“Cyrek?” I asked in amazement. He looked up at that moment, as the queen, ‘Ye Ning’, quickly stabilized.

His mouth dropped. He started forward a few steps, “J-John?” and when I opened my arms in a smile, waving my tail, he ran at me and dove in a hug.

It was disgusting, his naked, sweating body all over mine, I instantly pushed him off in repulsion, the happy reunion cut short.

“The fuck, dude?! What are you doing naked in the freezing mountains? And with a collar on?” he was shivering, but still had a happy smile. I couldn't contain mine either.

“Hahahaha” we started to laugh, I embraced him even in his naked form, patting his back.

“Oh man, I’ve got so much to tell you.” his teeth were chattering now, but he was still beaming.

I took out a blanket from my inner space and put it on him. We started walking into the hall laughing when we both got put in a headlock from behind.

“What the hell is going on here?” The queen was not as nearly as happy as we were. Cyrek managed to croak out a few words

“Honey, this is my friend, John Star. He saved my life multiple times.” he sounded frightened.

I interjected. “I've changed names. It's Mo Star now, or you can just call me star.”

The queen squeezed my neck harder, it was slightly arousing. I felt a little pinch in my mind from Au-ha.

“You’re John Star? I’ve heard a lot about you from my darling here. Hmm, I'll allow your transgressions to pass.” She finally released me, but still held Cyrek.

Just when I thought I finally escaped that name, damned Cyrek. And speaking of Cyrek, he was clearly intimate with the queen here.

“Cyrek, you dirty dog, you’ve done it again.” I quipped. He looked at the other naked males, and back at the queen, and I suddenly understood. Ah, a harem of males.

I was invited inside the main hall. The queen sat in a throne up above, with around 4-5 attractive males around her, Cyrek included. He looked depressed, and that collar was a sad sight. Still, it was somehow hard to feel bad for him.

“First, allow me to reintroduce myself, my name is Ye Ning, queen of the giant clan.” She was a confident and loud woman. I could almost see myself in that collar.

I felt another shock from Au-ha, and assured her that I wouldn't be joining this woman's harem.

Probably.

That time came a larger shock.

“My Name is Star, the first, and last, is known to change often, but ‘Star’ has remained constant. At the moment, I go by Mo Star” I introduced myself.

“You go by the name ‘Mo’, the clan of the west? I have heard of many rumors surrounding them recently. Ha, this only gives you more credibility. She looked back over at Cyrek, who was standing closest behind her. In the hierarchy of the Harem, he was clearly number one.

That's my boy, I suppose.

“First off, how would you like to join my harem?” She looked me up and down, clearly enticed by the tales. Or the tail. Cyrek looked at me and shook his head, as if to warn me.

I hurried and told Au-ha to please not shock me.

“I'm sorry, but I'm already engaged.” I said.

“That's right” Cyrek nodded, “He has been split from his lover, in the incident I told you about. Now he wanders, searching for his love forever more.” He put a dramatic flair at the end. The Queen was clearly moved, and did not bring up the matter again.

“I have something more important to ask you.” She was genuine. “I have heard the tales of your strength, and felt it first hand. The power you have is unique, but not completely. There have been a few other beastly cultivators, but they almost always go mad. You remain quite sane, seemingly.”

I heard the Lord of Stars laugh maniacally in my head. I almost wanted to laugh, too.

“We are facing a serious threat, which is why the guards at the gate were so quick to attack. First, we face a Beast Swarm. That is, a massive collective of beasts that have congregated together, almost always under the leadership of a powerful beast.” She went on in long strings, practiced as a ruler should be.

“Furthermore, The clans often attack. I must stay here, and guard the clan closely.”

“I am a high realm outer-field cultivator, and have quite a bit of confidence in my strength. We have a few low realm outer-fields, and quite a few triple points. Yet, I cannot protect the clan alone. I ask of you, please help us fend off this beast tide.” she said with a tone that was difficult to say no too, forceful, yet emotional.

“Please, jo- I mean Star”

Goddamnit.

“Help us. If you don't, I'm gonna stab you.” he smiled.

Ha, classic. Given the situation, how could I say no?

“Sure.” I replied simply, “But do you know what creature is leading this beast swarm?” I couldn't help but ask.

She laughed. “I knew you’d ask. You’ll like this, I'm sure. I have no reward to offer you other than the soul of this beast.” she continued.

“A cyclops, a creature of pure strength. Consuming this beast soul will grant you its power, will it not? One cannot help but be jealous. A cyclops can cause earthquakes when it slams the ground.”

That night, I began drinking with Cyrek for the first time in what must have been a decade or so. Au-ha told me it had been 8.33 years.

“So, I landed on this kid, and it was all fucked up…” I told him the entire story of my time since I got here. He sighed and took a drink.

“Aye.” The signature from Barbos, that kindly barbarian. Only tonight did I find out he was dead. Sergio too. I asked him If he had any idea where Tera landed, and he only shook his head.

“So, what happened to you?” I asked him.

“Well…” he took a drink, with a long dramatic pause.

“I pretty much just landed into this group of women, and the queen took me as a mate.”

There was no reason for that dramatic pause. His story sounds way better than mine. He went into detail of how he was passed around and used for mating purposes. He said he was in an orgy right before I barged into the clan, which is why he was naked.

Since he met me, this guy has gotten way too lucky. Was this a power of mine? To give luck upon others, while losing it myself?

“Honestly, that woman terrifies me. She’s broken it in half, multiple times. I just can't do it anymore….” he whimpered.

“Really…?” I felt a shiver.

“Multiple times. And she keeps going, its actual torture. We gotta get out of here, man. This collar?” he tugged his neck, “It's from trying to escape too often. The queen tells me I'll need to earn my freedom.” he sighed, then turned to me, a serious look on his face.

“We may have to assassinate her. And by we I mean you.” He said, completely serious.

I laughed. “Drink, brother. She doesn’t seem too bad. I'm sure we can negotiate for your release after this.”

“Are you kidding? She's gonna make you use your strength to help her conquer the entire north. I know it.” he said.

“Tell the truth, you like her a little.” I prodded as a drunken flush fell on his face.

“Even still!” he finally said.

I thought for a moment. “Well, if we make her happy enough, maybe we can negotiate some equal rights for you.”

“Lets just conquer the north, if that's what she wants.”