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18. Epilogue

Epilogue

Vornas

Chloe and I prowl through the verdant canopy of our domain, each step purposeful as we make our way to the agreed-upon neutral ground for the peace negotiations.

Months have passed since we returned to Mythos, and in that time, Chloe's become as essential to me as the air I breathe. Now, as we trek toward what could be a turning point for our future, I notice the tension in her movements. Her scent, usually an intoxicating blend of exotic flowers and warm skin, is tinged with anxiety.

I glance at her, taking in the way she chews her lower lip, her eyes darting from shadow to shadow. The scar on her cheek catches the dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves. It's usually a mark of our shared destiny, but right now, it only emphasizes the worry etched across her features.

"Don't fret, my queen," I purr, flashing her a confident grin. "If things go south with those other kings, I can take them both on."

Chloe laughs, the sound brightening the surrounding forest. "First off, please do not try to fight the other kings. They've made it clear that peace is the only thing they want. And secondly…" She pauses. "I'm nervous about something else entirely."

I stop, turning to face her fully. "Oh? What troubles you?"

She takes a deep breath. "I was feeling a bit off this morning, but I didn't want to worry you. So I met with Nira instead."

My tail flicks with concern. "And? What did she say?"

"Nira has excellent hearing and…" Chloe pauses again, her eyes meeting mine. "She heard a heartbeat inside me."

I blink, confused. "Well, I should hope so."

"No, Vornas." Chloe shakes her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "A second one."

For a moment, I'm frozen, processing her words. Then it hits me like a thunderbolt. A cub. My cub. Our cub.

A roar of joy erupts from my chest, echoing through the trees. I scoop Chloe up in my arms, spinning her around. "A cub! We're having a cub!"

Chloe laughs, clinging to me. "Easy there! Don't want to make the poor thing dizzy."

I set her down gently, but I can't contain my excitement. "The things we'll teach our little one! How to track prey, climb the tallest trees, navigate by the stars…"

"Vornas," Chloe interrupts, her tone amused but firm. "I love your enthusiasm, but we need to keep our minds on the task at hand today. Maybe I should have kept this a secret until after the peace talks…"

I straighten up, trying to school my features into a more serious expression. "You're right, of course. I promise I'll handle myself well." I place a hand on her still-flat stomach, marveling at the life growing within. "Especially now that we have a little one on the way."

Chloe covers my hand with hers, her eyes soft. "I know you will. Just try not to grin too much during the negotiations, okay? We don't want to give away our secret just yet."

I nod, but I can't stop the purr in my chest. As we continue our journey, my steps feel lighter, my purpose clearer. Peace isn't just for us anymore—it's for our cub, and all the cubs to come.

In time, the air grows heavy with salt as we near our destination, a unique confluence where the lush jungle meets rugged canyons and the vast ocean.

"We're getting close," I say.

Chloe's eyes light up with a mix of excitement and nervousness. "I can't believe I'm finally going to see Natalie and Mia again. It feels like a lifetime ago."

I nod, understanding the weight of this moment. For Chloe, it's a reunion with her own kind on a faraway land. For me, it's a chance to face my fellow leaders as equals, no longer adversaries caught in a battle none of us truly wanted to begin with.

Fate has pulled a lot of strings to make this happen.

Finally, we emerge from the tree line onto a breathtaking view. Before us stretches a crescent of golden sand, hemmed in on one side by towering red cliffs and on the other by the cerulean expanse of the ocean. It's a neutral ground, belonging to no single territory—the perfect place for this momentous meeting.

"Wow," Chloe says, stunned by the scene.

I scan the area, my warrior instincts kicking in despite the peaceful setting. "Indeed. And strategically sound. No one has the advantage here."

Chloe rolls her eyes, a smile tugging at her lips. "Always the tactician, aren't you?"

I bare my teeth in a grin. "It's kept us alive this long, hasn't it?"

We make our way down to the beach, the sand shifting beneath our feet. The crash of waves mingles with the distant cries of jungle birds, creating a song of nature that settles my heightened senses.

As we near the center of the beach, I spot movement on the far side. My muscles tense instinctively, but I force myself to relax.

They are our allies now, not enemies.

At least, that is what I've been led to believe in the messages I've exchanged with the two other kings.

"Look," I say, nodding toward the figures emerging from the shadows of the canyon. "It seems we're not the first to arrive."

I watch as two figures step out onto the sands, their silhouettes unmistakable. Draven, the Drakari Warlord, his rocky form catching the sunlight, and Krakenos, the Aquarian King, his sleek blue body contrasting with the golden sand. I'm surprised to see them walking side by side, laughing and talking like old friends.

A pang of unease ripples through me.

Have they formed an alliance in my absence?

As they draw closer, I notice two human females trailing behind them. One walks with the grace of a dancer, her belly swollen with child. The other holds the hand of a half-Drakari child, perhaps already a few years of age. Both women seem carefree, their laughter carrying on the sea breeze.

Beside me, Chloe gasps. "Oh my god," she whispers, her voice thick with emotion. "Is that… Natalie? And Mia?"

I nod, studying her reaction. "It appears so. Your friends have adapted well to life on Mythos, it seems."

Chloe's eyes fill with tears, and she takes a hesitant step forward. Then, as if a dam has broken, she breaks into a run across the sand. "Natalie! Mia!"

The other women look up, their faces lighting with recognition. They rush to meet Chloe, and the three collide in a tangle of arms and tears. I know they hardly knew each other at all as prisoners on the Loop, but it must be a relief to see fellow humans on such a distant planet.

I hang back, giving them space for their reunion. It's a curious thing to witness this bond between them. So different from the alliances forged in my world, built on strength and strategy. There's a vulnerability to their embrace, one that I think might be at the heart of this potential peace we're hoping to build.

As I approach, Draven and Krakenos turn to face me. We all hesitate, the years of rivalry and mistrust not so easily forgotten.

Draven speaks first, his gravelly voice carrying across the sand. "Vornas. It seems the jungle cat has finally deigned to grace us with his presence."

I bare my teeth in what could pass for a smile. "I wouldn't miss this for the world, Draven. Though I must say, I'm surprised to see you two looking so chummy. Planning to carve up the planet without me?"

Krakenos's black eyes narrow, but there's a hint of amusement in his voice when he replies. "We thought about leaving you out, but then who would keep the jungle ecosystem in check? Can't have the bird population exploding without a predator around."

I chuckle, my tail swishing behind me. "How thoughtful of you both. And here I was, concerned I'd have to fight you for the best hunting grounds. It seems you're content with your rocks and puddles."

The tension eases slightly, replaced by a cautious camaraderie. We're leaders, after all, and there's a certain respect that comes with facing worthy opponents across a negotiation table rather than a battlefield.

Draven is silent for a moment, before continuing seriously, "Vornas, I… We want to thank you." His words catch me off guard, and I can't hide the surprise on my face. "For releasing the cure to all races. We've already had a few females expecting."

I blink, taken aback by the sincerity in his tone. Krakenos chimes in then, his black eyes unreadable as always. "We know the Host tried to tempt you with a cure that would only work for the Saberkai. It would have given your people the chance to take over Mythos once and for all."

My tail twitches uncomfortably, and my first instinct is to brush it off, to maintain the aloof demeanor I've cultivated for so long. But as I open my mouth to deliver a flippant response, I catch Chloe's eye. She gives me a slight nod, encouraging me to take this moment seriously.

I clear my throat, forcing myself to meet their gazes. "I… appreciate your acknowledgement," I say, the words feeling foreign on my tongue. "But the truth is, I learned a great deal from Chloe." I glance at her again, drawing strength from her presence. "She showed me that all people are stronger together—regardless of our differences."

Chloe beams at me, pride shining in her eyes. It's a look that makes my chest tighten in a way I'm still getting used to.

"It wasn't an easy decision," I continue, surprising myself with my honesty. "For so long, I thought only of the Saberkai's survival. But Chloe… She made me see beyond our borders, beyond our differences."

Draven nods, a wry smile on his stony face. "Humans have a way of doing that, don't they?" He glances at Natalie, his expression softening. "They challenge everything we thought we knew."

Krakenos makes a sound that might be a chuckle. "Indeed. Mia has certainly turned my world upside down." His usual stoic demeanor cracks, revealing a warmth I've never seen before.

I feel Chloe's hand slip into mine, her fingers intertwining with my own. "We're all learning from each other," she says, her voice steady and sure. "That's what this peace is about, isn't it? Not just ending conflicts, but building something new together."

Her words hang in the air, filled with possibility. I look around at our unlikely group—three alien kings and their human mates, gathered on a neutral beach to forge a new future for Mythos.

It's not at all what I expected when I first awoke on the Loop, but as I squeeze Chloe's hand, I realize it's exactly what I've always needed.

"Well," I say, my voice gruff with emotion I'm not quite ready to show, "shall we begin these talks? We have a planet to rebuild, after all."

I'm shocked to see Draven crack a smile. "Yes. A great future awaits us."

And with that, we begin our talks, ancient grudges giving way to mutual understanding. It doesn't take long for us to work out the details, and for the first time in my life, I feel a genuine hope for the future.

For my people. My queen. My cub. My family.

The End

***

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