The afternoon sun hung low over the valley, painting the sky with shades of gold and rose. From the high battlements of the fortress, King Zeus leaned against the stone parapet, his strong arms crossed as he gazed down at the courtyard below. The air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of pine and earth from the forest beyond.
Below, Scarlett and Misty moved through the open training grounds, their laughter ringing clear and bright. Misty, ever agile and confident, shifted effortlessly between her human form and wolf form, darting between targets while Scarlett attempted to keep pace, bow in hand. Even from a distance, Zeus could see the concentration etched on Scarlett's face—the determination in her eyes, the way her fingers gripped the bowstring with both hope and frustration.
Zeus's jaw tightened, and he exhaled slowly, his mind drifting. His thoughts wandered to his wife, Scarlett's mother—the only love he had ever truly known. Even now, months after her passing, her memory burned in him with a warmth and a sorrow that never fully faded. He remembered the moments before she left him, the words she had spoken, the hope and fear mingled in her eyes.
Do not let go… protect them… guide them…
Her voice echoed in his memory, soft yet insistent, a gentle reminder that he was now the anchor for both their lives. He had promised himself that day, with every ounce of his heart, that he would care for Scarlett and Misty as if they were his own children, giving them the love, protection, and guidance they deserved. He would shield them from the dangers of the world, even those he could not yet see.
Zeus's amber eyes softened as he watched Scarlett stumble slightly over a root, recovering her balance with a grimace and a determined smile. Misty, sensing her friend's struggle, darted forward, her wolf form fluid and strong, and nudged Scarlett's arm gently as if to say, You've got this.
Even from above, Zeus could feel the unspoken bond between them. Misty's loyalty, Scarlett's courage—two hearts intertwined, growing stronger together. His chest swelled with both pride and a pang of sorrow. His wife would have been proud of Scarlett, and yet he couldn't help but wonder what she would say if she could see them now.
He closed his eyes briefly, letting the memory of her voice wash over him. He could still hear the soft cadence, the quiet insistence that he never falter, that he never let go of the ones he loved. The memory was comforting and painful all at once. He had promised her then—and he promised himself now—that no harm would come to Scarlett or Misty as long as he drew breath.
Opening his eyes, Zeus's gaze sharpened. He continued to watch the girls from the battlements, his eyes tracking every movement. Scarlett raised her bow, aiming at a target set up against a tree. Misty, ever protective, darted to the side, tail flicking as she waited for Scarlett to release her arrow. Zeus's lips pressed into a thin line. The shot went wide again, thudding harmlessly into the trunk of the tree.
Scarlett's shoulders slumped slightly, frustration flashing across her face, but she straightened again, determined to try once more. Misty padded beside her, whispering words of encouragement that Zeus could not hear from above, but he could see the effect: Scarlett's resolve returned, fiercer than before.
Zeus's mind wandered again, replaying his wife's last moments with him. The advice, the warnings, the hope she had placed in his hands—they were all still a mystery, still hidden, still waiting for the right time to be revealed. And yet, her faith in him, in his ability to guide and protect, had never wavered.
He straightened, letting a hand rest lightly on the hilt of his sword, not in preparation for battle, but as a silent vow. "I will protect them," he murmured to himself. "No matter what. I will be their shield, their guide, their father in every way they need me to be."
The wind shifted, carrying the scent of the forest, the sound of birdsong, and the faint laughter of the girls across the courtyard. Zeus's amber eyes softened as he continued to watch them. Misty's wolf form shimmered in the fading sunlight, a flash of silver and grace, while Scarlett, human and ordinary in form, displayed a courage that made him swell with pride.
"They are my responsibility," he whispered, almost reverently. "And I will not fail them."
A shadow fell across his mind, a memory of his wife's eyes, bright with unspoken truths. Zeus did not know what the future held, nor did he fully understand the nature of the gift Scarlett carried—but he knew it was his duty to be ready. To train her, guide her, and ensure she was never abandoned to the dangers she would face.
The girls laughed again, Misty nudging Scarlett playfully as they reset their targets. Zeus's lips curved into the faintest smile, though his eyes remained vigilant. Even in play, he could sense the subtle lessons his wife had wanted him to impart: courage, care, resilience, and trust. He could see it in Scarlett's determination, the way she refused to give up despite being ordinary, wolf-less, and underestimated by others.
Zeus exhaled slowly, allowing himself a rare moment of calm. He would not rush the revelation. He would not force knowledge too soon. For now, it was enough to watch them grow, to ensure their safety, and to continue keeping the promise he had made in the quiet darkness of his chamber, months ago, and again in the echo of her dream: to take care of Scarlett and Misty, always, without question, without hesitation.
The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the courtyard. Scarlett let out a triumphant cheer as her arrow finally hit the target—albeit not perfectly—and Misty bounded up to celebrate with her. Zeus watched from above, chest swelling with a mixture of pride and sorrow. He knew the road ahead would be long, full of challenges, dangers, and unknown truths. But he would be ready.
No matter what came, he would not let go.
Not of Scarlett. Not of Misty. Not of the promise he had made to his wife.
And somewhere deep inside, he felt a quiet certainty: the future, though uncertain and full of trials, would be met with the unwavering vigilance of a father who had vowed to protect, love, and guide his daughter—and the girl who had chosen to stand by her side.
For now, Zeus remained atop the battlements, silent and watchful, the wind ruffling his hair, the warmth of the sun fading into the cool hues of evening. He did not speak. He did not move. He simply watched, and in his heart, the vow remained unbroken.
I will not let go…