As an Older Brother

Why did the Beast King bring a human to the castle? And why's he treatin' her so well? She's livin' better than we do.

Ain't no use complainin'. She's a friend of Lady Altena's, after all.

Still...

Y-Your Majesty! We didn't expect to see ya down here. Are ya goin' somewhere?

Just stretching my legs. It gets boring sitting on a throne all day.

That so? Well, we were just off to work...

(Is there anyone here who doesn't begrudge having a human in the castle?) (Nobody would dare cause any real trouble so long as Altena is by her side...) (But that doesn't change the fact that this place is swarming with hot-blooded beasts who don't listen to my orders.) (And the girl must remain alive until I put my plan into action.)

I cannot trust Pepori and Mobecha alone to handle this. I need someone competent.

Vares, you've returned. You certainly took your time.

Apologies, Your Majesty. I...

Failed to kill him?

He was stronger than I anticipated. But I left him to the chimera. I am certain they have finished the job.

I doubt it. I cannot imagine someone chosen by Ogre Rancorem going down so easily.

Shall I check to see if he survived?

Don't bother. He'll turn up sooner or later. And now that you're back, I have a more important job for you.

I am at your service, Your Majesty.

I want you to guard the girl, Feinne.

I...I beg your pardon? You want me to GUARD her?

The beastfolk have not taken her arrival well. Though they have been warned, there is no telling what they might do once my back is turned. And seeing as I will be spending more time away from the castle, I need someone to look after her in my absence.

Does that mean...I will not be accompanying you?

No. I need you to stay here in the unlikely event that the worst comes to pass.

If I lose to King Miglance, there is a chance the other beasts bring harm to the girl. But you know as I do that I can still turn the tide in our favor so long as we have her. Unfortunately, there are many who do not understand her importance, which could compromise the plan.

That is why I need you to keep her safe until then.

Is there no way for me to join the attack on Miglance Castle?

Vares, every life you take plagues you with guilt. Taking you into battle would only endanger your fellow beasts. And this is a task I cannot entrust to anyone else. This is where I need you most.

Yes... Understood, sire.

(His Majesty has given up on me already... But who could blame him?) (I failed to kill Aldo, yet still had the nerve to return to the castle. I have disappointed him terribly.)

*sigh* At the very least, he has given me a new mission... I shall try to see it through this time. If the girl is staying near Lady Altena, then her room is likely on the third floor.

Apparently that human girl's a friend of Lady Altena...

You think she'll be okay? She looks so weak that one rowdy beast could snap her in two.

You there! What're you doing?!

Leave now! His Majesty's orders!

Hmph. Can't be too careful around here.

(Wait. If I go in her room like this, she'll probably be scared to death.) (But if I come out of this form, the other beasts won't respect me.)

Then I've got no choice but to guard her from out here, without her finding out.

(...I'm bored. I should've borrowed a book from the archives before I came here.)

No, what am I thinking?! I can't be reading while on guard duty! I have to stay alert!

(...Is the Beast King really right about all this?) (The stories the old ladies back home told about humans don't line up with what the people here say about them...)

No, no, no! How could I even think that?! A few quiet moments and my mind starts asking questions it shouldn't to fill the void. It's not my place to question the king. I've already made my choice. I'll follow him anywhere, no matter what the future holds!

Hey, Altena? I've been wondering... Is there anything I can do to help out? I feel bad just sitting around, doing nothing.

Don't be silly, Feinne. You're our guest. Just relax!

(She's our prisoner, but she still wants to help? How...admirable.)

At least take me to the kitchen! I do all the cooking at home, so I like to think I know what I'm doing.

(Are they leaving the room? Oh no. I can't let her see me!)

As much as I'd love to try your cooking... Our cultures are so different, the other beasts might not be so keen.

Oh really? I guess I'll just have to do something else then. I wouldn't want to waste food.

Is something the matter? You look flustered.

The soldiers came back, but they're badly wounded. We're all tryna tend to 'em, but there's just too many...

I'll give you a hand.

Sorry, Feinne. Do you mind going back to the room?

Let me help. I can't just sit around while people are in pain.

But these are beasts we're talking about, Feinne. Beasts who got hurt fighting humans.

It doesn't matter who they are or why they're wounded. They need help. So let's go!

Ugh... Just leave me... I don't want help from a human...

Please stay still. I need to stop the bleeding.

(She tends to the wounded, even if it means getting soaked in blood.) (And yet, we're just using her for the power that lies within her...)

(My fellow beasts have come to see Feinne in a different light after what happened that day.) (Still, she must not go out alone.)

No... Stop... Please...

Pathetic. Sobbin' like a baby already? Ain't much of a trainin' session.

I-I never said I wanted to train...

Tch. How embarrassing. How can a cowardly, snivellin' mess like you be a beast? Don't tell me you think it's FUN sittin' in a stuffy ol' archive with a buncha old men!

Stop!

Why are you being so mean to him? You're supposed to be on the same side!

Whatcha doin' out here alone, human?

And who d'ya think you are, tellin' us what to do? Might is right to us beasts. The strong get to kick the weak around, and the weak don't get to say nothin' about it.

But Altena's strong, and I've never seen her be violent with anyone. So I think humans and beasts actually feel the same way about strength...

Only cowards bully the weak. Someone who's really strong should protect the weak, not hurt them.

You've done it now... I was playin' nice 'cause you're Lady Altena's friend, but not anymore!

Ahh!

H-Hey... You sure that's a good idea?

Heheh! Serves her right! I never liked her from the start. Go on, Agilat! Teach her a lesson!

Hurts, don't it, girl? If you want it to stop, all you gotta do is apologize.

...I won't.

Being hit by a coward doesn't hurt. But if it makes you feel better, hit me all you like. But in return, I expect you to apologize to the beast you bullied.

Grrr!

(I have to stop him before he completely flies off the handle!)

(I have to save her, but...my legs...)

(What do I do?)

(I am stronger. Stronger than I ever was. I will not be defeated like that again...)

What are you doing?!

What's going on out here?

Feinne! What happened to your face?!

I'm fine, really...

Agilat. Did you do this?

Did you hurt my friend?!

No, I, um... The girl, she...

Gck...

I hope you're prepared to face the consequences!

Altena, wait! I told you, I'm fine!

Please, just let it go.

Feinne...

If that's what you want, then fine. I'll drop it. But we need to get that wound of yours treated. Come on.

(I couldn't even move. Protecting her is the only thing I'm supposedly capable of, and still I failed...)

(They must have returned to her room.) (I should do the same. How am I ever going to face the Beast King if I cannot even guard her door?)

Arrrgh!

(When I learned to take combat form, I thought I'd said goodbye to the weak boy I used to be.)

(I even killed that man to show the Beast King how strong I'd become...)

Only cowards bully the weak. Someone who's really strong should protect the weak, not hurt them.

(But I haven't changed at all. I'm still the weak little beast I was back then...)

Does it hurt, Feinne?

Heh... Maybe a little.

Honestly, what were you thinking? The beasts here will find any excuse to start a fight. Things could've ended much differently if I hadn't turned up.

But my brother would've done the same thing! If someone's being bullied, you can't just stand by and watch, even if the bully's stronger than you.

(Yes... I could easily believe that of Aldo.) (After all, he was brave enough to stand up to the Beast King and myself to save his sister.)

Lord Vares, do you have a moment?

Ah, Sidre. How are you faring after what Agilat did to you?

I may be weak, but I'm still a beast. The pain has long since gone. I was actually wondering if I'd be able to see the human girl.

What for?

I wanted to thank her for helping me. It's not much, but I brought her some fruit and some ice for her injury.

Go ahead. I am sure she will appreciate it.

What're we gonna do? If the Beast King's fallen, humans'll storm the castle...

Quit panicking. We got a hostage, remember? We can use her to buy some time.

Even then, how long can we really last?! Better to just kill the girl and make 'em regret ever goin' against us! Let's leave her corpse and get as far away from here as we can!

What do you think you're doing?! His Majesty gave us strict orders not to kill the girl, even in the event of his defeat.

Yeah, but he's dead now! So I ain't gotta follow his orders! Outta the way, Vares!

The Beast King is not dead. And I shall protect his castle until he returns!

You? Hmph. Don't make me laugh! Still, I won't turn down a chance to put you in your place. I never liked you, actin' all high-and-mighty just 'cause the Beast King likes you.

So if you're gonna get in my way, guess I'll just hafta kill ya!

Then you leave me no choice.

Bwa ha ha! Is that all you traitors got?! For shame!

Lord Vares!

We've received an update. Apparently the one who struck His Majesty down was a man named Aldo...

What?!

We searched and searched, only for him to reappear now?!

Vares! Come with us!

Where?!

The throne room! Hurry!

We're going to start the ritual! Make sure no one comes in!

The ritual? To make Feinne the savior of our people?

Just keep watch, okay?

(Feinne will become our savior...) (Is this really right?)

(No, what am I thinking? Of course it is. It's what the Beast King wanted.) (And yet...)

(Isn't it wrong of us to use her last moments for our own sakes?)

(Still, how could I interfere with the ritual? That would mean betraying His Majesty...)

(Somebody, please...before it's too late...)

(That's it! Aldo! He'd put a stop to this!)

Sidre! Are you there?

Find Aldo. Now.

Aldo, sir?! O-Okay!

Aldo. I won't let her fate be decided without you. Her life is in your hands!

Lord Vares! I found him! I found Aldo!

Where?!

Well, the thing is...

So he's been passing through time and space. It's no wonder we couldn't find him. He has surpassed my expectations in every way.

But if he's traveling through space-time, I just need to find a way to do the same.

And how will you do that?

I have an idea.

Follow me!

What's that?!

Aldo first went missing here in the Moonlight Forest. And if he managed to escape my chimera and go through space-time here, then...

Are you really going through with this?! There's no telling what's on the other side!

I'm well aware!

(Finally found you!)

(At this rate, we'll still be in time for the ceremony.)

(Please, Aldo. You're my last hope!) Hmph. Looks like messing around with time and space has got you into trouble, eh Aldo?

You?!

Vares! You're still alive?

Fool, you can't kill me off that easily. Show some gratitude. I came through a tear in spacetime to deliver a special message to you. Aldo, your sister's true power is getting closer and closer to awakening.

What?!

Heheheh... You heard me. The birth of the savior of the beastfolk is nigh! The age of humanity is at an end.

You're out of your mind! None of us will let that happen!

Will Feinne choose our future or yours? Come to the Beast King's Castle and you'll find out.