"A crown is not made of gold or jewels; it is forged in the fires of command and raw strength."
///
Kael didn't answer. His golden eyes narrowed as he stared into the shadows. Then, from the darkness, a massive, hulking figure stepped into the firelight—a beast unlike anything Evanna had ever seen, its eyes glowing red with rage.
"Looks like your choice might come sooner than you think," Kael muttered, drawing his blade.
Evanna stood frozen, her breath caught in her throat as the massive beast snarled before her. Its crimson eyes glowed with unbridled rage, each movement radiating raw power. Shadow growled low in warning, stepping between Evanna and the threat, but Kael raised a hand, halting the wolf.
"Stay back," Kael ordered, his voice calm but firm.
Evanna's heart hammered in her chest. "Kael, that thing—it's not normal."
Kael smirked, his golden eyes gleaming in the firelight. "Neither am I."
Before she could respond, Kael dropped his sword.
"What are you doing?" she exclaimed, eyes widening as the blade clattered against the ground. "You can't fight that thing unarmed!"
Kael glanced at her over his shoulder, his expression unreadable. "I don't need a sword to deal with this."
Evanna's confusion deepened as he strode forward, his movements slow and deliberate. The beast roared, its massive claws digging into the earth, readying to pounce.
Then Kael's body shifted.
It wasn't like the stories of grotesque transformations or monstrous shapes. This was something else entirely—his presence grew, filling the clearing with an aura so intense it made the air feel heavier. His muscles tensed, his posture straightened, and for a moment, his eyes weren't golden—they burned like the sun itself.
A faint golden glow surrounded him, and Evanna could swear she saw the faint outline of a lion's mane shimmering around his head.
The beast lunged.
Kael met it head-on, moving with speed and precision that shouldn't have been possible. He sidestepped its claws effortlessly, his hands glowing faintly as he struck the creature's side. The beast howled, the impact sending it skidding back, leaving deep grooves in the earth.
Evanna stared, her mind racing. He's not human… not entirely yeah of corse he is the beastlord.
Kael's every move was calculated, every strike delivered with pinpoint accuracy. He didn't need a weapon. He was the weapon.
The battle ended as suddenly as it began. With a final roar, Kael leaped forward, slamming his palm into the beast's chest. A surge of golden energy erupted, and the creature collapsed with a whimper, its crimson eyes fading to a dull glow.
Kael stood over the defeated beast, his breathing steady, his expression calm. He placed a hand on its head, murmuring something Evanna couldn't hear. The beast growled softly, then lowered its head in submission before retreating into the forest.
Evanna's knees felt weak as Kael turned back to her, his glowing aura fading.
"Did you see that?" he asked, his tone casual as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.
Evanna blinked, her mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. "See it? Kael, what the hell was that?!"
He tilted his head, his lips quirking into a small smile. "That was power. The power of the Beastlord."
She shook her head, still trying to process what she'd witnessed. "You… you didn't even need a sword. Why do you even bother practicing with one if you can do that?"
Kael's smile faded, replaced by a somber expression. "Because there are battles where brute strength isn't enough. A true ruler prepares for every kind of fight."
His words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. Evanna wanted to argue, but a part of her couldn't deny the truth in his statement.
They returned to the heart of the village in silence. Evanna's mind raced, replaying the battle over and over. She'd thought she understood Kael's strength, but this… this was beyond anything she could have imagined.
As they reached the campfire, Kael turned to her, his expression unreadable. "Evanna."
She looked up, startled by the intensity in his voice. "What?"
He stepped closer, his golden eyes locking onto hers. "Marry me."
The words hit her like a thunderclap. For a moment, she thought she'd misheard. "What did you say?"
"Marry me," he repeated, his tone unwavering. "You're my bride, Evanna. It's time to fulfill that role."
Her heart pounded, a mix of anger and confusion bubbling to the surface. "You don't ask—you order me to marry you? Is that it?"
Kael's jaw tightened. "This isn't about orders. It's about what's right. You've proven yourself capable, not just of surviving, but of leading. The Wildlands has accepted you. The beasts follow you. You belong by my side."
Evanna stepped back, shaking her head. "Kael, I didn't ask for this. I didn't choose to be part of your kingdom or your plans!"
"No, but fate chose you," he said, his voice softening. "You've seen it yourself, haven't you? The way the Wildlands respond to you. The way the beasts obey you."
She faltered, her hand instinctively clutching the pendant around her neck. "That doesn't mean I want to marry you."
Kael closed the distance between them, his gaze unrelenting. "You're afraid. I get it. But this isn't just about you or me—it's about the Wildlands. Together, we can rebuild what was lost."
Evanna's shoulders slumped, the weight of his words pressing down on her. Deep down, she knew he was right. She'd felt the connection to this land, the pull that tied her to its creatures and its chaos.
Finally, she sighed, her voice barely above a whisper. "Fine. I'll do it."
Kael's eyes softened, but his tone remained firm. "Good."
The fire crackled between them as the silence stretched. Glow nuzzled Evanna's leg, sensing her unease. Kael stepped back, his commanding presence radiating once more.
"Then it's settled," he said. He turned toward the beasts gathered around the village, his golden eyes blazing with authority.
With a single word, his voice rang out across the clearing.
"Return."
The animals stirred, their heads bowing in unison before they began to disperse. Glow hesitated, looking up at Evanna for reassurance. She nodded, and the fox-like creature trotted after the others.
Evanna stared at Kael, a sinking feeling in her chest. "What are you doing?"
"We're going back to the castle," Kael said simply, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Evanna shook her head, her resolve hardening. "No."
Kael turned to face her, his expression darkening. "Excuse me?"
"I'm not going back," she said firmly. "This place—it feels like home. I'm staying."
The tension crackled between them, thick and unrelenting.
Kael stepped closer, his golden eyes burning with intensity. "You think this is a choice, Evanna? You don't understand what's coming."
She met his gaze, unflinching. "Then make me understand."