Hero of war : The divine beast

Kael's eyes fluttered open, his gaze scanning the familiar walls of the cabin. *I'm back?* Relief washed over him, but as his reflection in the mirror caught his attention, it froze him in place. Animal-like ears sat atop his head, their fur soft yet undeniably foreign, a reminder of who—no, what—he was.

*Did she see me like this?* Panic began to bubble in his chest. *I have to hide them... but how?*

"Don't bother hiding them," Ellia's voice came from behind him, calm and warm. "I'll teach you how to control it."

Kael spun around, his hands shooting up to cover his ears as if he could shield himself from her gaze. His movements were clumsy, his back hitting the mirror. "Sis…" he stammered, eyes wide and pleading, "I… I didn't want you to see this."

Ellia stepped closer, her expression soft with understanding. Kael shrank further, clutching his head, but her steady presence didn't falter. Gently, she lifted him into her arms, cradling him close despite his instinctive flinch at her touch.

Leaning her head against his, she whispered, "I'm sorry, Kael. I'm sorry for leaving you alone. I promise I won't do that again."

Tears filled Kael's eyes. His voice was barely a whisper, trembling with fear. "You don't… hate me?"

Ellia pulled back, her gaze firm yet tender. "Hate you? Why would I ever hate you?"

"B-But… I'm a beast," he muttered, voice breaking.

"No, Kael," Ellia corrected, shaking her head. "You're a demi-human."

"That's the same thing!"

"No, it's not," she said with a determined edge. "Beasts destroy, Kael. They kill without reason. But demi-humans? They endure. They survive. And you, Kael—you survive."

Kael hesitated. "But… why didn't you hate me like everyone else?"

Ellia crouched to meet his gaze, her eyes unwavering. "That must've been hard, Kael. Thinking no one could ever love you. But I'm not like them. I'm your sister, and I'll always be here for you."

Kael's stomach growled loudly, breaking the tension. A faint blush spread across his cheeks.

Ellia chuckled softly, setting him down. "Come on. Let's get some food in you."

---

A little later, Kael sat at the table as Ellia placed a bowl of stew before him. The comforting aroma filled the room, and he watched her with a small, hesitant smile as she sat across from him.

"Okay," she said, reaching out her hand, "remember what we used to do before eating?"

Kael tilted his head in confusion. "What do you mean?"

Ellia smiled, motioning for him to give her his hand. Slowly, he reached out, placing his small hand in hers. She bent down and kissed the back of his hand.

In an instant, a brilliant white flash engulfed the room. Kael squeezed his eyes shut against the blinding light. When he opened them, he found himself in an entirely different world.

---

The skies above were alive with galaxies, their swirling colors casting an ethereal glow. The ground reflected the heavens like a pristine mirror, shimmering with an otherworldly light.

Kael stared in awe. In the center of this breathtaking world stood a little girl with ears like his, her hair flowing and her emerald eyes shining. Her seraphic smile captivated him, but as he took a step toward her, the world began to shift.

The celestial hues faded into green. Grass sprouted beneath his feet, spreading until he stood in a vast field of vibrant life.

"Kael!" Ellia's voice called from behind him.

He turned to see her sitting on a patch of grass, a serene smile on her face. "Where are we?" he asked, his voice filled with wonder.

Ellia gestured to the world around them. "This is the Corehaven."

"Corehaven?" Kael repeated, stepping closer.

"It's where your soul resides," she explained. "In the Corehaven, your true form is visible."

Kael hesitated, glancing down at himself. "Do I… look different?"

Ellia smiled. "Not quite yet. Your form isn't materializing properly."

"Materializing properly?" Kael echoed, frowning.

"Take a look at your arm," Ellia said, pointing.

Kael lifted his arm. To his horror, it shimmered and shifted between green, purple, and red, as if it couldn't decide what it was meant to be.

"Wh-What's happening to me?" Kael stammered, stumbling back.

"It's normal," Ellia reassured him, her tone calm. "This happens when two different races coexist in the same Corehaven. It'll stabilize in time."

Ellia smirked playfully, leaning forward. "Do you want to see something cool?"

Kael nodded eagerly, his fear momentarily forgotten.

She reached out, her hands hovering near his head. But then, she hesitated and pulled back with a teasing grin. "Maybe another time."

"Aw, come on!" Kael whined, pouting.

Ellia laughed and stood up. "For now, let's finish our meal. You'll need your strength for what's to come."

Kael's curiosity burned, but he trusted her words. Whatever secrets the Corehaven held, he knew Ellia would guide him through it.