“They can’t leave? Why not?” Ares asked, keeping Runar close to his chest. “Levi, I can’t just leave them here. What are they going to do? They have family, people that depend on them.”

“I cannot allow these mortals to leave. Your Elder wishes not to leave, and I had warned the wolffolk of the consequences for entering.”

Ares turned to look at Jorgan. “Why did you come here if you knew you couldn’t go back?”

“My one task was to protect Runar.” Jorgan replied back. “I couldn’t protect without being at her side. I could not abandon her, even to Rivee.”

Ares’ stomach dropped and an emptiness formed deep within him. ‘It’s my fault. Shit.’ He thought as he then reached up and then rubbed his forehead, rubbing his finger tips along the crown, feeling the metal which now felt icy cold to him. The emotions welled deep within him, but he kept them at bay. He blinked rapidly for a moment as he turned to face Levi again. “You can’t do anything about it?” Ares asked.

“I cannot do such things. I had tried to dissuade them, it was their choice.” Levi replied solemnly.

Ares remained there for some time but eventually nodded his head. “Alright. Alright…” He then turned to face Jorgan. “You did more than I even thought you would. Thank you, Jorgan. Is there anything you want for me to do to repay this debt?”

“Please take care of my family. I won’t be able to help them from here.”

“Yeah. Yeah…” Ares said as he nodded. “I’ll do my best.”

Jorgan nodded in return and there was a moment of silence between them. Ares looked to the Elder, who nodded her head and then he returned the nod, before then turning to leave them.

“Before you leave, I shall inform you that the water within the fountain contains properties that shall strengthen one’s soul. Your other children would do well to drink from it.”

“Thanks, Levi.” Ares replied, but then fell silent once more as he contemplated his thoughts.

Levi then encompassed the water around Ares, and once it surrounded him, he held Runar closer and wept a little.

To have torn a man away from his family, a man so loyal, just from a lack of foresight. It hurt him to the core, especially considering he was a man that had put so much faith in him. He wept for a short while, and then as the darkness engulfed him, he held Runar closer. He pressed her forehead against his cheek, listening to her breath, feeling the gentle warmth of her body, her breath tickling his cheek.

When the light began to encompass them, he splashed some water against his face and then he was shot out the pool and then landed on his feet. He looked out to see the familiar site of the shrine that they had arrived at.

The group that he had brought along with him to the mountain stared at him, standing there with water dripping down his face. There was a long moment of silence before he finally broke it. “Do I have something on my face?” He asked as he then motioned to Runar, whose face with filled with colour once again and she squirmed in his touch, trying to reach up to grab at him.

The other surrounded him, with Lana almost tackling him to the ground with the force of her embrace. “Hey now, relax.” He grumbled but then reached up to pet her head. She was still relatively injured, though pressed her head against his. “Hold on, hold on. Let me go.” He tried to break free, and when he finally did, he looked at all his people. “Do you notice anything different about me?” He asked as he bowed his head slightly and then bobbed his head from side to side.

“What’s with the tiara?” Inta asked with a raised brow, a curious look on his face.

“It was a gift.” He said as he then bowed his head. “I was given it by Rivee, as well as several titles.” Everyone froze and remained silent as he continued. “King Ares, Master of Waters, Kin of all Riveans.” He raised a hand and then waved kingly towards them. He chuckled but soon found the others dropping down before him and prostrating themselves.

Ares stepped back, a queer sort of feeling filling him, one filled with embarrassment and surprise. “What…” He looked towards Peros and found the dragonfolk has prostrated themselves as well and the queer feeling turned into something dirty now, and he shuddered at it. “…” He remained silent, though stared at Peros.

“You spoke the truth, stranger. You are truly a friend of Rivee.” He then bowed his head.

“Yeah, I am. What about it?”

“A friend of Rivee, is indeed a friend of mine.”

“I don’t know about that just yet. We still have our own issues to work through but first…” Ares turned back to his group. “Hey, would you guys mind standing up? Don’t go bowing to someone like me, I’ll feel awkward.”

Lana stood up tentatively and stared up at him in shock. “You met Rivee?”

“Yeah, I met Rivee. He and I knew each other before.”

“What?” She asked as others began to gasp.

“Yeah. I guess I can’t really keep it a secret anymore, but he was the friend that asked me to help the beastfolk.” Ares chuckled quietly, a sheepish smile on his face. “The cat is out the bag, I guess. Or, uh, I guess you probably don’t know what that means. Anyway…”

There was a long moment of stunned silence again before the others then slowly stood. Inta let out a sigh and the oxfolk he had brought along with him reached up and bumped the base of their horns as they did to show respect.

“Right, anyway.” He walked over to Lana. “Here. We need to start making out way back, though first…”

He then went to turn to face Peros. “We still have some business.”

“What business is that?”

“Because of you, I lost two of my men.”

Peros glanced around. “Oh. Yes, the wolffolk. Where is he?”

“He’s with Rivee now.”

“Ah, then you should rejoice. He is in the care of our good friend, what good fortune.”

“Good fortune? He sacrificed himself for my sake because you were too much of a shit.” Ares almost barked, clenching his fists. Even so, Ares knew that much of the blame fell to him. “So, I’m going to ask for an equal exchange.”

“Oh? An equal exchange?”

“Yeah, I’ll be taking two of yours to make up for it.”

“Two of mine? I won’t allow you to kill those that fall under my protection?”

Ares hesitated for a second. He hadn’t expected him to view the dragonfolk in such a manner. Still, he needed to make this right. “Then, if I don’t kill them?”

“You wish for two of them to serve you?”

“Yeah, I want them to join me.”

“…” Peros remained silent for a long time. Ares motioned with his hand towards those behind him, though Peros’ gaze never left his own. “Let us speak of this more over some food.” He finally said.

“…” Ares raised his brows in some confusion. Though Peros only smiled in return.

“Okay, I guess.”