Healing The Beastworld

CH 22: now you know

In the days leading up to their departure from nine bark the trio had much to do. On the first day Rontu, Kaden, and Karee sifted through the ruins of their burnt home looking for anythingthey could salvage. The fire had consumed everything, save for a small cluster clear gemstones that had endured the inferno. Among them lay a large blue gem, the same one Karee had brought with her from her world. She picked it up in her hand and called out to Rontu, "You said these are rare right, do you think it would help us when we get to the city?" Rontu looked at the gem in her hand, "Oh definitely, we could probably buy a pre built hut with it if you'd like." Kaden aproached the woman to see what they were talking about and eyes widened at the sight. "Where did you get a blue gem from?" Rontu and Karee looked at each other and it hit them, they never told Kaden where she was from. "Lets go back to the doctor's hut there isn't anything else here we can salvage, we can tell you about the gem amd Karees past there." Rontu said while placing the salvaged gemstones in a small satchel. Sensing the tension in the air Kaden agreed as they all walked away from the ashy remains and headed to their temporary home.
Once they arived at the hut Kaden looked at Karee directly, his usual mischievous grin replaced with a look of concern. "Karee, you look pale. Is everything alright?"
Hesitantly, Karee met his gaze, her heart sinking slightly. "There's something I need to tell you." She paused, gathering her thoughts. "Rontu and I... well, we haven't told you about my past."
The room fell silent. Kaden's brow creased, his curiosity piqued. Rontu's hand instinctively went to her, his touch a silent pledge of support. Karee took a deep breath. "I didn't tell you this before because... well, i didn't know you well enough. By time we mated i had practically forgot and with all the events that happened after everything was to overwhelming to even think about my past." Kayden reachedout placing his hand on her unoccupied hand, "You know me now right, and its ok that you didnt tell me before i understand life has been a bit hectic and im not mad. Whatever it is your about to say i wont be mad at i promise." Karee took in a deep breath beforeshe continuedto speak, "I'm from a different world, Kaden. A world... where people can't shift into beasts." She met Rontu's gaze, her voice catching. "A world where I... died."
Her confession hung in the air, heavy and thick. Kaden, despite his impulsive nature, was a man of logic. His eyes widened, his mind reeling from the implications. Rontu, ever stoic, remained silent, his hand gripping hers tightly.
"But how...?" Kaden stammered, struggling to comprehend. "I don't know the details," Karee admitted, her voice barely a whisper. "I was poisoned by a friend, the same one who gave me that blue gem. Then... then I woke up here. In your world. Rontu found me in the forest and broughtme here."
Kaden's eyes were wide with disbelief. He looked at Rontu, searching for reassurance. Rontu squeezed Karee's hand gently. "It's true, Kaden. She is from another world."
"But... impossible," Kaden muttered, his mind struggling to grasp the concept. "How is that even possible?"
"I don't know," Rontu replied. "It's a mystery, but i suspect the beastgod sent her here." He looked at Karee, his gaze filled with love and understanding. "But one thing is certain, Kaden. Karee is my mate, our mate. She is part of our world now."
Kaden studied their faces, the gravity of the situation slowly sinking in. He knew Rontu was a man of his word. He looked at Karee, her fear slowly giving way to a determined glint in her eyes.
"I... I'm still processing this, and i understand why you didn't tell me in the beginning." Kaden admitted, his voice a low murmur. "But I'm glad you're here, Karee. You're part of our family now. And I'm glad you finally told me."
As he sat there thinking about the knowledge that had just been given to him a sense of wonder and excitement washed over Kaden. He had always been fascinated by the unknown, and the thought of having a mate from another world filled him with a mix of awe and curiosity.
"What was it like?" he asked eagerly. "Did no one have a beast form? Did you live in tribes like ours?"
Karee smiled, a bittersweet memory crossing her mind. "No, on Earth, we did not have such abilities. We were merely humans, with our own strengths and weaknesses. I lived in a world where we valued knowledge and art, where we strived for progress.'
She spoke of towering buildings, bustling cities, and a society governed by laws and norms far different from those of this world. Kaden's imagination soared as he listened to her tales, his mind expanding with each word. Kaden listened intently, his eyes wide with wonder and intrigue. He had never imagined a world so different from his own, where people lived without the ability to transform into beasts. Eager to delve deeper into this foreign realm, he bombarded Karee with questions.
"How did people survive without the strength of the strength of a beast" he asked, his brow furrowed.
"We relied on our intelligence and cooperation," Karee replied. "We built machines and used knowledge to safely navigate the world around us."
Kaden's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Was it as beautiful as this world?"
"In some ways," Karee sighed. "It had mountains that touched the sky and oceans that stretched as far as the eye could see, but it also bore the scars of human conflict. Many forest were completely destroyed and many animals were hunted to extinction."
Kaden pressed further, his questions ranging from the mundane to the profound. Karee answered as best she could, describing the complexities of human society, technology, and culture.
As the day wore on, Karee's story painted a vivid picture of a world both familiar and utterly alien to Kaden. He marveled at the ingenuity and resilience of humans, but he also shuddered at the darkness that lurked within their hearts.
"Did you have any mates there?" Kaden asked with a hint of sadness in his eye.
Karee chuckled. "No, Kaden i didnt have any. And on Earth, humans typically only have one mate. It is rare and frowned upon to have multiple partners."
Kaden's eyes sparkled with wonder. "That is fascinating," he said. "I can't imagine what it must have been like to live in such a different world."
For hours, Karee, Rontu, and Kaden talked about the differences and similarities between Earth and their own. Kaden's mind was filled with endless questions and Karee answering them as best she could. At one point the sun began to set so Rontu lit a small flame in the fire pit.
As the night wore on, the fire crackled and danced, casting flickering shadows on the walls. The trio felt a profound sense of connection and understanding as they shared their stories and dreams.
In the end, Kaden realized that Karee's presence in their world was a gift. She brought with her a unique perspective and a boundless well of knowledge that would enrich their lives forever.