Within the coldest reaches of the Ice Belt – in the very same solar system that housed Patia-Neva's former home – King Acacia watched silently as his wife slowly healed.
Much to his sadness, her nine tails didn't grow back entirely. In fact, she only had a single tail now.
He couldn't help but absentmindedly stroke her soft fur, unable to forgive himself. He should have stayed instead, but he was too weak! He had been forced to let his own wife protect him, and look at the result? How could he be happy with this?
He was grateful that Kawa would be able to remain by his side, and with their soul bond, they could communicate just fine… But, to delude himself into thinking everything was okay when it wasn't… He just couldn't do it…
"Edrym…" A faint voice entered King Acacia's mind. It was weak, but it was there. "You have to go back, only you can deal with him… No one else can… If you don't hurry, everyone will die!"