Chapter 12

(Haru POV)

Everyone had gathered around as we landed in the snowy town. I’m sure the sight of a massive bird pulled their attention to find out what’s happening. Most of the people had very depressed looks on their faces. It must be for the fact of having to deal with this weather on a daily basis. Personally I really love the rain, but having to deal with snow all the time would wear you down. Losing your whole kingdom would have quite the long-lasting depression within people as well.

One person who was staring intently at us as we got off Auroras back was a Pink haired fox beastkin. The identity of this person was pretty obvious. I remember seeing someone similar in that portrait in Akari’s destroyed bedroom. She began to run in our direction as Akari noticed her and gave a bright smile. With a lot of force Akari’s mother lunged at her and the both of them had a nice long hug as they both fell to the ground.

“I was so afraid that I would never see you again!” She said with so much emotion, “I’m so glad you were able to come back to us.” Tears were falling from her eyes.

Akari also having tears in her eyes, “There’s no way, I wouldn’t come back mom, and I’m very happy to see you too.” After about five minutes of lying on the ground hugging each other, she let her stand back up.

I noticed Akari’s mom looking over in my direction and gave me a nod. She was probably trying to thank me for coming through for Akari and going through with the imprint. The act was more my pleasure, than anything else. That’s at least how I took it and was followed by a wink. Now I understand where Akari got her flirty personality.

“Is this who I think it is Akari?” Her mom asked as she ran over to me and wrapped her arms around my back. The hug startled me for a second because it carried so much strength in her little frame. She was probably a few inches shorter than Akari, but just as cute. Also, I wonder how long Beastkin live in this world because she still looks so young.

I glanced over at Akari who was looking on, and she wasn’t having any adverse emotions in her face. So I returned her hug, “It’s great to meet you who I assume is my mother-in-law?” The expression on my face was one of confidence, “Also my name is Haru.”

“Yes, that’s correct.” She said with a beaming smile, “You can call me Yumi or mom Haru.”

“For now Yumi would be for the best calling you mom this soon would feel weird.” I said with a smile back at her as we released each other.

Akari walked over as Yumi grabbed mine and her hand pulling us inside the largest building in the area. “We have to go meet your father Akari; he’s really been looking forward to seeing you again.” She said as her shoulders dropped a bit.

“How’s he doing? I heard from Aurora that he took a lot of damage to allow everyone else to leave.” Akari asked with worry.

“Yes that’s right, but we were able to retrieve him before he lost his life” She locked eyes with Akari, “He’s been having complications and probably won’t be with us much longer. That man refused to give up on life, until he had one last chance to talk to you. It’s probably from the way you two were with each other before you left.”

I watched on as the mother and daughter were having a heart-to-heart about her father, while being pulled along by Yumi. The large mansion we were currently entering was pretty subpar compared to that enormously large destroyed castle. On the inside was another story it reeked of high status and extremely expensive furniture. I saw many pictures of different couples of Beastkin and not all of them were of the fox variety.

Makes sense that the ruling class over the Beast Kingdom wasn’t always of the fox race. When arriving in town, there were a variety of different types of beastkin. When I think of an animal kingdom from my old world, it probably has something to do with battle of the fittest. Whoever is the strongest will lead or something like that? I can only assume for now, not knowing much about my surroundings.

Finally, arriving at some really large doors, where two strong looking tiger beastkin stood. They both nodded their heads at us and each pushed open a door as we walked in. The first thing I noticed was the very intimidating bright red eyes of a fox beastkin lying on a huge bed. For some reason I was the first person he stared at. It felt as If I was being hit with some kind of powerful pressure, that I have never felt before. The first thing that came to mind would be he’s trying to intimidate me to see my worth. I guess it’s a father’s duty to make sure the man of his daughter is worthy of her.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

I felt Yumi let go of my hand, and she held onto Akari not letting her move. I knew something was most likely about to happen, and I needed to brace myself for it. The overwhelming pressure onto my body was pushing me into the ground. I dropped to one knee as I sighed deep in my heart. There’s no way I would allow this father-in-law to make me look like a fool in front of the one I love.

My body began to heat up as a bright red static aura came out of my body. As I started pushing the amount of electricity I could control, I forced myself to stand back up. I looked back at the man on the bed who also had a red, but fiery aura coming off him. The look of surprise was evident on his face as the force on my body started to increase once again.

This bastard really isn’t pulling any punches. Feeling my body start to get pressed back into the ground, I felt something snapped inside me. My element exploded out brighter and more violent than ever before. Our surroundings getting completely destroyed as the room shook with our confrontation. I was able to completely straighten myself in front of his power as I gave him a small smirk.

“Alright that’s enough!” I heard an extremely loud voice from my side, “If this continues any longer you both will destroy the whole place. Haven’t you already tested Haru enough?” Yumi said with a glare at her husband.

“Yes, sorry dear. I have learned what I was hoping from him. He has a pretty strong will and was able to fight back my killing intent.” Looking over at his daughter who had a conflicted look on her face, “I’m sorry to you as well daughter, but I had to make sure you were in the right hands.”

“You know we’ve already imprinted onto each other, what would that even accomplish?” Akari asked unsure of what the whole point of that was.

“That may be true, but it allows me to pass on with a peace of mind.” He put his head down on the pillow, “With that burst of mana, I don’t have much more time left in this world. But it was worth using it to test Haru, who seems to be worthy enough. The both of you will have a lot on your shoulders in the future.”

I look on as his whole demeanor changed and became a lot softer. His gaze stayed on Akari and looked deep in thought. Looking over at Akari, she still had a conflicted look on her face.

“Akari you should go talk to your father, which could be the last time.” Yumi said as she pushed Akari towards the bed of her father, “Come over here Haru and let them have some privacy.” She pulled my hand to the other side of the room and we both sat down on a couch.

“Shouldn’t I have at least introduced myself to him?” I asked Yumi wondering if that was rude of me, both looking on as Akari moved closer to her father.

“Don’t worry Haru, you being able to push back his killing intent was a good enough introduction.” Her gaze was full of warmth as she looked at the scene of Akari and her husband. “While we wait, tell me how you both met?” She asked with expectation on her face.

***

(Akari POV)

I walked up to my father still feeling a bit annoyed at what he just put Haru through. I couldn’t help but have extremely strong feelings of regret. The way we were with each other before I left wasn’t a very good relationship. It’s true that I hated the fact he would barely even let me leave the castle. It also showed how much he cared and never wanted anything bad to happen to me.

We both just stared at each other for a good five minutes neither of us willing to say anything. My father probably has a lot of regrets, with how much he blocked me from the world. But at the same time I still love him with all my heart and could never hate him.

“Father I…” I said but got interrupted.

“Akari I…” My father looked at me as we both tried to talk at the same time.

“You can go first” No reason to say anything, if he wants to get something off his chest first.

“Alright, Akari I’m sorry I always kept you hidden from the world. It was never my intention to have you hate me, but I wanted to make sure you were always safe. My methods were probably a bit severe, I admit.” He said with regret as he put his hand on his daughter’s cheek, “This is such a dangerous world as you probably know about our kingdom. All I ever wanted was for you to live a happy and safe life.”

My eyes began to tear up at my father’s words. Of course, I always understood this is what his end goal was. It’s just with his muscle brain he doesn’t know how to react to situations in a normal way. You can’t physically crush whatever the problem is just by making it disappear. In my case he kept me in the castle pretty much at all times and I got out rarely with armed guards.

“I know you did that for my benefit father, but you should have also thought the way I would feel getting smothered.” I said with a slight bit of annoyance in my tone, “You’re my father and I will always love you.” Leaning down over my father, I put my arms around him.

“I love you two Akari and always will.” He said as he wrapped his arms around me, “It brings me great pain that this will be our last talk, Akari.”

My eyes suddenly opened wide as the impact of his words hit me hard. If only I could have been there to help him and not have to face it alone. But in my heart I know he would have told me to leave, even if I was there. Giving up his life to save his kingdom is a great honor for a king. Putting on strong face would probably be for the best in this situation.

“You would have lived a lot longer, if you didn’t use so much mana on Haru!” I said with a sigh.

“That’s probably true, but you already know why I had to do that. Now I know my daughter is in good hands. I hope for the best for your future Akari and for a very long life. Go get your mother for me and give my respect to Haru.” He said as he kissed my head.

“Why can’t you tell him yourself?” I asked

“Because I can already feel that my time is coming, and I want to spend it with your mother. Go be with your mate and I hope the both of you are ready to rule.” My mouth widened at the thought of having to take over as the leader of our fallen kingdom. I was nudged away by my father.

Walking over to my mother and Haru, I contemplated my future. First thing we must do is both of us become stronger. Haru just received his powers recently and must learn control over them. I’ve known how to use mine for a while, but it was under a lot of pressure from my abundance of mana. Once we get to a decent power level, we take back our kingdom! Then, we go after those who dare to hurt us! The Humans, Elves, and demons will all pay!