Moonlord

Atop the hill located at the center of the area, sat a hut that although doesn't appear any different from the other dwellings, the door has a symbol of a wolf with the moon on its mouth. The symbol was drawn using black and blue ink with the latter giving it a majestic shine.

While the knights were interacting with the locals of the village, Linus and Nireus went towards the moonlord's hut. They were joined by Neoma, the two researchers – Lyra and Anastasia, the knights – Arsen, Theresa, Konon, Donos, and a few others, as well as the two squires – Aeneas and Tiriara.

Nireus didn't want to bring squires inside the moonlord's abode as it might be disrespectful without permission, but Linus granted it since Neoma didn't want to go without them. It was Linus who led the group and entered the open doors.

The room was dark, only the light from outside made everyone notice the silhouette of a man sitting with his legs crossed at the other edge of the place far away from the door. Then, behind the man, a wolf's eyes started to glow, and his white fur glimmered with a faint bluish light.

"I have brought the guests, Father."

With a wave of its head, the wolf behind the moonlord lit up torches attached to the pillars, and the fireplace at the center was engulfed in flames. As the room lit up, the moonlord was revealed. He has long silver hair and a white full beard. His stare was intimidating, and his muscles were well-defined with scars all over. The wolf behind him was pure as snow yet had some patches of fur darker in color – it formed intricate patterns that would make anyone think that it wasn't natural.

A majestic entrance, fitting someone with the title of 'Moonlord'. Words of praise and awe were supposed to follow, but, before anyone could speak or even react, Tiriara did.

"Why do all that when you could just light up the place from the sta—?" the girl said. Her father interrupted her, blocking the girl's mouth with his hand, but failed to do it before she could open it.

Nireus bowed and placed his right palm on his chest, "Please forgive my daughter's crude remarks," he said while giving a disappointed look at his daughter.

"Sorry," Tiriara mouthed to her father who then told her to say the same towards the moonlord.

Even after Tiriara apologized, the moonlord stared at them. His gaze was more intimidating due to the previous exchange. 

Then, a blow of air escaped the moonlord's mouth. He smiled and released a loud uncontrollable laughter while slapping his legs.

"I was aiming for a mysterious and striking entrance! Son! You didn't warn me of the funny little girl."

Linus chuckled, "I didn't know you would do that, father," he replied.

"When's the last time we've had visitors?"

The last outsiders who stepped foot at the secluded village of Mene were the Panteran king and some of his knights from a couple of hundred years ago.

Nireus and the other adults couldn't help but also smile. The kids, especially Tiriara, were still unsure whether to join in or not.

After laughing, the moonlord stood up and placed his left palm on his chest, "I am Alketas, the Moonlord, protector of Mene," he said.

Leading everyone, Nireus placed his right palm to his chest again, "Nireus Chronis, a knight of Pantera and the guardian of Arsida."

Everyone also introduced their names and roles in the expedition. From Lyra and Anastasia as researchers. Arsen, Theresa, Donos, and the others as knights, and the three kids as squires, including Neoma.

"As the commander of this expedition, I want to express my deepest gratitude for answering our call for aid."

The smile on Alketas's face vanished, "I wouldn't have agreed if Linus didn't see all of you swore to your Gods with the secrecy of our home," he paused for a bit, " But I'm guessing you can't even tell where we are with the wolves magic," he continued with a chuckle.

Nireus also chuckled, "You speak the truth, my lord."

Silence came after. Then, Alketas scanned the kids' faces and stared at Neoma.

Confused, "Is that her?" he asked. His confusion wasn't without basis, as the little girl's hair remained dyed with black and she wore lenses that altered the color of her eyes.

Scared with the moonlord's deep voice, Neoma hid behind Tiriara and Aeneas. Behind her, Lyra leaned close to Neoma's ear, "Do not be afraid, he is your grandfather," she whispered. The three squires' eyes widened as they stared at Lyra.

"He's Nene's grandfather?!" Tiriara blurted out.

Aeneas placed his index finger in front of his mouth, gesturing for Tiriara to tone her voice down.

"Sorry," Tiriara mouthed.

Lyra stood straight with her hands still on Neoma's shoulders, "We had to dye her hair, I apologize if what we did might be insulting," she said.

Alketas sat once again with his legs crossed, and the wolf behind him also lay down.

"I understand," the Moonlord replied.

"Go greet your grandfather," Lyra whispered to Neoma's ear. The girl looked at Tiriara who smiled at her, then she transferred her gaze to Aeneas who nodded and mouthed the word, "Go".

Neoma walked closer to Alketas. She placed her right hand on her chest and bowed, "Greetings, grandfather," she said with her shaky voice.

Alketas stared at her, his eyes shaking a bit as Neoma reminded him of his deceased daughter he hadn't seen since she left their village and till her untimely demise.

"Now that you're here, you won't need to dye your hair ever again. You can live with me or your uncle Linus."

Although afraid, Neoma replied, "I—if I live here, can I still go visit them?"

"No. Only great warriors like your uncle are allowed to leave the forest, and only due to matters of importance."

Alketas paused, awaiting the reply of Neoma who wanted to say something but couldn't form the words.

"Now go get your belongings," Alketas turned to Linus, "Assist her."

Neoma was staring at the ground without moving an inch.

"What?" Alketas asked.

"I won't."

Alketas's expression became stern paired with his serious voice, "You won't what?" he asked.

The girl clenched her fists, then took a glance at both Tiriara and Aeneas. She took a deep breath and glared at her grandfather, "I won't live with you, I already have a home!" she shouted. 

It was the first time everyone heard her speak up so loudly. Her grandfather's eyes widened. 

When Neoma realized how rude she acted, she became embarrassed and moved her gaze away from Alketas.

"That isn't something for you to decide, you belong in Mene. You got lucky meeting these people. I've heard that you already experienced how unkind the outside world is, yet you still don't want to live with us?"

Hearing her grandfather's reply made Neoma glare at him once again, "I wasn't even born in this place. The Caspius manor is where I belong!"

"Again, that isn't something for you to decide."

Neoma grunted, "You'll have to kill me if you want me to stay here!"

Lyra wanted to butt in the conversation to calm them down, but she knew that it was between the two of them and she has no place in joining in.

Alketas stared at Neoma. Then after a minute of deafening silence, "The children should excuse themselves, let the adults talk," he said.

Tiriara went towards Neoma, grabbed her hands and guided her outside the hut together with Aeneas. Once they were gone, Alketas smiled, then laughed.

"Didn't I speak the truth, father? She's just like her."

The Moonlord's eyes started to water, he looked up, imagining the skies and whispered to himself, "Oh, Nasaea. Your child is as stubborn as you."

Nireus and the others didn't say anything. But their faces were painted with a smile.

Alketas looked both at Lyra and Arsen. He bowed his head and said, "Thank you for saving that child, giving her a warm meal and a place she could call her home."

"It's our pleasure, my lord," Arsen replied, "Although, it was my younger brother who saved her."

"As I heard. I guess I should thank him personally."

Alketas turned to Nireus, "Now then, let's talk about your expedition."

Part of the reason why Alketas accepted their call for aid was because they could also feel the rapid change in the forest. As people living in the dense verdant magical forest, the rapid increase of maddened beasts was obvious. The number of maddened beasts finding their way to the mist surrounding the village kept on increasing. What used to be a weekly occurrence is now happening daily, and most of the time, they encounter more than one. 

The biggest problem was that these maddened beasts weren't affected by the disorienting magic of the mist that would make any that ingest it lost and find themselves moving away from it.

Alketas already commanded his warriors to investigate the source of the maddened beasts. They thought that it was happening to beasts in the forest at random and they still think that it does, but, there was a place in the Great Verdant forest where no beasts, maddened or otherwise, go into. 

A wide plain with vibrant green grass surrounded by huge trees located at the center of the forest.