I am exhausted—my muscles screaming, my breath heavy—but I am driven by something stronger than fatigue. This is my land. These coyotes do not belong here, and I will see them gone, no matter the cost.
Knowing Sienna is here—watching, supporting me—while my rivals stand at the edge of the battlefield is both comforting and suffocating. Their eyes weigh on me like chains. The stakes have never been higher. This isn't just about territory anymore.
I want to prove something.
To them.
To myself.
To her.
I want them to see me as a worthy rival. A real threat. I want them to know I deserve to stand here—and that I deserve Sienna as much as any of them do.
"Now let's end this!"
The dust swirls violently, smoke and debris choking the air, when a single figure steps forward through the chaos.
"Why are you in such a hurry to get rid of me?" Dogo sneers. "We're just getting started."
"Get the hell out of my land," I growl, tightening my grip on my scythe. "And if you don't heed my warning, I'll drag you out of here as a corpse."
"Aww." He tilts his head mockingly. "Why can't you treat me like a friend? Just like those kings." His eyes flick briefly toward them. "They're all worse than me. You even let yourself link to that reptilian king."
"Shut up!" The snarl rips out of my chest before I can stop it.
Dogo chuckles. "Actually, as a reward for stuffing me full of effort…" His grin widens, cruel and knowing. "I'll give you what you wished for."
My body goes rigid.
A figure walks past him.
My heart stutters—then stops.
No.
That face.
The way she moves.
The way the light touches her hair.
"Kowra," I whisper, my chest twisting painfully. The name feels like glass in my throat.
"You can keep her," Dogo croons. "Start anew. You know it yourself—she was a victim. Not a traitor." He shoves her forward. "Thank Vera for returning her to you."
I miss her.
Gods, I miss her so much.
There was a time I prayed for this—begged the universe to give her back, to let me fix everything I failed to protect. I reach out, half-expecting my hand to pass through air.
But she's warm.
Real.
She takes my hand and presses a kiss to my knuckles, just like she used to.
"Aron!"
Sienna's voice cuts through me like lightning.
I turn and see her running toward me, her expression terrified.
Then I feel it.
A tug.
Kowra's fingers tighten around my arm, pulling me back. I am frozen—caught between two women who each hold a piece of my heart.
"Aron, don't be fooled!" Sienna pleads. "That's not Kowra. It's an illusion!"
"What a selfish goddess," Dogo sneers. "Greedy, isn't she? Keeping kings like trophies. Even the one who took Kowra from you the first time." His voice slithers into my mind. "Are you really going to let her?"
Kowra slips into my arms. Her familiar weight. Her scent. My scythe lowers without me realizing it.
Why did Sienna let a reptilian into her circle…?
This is my chance.
My chance to make things right.
If I leave, she won't need me. There are plenty of kings she can choose from.
"That's right," Dogo murmurs. "King of Bolivé—choose who you truly love."
What do I want?
I want another chance with Kowra.
But I don't want to see Sienna cry.
Kowra takes both my hands and begins to lead me away. My feet move—one step, then another—until suddenly, warmth wraps around me from behind.
Sienna.
She hugs me tightly, her body trembling.
"Please, Aron," she whispers. "Think this through. I won't force you to choose me. I won't stop you if you truly believe this will make you happy." Her voice cracks. "If you need closure, take it. Just… know that I will always be here for you. Just like the first time we helped each other."
Her scent floods my senses—familiar, grounding.
Home.
She's shaking.
And she's willing to let me go.
Dogo suddenly yanks her away and throws her to the ground. "Enough!"
"Hey, stupid!" Talon shouts from afar. "You really falling for that? Figures. I always knew you weren't worthy to be my rival!"
Kowra tugs at me again—but my gaze locks onto Sienna.
Dogo lunges toward her.
In that instant, everything crashes back.
Kowra—helpless.
Me—frozen.
Her blood on the ground.
Never again.
The illusion shatters as I move.
I grab Dogo mid-strike and slam him back, stopping him cold.
"What are you doing?" he snarls. "You wanted a fresh start with Kowra!"
"I will never again let a woman I love die on my watch," I roar. "Kill me first if you want to touch her. You really think your cheap tricks can fool me?"
I shove him away and rush to Sienna, crouching beside her.
She's crying—but alive.
"Thank you," she whispers. "I'm okay. Go. Finish this."
Dogo splits—illusions multiplying, surrounding me.
I've had enough.
I spin my double-edged scythe, its chain snapping outward and wrapping around every form at once. I tighten it slowly, deliberately. The illusions scream and fracture, breaking apart one by one until only the real Dogo remains.
"Let me go!" he shrieks.
I yank him forward, kick him hard enough to drop him, and when he keeps running his mouth—
I break his jaw with my bare hands.
Silence.
I release the chain.
One clean strike.
As his life force fades, Kowra's fragments dissolve with him. I whisper my forgiveness into the wind. For a brief moment, I swear she smiles—peaceful, finally free.
I turn to Sienna, kneel before her, and rest my forehead against hers. I inhale her deeply.
"Thank you," I murmur. "For being my salvation."
She looks at me through tears, smiling. "You know I'll always save you."
"I guess I take it back," Talon mutters. "You really are a rival."
"That sucks," Vesper adds. "Number of rivals stays the same."
That snake. I don't trust him. I may accept his bond with Sienna—but my guard will never drop.
The beastkins of Bolivé emerge at last, cheering, roaring my name.
For the first time, I feel whole.
But then—
A long, haunting howl echoes across Bestia.
The cheers die.
Gideon stiffens.
I know that sound.
A desperate call.
One that demands his immediate return.