every time you bleed for reaching greatness

Yami watched the two adults speak, saw the hurt clear on their expressions as Halcyon told Zelda of Aspis' betrayal. Not for the first time, the boy felt a burning rage fill his stomach. Unlike his father, his anger was directly towards his brother. He could not understand the suffering and brainwashing his sibling had endured during his time in Iromar. Perhaps it wasn't fair of him to just Aspis so harshly, but he was past being fair. Their father had gone through hell and back to get his cub back and what did he do in return? Deceived Halcyon and led him into a trap that had almost cost him his life! As the older male finished his story, Yami vowed silently he would find his brother one day and demand an explanation!

Feeling her embrace gave Halcyon a new sense of belonging and her words sealed the deal. Hearing that Lazarus was still here as well filled the russet wolf with mixed emotions. He was happy to know Aster's brother was safe at long last. But… would Aster return one day for him and him alone? Had hers and Halcyon's relationship dwindled so far that she no longer wanted him? He didn't have time to reflect on this before Zelda had begun speaking again, her next words cutting the air around the wolves. "Blackthorne has fallen?"

So, after everything, his reign of terror had come to an end. But at what cost? So many live had been torn asunder during the evil's wolf's rule and now that he was gone, they were left with deep wounds that would never heal. Halcyon felt empty. In the end, he had made no difference.

"So, another has come to claim Iromar. Let's hope this new queen will finally fix what Aithne and Praetor had worked so hard to build," he said, shrugging his shoulders. Looking at Zelda, he saw that she was waiting for something. Tilting his head to the side, an silence stretched between the them until realized what she was waiting to hear. With a smile and the first genuine laugh he had barked in a long time, he shook his head. "I'm here to stay, Zelda. Taviora is my home now until the day I die, to be buried next to my parents." His days of travelling were done. He wasn't a young wolf anymore and it was time he settled down and think about rebuilding what was left of his broken family.

Turning to Yami he could see his son approved of his choice. The black wolf seemed content to follow his father where ever until he was ready to start his own life. "So then, with that being said, where among your ranks will a pair of rogue fit best?"