Sara emerged from the river, her white fur darkened and matted with water and blood. Clamped tightly between her jaws was Nebula's coat collar, his limp, unconscious body dragging behind her as she trudged onto the riverbank. Her muscles burned with exhaustion, but she refused to let go, refused to stop.
With one last heave, she pulled him away from the water's edge, ensuring the current could no longer reach him. His body lay sprawled on the damp earth, his face pale beneath the streaks of grime and battle wounds.
A low whimper rumbled from Sara's throat as she lowered her muzzle close to his face. Her golden eyes, usually fierce, were now filled with a quiet desperation.
"Please wake up, my lord," she murmured softly, her voice carrying the weight of both worry and devotion.
She pressed her nose against his cheek, then began licking his face—again and again, each stroke of her tongue an attempt to rouse him from the abyss of unconsciousness. His skin was ice-cold, his breaths faint, but she knew he was still alive.
She could feel it in the fragile rhythm of his heartbeat, slow but present. And more than that, she understood their bond—his death would mean hers as well. If she was still standing, then so was he.
But he was taking too long.
A quiet whine escaped her as she nuzzled against him more insistently, her warm breath fanning across his clammy skin. "Come on, Nebula," she whispered, her voice trembling now. "You must wake up."
Then—
A twitch. A shallow intake of breath.
Sara froze, her ears perking up.
Nebula's fingers twitched against the damp earth. His chest rose in a shuddered gasp, his brow furrowing as his lips parted slightly. A groggy, pained groan escaped him as his body stirred.
His vision remained blurred at first, the world around him a hazy swirl of moonlight and shadows. But as his senses slowly returned, he felt warmth—a presence hovering protectively over him.
Blinking rapidly, clarity seeped into his gaze, and the first thing he saw was Sara's worried golden eyes staring down at him.
"Sara… did we make it?" His voice was barely above a whisper, rough and strained, but laced with quiet desperation.
The white she-wolf let out a slow exhale, her ears twitching at the sound of his voice. Relief flickered in her eyes, but it was fleeting—overshadowed by the grim reality of their condition.
"You're awake, my lord," she murmured. "Yes, we evaded the enemy… for now."
Nebula caught the subtle waver in her voice—an uncertainty she rarely displayed. Even through his pain-clouded mind, he could sense the weight of something far worse lingering in her hesitation.
"However," she continued, her gaze shifting toward the lifeless terrain around them, "our survival isn't yet guaranteed."
A cold knot twisted in Nebula's gut. His fingers curled slightly against the damp soil as he gritted his teeth.
"Urgh… What do you mean?" he asked, his brow furrowing, though every movement sent fresh waves of pain rippling through his battered body.
Sara's ears lowered, and for the first time since the battle, she looked… lost. Her usually unshakable presence dimmed, her gaze falling to the ground as if searching for an answer that would not come.
Then, in a voice barely above a whisper, she said the words that sent ice through Nebula's veins.
"You're dying, my lord… We both are."
Silence hung between them, thick and suffocating. The wind carried a hollow chill across the barren landscape, rustling through the twisted, skeletal remains of trees.
Sara lifted her head, her eyes scanning the lifeless expanse before them. The land stretched endlessly into desolation—dry, cracked soil devoid of life, the air thick with the scent of decay. It was a place abandoned by time itself.
"You've lost too much blood," she continued solemnly. "And there's nothing here that can help you—"
Her words abruptly cut off.
A flicker of movement in the distance caught her eye. Her ears perked up, her muscles tensing as her golden gaze sharpened in astonishment.
Then, out of the emptiness, it appeared.
A swirling mass of ethereal pink light twisted and pulsed, forming a portal in the distance. It hovered above the cracked earth, radiating an otherworldly glow that bathed the desolate land in an eerie luminescence. The very air around it shimmered with raw energy, as if reality itself was bending to its presence.
Sara's breath hitched. Her heart pounded against her ribcage as an ancient name fell from her lips, half in awe, half in disbelief.
"The realm of sacred beasts… Jebaddon Island."
She exhaled sharply, eyes widening as she took an unconscious step forward.
"It really does exist?"
Nebula followed Sara's gaze, his weary eyes widening as the glowing anomaly pulsed in the distance. His breath hitched, caught between awe and disbelief. A strangled chuckle escaped his lips, followed by a sharp, painful cough that sent fresh agony ripping through his chest. His vision swam, but still, he forced a smirk through the exhaustion.
"The legends… are true," he murmured, his voice laced with both wonder and resignation. "I never thought… cough… we'd see this before we die…."
But then, the weight of reality settled over him once more. His gaze darkened, flickering between the shimmering portal and the vast, unwelcoming wasteland around them.
"Unfortunately," he rasped, "the peril within that portal outweighs even our current standing."
Sara's golden eyes remained fixed on the swirling gateway, but her ears twitched at his words. Slowly, she nodded.
"Indeed, my lord," she agreed, her voice quiet yet firm. She took a deep breath, the cold night air heavy with the scent of blood and damp earth. Then, with a small, almost wry sigh, she added, "But at least we've been granted the privilege to choose where we die. This void land of loneliness is no good place for our demise."
Nebula's lips curled slightly at her words, though whether it was amusement or melancholy, even he wasn't sure.
Sara lowered herself, crouching as close to the ground as possible, fully aware of his battered state.
"Come, my lord."
Summoning the last reserves of his strength, Nebula shifted forward, gritting his teeth as every muscle screamed in protest. With a sluggish, strained movement, he draped himself over Sara's back, his fingers weakly gripping onto her damp fur.
Satisfied that he was secure, Sara rose, her powerful legs tensing beneath her before she began moving forward—slowly, steadily, each step bringing them closer to the luminous portal.
***
As Nebula and Sara emerged from the glowing rift, their battered bodies instinctively tensed, prepared for yet another struggle. But what they found on the other side left them momentarily breathless.
The air was thick with an ancient, mystical energy, humming softly around them like a song only the soul could hear. Towering trees with luminescent leaves stretched toward the heavens, their branches cradling clusters of glowing fruit that pulsed gently, as if breathing. Exotic creatures roamed freely—some with iridescent wings that shimmered like glass, others resembling celestial beings sculpted from stardust. Streams of crystal-clear water meandered through lush, emerald fields, their surfaces reflecting a sky unlike any they had ever known—a sky where constellations shifted and danced as though alive.
Nebula blinked, his weary eyes drinking in the ethereal paradise. Even through the haze of his pain, he felt a strange serenity settle over him, as though he had stepped into the heart of a dream.
Sara's fur bristled slightly in quiet astonishment, her golden eyes darting from one breathtaking wonder to another. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, she felt no imminent danger, no threat lurking in the shadows. Only peace.
Nebula weakly raised a hand, signaling for her to halt beneath the shade of a colossal tree. Its bark shimmered with veins of silver, and its roots twisted into the earth like the fingers of a forgotten god.
Sara obeyed, lowering herself carefully as Nebula slumped against the tree's sturdy trunk. His breath was shallow, his body drained, but for once, he did not feel the weight of impending doom pressing upon him.
Sara, sensing his exhaustion, let out a soft sigh and gently rested her head upon his thighs. The warmth of his presence, however frail, was enough to comfort her.
For a long while, they remained in silence, simply watching the mesmerizing world before them—drinking in the sights, the scents, the soft, rhythmic sounds of life flourishing in its purest form.
Then, finally, Nebula exhaled a slow breath, his voice barely above a whisper.
"…Such a beautiful scene…." His lips curled into a faint, wistful smile. "You were right, Sara. This is truly a nice place to die."
Sara's ears twitched at his words, but she did not lift her head.
"I wish this wasn't the case, my lord," she murmured, a hint of sorrow creeping into her voice. "We had such a shared desire—to one day make the world recognize us… to prove that we mattered."
Her gaze drifted to the ground, filled with a sadness that ran far deeper than their present wounds.
"But I failed you." Her voice wavered slightly. "Now, what choice do we have other than to fade… as if we never existed at all?"
The bitterness of the thought gnawed at her, coiling tightly around her heart. Her ears flattened against her head as regret laced her every word.
"I only wish I was strong enough to protect you better. If I had been… then maybe…" She hesitated before shaking her head. "I can only blame myself for being a lowly, classic-level beast—"
"—No, Sara!" Nebula's voice, though weakened, held a sharpness that cut through her self-reproach.
She flinched slightly, her gaze snapping to his.
"Never… cough… say that again about yourself." His expression, though weary, was fierce with conviction. "You're the strongest and bravest guardian I could ever have hoped for. More than that…" His voice softened, his fingers moving sluggishly to brush through her fur. "You're my family—the only one I've ever known since my birth into this world."
Sara's breath hitched, her golden eyes widening.
"I've only managed to survive this far in life, all thanks to you. And for that, I'm grateful."
A weak but genuine smile tugged at his lips as he continued stroking her fur, his touch light yet comforting.
Sara's throat tightened. A wave of raw emotion surged within her, too powerful to suppress. Before she could stop herself, she threw her head back and let out a long, sorrowful wolf's cry that echoed through the sacred land—a sound filled with devotion, grief, and something deeper… something unspoken.
When the final note of her cry faded into the tranquil air, she lowered her head once more, pressing her muzzle gently against Nebula's chest.
"Thank you, my lord," she whispered, her voice trembling. "It was an honor to serve you."
While Nebula and Sara silently awaited their demise, an unprecedented spectacle suddenly unfolded.
The air around them shifted.
A deep, guttural growl slithered through the trees, low and menacing. It was a primal sound—one that sent a chill slithering down Sara's spine. Her ears perked, muscles tensing as her weakened body instinctively prepared for battle.
Despite the ache that weighed her down, she pushed herself to her feet, positioning herself between the incoming presence and her wounded master. Her lips curled back, revealing sharp fangs, her golden eyes burning with defiance. Even in this near-hopeless state, she would not stand aside.
The presence drew closer, its aura oppressive—thick with raw power. It was intimidating, undeniable.
Sara didn't need to see it to know the truth.
This was no ordinary beast.
This was a rare-level predator—a creature she could never hope to defeat, even at her strongest.
And yet, here she was, standing in its path, fully aware of the suicidal defiance she was about to commit.
Then, from the dense shadows of the enchanted forest, it emerged.
A monstrous feline with sleek, golden fur stepped into the moonlit clearing, its massive paws barely making a sound as they pressed into the soft earth. Towering over Sara, it carried itself with the terrifying grace of an apex predator—one that had roamed the ancient world long before time had erased its kind.
Its head lifted, revealing a pair of long, curved fangs glinting like polished ivory under the glow of the sacred land. Its narrowed, predatory eyes gleamed with cruel amusement as it regarded its prey.
A Smilodon.
Nebula's breath hitched.
"The Saber-tooth cat…! They exist?" His voice was hoarse with disbelief. Even through the haze of pain, a stunned, almost reverent awe flickered across his face. "No way… It must have been drawn here by your howls, Sara."
The Smilodon's lips curled into something akin to a smirk, its deadly fangs barely concealed beneath the sneer. It was a beast of the old world—one lost to time, now standing before them with a hunger that had transcended extinction itself.
Sara remained unmoving, her stance unwavering despite the sheer difference in power. She met the Smilodon's gaze with an unflinching resolve, her body acting on sheer instinct, shielding Nebula with everything she had left.
She knew this creature had come to hunt.
And they were its prey.
The tension in the air was suffocating, thick as the unseen forces that lingered within this sacred land. A cold breeze rustled the leaves, the whispers of the forest carrying an eerie silence before the inevitable storm.
But then… something shifted in Sara's gaze.
A thought—no, a desperate idea—flickered to life in her mind. A gamble. A final choice.
Her rigid stance faltered.
Slowly, she lowered her head, letting out a small, resigned breath.
She turned her gaze back to Nebula, and in that single look, he understood.
His heart clenched.
"No!" Nebula rasped, his voice barely more than a whisper, yet filled with desperate urgency. His hands weakly gripped the grass beneath him as if he could somehow anchor reality—somehow stop her from making this choice. "Don't do it, Sara… You can't leave me."
Sara's expression softened, but her resolve did not waver.
"It's the only way, my lord." Her voice was gentle, yet tinged with sorrow. The weight of their journey, their struggles, and their unfulfilled dreams hung between them like an unspoken farewell.
She turned back to face the Smilodon.
"Memories are life." Her golden eyes gleamed beneath the moon's glow. "So long as you survive, my memories will live on… and our dreams can still be fulfilled."
Nebula's breath shuddered, his vision blurring—not from pain this time, but from the unbearable weight of loss pressing against his heart.
The Smilodon's piercing gaze remained locked on Sara, its body poised like a predator entertained by its prey's unexpected submission.
And then, in the stillness of the night, Sara took a step forward.
"I… cough… I order you! Do not!" His voice, raw with desperation, tore through the sacred silence of Jebaddon Island. Blood spilled from his lips, staining the earth as his body heaved in protest. But his plea had come too late.
Sara had already begun her final act.
A strange luminescence enveloped her fading form, her once-solid body dissolving into shimmering wisps of silver light. The glow pulsed softly, ethereal and fleeting, like the last embers of a dying flame.
Nebula's heart pounded against his ribs in helpless agony. No. No, not like this.
But the Smilodon had already taken notice.
The ancient predator's eyes dilated with a primal desire, its powerful muscles coiling in anticipation. For creatures of Jebaddon Island, the mortal world remained an unreachable dream, a realm beyond their grasp. But there was one way—a single, ancient method—to cross the threshold.
To devour the essence of a host's guardian beast.
And Sara, in her final sacrifice, had just offered herself as the vessel.
With terrifying swiftness, the Smilodon lunged. Its massive jaws parted, but instead of clamping down in a killing blow, it inhaled deeply—greedily—drawing in the dissipating energy of the fading she-wolf.
Sara's very being was stripped from existence, spiraling into the depths of the beast's gaping maw like a formless river of silver mist. The Smilodon's throat rumbled with satisfaction, its eyes flashing with an unearthly glow as it absorbed the nourishing essence.
But then… something went wrong.
A deafening, guttural roar erupted from the Smilodon's throat—one not of triumph, but of sheer, agonized torment.
The once-mighty predator staggered back, its powerful legs quaking as though the very ground beneath it had betrayed its balance. Its head thrashed wildly, slamming against tree trunks with enough force to send cracks splitting through the bark.
The forest trembled beneath the force of its agony.
A piercing wail, unlike anything of this world, ripped through the night as the beast bared its fangs at nothing, its claws raking deep trenches into the earth in its maddened frenzy. The air around it shimmered violently, distorting as though reality itself was unraveling within its form.
Sara's essence was no ordinary prize.
The Smilodon had not just devoured her—it had swallowed something far more dangerous.
Her will.
Her existence.
Her soul.
And now, it was paying the price.
Nebula, his strength failing, could only watch in a haze of pain and sorrow. His vision flickered, his body succumbing to the brutal toll of blood loss. Darkness curled at the edges of his sight, dragging him toward oblivion.
But just before he lost his grip on reality, a familiar voice—soft, gentle, yet echoing with finality—whispered through the void.
"Forgive my selfishness, my lord. Farewell."
And then, all was silent.
***