4338.209 · July 28, 2018 AD
The Last Kiss
The camp stirs to life as if everything isn't ruined. Jamie holds Duke's body, Henri pressing gentle kisses to a brother who won't wake. Luke approaches—and is driven away by grief turned to fury. Beatrix arrives with an embrace that shatters Jamie's barriers. Then Charity delivers news that changes everything: Joel has been taken. The Portal pirate who killed Duke now has Jamie's son. And there's no time to mourn.
The world hasn't received the memo about everything being ruined. People pass by the riverbank where Jamie sits, Duke cradled in his lap, Henri pressing gentle kisses to fur that won't respond. Luke approaches with apology in his eyes—and is driven away by grief that has curdled into something uglier.
Then Beatrix arrives. Her embrace doesn't try to fix anything, doesn't offer hollow comfort. She simply shares the weight of what can't be borne alone. But the moment of connection shatters when Glenda's voice cuts through: Joel is missing.
Charity's examination reveals the truth—Duke wasn't killed by a creature. An Okaledian dagger. A Portal pirate, savage and hunting. The same pirate who has now taken Joel.
"You need to make a choice: Joel or Duke."
The living have to take precedence over the dead. However much it destroys him to acknowledge it.
Jamie presses a final kiss against white fabric. Transfers Duke's wrapped body to Beatrix's arms. Makes himself let go. The choice feels like death even though death already happened hours ago.
Then he walks toward the tent to gather his things, leaving behind everyone except the cold purpose crystallising in his chest.
