"Then why does that human have such a good relationship with Fiya?" The Beast Tribe Leader broke the silence, voicing the question that had troubled him the most.
"Yes, please explain this clearly," another elder added, his tone sharp with skepticism.The room fell into a tense stillness, all eyes on Fiya. An enemy of life and death had suddenly become an ally. To the Beast leaders, it seemed too absurd to comprehend.Fiya Hatsuse, her expression grim, took a moment before responding. "This princess has decided to form an alliance with him," she stated firmly. "To end this chaotic world together. I'm tired of constantly running, always on guard against other races or hunting them down. This madness has to stop!"The room exploded in disbelief."What?!""Princess, you cannot be serious!""He is human! Not only that, but he is an anomaly, different from the rest of his kind!""This is a matter of life and death for our race. How could you agree to something like this without consulting us?"The elders were on their feet, their outrage palpable. In their world, trust was hard to come by—especially when it came to humans, creatures whose ambitions had long caused devastation. Their distrust of Riku ran deep.Fiya Hatsuse, however, remained calm. Her long hair stirred as if caught in an unseen wind, and a powerful aura radiated from her. The intensity of her presence commanded silence, forcing the elders to sit back down."If Riku wanted to destroy us, he would have already done so," Fiya said, her voice low but firm. "You all know this. His strength is undeniable, and we would not have survived if he wished otherwise."Her words sank in, leaving the elders in contemplative silence. They exchanged uneasy glances, considering the reality she had pointed out. If Riku had indeed intended harm, they would have been crushed long ago."Riku has infinite potential," Fiya continued, her eyes distant as if recalling something only she could see. "A year ago, he was just an ordinary human. But now, he can stand against me—someone stronger than most Flügels. If we become his first ally, it will be like providing help in his darkest hour. And when he rises to the position of the True God, our WereBeasts will thrive alongside him.""A year ago..." one elder muttered, his voice trailing off in disbelief.The room was filled with stunned silence. The realization of how far Riku had come in such a short time was sobering. His potential seemed limitless, his power growing at an unimaginable rate."What Fiya says... makes sense," one elder finally conceded, though his voice carried the weight of uncertainty. "But how can we be sure that he truly trusts us? What if he is simply using us as pawns, discarding us when we are no longer of use?"The Tribe Leader nodded thoughtfully. "That's an important concern. Riku may be powerful, but we cannot forget that trust is fragile—especially between races."The room buzzed with murmurs of agreement. Even as they recognized Riku's power, the uncertainty of his intentions gnawed at them.Fiya, feeling the pressure of time slipping away, spoke again, this time with more urgency. "I've only known him for a day, but I trust him. My instincts tell me that Riku is someone we can rely on.""Fiya, we can't make a decision of this magnitude based on your intuition alone," the Tribe Leader said, his tone gentle but firm. "This concerns the future of our entire race.""Should we observe him for a few days first?" an elder suggested cautiously."No, that will only make him suspicious," Fiya countered, shaking her head. "If we are to unite, it must be without hesitation or doubt. Besides, I have already given him my word. If I were to go back on it now, we would lose any chance of securing his trust."Her words hung in the air, heavy with the unspoken consequences of breaking such an agreement. The room grew more oppressive with each passing moment.The elders were caught in a bind—wanting to believe in Fiya's judgment, yet fearing the gamble it represented."Hurry and make your decision," Fiya pressed. "Riku will finish his bath soon, and we need to give him an answer."Despite the tension, Fiya's mind wandered to the strange feelings she had begun to develop for Riku. She admired his strength, his resolve, and his mysterious nature. This wasn't just about the future of her people anymore. She wanted to fight alongside Riku—not only for the survival of the Beast race, but perhaps for something more personal.The Tribe Leader, noticing her distraction, finally broke the silence. "There might be a way to unite with Riku without risking everything.""Chief, what is it?" Fiya asked, her voice laced with hope."Yes, what do you have in mind?" another elder echoed, eager for a solution.The Tribe Leader's gaze lingered on Fiya for a moment longer than she was comfortable with, but she pushed aside her unease. If it meant convincing her people, she would hear him out."This solution is simple," the Tribe Leader began, his lips curling into a knowing smile. "In fact, it's quite straightforward..."Fiya waited, holding her breath as the Beast leader laid out his 'perfect idea'—one that, if successful, might just secure their future in this chaotic world.Hungry for more chaps? Then check out our pătreon!Link: Påtreon.com/gotouchgrassI post 10 advanced chapters of this fanfic there.