Chapter 17: King to Corpses
Aster was walking behind his father through a sloped tunnel as they left the king’s platform, the very father that hadn’t looked him in the eye even once since their reunion.
Suddenly, a thunder of roars and protest assaulted his ears as the stadium reacted to the prince’s proclamation, when they learned the human had not only been freed, but was also allowed to compete.
Aster stopped in his tracks, and looked over his shoulder with a twinge of hurt buried within himself. He understood what the prince was referencing when he spoke of the road to changing minds, but even still, the weight of such blind hatred pushed down heavily on his heart.
When the boy did turn back around, his father Jagón was finally staring at him with a mixture of fatigue, sorrow, and relief all forged into one very tired looking panther. The knight stood silently as he stared down into his son’s eyes.
"I make one request of you my son. I will honor your decision no matter your answer."
The great knight, the right hand to the king, and the boy’s very own father did something unthinkable then, and knelt before his son. Before a human.
To say Aster was uncomfortable was quite the understatement. The great knight persevered anyway.
"Drop out of The Selection and return home with me. I almost lost you today, and I am terrified I will lose you for certain to their hatred... I... I cannot shield you anymore, my son... Not from an entire world... But perhaps here, from yourself at least, from your foolish gamble, I can protect you. I can try... I can beg this of you, my son. You are not safe here."
Aster felt lower than the tone his father had just spoken in as he heavily lingered on every word. He had obtained his freedom after all these years... Was serving in the army his true desire? Or was The Selection only a means to an end? Aster steeled his thoughts, and softly answered his father when he had made his choice.