.

Victor: I’m listening, wizard.

Merlin: The deal is this: we’ll take you to Rein Orka, but I’ll make the wish for you.

Victor: No, that’s unacceptable. Enough of this nonsense. It’s time.

Victoria: "Umma perdum seliscia."

Aiden and Veronica emerged from the trees behind. In between them was a girl with purple eyes. This! This is Harley! What?! How could this be? But she was inside; I had sealed her.

Merlin: Harley?

Violet: Harley?

Alpha: Oh no, no.

Alvin: We’re screwed now.

At that moment, everyone looked up at the shadow falling over us, and it was Luna. She and Kasparov had gathered an army. They landed beside us.

Luna: We will never leave you alone.

Kasparov: Boss, I did a quick analysis, and we have a 70% chance.

Violet: 70%? We’re definitely going to die.

Luna: No, V. 40% is your chance.

Violet: What do you mean?

Alpha: You could transform, V. That would be our trump card.

Alvin: But please, just manipulate Harley.

Violet: If you’re ready, it’s time for some mischief.

Merlin: Always, my dear.

Harley: My dear?

Merlin: Yes, Harley. What are you planning as the star of this beautiful show?

Violet: whispering Very good, Houdini, set the trap.

Harley: What am I planning? You locked me up for years, left me alone, and if not for Victor, you would have kept me in that dungeon.

Merlin: No, you would have always succumbed to my love.

Harley: That charm no longer affects me, Merlin. Save it for attention-seeking Violet. The only thing I care about now is that wish.

Victor: We didn’t make this deal with you!

Harley: I don’t make deals with anyone. You fool!

Harley turned Victor into ashes with a glance. Victoria, Magnus, Aiden, Veronica—all of them were fuming and overwhelmed with tears. It was like a tragic comedy; Victor had fallen into his own trap. And us? It was time to play our big card.

Merlin: Kasparov, now!

Kasparov signaled Amarok, who leaped over them and landed in front of Harley.

Amarok: You mortals will never learn.

Amarok had jumped from the house and stood before us so imposing and powerful that he was the exact wolf you hear about in fairy tales or legends. He was real, and although it was hard to believe, he was a young wolf, but calling him a wolf was an understatement; he was a divine creature.

Harley: Oh my god, Amarok!

Alvin: Wtf is happening?

Merlin: When I told Violet about this ace, she had a different idea, but this works too.

Luna: This is Amarok, the god Harley believes in, but he can’t be.

Amarok: You, Harley, are a sinner. You have humiliated me and those who believe in me. You attacked us, and you will be punished with death!

Harley: Hahaha, did you think I'd fall for this little trick? You fools, I'm a demon. Don't you see through the hologram you set up inside the house to distract me?

Alvin: But you’re still falling for it? By the time you realize what's going on, it will already be too late, you fool.

Harley: What does that even mean?

Victoria: Children, run and save yourselves. This is not our battle.

As Victoria and the orphans fled, the confrontation was left between Harley and me. We exited the house, and I transformed into a giant blue fire fox.

Harley: Oh my, is that you, Violet? Did the incompetent Merlin teach you how to transform?

Violet: No, but you're completely insane.

Alpha: Harley, why are you doing this? Why have you made us suffer?

Harley: Oh dear brother, so now you care about me?

Alpha: I’ve always cared about you, Harley, but you never wanted to see it.

Harley: Lies! You’re all liars. Everyone told me a different lie. You, brother, told me Merlin wouldn't hurt me, but he left me. You, Alvin, told me to trust Merlin, so I did, and what happened? He betrayed me. And you, Luna, supposedly the gryffin could sense emotions. Even when Merlin was leaving me, you said he still loved me.

Merlin: That part was true, Harley. I did everything I could to protect you, but what did you do?

Harley: What did I do, Merlin?

Merlin: You manipulated me against my will, exploiting the vulnerability of a fox.

Violet: And you will pay dearly for that.

Harley: With Rein Orka in my possession?

Harley: With Rein Orka in my possession?

She extended her hand, and a glowing sphere appeared—this was Rein Orka.

Harley: Yes, this thing has been mine from the beginning.

Luna: What do you mean it was yours? When did this happen?

Alvin: I have no idea. I didn’t even check it; nobody saw it come out.

Amarok: How could you have escaped? We saw you locked up.

Harley: You still don’t understand. I’m a demon! You thought you had me locked up, but during that time, Victor used me to find Rein Orka and planned to use it to wish for Violet’s death. I took advantage of that and escaped.

Violet: You are the scum of demons! And you will never make that wish, you filthy!

I felt my anger growing, engulfing my body. I saw Sly providing me a shield and feared for his safety, but looking at the outcome, I too was a demon with a furious soul. I turned around and said,

Violet: Whether we win or lose, if you’re fighting for what’s right, I’m with you. Are you with me?

The Army: Yes, V, we’re with you!

Merlin: Show her who the boss is, my little fox.

Luna: I swear upon the gryffin’s honor.

Alpha: My sister’s nonsense must end now.

Alvin: Alpha, if your sister dies in the end, I promise I won’t let you watch.

Amarok: Don’t worry, it won’t take long. If my feelings are correct, a dragon is approaching.

Merlin: A dragon?

Kasparov: It must be Raya. She received my message.

Violet: What did you do, Kasparov?

Kasparov: We could only solve this with the help of a dragon.

Alvin: Great, now it will want all of our lives.

Alpha: No, Alvin. It’s not that kind of thing. If it were, Kasparov would have wanted it long ago, right, partner? winks

Merlin: Oh, a big secret has been revealed. You’ve been hiding that you’re a dragon for a long time.

Kasparov: Actually, I never hid it. You never thought of me as a dragon.

Harley: Hey, if your little chat is over, say your final words because you will never get to meet me.

Violet: “Hoc lux nasciturum solem convertitur” - This light evolves into the rising sun.

Harley: What?

Merlin: Continue, V.

Violet: “Sol novum natalem effert” - The sun brings forth a new birth.

Violet: “Occidentem lunae filia nomine, Renatus magiae nomine” - The sun brings forth a new birth, in the name of the daughter of the setting moon, in the name of reborn magic.

Harley: How can you know this spell, you damn fool!

But Merlin had already taught me.

Violet: “Rein Orka saluta lucem et desiderium donec audita” - Rein Orka, greet the light and awaken until the wish is heard.

With the burst of light, Harley’s glowing sphere turned into an iron orb and fell to the ground.

Harley: No, no, no. My wish cannot be. You fool, you’ve committed a grave sin, and you will face the consequences.

Harley: No, no, no. My wish cannot be. You fool, you’ve committed a grave sin, and you will face the consequences.

Alvin: Same sentence for two minutes but no action. Is the fox losing its courage, Harley?

Harley: You’re all dead!

And she transformed.