This is the fourth book of "Stories from Chakona" serie set in the concepts and ideas created by  Goldfur
The present story is titled "Ties of Life" and tells the continuation of previous three books. Drawing by  sethtriggs

I hope you enjoy it.

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CHAPTER 23

Lilethe led the group with determined steps along the winding path that ascended the hill. It wasn't difficult for her to recognize the physiognomy of the landscape surrounding them. Her keen skunk senses vibrated with the symphony of colors and aromas that nature displayed around her. A refreshing wind wove between the surrounding mountains, carrying with it the lake's moisture. Above, the cloudless sky augured a warm day.

Behind hym, Regthar advanced with the characteristic strides of the renzars. His body, forged by years of training in Khudok, ascended with agility, defying his bulk and great natural weight.

Several meters below, Esteban progressed with some difficulty. Although the young human maintained a jogging routine on the beaches of Amistad, his legs weren't accustomed to traversing rugged terrain.

Upon reaching the summit, Lilethe contemplated the esplanade that stretched before them: a tapestry of soft grass with some trees around. In the middle stood a large brown rock in the form of a monolith that contrasted with the surrounding greenery.

"How wonderful to return here again! Do you like the place, Regt?" hy exclaimed joyfully.

"Grrr! By Grom! The view of the lake is beautiful!" replied the renzar as his lungs filled with air.

"I imagine there must be beautiful landscapes in Grom as well."

"There are, Lilethe. As you know, my mother was a park ranger and used to take Natany and me to places like this. I always enjoyed contact with nature."

"I'm glad to hear that!" said Lilethe, swishing hys tail. At that moment, Esteban slowly emerged from the path, stopping between pants to catch his breath.

"Ufff! I thought it would be easier to climb. I'm definitely not in shape," he confessed upon reaching the summit.

"Grrr! If you followed my advice about physical exercise, you wouldn't be so exhausted, boy," declared Regthar.

"I'm sorry to make you go through this, love," said Lilethe, approaching him.

"Don't worry. I'm happy to have come," responded the human, placing a soft kiss on the skunktaur's lips.

The three remained absorbed in observing the landscape for a long while. The lake's surface was a pristine mirror of the blue sky. On the horizon, the mountains covered in forests were a symphony of colors that beautifully contrasted with the rest of the panorama. Occasionally, flying fauna crossed the skies, fluttering between the trees and the water's surface.
Suddenly, Lilethe broke the moment's stillness:

"I want to show you both something, come."

Regthar and Esteban looked at each other and approached the rock monolith that Lilethe was pointing to.

"Look at this."

With delicacy, the skunk nurse brushed aside the grass at the base, revealing initials carved into the rock.

"What do those letters mean?" asked Esteban with curiosity. Lilethe, deeply immersed in hys memories, responded.

"They're the initials of my parents' names, along with mine."

"Wow, love... That's remarkable."

"When I was just a cub, my parents would bring me here during the warm season. Dad carved these letters to immortalize our trips to Silver Lake. And on each visit, hy would tell me: 'Lilethe, when you learn to write, you'll also carve the first letter of your name here.' That's what I did when I turned five. I was so happy and my parents were so proud of me... Coming here and observing our letters on this rock was our family ritual..."

Regthar and Esteban observed as tears began to trickle down Lilethe's face.

"If only I hadn't encouraged them to make that trip, they wouldn't have perished in that accident and maybe..."

The large renzar hurried to embrace hym, enveloping hym in the protective warmth of his fur. Lilethe took refuge in his embrace, letting hys tears flow freely.

Regthar, deeply moved, declared:

"My daughter skunktaur. I know there aren't enough tears to honor those we've lost. Life also took my son from me. But... nothing that happened has anything to do with you. Think that we're still here, you, me, and those who love you. Don't let pain defeat you. Your parents wouldn't want it that way... Look at me. Look at me, Lilethe. If your parents were here, their hearts would be swollen with pride. You've become an extraordinary skunktaur and an exceptional nurse, with an admirable vocation for helping others. Although Sorah and I didn't raise you, we feel you as our own daughter. You fill us with pride and happiness. I'm sure your parents would be happy too..."

"Regthar..." whispered Lilethe with a voice broken by emotion.

Esteban stepped back a few paces, contemplating the scene with affection. He remembered that Regthar and Lilethe were the first friendly faces he found upon arriving at Chakona's spaceport. He never imagined that destiny would cross their paths to make them family.

"Life is capricious," he reflected, but immediately Vroeg's words resonated in his mind:

"Although life takes from you, it also offers wonderful treasures if you keep your eyes open. You just need to stay awake."
A smile illuminated his face and, yielding to his heart's impulse, he joined the family embrace, feeling in his heart how much he loved them both.

***

“[Are you surprised to see me? I knew your daytime release was starting around these days...]”

“[Are you watching me?]”- interrupted Brend with a voice laden with confusion.

“[Heh... I've never neglected an investment. And neither have my friends. I see you robust and strong, like before the confinement. Tell me, will you return to compete in Amistad's Khudok League?]”

“[Grrr! That's none of your business, nor of the other idiots in your group]”

“[Your group? What's wrong with you Brend. We were friends]” declared the visitor.

The renzar observed for a moment as Sunbean and Cashir received ice cream from the vendor. Then, he looked fixedly at the renzar who had approached him and declared:

“[Friends, you say? Tell me, where were my friends when I submerged myself in illicit substances and started doing crazy things? When they locked me up? Did any of you visit me in these four years in prison?... No. You are not my friends. You never were. I was just an investment, as you well said]”

“[Wait Brend. Don't be unfair! No one imagined you would commit such stupidity!]”

“[Yes! I did it! And I'm still paying for that!]” roared Brend. Fearing to frighten Cashir, he moderated his tone “[Listen. I want nothing to do with you or your circle. I'm no longer your investment! Now, I kindly ask you to leave and never return]”

The visiting renzar stood up:
“[It wasn't our fault that you lost your head over that boy and tarnished your dignity! You were one of the best fighters in Chakona, and I know you could still be... If you decide to return to Khudok...]”

“[Didn't you hear me? Get out!]” insisted Brend, rising imposingly. The other renzar, with no other option, gathered his belongings and left in silence. At that moment, a cheerful Cashir arrived at the table with an enormous ice cream cup.

"Here! It's special for big renzars like you, heh heh heh."

"Thank you, little one," smiled Brend forcedly. Sunbean, noticing what had happened, inquired:

"Was that an old friend?"

"Hmm... I worked for him when I competed. Don't worry. He won't return."

"I'll respect your personal matters," responded the chakat.

"Brend! Brend! Will you be a fighter again? Right?" suddenly exclaimed Cashir between spoonfuls of ice cream. The renzar looked at both chakats before responding.

"Daughter, don't bother him with that again," intervened Sunbean. Cashir's ears folded in sign of disappointment.

"Yes. I'll return to Khudok! And I'll fight for you, Cashir. You'll be my boss," declared Brend firmly.

The little chakat's eyes shone with emotion upon hearing him. With a jump, shi climbed into his arms, licking his face with jubilation.
"Brend, are you sure?" inquired Sunbean, surprised.

"Yes. I've decided. I'll accept any part-time job that the labor reintegration program can offer me. Since I don't spend on lodging, I'll save enough credits to pay for my participation in the League."

"Prrrr... I'll give you my savings!" exclaimed an enthusiastic Cashir.

"That won't be necessary, little boss."

"Hmm, I suppose it's not against prison regime rules. But I must consult the judge," commented Sunbean.

"I know. But I'm sure there won't be a problem. Khudok has been my passion since childhood. I wasn't sure, but now, I want to prove to everyone that I can move forward on my own."

The chakat, perceiving his emotions, took his hand and noted:
"Brend, you don't have to prove anything to anyone. If you want to return, do it for passion, as you said."

"And because I can't disappoint my little boss," added Brend.

They both smiled while Cashir continued happily licking the renzar's face.