Life Beyond End

"Woah..." The word barely slipped out of my mouth, as if I didn't have the air to push it out properly. My head tilted back, eyes scanning the colossal city before me. It was so massive that it made me feel like an ant staring up at a mountain.

"Cool, isn't it?" Jane chimed in, her voice brimming with excitement. She leaned closer, practically glowing as she studied my expression, waiting for my reaction. "Told you I wasn't lying!"

I glanced at her, still trying to process everything. Wait… when did I say she was lying?

Doesn't matter.

"Yeah… it's so cool," I finally managed, still dumbfounded. My gaze flicked back to the city walls towering above us. They were smooth and polished, catching the sunlight in a way that made them shimmer faintly, almost like they were alive.

Jane's grin stretched even wider. Her ears twitched, and her tail gave a subtle wag behind her. She was clearly thrilled that I thought the place was as amazing as she did.

"See?" she said, beaming. "Told you it was worth it."

She wasn't wrong.

This city wasn't just big—it was huge. The walls stretched so far in either direction that they almost disappeared into the horizon. Behind them, the tops of tall buildings peeked out, their sleek designs contrasting sharply with the wilderness we'd just come from.

The streets were spotless, not a speck of dirt in sight, and everything about the place felt… surreal.

"This city makes Vancouver look like a backyard sandbox," I murmured.

Jane tilted her head, her ears flicking curiously. "What's a Vancouver?"

"Never mind," I muttered, waving her off.

As we walked closer to the gates, I couldn't help but feel a little nervous. The entrance itself was massive—two giant metal doors carved with intricate designs. They were already open, revealing a pair of guards standing on either side. Their armor gleamed like it had been freshly polished, and their weapons practically screamed, Don't mess with me.

The closer we got, the more intimidating they looked.

And then… the unexpected happened.

Both guards dropped to one knee, their heads bowed low.

"Princess! Your father has been searching for you everywhere!" one of them said, his voice filled with urgency.

I froze. Wait… princess?

The other guard, however, didn't seem as thrilled. His sharp eyes locked onto me, and in one swift motion, he unsheathed his sword.

"Is this the boy who kidnapped you?!" he demanded, his blade glinting dangerously in the sunlight as he pointed it directly at me.

My stomach dropped.

"Woah, woah, woah!" I yelped, throwing my hands up in surrender. "I'm not a bad guy! I swear!"

"Silence!" Jane's voice cut through the tension like a blade. It was sharp, commanding—nothing like her usual cheerful tone. For a second, it felt like the entire world had stopped to listen to her.

"This boy is the one who saved me!" she snapped, her golden eyes blazing with authority. "And don't you dare speak to him like that!"

The guard flinched, his sword lowering slightly, though his suspicious gaze didn't leave me. "Apologies, Princess," he said, his tone more subdued. "But… humans aren't allowed here."

Humans aren't allowed? What's that supposed to mean?

"You dare to argue with me?" Jane took a step forward, her voice dripping with authority. Her tail swayed slowly behind her, and for a moment, it felt like the air itself was bowing to her will.

The guard visibly recoiled, his head dipping lower. "Of course not, Princess. Please, enter."

Damn. She sounded… really cool.

And just like that, we were allowed through.

Walking into the city was like stepping into another world.

Everything was impossibly clean—the streets were paved with smooth, gleaming stone that looked like it had been polished daily. The buildings were tall and elegant, their walls adorned with carvings that seemed to tell stories.

Bridges connected some of the taller structures, creating pathways high above the streets. It was as if the city itself had been designed to make you feel small and insignificant.

The people were just as fascinating. Beastkin of every shape and size bustled about, their features as varied as the stars. Some had tails like Jane, while others had wings, horns, or fur. A few even had glowing patterns etched into their skin, like they were carrying tiny constellations with them.

But as we walked, I couldn't help but notice the stares.

They weren't looking at Jane. No, every single pair of eyes was locked onto me.

The whispers followed us like shadows.

"Is that… a human?"

"What's a human doing here?"

"Did the princess bring him?"

"Why would she bring him?"

I clenched my fists, my jaw tightening. The weight of their gazes was suffocating. Great. I'm already public enemy number one.

Jane noticed, her ears twitching slightly as she glanced at me. "Don't worry about them," she said softly. "They're just curious. They'll get used to you."

"Sure," I muttered, though her reassurance didn't do much to ease my nerves.

As we made our way deeper into the city, the sights became even more overwhelming. Vendors lined the streets, their stalls overflowing with goods I couldn't even begin to name. Fruits that glowed softly, fabrics that shimmered like liquid metal, and strange trinkets that hummed faintly with magic.

Children darted through the crowds, their laughter echoing through the air. Some had tails wagging behind them, while others flapped tiny wings as they tried to stay airborne.

Performers showcased incredible feats of magic, drawing crowds with bursts of light and sound.

It was… a lot.

"Overwhelmed yet?" Jane asked, a playful smile tugging at her lips.

"Maybe," I admitted, my voice barely audible over the bustling noise.

Eventually, the crowds began to thin out, and the noise of the city faded into a dull hum. Jane slowed her pace, letting me catch up beside her. She seemed different—quieter, like she was lost in thought.

"You sounded pretty funny back there," I said, breaking the silence.

She blinked, looking up at me with wide eyes. "Huh? What do you mean?"

"At the gates," I teased, a small grin forming on my lips. "All that 'Silence!' and 'You dare to argue with me?' stuff. You sounded like a queen."

Her cheeks flushed a light pink, and she pouted. "N-no, I didn't…"

I chuckled. "Relax, I'm just joking." I leaned in a little closer, lowering my voice to a whisper. "You actually sounded really cool."

Her ears perked up, and her tail started wagging furiously. Her face turned bright red, and she looked away, clearly flustered.

"Flynn…" she mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper.

I smirked, leaning in just slightly. "What? Can't handle a compliment?"

"..!" She let out a small squeak, covering her face with her hands. Her tail was practically a blur behind her.

Cute.

It didn't take long for me to finally notice what was in front of me—a huge freaking castle.

Not just huge. It was… obnoxiously extravagant. The kind of place that didn't just whisper, I'm rich. No, this thing was screaming, "I'm so rich, I bathe in gold and have leftovers for the walls."

The massive golden doors stood there, gleaming under the sunlight like they were mocking me. Every line, every detail on them looked like it was handcrafted by someone who got paid way too much.

I let out a small, shaky sigh.

Okay, Flynn. Deep breaths. You've faced worse than an oversized mansion.

"Flynn, are you okay?" Jane tilted her head, her tail flicking behind her. Her ears twitched slightly, and I wasn't sure if she was teasing me or genuinely worried.

I forced a smile, my hand awkwardly scratching the back of my neck. "Y-yeah. Totally fine. This? Pfft. Not a big deal at all."

She giggled softly, clearly not buying it, but she didn't say anything. Instead, she turned to the door, her movements light and graceful. "Alright, wait here. I'll introduce you to my parents!"

Her parents.

My heart sank as the words finally registered in my brain.

Oh no. Oh no, no, no.

Parents? As in the king and queen?

It felt like my lungs forgot how to work. Panic hit me like a brick to the face, and my thoughts spiraled out of control.

What do I do?! What do I say?! What if they hate me?

I looked down at myself and immediately regretted it. My shirt was wrinkled. My hair was a mess. And my posture? Horrible.

In a flurry of movement, I straightened my clothes, ran a hand through my hair, and stood up as straight as a board.

"Calm down, Flynn," I muttered under my breath, trying to psych myself up. "You've got this. Just… don't make a fool of yourself."

But my heart wasn't listening. It pounded against my chest like it was trying to escape.

From behind the massive doors, I could hear faint voices. Muffled but growing louder.

The footsteps came next. Steady. Heavy. Like they belonged to someone important. Someone terrifying.

The door swung open with a loud slam, making me jump.

"WHERE'S THE BOY WHO SAVED YOU?! I'VE GOT TO THANK HIM!"

The voice belonged to a tall man who practically radiated authority. He had sharp features, piercing eyes, and vibrant blue hair that seemed to shimmer under the light. His clothes were so fancy they could've been stolen from a fairy tale, and his presence filled the entire space.

I couldn't look away.

He was intimidating, not in a "I'm going to crush you" way, but more of a "I could destroy your entire life and not break a sweat" way.

Another figure stepped out behind him, her movements slow and deliberate.

She was stunning. Tall, elegant, and effortlessly regal. Her long blue hair cascaded over her shoulders like a waterfall, and her gaze held a quiet strength. She was beautiful in a way that felt almost otherworldly.

The king and queen. The actual king and queen.

Before I could even think, the man—Auden, apparently—strode forward and grabbed my hand. His grip was firm, almost crushing, as he shook it with enthusiasm.

"THANK YOU!" he boomed, his voice full of warmth and gratitude. "FOR SAVING MY DAUGHTER!"

I blinked, stunned. This wasn't at all what I was expecting. Weren't royal families supposed to be cold and distant?

"N-no, it's nothing, really," I stammered, scratching the back of my neck with my free hand. My face was burning.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jane step forward, her smile soft but proud.

"Flynn," she said, her tone filled with affection, "this is my father, Auden."

She gestured to the elegant woman beside him. "And this is my mother, Pheore."

The introductions made it real. Too real.

These weren't just any parents. These were the rulers of an entire city.

Auden had an air of authority that was impossible to ignore, but his warmth made it bearable. Pheore, on the other hand, exuded grace and elegance. Her every move was calculated but not cold.

Both of them were beastkin, like Jane.

Auden's draconic features were subtle but there—his eyes sharp and his posture predatory. Pheore, meanwhile, moved with the lithe grace of a cat, her presence both soothing and intimidating.

And Jane? I glanced at her, taking in her bright smile and wagging tail.

So… she's a Dracat?

The thought almost made me laugh, but I held it in. Now wasn't the time for jokes.

"Dad, this is Flynn," Jane said, her voice steady and confident.

"And Mom, meet Flynn."

Pheore's gaze softened as it landed on me. Her smile was warm, almost motherly, but there was a sharpness in her eyes that told me she was assessing me.

"Come on in, sweetie," she said gently, her voice like a soothing melody. "You can relax around us."

Relax? Sure. Because relaxing in a palace surrounded by literal royalty is so easy.

Before I could respond, Auden stepped behind me and placed both hands on my shoulders. His grip was strong—not painful, but enough to remind me he could crush me like a twig if he wanted to.

"Let's get you inside!" he said cheerfully, practically pushing me forward.

The moment I stepped inside, I felt like I'd entered another world.

The castle's interior was… overwhelming.

The ceilings stretched so high they seemed to touch the heavens, and the walls were lined with intricate carvings that told stories I couldn't even begin to understand.

Chandeliers made of crystal hung from above, their light reflecting off every surface and filling the space with a warm, golden glow.

And the gold.

It was everywhere.

The walls had golden trim. The furniture was accented with gold. Even the floor had a faint golden sheen. It was like walking into a treasure hoard.

"Woah…" The word slipped out before I could stop it.

Jane giggled beside me, her tail swaying behind her. "Pretty crazy, huh?"

"Crazy doesn't even begin to cover it," I muttered, my eyes still wandering. This place makes every other city I've been to look like a joke.

Pheore gestured to a nearby couch—a massive, plush thing that looked more like a throne than a piece of furniture. "Alright, sweetie," she said, her tone as gentle as ever, "you can sit here."

I hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty."

She chuckled softly, the sound light and almost musical.

Wait. Did I say something wrong?

"Sweetie," she said, her smile widening, "just call me Pheore."

"O-oh, okay. Uhh… Pheore."

Smooth, Flynn. Real smooth.

As I sank into the couch, it practically swallowed me whole. It was ridiculously soft—like sitting on a cloud. Jane sat down beside me, her tail curling around her legs as she gave me a reassuring smile.

Auden took a seat across from us, his sharp gaze never leaving mine. His expression was calm, but there was something intense about it. Like he was trying to read me, figure me out.

Pheore remained standing, her presence calm yet commanding.

"So," Auden said, leaning forward slightly. "Tell me, Flynn… how exactly did you save my daughter?"