Chapter 3: The Beast Queen's Vow
Days passed. The fox girl now named Lyra followed him reluctantly, her pride warring with the strange bond between them.
"You're insane," she hissed one night by the campfire. "You're human. Why would you want monsters like me?"
"Because," Elias said quietly, staring into the flames, "humans killed me once. I'd rather rule with beasts than kneel before angels."
Lyra's tail flicked. Her ears twitched. A faint smirk curved her lips.
> "Then I'll see if you're strong enough to be my master, human."
She transformed, her aura exploding nine tails of crimson flame lighting the forest.
Elias raised his hand.
> "Then let's see who tames who."
When dawn rose, the forest was ash. Lyra knelt beside him, her pride broken but her eyes now glowed with devotion.
> "You win, Master."
Elias looked toward the distant mountains the direction of the human kingdom that betrayed him.
> "Good," he said. "Because we're just getting started."