--- KONRAD ---
Konrad's heart was pounding so violently that he feared it might burst out of his chest at any moment. His entire body trembled, fear and panic completely overwhelming his thoughts.
Tim and Milo had already fled. Nestor lay unconscious before the monster. Kubato was crying against the creature's body.
And Konrad himself was hiding behind the van.
What am I doing here? What am I supposed to do now?
His eyes darted across the surroundings, desperately searching for an escape. The forest enclosed them tightly, as if it were swallowing every secret. The darkness wrapped around them like an enemy—one they had mistaken for an ally just minutes ago.
The sixteen-year-old cautiously peeked around the corner once more. The memory of the creature—how it had crawled out of the darkness and slowly transformed into something almost human—froze his blood.
Should I run? Should I stay still? I don't know!
As if the being had sensed his presence, it lifted its dark gaze and locked eyes with him.
Konrad's hair stood on end. Instinctively, he tried to flee—only for a fresh wave of terror to seize him.
"Stay where you are!" the inhuman voice commanded.
Mid-turn, just as Konrad attempted to escape, he heard chains rattling. A moment later, cold iron snapped around his already aching left leg. He stumbled onto the damp ground and screamed in fear.
"No! Please!"
At that instant, he realized that Kubato had screamed just as desperately earlier—and that they had shown her no mercy.
Will he… show me mercy?
Before the thought could fully form, the iron tightened around his leg and dragged him across the ground toward the dark man. The chain seemed to extend directly from the creature's wrist.
"And who might you be?" the man asked kindly as Konrad was pulled before them.
The friendliness in his voice confused Konrad—and yet his fear screamed louder than ever.
"I-I…" Konrad stammered. "I'm… Konrad."
"Konrad, huh?" The undead tilted his head, as if savoring the name. "Pretty cool name, if you ask me. Konrad. Has a nice ring to it. So tell me—what exactly were you planning to do here?"
The little wolf girl calmed down slightly and blinked toward Konrad, but she did not let go of the creature's protective grasp.
"W-what we were planning to do?" Konrad looked around as if trying to remember.
The dark forest.
The stalled van.
The extinguished campfire.
Nestor lying unconscious nearby…
"You weren't planning to kill this cute little thing here, were you?" the pale man prompted casually.
The indirect question stole the boy's breath.
What is he going to do? Is he going to kill me?
"Luckily for you," the being continued, "I'm not the vengeful type. But I can't speak for this little sweetheart. You broke her poor little heart quite badly."
Guilt flooded Konrad as he looked into Kubato's tear-filled eyes. Somewhere deep inside, he felt relieved that his friends hadn't killed her. Yet at the same time, he didn't understand what her being beastkin had to do with this man.
"What's your name, sweetheart?" the man asked Kubato, kneeling down to her level as she clung tightly to his waist.
"Kubato," she whispered softly.
"A beautiful name. Suits you perfectly," the being said with a melodic tone, then turned his gaze back to Konrad.
"So tell me… what should we do with these two?"
He pointed at the unconscious boy—and then at Konrad. Konrad flinched as the pale, thin finger aimed at him.
Kubato buried her face in the man's leather straps again. She said something quietly, but Konrad could barely hear it.
The being laughed in amusement.
"Relax, sweetheart, I'm a pacifist! I don't kill people. I have a better idea. We hang them upside down from the trees and paint their faces with dirt and mud… though sadly, I didn't bring any makeup."
Does… Kubato want me to… die?
"Or," the being continued casually, "you make up."
At that word, Kubato clutched his straps even tighter. A faint spark of hope ignited in Konrad's chest—one he wasn't sure he was even allowed to feel.
"Please!" Konrad cried out, throwing himself to the ground before them. "Forgive me! Please! I'm sorry! I really am!"
"But…" Kubato whispered louder now, her voice trembling again. "I didn't do anything… Why…?"
Konrad looked up. He feared for his life—but at the same time, he realized just how deeply he had hurt her. She should have been protected, cherished like family, and yet he had betrayed her and tried to kill her.
"I…" he tried to continue, tears welling up in his eyes. Regret flooded his heart.
Why did I listen to the others? Why didn't I listen to my father? Why…?
Kubato began to cry again, though not as loudly as before.
"Kubato," Konrad apologized once more.
"I'm sorry. I… I thought beastkin were evil. That you were… supposed to be killed…"
The wolf girl's tears did not stop. Instead, she buried her face deeper into the creature's straps.
The dark man smiled faintly.
"Well, this is going great," he said. "But just to add my own opinion—beastkin aren't monsters. They're wonderful people. Especially the women. They're truly something special."
The comment felt completely out of place in this situation.
Yet somehow… it calmed Kubato.
"What should I do?" Konrad asked desperately. "How can I make this right? What am I supposed to tell Marcel?"
He saw everything… Is he already looking for us?
"It's simple," Akumu said. "You wanted to take her life. Now give her yours."
The boy fell silent.
"Protect her," Akumu added. "And make sure she lives a happy life."