The Lord ✔️

Chapter 42

Chapter 42: Two Returners

"Hunter, you okay?" Hunter woke to Ruby's voice. He looked at himself, but he saw no blood or cuts. Or the wolf who had been following him for so long, haunting his dreams. No, Ruby was back, and so were the pups. Diamond was there, too, her gaze warm, and— King Kai and EMERALD?!
"I'm fine," Hunter said. He stared at Emerald. "Emerald? Where have you been? What are you doing here now?"
Emerald laughed. She sounded happy and at peace for the first time since the Skystar Rebellion had formed, and her smile was angelic and contagious. Hunter smiled.
"I went to the Star Stones, and spoke to the stars every Moon-High," Emerald said. "The Great Queen Estella spoke to me from the sky. She helped me become a better wolf, and be happy once more."
Hunter nodded. He was still dazed, but he turned to his father and gave him a smile. "Do they know you?" he asked. "The pups?"
King Kai sat down, his tail draped around his body in a comfortable posture, and nodded, a small smile playing on his lips as he watched Robin tussle with Horizon. "It didn't take them much convincing to believe Ruby when she told them that I was their grandfather," he smiled. "Nor the old Cora."
"The old Cora?" Hunter asked, curious.
King Kai sighed. "Cora used to be a wonderful soul, kind and blessed by god," he said, wistfully. "Her smile was beautiful, she laughed at all my terrible jokes, and she was an amazing queen. But a month after Andromeda was born, something happened to her, and it made her cruel and unfeeling."
"Do you know what happened?" Hunter's voice was tentative, as he tried not to pry.
King Kai shook his head, his face sad. "No. I never found out; or, rather, Cora never told me. But, I stuck by her, as I had vowed to when we had become mates."
Hunter glanced sideways, surprised to see Crescent, Auklet, and Abalone, who had come to join the Skystar Rebellion, chatting. Abalone seemed to be demonstrating a healing technique, Auklet adding in little bits and pieces, and Crescent nodding occasionally, her four pups, Moondancer, Starlight, Endurance, and Justice snuggled up beside her, eyes closed.
"Dad!" Robin sprang forward. As he moved, Hunter caught sight of Hope, who seemed to be panting heavily, as if she had run a long distance. Huh. So she did come, after a while. And Crescent decided to bring the pups.
He had realized that he had been moved to a healing camp just on the cusp of Findrut to rest after his nightmare. Maybe that's why everyone was here.
Hunter nuzzled his pups each in turn, then Ruby, and everyone else, including Abalone and Auklet. Then he stood up. "We have to go fight," he said, firmly. "I'm not letting everyone else do this alone."
The wolves with him nodded. He stepped out the cave, allowing the breeze to drift through his fur and send a chill up his spine. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the moment for a second, until everyone had caught up. He began to walk forwards, to the battleground. It was time to fight for his sister.

Haha! I didn't put an author's note for the two chapters before, did I? No, I left you hanging. Well, people have been asking me questions for a while, so here are the answers.
- Yes, Saeva, the villain's, name has a meaning. It means "cruel" it Latin, and is pronounced seh-va. Ina's name is Iy-Na.
- Ina is alive! Some people had a hard time believing this, but yes, she's alive. Queen Estella is probably not alive, but she may be. Let's leave y'all thinking.
Now that I have answered the most commonly asked questions you guys have given, I think it's time for me to ask you about your opinion on some stuff and also reactions.
~ Who is your favourite character and why? ——————————
~ What was your reaction when you found out Queen Cora was Saeva, and Ina was alive? ——————————
~ Which character do you hate, and why? ——————————
Thanks!