We made it back to what I’m pretty sure is Raven Clan territory early in the morning. The boys were still asleep but I was exhausted. I could barely walk when I stumbled away from the river shore and collapsed on a small hill overlooking a meadow. I placed each of the heirs down carefully and laid my tail on top of them. I sat there for a few hours, letting my body rest as I began to plan out what was going to happen next.

How would Hanno react to the news? Would he cry? Would he get angry? Would he just give up? I won’t be here forever, so what problems can I solve for him in the short-term? I don’t really know enough to do anything.

Alright so what do I know? I know all the clan leaders were at the tournament. It's pretty much confirmed that the chief of the Bear clan and Creep are dead. I currently have the new leader of the Raven clan and two separate clan’s heirs.

Wait am I actually kinda politely powerful right now? It’s not like I have control of them though. And I probably shouldn’t get involved with this nation, not if that attack last night was any clue.

I just need to survive a week. In what is most likely one of the biggest moments of social upheaval this region has even seen. Okay maybe I can just leave. But what if Hanno dies? I’ve grown to like him, and he isn’t a bad person.

Hanno has never mistreated me, never overreacted and never acted like I was an idiot. In fact he treated me like another person. So I’ve gotta keep him alive. I’m sure being deep within his territory will help with that.

I just need some rest before I can keep going. I felt my vision blur as I began to drift into slumber. Maybe just a few minutes. It can’t hurt. When I opened my eyes I was no longer in the right place.

I was in a slightly familiar floating darkness. I had thought about what the purpose of it had been before and I had come to one conclusion. I am the chosen one. A being destined for greatness and fame.

I readied myself for the all important prophecy as I heard the voice begin to speak. “ Your highness, please wake up. It is time. It is time for you to claim your birthright. It is your destiny to rule over Aetheria. Do not let the usurpers wrest it from your control. Fight! Lead your people with care and humility. With grace and courage.”

Well that sounds pretty good. Although I’m not sure if I’m gonna stick with the Aetheria name. Doesn’t really fit my vibe. I said as much and said. “I don’t know if I’m gonna keep the name. I mean, if I am the chosen one, why do I have to listen to you? Aren't I above all other people?”

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The voice seemed to pause before asking. “Who are you? Why are you in this world? You should not be here!” The last sentence was a shriek as I cringed and said. “Damn it. I’m not the chosen one?”

The voice howled and said. “ An accident. That is all you are! Too much effort to be rid of, yet enough potential to help you grow.” I gaped in horror and screamed. “I’m a mother fucking accident? Like when a parent doesn’t mean to have a kid? I’m unwanted?”

I muttered the last sentence. Tears streamed down the side of my face as the voice answered. “Of course you are, now wake up. This is a message meant for his highness. Not some random delusional snob with no money. Why do you claim to be rich when you have no money? Leave at once.”

I woke up with a yelp and screamed. “Fuck you Voice! I’m done with all these gods, chosens ones and high level people! I just want to see my kids.” I looked around and saw it was around noon.

I began to place the boys on my back when I heard rustling in the bushes. I had been in the middle of picking Loken up but I let him drop to the ground as I lashed my tail through the air.

I tried to look as large as possible and yelled. “Leave me alone! I’m not in the mood!” Unfortunately the dozens of soldiers rushing off boats didn’t seem to want to listen. They all had the same gear, chainmail, a spear, and a shield. Thankfully they didn’t cover their eyes with chainmail.

This allowed me to slam my tail through one's face while slapping the nearest one away. I stomped on another and screamed. “Respect my personal space, you underprivileged hand to mouth!”

I bit off a nearby soldier’s head which made me fail to block the spear that entered my chest. I howled in pain and slapped the soldier who had stabbed me away, shoving my tail spike into any soldier's brain as I was being attacked.

I had killed almost half of the twenty four soldiers when one of them grabbed a spear and threw it with perfect form. I could only scream in pain and fear and the spear sliced through my eye, embedding itself into my face.

I thanked the gods that it hadn’t penetrated my brain before yelling. “Leave me alone!” I only could only see out of one eye, which caused me to not notice the soldiers beginning to surround me.

I killed three more before I was gored on all sides. With so many holes in my body I was leaking blood like a storm cloud raining down upon the masses. I stomped on a soldier and stabbed before biting one of their spears in half. I continued the desperate melee for a few minutes as more and more holes were poked into me. After a few more minutes I couldn’t lift my legs.

By then there were only five left. They have all abandoned their spears and were circling me warely. I was barely able to stand up as I stabbed one with my tail and tanked getting stabbed four more times.

This repeated itself four more times until finally I was surrounded by dead bodies and three unharmed heirs. I collapsed to the ground, splashing my blood everywhere as I took rapsing shallow breaths.

My vision was blurry in my now one healthy eye. I felt lightheaded. I could hear a voice in the background, pleading for me to wake up. For me to show some sign of life. But everything just went black. And then there was nothing.