King Alocer was staring down the demon as Byron Aschefell helped his son to his feet. They began limping towards the back exit as they leaned on each other, one with a busted leg, one with a missing hand.
Byron gave one final look back at his king before they descended into the tunnel and saw the royal lion had finally come to understand the true cost of violence.
The king had finally experienced what true loss in battle meant, the heartbreak a parent felt when their child was claimed by such needless devastation.
For the first time in the veteran wolf's life, he witnessed King Alocer shed a tear, even as the royal beast crossed swords with the demon once more in a clash of steel and darkness.
Byron held his son just a bit tighter as they finally escaped the wrath the beast king had brought down on his people. Well, for the time being, at least.
