I stared at the sun setting in the distance. The golden rays bathed the land in the scattered remains of warmth before crossing below the horizon. Peaceful, even with the misery unfolding below. I enjoyed the soft heat and closed my eyes.

Freki nudged me gently, his horns snagging my hoodie as he licked my palm.

"Hey, I barely have any clothes left. Cut it out," I whispered.

He stood up and growled. It wasn't a warning, more playful than serious, but I found myself being wrestled to the ground by the giant wolf.

Giant was an understatement. He had grown; where before he came to my chest, his head now rested just below mine. And that was without the twin horns protruding from his head as spires of congealed shadows nursing a core of lava.

I grabbed both horns and wrestled him away as I finally stood up and dusted myself off.

The funeral below was coming to an end, the gleam of gold from the rows of knights like a lightshow as the sun continued its slow march downward. I thought it was quick, but Mulren demanded a private ceremony for his departed beloved. The entire castle staff--or what was left--was in attendance, but not the citizens. Garret stood silent with Devon off to the side, respecting the silent funeral.

All because they chained up a kid.

I growled but kept it contained. There had been plenty to think about as I watched the survivors pick up the pieces. I didn't agree with the murderous bastard but I could at least uderstood the anger at being chained down just for existing.

As I turned, the breeze blew, and I smelled her before she crested the hill. Alice stopped a few feet away and looked behind me, toward the sunset.

"Pretty," she said.

Freki dived and reappeared beside her, forcing Alice to acknowledge the wolf. She smiled and scratched his back.

"It is. I'm glad I got to experience it before we left."

She nodded and glanced at the funeral, where the older Grimms stared at us. "What did Garret want with you?"

I winced and looked away, but I knew Alice saw my reaction.

Of course, that's brought up.

Garrett found me during the night and asked me what I planned to do once I was in the Warren. Thankfully, Ashton's room was left intact, and he left after I told him to buzz off.

I didn't know what I was going to do. There just wasn't enough info or time to do anything. His words haunted the back of my thoughts, but there wasn't time. And I trusted Devon, no matter what he said.

And the system and its interruptions ruined my plans to ask Devon. And now I had to wait.

Probably for the best.

"Cain?" Alice asked.

"Huh?"

"You stopped responding."

"Oh, yeah, he just wanted to know if we were cool. I told him to go away, and hopefully, that's that," I said as I tried to play it off. It wasn't a lie, so I at least felt somewhat better. "What about you? I know he talked to you, too. What about?"

Her face darkened, and she idly scratched Freki's fur. The wind blew again, knocking her hood away and revealing the cream-colored necklace just below her neck.

It's not sentient, but at least she got something cool from all this. Though it's not better than my cloak.

"He wanted to discuss Elias," she growled, her eyes a dull crimson as she glared at the sun. "There was much said. A lot left unsaid."

I bumped into her and exhaled. "Well, setting aside the penchant for Grimms and lacking social skills, at least you're coming back to the Warren stronger than ever. I'm sure Elias would be proud of you."

"He would," she whispered.

"Hey," I nudged, drawing her attention. "Did Garret ever find out why Nareid killed the old woman?"

"Yes," she sighed as she straightened. "Apparently, the old lady was her grandmother. But they couldn't have the prospective noble have a child, so they sent her to the orphanage."

Revenge then.

The funeral ended, and the king looked like a hollow shell of a man. From talks, I knew the eldest prince was set to be coronated within the following weeks but would be taking a more active role starting tomorrow.

I didn't blame him. In one night, he lost his wife, his castle, and his brother. It was probably best for the kingdom for him to step down.

He was the one to enforce the collar rules anyway.

I shook my head and leaned into Freki. "Let's go. I want to enjoy the last meal with the Ashton's. I still owe Yadalee an apology."

A hand gripped my shoulder, and I turned.

"Cain," Alice said.

"Yeah?"

"Will you attend Elias' funeral? It's private, usually reserved for blood relations or honored friends."

I smiled. "Of course. Just tell me when."

She didn't smile but she led the way, leaving me staring at her back and the balled fist.

***

I leaned back and rubbed my stomach. The Ashtons had pulled out all the stops and hosted an absolute feast to be devoured. It was a little distateful considering several new families would be going without basic shelter for the night but I had been enthusiastically ensured that the uneaten food would be distributed to those in need.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

"But I want to go with you!" Haldeena cried.

"Haldeena! Collect yourself," Neyenna scolded.

I turned to see Alice smile and gently pry the girl from her leg. She gently leaned down and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"You are brave, with strong curiosity and quick thoughts," Alice praised.

Haldeena nodded along and beamed at the Grimm. "That's why you should take me! I'll be a Grimm just like you!"

Alice shook her head. "It's not so glamorous to be a Grimm. We must fight, and hunt, and get hurt. I've broken many bones in training alone, and have suffered many wounds that would kill a human many times over."

The little girl squirmed, but she stuck out her lip. I had to give it to her, even upon hearing the danger associated with our life, she kept the fire in her eyes.

"I don't care. I'll be strong. Like you, like Cain! And Devon!"

Her mother's face was stormy and the lip biting showed just how stressed she felt with every proclomation from her daughter to go off and hunt monsters.

"Do you understand what it means though? What it means to become a Grimm?" Alice continued.

"I-I do," Haldeena replied after hesitating. She glanced to her mother and her father before nodding slowly. "I know."

"You know that we aren't humans. Could you accept that?"

"I... Yes!"

"Are you certain? Even with the danger?"

"Yes!"

Alice stood up and looked to the Ashtons. Krenlow had a mixed expression equal parts fear and pride. Neyenna looked ready to cry. Alice then bowed and placed a hand atop Haldeena's head.

"If you want to become a Grimm then I will return in the future. Many years from now, and only if you are still entirely certain will I take you into our pack." Haldeena began to erupt in excitement but Alice forced her to focus. "You'll have to train, and pick a weapon. You'll need to strengthen yourself and show discipline. Without those things, you will be rejected. Is that understood?"

Haldeena nodded and seperated from Alice's touch and bowed low. "I understand!"

Volk clapped and Haldeena's mother rushed to her child's side and wrapped her in a hug. I was glad I wasn't in their places. I suspected a great many arguements were going to plague the Ashton household for years to come.

As the feast wrapped up, Volk accompanied by his guards approached and saluted us. It was uncomfortable but they promptly left shortly after. Odenn made a appearence next and shocked everyone as she calmly adressed the Grimms--excluding Garret who was too busy sulking in a corner.

She thanked us for the rescue, for saving the city among other things and then left. Her's was far from the last gratitude sent our way but it was the last publicly announced. I made my way to the garden and sat on one of the plush chairs.

The breeze blew across the land and I bathed in the pale moonlight. Though, like usual, I smelled the approach of a person before they neared close enough to speak.

"Please don't tell me you're about to bow and offer thanks? I thought we got over that already," I teased.

Yadalee chuckled and approached. When I cracked an eye open I saw her staring at the moon with an easy smile.

"Is being praised not part of the reward for Grimms?" she asked.

"Honestly? I don't think so. I haven't met many Grimms, not on a personal level, but I get the feeling that we're more of the brood and move on type."

She cocked her head and looked at me weirdly. "You're different from the others. Is it true your from a different world without magic?"

I blinked.

"You eavesdropped?" I asked. She blushed and I laughed. "It's true. No magic, but the things we had, you'd think it was."

"I don't know. No magic sounds nice. Better than all the tragedy and danger," she whispered.

I didn't know what to say, so I shrugged and and resumed watching the sky. She turned and we enjoyed the night in silence. It was companionable and it helped take away the whirlwind of thoughts constantly creeping around. But I sensed when she was ready to leave. I looked down and nearly jumped away as Yadalee leaned forward.

Her lips touched my cheek and she quickly pulled back before bowing. "Thank you, Grimm. For keeping me and mine safe, and for saving the kingdom."

She stood and took a step back. I rubbed my cheek and smirked.

"My pleasure."

She smiled. "Goodnight, Cain."

"Goodnight Yadalee."

She left and I heard the door close behind her. My thumb rubbed at the spot where her lips had been before I sighed and closed my eyes. Even when I was ready for peace, it didn't last.

Though, I doubt I'll be getting a peck from this one."

I stood up and moved my hand toward my axe, eyeing the red cloak flapping in the breeze just around the corner. "What do you want Garret?"

He crossed his arms and grunted. "We need to talk."

***

"You know, for all the time we spent traveling, our stay in the capital was relatively short," I said.

We stood in the center of a clearing far outside the city's walls. Birds sang, and the sounds of running water wasn't too far off.

"Most hunts are fast. Long ones like this were only delayed because of the ley lines shutting down," Devon replied.

He waited, letting Garret take the lead and pull out a familiar coin. He bit into his thumb and let the blood drip down.

"When do we get our own coins?" I asked.

Devon turned and stared. He eventually sighed and reached down his collar. He tugged and tossed me the necklace. "I'll get another one from Maro. But keep that secured. They are not easy to make."

"Still a pup and he already gets one?" Garret muttered.

Alice crossed her arms. "And me?"

"Astra has Elias'. Ask her, and she'll give it."

Everyone quieted down as the black roots began to grow from the ground. The rainbow colors spread, creating the archway, and the portal stabilized, revealing Neina with her arms crossed.

Garret lifted Nareid, who was conscious and constantly struggling to break free. With a grunt, he flung her through before stepping into the portal himself.

Alice was next, and Devon turned before crossing over.

"Cain… Good job," he muttered awkwardly.

It felt wrong. So I nodded and hopped inside.

My cloak stretched and formed a shell as the world stretched beyond my senses. Eventually, reality snapped into place, and I straightened my clothes as Garret glared from across the room.

I waved at Neina and searched for Alice and Devon.

"They're already gone," Neina explained.

"And I thought he'd be spewing chunks. I'm out. Inform Devon that I'll be in Haven Three if he needs me," Garret muttered.

He walked away, leaving me alone with Neina. The portal closed behind me, and I smiled.

"Long time no see."

She didn't smile. Instead, she walked closer and leaned forward.

"Neina?"

She sniffed and backed away while cocking her head.

"You smell off."

My eyes narrowed. "How so?"

She stared, and I stared back until she grinned, looking much too like a cat stalking its prey.

"No idea. But it's interesting. Maybe now that you're back, I can finally get your story," she said as she returned to her chair and sat down. She grabbed her book but lowered it and stared at my waist. "You never opened my pouch, did you?"

Pouch?

I pulled off my satchel and dug around. Sure enough, a small pouch rested at the bottom, somehow untouched throughout the entire journey.

How have I never opened this?

Neina tapped the chair, drawing my attention. "Save it. It's good that you didn't need it."

"Thanks. Do you know if Astra is around?"

She shook her head. "She'll be busy with Devon. Leave her alone and wait until tomorrow."

"Right. Okay. Nice seeing you again, Neina," I said as I headed for the whisper tunnels.

"Cain," she called out as I reached for the wall.

"Yeah?"

"Haven Five is open. But one other thing," she said. "My warning stands."

I sighed, resisting the urge to roll my eyes. I waved goodbye and stepped through. Alone, I began jogging, imagining the destination until a large black door came into view.

My hand slipped through, and I stepped into an expanded space.

Looks the same.

Except for the small pavilion in the middle, where the fire pit was. I stepped inside the gazebo and ran my fingers along the plush fabric adorning the small circular bed. It resembled the kind of dream bed one might imagine for an elven princess. Despite the bed's inviting appearance, I first checked the area and noticed a familiar river, but no cave. No supplies either. Finally, I surrendered to the bed's allure.

Heavenly. It was like sleeping on a cloud.

I groaned contentedly and rolled over.

Sleep first, food later. I'll torch Devon if he demands to leave on another hunt.

I chuckled to myself and closed my eyes, but no sooner had I done so, Freki emerged from my shadow, sending waves of heat rippling through my clothes.

"Well well well. That's a scary wolf you have there, pup," a voice remarked.

Colors flooded back into my vision as I unhooked my axe, ready for whatever came next.

I fixed my glare on the white-haired man with orange eyes standing before me and growled, "Grim."

Grim flashed a smile and tossed a sack in my direction. Reacting instantly, I knocked it away, only to see bloody, red meat spill out with a squelch.

What?

The other hunter crashed to the floor and laughed. "Sit down, pup. You have a story to tell."