Chapter 9 – The Throne Behind the Door
Zarya finally opened her eyes. The air around her was cold, and the faint scent of ashes and metal lingered. She blinked slowly, adjusting to the dim light inside the old ruin, her fur slightly bristled from the chill.
Renji, sitting nearby with his back against a broken pillar, leaned forward the moment he saw her stir. Relief softened his expression.
"So," he asked gently, his voice filled with curiosity, "did you manage to find an image you liked to use as inspiration?"
Zarya stretched slightly, her muscles still sore from the meditation. Her sharp, white claws emerged instinctively as she moved, catching the faint glow from the embers of their last fire.
"Yes," she said with a deep breath, eyes focused. "I already know how I want to look when I have to transform — strong, fierce… like a true polar bear."
Renji smiled warmly, genuinely pleased by her answer. He nodded.
"Well, I'm glad I could help."
There was a brief silence. The weight of everything they'd been through hung in the air like smoke — but even so, the calm between them was comforting. That is, until Zarya's stomach rumbled audibly, and she frowned.
"I'm hungry," she muttered, placing a paw-like hand over her abdomen.
Renji chuckled. "Of course you are."
He stood up and glanced around the area. They were in the remains of a massive hall, its once ornate floor now covered in dust and cracked stone. Among the debris, Renji spotted the body of a lizard-like monster they had defeated earlier — its scales shimmering faintly in the low light. With a sigh, he crouched and began dragging the creature toward the camp.
"This one should do," he said, more to himself than to her. "Let's see if I still remember how to cook something that isn't dehydrated rations."
Zarya watched him silently, her nose twitching at the faint scent of blood and reptilian musk. Despite her hunger, there was a certain trust in her eyes — the trust that Renji would take care of it.
He pulled out a knife and began cleaning the monster with practiced efficiency. His movements were careful, almost reverent, as he sliced away the outer layer of tough hide. He removed the inedible organs, muttering to himself occasionally about flavor and safety.
"Do you always talk to your food before cooking it?" Zarya teased, raising an eyebrow.
Renji smirked. "Only when the food used to try to kill me."
After some time, he gathered a few chunks of broken wood and stacked them with precision. With a flick of his fingers and a small magical spark, a fire came to life. The flames flickered and hissed, casting a warm amber light over their makeshift camp. The contrast between the fire's heat and the cold air made the space oddly cozy.
Zarya scooted a little closer, wrapping her thick, white fur cloak around herself — a cloak that was almost indistinguishable from her own bear form. Her ears twitched at the sound of the meat sizzling as Renji began to roast it over the open flame.
The smell was intoxicating. Rich, gamey, and surprisingly pleasant given the source.
"Where did you learn to cook like that?" she asked, genuinely curious.
Renji flipped a piece of meat and replied, "I had to learn. I used to travel a lot before we met. Sometimes, cooking well was the difference between "I also enjoy it because it helps my mom and my grandparents."
Zarya gave a small chuckle. "Well, you're definitely earning points now."
Eventually, the food was ready. Renji carefully handed her a piece, still steaming, and grabbed one for himself. The meat was slightly charred on the outside but juicy and tender inside.
Zarya took a large bite, her sharp teeth easily tearing through it. Her eyes widened, and a pleased growl escaped her throat.
"Mmm… Renji, this is delicious! Why don't you cook like this for me all the time?"
Renji raised an eyebrow, clearly amused.
"Why don't you wait until the food's ready before turning into a hungry beast?"
She huffed through her nose — a sound somewhere between a laugh and a playful growl — then took another bite, chewing slowly to savor it.
They sat side by side near the fire, enjoying the warmth, the silence, and each other's presence. It was a rare moment of stillness, one they both knew wouldn't last long.
The castle around them was ancient and dangerous. Its walls were covered in carvings worn down by time. Each hallway was a mystery, each shadow a threat. But here, near the fire, for just a few minutes, they felt almost normal.
Zarya leaned back and looked up at the cracked ceiling above them.
"Do you think we'll make it through this?"
Renji didn't answer right away. He poked at the fire, letting the embers rise into the air like orange stars.
"I don't know," he admitted. "But if I do… I want you there with me."
Zarya didn't say anything, but the way she glanced at him — steady, fierce, protective — said more than words could.
But their peace would not last.
Far deeper within the castle, past collapsed corridors and silent chambers, someone — or something — was watching.
Behind a massive iron door sealed with rusted chains and engraved warnings, two crimson eyes glowed with anticipation.
The Goblin King sat upon his throne, a twisted construction of shattered bones and metal fragments. His hulking frame was barely restrained by the size of the seat, and his long claws tapped rhythmically against the armrest.
He had seen the intruders. He had smelled their fear… and their courage.
A crooked smile stretched across his face, revealing jagged, yellow teeth.
In a voice that echoed through the chamber like a curse, he growled:
"Come, intruders. I can't wait to crush your bones… and devour you alive."