Taro stared down at the sleeping Sovanna wondering when she would wake. Two days passed since they returned from Drazlesk. They were in a spare room at the Krokey's underground village. In one bed was Sovanna and another, Kazo. Because he activated the bond as Rider, he would die with Kukkiri.

Supposedly, she's becoming a Guardian now. Taro thought as he watched over Sovanna. Kazo had been in and out of unconsciousness since the death of Kukkiri. Taro still couldn't believe it was over. And he still couldn't believe his magick was finally gone. For so long he felt cursed and as the bearer of the prophecy, that made him twice as stressed about life.

A knock on the door and Rokki came in with water and bread. "You need to eat," he said, setting them on the nearby table.

"You're not worried about her? If she comes back as not the Guardian, I can't unfreeze her heart."

Rokki growled. "You forget. I'm not without magick." He demonstrated his fire magick for the umpteenth time that day. But they both knew what Taro was really talking about. Sovanna as Guardian meant she would outlive them both. She would soon be the only of her kind until the next emerald Guardian was found.

Taro shook his head. Everything always found a way to weigh on his shoulders. Did the universe know he already had a lot on his plate? When Kazo died, he would have to go home as the heir, having tampered with his father's will out of spite for not paying attention to him.

I shouldn't have done that. Birdbrain is right. Did I not think of the what if? What if I lived?

"Taro..."

He leapt to his feet when his brother called for him. Taro rushed to the bed and held Kazo's rough hand. Kazo struggled to talk with his cracked beak. A question burned in Taro's head. He had to ask.

"Why did you help her?" Taro implored him. "If you're going to be Kukkiri's follower, do it properly until the end." During the battle when Sovanna was struggling to fight Kukkiri, Kazo shouted at her to aim for Kukkiri's heart before Taro could.

Kazo pursed his beak and sang a birdsong.

"Kazo..." Taro choked as his brother shed tears and then his face froze. His body disintegrated. He was never much of a brother, but per instincts, Taro couldn't help but identify him as his proper nestling and one to love unconditionally. He hated being part Aerisi made him love those he would rather hate. But in this moment of sudden, quiet death, he couldn't help but wish those words were true.

"What he said?"

Naja was there. Taro scowled at the lean Krokey being so insensitive. He hadn't even noticed the Krokeys were all suddenly there. He would rather grieve in silence for the love-hate relationship.

But I'm not evil, he told himself and forced a smile. "See you in another life," he said, "We believe in reincarnation."

He thought he would be mocked like Naja always did with Aerisi beliefs and customs, but to his surprise, Naja came over and rested a hand on his shoulder.

"You'll see him again," Naja said, "Krokeys also believe in reincarnation."

Taro blinked as new tears formed in his eyes. "Thank you. And maybe this time," He gave a weak smile, "he won't be such a pain in the tailfeathers."

"She's waking up!" Rokki exclaimed and now they all rushed to surround Sovanna's bed. Her eyes fluttered open and instead of the usual orange, they were green. The emerald appeared on a golden necklace around her neck. She stared at them, her eyes wandering. Taro took her paw as Rokki took the other. Relief swelled in his heart.

"Thank the Guardians, rise and shine, Vanna," Taro choked on his words.

Sovanna smiled and simply said, "We did it, Taro."

"We did," he nodded, "You were amazing."

"Rokki," She turned her head, "I think, I don't know, really, but you might be my sun, too."

Rokki let out a trill of joy and hugged her around her neck. Taro smiled at the two with a prick of jealousy in his chest. He slowly backed away as the Krokeys went up to Sovanna to praise her or update her on what was going on.

In the end, I live.

Taro stepped outside the room and into the hall. He spotted some of the Kaunlutha from Rukkatukin and told him the good news. They all rushed to her room. A pit of hollowness filled him for he knew she no longer needed him and their prophecies were completed.

We go separate ways now.

Taro hated saying goodbye. He didn't like so-longs or farewells. He decided he would slip away, but not without a word. Back from the battle, he had entrusted Stopha with a letter to Sovanna written in Universal and told him to read it for her if she couldn't. 

All it said was that he had his own life to return to with Aerisi. He might have a throne to take having set himself up for this but only the Guardians knew his true future. He would always remain friends with Sovanna—and of course, Rokki—and if he could, he would visit her sometimes.

"Leisendio," he muttered, "eternal friendship, in this context."

Outside, in the snow, he met with the captain of his brother's army. One of the few that made it out alive from the ordeal.

"Evil prince of Redfoot, you must return to claim your throne."

Taro grimaced at the name-calling. "I'm not evil," he said and to that, the captain laughed. They both knew what he'd done before he left. Cause and effect, he played a heavy role in the death of his parents.

Rokki said no more secrets, but I'm allowed to keep some to myself.

And he couldn't tell them he was thrown out because he was a murderer. And he couldn't tell them Redfoot clan wanted him back despite that because a will of Aerisi was as carved in stone as a prophecy.

I thought it would be funny if everyone thought the king wanted me as his successor. They come to realize, they've exiled the evil prince, and he's gone off to sacrifice himself for the prophecy.

Taro left his clawmarks and went to die.

"Yet, I live," he said to the captain who nodded with a scowl. "You and I both have no choice unless," he began and trailed off. Did he still have a choice? Could he finally be freed from Redfoot? No one liked him.

And there was nothing to return to but a clan without a leader. Aerisi were dying. Unlike Kaunlutha who had a leader, Sovanna, who still wanted to fight for survival, his kind had long-ago given up. Like him, they were turning into hybrids.

"We leave at dawn. I need rest," he said. The captain begrudgingly bowed his head and ordered to set up camp. Taro disappeared into the forest to be away from it all. He didn't want to face this future that was suddenly his again.

I even wanted to die. He realized now that he had been glad about the prophecy claiming his life. But he never activated the Rider—the special bond between Aerisi and Kukkiri—like his nestlings thought he did. Being able to control a small Kukkiri was only due to his powers. Anyone could learn that if they tried. Kazo was the only one who activated the Rider.

As far as I know.

Even if he did return, what could he do? Aerisi had given up.

I chase after the prophecy all my life because that was my purpose. What is it now? What do I do? I don't want to be king of birdbrains.

He groaned and held his head. He wished he were Sovanna who knew exactly what she wanted and would do anything to keep her race alive. Now she was a young Guardian with so much more resting on her shoulders. He didn't know what he wanted, but all he did know was that if he could be allowed to stay, he would be by Sovanna's side.

To the end.

He shook his head and pounded his chest. To my end.

The air changed around him. Magick tingled on his skin. Through the melting jungle where new green had just begun to show, he caught sight of a golden glow. Taro hurried through the undergrowth until he burst into small clearing with soft yellow light pouring in from above. Not moonlight to reflect the time of day in his world, but sunrays. His heartbeat quickened.

"Aurvandil? Are you here?" he whispered.

The black Kattaluna came out from behind a tree. "So, you know the answer to your question," he said with a sly smile on his lips. "I knew you would come to a conclusion."

Taro rolled his eyes. "Don't tell me you knew."

He shrugged. "The future can change. You surprise me."

"Don't flatter me. I'm not special."

When Aurvandil didn't continue, Taro asked, "How am I here?" He looked around as the jungle melted away to reveal a grassy field with a tall, jagged rock—Drazlesk—in the distance.

"Because you surprise me." Aurvandil held out his paw and in it was an orange gem, glowing brighter and brighter as Aurvandil closed the gap between them. "This is yours if it's your choice to take it."

"My choice? I thought you didn't do choices?" He eyed the Chief Guardian suspiciously. There was a different air about him. More relaxed and calm as if he'd finally assumed his role as Chief Guardian. When Taro met him for the first time, he was flustered, stressed, and on edge.

"I do now. Thanks to a stubborn, persuasive little lion." He smiled. "We are slowly changing the system one Guardian prospect at a time. This is yours' to take if you wish. If not, I have a way now to redirect the gem away from you."

Taro considered the gem. He could tell Aerisi that they would have to find a new leader. He was the only Redfoot royalty left to take the crown. Without him, the clan would fall. But no sentiments remained there. 

In Sovanna, he found a place to belong.

Consider all the things I've been through with her. A smile played on his lips. And I would do it again and again. Twice fold, from start of finish.

"A new system, you said?" He plucked the gem from Aurvandil's palm. "Sounds a lot more fulfilling than leading a dying race to their deaths."

Taro rolled the stone over as it pulsated with special magick. When he raised his gaze, Aurvandil nodded and walked off toward Drazlesk. Taro followed without hesitation.

In the mountain, high above the land, the ceremony commenced right away, and he gave himself up to the gem and let its magick begin to fill him. He closed his eyes and recalled the first time he met Sovanna and how silly he thought she was until one day he realized he loved her.

"You are strong," came Aurvandil's voice, "You can go on alone. There are many who choose the path of a lone Guardian, never interacting with the others. Why not you?"

Taro smiled. "Because, at the end of the day, we made a promise to be friends forever."

And if she needs me, I'll be at her side. No matter what.

As the gem sent its magick into him, transforming him into a Guardian, he gave a giddy smile as he wondered what Sovanna would say when he returned to her. She might have seen the letter already. Maybe she was trying to find him right now.

When the transformation finished, Aurvandil called, "Rise, Guardian of the Padparadscha, Guardian of Loyalty."

Taro opened his eyes and gazed upon a new purpose. 

He returned to the captain and denounced the throne.

"Find someone else," he simply said and rushed back to the Krokey village. 

It hadn't even been more than a few hours but to him, it felt like days had gone by. He couldn't wait to see her and tell her that they were the same. Taro ran toward her room and caught her voice. 

When he threw the door open, Stopha was sitting by her bed with the letter in his lap. Sovanna glanced up with tears in her eyes and then she began to bawl.

"You savat, I thought you'd left me."

Taro waltzed into the room feeling all eyes on him. The Kaunlutha in the room seemed to recognize the different air about him. This wasn't the same Aerisi they thought was their enemy.

"Sorry, I thought I would, but then I was presented with a choice."

Her mouth fell open as he told her what happened. Then she hugged him around the neck, nuzzling her soft cheek against his. Taro cried into her fur because even if his love for her could never be reciprocated, he could still love and be with her. And now, forever.

There would be much to do. They had powers they didn't understand yet. And seeing what happened with Bristya, they couldn't let greed get to their heads. But Taro knew together, they could do anything.

Behind them, Rokki cleared his throat. "Get here, brother." He held open his arms. Taro opened his wings and wrapped Rokki in a wing hug instead. Rokki struggled in the unsuspected grip. Taro laughed and when he let him go, they shook hand and paw.

"Welcome home," Rokki said, "And—" He choked on his words and lowered his gaze. Taro patted his shoulder. Now that Taro was also a Guardian, Rokki was the only of their trio who couldn't be with them forever. Bittersweet filled Taro's chest and it also hung in the air. He looked to the Kaunlutha, the Krokey, and back to Sovanna.

"Every moment special," Sovanna said, breaking the silence, "Don't think of uncertain future yet."

Rokki nodded to her words. Then Taro followed suit. 

She was right. Instead of thinking of and dreading the future, they needed to treasure every moment they had with each other, for a moment was once in a lifetime no matter how long that life may be. 

They had each other in life and would after death. That could be certain in this life full of uncertain futures.