It wasn't multiple personality disorder or just going berserk. It was just the lamb succumbing to her instinct. And her instincts were... killing the wolf.
Ever since I regained my lost memories of the void history, I had always known I had a problem on my own. Aside from Niall, who was after me, the deep hatred I had for the wolf who devoured me alive, which I locked away in the deepest part of me, existed.
To rewrite the fates of everyone, fighting in the half lamb's form wasn't enough. I needed to be the complete me since I was also going against my creator's will. But I needed someone strong enough to stop me from exterminating the people I wanted to protect from me as well.
"Child, it's been a while since I was almost out of breath."
I snapped my eyes from the thick clouds above to the emperor standing beside me, who was lying flat on my back. The claw marks across his cheek underneath his blanched beard were slowly healing. But the blood staining his sullied white undershirt remained, a piece of evidence he survived hellish minutes of his entire life.
"Father, you did it." I smiled in relief, as he had forced me to get out of my primal state. "You... did it!"
Deimos let out a sharp breath as drops of water started to drop on us. His hand on his hips reached towards me.
"Just when I thought there won't be another person in this lifetime who will force me to exert more effort than usual." I clasped his hand before he pulled me up to my feet. "Life is indeed full of surprises. Ahh... it brings back the good old days!"
Once I stood on my own two feet, it started pouring, washing away the thick dust that surrounded us. "The Tarsa Tribe is full of strong individuals, Father. You might want to spar with Bowie. He will not disappoint."
"I will take that into consideration, as it seems this old body needs to train once again if you truly want to proceed with your plans." He flashed me a smile before he laughed heartily as if I didn't nearly kill him just moments ago. "Bowie is the tribe leader, correct?"
"Yes, he is. The reason I can still control myself is that of my constant sparring with him."
"I see." Deimos stroked his beard, unfazed by the pouring rain that was clearing up our surroundings. His eyes fell on the ground, and I also gazed around on instinct.
There were tons of cracks on the ground, the evidence of my fierce fight with Deimos. Although I was in my primal state, I was conscious the entire time. It was just... I was out of control.
When the rain grew heavier and the surroundings finally cleared up, the warriors were still in the same spot. Their eyes bore surprise even before they set them on us. Some were slumped on the ground, the product of Deimos' powerful aura he exuded earlier.
My eyes veered towards Silas and Cora. Both bore solemn looks on their faces while Daniel was sitting with his legs and arms crossed. Meanwhile, Hugo was holding Toby, who was on his shoulder.
"The fight is over. Men, return to your quarters at once." Cora commanded coldly, eyes darting between me and Deimos, her father and also the emperor of Ronmin.
"Ye — yes, Your Highness!" Some knights stumbled as they walk away while others needed assistance to desert the training grounds.
"Were they angry?" I murmured, pressing my lips into a thin line.
"Haha! No, they are not." Deimos laughed, casting me a knowing look. "They simply..."
"Rinnie!" I flinched when Cora raised her voice, pointing a finger at me. "I want to challenge you to a duel!"
"Once you recover, you and I, we spar." Her eyes flamed with determination, making me tilt my head to the side. I turned my head to my father-in-law when he spoke.
"My child likes you, but now, they like you even more." He grinned from ear to ear. "After all, you stood up to me. They like challenges and right now, instead of an adorable lamb. They now see you as a mountain they must cross. These proud young ones."
"Ahh..." I laughed awkwardly, rocking my head. "I guess it's better if everyone can train with me. Although I'm afraid it will help them strengthen their skills, they might also mold me into my best shape."
"Don't worry. More heads are better than one."
Deimos and I exchanged smiles before Hugo spoke. He stood up with Toby still on his shoulder, holding our son's hands.
"Bambi, let's go inside. Cora, save your fantasies later. It's raining." He clicked his tongue at his big sister while the latter just rolled her eyes.
From the beginning to the end, Hugo didn't interrupt my time with his father. As he walked away with Toby, I cast Deimos a warm smile before Cora. She waved at me before I jogged my way to catch up to Hugo.
"Hugh, wait for me!" I called and soon walked beside him, smiling as I gazed up at Toby.
"Mama is so strong!" Toby cheered. "Papa was worried."
"Is he?" I chuckled, setting my eyes back to Hugo's rear. But unlike what I expected, his expression was solemn. "Hugh?"
He cast me a side-eye. "I'm in heat."
"Ah?"
"You look so cool back there. Heh. It's been a while since I saw that arrogant Father of mine try to catch up to his breathing." Hugo peeled his eyes away from me, gazing ahead with a faint smile. "Everyone felt it Rinnie. Two monsters fighting on equal ground. Even though we barely saw it, we all felt it, and it sparked something within us."
He paused and smacked his lips. "I want to get stronger... so strong you won't be in that state of pain anymore." He stopped, facing me in the pouring rain. He then glanced up at Toby, who was also grinning from ear to ear.
"Right, son? You and I need to be so strong we can stop your mother from self-destructing."
"Yes!"
Staring at the two of them brought relief to my heart. I never told them a word about anything, and Hugo wasn't asking. And yet, despite not knowing the entire details, Hugo felt my pain — even though I didn't — during my fight with his father.
Little did I know, this spar with the emperor would spread so fast they would bombard me with invitations for a duel. One of the constant challengers would be.... my in-laws and my husband.