The guards marched us to the yard again the next morning. Same rusty gate. Same dirt track. Same cold wind cutting through the tunic. But something felt different today. More prisoners out. More eyes on me.
My body changes were settling in. Abs visible under the tunic when I moved. Arms thicker when I flexed. Veins popped on my forearms and hands. Legs filled the pants legs better. Still hairy. Still me. But stronger. More solid. I walked taller without thinking.
Kael noticed. Lira noticed. Even the guards glanced longer.
We lined up for laps. Scar-face barked orders.
"Ten laps! Full speed! No walking!"
I started strong. Legs pushed harder than before. Breath steady. Lapped a couple slow prisoners. Sweat came quick but didn't burn like last time.
Halfway through lap five, someone fell in beside me. New face. Tall woman. Dark skin. Long dreads tied back. Lean muscle. Scars across her knuckles and forearms. Eyes sharp. Brown. She matched my pace easy.
"You're the summoned one."
Voice deep. Calm. No mockery.
"Yeah. Hunter."
"I'm Zara."
We ran in silence for a lap. Then another.
She spoke again.
"Heard you changed. Fast."
I glanced at her.
"Word travels."
"Prison's small. Eyes everywhere."
She sped up a little. I kept up.
"You look better. Stronger. Not soft anymore."
"Thanks."
She smiled. Small. Quick.
"Don't thank me yet. I'm not here to flatter."
We finished the laps. Guards called water break. We grabbed tin cups. Drank. Zara stayed close.
She leaned against a training post. Looked me over.
"I've been watching. You don't fight like a warrior. Yet. But you don't quit either. That matters."
I wiped my mouth.
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Because I need an ally. And you might need one too."
Kael and Lira were nearby. Watching. Not close enough to hear.
Zara lowered her voice.
"I'm in for sabotage. Blew up a supply cart during a raid. Thought it was enemy. Wasn't. Queen's orders. Locked me up. Been here six months. I know the guards' shifts. Weak points in the walls. Hidden passages. I want out. Clean. No blood if possible."
I raised an eyebrow.
"And you think I can help?"
"You're the only man in Femland. You're changing. Getting stronger. You have something in your head. The system. Everyone whispers about it."
She stepped closer.
"Help me get out. I'll help you. Protect you. Train you. Get you close to the queen if that's what you want. Or the captain. Or whoever."
I looked at her scars. Her eyes. Steady. No bullshit.
"What's in it for you?"
"Freedom. And maybe… curiosity. Never been with a real man. Heard the stories. Want to know if the hype's real."
She looked down at my crotch. Then back up.
"Especially now that you're filling out."
My cock twitched. Pants tighter.
I swallowed.
"I'll think about it."
She nodded.
"Think fast. Guards change shifts tonight. Window's small."
She walked away. Joined another group.
Kael came over. Lira right behind.
"What did she want?"
"Ally. Escape plan."
Lira frowned.
"Zara's dangerous. Smart. But reckless."
Kael nodded.
"She's good in a fight. Loyal if you earn it. But if she gets caught planning… we all pay."
I looked across the yard. Zara was stretching. Back muscles flexing. Strong.
I felt the new veins on my arms. The abs under my tunic.
System pinged quiet.
[New potential ally detected: Zara.]
[Persuasion chance increased due to recent appearance buffs.]
I took a deep breath.
One more ally. One more risk.
One more step toward something bigger.