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It bounds forward, wings aiding its powerful leap, scattering leaves into the cool air.

I extend my claws, baring its path, my eyes flashing crimson.

The beast halts, but its lip curls back in a defiant snarl, each bark reverberating through the forest. Princesa flinches at every jolt of sound behind me.

“Oh my God,” she mutters.

The brutonous tries to outflank me, moving to circle around, but I mirror its steps, barring its approach. I’m not eager to kill it—something holds me back.

“What are you waiting for?” Princesa demands, her impatience rising. “For fuck’s sake, kill it, Dracoth!”

No... My gaze locks onto the creature’s eyes—those swirling celestial orbs. They’re like stars, bursting with molten fire in their black depths. The more I stare, the more I’m reminded of something, a presence I’ve felt before... Arawnoth.

Could this beast be a sign from the Gods?

My mind reels with implications so profound I can’t comprehend them. Was this creature sent to save Krogoth, cursing me, my father, the Magaxus, and our entire civilization?

The thought ignites a burning rage deep within me. My snarl twists in fury.

“Why him?” I roar, the words erupting before I can control them. “You forsook me, chose him—the traitor. Why? Answer me!” My voice cracks, raw with unfamiliar emotion, my lips trembling.

The brutonous chick stops barking to stare at me with a tilted head, its bushy tail wagging excitedly.

“Really? You’re doing the raging nutjob routine now?” Princesa sighs, exasperation thick in her tone. “Fine. Whatever.” I hear her rummaging through her pack. “I’ll take care of it.”

Over my shoulder, a chunk of cooked meat flies, hurtling toward the brutonous. Its tongue lolls like a tattered war flag as it leaps into the air, catching the meat mid-air in its eager maw. It devours the chunk in a single gulp, tongue lolling in satisfaction.

“This thing puts Todd to shame,” Princesa mutters as she digs for more food.

The brutonous chick spins in a circle, spreading its regal wings and panting in excitement.

Such a strange creature.

I retract my claws, feeling the tension release from my body, my blood cooling like vented magma.

“Hiya!” Princesa shouts, tossing another hunk of meat toward the brutonous chick, who hops back and forth, its bushy tail wagging in eager anticipation. It barks before jumping to catch the cooked food in its slathering maw, swallowing it down whole in a few gulps.

“Save the rest,” I caution, turning back to her with a stern look. Princesa nods in agreement.

“No more, big bird-dog,” she says, holding her empty hands up toward the creature. The brutonous tilts its head, eyeing the squirming cyloillar in her lap and licking its lips.

I step forward, drawing its attention. “Begone!” I shout, shooing it with my arms, but the beast drops into a playful crouch, front paws splayed wide and chest low to the ground. Its tail lashes in excitement, swishing through the air with eager, uneven flicks.

A low growl rumbles from its chest—not one of threat, but of mischief—like a dare to join a game. I grimace at its stubbornness, ignoring its challenge, moving closer.

“Leave—”

Suddenly it pounces atop me, a whirlwind of fur and feathers battering against me.

“Dracoth!” Princesa squeals.

I throw my arms up, catching the beast’s thick, multicolored mane, feeling its immense strength rippling beneath the pelt. It thrashes wildly in my molten grip, but I stand firm, every muscle bulging, tendons standing out like taut cords of arcweave.

Its talons crash against my shoulders, the full weight of the beast pressing down like a crashing meteorite.

I resist its rolling bulk, which almost unbalances me.

I could end this—extend my claws and tear through it—but something stops me.

Its wagging tail, the way it doesn’t bite, and how its tongue, instead, lashes out, attempting to lick my face.

“Are you... winning under there?” Princesa asks, sounding confused.

I can’t respond, straining to overcome this brutonous. I shift sideways, managing to hook its broad head under my arm. A laugh escapes me as I gain control, forcing the beast crashing onto its side. It thrashes wildly while I use my other hand to ruffle the dark fur and feathers of its underbelly.

The brutonous emits a strange snorting noise and stops thrashing, instead rolling onto its back, with pawed legs twitching as I continue to rub its belly.

“It’s like a giant dog,” Princesa comments, still keeping her distance. This ‘ dog ’ is unknown to me, but the beast is content as I continue to lash it with deep rubs.

“I’m getting jealous over here,” Princesa quips, chuckling softly.

I release the squirming brutonous, and it rolls back onto its legs, panting heavily with its tongue hanging long from its maw. It stares at me, tail wagging, before spinning in a quick circle and spreading its wings.

With a powerful leap, it launches into the sky, leaving us buffeted by the wind of its departure as it soars into the clouds.

I watch it become a mere speck against the purple-tinted skies, feeling an unexpected sense of awe.

“It will become a true terror of the ages,” I mutter, picturing the fully grown beast, one day clawing through the very mountains of Scarn like they were nothing more than sand dunes.

“Is it safe to leave it alive?” Princesa asks, her gaze dropping to Todd, the ever-wiggling cyloillar nestled in her lap. “I mean, it tried to eat our little chug bug. What if it threatens us later?” Her words trail off, but her fierce eyes speak volumes.

It pleases me, her ruthless planning of our future rule together. “It’s Arawnoth’s will,” I answer, recalling the strange presence I felt.

Princesa frowns, not looking convinced as she strokes her now plump pet Todd. “Well, at least it seems to like you... a little too much, if you ask me,” she snorts, pointing up to the skyline. “Hey, look. It’s still following us.”

I glance up and see it—a faint silhouette circling high above the clouds. “It’s followed since we entered Draxxi.”

“As long as it stays...” Princesa’s words die on her lips, her eyes going wide as she clutches her stomach. “Uh-oh...” Her head swivels, sending her sleek long hair flying as she scans the towering trees around us. “I’ve got to go .”

I frown, confused. “Go?”

Princesa’s guts gurgle loudly like a dying Glaseroid.

“Yes, go, go! Like right fucking now.” She rushes around a broad tree with Todd clutched to her chest with quick narrow steps. “This is going to be a photo-line finish,” she mutters.

Foolish female, dashing into Draxxi foliage without first checking its safety. Without hesitation, I don my warvisor, scanning the area for any dangerous creatures. Finding nothing near the location she’s squatting.

I reattach the mask to my belt, a foreign sense of relief washing over me. It’s challenging to care for one so fragile, so chaotic.

From the distance, I hear a faint sigh of relief, and I shift my gaze to the setting sun.

We have a few more hours of daylight before nightfall.

By tomorrow, we’ll reach the temple of Lanaisor.

The thought curls my lips with a smile—soon I will have the full power that was promised. The power to reclaim my destiny.

“Dracoth!” Princesa shrieks, piercing my joyous musings. “Dracoth? Can you hear me?”

I stride around the massive tree, the crunch of dried twigs and leaves underfoot the only sound as I approach.

“He didn’t leave me, did he? Oh, hi.” She smiles faintly, her pretty head poking out from a red bush. “Um... can you cut me some leaves?” Her face flushes as she wrinkles her nose. “Like, a lot of leaves. Thanks, that would be a huge help.”

I suppress the urge to groan. Me, the greatest warrior blessed by Arawnoth himself, reduced to plucking leaves like a nesting puffrio?

A surge of anger threatens to erupt forth until I notice the expectant, nervous smile painting the crouching Princesa.

With an effort, I turn away, extending my claws, spearing the red and orange leaves from nearby trees.

Some trees, I recall, can irritate the skin, though studying them I frown—they all blur together, leaves and... wood. No wonder Clan Draxxus warriors lack focus, distracted by this wild, chaotic landscape.

Soon, my claws are overloaded with so many leaves that I must resemble a red-colored tree myself. With deft precision, I slice them into tiny Princesa-sized squares and return to the squatting female.

“What’s taking him so long...” she grumbles under her breath.

“Here,” I say, stepping around the tree, dumping the large bundle into her arms.

“What the—?” Princesa’s eyes widen in shock as she struggles to catch the enormous pile. “My ass isn’t that big!” she exclaims, as the tower of leaves nearly obscures her face, some blowing away in the light breeze.

“Hurry, your stench may attract predators,” I say, wrinkling my nose.

“You’re so fucking rude,” Princesa gasps, her pale skin flushing a curious shade of light crimson. “The only predator I see here is you, you big bore.” Her voice follows me as I turn to give her privacy.

It’s amusing she names me ‘ bore ’ when she’s the one who prattles fruitlessly without end. Though I haven’t needed to gag her today—a slight improvement. I stand waiting, scanning the surrounding trees. No sign of danger, just the distant cries of creatures echoing between the immense trunks.

“Right, I’m done,” Princesa announces, cradling the clacking plump Todd in her arms. “I think...” she adds, her gaze dropping.

“Those green berries went straight through me.” She shudders as I shoot her a sharp glare, my earlier warning useless against her wild nature.

“Oh, don’t give me that look. I know; I know. ” She waves a dismissive hand.

“Come,” I command, placing my hand on her back, eager to reach the temple.