Aster was not exactly enjoying his time alone. He was completely cut off from the world around him, unable to see anything, unable to hear anything, unable to feel anything.
His emotions ran rampant with his imagination. He would die soon, and never even know it. Would his consciousness just slowly slip away? Was he already bleeding out at this very moment?
What if he was already dead, but was just trapped here forever alone like this? What if this was the afterworld? How long had he even been here? He had no way of knowing, there were no sunrises or moonlight where he was.
No light at all to guide such thoughts through the darkness of his true isolation. Just him. Just his rambling mind. He incessantly went over the trial in his head, again and again.
Was his father truly safe? Did he... Did he have to do it himself? Was he ordered to kill him? Would it really be better for anyone else if he didn't?
Aster was starting to breakdown and lose himself, his doubt and anxiety spun a deadly web of fear that further entangled the boy in this place. He wanted to scream, but it would do no use.
There was no way for him to hear it... There was no way for anybody to hear it... And suddenly there was a light, as the spell was finally released.
Aster recovered from the state with a heavy jolt, his senses rushed back to him. He barely managed to catch himself on unsteady arms as he fell forward, gasping to draw in a breath, to know he was still alive.
He could see! He could feel the cold stone beneath his hands! Aster never thought he'd be so grateful to know texture beneath his touch. With another gasp of realization after getting over the initial shock of returning to his body, the boy shot his head forward, trying to piece together what had happened while he was... Away.
His vision was met with Prince Tyfin standing less than a meter before him. The young humanoid lion made eye contact with the human and held it steadily for a moment before he spoke to him in a calm and clear tone.
"Aster Venatus, you are hereby cleared of all charges brought against you today. Furthermore, as the crown prince of Alora, and the deciding vote in this matter, I hereby lift ALL restrictions placed upon you and your family by my father, King Alocer Tonitrus, and grant you full citizenship of this country. You may live your life in the open as you see fit."
Aster couldn't even fathom what the prince was saying, regardless, the young lion only continued.
"I give you my full authorization to continue taking The Selection should you desire so. I wish you luck in your endeavors, in whatever you may decide to do with this freedom you've fought well to obtain... However, just as every warrior here had sworn a life oath to me just moments ago, you too must swear your fealty to this kingdom. Aster Venatus, raise your right hand before me."
Aster was shell-shocked. The boy could only drop his head and stare at the stone beneath him in his disbelief. His mind raced to make sense of what he had just heard.
A mere moment ago, he had all but given up on life, yet now... Reality clicked into place for the human, and he obeyed his Prince's request by holding his right palm up for the lion, returning to a proper kneel when doing so.
Prince Tyfin took a hold of his hand, and pressed his thumb to the human's wrist before he began speaking in a far louder voice this time. Aster could feel a tingling sensation where the claw pressed into his skin.
"Aster Venatus, do you swear by your life to never take up arms against this kingdom? To only serve as a protector to her people, or as a peaceful citizen thereof. Should you further pursue a life of combat, will you raise your weapon when she calls for your aid? Will you yield your body, your mind, and your spirit to Alora for the longevity of both your king and country?"
Aster scrambled to respond, perhaps a bit too enthusiastically. "YES SIR!"
The prince let out a small sigh of relief, and pressed the claw of his thumb into the flesh of the boy's wrist, drawing forth a small stream of blood.
Aster felt a searing pain for just a moment as the blood formed into a circular rune, and burned it's likeness into his skin.
This was a life oath, a personalized mark every soldier of Alora bore before they could consider themselves a soldier. This was an unbreakable promise in this world, yet one the boy was overjoyed to finally make.
"Rise Aster Venatus, and rest well for your battles ahead. You are dismissed by this court. Take leave with your father, but hear this... You have a long road of changing both the minds, and the hearts of our people before you. Remember the resolve you showed on this day as you make that journey."
Aster replied with an energetic "Yes Sir!"
Before he felt his father laying his large red cloak over his exposed shoulders and torso.
Aster was always a bit ashamed of his furless body, something the knight had been considerate of even then. Jagón placed his hands on his son's shoulders, and hurriedly rose with the boy, ushering him quickly to the back exit of the platform where the pair left the sight of the remaining beastmen.
Some of them were emotionless, some were visibly angry, and some even bore a soft smile as the duo left that place, A place where only moments ago, they had prepared to part from each other for the final time.
They had survived. Somehow.
King Alocer silently walked over to his son as the knight left with his boy. He stopped before his young cub, and made a single comment his way.
"I pray by the gods that you made the right decision today, my son. For your own sake." The younger lion closed his eyes and bowed his head a bit before responding quietly.
"As do I, father. As do I."
***