Page 32 of Twisted Fangs

Valen steps forward, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "She made a choice," he explains, his tone carrying an undercurrent of respect. "A choice to save us all."

A tense silence fills the room as my parents take in his words, their expressions a complex tapestry of emotions. After a moment, my mother reaches out to touch my face, her fingers tracing the contours of my cheek. "You look so different," she whispers, a tear trailing down her weathered cheek.

"I feel different," I admit, capturing her hand in my own. "But I'm still me."

My father nods, his eyes softening as he looks at me. "We can see that," he says, his voice choked with emotion. "We're proud of you, Rhea. Proud of the woman you've become."

A rush of warmth floods through me at his words, a stark contrast to the cold existence I've known for most of my life.

"Rhea, you must come with us," my father implores, his voice a hoarse whisper that barely carries across the room. "With your new... abilities, you can help us free the other slaves."

I feel the heaviness of his words settle upon my shoulders. My gaze drifts to Valen, who stands silently near the door now. His eyes are watchful, and his posture is rigid. I can sense the unease rolling off him in waves.

"Your fight sounds truly noble," I begin, my voice steady despite the anguish brewing inside me. "But my place is no longer with you."

My mother shakes her head, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. "We've only just found you again, Rhea. We can't lose you to this... this darkness."

A pang of guilt twists within me, but I steel myself against it. "The darkness you see in me is the same that fuels your desire for revenge. But I've found something more—someone more. Valen has shown me a different path."

Valen's namehangs in the air. His gaze meets mine, and for a moment, I see a flicker of vulnerability in his crimson eyes, a silent plea that tugs at my very soul.

I turn back to my parents, my resolve hardening. "I have chosen to stand by Valen's side. We have a different fight, one that is intertwined with our very beings," I say firmly.

"But you're our daughter," my father protests, his voice cracking with emotion. "How can we simply let you go?"

I reach out to take their hands in mine, the rough texture of their skin a stark reminder of all they've endured. "You're not letting me go. You're setting me free to live the life I was meant to live. And I need you to do the same—live, for yourselves and for those you can still save."

A tense silence stretches between us, filled with unspoken words and the weight of our shared past. I can feel Valen's gaze upon me, a silent source of strength that bolsters my courage.

Finally, my mother nods, a sad smile on her lips. "You've always been stronger than you realized, Rhea. If this is truly what you want, then we will respect your choice," she confirms.

My father hesitates for a moment longer before sighing in resignation. "Take care of each other," he says, his gaze shifting between Valen and me. "And remember that we love you, no matter what path you choose."

Emotion wells up within me, a bittersweet cocktail of love, loss, and the promise of a future yet to be written. I lean in to embrace my parents, holding them close as if to imprint this moment upon my memory forever.

I turn away from my parents. The significance of our imminent parting settles heavily upon my soul. The dungeon, once a place of despair, now feels like a crossroads of my past and future. I walk toward Valen, each step a testament to the choices I've made and the being I've become.

His gaze meets mine, a silent question lingering in his crimson eyes. I reach out, my fingers brushing against his jaw, and pull him into a kiss that speaks volumes. It's a promise, a confession, and a declaration all wrapped into one. His lips are soft, yet firm, moving against mine with a reverence that makes my heart ache with longing.

When we finally pull apart, I can feel the burning stares of my parents upon us. I turn to face them, my hand still entwined with Valen's. "I love him," I say simply, my voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions still raging within me.

My parents exchange a glance, the tension in the room palpable. After a moment, my father steps forward, his eyes softening as he looks at us. "We can see the love between you,"he acknowledges. "And we understand that you've found your true purpose with Valen."

My mother nods in agreement, her gaze shifting from me to Valen. "You've both been through so much," she says, her voice barely above a whisper. "If this is the path you choose, then we give you our blessing."

A sense of relief washes over me, the tightness in my chest easing slightly. "Thank you," I breathe out, gratitude shining in my eyes.

Valen, ever the silent sentinel, finally speaks. "We are in your debt," he says, his deep voice resonating within the stone walls. "Your blessing means more than you know."

My father waves away the sentiment, a hint of his old strength returning to his voice. "No debts between family," he insists. "We're just glad to see our daughter happy and fighting for a cause she believes in."

I smile at their words, feeling a pure warmth spread through me. Despite the darkness that has defined so much of my life, I've found a ray of light in Valen, and in the love of my parents.

"We could use your help," Valen interjects, his gaze shifting to the bodies of the dark elves strewn across the dungeon floor. "We need to dispose of the bodies and cover our tracks."

My father nods, understanding the gravity of the situation. "We'll take care of it," he assures us, a determined look in his eyes. "You two have a larger fight ahead of you."

As we leave the dungeon, I can't help but feel a sense of closure. I've made my choice, embracing my new existence as a Vrakken and the life that comes with it. With Valen by my side, I know that we can face whatever challenges lie ahead.

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