This book completes the trilogy about Chakona, its inhabitants, the interaction of the chakats with some humans, skunktaurs and other races, such as the renzar and the rakshanis. All framed within the universe created by  Goldfur It's been almost two years of continuous work and it's fair to mention such important people  sethtriggs  Marksan  Wolfbane115 and all the people from Tales de Chakona Discord for fans.
The drawings, as always belong to my talented friend  sethtriggs
I hope you enjoy.

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CHAPTER 64


Avik calmly savored the liquid offered by Varta, while he searched his memory for the appropriate flashes of his past life with her. The female sat in front of him, without much expectation of mending the broken bond between them. However, she was curious to know what her ex-partner had to say.

“Varta, I still remember the first time I saw you dancing in that nightclub in the capital. We were young and since then, I couldn't get you out of my head. Never. Not even when we parted." The male suddenly said.

Varta, with a frown, replied.

“Avik… what's with those memories now? Why don't you be more direct and tell me what you want at once?"

“Uh?.. Varta… Please don't be mad. It's just that my memory plunges into the past when contemplating you again. The passage of time has been generous with you.”

“And now, the flattery. I was wondering when they would come.” The female said nonchalantly as she took a sip from her glass.

"Varta, I'm just trying to be nice..."

"Gentle? Avik, please! Do not mess with me. We're both too old for that!" The female said standing up. Avik, sensing his hostess's discomfort, tried to apologize, but she cut him off.

“Do you know what I have in my memory, Avik? The suffering caused by your cowardice! Your father's face, looking down on me when you first introduced me as your girlfriend. How bad I felt every time I had to deal with your family and your aristocratic circle. They looked at me haughtily. They said things behind my back... They never accepted that one of their own fell in love with a vulgar dancer like me. And you… You were not able to defend our love.”

“Varta…”

"And when Sorah was born... Your family separated me from her... And you, you didn't do anything either."

“But you also walked away from us! You preferred to continue with your libertine life, instead of accepting what I offered you." The male replied, standing up.

"You didn't offer me anything! It was your family who blackmailed you... You were not able to make your own decisions. And what did you expect me to do? I couldn't be in a place where they didn't want me. At every moment your family made me feel that I was an intruder. And you, instead of choosing to leave with me and our daughter to form the home we dreamed of, you preferred to stay with them. You were afraid of the consequences! Fear of being disinherited... How genuine was your love? Therefore, for me… You have always been and will continue to be a coward!” Said the female with tears in her eyes.

“Varta…enough please!” the male pleaded with a lump in his throat.
“That is why I was not happy to know that you were in Chakona. The only thing you and I have in common is our daughter Sorah. Nothing more!... So don't talk to me about your memories, or flatter me ridiculously... You... You chose your own path, that of your family's business and fortune. And I chose mine... I have other children with other Renzars... I have my own family" The female concluded before going to the kitchen.

Avik looked at her sadly. He knew that Varta might react negatively towards him. Although he hoped that time, would have softened the grudges. He looked at the glass of liquor and put it on the coffee table in the center, then walked towards the kitchen where Varta was trying to dry her tears leaning on a piece of furniture. The male approached slowly and declared.

"You're right Varta. I was a coward. I should have fought for you, as Regthar did for Sorah… I… I was blinded for a long time. I couldn't see clearly… I made the same mistake my father made with us. I opposed the relationship between Sorah and Regthar, considering him a Renzar unworthy of her. And when Tanyio passed away... I blamed him, ignoring his immense pain... And our daughter's. My pride kept me away from them for a long time… I regret being so stupid…”

Varta, in a fleeting glance, noticed that Avik was shedding tears, but remained silent, waiting for him to finish speaking. She tried to return to the main room but the Renzar stopped her.

“But, when I came here and met our grandson Hajo, everything changed. Seeing his face, his skin color similar to yours, his joy of living, his innocence, made me react. And then, that human boy, he tore down the veil of my pride. He showed me what I refused to see: That our daughter Sorah had built genuine happiness with Regthar, and this Renzar had fought every day for her and his family. He is an example for me."

“So what about that… You were also late, weren't you?” Varta replied.

“I apologized… To Sorah… And especially to Regthar… And now… I apologize to you. Varta” Avik said looking into her eyes. The female was silent. She brushed past her and headed into the main room. She wiped away her tears and crossed her arms. Avik followed slowly. After exchanging glances, the male continued.

“Finally, I was glad that Dolkun concealed your presence from me. At least I saw you one more time. I just wanted to know about your life. Knowing you were okay," Avik added. But Varta remained silent with folded arms. Seeing that the situation was getting awkward for both of them, the male finally declared:

"Well, I'm leaving. Excuse me for coming here unannounced. Take care, Varta.” Then she went to the door and left the apartment. The female released a deep breath. She thought of her past, and the family she had in Grom. Although her two children were already adults like Sorah and had not yet given her grandchildren, Varta thought of them. She then looked out the window and saw how the male left the hotel, walking down the street.

***



“It's strange, but I feel good being here with you, Esteban. I don't remember that we shared that much time together” Ugkar commented as hy walked with the human in the direction of the city center. Esteban was also feeling in better spirits after the incident with Brend, enjoying the cool breeze and Chakastra's rays.

“Heh… That's true. Surely Lilethe and my family are at ease knowing that you are with me, Ugkar. It's ironic, but they are afraid that something bad will happen to me again” Esteban said in turn.

“To be honest, me too… Heh heh!” The skunk replied.

“Heh… heh… I haven't heard you laugh in a while, Ugkar. Is there any special reason?”

“Meh… There are several things. First, I showed that I am a powerful skunktaur by defeating Faise. Second, I'm here with you, looking at the city like when I was with Kariom. That feels good. And Third, Director Brey confirmed to me this morning that Aldorah received the message, which I sent her days ago. She knows I'm okay and I miss her."

"I see. That is wonderful!" Esteban exclaimed stroking hys head. Ugkar, surprised, commented.

"Hey, only Aldorah can touch me like that!"

“Oops! I'm sorry"

"Ha ha ha ha... You're a fool Esteban!" Ugkar taunted, wagging hys tail. Then hy added.

“I still don't understand how you were able to counter Faise's telekinesis and deflect Regthar's saber. It was Vroeg who helped you, right?" the lieutenant suddenly asked.

“I don't know for sure either. I had a vision with Vroeg in the Stariionae before I woke up. Hy told me that this would be our last conversation and that now hy was closer to me than I thought. Hy called me brother."

“I'm sure it was like that time, in Berdoovia, when I felt hys energy… Wait, did hy call you brother? Hmmm… Ha ha ha… Sure!… That Renzar cub, Hajo… I always noticed something special about him. When I first saw him, I felt such a strong energy that it forced me to phase change, remember?" Ugkar replied.

"What do you mean?" Inquired Esteban intrigued.

“I'm not entirely sure, but Vroeg may have been born as Hajo. That's why hy told you that"

“Oh come on Ugkar… You're not used to making jokes. You start talking like Bram.” Said Esteban incredulous.

"I'm not kidding, kid. My mental perception sometimes allows me to peer beyond people's minds, penetrating their past. But it doesn't always happen."

“Hajo is a very cute and cuddly boy… Although… That might explain why Sorah says that he can move small objects

"What are you saying? Can he do that?" Ugkar inquired.

"Don't know. Sometimes I think Doren has something to do with it. Hy is his babysitter and maybe…”

“Wow… This is really interesting… But don't worry. It does not matter anymore. I guess with time it will pass. The same as your paw-shaped mark. You still have it?"

"Heh... Yes, but every day it disappears more... And I haven't experienced telekinesis since that day" Esteban said with a shrug.

"I see," said Ugkar. The two turned into a wide street, while the activity of the city was in full swing. Suddenly, Ugkar stopped short.

"What's going on?" Stephen asked. But the lieutenant remained static looking at the silhouette of a building in the middle of the block. Then hy declared.

"See that building? It is the old orphanage where I spent much of my childhood. Wow, I was so distracted talking to you that I didn't realize we were passing this place” Ugkar said with a sigh.

"I suppose it is a special place for you" Said the engineer.

"Yes... I didn't remember... But before I left Vika, I had nightmares and in one of them, I saw myself back in this orphanage."

Esteban, putting a hand on hys shoulder, pointed.

"Do you want to visit it?"

"Meh... I don't know... I experienced nice things there, but also bad things." Ugkar acknowledged. "But it's okay, let's go!" finally added. Both headed for that place while Chakastra shone with all its intensity creating a stark contrast of light and shadow between the buildings of the city.

***

Jhonny and Vera were still staying at Amistad, at Lorna's parents' house. They had gotten up early. They both helped with some chores before heading out, but were surprised not to see their chakat friend at home.

"I hope you slept well." She kindly greeted Lorna's mother.

"Thank you Shir. We slept well” Vera answered.

"Oh. Lorna told me that she would be back soon, with a surprise for you, and for us too." Said the chakat. Jhonny and Vera looked at each other strangely. At that moment, the cat morph's PADD suddenly sounded.

"Hi daughter how are you?"

"Mother! We're fine, how are you?" Vera answered.

"Good! I hope you and Jhonny are having a good time, after knowing that that boy turned up alive."

"Yes mom! We are happy. Also, Lilethe came out of her coma three days ago!”

"That's wonderful daughter. Well… With your father and sister… We want to visit them!”

"That!? Will all you come to Amistad?”

“Yeah… Actually, we're already on the plane! And we will arrive in a couple of hours!” Carla said showing Tiber attached to his seat, and her little sister waving happily.

“This is… Wonderful, Mom, Dad. How did you decide to come?"

“Your father decided that he wanted to rest for a few days, so he suggested that we travel to Amistad. Also, there is a surprise for Jhonny!”

"For me Mrs. Markham?" The human said surprised.

"Yes, boy, watch the screen carefully" Carla said as she focused on the front seats. Suddenly, Vera and Jhonny saw the silhouettes of Sonia and Don who greeted them with enthusiasm.

"Mom! Don! Are you coming too?"

"Yes son. We all agreed and traveled together.” The woman answered.

“Also, the airline had some flight offers, impossible to ignore! Ha ha ha” Don added laughing and moving his round bear belly. Jhonny and Vera embraced with emotion.

"Okay, see you later" Carla finally said before hanging up.

“We will be waiting for you at the airport!” Vera responded with emotion. When the PADD turned off, Jhonny and Vera hugged each other and kissed deeply on the lips.

“Oh Johnny, I am so happy!”

“Me too… Mom hasn't left the house for many years. Being with Don, has done good for her." The human replied.

"Oh…Looks like Lorna's back. And shi's bringing someone with shi!" Said the chakat suddenly, looking out the window to the outside of the house. Lorna was not long in entering, followed by hir guest, a gray-furred chakat of enormous proportions.

"Hello." Lorna said with a smile. They all stared at the newly arrived chakat. Then, with an air of solemnity, shi added.

“Mom, dear friends, I want to formally introduce you to my denmate… Chakat Rockshie”

Everyone was speechless. Jhonny and Vera had never seen a bigger chakat. While Lorna's mother said.

“Wow, Cornelio will be very happy. You are as big a chakat as shi is. Welcome Shir”

Rockshie, a bit embarrassed, replied.

"Thank you Shir. Lorna and I met while visiting Lilethe in the hospital. I was there when Esteban and Lilethe were attacked by Faise. I did what I could to help them.”

At that moment, Jhonny approached shi and hugged hym tightly.

"Thanks Rockshie!"

Vera did the same, moving closer to the big chakat.

“I'm happy for you two, Lorna and Rockshie. You look so cute together!" she said excitedly. They all shared a pleasant moment at Lorna's house, before going to the airport to receive the visitors from Flinders.