Noah closed his eyes, trying to steady his breath, but a sudden slap jolted him awake—the sting of a burning palm crashing against his face. He flinched in shock, eyes wide open.
Noah (in a trembling voice): "Judy… what's wrong!? Why are you hitting me!?"
Judy, tears streaming down like false droplets glittering in the dim light, panted as she stepped closer.
Judy: "If you don't help me… Daniel will kill me!"
Noah shook his head stubbornly, his eyes narrowing as old memories rushed back.
Noah: "You're lying… just like when you tried to make me kidnap Youssef's children."
But Judy didn't give up. Her trembling hands revealed raw bruises across her skin. His chest tightened, a sharp gasp escaping him as he struggled upright, groaning in pain.
Noah: "Who did this to you?"
She gave a faint, broken smile.
Judy: "Don't worry… I'm fine. Just tell me—where's Eva?"
Noah stayed silent, his whole body taut like a drawn bowstring, shaking his head in refusal. She leaned closer, her gaze piercing deep into his eyes, searching for secrets.
Judy (in a soft whisper): "Don't be afraid… nothing will happen to her. She has a guard."
His lips almost moved unconsciously: "No…" He caught himself and clamped his mouth shut. But Judy, sly as ever, caught the flicker of panic on his face, reading him like an open book. She set her hands on his shoulders, her eyes pleading.
Judy: "Finish what you were about to say."
He lowered his head again, refusing. Suddenly, a raven pecked at the sealed window, its wings echoing through the silence. Judy recoiled in terror.
Judy (shaking voice): "It's… it's Daniel! He'll kill me if I don't tell him where Eva is!"
Noah swallowed hard, forcing calm into his tone.
Noah: "The window is locked… he can't come in."
But before their eyes, the raven twisted into a cockroach, slipping through a crack, then morphed again—this time into a tall man, his eyes burning with rage, fangs gleaming like a beast's.
Daniel (furious): "Judy… where is Eva!?"
Her lips trembled.
Judy: "I… I don't know!"
Noah stepped in front of her, his trembling body bracing itself.
Noah: "I won't let you touch her this time!"
Daniel smirked, mocking him. In a sudden motion, he yanked Judy past Noah's shield. Noah tried to resist but collapsed to the floor, breath ragged.
Noah (in agony, shouting): "Enough! I know this is all a play! I really don't know where they are!"
Daniel crouched, his body warping slowly, hideously—until he stood as a werewolf, claws dripping with menace. He circled Judy, each heavy step filling the room with dread, his hot breath searing her face.
Judy (in panic): "What are you doing?! Daniel! This wasn't our deal!"
He lifted her in his claws, fangs glinting.
Daniel: "I told you… I'll devour you if you don't tell me where Eva is!"
She broke down, sobbing, screaming.
Judy: "Please… please!"
From behind him, Noah's desperate cry tore through the air.
Noah: "They're at the hospital… where Jacob works!"
Daniel released her, letting her collapse onto the floor. Her sobs twisted into a strange, shuddering laugh. Noah stared at her, torn between fear and suspicion—yet for a fleeting moment, he thought he glimpsed real truth in her eyes.
Noah (softly): "Are you… alright?"
But Judy shot him a sudden glare. In an instant, the werewolf lunged toward the window, flung it open, and vanished into the night.
Only seconds later, a massive eagle swooped in through the same window, seized Judy in its talons, and disappeared into the darkness. Noah crumpled, tears spilling as his voice broke.
Noah: "Judy… Judy!"
…
Moments later, Youssef climbed in through the window. The room was in ruins, chaos everywhere. His eyes fell on Noah collapsed on the floor, sobbing, his voice hoarse. Youssef knelt beside him, lifting him gently and calling for the nurse.
Noah gasped, dragging breath into his lungs.
Noah: "I'm sorry, my friend… I told them where Eva is."
Youssef squeezed his shoulder firmly, his voice steady.
Youssef: "Don't be afraid… they've already left the hospital for somewhere safe."
After his voice steadied a little, Noah sat up against the bed, his eyes red from tears, staring into the void as he spoke in a trembling tone.
Noah: "I knew it… It's one of those rage fits that afflict shapeshifters like you. Judy never realized that when you lose your temper… you lose control of your actions."
Youssef gently patted his shoulder, trying to ease the weight off him.
Youssef (with a sad smile): "Oh… little Romeo. She's the one who carried you to the hospital, trembling in fear for her own sake."
He pulled him into a light embrace, hoping to calm him. But Noah, with a hoarse, broken voice, added:
Noah: "Eva… she's become like a treasure compass."
Youssef froze, his brows knitting with worry.
Youssef: "What do you mean?"
Noah quickly wiped away his tears, then spoke slowly, as if revealing a dangerous secret.
Noah: "When the serpent drinks from her blood… it won't just open the gate to the treasure. Eva now can smell and sense the locations of the animals guarding the treasures."
Youssef gasped in shock.
Youssef: "That's not good at all!"
Noah nodded with weary eyes.
Noah: "That's why you must ensure Eva has a guardian. And if she doesn't… you must find one for her—fast."
Youssef lost his restraint, his hand clenching around Noah's throat in anger.
Youssef (sharply): "And how do you know all this?!"
Noah lifted his phone with a faint smile.
Noah: "Here… you'll find everything you need to know."
Youssef shoved him away, Noah collapsing with a groan.
Noah (with a bitter smile despite his pain): "Today… is not my day."
Youssef sat for a moment, his mind clouded, then moved toward the window, determination burning in his eyes. He knew he would soon have to transform.
Noah (in a whisper): "When… will you make me like you?"
But Youssef didn't answer. He leapt from the window, and with a rush of wind, transformed into a massive bird, wings slicing through the air until he landed before the caretaker's house. He knocked with a trembling hand.
The door creaked open to reveal "the little shadow"—a boy with strange, unreadable features. He stood with his hands on his hips, eyes gleaming as he scanned Youssef from head to toe.
Youssef swallowed hard before speaking.
Youssef: "I need to see the caretaker."
The caretaker appeared behind him, her face dark, her voice dripping with rejection.
Caretaker: "What do you want?! I don't wish to see you, Youssef!"
Youssef dropped to his knees, his voice breaking.
Youssef: "Please… I need a strong guardian for my daughter Eva. She's innocent… her guardian was killed, and if she remains unprotected… the treasure thieves will hunt her!"
Her gaze sharpened, then she turned to the little shadow, who began tapping his foot against the ground, his hands clasped behind his back.
Caretaker (hesitant): "Can you protect Eva?"
Youssef lifted his head, startled.
Youssef: "What? I mean no offense, but—"
The boy cut him off with a gesture, his small hands signaling: "I'll go with him."
The caretaker's lips curved into a faint, sorrowful smile. She turned to Youssef.
Caretaker: "No, Youssef… he won't be the one protected. He will be the one protecting my granddaughter."
She stepped closer, her voice lowering as though unveiling a dreadful truth.
Caretaker: "You have no idea… who Zoro really is."
As the name left her lips, the little shadow drew a gleaming miniature sword from his pocket, raising it effortlessly into the air, as if his strength defied his size.
Youssef looked at him in disbelief, but he had no other choice.
Youssef: "Very well… Zoro. You'll come with me to watch over Eva."
He lifted him onto his shoulder, offering a grateful smile before bowing to kiss the caretaker's hand.
Youssef: "Thank you."
He left swiftly, the little shadow with him. Then Youssef shifted into a mighty falcon, his wings stretching wide. Zoro clung tightly to his feathers as they soared into the night sky, heading toward the hotel where his family stayed.
Youssef slipped silently into Eva's room. The little girl sat on her bed, her wide eyes filled with innocence and curiosity. She frowned the moment she saw him.
Eva: "What do you want?"
Youssef set Zoro before her, and suddenly the little shadow morphed into a dazzling Persian cat, its fur shimmering beneath the lamp light.
Eva leapt with joy.
Eva: "Oooh! He's so pretty!"
Youssef smiled softly.
Youssef: "He's your new friend."
Eva squealed in delight. Sarah burst into the room, throwing the door open in alarm. In the same instant, Youssef shrank into a tiny ant and vanished, while the cat disappeared from sight.
Sarah pulled her daughter into her arms, asking frantically.
Sarah: "What's wrong, sweetheart?"
Eva pointed innocently.
Eva: "He was right there… a little cat."
Sarah arched her brows in disapproval, her gaze shifting to the open window.
Sarah: "Darling… don't go near animals, they're filthy."
But outside, Youssef had already shifted into a small canary perched on the window ledge, silently watching. He poked his head inside, and when Sarah tried to shoo him away, his beak pricked her hand.
Sarah (shrieking): "Ouch! You cursed bird… why would you do that?!"
She slammed the window shut with force. The canary flapped away into the night, while Zoro, in the form of the Persian cat, remained by Eva's side. Sarah sat close to her daughter, frowning at the tiny wound on her hand, as the window rattled behind her with the rushing wind.