The forest grew quieter the farther they traveled.

  Not silent—never silent—but subdued, as though every living thing had turned its attention toward the group moving through the undergrowth.

  Itsuki walked at the center of the formation, small steps carefully placed, cobalt warriors fanning out around him with practiced ease. Their movements were low and fluid, claws barely disturbing the leaf?littered ground. Ahead of them, Destro moved like a shadow given form, his humanoid body relaxed, hands folded loosely behind his back, eyes half?lidded yet alert.

  Itsuki felt exposed.

  Every pulse of mana in his body seemed louder here, echoing against the forest itself. He kept his breathing slow, just as Destro had taught him.

  You are leaking again, Destro noted calmly in his mind. Not dangerously. But enough to be felt.

  “I’m trying,” Itsuki muttered under his breath.

  I know.

  They didn’t have to go far.

  The scent reached them first—river water, leather, and something sharp with disdain. Then came the sound of voices, light and mocking, utterly unconcerned with being overheard.

  The cobalt hunting leader raised a fist. The warriors halted instantly.

  Through the trees, the catfolk party came into view.

  They were taller than the cobalts, long?limbed and lithe, fur patterned in stripes and spots of muted earth tones. Leather armor clung close to their bodies, adorned with bone charms and polished stones. Their ears flicked constantly, eyes sharp with confidence.

  One of them laughed.

  “Well I’ll be damned,” a striped male sneered, tail lashing. “The dogs brought a human child.”

  Several catfolk chuckled.

  Itsuki’s shoulders tightened.

  They are posturing, Destro said coolly. The fastest solution is dominance. Make them submit now, and bloodshed is avoided later.

  “I don’t want to scare them,” Itsuki whispered. “I just want them to stop fighting.”

  Intent does not always matter, Destro replied. Perception does.

  The catfolk stepped closer.

  “And what’s this?” another said, eyes sliding toward Destro with open contempt. “Walking beside a human like a pet. Have the cobalts finally lost their minds?”

  The hunting leader growled low in his throat.

  That was when one of the catfolk lunged.

  It wasn’t a full attack—more a test, a blur of motion meant to provoke fear.

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  Itsuki flinched.

  Pain flared in his chest.

  Fear flooded him all at once—flickers of fire and bloodshed from days ago crashing back into his mind.

  His aura burst outward.

  The forest bowed.

  Mana flooded the clearing in an overwhelming wave, heavy and crushing, pressing every living thing toward the ground. Cobalts slammed to their knees instinctively. Catfolk collapsed mid?stride, weapons clattering uselessly as their bodies refused to obey.

  Itsuki gasped, hands flying to his chest as his breathing grew ragged.

  “I— I didn’t—!”

  Destro stepped forward, placing himself between Itsuki and the catfolk.

  His presence layered over Itsuki’s power—sharp, absolute—forcefully channeling excess mana away before the child’s body could be overwhelmed.

  “Enough,” Destro said, his voice carrying like thunder. “You stand before my master.”

  The catfolk trembled, eyes wide with terror.

  “You will return to your village,” Destro continued coldly, “and bring your people to the cobalt lands before the sun sets. Swear fealty and live under his protection—”

  Golden eyes narrowed.

  “—or face eradication.”

  The pressure lifted.

  The catfolk scrambled backward, fear overwhelming pride as they fled into the trees without another word.

  Itsuki swayed.

  Destro was at his side instantly, steadying him.

  You did what was necessary, he said gently. Even if you did not mean to.

  The return to the village passed in a blur.

  They waited.

  As the sun dipped lower, tension wound tight through the clearing. Then movement stirred at the forest’s edge.

  The catfolk came.

  Not just warriors—but elders, children, entire families. They knelt as one before Itsuki, heads bowed low.

  “We swear fealty,” their leader said, voice strained but sincere. “To you, ruler of this land.”

  Itsuki’s chest ached.

  He closed his eyes.

  “I don’t want fear,” he said quietly. “I want coexistence. Protection. A place where no one has to fight just to exist.”

  Silence followed.

  He lifted his head and spoke clearly. “You will live together. Work together. To survive. Fighting between you will not be tolerated.” He hesitated, then added, “Your villages are separated by a river. We will build a bridge. One home, not two.”

  A murmur rippled through the gathered beastfolk—shock, hope, disbelief.

  “Since you will all live under my protection,” Itsuki continued, voice trembling but resolute, “I will name you.”

  Surprise turned into cheers. The catfolk leader stared at him, eyes wide with awe.

  “Are you certain, my lord?” she asked quietly. “To name us all?”

  Itsuki nodded.

  Destro moved then, calmly organizing everyone into a loose line before him.

  Then Itsuki began.

  He spoke the names slowly, carefully, guided by the colors shimmering in his sight.

  Orange—bright and fierce—surrounded the cobalt chief.

  “Enzrio,” Itsuki said.

  Mana surged, deep and steady.

  Beside him, a smaller orange flame flared.

  “And you… Rio.”

  The young cobalt gasped, eyes shining. “To share a name with my father—this honors me greatly!”

  Turquoise and blue rippled around the catfolk leader.

  “Nerise.”

  Others followed.

  A green?tinged healer: Liora.

  A purple?hued scout: Veylen.

  A yellow?bright cub, trembling with hope: Sari.

  With every name, the forest answered.

  With every name, Itsuki’s vision dimmed.

  The last thing he felt was Destro catching him as his legs gave out.

  “Reckless,” the dragon muttered softly, more fond than angry. “You truly are my master.”

  Darkness claimed him.