Titan eyes his daughter, a fierce hatred burning within him, he says something under his breath that only Alayne could hear.

"You killed her…"

Titan gently pushes the blade away, and stands 

"Neither of us had much time left, having exhausted ourselves bringing peace to this tribe, we grew up together with big dreams. And accomplished most of them, going past our limits time and time again, we proved a Fell could be strong. We are not of extraordinary birth, nor class. With the great flame, your effort dictates what it becomes for you."

He trails off, then slowly, he stands.

"I need to tell you something, come, if you wish."

If she…wishes? 

"Yes, father."

Alayne follows Titan, as the burly man whistles, signaling the Arrowhawks to ring the end of the battle, Alayne was, by and far, the victor.

***

Titan walks to his room, sitting on an old chair, and pulling out a bottle of slogbug juice from his cabinet. The chilly slogbugs are harmlessly harvested for their juice, which keeps them from bursting, it has a very fruity taste, and is used for celebrations and merry gatherings. He takes a swig of it, then offers it to his daughter, she takes a small sip respectfully before putting the bottle back down.

"So…what did you have to say to me?"

"I hate you, Alayne, and for that I apologize, but I cannot change how I feel."

"I know you do, father."

Titan stares at her, but as he speaks more, he finds it harder to make eye contact with her.

"Alessia chose to, well…give her own life to save you, she spent years and years pondering over how to give you a successful birth, once you were born she spent longer trying to ensure the gift you have grows properly inside of you. The child born of two heroes was blessed by the gods, your own efforts make you strong, and yet your soul ocean is limitless."

"Limitless? I knew I had more than average,but…"

"You are capable of far more than any other living being save for the druids and our ancestors themselves, to have a soul ocean without limitation, but it leaves you open to destroying your body. As sturdy as it may be."

Titan begins to slow his words, speaking carefully.

"Your mother made a deal, with an ancestor, to birth a second life inside of you, that of a dragon, a mirror of your consciousness while being a different being all together. A soul pact is not uncommon, but a pact with a dragon is simply unheard of, yet all pacts require a price."

"So that's why…I see now, father."

Alayne bows deeply, gathering her emotions and pushing them to her throat, she begins to speak slowly.

"I had always suspected mothers death was not so simple as illness, I will tell you that all this time, I've loved you. You would hurt me, lock me away, scream at me. I saw your relationship with mother become strained. I saw the conviction in your heart to see me as the problem, yet…"

She chokes back her tears, chest squeezing tightly.

"Yet to hear the truth for the first time, I've decided that I hate you. I know you orchestrated my life as a child to be hell, you made me work harder than anyone else and never accepted me. You could have chosen a happy family when mother was still alive, yet you chose to tear it apart, you could have learned not to blame a seedling who had no desire or wish to be born, yet you decided I had to change, you have left physical scars on my body that will never heal, and emotional ones that I will ensure will."

Titan, the stone faced man, begins to shed tears, they steam one by one.

"You speak like her, you have conviction like her, Alayne, I am sorry."

"You don't have to be, father. All I ask if that you fulfill your promise to me, when you die, this tribe is mine. That is all there needs to be."

Titan grabs the bottle, and chugs it. Slogjuice racing down his dark beard.in spades. He looks again to Alayne, then stands up and walks towards her.

“I will do better. I promise you.”

Alayne freezes. A thought enters her mind. ‘He’s going to hit me’ she begins to shiver, taking a cautious step back.

“I will go live with Olette for a time longer. Goodbye for now, father.” 

She turns, walking away hurriedly, Alayne exits the hut. She spots Olette, who must have been waiting for her all this time, and breaks into a sprint, practically leaping into her arms.

“Olette, can i stay with you for longer?”

“You’re crushing me.”

***