plan

One evening, as the three of them sat around the campfire, the air grew heavy with determination. They all knew what they wanted—revenge.

"What should we do? We have to take revenge," Kuro said, his eyes blazing with purpose. Arnold nodded in agreement, his usual calm demeanor replaced with resolve.

Akari, however, leaned back, her expression calm but thoughtful. "So, listen. Here's what we're going to do. You guys hide your wings like you usually do, and I'll take on a shapeshifter form. They'll let us in because humans are allies of shapeshifters. Once we're inside, we'll ask to join their academy. It's the perfect cover."

Kuro blinked, then leaned forward, narrowing his eyes. "Wait—what shapeshifter form?" he asked suspiciously.

Akari paused for a moment, then realized her slip. "Oh, right. I forgot to tell you—I can turn into a shapeshifter too. Remember? I'm half of everything," she said casually, as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

Arnold nearly choked on the water he'd been drinking. "Hold up. When did you tell us that you're half of everything?" he demanded, his tone incredulous.

Akari tilted her head, confused. "Didn't I?" she asked, genuinely perplexed.

"No, you didn't," Kuro said firmly, crossing his arms.

"Are you sure?" Akari frowned. "Maybe I told you in another—" She stopped herself, realizing her mistake. She had mixed up memories of past Kuro and Arnold with the ones sitting in front of her now. "Oh. My bad. Must've been a mistake," she said quickly, trying to brush it off.

Kuro sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Unbelievable. You're half of everything and can't even keep your stories straight."

Arnold smirked, shaking his head. "She's half of everything and fully confusing."

Akari gave them both an innocent smile. "At least now you know. Better late than never, right?"

Kuro and Arnold exchanged a glance, both exasperated but oddly amused. This was Akari—chaotic, surprising, and impossible to predict. And, somehow, she always managed to keep things interesting.

The next morning, they stood before the grand gates of the shapeshifters' kingdom. Akari, now in her shapeshifter form, exuded an air of confidence and authority. Her dark blue hair glinted in the sunlight, her golden eyes sharp and focused, and her sharp teeth completed the illusion. Kuro and Arnold stood beside her, their wings hidden and their expressions serious.

The guards, imposing and skeptical, stepped forward. One of them narrowed his eyes at Akari. "So, who are you, miss?" he asked, his tone laced with suspicion.

Akari tilted her head slightly, putting on a perfect act. "Sir, I am a lost shapeshifter who was imprisoned in the angels' jail. These are my human friends who helped me escape. We are here to ask for help and seek an audience with the king," she said smoothly.

The guard didn't look convinced. "You want to meet the king? You'll need to provide a more valid reason than that," he said, crossing his arms.

Akari didn't miss a beat. Lowering her voice to sound urgent and conspiratorial, she leaned closer. "Sir, I have something very important to tell him. It concerns his safety—his life may be in danger," she said, her golden eyes gleaming with fabricated concern.

Kuro stepped forward, his tone firm but respectful. "She's correct. Believe us—we're on your side," he said, doing his best to look trustworthy despite his natural grudge against shapeshifters.

Arnold added, his voice earnest, "It's an emergency. Please, let us meet him. We wouldn't have risked coming here otherwise."

The guards exchanged a look, their suspicion wavering slightly under the combined persistence of the three. Finally, the one who had been questioning them sighed. "Fine. But you'll be watched closely. Any sign of trouble, and you're done for," he warned, stepping aside.

Akari gave a gracious nod. "Thank you, sir. You won't regret this," she said, a subtle edge of victory in her voice.

As the gates opened, the trio stepped into the shapeshifters' kingdom, their plan in motion. Each step they took brought them closer to their goal—and deeper into danger.

The guards escorted Akari, Kuro, and Arnold through the grand entrance of the shapeshifters' palace, an opulent structure resembling a vast Arabic castle. The intricate carvings on the walls, golden domes shimmering under the sun, and the scent of exotic spices in the air made the place feel as mesmerizing as it was intimidating.

At the massive double doors leading to the inner chambers, the guards halted. One stepped forward and gestured sharply. "You may enter," he said, his tone clipped and authoritative.

Another guard stepped up, inspecting them with a scrutinizing eye. "But first, surrender all your weapons," he demanded.

Before anyone could respond, a third guard added coldly, "And your Noor won't work inside. The palace is shielded against all foreign powers."

Akari tilted her head slightly, her golden eyes meeting Kuro's and Arnold's briefly. She could see their tension—they couldn't afford to let their Noor be exposed, especially with their hidden wings. Thinking quickly, she stepped forward.

"Sir, let my friends stay here," Akari said confidently. "They mean no harm, but I alone will meet the king. Please, ensure they're treated well and given some water while they wait."

Kuro opened his mouth to protest, but Akari subtly shook her head. He clenched his jaw but stayed quiet. Arnold, ever calm under pressure, gave her a small nod, trusting her judgment.

The guards exchanged glances before one of them grunted. "Fine. They stay here. You, come with me," he said, motioning for Akari to follow.

"Be careful," Kuro murmured under his breath, his eyes dark with worry.

Akari turned slightly, giving him a reassuring smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I'll be fine," she whispered before stepping forward, her shapeshifter form flawless and convincing. As she walked through the towering doors, she felt the weight of the situation settle on her shoulders.

This was the first step in their dangerous plan, and she could only hope it would work.

"Greetings to the king of the West and wide, may you live long and rule well," Akari said, bowing deeply in the traditional greeting of the kingdom. Her voice was respectful, yet carried an air of practiced confidence.

The king, sitting on his ornate throne, narrowed his eyes at her. "Who are you, girl?" he asked, his tone both curious and slightly wary.

Akari observed him carefully, noticing the subtle differences between this king and the one from her previous life. But she maintained her composure, sticking to her role.

"I am Alosa Nio Akari," she replied smoothly, using a half-fake name. "I have come to offer my service to your majesty."

"I see," the king said, his gaze sharp. "And what is it that you want, little lady?"

Akari took a steady breath, her posture unwavering. "My dearest king, I, your loyal servant, am here to tell you that some remaining angels are planning a conspiracy against you. They have contacts within your own ranks. I overheard their plans while I was in the cell. You must be careful, I request," she said with sincerity in her voice, though the words were carefully chosen.

The king's eyes narrowed even further. "I see. And how did you manage to escape?"

Akari held his gaze, her expression calm. "My king, when you invaded the kingdom, I escaped by killing the guards and freeing my human friends. Together, we fled the premises. It was our only chance."

The king looked intrigued, but also a bit skeptical. "Your life must have been tough."

"Yes, my lord," Akari replied, her voice softening. "I have been behind bars for most of my life, never receiving proper education except for what my late parents taught me. I know how to read and write, and I have learned all I could by listening. That is why I ask, humbly, for your permission to stay here. I seek to educate myself, and in turn, I can offer my abilities to help you."

"Interesting," the king said, leaning forward slightly, intrigued by her words. "What might be your powers?"

Akari gave a slight smile, her voice steady and confident. "Sir, I possess dual abilities—one of ice and the other of light. One of my friends has the power of teleportation, and the other can manipulate metal."

The king seemed to consider this for a moment before nodding. "Very well. You may rest now. I will call for your audience tomorrow to discuss this matter further."

Akari gave a graceful bow. "Thank you, your highness. I am grateful for your kindness."

With that, she turned and left, her mind racing with the next steps of their plan. Now, they just had to wait for their chance.

They were led through the lavish corridors of the palace, eventually arriving at the finest guest room. The room was spacious and beautifully decorated with intricate tapestries and golden accents, reflecting the wealth and grandeur of the shapeshifter kingdom. The large bed had soft, luxurious linens, and the scent of fresh flowers lingered in the air.

Akari, Kuro, and Arnold settled in, their exhaustion from the journey and the earlier events making them more than ready to rest. They were served a delicious meal, a feast of roasted meats, fresh vegetables, and an assortment of delicate pastries, the likes of which Akari had rarely seen in her travels.

For a moment, it almost felt normal again. The stress of the battle and the constant struggle for survival seemed distant as they sat together, enjoying the rich food and the comfort of the guest room. Kuro, though still haunted by the memories of their loss, ate quietly, while Arnold seemed to appreciate the meal more than usual, perhaps as a small comfort after everything they'd been through.

Akari, while grateful for the peace, couldn't help but stay alert, her mind still occupied with the mission at hand. She knew they had to tread carefully in this palace, for every step would bring them closer to confronting the shapeshifters and whatever plans they had in store.

"Enjoying the food?" she asked, looking at both boys.

"Yes, it's incredible," Arnold said, his tone lighter than it had been in a while.

Kuro only nodded, but Akari could tell his thoughts were elsewhere. She smiled softly. "Don't worry, Kuro. We'll get through this."

But even as she spoke, she knew it wasn't just about revenge. It was about reclaiming their lives, their futures, and whatever they had left. She couldn't let herself forget that.

For now, though, they had a brief respite—time to eat, sleep, and prepare for what was to come.