Chaos erupted as the three beasts that had voted for Aster's execution thus far began vehemently opposing the notion, practically spitting their complaints towards both the clever cat and the kind wolf.
After a moment, (and a light growl from their king,) they ceased the bickering, neither side having relented on their respective opinions. It was then that one of the final two beastmen judges yet to speak their position stood, towering higher than any other had so far.
It was a very large and muscular black minotaur. Even by beast standards, Brutus Rixator was an imposing giant. When he spoke, his hefty, gruff voice was a bit hard for Aster to comprehend.
"Boy. You beat lizard? With only stick?"
Aster looked up at the towering hunk of muscle extremely lost, the minotaur made a motion of jabbing forward with an imaginary staff.
Realization registered upon the human's face, as he scrambled to answer the bull.
"Oh! Yes Sir! You mean during the first round right?" Aster was surprised, most didn't pay much attention to the fighters on the first day.
The minotaur nodded, and spoke again, tapping at the side of his head. "Good attack. You weak body, but strong head. Tiger both strong body and strong head. Tiger still lose."
Aster was struggling to follow, but it almost seemed like the minotaur was giving him a compliment.
The minotaur started shaking his head and spoke something even more cryptic, remaining silent thereafter. "Leaf not axe! Stick not blade! Order followed. Strong fight with strong. Let boy fight!"
Aster was still a bit stuck on the leaf part, but based off the audible gasp his father released, it seemed it was good news for them.
Jagón was absolutely shocked by Brutus's verdict. The minotaur was known for not understanding the concept of mercy in battle. A true meathead that killed without second-thought or remorse.
The panther was almost certain his vote would be a condemning one, so Aster must have managed to impress the bull more than anyone had realized.
With the seriousness setting in that it was now three for execution, three for salvation, and one abstaining, the council looked to the final beastman yet to cast their judgment upon the Venatus family.
The tiebreaker would have to lie with Prince Tyfin Tonitrus, the only heir to the crown.
The young king-to-be Tyfin, let the silence linger for a moment as he gathered his thoughts. He needed to address the conflicting concerns and points made carefully.
This Selection was quickly becoming his first major decision, and would undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on the type of king he would be for the people he was to one day rule.
He felt sick, and was angered his father had put him in this position after essentially creating this entire mess. Yet he would accept the responsibility anyways. That's what princes had to do, after all.
"Jagón Venatus, I hereby dismiss you of all charges. Alice, would you subdue Aster before we continue?"
The cat made a graceful stand, and curtsied masterfully towards her prince. She trounced over to Aster once more, pausing in front of him as the prince began speaking his parting message to the human.
"Aster Venatus. Son of Jagón Venatus. Today, I recognize both your foolishness and your courage in coming here. These may be your final words. Speak what you deem necessary."
Aster somehow felt honored to be there in the most odd way after hearing those words. That was the first time a beastman here besides his father spoke to him by his name, and spoken by a prince no less.
Aster only had one thing on his mind that he really needed to say and hadn't had a chance to yet. When he looked to the panther beside him, he saw an indescribable look of sorrow in his eyes.
Aster knew then, his father believed this to be goodbye. For probably the first time, Aster finally saw exactly how tired the knight must be after everything he had been forced to endure since taking him under his wing.
The panther seemed older than the boy had remembered him, but even still, here he was, desperately trying to protect him still. Fighting not to lose another son.
"Father. You've given me your name, your home, and the chance to even stand here today and prove my worth to all of you. I just... I really hope I tried hard enough. I want to be around to protect you in return someday. I'm sorry you were stuck in this mess with me. You uh... You have to talk to Cortist for me. You have to be with Cortist ok? I'm alright."
His voice was cracking. Try as he may, he just couldn't hold his composure any longer. Aster tried to be strong so far, but his fear was finally bared before all of the beastmen present.
His breathing accelerated and his heart beat faster. He was terrified for his family, but he finally managed a heavy breath inwards before looking back to the younger lion before him.
The tears were dangerously close to falling from his eyes now.
"Thank you for using my name, Prince Tyfin, I'm very proud to bear it. I hope I will be allowed a chance to further compete for the honor of someday serving you. I trust your decision fully, as my future king, and swear to you my life... Even should you decide to take it this very day."
Alice squatted before Aster, and began muttering the incantations needed.
Aster felt a strong hand on his shoulder, and turned to see his father smiling at him. The human saw his father crying for the first time in his life that day, and let his own tears fall too.
Everything suddenly fell away from his vision, replaced by a dark void of nothingness as his consciousness was completely severed off from all of his senses.
This was 'Subdue.' This was a spell used by the beastmen before carrying out an execution.
***