The sky split.
Not like lightning.
Not like a crack.
It tore.
A jagged wound of blinding gold ripped across the silver realm, spilling light so violent that Kanah had to bury her face in Owain's chest to keep from going blind.
Owain shielded her completely, arms locked around her protectively.
"Kanah—hold on—hold on—!"
She clutched his coat, trembling.
"I'm here—I'm here—don't let go—"
"I won't," Owain growled, pulling her tighter.
But the First King's voice pressed down on them like a clenched fist:
"You cannot hold each other in this trial."
Kanah froze.
Owain's breath stopped.
Gerrin's eyes widened in dread.
"Owain—KANAH—brace yourselves!"
A shockwave exploded outward.
Owain's arms were torn from around her as if ripped by invisible claws.
Kanah screamed.
"Owain—OWAIN—!!"
He reached for her as he was flung backward, fingers outstretched, panic across every line of his face.
"KANAH—DON'T LET GO—!!"
"I'M NOT—DON'T—DON'T—OWAIN—!!"
But the force tore them apart.
Kanah was dragged one direction, Owain the opposite, their hands slipping—
"Owain—NO—!!"
"KANAH—!!"
Their fingertips brushed—
And missed.
Kanah fell into darkness.
Owain fell into light.
The realm swallowed them both.
Kanah Lands Alone
She hit the ground hard.
Black stone.
Cold.
She pushed herself up, chest heaving.
"Owain…?
OWAIN—!?"
Silence.
A hollow silence that swallowed her heartbeat.
She staggered to her feet.
"OWAIN—answer me—please—OWAIN—!!"
Still nothing.
Her hands shook uncontrollably.
This realm was different.
Dark.
Empty.
Cold enough to steal breath.
Then—
Footsteps.
Kanah spun around sharply, fear slicing through her.
"Who—who's there—??"
A voice answered.
Smooth.
Deep.
Cruel.
"You call for the wolf."
Kanah's blood froze.
"No…"
"But he cannot hear you here."
Kanah trembled.
"No—no—please—don't—"
A silhouette emerged from the darkness.
Tall.
Armored in obsidian.
Crowned in burning gold.
The Beast King.
Her stalker.
Her hunter.
Her future if she failed.
He stepped forward, the shadows parting for him like frightened animals.
"Little human," he murmured, smiling slowly.
"How long I've waited for this."
Kanah stumbled backward until she hit the cold stone wall.
Her knees buckled.
The Beast King tilted his head.
"Why do you run?
You came to my world.
To my throne.
To my destiny."
Kanah's throat closed.
"Stay away from me."
He smiled wider.
"You must choose.
This is the Trial of Choice."
Kanah shook violently.
"I already chose Owain."
The Beast King laughed softly.
"Did you, little heir?"
His eyes glowed gold.
"Then why are you here with me?"
Kanah's breath hitched.
He stepped closer.
"You stand at a crossroads.
One path leads to the wolf.
The other leads to me."
Kanah shook her head.
"No—there's no choice—there's no path to you—"
He leaned closer—
far too close—
voice brushing her ear.
"Then why does the realm think there is?"
Kanah's breath broke.
"I don't want you. I want Owain."
The Beast King's smile widened.
"Then come claim him."
Kanah blinked.
"What…?"
He lifted a single finger.
A golden path materialized behind him, leading into a blinding, distant light.
"Your wolf waits there.
Wounded.
Afraid.
Heart unraveling."
Kanah's heart pounded violently.
"Owain—!"
She took a step forward—
The Beast King blurred and appeared directly in front of her, blocking the path.
Kanah stumbled back.
"Move—MOVE—!!"
He didn't.
He stared down at her, expression unreadable.
"I am the obstacle," he said simply.
"I am the wall between you and your mate."
Kanah trembled.
"This is your final trial.
Your last test.
Your ultimate choice."
She swallowed hard.
"What… choice…?"
The Beast King extended a hand.
"Choose to pass me."
Kanah froze.
"And the realm will allow you to go to him."
Her heart slammed painfully.
"Or," the Beast King continued,
"choose to kneel."
Kanah's blood turned to ice.
"No…"
"You kneel," he murmured, "and I remove myself from the throne. I remove myself from the prophecy. I remove myself from your fate."
Kanah stumbled backward.
Her voice came out broken.
"No—no—I won't kneel—I won't—"
The Beast King leaned in, lips curling.
"Choose."
Owain Awakens Elsewhere
Owain hit the ground hard enough to crack it.
He coughed, spit blood, and dragged himself upright.
"K—Kanah…?"
His voice was hoarse, frantic.
He looked around wildly.
This realm was blinding white.
Empty.
Featureless.
Silent.
"Owain…?" he whispered, mocking himself.
"She can't hear you…"
He collapsed to his knees.
"No—NO—KANAH—!!"
His howl ripped the world open.
Light shattered.
Ground cracked.
Owain clutched his chest as the half-restored bond spasmed with pain.
He felt Kanah's fear.
Her trembling.
Her tears.
Owain roared.
"LET ME TO HER—LET ME TO HER—!!"
The realm didn't answer.
He slammed his fist into the ground.
"BRING HER BACK—!!"
Nothing.
Owain's instinct screamed, spiraling into wild panic.
Then—
A voice:
"She chooses now."
Owain snapped his head up.
"FIRST KING—WHERE IS SHE—!!?"
The voice remained calm.
"She stands before her final obstacle."
Owain's heart nearly stopped.
"No—NO—she can't do this alone—she can't—she'll freeze—she'll—"
"She does not freeze anymore."
Owain's breath shook.
"If she fails—"
His voice cracked.
"—I'll die."
"If she fails," the First King corrected,
"you both lose each other."
Owain's blood iced.
"No…"
"She must choose."
Owain roared:
"SHE CHOOSES ME— LET ME TO HER— LET ME—"
"This choice is hers. Not yours."
Owain fell silent.
Not because he agreed.
Because he felt it.
Kanah's fear.
Kanah's trembling.
Kanah's heartbeat.
Kanah's breath.
The bond trembled violently.
Owain whispered:
"She's crying…"
Then louder—
"SHE'S CRYING— FIRST KING— LET ME TO HER—!!"
"If she chooses you, wolf," the First King answered,
"you will feel her cry in your arms again."
Owain froze.
"But if she chooses the other path—
you will lose her forever."
Owain's heart convulsed.
His voice broke:
"No…
she wouldn't…
she wouldn't choose anyone but—"
His voice died in his throat.
The realm pulsed.
The choice had begun.
Kanah Faces the Choice
The Beast King blocked the path.
Kanah trembled violently, legs barely holding her.
"All you must do," he whispered, "is bow."
Kanah bit her lip hard enough to bleed.
"No…"
"You're shaking."
"I won't."
"You're afraid."
"I'm not afraid of YOU."
The Beast King smiled faintly.
"No.
You fear losing him."
Kanah's breath hitched.
"That fear," he whispered, "makes you bend."
"I won't bend."
"You will."
"I—WON'T—"
Kanah staggered forward and shoved him with both hands.
He didn't move.
He simply tilted his head.
"Then pass me."
Kanah froze.
"How—"
"You figure it out."
She trembled.
"Owain needs me…"
"Yes."
"My bond— my heart— he—he called for me—"
"Yes."
"Let me through."
"No."
He waited.
Patient.
Cruel.
Ready to break her.
"Choose," he whispered.
"And choose well."
Kanah's chest heaved.
"I choose—"
She prepared to step forward—
He stepped in front of her again.
"No."
Kanah shook.
"I choose—"
He stepped forward until she hit the wall.
"No."
Kanah's breath broke.
"I CHOOSE OWAIN—!!"
The Beast King lifted her chin with a single finger.
"No," he whispered.
Kanah sobbed.
"LET ME TO HIM—!!"
"Stop begging."
"I'M NOT—!!"
"Then stop shaking."
"I'm—trying—!!"
She pressed her hands to her chest, sobbing.
"Owain—please—Owain—I choose you—just let me THROUGH—!!"
The Beast King studied her.
"What will you do," he asked quietly,
"when wanting isn't enough?"
Kanah froze.
"When saying isn't enough."
She trembled violently.
"When crying isn't enough."
She swallowed.
"When screaming isn't enough."
Her knees buckled.
"What will you DO?"
Kanah slowly lifted her head.
Her tears dripped onto the ground.
She whispered:
"I'll stand."
The Beast King blinked.
Kanah stood.
Her legs shook violently.
But she stood.
"I'll stand," she repeated.
"Because Owain always stands for me."
The Beast King narrowed his eyes.
Kanah took one step.
He placed a hand on her shoulder.
Kanah trembled.
He leaned in.
"Fall."
"No."
"Fall."
"No."
"FALL."
Kanah shoved his hand away.
"NO."
The Beast King's eyes widened.
Kanah screamed:
"I CHOOSE OWAIN."
The realm shook.
The Beast King grabbed her wrist.
She didn't flinch.
She whispered:
"Let me go."
He stared at her.
Something like fury
and something like respect
flashed across his expression.
Kanah pulled her wrist free.
"I choose my mate."
A crack exploded across the realm.
Light burst behind her.
And she ran.
The Beast King didn't stop her.
He watched her pass.
His eyes burning.
His voice soft:
"So be it."
Owain Breaks
Owain collapsed as the bond surged.
He screamed her name—
"KANA—AHHH—!!"
And then—
He felt her.
Not her fear.
Not her pain.
Her choice.
She chose him.
Owain sobbed.
"K—Kanah—"
Light opened in front of him.
And she fell into his arms.
She collided with him so hard they nearly toppled over.
Owain wrapped around her instantly.
Kanah sobbed into his chest.
"I CHOSE YOU—I CHOSE YOU—I CHOSE YOU—!!"
Owain held her so tight she could barely breathe.
"I know—Kanah—I know—"
She clung to him.
"I didn't kneel—
I didn't freeze—
I didn't fall—
I STOOD FOR YOU—"
Owain buried his face in her hair.
His voice cracked.
"And I'm staying with you."
She sobbed harder.
"Owain—O…wain—"
He lifted her chin and pressed his forehead to hers.
"I'm not leaving," he whispered.
"Not ever."
The realm dissolved around them.
The First King spoke one final time:
"The Restoration is complete."