Chapter 19. The New Companion

The desert sky had turned indigo, and Leovara Palace blazed like a fiery gem, proudly defying the endless night.

Within the Grand Hall, the air was warm and opulent. Hundreds of intricately carved bronze lanterns hung suspended from the high, domed ceiling, casting a web of warm golden light interwoven with deep shadows. Their glow danced across the polished black stone floor, reflecting flames like a starless night sky. The sandstone walls were sculpted into massive bas-reliefs, depicting lions on the hunt and legendary battles. In place of carpets, rare animal hides and handwoven rugs with intricate patterns adorned stone platforms.

The air was thick with a delicate blend: the scent of frankincense and sandalwood mingling with the rich aroma of honeyed wine and spice-rubbed roasted meat. Guests and warriors reclined on low silk-draped divans, gathered around tea tables of bronze inlaid with mother-of-pearl. A deep, resonant blast from a horn signaled the arrival of the most honored guests, and the massive ebony doors, inlaid with gold, slowly swung open.

Leading the procession was the Beast King, Oselian, the Tiger.

He strode in as if the very stones beneath his feet belonged to him. The aura of a ferocious tiger radiated from his oppressive silence. He wore a sleeveless, flowing robe of the finest black silk, its edges densely embroidered with threads of pure gold, forming intricate tiger-stripe patterns that curled with exquisite power from shoulder to hem. The robe was left open, revealing a chiseled, muscular torso that made no effort to conceal the raw strength of an alpha predator. Across his bronzed skin, intricate black tattoos seemed to meld with the golden embroidery, alive and shifting with every commanding step.

Behind him followed his retinue, the fiercest tiger warriors, their dagger-sharp gazes silently sweeping the hall with a deadly calm.

Moments later, the air in the hall softened, carrying a faint chill laced with the scent of sea salt and distant storms.

The leader of the Thalassian Bloc, Nereus, entered with his retinue of Merfolk. Though he had lived for centuries, Nereus retained a youthful, ethereal beauty. His long, shimmering blue hair was braided with strands of coral and glistening pearls. He wore a flowing garment of sea-green silk, so sheer it revealed skin pale as moonlight, exuding a cold, fathomless allure, like the depths of the ocean. His eyes held a distant, inscrutable gaze.

But the fragile calm was swiftly shattered.

A fierce gust swept through the open corridors, causing the lantern flames to flicker wildly. The leader of the Zephyr Legion, Aquila, had arrived. She strode in, her massive ash-gray wings folding behind her with unconcealed pride. Her attire was sleek, crafted from leather adorned with razor-sharp feathers. Her hawk-like eyes pierced through the room, unflinching and fearless, carrying the untamed spirit of the open sky.

The atmosphere in the hall grew taut as a bowstring when her gaze inadvertently locked with Nereus’s—a silent clash between the boundless sky and the unfathomable sea.

“Ugh! Always reeks in here,” Aquila muttered, wrinkling her nose in disdain as she brushed it with her hand, grumbling to Aetos beside her.

“What can you do? Too many fish,” Aetos replied with a shrug, his voice deliberately loud and dripping with boredom. His words were a spark, igniting fury among the Merfolk, their teeth grinding audibly.

One Merfolk clenched his jaw, ready to lunge, but Nereus raised a hand to stop him without so much as a glance. He lifted his goblet, took a leisurely sip, and spoke in a voice as cool as frost:

“Just a few hens clucking. No need to pay them any mind.”

Pfft!

Aquila spat out the wine she’d just sipped, her voice sharp as a blade: “What did you just say?!”

Aetos’s eyes widened, his voice bursting out: “What the hell? Hens?!”

Aquila shot to her feet, the chair crashing to the floor. Her eyes blazed golden like the sun, and behind her, one massive eagle wing unfurled, whipping the air into a howling gust.

“Want me to pluck every scale off your fishy hides?”

Aetos stepped forward, placing a hand on her shoulder as if to calm her, though the gesture was so light it was practically meaningless, his lips curling slightly:

“Easy, Aquila… (though going wild wouldn’t hurt).”

Nereina, silent until now, suddenly flung the heavy wooden table aside, the air shrieking as if sliced by a sword. She launched forward like a bolt of steel, hurtling toward her opponent.

Two figures collided midair, their laughter and roars thundering like a storm’s prelude.

The crowd erupted, their fervor igniting—

CREAK—

The ebony doors, inlaid with gold, groaned open with a long, drawn-out screech.

Every movement froze. Aquila halted midair, Nereina reined in her force just before impact.

All eyes turned toward the door.

—

In a quiet chamber far from the hall’s chaos, Bear had donned his ceremonial garb.

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The jet-black attire hugged his towering frame, the fine brocade gleaming faintly under the lamplight, its golden cloud patterns shimmering like wisps of smoke drifting over mountain stone. A silver belt, engraved with bear heads, cinched his sturdy waist, accentuating a regal, steadfast presence that carried the weight of a mountain’s authority.

He gazed into the mirror—but the man staring back felt like a stranger. In his eyes burned a fierce, aching longing—a sweet poison coursing through him.

He stepped into the corridor, each footfall resonating as if echoing from deep within his chest. As the door opened, the world narrowed to that single frame—where Ami stood waiting.

She leaned slightly, not fully turned, like a painting composed long before.

Her gown layered ivory beneath deep teal, teal beneath inky black, each movement rippling like waves on a moonlit lake. Silver bamboo motifs gleamed coldly across the fabric, and the jade belt at her waist glowed with an ethereal stillness. Her white hair was swept high, revealing a slender, proud neck. A silver diadem with a single luminous gem hung delicately on her brow, rendering her distant, almost otherworldly.

Bear stood transfixed.

A possessive urge surged within him, fierce and terrifying, like darkness swallowing the moon. He approached, his deep voice laced with a teasing edge, though it couldn’t hide a faint tremor:

“Waiting for me?”

Ami turned her head slowly, as if performing a ritual, and gave a slight nod. “Mm.”

He offered his arm, a gallant smile playing on his lips. When her hand rested there, its touch was cold as ice, but his eyes gleamed with satisfaction—a quiet, dangerous triumph, as if he’d claimed a treasure… and would never let it go.

Ami and Bear descended to where Eagle and Hyena awaited.

The four moved in unison, their steady steps carrying an oppressive aura that made the servants along the corridor shrink back.

“Hm? Where’s Mira?” Hyena glanced around, his question casual but his eyes sharp with mischief.

Ami merely shook her head, offering no explanation. Her gray eyes, veiled in mist, turned away, letting the question dissolve into silence.

Bear gave a faint smile, his warm voice breaking the pause:

“The girl’s never liked crowds. Probably went back after helping Ami prepare.”

Hyena nodded, though his gaze lingered on Ami, recalling the afternoon’s events.

Eagle remained silent, his steps steady, but a glint of wariness flickered in his eyes as the growing din from the hall reached them.

No words were needed—they all knew who was causing the commotion. Eagle sighed, his brow furrowing as if bracing for the worst.

At the door, the herald’s voice rang out, grand and resonant:

“The leader of the Beastman Alliance Caelan and his companions and retinue, have arrived!”

The doors swung open.

The chaotic hall fell silent. Every gaze—from the Winged Clan, the Merfolk, and even the other delegations—fixed on them.

What greeted Bear’s group was…

The Winged Clan and Merfolk poised to tear each other apart. Above, Aquila hovered, wings spread, her golden eyes blazing like fire, descending like an arrow aimed at her foe. Below, Nereina stood coiled like a taut bowstring, ready to meet the first strike.

Amid the tension, only Nereus remained seated, his expression that of someone waiting to see how the farce would end.

Of course… Hyena muttered inwardly, her eyes half-closed, utterly unsurprised.

Eagle merely bowed his head with a sigh.

A moment of stillness, like the calm before a storm—then, suddenly:

“…Altair?”

The trembling voice made Eagle freeze. Aquila’s eyes widened, first with doubt, then certainty.

In a heartbeat, she shot forward, her wings stirring a gust that snuffed out candles, landing before him.

“Altair! It’s really you?” She nearly shouted, grabbing his shoulders to study him closer, then trembling as she threw her arms around him.

Eagle, caught off guard, hadn’t responded when Aetos came rushing over, panting, and looked up—then froze.

“ALTAIR?!”

His shout outdid Aquila’s, stunning the crowd.

“Ugh… calm down, both of you—”

Eagle sighed, his brow creasing, his eyes betraying exasperation.

“Speak! You vanished for thirty-eight years, and now you just… show up—”

Aquila lifted her head, her voice breaking, eyes red as she clung tighter.

“Exactly! Do you know how much we missed you?!”

Aetos added, his voice choking as he wrapped his arms around Eagle’s waist like a child afraid of being left behind.

Aquila clung to his neck, her feet dangling midair; Aetos gripped his waist, refusing to let go.

Eagle stood motionless, his face a mask of resignation, glancing at the dozens of curious eyes fixed on them.

Nereina frowned, glancing at Nereus, but he merely shrugged, gesturing nonchalantly for his retinue to return to their seats.

The Winged Clan stood stunned, their eyes locked on Aethel, unmoving.

“Aethel… who’s that?” Hyena asked softly.

At the name, Aquila and Aetos flinched, exchanging looks before glaring at Eagle, their eyes a mix of confusion and resentment.

“The old teammate you mentioned?” Bear added, his tone teasing.

“Old teammate?” Both nearly shouted.

“You’re calling us old now?” Aquila sniffled, her lips trembling.

“So who’re your new teammates? Him? Or him?”

Aetos gestured wildly at Bear and Hyena, his voice thick with jealousy and indignation.

“Enough.”

Eagle’s voice cut through, firm as he delivered two sharp taps to their heads, like scolding overgrown children.

He turned to Bear, his tone cold:

“I’ll step outside for a moment.”

Without waiting for a response, Eagle grabbed Aquila with one hand, dragged Aetos with the other, and marched them both out.

The explosive tension dissolved into a scene both comical and poignant. Whispers and chuckles rippled through the crowd.

Nereus smirked, clearly savoring a new topic to taunt Aquila with.

Ami stood silently beside Bear, her eyes still following.

“Let’s take a seat,” Bear murmured, leaning closer.

Ami started slightly, then nodded and followed.

—

Eagle pulled them to a deserted balcony, where the desert moonlight cast a cold glow. He released them, the night breeze whistling softly through the stone columns.

Eagle faced Aquila and Aetos. Both glared back, their faces a mix of anger and hurt.

“Phew…” Eagle sighed. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t think a simple apology will cut it!”

Aetos snapped, his voice brimming with grievance. Aquila nodded vigorously, echoing every word.

“Aetos, you’re Aquila’s strategist now—act like it,” Eagle said sternly.

“And you, Aquila, you’re the Legion’s leader. Crying like this? Aren’t you worried about being laughed at?”

“Let them think what they want! I don’t care!” Aquila shot back, her eyes still red. “More importantly, why did you disappear? Just a letter saying ‘Aquila takes over,’ then you vanished, leaving me stuck in that role for nearly forty years!”

“And me! Babysitting her every step, wasting my youth!” Aetos added, his face unusually serious.

Aquila shot him a glare sharp as a blade. Aetos froze, quickly looking away, pretending he’d said nothing.

“Alright, it’s a long story. After today, I’ll set aside time to explain,” Eagle said, placing a hand on each of their shoulders, gently nudging them toward the door. “For now, let’s go back inside.”

“You sure?” Aquila narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing him.

“Don’t you dare disappear again,” Aetos added, his voice laced with suspicion.

Eagle only sighed, offering no reply. His hands remained on their shoulders, guiding them back to the hall, step by step.