Night had already fallen when Ramon burst onto the rooftop, tears shining in his eyes. Beneath the star-strewn sky we had been talking quietly, but his words froze us: the Beast he killed in the war against the Royal Nebu was Alaine's father.
Something had felt off, but none of us expected that. Still shaken, we drifted into uneasy sleep, woke tired and unrested, then packed our bags and moved out into the same dark night, beginning the long drive toward the Nubian kingdom.
Khonsu, saddened, whispered to Kamil, "Ramon isn't his usual self today; I guess yesterday's shock really got to him."
"He'll get well, but it'll take time," Kamil replied.
Jack, hoisting the last piece of luggage into the car, muttered, "Everyone looks so down—guess time will heal."
The car rumbled toward the kingdom, headlights slicing the gloom. Near the edge of town, the thud of hooves rose above the engine. Ramon glanced out and saw Alaine on a horse, racing after them.
"Ramon, stop! I want to talk to you one last time—please stop!" she shouted, arm outstretched.
Henu barked for the driver to halt. "What is going on? Isn't that the same girl from the old man's place?"
Ramon leapt from the car and ran to Alaine.
Yune gasped, "She's really good with that horse—how'd she catches us so fast?"
Noya added, "No kidding, even I'm shocked."
"Ramon, please listen," Alaine said. "I want to be with you. I know you fought to protect your city, just as my father fought to protect my mother and me. I harbour no hatred toward you."
"Guys, take this somewhere else; better do it over there," Kamil suggested, nodding past General Henu Safir's irritated glare.
"Right," Ramon agreed. He took the reins and guided Alaine's horse toward the cliff, disappearing among the distant trees.
Back by the car, Henu folded his arms. "So—which one of you is going to tell me what the HELL is going on here?"
Yune, Noya, Khonsu, and Kamil broke into a nervous sweat.
Henu fixed on Kamil. "Kamil, tell me the truth."
Clearly frightened, Kamil edged back. "Oh, Commander, I think I left my precious comb at the old man's place—I'll just run and get it, then tell you everything."
Henu wasn't having it. "Earth, bound!" he commanded.
Rocks surged up, clamping around Kamil's feet.
"Oh, Shit— I'm so done for," Kamil groaned.
Alaine and Ramon slid from the horse and walked to the very spot where he had confessed the day before. For a long moment neither spoke. At last Alaine broke the silence.
"Ramon, I… I do like you. You fought for your people— you protect them. You're much like my father. He inspired me all those years; he taught me to control a horse; he was my everything. I know you killed him, but the survivors of that war told me what you said before you struck him down: you wished you were wrong about him selling his humanity. You had no ill intention."
"I know, but—" Ramon began, only for Alaine to interrupt softly.
"You, Ramon, are a man who would face death to protect those he loves. You're the only soldier I've heard of who cried before killing anyone. You do have a heart— a pure one. I cannot blame you for what happened. As my father always said: 'The past is history, the present is forgiveness, and the future is hope.' Ramon, I forgive you, and I have hope for our future— a future where you hold my hand."
A pale glow edged the horizon. The rising sun lit trees, flowers, bees, roses, and leaves, stretching mountain shadows across the ground while a cold breeze swept over them.
Ramon drew a breath. "If you accept it, then so do I. Alaine, I promise I'll return, take your hand, and bring you to the Royal Palace as my wife when I become General of the Theban army."
Alaine smiled. "Then yes, I accept, Ramon. I'll wait for you here— though I'll visit occasionally."
They laughed together. "I bear the responsibility," Ramon declared. "From now on I'll take care of you and your mother."
"It's all right," Alaine replied. "I can still work to provide for us. You should focus on yourself—life in the capital is expensive."
"No, Alaine—after everything you've endured, you deserve rest. Find a better place to live; that hut isn't good for you. My friend Jack says cramped spaces lead to sickness, and he's a smart man." Ramon paused, eyes brightening. "Jack… wait— I have an idea."
"What idea?" she asked, astonished.
"A cure for your mother. If anyone can find one, Jack can.
Alaine's tears glimmered in the new sunlight. "Oh, Ramon— you really do have a pure heart. Thank you… thank you so much.".
"Right," Henu said, arms folded, while Ramon sat nearby with his head bowed and knees drawn up. "So—are all of you involved, too?"
Everyone hesitated until Kamil stepped forward. "No, Commander. No one from our senior ranks is involved—just us younger ones."
"So let me get this straight," Henu went on. "Ramon falls for a girl named Alaine, and in the war against the Nebu he killed her father—who'd sold his humanity to become one of the Three Beasts under Khafra. Correct?"
"Yes, Commander," Kamil answered. "Alaine's confessed her feelings, and I think this may be Ramon's only chance at love. They truly care for each other."
Henu paused. Sweat dotted every brow—his own soldiers wondered whether their commander would even let Ramon rejoin. Then Henu shrugged and burst out laughing. "Never knew Ramon had that kind of game!"
"Game?" Kamil echoed, baffled.
Yune exhaled. "Yeah…he's lost it, hasn't he?"
Noya joked, "Commander, you got any game yourself? Last time I saw you with a woman was in my dreams." He laughed.
Yune smirked. "In your dream? Why're you dreaming about him and a woman?"
Henu frowned. "Earthbound!" Rocks clamped over Noya's feet. Snatching up a stick, he tapped Noya on the head. "You youngsters know nothing about love. Back in my day every lady was dying for me—right until I came here."
"Really? What happened to them, Commander? Didn't you find love?" Kamil asked.
Henu looked toward the rising sun. "They all died."
A heavy silence settled—until Ramon's voice cut through it. "Heeey!"
Ramon strode back with Alaine, heading straight for Jack. "My friend, I have a request—can you make medicine for Alaine's mother?"
Jack toppled under Ramon's sudden tackle. "Ah, Ramon—let me breathe at least!"