THE UNBROKEN

The storm raged for three days.

Lightning danced like spirits in the sky, each thunderclap shaking the very bones of the earth. Rain fell in sheets, relentless and howling, echoing through the narrow mouth of the hidden cave. The family stayed tucked within, wrapped in wool blankets and the fragile peace that came only when the world had to pause.

In those quiet, soaked hours, they told stories.

Niegal, his voice low and gentle, told tales of the victories at Arenavida—of the early days of resistance, the people who stood with them. Of Seamus and Cheri and Kenneth, of nights spent sleeping with their backs against each other and hearts full of fire.

Elena spoke softly of Marisiana: the colors of the gardens, the whispering trees, the chapel steps where she once watched the moon rise. But her voice cracked when she said it. The weight of all that was lost pressed in. She stopped mid-sentence, her eyes staring somewhere distant. A tremor of grief bloomed in her throat.

Niegal saw it.

Their eyes met as they sat together by the fire, and that same grief looked back at her.

"I'm with you," he whispered against her neck.

She closed her eyes and held him tighter, whispering into his skin, "Always."

On the third day, the storm began to die. The sky was still gray, heavy with clouds, but the rage had passed. Thunder now came only in tired rumbles, like the storm's final breath.

Elena and Niegal crouched by the cave entrance, peering into the soaked forest beyond.

"We could go at nightfall," Elena murmured, scanning the trees. "But the storm… it could turn again."

Niegal nodded, thoughtful. "I don't like it. Something feels… off."

That's when they heard it.

Hoofbeats.

Elena's breath hitched. Niegal's jaw clenched.

The air shifted… danger.

Without a word, they moved. In practiced silence, Niegal transformed. Fur spilling down his spine like wildfire, muscles rippling beneath golden skin. It didn't hurt anymore. The beast welcomed him now.

Elena drew the Blade of Boinayel, rain dripping from its edge even within the cave, the hum of mana quiet but ready.

They cast their wards, layer after layer; barriers of sound, cloaking, mirror wards. Niegal curled protectively around Elena and Esperanza, his tail lashing behind him like a whip. Elena held her daughter tightly, murmuring a spell just in case.

The footsteps grew louder.

They were close now.

They kissed Esperanza's head, mouthing I love you to each other as their little girl's hand reached out, tiny fingers stretching toward the light of the cave mouth.

And then-

"Uncle Niegal? Elena? We're here for you!"

The voice cracked through the trees like salvation.

Phineus.

A blur of movement, his voice louder now, urgent and searching. Niegal shifted back instantly, barely wincing. Elena sheathed her blade with shaking hands and stumbled forward, her vision blurred by tears.

Phineus rounded the hill, his silver hawk overhead, a whole company of warriors and mages behind him. They were flag bearers of House Matteo, cloaks billowing, swords gleaming, ready for battle- but eyes wide with hope.

Elena broke.

She collapsed into Niegal's chest, crying freely. He held her, burying his face in her curls, eyes squeezed shut in raw relief.

Phineus rushed forward, his armor still dusty from the road, and dropped to his knees to embrace Elena, Niegal, and then- Esperanza.

"You're safe. You're really safe."

Esperanza squealed with joy, reaching for her favorite companion. She refused to leave Phineus' arms, clinging to him with the stubbornness only a toddler could muster.

"Looks like I've been replaced," Niegal said, voice cracked with emotion.

"Only temporarily," Elena teased, wiping her cheeks.

They didn't argue. Niegal helped Phineus strap Esperanza safely to his chest, adjusting the harness with gentle hands. Elena clutched her partner's sleeve as they mounted up on a shared horse, Niegal wrapping an arm around her waist.

Phineus gave the order, and the company moved, hard and fast, disappearing into the wilds once more, this time not in fear, but in unity.

The Lion, the Storm, their Light…

And now?

They had a Pride behind them.