It was regrettable, but Peter pulled Reia along with him, leaving the Town of Enrain without delay. Letting her come into contact with government officials would have been disastrous. If she refused to cooperate, she could be imprisoned, or worse. He wasn't about to let that happen. They dashed out of town and headed swiftly toward the Serandal Forest.
"Okay, I think we're far enough away from the town. Will you tell me what's going on now?"
Peter had been in such a rush to leave that he hadn't yet explained anything, and Reia was clearly growing impatient.
"When you were checking your status, Orban told me that government officials were looking for you," Peter said, still flushed from the run. "They wanted you to lead them to your village."
"Why would people from the castle want to find my village?" she asked, frowning in confusion.
"Orban said they're planning to force your tribe to fight for the kingdom in their war."
"What?!? Are they crazy? The Foxkin would never fight for them!"
She didn't hesitate. Her reaction was immediate and certain. There was no chance the Foxkin would agree to join the kingdom's war. That meant the kingdom would likely try to force the issue, and that would only lead to trouble.
"That's exactly why we need to get to the village as soon as possible," Peter said. "I doubt they'll be able to find the location easily, so we should have some time to warn your father."
"Even if we do warn him, what can we do? My father will never agree to fight for them, and we're too few to take on the entire kingdom."
"We'll have to come up with something. I don't know much about the king, but I haven't heard anything good. If they won't take no for an answer, that means we'll most likely have to fight."
"No…" Reia looked visibly shaken.
If the kingdom didn't back down, there would most likely be a fight, and people would die. Peter didn't speak. Reia needed space to process it all. The town was far behind them now, but the road ahead, both the literal one and the one in front of their lives, was still long.
Peter glanced over at Reia, remembering that she had mentioned something she wanted to talk about earlier.
"Reia, back at the guild you said there was something you needed to talk to me about?"
He hadn't meant to disturb her thoughts, but if it was important, now seemed like a good time to ask.
"Oh… yeah…"
She seemed somewhat distracted, which was understandable given the circumstances.
"When I checked my status using the divination crystal, I noticed something strange. Well, a couple of things."
That caught Peter's interest, although he couldn't imagine what would be important enough to bring up now.
"First, I leveled up. The strange thing is, instead of gaining one attribute point like usual, I had two. Also, my health increased way more than I expected, more than any other time I leveled up. And there was something else. Under special abilities, a new ability appeared. It was called 'Mark of the Void.' Do you know anything about that?"
Peter wasn't sure how significant the first two details were, since his own leveling didn't follow normal rules. But the last part caught his attention immediately.
"'Mark of the Void'? That must be the mark on your body that connects us."
It had to be. Ever since the day they bonded, a strange link had formed between them, and that mark had appeared on her skin. It only made sense.
"Yeah, I think so too. The description said that the Mark of the Void connects the soul of the one with the mark to the soul of the one who has the 'Blessings of the Void.' It also says that the one who possesses the 'Blessings of the Void' can bestow their power upon someone who has the 'Mark of the Void.' Do you think that's why I got the extra attribute points and health?"
If Peter recalled correctly, when he had saved Reia's life, he had also formed a connection with her using the power he absorbed from the dungeon. He had made the same kind of connection with Allein, and at the time, he remembered the sensation of his own energy being drained away.
When monsters were killed, he had been able to absorb a strange black mist that emerged from them. Somehow, that mist made him stronger. He had also consumed the mist within the dungeon, which seemed to be tied to the dungeon's energy itself. When he used the attack that killed the Lizard King, it had drawn heavily from that source. Was it possible he had been transferring some of that absorbed power to those he was linked with in a similar way?
This was something he needed to confirm. If he truly could absorb the black mist from monsters and dungeons to power himself, and share that power with others through the link, then how strong could they all become?
Not long after that conversation, Peter and Reia reunited with Nes and Allein at the outskirts of the forest. The two had been flying overhead, waiting for their arrival. Because of the connection formed by the Mark of the Void, Peter and Allein could sense each other's general direction and distance. The same was true with Reia. They would always be able to find one another.
After meeting up, they explained the situation. Nes and Allein were visibly angry when they heard. They had already met briefly with Reia's father to inform him that the dungeon had been conquered, so he knew they had returned to Enrain, but he wouldn't have expected them to visit the village again so soon. Peter felt a growing sense of urgency and pushed the group to hurry.
They arrived at the Foxkin village that evening. The tribe had just finished their communal meal, which they often shared as one large family around a huge campfire. The scent of grilled meat still hung in the air, mixed with the earthy aroma of roasted roots and vegetables gathered by the tribe's women. The hunters brought back game, and the meals were always shared. To Peter, they truly felt like one large, extended family. He admired that sense of unity. Of course, they had even treated him as part of their family too.
"Fayde! Reia! I wasn't expecting you so soon! It is good to see you."
Reia's father, the Chief, greeted them at the village entrance, as he always did whenever they visited.
"You both look exhausted. What happened?"
"Chief, we have something important to discuss. Let's head over to your hut."
Peter didn't believe an attack was coming immediately, but he didn't want to waste time either.
"Something important, you say?!? Hoho."
There was a mischievous twinkle in the Chief's eye as he said it. What could he possibly be thinking?
"Then come, quickly!"
He was in high spirits that evening. Peter couldn't help but feel the Chief might be misunderstanding something.
Once they were seated on cushions around the Chief's hearth, in a cross-legged style that reminded Peter of old Native traditions, the Chief was the first to speak.
"All right, so what is so urgent?"
"Chief, this is a serious matter."
The Chief heard the gravity in Peter's voice, and his cheerful expression quickly faded.
"The Kingdom of La'gun will soon go to war with the Kingdom of Jaspel. We were told by the Guild that government officials were trying to locate Reia in order to make contact with your village. Orban believes they intend to force your tribe to fight for them in the war."
The Chief's face darkened as Peter spoke.
"Are you certain of this?"
There was no trace of his earlier merriment in his voice.
"Orban was certain. That's why we came here as quickly as we could. I didn't even stop to collect our rewards for clearing the dungeon."
"They must certainly know we would refuse," he said, his tone growing more thoughtful.
"I doubt they're coming here expecting you to agree. I'm worried they'll try to force your hand."
"Must we fight…"
The Chief looked down, his voice low and quiet. He knew what defying the kingdom would mean. If they refused the order to join the war, they would lose everything. Their home, their peace, their place in the forest. It was a calculated move by the kingdom, and the intent was clear. This was a way to remove the Foxkin without drawing the ire of the public.
"Chief, there's no way you can win against the kingdom. There are just too few of you."
Peter knew the Chief understood that already, but he said it anyway.
"I know this already. But we have our pride too. If it is to be our time, then so be it."
There was sorrow in his voice, but also determination.
"Is there nowhere else you can go? Aren't there other tribes living on the Plains of Sorrow?"
Reia, seated beside Peter, placed a hand gently on his shoulder and shook her head.
"Fayde, there is nowhere we can go. We were exiled from the Plains of Sorrow by my uncle. That's why we came here in the first place…"
Reia's eyes shimmered, and Peter felt the weight of her pain. They had already lost one home, and now they stood to lose another.
"Fayde… I want you to understand. Our people, all Beastkin, have suffered tremendously at the hands of Humans. We have been enslaved, killed, discriminated against, and treated like monsters without any semblance of dignity. I am tired of running. We all are. If we are to die, then let it be at a place of our choosing."
The Chief's voice was filled with sorrow. It sounded as if he had already given up. And Peter couldn't blame him. He had seen the way the Beastkin were treated. But even so, this fight would be pointless. In the end, nothing would change for them. Only that the Foxkin would no longer exist.
"Chief, I understand, I do. But what will you accomplish by dying? Nothing. You won't change anything. And what about Reia?"
After Peter said that, the Chief looked at him for a long time without answering.
"What about her? What would you have us do, Fayde?" he finally asked, his eyes fixed on Peter with a hard, searching gaze.
"I…"
Peter hesitated. There was nothing he could say. He had spoken as if he had answers, but in truth, he had none. He could fight alongside them, but would that really make a difference?
"All is not lost. There is something that could be done."
Allein's voice broke the silence. Everyone turned toward her with curiosity.
"And what might that be?" the Chief asked quietly.
"You may have been exiled from your clan, but isn't there a tradition of challenging for the right to rule as Khan?"
Allein spoke with confidence, her expression calm and sure. But her words only caused Reia and her father to sigh in quiet disappointment.
"Allein, what you say is true, but…"
Reia tried to respond, but she couldn't bring herself to finish the sentence with her father sitting right there.
"It's fine, Reia. You don't have to mind an old man like me," her father said with a small shrug, trying to reassure her.
"Allein, that is no longer an option for me. You see, it was because I lost to my brother that we were exiled in the first place. I don't have the strength to defy him."
Everyone lowered their heads as the Chief spoke. Reia, in particular, looked pained. The Chief glanced at his daughter with affection and gave a bitter smile.
"If I had a son, then perhaps this plan might have worked. My beloved Reia is my eldest child and my heir, but she is unwed and cannot become Khan, even if she were to defeat my brother. Our only choice is to fight."
Peter looked over at Reia and saw the hopelessness in her eyes, mixed with regret. She was clearly burdened by her father's words.
"Chief, then isn't the solution to this problem quite simple?" Allein asked.
"I don't know what you mean, Allein," replied the Chief.
"You said your daughter is unwed and therefore ineligible to challenge for the title of Khan. But what if she were to be wed... or at least engaged?"
"Wait… What?!?"
It took a moment for the words to sink in, but then Reia suddenly sprang to her feet. The Chief laughed at her reaction despite the seriousness of the moment. Even Allein looked amused, while Nes and Peter remained silent. The weight of what was being said was still sinking in.
Allein had a point. Technically, marriage or engagement could solve the issue, though it would only delay the real problem. Reia would still have to defeat her uncle if she wanted to reclaim her place on the Plains of Sorrow.
No, what truly bothered Peter wasn't the political logic of it. It was the idea of Reia being married. The thought of her marrying someone else made his chest feel tight, and anxiety gripped him. Agreeing to the plan made perfect sense. It could save her entire tribe. But could he accept it?
"Hahaha, you bring up an interesting point, but..." The Chief turned to his daughter with a thoughtful look. "Will she agree to it, I wonder?"
Even Allein watched Reia with expectant eyes, as though she fully assumed Reia would accept the proposal.
"But... wait, there isn't anyone..." Reia stammered. As she shyly averted her gaze, her cheeks began to flush.
"Are you sure there isn't someone you have feelings for?" her father asked, a sly glint in his eye.
"What are you talking about, Father? There isn't anyone..."
She denied it firmly, but her father didn't miss the momentary glance she cast toward Peter as she hesitated.
"Perhaps we should leave them alone," Allein said, and Peter only realized who she meant after she, the Chief, and Nes suddenly stood and began to walk away.
"Wait... Oh..."
Peter was about to say something, but then he realized what Allein had meant and kept silent as the three of them left the tent. It seemed suspiciously rehearsed. Had they planned this ahead of time? The thought lingered in his mind. He was a little surprised that it had turned out like this.
Didn't she think of me as hers? Then why help set this up? Her brother too… What are they planning?
Only Reia and Peter remained in the tent, and a faint tension hung in the air between them. She hadn't sat down yet and still stood awkwardly. Now that he really thought about it, what were they all thinking? Had Reia's father just given him his blessing? Peter suddenly felt a wave of nervousness, despite the fact that he was already a grown man.
"Reia… Why don't you sit down…"
He shifted his position and motioned for her to take a seat. She didn't react right away, and Peter could only guess at the thoughts running through her mind. Since he was older, he felt the responsibility to take the lead. This was something they needed to talk about anyway. Now was as good a time as any.
"Reia, please…"
At last, she responded to his voice and slowly sat down facing him. She looked much like a frightened animal, her eyes clouded and uncertain. Peter couldn't quite tell what she was so concerned about. Was it him? Or something else entirely? He knew she had feelings for him.
"Your father did something quite cunning… but the plan isn't a bad one. It may really be the only way out of this situation…"
He tried to speak calmly, laying out the logic of their circumstances without letting his emotions cloud the conversation. But inside, he was a mess. He hadn't expected to feel this flustered again. It reminded him of the day he proposed to his ex-wife.
"Fayde…"
She finally spoke, if only to say his name.
"I'm afraid…"
She was trembling. Peter had never seen her like this.
"Why are you afraid?"
His voice was soft. He didn't dare raise it, worried that if he did, she might close herself off completely. In that moment, she seemed fragile, Like a lone flame flickering in a storm.
She looked up at him with quivering eyes and took a steadying breath.
"I… I'm afraid… that you won't accept me. That you'll leave me… that I'll lose you…"
Peter said nothing. He had expected these words, had seen them in her eyes long before she spoke, but hearing them aloud still struck him. Her fears had always been there, quiet and heavy, like chains around her heart. A bird trapped in a cage built from her own doubts. All he could do now was hold her and show her those fears had no hold over him.
He reached forward and pulled her into an embrace, holding her gently in his arms. She could no longer hold back the tears, and he rubbed her back in slow, calming circles.
"Reia, I love you."
It was the first time he had ever said those words to her. She pulled away slightly and looked him straight in the eyes, tears still falling down her cheeks.
"Really…"
"Yes."
"Even though we're different…"
"It doesn't matter."
"You're telling the truth… right?"
"That's right."
And then she smiled. It was like a rainbow after a storm. Her smile filled his heart with warmth, like sunlight breaking through heavy clouds.