#vamphyr

As you know, our boy Besteel still lives. Not only that, but after the death of Vornak, the An’rak chieftain, following the fall of Tergaron, he’s appointed as the tribe’s new chieftain as per Vornak’s wishes (though there’s no time for the tattooing). Throughout the season, he takes Redimus’ place in some of the scenes, considering that Redimus is practically a pacifist (unless pushed too hard). 

Besteel finally confesses to Fayluna that he was responsible for Muthr’s death… and Eva overhears him. He tells his daughter that he did many things during the two years she and Redimus were captive, some of which he’s not proud of, but everything he did was to free his family. 

I’m introducing the rest of the Dorcean chieftains and chiefesses, who’ll have a secondary but important role in the story, particulary around the middle. More on that in a bit. 

Since I got not time constraints, i’ll do some filler chapters that properly focus on character relationships and their reactions to the events that unfold. EG, the traumas after the battle scenes, bonding, someone dying, etc. 

Other than Vanpa (and Redimus, occasionally), everyone is pretty cold toward Hailey. True, he wanted to save Vanpa, but it doesn’t erase the fact that he betrayed them. When trust is broken, a simple ‘I’m sorry’ isn’t enough; and even if it does, things will never be the same again.

In Caruncle’s boat, Besteel is the one trapped in the cage, and Eva decides to go save him; not only for Fayluna’s sake, but because she now cares for him. The cage falls into the water, and Eva dives in trying to save him; thankfully, Redimus dives in and tears the padlock with sheer strenght, and Otto helps them resurface.  Once they board the bijou, they have a pending conversation in which they finally bury the hatchet, with Eva finally forgiving him for Muthr’s death. 

Vamphyr gets a bigger role this season. He’s is the one who brings down the roof inside New Attica… and it kills him. Granted, Besteel and Redimus barely even have time to process it before more pillar guards appear, but later they do return to look for him and find him dying. I’m sad, but also happy that he at least gets to make peace with his sons.

While the group is at Solas and Lacus, even before the creatures of Orbona arrive, the Dorcean tribes attack the attempt at an army Eight has gathered outside New Attica… and it’s a massacre for the humans. I mean, let’s be real: all those people have lived comfortably for years, with no idea about the aliens. A few days (I agree that weeks is too much) isn’t enough for them to even get basic military training, let alone be emotionally and psychologically prepared for an all-out war. In fact, during that battle nearly all people outright tried to flee when the Dorceans showed up.

From the above, the Dorceans took some prisoners, which include Vanpa (I don’t think he should appear that early when we literally got no explanation whatsoever), Nova and Gen (they get a bigger role), Xander (from him the group learns that Eight has overthrown Cadmus and plans to use the Heart as a weapon), and some of the Toilers (I decided to leave them in the fic, can’t believe they were written out!).

Fayluna plays her biggest part yet! 

Despite their attack on the humans, the Dorcean tribes refuse to join Loroc for the second wave, as their loyalty is to the Ojo Family. 

Redimus being our sweet, empathetic boy who always goes out of his way to help when needed and abhorrs unecessary violence, but he does have his moments of courage, especially when it comes to Fayluna.

After the restoration of the Heart, we’ll get some filler chapters detailing how the characters’ cope with their losses and everything that’s happened, as well as tying up loose ends before the conclusion.

Besteel chuckled and lifted his daughter to his face. “You still have a lot to learn, my little beastie.”

“That’s not fair! I thought you hadn’t seen me!” the cub whined.

“That was your first mistake. Just because your prey doesn’t react to your presence doesn’t mean it’s unaware.”

Fayluna crossed her arms, pouting adorably. Besteel chuckled and placed her on his lap.

“Don’t make that face. You almost had me.” He assured. Fayluna’s tail wagged as he stroked her head with a lower hand. “There’s my excited little cub.”

“I’m not a cub! I’m a big girl!”

“Is that so? Then I guess you’re too old for caresses.” 

“Hey, I like that!”

The hunter laughed. “Aww, someone likes their bead being stroked.”

Fayluna gave in and leaned into her father’s hand, purring contently. 

“What are we having for dinner, Daddy?”

“One of the qrails I hunted earlier. It’s almost done.” 

Fayluna sniffed, then wrinkled her nose. “Eew, vegetables!”

“I know, they’re the most disgusting thing ever. But they’re good for you.”

“But I don’t like them!”

“Sometimes we have to do things we don’t like.” Besteel lifted Fayluna’s chin to have her meet his gaze. “Besides, I’m not asking you. You will eat them.” He chided sternly.

Fayluna pouted again, and her fur bristled, but she didn’t argue back. Satisfied, Besteel ran a hand down her head.

“Off you go, now. I need to finish dinner.”

Fayluna hopped off her father’s lap and headed to the edge of the camp. While there were no dangerous animals in Solas’ artificial forest garden, Fayluna made sure to stay nearby. Daddy was always quite serious about the whole thing, especially at night.

“Dumb vegetables. What are they good for anyway?” she murmured once she was out of earshot. 

Passing by a log, Fayluna heard some chirping nearby. Curious, she searched around the fallen tree until she came across a tiny orange and green fledgling on the ground. It was shrieking in distress, trying its best to move away.

“Daddy!”

Besteel was about to serve some stew in a bowl as his daughter called. “What is it?” he replied.

“I found a baby!”

Intrigued, Besteel headed to his daughter’s location and found her sniffing a little critter. He bent on one knee and delicately picked it up—the fledgling tried biting his claws. He noticed its primary left wing was hanging limply. Frowning, Besteel ran a finger down it. The stingbat shrieked and snapped at his claw. Despite the aggression, Besteel could tell it was in pain. 

“It’s a stingbat fledgling, Fay.”

“Is it lost? 

“It broke a wing. It most likely fell out of the nest.” 

Fayluna sniffed the fledgling, only to get pecked in the nose. “Ow!”

“Be careful, love. Wounded or cornered beasts are more dangerous.”

“What are we going to do with it, Daddy? Can we return it to its nest?”

“There’s no point. In its condition, its parents would likely throw it out again. They won’t waste food and care on a fledgling who won’t reach adulthood in the long run.”

“But we can’t just leave it here!”

Besteel sighed, eyes closed. 

“…It’s best to put it out of its suffering.”

Fay’s eyes widened. “But… It’s a baby…”

“Precisely, love. It’s no older than two weeks, and it didn’t get to learn how to survive on its own. Even if it had, a broken wing is a death sentence for a stingbat. It won’t be able to hunt and will most likely be eaten.” He ruffled Fayluna’s fur. “You’re a big girl, you said so yourself. That means you must understand how things work.”

She did. After all, their people’s culture and way of life revolves around hunting. Still, Fayluna felt terrible for the fledgling.

“Do I have to kill it, Daddy?”

“It’s just a baby, father! Why do we have to kill it?”

“Its wing is broken. If you don’t kill it, some other animal will. Now stop being a pussy and do it!”

Redimus stared at the stingbat fledgling in his father’s hands, eyes welling up with tears. He was trembling. 

Father didn’t like it. 

“Oh, for goodness’ sake, boy! Besteel, show him how it’s done.”

Besteel didn’t think about it. He merely grabbed the fledgling, dug his teeth into its neck, and twisted it, delivering a killing blow. His mouth tasted blood.

“Atta, kiddo! That’s how it’s done.”

Besteel’s gaze softened. It’s a good thing Redimus couldn’t come.

“…Would you like to?” 

The cub rubbed her forearms, fur bristling. That was all the answer he needed. 

“It’s okay, my little beastie. It’ll be another time.” He assured, stroking his daughter’s head with his lower hand. “Go back to camp.”

“It… It won’t hurt, will it?”

“It won’t. I promise.”

Fayluna obeyed and went back to the camp. Once alone with the chick, Besteel stroked its head, getting it to relax. The stingbat soon closed its eyes and drifted to sleep. 

“I’m sorry, little one… My family shall honor your sacrifice by feeding from your meat.”

Quietly, his claws grasped the sides of its head.

…

Daddy showed up a few minutes later. Fayluna winced as she noticed the stingbat’s carcass hanging limply from his grip by the neck. 

She’d been eager to make her first kill, but… not like that. 

“Won’t its mammy get sad…?” she whispered as he placed the carcass on the table.

“She’s got more, healthier chicks. She won’t miss one with a broken wing. It’s… harsh, but that’s how nature works.” Besteel explained, voice gentle. 

Fayluna is old enough to understand, but he still picked her up and gave her a comforting hug. 

“You did well, my little beastie.”

“Daddy… If I ever got hurt, would you…?”