Glad collapsed.
Ariel reached her first, shifting back, cradling her in his arms.
"Glad! Glad, stay with me!"
"I'm okay. Just—exhausted." She looked at where the Ibwa had stood. Just dust now, blowing away in the wind. "Is she...?"
"Gone. You did it."
"WE did it." She looked around frantically. "Anino! Where's Anino?"
They found him by the bridge, crumpled and still.
"No. NO." Glad crawled to him, gathering his broken body. "Anino? Dad? Please—please don't—"
His eyes opened. Just a slit. Just enough.
"Gladys." His voice was a whisper. "My daughter."
"Don't talk. We'll get help. We'll—"
"No time. I gave everything to protect you. It's... enough." He smiled—a real smile, warm and peaceful. "I've watched you for fifty years. Seen you grow, struggle, triumph. You're more than I ever hoped."
"Dad, please—"
"You're not alone anymore. Remember that. You have family. Community. Love." His eyes drifted closed. "I'm proud of you, Gladys. So proud."
"ANINO!"
But he was gone.
The cat who was a father.
The guardian who'd given everything.
Gone.
Glad held him and wept.