Kael lay curled in the mud, blood oozing from his side where the Razorquill's spine had torn him open. His ribs throbbed from Thom's kicks, each breath reigniting the pain.
Mara whimpered, her tongue stroking at his cheek, warm against the night's chill.
Lila stood over him, her silhouette was sharp in the moonlight, her eyes glistening like she'd cry any second.
"Kael, come on," she said, her voice soft, stretching out a hand. "Let me help you up."
Kael glared through his blood-soaked hair, Mara's pendant on his chest.
Help? From her? The girl who'd locked him out, left Mara, his only family to die?
"Don't,"
He snapped, slapping her hand away, cold as ice. His voice was low, but he meant it.
Lila flinched, biting her lip, but she didn't back off. She was too guilty to do that.
"Please, Kael…" She reached again, her fingers trembling in the dark.
He ignored her, gritting his teeth and pushing off the dirt. His arms shook, his legs wobbled, but he forced himself to stand, breathing heavily.
Mara scampered to his side, it's tail low.
Lila stares at him as he tried to walk out on his own, but he was too beat up for that.
He took one step, then another, then his knees buckled, he swayed, then fell.
He hit the ground hard, spitting blood, a wet cough escaped his mouth.
"Kael!"
Lila rushed over, dropping to her knees. She grabbed his shoulders, steadying him as he wheezed. "Stop being stubborn, you're hurt!"
He shoved her hand off again, he was even weaker this time, as his head was spinning.
"I don't… need you…"
But the words slurred, pain drowning his fight. Lila's eyes moistened.
"I'm sorry," Lila whispered, her voice breaking. "I'm so sorry, Kael. For… everything. I didn't mean for it to happen—your sister, the shelter, any of it. Please, just let me help."
Her eyes were wide and wet, no trace of a lie. She was crying now.
It wasn't deep, she wasn't begging. But it was real, raw regret.
Kael's jaw clenched, but he didn't speak, he couldn't move either.
"Now please..." Lila continued, wiping her tears and standing. She stretched her hand towards him. "Let me help you."
This time, he didn't slap it away. His strength was gone, blood pooling under him. He slowly reached out, taking her hand in his. She pulled him up slowly, careful not to cause any damage.g
Lila hooked his arm over her shoulder, pulling him up gently. "Hold on," she said.
She paused, then she whistled. It was a shrill sound that was laced with Mana.
A beast shimmered into being, it was a D-rank ridgeback elk, broad and sturdy.
The beast lowered itself in front her.
She gently placed Kael onto its back, settling him in front, then climbed behind, one arm steadying him. Mara leapt up, curling against Kael's lap, her small form hidden in his torn tunic.
"Easy, Tallow," Lila murmured to the elk, nudging it forward.
Kael's eyes were shut, pain filtering through his body, he fell asleep on the mount's warmth.
***
Thom kicked a stone as he walked in the darkness, alone and pissed off. She had chosen Kael...
He had always liked Lila, he just never told her. And now, this...this felt like a rejection.
How could she...?
There was a thudding sound behind him and Thom turned around. He didn't like what he saw.
Kael was slumped against Lila, her arm around him like he mattered?
His fists clenched, his knuckles turning white. He slammed his hand against a wall, splintering the wood with a crack.
"Damn runt!"
He hissed, spit flying. His eyes burned with venom. He'd make Kael pay—worse than tonight, worse than ever.
He would make sure he joined his beast food sister.
Lila didn't see him, her focus was on Kael as Tallow rode to her home, A small but comfortable house at Thornskull's edge, its roof patched with straw.
She eased Kael off, half-carrying him inside to a cot. Mara scampered after them.
The room was dim, lit by a single candle. The walls were bare but clean, she made her way to a basket of herbs lying on the table.
She set Kael down, grabbing a cloth and water, she proceeded to dabbing his bloodied side and ribs. She could only imagine how painful this must be.
Her thoughts strayed to Thom, she never imagined he could be this ruthless. She had always hung out with Thom and Rigg since they were kids, and she knew they liked to tease, a lot.
They had always bullied Kael, she had an idea of this, but she never really cared. She hadn't been with them when they bullied him, she wasn't friends with him either.
Then that day, they pushed him aside. They locked the shelter. He was scared, she was scared too. She had pleaded with Thom to let him in, but Thom refused. Rigg wasn't too keen on the idea of locking Kael out but he didn't say anything against it either.
Kael stirred, his groan drew Lila out of her thoughts as she paused, his eyes slowly opening.
Mara nudged his hand, and he patted her weakly. Lila sat back, wringing the red-stained cloth. "You're awake," she said, quiet. "Good. I… thought you wouldn't make it for a second."
He didn't answer, just breathed, shallow and rough, staring at the ceiling.
Lila wasn't deterred. He must hate her... it's okay.
"Why were you at the square, Kael?" she asked, tilting her head. "Are you aiming for Cresthaven too?"
Kael's fingers tightened on Mara's fur, his sister's pendant was cold against his skin.
"It was her dream," he muttered, his voice barely there.
"Mara's. She was gonna try this year… before…"
He trailed off.
She nodded, her eyes dropping. "I'm… sorry..."
Kael didn't reply, there was silence.
She smiled faintly at Mara, who peeked out, her eyes sparkling under the dim light.
"That fox, though—she's cute. Where'd you find her?"
Kael's smiled too. It was a little something, but it was a first for her.
"Just… around. She stuck with me."
He scratched Mara's ears, her tail flicking. "Thanks."
Lila leaned back, folding her arms. "Cresthaven's worth it, you know. It's not just some school—it's where Aerthrial trains its Beastwards, the ones who fight Primevals, Mythics, even Forbidden Beasts. They teach you to bond, battle, control mana—like, really control it. If you make it, you're set. No more Thornskull, no more… this."
She paused, a bit emotional. She continued. "But it's brutal. Exams are a tournament, it's made of six sections, one winner each. Hundreds try, only six go.
"Kael listened, silent, soaking it in. Six spots—what were his chances?
He had just three weeks.
Three weeks to not be this—bloodied, broken orphan.
"My pa thought I'd get there," Lila went on, staring at the candle. "He was a hunter, bonded to a B-rank hawk. He taught me to summon Tallow when I was six."
"What happened to him?" Kael asked, suddenly interested.
Lila shrugged. "He died during a Beast Raid. A Primeval got him three years back."
She tapped a blade on her belt, small but sharp. "Ma died when I was born..."
Her voice stayed light, not heavy.
Kael raised a brow, he had never heard this part before. He knew she was the daughter of the fruit seller...
Kael raised a brow, "then...who's the fruit seller...?"
Lila smiled faintly. "My aunt. She's been wonderful."
Lila stared at him again, this time, her eyes moistened, the tears fell slowly. "On that day..." She shook her head, wiping the tears.
Kael was about to console her, thinking she was talking about her parents, but her next words proved him wrong.
"I'm sorry...I should have opened the shelter door...I'm really sorry..."
Kael didn't reply, he just watched her. He didn't trust her, not fully, but her sorry meant something.
Maybe.
"You'll heal," Lila said, standing, tossing him a clean rag. "Rest here tonight.
"Thanks," he mumbled, clutching Mara tighter.