It's been so long since I truly moved—since I pushed my body and mind to their limits. I've been stagnant for years, frozen in place by grief and duty, and now that I'm forced to act again, I can feel how slow and dull my movements have become. Searching for Sienna alongside these powerful beast kings only makes my shortcomings more apparent.
But there's no room for self-pity. Not now.
The only being who ever accepted me wholly—without fear or expectation—is missing.
After reaching a dead end in Desapo, we agreed to retrace our steps, combing the land between the river and the swamp. Somewhere along this stretch, we must have overlooked something. We also began asking about the snake—the one rumored to be close to Shelley, the girl from the Bunny Tribe.
I'm painfully aware of the strength of my rivals. Even if we're cooperating now, the truth remains: one day, we may have to face each other for Sienna. I have no intention of outshining anyone. I don't need to. I know I matter to her.
Right now, all that matters is finding her—and making sure she's safe.
As we searched, an unsettling thought wouldn't leave me alone:
What if Shelley really is Sienna?
And if she is… why would she have any connection to a snake?
A reptile once brutally killed Kowra. She wasn't the only one. The Reptilian clan has left too many bodies behind. The idea of Sienna—or this Shelley—being anywhere near one of them makes my blood run cold.
Then, finally, a lead.
Near the edge of Desapo, we came across a rabbit and a turtle walking together. Once again, the others looked to me to speak.
"Excuse me," I said gently, stepping forward.
They startled at first, trembling until I offered them a reassuring smile. I slowed my pace and walked beside them, while the others kept their distance. There was something different about these two—something light. Peaceful. Almost joyful.
"You both seem… happy," I said, unable to hide my curiosity. "Are you celebrating something?"
"Yes!" the turtle said brightly. "We're celebrating the Goddess of Abundance—for sending someone to save my friends!"
"And for reminding us to value friendship," the rabbit added cheerfully. "To work diligently—and that being adorable is a strength!"
I paused. "The Goddess of Abundance did all that?"
"Well, not exactly her directly," the rabbit said. "It was one of her followers. Shelly—from the Bunny Tribe. She gave us food and taught us how to restore the burrows!"
When we reached their settlement, I introduced the other kings. That was a mistake. The moment the rabbits noticed the powerful auras behind me, fear rippled through them.
"They're my friends," I said quickly, but it didn't ease their nerves.
Talon asked about Shelley—what she'd done, how she helped them. They told us about the race, about her collapsing afterward, exhausted to the point of trembling. The image lodged itself painfully in my chest.
"And the snake?" I asked. "Was there a snake with her?"
They both shook their heads. "No. We never saw one."
I wanted to believe them—but my instincts refused to settle. Was it unresolved trauma? Or the fear that Shelley might be Sienna, and that history was repeating itself?
"Do you know where she went?" I pressed. "Where she lives? Where she said she was going?"
Talon noticed my tension and clapped a firm hand on my shoulder. "Relax, Aron. We'll find her."
"She disappeared," the turtle said apologetically. "She said goodbye… and then she was gone."
Another dead end.
We left heavy-hearted, exhaustion clinging to us like fog. Everywhere we went, it felt like she had just passed through—her presence lingering in the air, in the soil, in the silence.
Everyone felt it.
Except Gideon.
He walked with us, quiet and withdrawn, his expression tightly controlled. There was frustration there—but something else, too. Distance. As if the bond he shared with her wasn't the same as ours.
"Gideon," I finally asked, "what do you think we should do next? What does your instinct tell you?"
He hesitated. "We keep searching. I feel… we'll find her soon."
The answer was vague. Uncertain.
"Why ask only him?" Rocco snapped. "He's just as lost as the rest of us."
I turned to Rocco. "Then what does your instinct say?"
"I feel her everywhere," he replied immediately. "Like something inside me is tied to her. It's maddening—I don't know where to start."
"Same," Talon growled, dragging a hand through his hair. "She's here. I know it. She's just making it impossible to track her."
As we reached the crossroads between the river and the deeper forest of Sylva, a cool breeze swept past me.
And with it—
Her scent.
My breath caught.
I stopped so abruptly the others nearly collided with me. I turned toward the innermost part of the forest, my heart pounding.
"What is it?" Talon asked.
I took a step forward. Then another.
"Sienna," I whispered.
Rocco and Talon followed without question. Gideon hesitated—just for a moment—before he did the same.
I should've noticed it sooner. He didn't sense her before I did.
Was he hiding something? Or was he simply afraid?
I don't care.
All I know is this—
She's closer than we ever imagined.