The morning sun poured over the Eternal Plains, gilding the Sunsword village in golden light. Sovereign stepped out of his home, the crisp air cool against his newly healed skin. Most of his wounds had closed up, leaving behind only a single reminder—the three claw marks on his shoulder. They had scarred. Not a perfect body anymore, but perhaps that was a good thing. He traced the edges with his fingers, then sighed.
The basin outside the hut shimmered with morning dew. He splashed cold water on his face, brushed his teeth with a pine-mint root, and let the air dry his skin. Back inside, his mother had already laid breakfast on the table. His father, as usual, sat silently at the head. Sovereign slid into his seat.
"Good morning, Dad. Morning, Mom."
Kraken gave him a quiet nod. Ashen beamed her usual radiant smile.
"Good morning, baby."
He groaned. "Mom, again?"
She laughed. "You'll always be my baby. Now eat."
As he ate, he spoke between bites. "Today I'm going to find a new combat teacher… since Master Theron is no longer here."
That familiar weight pressed on his chest. He tried not to let the sadness show.
Kraken glanced his way, voice even. "That's true. But tell me, have you visited their families yet?"
Sovereign froze.
His fork stopped halfway to his mouth. The guilt hit him all at once.
"I… forgot," he admitted, the words clawing their way out. "I didn't even think about it."
His father didn't scold him, nor did his mother. Instead, Kraken nodded solemnly.
"It's fine. Just be sure to give them a visit when you get the chance."
Ashen placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "It'll bring them some peace. Knowing their kin didn't die for nothing."
His head dipped low. "Was dying for me really a good reason?"
He hadn't meant to say it aloud. It was barely a whisper. But his parents heard it all the same.
Kraken's voice was steady, resolute. "Titans are warriors, Sovereign. We live for battle. But that doesn't mean we don't feel. We mourn, we grieve, but we take pride in the sacrifice. Your friends and your masters—they didn't just die protecting you. They died protecting the tribe's future."
Ashen smiled at him gently. "You carry more than your own hopes, baby. You carry theirs now too."
Sovereign fought back the tears. He nodded, forcing a smile.
"Thank you… both of you."
The rest of the meal was quiet. Light chatter about village news, Ashen teasing Kraken, but Sovereign's mind was already elsewhere. As soon as he finished, he stood up.
"I'm heading out now. I'll start with Vale's family."
Kraken gave a nod of approval. "Good."
The village was alive.
Children ran through the dirt roads, swinging wooden swords, laughing and tumbling. Market stalls buzzed with chatter, warriors returned from hunts, and elders sat in shaded spots telling tales of old. Sovereign couldn't help but smile.
It reminded him of when he was their age.
Back when he ran those same roads with Vale, Doran, Axe, and Rhett—all of them laughing, dreaming of the day they'd become warriors.
But now he was walking alone.
He pushed down the ache in his heart.
After a few turns, he reached Vale's home. It was a modest hut, built from tightly woven thatch and fire-hardened wood. He knocked.
The door opened to reveal a broad-shouldered Titan with dark green eyes, brown hair, and sharp canines. Hunter Vinard. Vale's father.
Vinard's face was tired but strong. He looked at Sovereign with no hatred. Only pride.
"You finally came," he said. "I was beginning to think you wouldn't. But it's alright, son. He died a warrior—died protecting the young chief. I'm proud of my boy. No need to look so dispirited."
Sovereign couldn't speak for a moment.
His throat tightened, and his eyes burned. But he forced the words out.
"Thank you, sir."
Vinard smiled faintly and rested a heavy hand on Sovereign's shoulder.
"Just don't let their sacrifice go to waste. That, I wouldn't forgive."
With a final nod, he turned and shut the door.
But Sovereign had seen it. The hidden pain in the older Titan's eyes. Vale was his only son, and his wife had passed years ago. Now he was alone. A warrior's pride… but a father's heartbreak.
Next was Doran's home.
It was larger—built for a full family. The steps creaked slightly beneath his feet. He knocked.
Miss Lena answered.
She wore a simple green silk dress. Her amber eyes shimmered with kindness.
"Young chieftain. I'm glad you came. Please, come in. We've already had breakfast, but I can still bring you something."
"No need, ma'am. I just ate."
"At least let me get you some fruit and juice."
She ushered him in.
Inside, little Lillian sat on the floor with wooden dolls. She looked just like her mother—brown hair, warm eyes. So young… she couldn't be more than six.
Sovereign's voice caught in his throat.
"Is Master Duke home?"
Miss Lena nodded and called for him. Master Duke entered shortly—a rugged, quiet titan with deep-set eyes and thick calloused hands. He sat down with his wife and daughter while Sovereign explained.
He told them everything—how Doran fought, how he saved him, how he died a Titan.
Little Lillian began to cry.
Miss Lena wiped her tears, failing to hold back a few of her own. Even Master Duke looked shaken.
But Duke stood strong and said, "Thank you, Sovereign. I'm glad to hear he died bravely. That he protected the chief. It hurts… but we're proud of him."
Miss Lena stood and wrapped Sovereign in a warm hug.
"You carried all that pain by yourself, didn't you? Don't let it consume you. Grow stronger. That's what he'd want."
He nodded, bowed to them, and left.
He visited Axe's family next—Sir Leon and Miss Sian.
Sir Leon, opened the door in his thick robe, pouches of ingredients tied to it, he was an alchemist of the village. "Finally paid us a visit, huh?" he said flatly.
Sovereign nearly tripped over himself in guilt.
Inside, Miss Sian greeted him with a sad smile. Her pearl-like eyes were red from crying. The baby girl in the crib, Axe's sister, waved her chubby green hands.
He spoke the same words here. Told the same truth.
Miss Sian cried softly, but smiled. Sir Leon remained expressionless, but Sovereign could tell—he was listening. And he cared.
He stayed a moment to play with the baby. She giggled and tugged at his finger. He whispered to her, "Your brother was a hero."
Then he left.
Rhett's home was next.
He found both parents—Pluna and her life companion Tron preparing for work at the farm. They invited him in kindly.
Pluna had leather gloves, a silken shirt, and long brown hair tied up in a braid. Her eyes were amber and tired.
Tron himself wore a similar outfit just larger fitting his broader and rugged body.
They listened to his story. Thanked him for visiting. Told him they were proud of their son.
And asked him to not let their burden crush him.
Finally, he came to Master Theron's home.
It was closer to the outer edge of the village—near the guard barracks. Built like a fortress. Master Theodore answered. His face, scarred and stern, cracked into a look of concern.
"How are you holding up, boy?"
They sat and spoke.
Lisa, Theron's wife, heavily pregnant, eventually joined. She was quiet but kind. Her eyes never left Sovereign's.
When he finished the story, she looked down at her belly and whispered, "He died to protect you. And if given the choice again, he'd do it ten more times."
Sovereign's voice was firm.
"Then I'll make his sacrifice worth it. I'll protect the families they left behind. That's my promise."
Theodore stood and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Then walk forward. Strong. Like a Titan."
That evening, Sovereign stood alone beneath the fading light of the sun in front of the Sacred Flame. The flames in his soul had never burned brighter.
He didn't cry.
But he had never felt more determined.
They died for him.
Now he would live for them.