They left the battlefield at dawn.
The first soft light of morning filtered through the treetops, turning dew into glittering beads on the leaves.
The scent of smoke and blood still lingered behind them—
a reminder of everything they survived.
But ahead?
Green hills.
Fresh wind.
A long stretch of forest opening toward safer lands.
Kanah walked beside Owain at first, his hand warm and solid around hers.
"Don't let go," he murmured quietly.
"I won't."
He squeezed gently—saying everything without words.
Behind them, the tribes formed a migrating column:
Dragons flying low overhead, wings stirring the air
Wolves trotting at the flanks, guarding the perimeter
Elves weaving mana-thread to stabilize injured travelers
Leopards darting across branches as scouts
Devourer-born clustered around Kanah, sticking close like lost children trying to understand the sun
The world felt different now.
No war drums.
No dark aura pressing into her bones.
Only the rhythm of footsteps, wings, and steady breathing.
OWAIN — CONSTANT
Owain kept a tight but gentle grip on her hand.
Every few minutes, he glanced sideways at her—
as if checking she was still there,
still breathing,
still his.
Kanah nudged him softly.
"You're staring."
"You're walking," he said.
"And?"
"Sometimes you faint."
She elbowed him lightly.
"Owain."
He leaned down, brushing a kiss to her forehead.
"Humor a worried mate."
Kanah bit her lip, smiling despite the ache inside her chest.
LEOPARD COMPANY
The movement above them caught her eye—
a golden blur descending from the branches.
Helion landed beside her with a feline bounce, tail flicking lazily.
"You look better this morning," he said.
"Less pale. Less ghost-like. Very cute."
Owain growled immediately.
"Helion—"
"I'm just giving a compliment," Helion said innocently.
Owain's eyes narrowed.
Helion leaned closer to Kanah, ignoring the wolf entirely.
"But seriously, little human—
you've got a glow today.
Soft. Warm. Kind of… alluring."
Owain stopped walking.
"Helion."
"What?"
"Back. Up."
Helion smirked, but stepped back just enough to avoid getting dragged into dirt.
Kanah laughed behind her hand.
"You're impossible," she told him.
"Thank you," Helion said with a wink.
Owain looked like he wanted to throw him into a tree.
DRAGON PRESENCE
Yllas descended next, landing so smoothly the leaves barely rustled.
"Kana."
His voice was calm, deep, and steady.
Kanah smiled softly.
"Hi, Yllas."
He stepped closer, brushing his fingers lightly over her wrist—a featherlight touch, careful not to overwhelm her.
"You slept well?"
Owain growled under his breath.
Kanah nodded.
"Yes. Owain helped."
Yllas studied the wolf king and nodded respectfully.
"As he should."
Owain blinked—caught off guard.
Yllas continued:
"But if you ever need cooling instead of warmth…"
He raised one clawed hand, frost swirling around his fingertips.
"I am here."
Owain bristled.
"Cooling? Why would she need cooling?"
"Kana burns up when anxious," Yllas replied simply.
"She does not realize it."
Kanah flushed.
"I do?"
"You do," Gerrin said, approaching with a gentle smile.
"Your mana warms when your emotions spike."
Owain immediately grabbed her hand to feel for himself.
Kanah buried her face in her hood.
"Oh gods."
The group chuckled softly.
ELF GENTLENESS
Gerrin walked beside her now, staff resting over his shoulder.
"Kanah, how are you feeling truly?" he asked quietly.
Kanah hesitated.
Then:
"Like I'm supposed to be okay already."
Gerrin shook his head gently.
"No one expects that."
Owain nodded sharply.
"NO one."
Helion raised a brow.
"Except maybe yourself."
Kanah stiffened.
Helion wasn't teasing now.
His gaze was sharp, perceptive.
"You push yourself too hard, little star," he said softly.
Kanah lowered her gaze.
"I just don't want to burden—"
"Enough," Yllas interrupted sharply.
Everyone turned to him.
Yllas's voice softened.
"You saved Beastworld. You aren't a burden."
Gerrin nodded.
Owain tightened his grip on her hand.
"You're everything."
Kanah's breath stuttered.
She blinked quickly, swallowing emotion.
"…Thank you."
THE DEVOURER-BORN
The smallest Devourer-born hurried to her side.
"Mother," the child whispered, "where are we going?"
Kanah smiled gently, brushing their hair back.
"Somewhere safe."
"Will we stay with you?"
Kanah's breath caught.
Owain tensed beside her but didn't interrupt.
She hesitated—
then nodded.
"Yes. If you want to."
The child beamed and ran back to the others.
Owain exhaled slowly.
"You're taking them with us."
Kanah bit her lip.
"They have nowhere else to go."
A pause.
Then Owain squeezed her hand again.
"Then they stay."
She looked up sharply.
"Owain—"
"They stay," he repeated.
"Because YOU chose them. And I choose everything you choose."
Kanah's throat burned.
She leaned against him briefly, needing the warmth.
He held her without hesitation.
THE VIEW AHEAD
By midday, the forest opened into a wide valley.
Mountains on the horizon.
Rivers cutting through fields.
Clear sky stretching endlessly.
A new beginning.
Rhaegor soared overhead.
"We make camp here tonight!" he called.
Wolves howled in agreement.
Elves raised their tents.
Leopards scampered onto nearby cliffs.
Dragons circled, securing the perimeter.
Owain turned to Kanah, brushing her cheek with the backs of his fingers.
"You ready for tonight?" he murmured.
She blinked.
"Tonight?"
Owain smiled—slow, warm, full of something deeper than she could name.
"No fear. No war.
Just peace."
Her heartbeat jumped.
She nodded softly.
"I'm ready."
Owain wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her gently against his side.
"Good," he whispered.
"Because I'm not letting you sleep alone again."
Kanah laughed softly, cheeks warm.
And for the first time—
the path ahead felt like home.