The Ridge of Destiny stretched wide before them, a majestic cliff overlooking the sprawling Mokari lands. Sunlight bathed the ceremonial platform in golden hues, casting long shadows across the gathered tribe. The air was thick with anticipation, the rhythmic drums vibrating through the earth and into Koda’s bones.
He couldn’t keep the smile off his face. This was it, the moment he’d dreamed of, the one where he could prove he belonged and they all finally got their spirit animal and most importantly to him, a mate. His steps felt lighter as he walked alongside Kaedan and Ryden, who were both dressed in their ceremonial best, their glowing tattoos enhanced by streaks of painted symbols across their arms and faces.
“Can you believe this?” Kaedan said, his voice nearly giddy. “We’re here, Koda. The Ridge of freaking Destiny. Doesn’t it just... I don’t know, feel epic?”
“It does. I mean today I’m finally hittin’ the city with y'all.” Koda replied, his grin stretching wide. His eyes swept over the crowd, taking in the vibrant outfits and the energy that practically crackled in the air. He adjusted his wristband, a gift from one of the elders who had mentored him. “Like, I been waitin’ my whole life for this. Ain’t no way this ain’t my time.”
Kaedan nudged him with an elbow. “So, are you ready? Got your speech planned out? Gonna sweep someone off their feet?”
Koda laughed, throwing up his hands. “I actually don’t even know what to say.”
“Oh, come on, Truffle,” Kaedan teased, grinning. “You can’t tell me you haven’t thought about it.”
Koda hesitated, his gaze drifting toward the ceremonial platform where Kira stood. She was surrounded by other Mokari women, each adorned in their finest, but to Koda, she outshone them all. Her dark skin seemed to drink in the sunlight, her glowing tattoos tracing delicate patterns along her arms and neck. Her hair was woven with beads and feathers, and though she was focused on the ceremony preparations, Koda thought he saw a flicker of something, a glance in his direction, maybe.
Kaedan followed his gaze and smirked knowingly. “Ah, I see. Someone special, huh?”
“Man, get over it,” Koda muttered, though his cheeks burned.
Kaedan’s laughter was light, but then his tone softened. “You know, if it’s my sister you’re thinking about... I wouldn’t mind.”
Koda blinked, his eyes darting to Kaedan. “For real?”
Kaedan shrugged, his grin turning warm. “I mean it. You’re like a brother to me already, Koda. And I’ve seen the way you look at her. The way she looks at you, too.” He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Between you and me, I’d love to have you as a brother-in-law. I know you’d treat her right.”
Koda’s face burned hotter, and he looked down, trying to hide his flustered smile. “ I don’t even know what to say, man. That’s real cool of you. Thanks Kaedan.”
“Don’t mention it,” Kaedan said, clapping him on the back. “But don’t screw it up, either.”
Koda smiled. “ Yo Kaedan, what do you think your spirit animal will be? What type of powers do you think you hold?”
“ I dunno,” Kaedan began. “ Most of the royal family always gets the Phoenix. It’s a royal emblem. But I do hear that some people can get more than one if they are powerful enough.”
Koda smiled. Who would have thought you could have more than one? He was sure he was not that powerful. But he couldn’t wait to show Kira what he was. He smiled
“ I’m hoping for a wolf or maybe even a hawk. It has to be something that could mount up to that family phoenix.”
Kaedan shot a smile his way. “ I have so much to show you once you tame that wyvern and earn Kira's heart. I know you can do it, Koda!”
Ryden, who had been quiet up until now, finally spoke. His tone was measured, almost cautious. “Don’t get ahead of yourself, Kaedan. These things... they don’t always go how you think.”
Kaedan frowned. “What’s with you? You’re acting like this is some funeral. Lighten up, Ryden.”
Ryden’s expression didn’t change. His sharp eyes scanned the crowd, lingering on the ceremonial platform where Chief Arlan stood. “I’m just saying is all..”
Koda raised an eyebrow. “Ryden is everything ok?.”
Ryden hesitated but shook his head. “Forget it. Just... stay ready. I’m rooting for us.”
Before anyone could press further, the sound of the drums shifted, growing louder, more deliberate. The crowd hushed as Chief Arlan stepped forward onto the platform, his imposing figure towering over the gathered tribe. The chief’s braided hair, adorned with feathers and beads, glinted in the sunlight, and his voice rang out like thunder.
“Mokari,” he began, his tone solemn. “Today, we gather to honor the sacred traditions of our people. The Ridge of Destiny has stood for generations as a place of union, where bonds are forged and the future of our tribe is written in the stars.”
Koda felt his chest swell with pride. His excitement bubbled over, and he exchanged a hopeful glance with Kaedan. This was it.
The chief’s voice grew heavier, commanding the attention of everyone present. “But let it be known,” he continued, “that the sanctity of this ceremony must be preserved above all else. As it has always been, only those born of Mokari blood may participate, since my son and daughter participate in this year's ceremony, I’d like to keep it as such. Therefore, those who are not Mokari by blood will not participate.”
The words hit Koda like a physical blow as others protested loudly. His breath caught in his throat as the reality of the announcement sank in. The hum of the drums faded into a distant thrum, drowned out by the rushing sound in his ears.
Kaedan’s jaw dropped. “What? That’s ridiculous!” He turned to Koda, his face a mixture of anger and disbelief. “This isn’t right.”
Koda didn’t respond. His eyes stayed fixed on the platform, on Kira, who looked stricken but remained silent.
“Still think you’ve got a chance, Truffle?”
The familiar, taunting voice made Koda’s stomach twist. ShadowClaw sauntered up, his tattoos glowing vividly as he grinned down at Koda. His every movement radiated smug confidence, and the sneer on his face only deepened as he leaned closer.
“You didn’t really think they’d let someone like you join in, did you?” ShadowClaw said, his voice dripping with mockery. “You’re an outsider, Koda. Always have been, always will be.”
Koda clenched his fists at his sides, his nails digging into his palms.
“And let me guess,” ShadowClaw continued, smirking, “you thought you had a shot with the princess, too. Didn’t you?” He laughed, low and cruel. “Let me save you the heartbreak. The chief chose me for her a long time ago. They couldn’t risk someone like her ending up with someone like... you.”
Kaedan stepped forward, his fists already raised. “Yo, shut your mouth before I shut it for you.”
“What are you gonna do about it?” ShadowClaw said, turning his sneer on Kaedan. “This is the Ridge of Destiny. Only the best stand a chance here. That’s why you and Truffle don’t belong.”
Kaedan lunged, but Ryden caught his arm, holding him back. “Not here,” Ryden said quietly. “It’s what he wants.”
Koda’s chest felt like it was caving in. The excitement, the pride—all of it had drained away, leaving behind a hollow ache. He didn’t say a word.
His gaze shifted one last time to Kira, who was staring at him now. Her expression was full of sorrow, her lips slightly parted as if she wanted to speak. But she didn’t.
That was all it took. Koda turned and walked away, his steps slow and heavy. He didn’t stop when Kaedan called after him. He didn’t look back at the crowd, at the Ridge, or at the place where his hopes had been crushed.
The drums played on, but to Koda, they sounded like a funeral march.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIiihAZQMq
The night had fallen heavy on the Ridge of Destiny, the celebrations behind the ceremonial platform echoing faintly in the distance. Koda sat on a boulder under the shadow of a tall tree, his hands clenched around a small talisman he’d carried since he was a child. The sounds of the ceremony still haunted him, cheers, laughter, the drums. None of it was for him.
Footsteps approached, crunching softly over the loose gravel. Koda didn’t look up. He already knew who it was.
“Koda?” Kaedan’s voice was careful, hesitant. “We were looking all over for you, man.”
Koda didn’t respond.
Kaedan sighed and came closer, sitting down on a rock nearby. Ryden followed silently, his usual composed expression tinged with unease. Neither spoke at first, letting the silence stretch long enough to feel uncomfortable.
Kaedan broke it first. “Look, I... I don’t even know what to say. That whole thing back there? That was messed up. You should’ve been up there, part of it. It’s not right, and I don’t care what my Father says.”
“Chief Arlan doesn’t care ‘bout what’s right,” Koda muttered, his voice low, almost bitter. “He only care ‘bout keepin’ tradition. I’m just a stray to him, Kaedan. Ain’t no fixin’ that.”
Kaedan opened his mouth to argue but hesitated, glancing at Ryden. The knight finally stepped forward, standing over them with his arms crossed.
“Koda,” Ryden began, his tone steady, “you don’t deserve this. None of it..”
“You knew didn’t you?” Koda shot him a glare, his voice rising. Ryden looked away with shame. Koda now affirmed went on. “I’m just done. Done with y’all actin’ like this gon’ change. It don’t matter how hard I try, don’t matter what I do. They’ll always see me as an outsider. Always.”
Kaedan’s face twisted in frustration. “That’s not true! I don’t see you that way, and neither does Kira. You’re my brother, Koda. If I had my way, you’d already be part of this family.”
Koda let out a dry laugh, shaking his head. “Ain’t up to you, though, is it? It’s up to the chief. And guess who he picked for your sister? ShadowClaw.” His voice cracked on the name, and he clenched his fists tighter.
Kaedan frowned, but he didn’t have a response for that. Ryden looked down at Koda, his sharp gaze softening slightly. “Koda,” he said quietly, “Kira cares about you. You know that.”
Koda’s got quiet for a moment. He knew she loved him. He finally stood, brushing off his pants. He took a step back, his movements restless, his gaze shifting to the horizon. “I just, need some space.”
Before either of them could stop him, he turned and bolted, his footsteps pounding against the dirt as he ran.
He didn’t know where he was going at first. He just needed to get away from the pity, the failure, the constant reminder that no matter what he did, he wasn’t enough. His feet carried him to another ridge, this one overlooking the Mokari city below. The lights of the homes and ceremonial torches glittered like stars against the darkness. It was then he decided he had to see her. He had to know how she was feeling.
The moon hung low in the sky, casting a pale silver glow over the city as Koda moved through the shadows. He had snuck into Mokari city, unseen and unheard, weaving between the towering trees and sleek, bioluminescent structures. His heart beat louder with each step, a mix of dread and desperation clinging to him. He needed answers, and he needed them from Kira.
After a few more moments of careful maneuvering, he found her, just as he had hoped. She was sitting near a small fire, surrounded by a few of the city’s younger Mokari. Their laughter filled the air, but Koda couldn’t focus on anything but her. She looked serene, her face illuminated by the fire’s gentle glow, as if untouched by the turmoil he had just witnessed.
He hesitated for a moment, fighting the urge to turn back, but something pushed him forward. He took a breath, stepping closer to the fire, his footsteps deliberately loud enough to catch her attention.
“Kira?” His voice was low, uncertain.
Kira looked up, her eyes softening the moment she saw him. She rose slowly, her hands folding in front of her sneaking away from those around her, and smiled warmly. “Koda. What are you doing here, you know this is forbidden.”
“I... I needed to talk to you,” Koda replied, his throat tight. He stepped forward, his voice steady but the question heavy on his tongue. “I just, I had to know if, if you were ok?”
Kira’s smile faltered a bit as she took in a deep breath and sighed heavily. She tilted her head slightly, looking at him as though she was truly disturbed by his question. But when she spoke, her words were calm, controlled, and unwavering.
“I’m content, Koda,” she said, her voice soft but sure. “As a Mokari, I’ll proudly accept ShadowClaw. He has proven himself worthy, not just to my father, but to our people.”
Koda felt a sharp sting in his chest. His heart seemed to freeze, and for a moment, the world around him seemed to tilt. He blinked, trying to comprehend her words.
“Content? I don’t understand. ” Koda repeated, his voice cracking as he blinked fast clearly surprised. He swallowed hard, then shook his head in disbelief. “So, you’re really telling me you’re fine with this? Fine with him? Because this is what you want, Kira or, is this your dad speaking? It’s ok you know, to be honest with me.”
She met his eyes, her expression steady, and nodded. “The thing is, I am being honest with you Koda. This is what I want. It’s not just my father’s decision, it’s mine, too.”
A dark silence fell between them, and Koda felt the weight of her words press down on him like a stone. The pain in his chest turned into something deeper, something far more jagged.
He took a step closer, his fists clenched. “Kira….”
Kira’s expression shifted ever so slightly and she lifted her hand to silence him, but she didn’t look away. “ Koda,I love you that’s no lie. You’re smart and brave. You’re my best friend and you know that.” she said quietly. “But I also have to think of what’s best for my people. You come from an enemy tribe. Marrying you would only make me look like a traitor. I can’t do that,not to my family, not to my people. We as tribes are loyal, especially to our own Koda and you know that.”
Koda’s world seemed to crumble in that instant as he stood in disbelief. His knees felt weak, his vision blurring for a split second. “But you—” He shook his head. “You can’t really believe that I’m your enemy, Kira. I thought we—”
Kira cut him off gently, her voice tinged with sadness. “ShadowClaw isn’t a bad guy, Koda. He’s kind and sweet, and he’s proven he cares for me time and time again. Honestly, while you’re not here, he looks after me. I know I’ll be okay with him. He’ll make a good partner.”
Koda’s heart shattered. The girl he’d once dreamed of sharing his life with, the one he believed understood him, was choosing to let go. He blinked rapidly, trying to hold it together, but the truth was sinking in with every word.
“I can’t—” He stopped, his chest tight. “So, you’re saying we should just move on? You’re choosing him over me? After everything?”
Kira reached out, placing a hand on his arm, her touch gentle but firm. “Koda, I love you. I always will. But my duty... my future... I have to think about what’s best. One day, I might have to step up and lead this tribe. If something were to happen to my father or Kaedan, I’d need to be ready. I can’t risk making decisions that might hurt the tribe. And I can’t risk it with you. I don’t want to hurt you, Koda, I don’t, but I have to.”
Koda swallowed hard, the lump in his throat nearly choking him. He tried to find words, but they all felt wrong, like lies that weren’t worth telling. “So, that’s it? That’s your reason?”
Her eyes softened, tears welling in the corners, but she wiped them away quickly. “I wish it weren’t like this, Koda. I do. But this is my choice, my place. I am a Mokari Koda. You’re Tahili, the Mokari tribe's enemy for centuries. How could that ever work Koda? Please, don’t think it’s easy for me, because it’s not. But I have to do what’s right for my people, for my family, for the Mokari.”
Koda looked at her one last time, his heart in pieces on the ground between them. “You’ve made your choice,” he muttered, barely able to hold back the tremor in his voice.
“I have,” Kira said quietly.
With that, Koda turned away, his heart heavy, each step further away from her like an endless echo of his heartbreak. As he disappeared into the night, the city behind him, and Kira’s voice still ringing in his ears, he couldn’t stop the tears that finally fell, silently, down his face.
Koda trudged back into the Awaniki village, the weight of it all still hanging heavy on his heart. How could she? She had led him on for years only to hang him in the end. He looked up holding back tears. The sky, usually a vibrant canvas of colors at dusk, seemed darker now as if the universe itself could sense his pain. He didn’t speak as he walked through the familiar paths of the village, not bothering to wave at the few kids playing or the old men repairing their tools by the fire.
The orphan group was gathered around the fire pit at the center of the village, their faces drawn, their voices low. All outcasts just like him. They had all been excluded from the ceremony, and the disappointment hung thick in the air. But when Koda appeared, the group’s somber atmosphere shifted slightly, eyes lifting toward him.
Zodac was the first to speak. “Yo, look who’s back. Thought you’d be at that ceremony, man. You got the whole tribe believing you’re the next big thing.” He shook his head, though his lips twitched, trying to hide his grin. “Guess we all got left in the dust, huh?”
Koda managed a weak smile, but it quickly faded. “It ain’t even about that,” he muttered, taking a seat by the fire.
Mira, sitting closest to him, tilted her head with a knowing look. “You really thought things would be different, didn’t you?” She pulled her knees up to her chest, her voice soft but firm. “Koda, it’s not your fault. None of this is. You can’t control what others do, especially when it’s tied to something as old as the tribe’s traditions. But that doesn’t change who you are.”
He looked up at her, his heart heavy. “But I don’t even belong here,” he said quietly. “Kira... she’s gonna marry him. Shadowclaw. It’s all set up. And her father... he’s always been the one pulling the strings. I was never part of their plan.”
Zara, sitting on the opposite side of the fire, gave him a pointed look. “Sometimes things aren’t about what’s fair. But you know what? We’re family here. That’s what matters.” She leaned forward, her tone serious, but there was a glimmer of mischief in her eyes. “And I gotta tell you, Koda, you’re gonna show ‘em. You’re gonna rise up and prove that the Mokari ain’t ready for someone like you. Trust me, that’s worth more than some ceremony.”
Talon, who had been quietly observing, stood up, his tall frame casting a long shadow over the firelight. “Zara’s right,” he said, his voice gruff. “You’ve got something they don’t. You don’t need a title to show who you are. You’re stronger than that.” He gave Koda a slap on the back, nearly knocking the air out of him. “You know where you’re going, man. Don’t let ‘em hold you back.”
Koda looked at each of them, grateful for their words but still feeling the sharp sting of rejection. It wasn’t about the ceremony; it wasn’t about not being chosen. It was about Kira, the girl he loved, the girl who had looked at him like he was her future—and now she was going to marry someone else.
Orin, the quiet one, sat beside him, his voice barely above a whisper. “I know you’re hurting, Koda. But I’ve seen how hard you’ve fought for this tribe, for everything you care about. That hasn’t changed. Just ‘cause they don’t see it, doesn’t mean it’s not real. And you’re not alone, okay?” His hand clapped Koda’s shoulder gently, a steady presence.
“I’m not alone...” Koda repeated the words, though they felt hollow in his chest.
Crow, who had been tinkering with some scrap metal near the fire, suddenly stood up with an impish grin. “And hey, if it makes you feel any better, we’re all outcasts now. You, me, all of us.” He held up a wrench like it was some sort of trophy. “We’ll build our own damn ceremony. And maybe have a few more fireworks than the real one. What do you think?”
Koda couldn’t help but chuckle a little. “You’re insane,” he muttered, though the laughter was a balm to his soul. It felt good to let go of the tension in his chest, even just for a moment.
“Yeah, well,” Crow shrugged. “Someone’s gotta keep you from brooding all night.” His eyes softened then, and he sat next to Koda. “But seriously, we’ve got your back, Koda. Don’t forget that.”
Mira stood up, clapping her hands together. “Alright, enough with the long faces. How about we get to work on something, huh? A little project, just to keep our minds busy. We’re not sitting around feeling sorry for ourselves anymore.”
Everyone began to chat and laugh. He watched them all, broken but still happy and finding a reason to live. They all had lost it all, tribes, parents, siblings, and now even the right to be equal. All they wanted was to belong again and now even that chance has been stripped away from them. He had loved the Mokari. Even at times looked up to them. To Ryden and Kaedan. He loved Kira with all his heart. But this was his only result. Pain was his only payment just like in every other situation. He was being treated no differently from what the pirates had treated him like. Like he was just a busboy. There to interpret English to the chief and tell them all about how to use earth technology, but not good enough to ever be on equal laying ground.
Koda sat silently by the fire, the warmth from the flames flickering across his face. The laughter and chatter of the orphans around him felt distant, almost muffled, as his mind swirled with thoughts of the ceremony and the crushing realization of what he had just experienced. His chest still ached from the sting of rejection, the weight of being cast aside hanging heavy on his shoulders. But despite the pain, something else was rising within him, a sense of clarity, of resolve.
He glanced at his friends, each of them trying to keep the mood light, their attempts to cheer him up falling flat. Zodac was tossing jokes, Mira was playfully teasing Talon, and Zara had that spark in her eyes, as always, but it all felt so distant to him. He couldn’t shake the feeling that, no matter how hard they tried, they would never truly be a part of the Mokari world. They were outsiders and always would be. And the more he thought about it, the more he realized, maybe they didn’t need to be part of that world anymore.
He stood up abruptly, the movement silencing the laughter around him. All eyes turned toward him, and for a moment, Koda felt exposed, vulnerable. But the words inside him were ready to burst out. He wasn’t going to stay silent anymore. Not when the weight of his decision had finally settled in his heart.
“I’ve been thinking...” His voice was steady, but there was an edge of raw emotion behind it, one that even surprised him. “Maybe we’re never gonna belong here. Not in the Mokari world. No matter how much we fight for it, they’re always gonna see us as outsiders. As the ones who don’t fit in. And after what happened today... I realized something.”
He took a deep breath, his chest tightening. The words were hard to say, but they needed to be said. “We don’t belong here. So I’m thinkin’ maybe we should take our chances elsewhere. We don’t need to fight for a place in their world when we can build our own. We can make a place where we don’t have to beg for anyone’s acceptance. We can be ourselves. No stupid hateful rules, no expectations. Just us.”
A heavy silence fell over the group. His words hung in the air like a spark, waiting to ignite something. Zodac was the first to speak, his voice tinged with disbelief. “You want us to leave? To just give up on everything we’ve tried for?”
Koda didn’t flinch. His eyes met Zodac’s, and in them, he saw a flicker of understanding. “I’m not giving up. I’m saying we make our own path. A place for people like us, people who’ve been cast aside, people who don’t fit in. We don’t need their world. We’ll make our own.”
The fire crackled, and for a moment, the others were still. Then, one by one, their faces began to soften. Zara stood up first, her usual smirk replaced by something deeper, something like hope. “You know what, Koda?” she said, her voice quiet but full of conviction. “I think i like that.”
Mira, nodded, her eyes filled with a newfound resolve. “We could find our own land and even make up our own traditions and festivals.”
Talon grinned, his usual stoic expression softening. “So, you guys are saying we go off and start our own tribe? For real?”
“Yeah,” Koda replied, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “We build somethin’ from the ground up. Somethin’ that belong to us. Somethin’ we don’t have to fight for. We’ll make our own rules, our own way. I’m sure there are other people out there like us. We could form our own tribe and have our nation for people like us. Who lost everything but still have the will to survive. We’ll become a greater nation and people than any Mokari could ever be. And we’ll call it The Xiled.”
The name felt right. It was simple, yet powerful. A symbol of who they were those who had been cast out, but were stronger for it.
Zodac’s face broke into a wide grin, and he raised his hands in the air crossing his arms at the wrist. “The Xiled! Hell yeah, I’m in.”
The others began to nod, their faces lighting up with excitement, their earlier sadness fading into something else, something that felt like the first steps toward freedom.
Koda’s heart swelled with something he hadn’t felt in a long time: hope. He looked around at the group, at the faces of those who had always been by his side, the ones who understood him in a way no one else did. They were his family, even if the Mokari world would never accept them. And in that moment, Koda knew that they didn’t need anyone else. They would make their own family, their own home.
“ Good we build a boat and we leave as soon as it’s done,” Koda said, his voice steady and strong. “Save and collect as many supplies as we need.”
Zara stepped forward, her hand resting on his shoulder. “Got it, boss.”
The others gathered around him, their expressions filled with determination. They had a plan now. They had something to fight for. They were no longer just orphans. They were The Xiled. And together, they would create something new.
As the fire burned low, the weight of Koda’s decision settled in his heart, but this time, it was a weight he could bear.
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