Who Is the Beast King?
Season 1 — The Dragoness of Nature
Chapter 3 — Firelight & Memories
The smell of iron and musk filled the cave. Areum stirred, lashes fluttering, and found Raion crouched by the fire pit, muscles shifting beneath his skin as he carved into the limp body of a deer-like beast. His movements were sharp, efficient, each cut steady under the gray morning light spilling through the cave mouth.
He slid a slab of raw flesh toward her. "Eat."
Areum recoiled, her stomach lurching. "Raw? You… you expect me to eat that?"
Raion's green eyes flicked to her, puzzled. "It's fresh. Strong."
Her hands waved frantically. "No. I can't. I need it cooked."
His brow furrowed, but he didn't argue. He gathered kindling from the cave wall. Rustle—snap—crack. Stone struck against stone, sparks leapt, and fire roared to life.
Areum's eyes widened. "You… you could make fire this whole time?"
"Of course."
She scooted closer, palms extended to the warmth. Haa… Heat soaked into her skin, chasing away the cold that had clung to her since the night before.
He could have done this last night, she thought, shooting him a sideways glance. Instead of scaring me to death. She thought. Did he want to test me? Or is he just too wild to think of it? Still, I'm alive thanks to him.
Her lips pressed together, torn between annoyance and relief. Still, she breathed a soft, genuine, "Thank you."
Raion grunted low, flipping the meat on a flat stone over the fire. His glowing eyes never left her.
Areum felt the weight of his gaze. Hugging her knees, she cleared her throat. "I should… at least know your name."
"Raion." His voice was low, steady, unyielding.
She nodded faintly. "Areum."
He repeated it, slower, his tongue savoring the sound. "Areum."
The fire crackled, but her mind drifted elsewhere. Dark asphalt. The shove. Headlights blinding her. Her brother's girlfriend's twisted face.
"I was pushed…" she whispered.
Raion's head tilted. "Pushed?"
Her throat tightened. "My brother's girlfriend… she hated me. Thought I was the reason he wouldn't marry her. She shoved me. I fell—into the road. My friends saw everything. I just hope…" Her voice cracked. "I hope they went to the police. I hope my family isn't broken. My parents, my brothers… I don't want them to blame themselves."
The cave stilled. Only the fire's crackle-crackle filled the silence.
Raion studied her, firelight painting her black eyes and the soft line of her lips.
Girlfriend. Police. Died. Strange sounds, heavy with meaning. He frowned. She must have had a nightmare. A bad dream from the river's shock. She's alive, breathing, trembling. That heartbeat is proof.
Still, his chest tightened. She is unlike any female I've ever seen. Eyes like polished night, lips full as petals, skin kissed by the sun. She doesn't belong here, and yet… I want her as mine.
His tattoo pulsed faint red. No matter what shadows haunt her dreams, she is mine to protect now. I will not let her go. I will not be alone anymore.
Areum, oblivious to his vow, hugged her knees tighter. What if this is real? What if I never go back?
Her lips parted. "Raion… where exactly are we?"
He shifted, green eyes narrowing toward the misty horizon. "We're close to the Shadowfang Tribe. Wolves."
"Wolves?"
"Yes. They live in packs—hunters, warriors, gatherers, crafters. Every wolf has a place. They don't welcome outsiders." His jaw tightened. "Especially panthers."
Areum continued "And the other tribes?" she asked carefully.
"Bears. Tigers. Snakes. Birds. Fish," he listed. "Each bound to their beast. Each tribe loyal to its bloodline. Together, they form the cities. This land belongs to Nighthollow City. The wolves guard its borders." Raoin thought This is common knowledge, where has she been living this whole time?. I'll explain if it let's me get to know her more.
Areum's heart pounded. So they're not human at all. Whole tribes. Whole cities. Beastfolk everywhere.
The truth pressed heavy, undeniable. This isn't Earth. I died… and woke up here. A world ruled by beasts. A Beast World.
But she didn't let despair win. Her chin lifted, determination flickering in her chest. If I'm going to survive, I have to learn. I have to adapt.
Her gaze fell to the faint red glow etched across his skin. "Your tattoo… what is it?"
Raion looked down, happy to think she might be taking an interest to him. "It marks the spirit within me. Lightning. It grows stronger as I do. When we fight, when we run, when we claim—it burns brighter. And when a bond is made, the mark of one beast appears on the other." Looking at her intently.
Her breath caught. So this mark… it's proof of who he is. And who he belongs to.
The meat hissed. Ssshh—pop. Raion set a cooked piece before her. "Eat."
This time, she obeyed. The flavor was strange, rich, but grounding. For a few moments, silence stretched between them.
At last, she whispered, "I need to wash. I feel… awful."
Raion rose instantly, decisive. "The lake. Come."
Areum hesitated, but stood up and stepped forward, bare feet pressing into damp earth. Raion's gaze dropped to them. Too delicate. Too fragile. The ground will tear them apart.
"Wait." His voice cut the silence, sharp and low. "Don't walk. It's far. Let me take you."
Before she could answer, his body shifted—crack… snap… shift!—until the massive black panther stood before her, fur gleaming, eyes burning green.
Her breath hitched. He changed again. So easily. Monterous and beautiful. So beautiful.
The beast bent low, shoulders rippling, lowering himself to the ground. His voice rumbled like thunder:
"Get on."
Her heart thundered. Ba-dump. Ba-dump. Ba-dump.
She hesitated, then exhaled. If I'm going to adapt… maybe this is the first step.
Her hand brushed his shiny fur—soft, warm, alive, steady. A faint smile touched her lips. I can do this.
And as she climbed onto his back, Raion's thought burned like lightning enjoing the tough of her small hands: From this day forward, she will not walk alone. Not if I can carry her.