Sora’s arms wrapped around Kari as she shook, tears staining her front. She felt it, raw and powerful, her own tears dropping into the wolf’s twitching ears.
Closing her eyes, she couldn’t just see it, but feel a broken girl’s bleeding heart, mixing with her own memories. Not of high school, but those early years in junior high.
The older girls’ laughter, teasing her about her Russian accent and poor English. Practicing with Lori as the chubbier girl celebrated small victories in those first weeks. Lori’s father welcomed Kari in and helped her with food and clothes when she had nothing after Jenny just disappeared for several weeks.
The memories of Kari standing up for Lori when girls were bullying her in the locker room about her mile time or rolls. She was there…oblivious to it all, locked in her own little world with Wendy, talking about going shopping across Europe that weekend when Lori’s dad struggled to keep the lights on.
Why those moments bubbled up, Sora couldn’t say, but they hurt and soothed Kari at the same time. Showing stark comparisons as Lori’s envy and anger at her father’s struggles were projected onto her. When Jenny showed up and zeroed in on her, Lori didn’t need a lot to target her.
And Kari, Kari was utterly broken, reliving nightmares about that scene of Eric eating their mother. Trapped inside with the sounds, images, and heart-crushing questions. The years after, forced into the dirt, limbs twisted off…forced into submission by Eric’s frustration at her weakness.
Sora never said anything to inspire that response. She never talked badly about anyone. She simply lived her life, isolated in her ivory tower, uplifting Wendy. And through Kari’s memories, she could see hate in the other girls’ eyes. But to her…they were invisible. She was isolated in her little world… safe until Jenny applied pressure for Kari to sharpen her teeth on her…for Lori’s sake.
Finally, that moment in the Hell Ampethater, after three years on Earth, Kari forced herself to face her brother. For her first friend. For Lori. Only, Lori was far too broken by that point, and right under her nose, by Jenny, the half-sister she believed in.
Kari, the guilt you feel…the anger, the helplessness. You feel like you let Lori down. You’d do whatever it took to turn it around…but the damage was done. Jenny experimented on Lori, used her dad as leverage…and tortured her for fun…for years. What killed you is that you didn’t even know. Lori looked at you with those hateful eyes, and you knew there was nothing left to save.
Arms tightening around Kari’s trembling figure, Sora pressed her cheek against her hot ear. Weaving her magic through the wolf’s unguarded soul, she reaffirmed everything she’d been trying to show her former bully—they could make this world, but she had to let her inside, even if it hurt.
Through all the tears and pain, Sora pressed closer instead of away, welcoming Kari’s agonizing existence. I’ll do whatever it takes to turn this around, Kari… I know what’s at stake, and you are worthy of love… You won. You won, Kari…even through everything you’ve lost. You survived. You’re not alone…because I’m here for you.
Sora’s magic threaded her own memories and feelings into her broken heart. She connected every event and moment over the past month that they’d shared.
I hated you… You know I hated you. But I gave you a chance…and you showed me you could change. But you hated yourself more than I ever could… You freed me, Kari. Yes, it hurt. What you made Wendy do to me, cutting off my clothes and hair…forcing me to walk home with only a towel on… I was free, not from you, but from Jenny. You saved me…
“Kari,” she whispered aloud, letting the emotions ebb between them, “you saved me. It’s over. My mom rescued Lori. She’s living a good life. Jenny is gone. You beat Eric. You won, Kari… You won. You broke free. We can save your mom and sister…together. Remember what you told me?” she softly prompted, making Kari’s thrashing tail still. “You won’t be a lone wolf forever.”
The arena fell quiet except for settling debris and Eric’s labored breathing echoing from the crater below. Kari’s red, glistening eyes closed tighter as she pulled her in, face pressed against her shoulder, breath coming in short, uneven bursts, voice half muffled.
“If it’s over…then why does it still hurt so much? I beat Eric…but I feel empty.”
Sora’s tail curled protectively against her side, creating a barrier against the vocal chaos of the crowd that erupted around them. Elder Caelia’s protective shields were still defending the crowd from the chunks of platforms and stage that were finally returning to earth, raining down over them.
But none of that mattered compared to the girl in her arms who’d just faced down her worst nightmare and somehow come out the other side.
Weaving personal memories and private emotions through their open hearts, Sora whispered, “I know. I know… Because healing takes longer than fighting.” Her hand found the back of Kari’s head. “You broke the chain, but the marks are still there.”
“I thought I’d feel…I don't know, victorious? Vindicated?” Kari pulled back slightly, amber eyes red-rimmed and lost. “Instead, I just feel like…I’m back at step one. Like I destroyed something that can’t be put back together… Is Eric as broken as I am? What does that even mean?”
Sora’s gaze fell to Kari’s torn clothes and dust-caked skin. “It’s amazing that you can even think that about him… You really are such a soft and caring wolf—things Eric tried to beat out of you…but that saved him in the end. That’s ironic, isn’t it?”
Kari let out a pained laugh and sniffled as Sora’s tone softened.
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“Which isn’t a bad thing, by the way. It’s beautiful, actually. I don’t know. I can’t tell you what you should do. But what I do know is I’m in your corner. My mom, Ylva, Titania… I’m on your side. I want to make your family whole again, whatever that means to you. I’m your friend, through thick and thin.”
“Are you sure it’s not just because he has my mom’s soul in his belly?” Kari returned, wiping away at her tears and pulling away to give her a strained smile. “I don’t even know what I’m doing. I don’t know what I’m saying… I’m just…”
Before Sora could respond, the sound of shifting stones made them both look down. Eric was moving—not much, just pushing himself up on one elbow, his werewolf form smaller and more fragile. Blood still seeped from wounds that weren’t healing properly, his Germanic blood rejecting whatever fenris power remained.
But his eyes were clear and focused as they found his sister.
“Kari,” he called out, voice hoarse but carrying across the crater. “You won… You know what that means.”
Kari’s entire body went rigid. Her ears flattened against her head, tail bristling with sudden tension. “Don’t,” she snarled. “Don’t you dare try to—”
“Haha… Kari, I’m not trying anything. Do you see me, Sis?” Eric interrupted, struggling to sit up fully. Each movement looked like it cost him, but he persisted. “Pain is a motivator. Crisp like morning air… You won. Fair and square. So do it. Find Tiri.”
“You!” Sora’s claws instinctively shot out, tail whipping back as she spat, “You don’t get to order her around, loser! And Kari will do what she wants in her own way—ouch! Kari!”
Sora bristling fur subdued as Kari’s chest shook with gentle laughter, and she actually leaned forward to knock heads with her. Pulling back slightly, she rubbed the sore spot, ears drawn back and glaring at the girl she was trying to defend!
Kari took a deep breath and showed a smile that actually showed a bit of control. “Thank you, Sora… I’m not good, but I’m better.”
“So what was the headbutt for… You have a flipping hard head, you know. Ack…”
“I have to be physical or else you’d go on forever with that tongue of yours. It’s a lethal weapon,” the wolf chortled.
“Didn’t have to headbutt me, though,” she grumbled, glancing off to the side. “A simple tail slap would have worked, fluff-butt.”
“I think you’re talking about Wendy, but sure. It’s better. As for you, Eric… I need to know the truth. All of it. I get it. You weren’t expanding your empire, like I thought… You were looking for Tiri. Tell me everything Mom told you.”
Before Eric could respond, Elder Caelia’s voice cracked across the arena, magically amplified but strained with stress.
“I…I do apologize for interrupting,” the dryad stated, her bark-like skin still gray from managing the chaos as she floated down to join them. “But we do have a tournament schedule to maintain, and…” She gestured helplessly at the destruction around them. “I need to restore the battle stage for our remaining contestants.”
Sora followed her gaze just as glowing numbers materialized above several heads in the crowd. Her heart lurched as she saw them appear over Wendy—and to her shock, over Nilly and Nerida as well.
What the hell, Jin?!
Nerida immediately grabbed her bag and doubled over, retching again. Nilly, in her teenage form, rushed over to rub the siren’s back while shooting worried glances at the numbers floating above them.
“This is what Jin wants?” Sora demanded, her tail lashing with sudden fury. “She's forcing all my friends to fight each other—against Nilly?! Nilly could turn Founding Mother of the friggin’ Cats mode and eat everyone!”
Nilly strained a laugh from the distance, making Sora’s ears twitch. “Thanks for the vote of confidence…”
“No, I’m just… What is she planning?”
Elder Caelia’s expression was pained but resolute. “I am merely following the outline I was given. The tournament must continue, regardless of…structural challenges.”
The dryad looked around at the devastated arena, chunks of platform still scattered across the ground, magical barriers flickering weakly. “Speaking of which, I really do need to restore the battle stage before—”
“No, it’s fine. Go ahead,” Kari interrupted, standing and brushing dust from her torn clothes. She looked down at Eric with something that might have been a challenge or an invitation. “You coming…or should I call a stretcher for you?”
Eric’s bloodied face split into a genuine grin. He actually laughed, a sound rough with pain but somehow lighter than before and similar to the first time she’d met him.
“Is that a challenge, little sister?”
“More like an observation.”
Eric forced himself to his feet, each movement clearly agony, his werewolf form trembling with the effort. But he did it, step by painful step, making his way toward Elder Caelia who waited with obvious trepidation.
Sora had to admit, grudgingly, that watching him push through what had to be excruciating pain with that stubborn grin on his face—the bastard really was a beast.
Wolves are crazy… I can’t imagine Kari forgiving him. No, that will take a lot… No, more than a lot of effort.
“You sure you’re okay, Kari?”
Kari nudged her with her elbow, tail lightly smacking her own. “I said, I’m better. That’s good enough. Right now, you should focus on your actual sister.”
Sora’s heart started to settle as she hung back, allowing Kari to leer down at her brother, watching him ascend the hole. Kari had found her way, and yes, it was partially an act. But she had a goal now, and there was nothing that was going to get in her way.
Turning her gaze toward her fluffy-tailed sister, Sora noted the confidence in her face as she supported both Nilly and Nerida.
Jin, what are you planning? Because once Wendy wins—and I’m pretty sure she will—am I next? What’s your endgame? All I see is chaos.
Gaze wandering between the crowd, stunned, scared, or hyped, she allowed her magic to lighten her weight, descending the stage in a slow fall.
I almost want to spite her and just run off… But I can’t, for Wendy’s sake. Wendy needs this after all her Null-Void trouble. She’s finally got some magic herself. She needs a win. Are Mom and Dad somehow involved in all this? I don’t know.
Jin’s forcing everything, though. Eyia’s gone. That’s Jin, no doubt. Something is happening with Sela and her. The vulpes teachers had a big confrontation that meant something. She forced Aelion and Aiden to work together on some…secret project. A secret project after I found out Aelion’s been collecting my fur! Like, what the hell! Then, Diane’s back, doing who knows what…
Sora wanted to scream at the dragon, but she really was shoving pieces with raw strength and knocking heads together. But for what?!
At least, for all of that chaos… Kari has found closure.
The thought made her tail slowly still as she moved toward Wendy and her group, the crowd starting to get riled up. Wait, is that your goal? Is all of this for that end… Closure?
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