The beasts fill the streets sinking their fangs into victims. Borden will surely go for the king himself. Emilia searches for Borden’s fur coat as she pushes past those who run to the safety of the palace.
Many of the beasts will be protecting Borden somewhere so he can have the best chance at killing the king. Emilia searches for a group of beasts working together but finds none. Borden is one to hold his own.
Once past the civilians rushing towards the palace, Emilia finds herself behind a line of soldiers holding off a huge pack of beasts. Emilia recognizes Borden’s fur coat pushing to the front of the beasts. With one howl from Borden, the beasts lineup in formation snarling.
“That’s him,” Emilia tells Maria gently nudging her, but Maria doesn’t budge. Her eyes widen then soften with a twinkle. Emilia touches Maria’s back to find her shaking. Tears emerge from Maria’s eyes.
“Even as a beast he’s a leader.” Maria laughs through her tears and stuffy nose, but she shakes her head, “I can’t do this.”
Maria tries to turn away, but Emilia stops her.
“Yes, you can. All this violence will end once everyone sees that the beasts can be saved. You can show them. You’re dead if you don’t try. What’s to lose?” Emilia points out. Both Emilia and Maria look back at Borden who seems to be barking orders to his pack.
“How can I save him when I’m the one who hurt him?
“I find that people forgive a lot more willingly when someone admits their wrongdoing and sincerely apologizes.” Emilia’s words only seem to have a temporary effect. Maria tries to run, but Emilia stops her.
“I’m sorry, Emilia, but I can’t.” Maria whimpers.
“How has life been without Borden?” Emilia asks. Maria cries harder, “Do you really think you can go on without him?” Maria shakes her head, “Then you might as well give your life to save him.”
“But will he love me?”
“If he stopped loving you, I think he would’ve become a human again. And what means more to you? His love for you? Or his mental health? He’s suffering. Can you find it in you to help him?”
“Every day, he brought me yellow roses. He kept a garden of them so he could bring them to me. He rented the land so he could do so.” Maria looks down at her yellow shawl and her yellow dress. She moves to Borden, but the guards stop her.
“Go to the palace, you will be safe there.” One guard commands. Maria looks to Borden who stares back at her.
Maria moves around the guards despite the guards attempting to hold her back. She sits on her knees in front of Borden even though he bares his teeth at her. She slowly stretches her hand out to Borden rubbing his furry cheek.
“Borden?” Maria whispers. Borden closes his eyes pressing his cheek to her palm, “What have I done to you?
The sound of beasts howling fills the air again, but not from the beasts already populating the city. Beasts leap over the wall to the inside of the kingdom battle ready. Beasts attack the civilians and the soldiers. Several of the civilians are scratched or bitten. All of them fall, but only some rise as beasts.
Victor bounds towards the lie of soldiers, but he pounces on Maria. He growls then moves to bite her head off.