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 20

Topaz Bay beach was still packed with people enjoying their last day of rest before the start of the work week.

Holly walked along the waterfront sidewalk, looking in all directions. The cool breeze gracefully ruffled hys hair and hys fluffy skunk tail, while chakastra was already beginning to wane toward the horizon. Dressed in a short jacket and a backpack on hys back, the young skunktaur stopped from time to time to survey the crowd.

"Where are you, Relia" hy thought as hy tried to find her. Hys talent allowed hym to perceive the emotions of nearby chakats and chakats-kin. But Holly was sure that if hy put hys mind to it, hy could find Relia in all that emotional sea. For some reason, hy could sense her sadness the day before and the pain that woke hym suddenly during the night. Hy closed hys eyes and concentrated, just as hys grandfather Vroeg had taught hym since hy was little.

"Come on! I know you're around here" hy said to hymself as hy tried to focus more.

***

The polar bear was still sitting on the sand, watching the crowd go by. From time to time she raised her head towards the horizon moved by the waves. She felt a little hot, so decided to cool off in the sea. She stood up and put her hat down next to her bag. The wind moved her dress as she took timid steps towards the water. Her mind wandered. She didn't know for sure what to do. Go back to Terra and beg her old bosses to give him her job back? Stay in Chakona and seek asylum? She didn't know anyone and she didn't have a network of friends who could help her either. No one to offer a recommendation for any job. She was all alone.

The water reached her belly. She didn't care that her evening dress was soaked and impregnated with salt. She stuck to her body marking her silhouette as she went deeper and deeper into the ocean. Staring blankly, Relia finally closed her eyes and dove under the waves. The water felt nice, neither cold nor hot. Like a good polar bear, she is a natural swimmer, but she made no effort to stay afloat. She dropped and cooed to the sway of the sea as she pushed her paws towards the bottom. Under the water, she seemed to have found some peace for her spirit.

***

The city of New New York is located north of the Bonifacio continent. It is the second largest settlement after Eucla City in that area, and has advanced industrial and commercial development.

The city's airport was vast and could receive aircraft from all over Chakona. One of them, Flight 717 originating in Amistad, was rapidly approaching the runway. Inside, Johnny Carruthers and Vera Markham comfortably enjoyed their last minutes of flight. The weather was mild, with few clouds in the sky, and Chakastra's lightning clearly illuminated the city's silhouette.

"What's going on, my Johnny? You've been very quiet for the last hour. Are you sleepy? Do you want to sleep on my lap?"

“Heh heh, of course I do, Vera. I would love to, but we are about to land. And if I'm honest, I'm a little nervous "

“Aww… Johnny. We already talked about this. My parents are not going to eat you, my love. Everything will be fine. You'll see” Vera commented with a playful giggle. Immediately afterwards, she gave him a tender kiss on his lips. A prolonged kiss, charged with passion, like the ones they had shared for the past eight months, ever since Jhonny went to pick her up at the Amistad airport, anguished at the possibility of losing her.

I was already spending half a day in New New York. The passengers of Flight 717 descended orderly from the plane. Jhonny and Vera along with them.

"Do you want to eat something Vera?"

"No love. I'm fine. Let's go to my parents' house soon. We'll be there just in time for dinner. I can't wait to see them again." Said the cat morph wagging her tail.

"Okay," the human snorted, with an air of agreement.

The couple left the airport premises, each carrying their luggage. The cool wind from the city welcomed them caressing their faces. They hired a private transport service, which quickly took them to the house of Vera's parents, located in a residential neighborhood in New New York. The city was not as big as Amistad, so the journey was covered in just 20 minutes.

The Markham family home was a large, classical-style building. It had a second floor, a terrace, four rooms and one for guests. It was separated from the other houses in the neighborhood by large gardens and leafy trees, which the same neighbors were in charge of planting and caring for.

"Wow, your house is very beautiful, Vera" exclaimed the admired human.

"He he. Thank you Jhonny" the female replied smiling. Getting out of the vehicle, they walked towards the entrance and passed a large tree.

“I used to climb here when I was a child. This was always my favorite tree. Dad built me and my sister a house to play in its branches”

"It's a very big and thick tree" Jhonny observed.

“I used to spend hours lying on its branches. One night, looking at the stars from above, I made the decision to be an engineer. I remember that I quickly went downstairs and told my parents. They were very happy,” she added. After advancing a few meters, they finally reached the door. After knocking, it opened, and the figure of a large cat morph, dressed in a flowery apron, appeared before them.

"Mom!" Vera exclaimed with emotion.

“Vera! My daughter” replied the female with a broken voice, while both melted into a long and tender embrace. The older woman did not stop licking and caressing her daughter.

“Tiber! Karim! Vera is finally back!” The female said happily. Quickly, two more cat morphs appeared from inside. A tall male slightly larger than Jhonny and a smaller female.

"Oh daughter! Welcome Home!" Said the morph in a deep voice, hugging her as well.

"Hello Dad!"

“Vera! Vera! You came back!” Exclaimed the smaller cat morph, who happened to be the younger sister.

"Hello Karim!" Vera greeted stirring her hair with frenzy. Then she took Jhonny's hand and declared.

“Mom, Dad, Karim. This is Johnny Carruthers, my colleague and my boyfriend, who I have already told you about ”

"Uh... It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Markham, Mr. Markham" The human said, stretching out his hand.

"Uh? He is not a kitten like us” Said little Karim looking at him curiously.

"Welcome son. I am Carla Markham and this is my husband Tiber."

"Hello" repeated Johnny. But the male did not shake his hand.

"Hello, I'm Karim, Vera's sister" Said the little morph wagging her tail.

"Nice to meet you Karim" Jhonny reiterated.

“But don't stay there, please come in! They arrived just in time for lunch ”said Mrs. Markham making them enter, while Tiber accommodated their suitcases on the side of the hall.
Looking into the dining room, Vera was surprised to see several people sitting at the table.

“Aunt Greta! Aunt Mena! Uncle Rollo!” Vera exclaimed with emotion when she saw her relatives morph from her. Each greeted her warmly with a loving hug.

“Oh Vera, my beautiful Vera. How big are you!" Said Greta, the oldest of the morphs present. "Welcome Home"

"Thank you Aunt. This is Johnny Carruthers, my boyfriend” said the morph.

"Oh... Nice to meet you son"

"The pleasure is mine, Mrs. Greta," the human said politely.

“Please take a place and sit down for dinner. You both arrived just in time!” Carla said. Jhonny and Vera sat down at the table. At that moment, Tiber walked up to them and declared.

“Only Vera is welcome. We haven't invited you, sir” addressing Jhonny. Everyone was speechless. The human felt his blood run cold.

“Tiber! What are you saying!" exclaimed the mistress of the house.

“You already heard it Carla. He is not welcome"

"But Dad!" Vera exclaimed with a mixture of surprise and anger.

"Eh... Calm down, Vera... I don't want to bother... It's better that... I go home" Jhonny said trying to smile. ”Sorry”

"What?!" Vera exclaimed incredulously.

"Tiber, what the hell are you doing!" Carla said in turn. But the male sat down at the table and was ready to eat the dish served. Everyone present looked at each other. Jhonny left the dining room and went to the place where his suitcase was. He picked it up and walked towards the door.

"Johnny, what are you doing? Don’t go!" Vera said pleadingly.

“You heard your dad. I am not welcome here… Besides… I wish to see mom in Eucla City.”

"Johnny, don't go!"

"Vera... Relax... We'll see each other later" The engineer said, and after giving the morph a tender kiss on the lips, he opened the door and left. Vera, with a mixture of disbelief and sadness, returned to the dining room to ask her father for an explanation.

“Dad, why were you so rude to Jhonny! What is your problem!"

"Vera, calm down daughter" Carla declared taking her by the shoulder. Tiber remained silent savoring his dinner. The male morph seemed unfazed. Vera, receiving no answer, exclaimed.

“Johnny is my boyfriend! Like it or not!"

“Your boyfriend is human! That's the problem!" Tiber replied standing up. "What are you thinking Vera! I did not raise you or educate you to give your life to someone who is not of your kind. He can't even give you children!"

"Tiber!" Aunt Greta suddenly exclaimed.

"You do not mess! This is my family!" The obfuscated male responded. Vera could not believe what she was hearing. She never imagined that her father thought that way. Gritting her teeth and tears streaming down her cheeks, the young female said nothing more. She turned around and left the dining room. Her mother tried to comfort her, but Vera refused. Everyone was surprised while little Karim reflected in her childish face the fear and sadness for what she had just witnessed.

***

"Thank you Esteban for listening to me. I don't remember coming to this bar before. It seems to be a good place for Doren"
"Heh heh... Yes. Hy is very happy working here. Also, with hys telekinesis hy prevents drinks from spilling or breaking a plate. And that really fascinates Chakat Lorel" Esteban replied. After a few seconds of silence, the human continued.
"Yes, it seems to me that you had not come to this place... Instead I... I have experienced many important moments here."
"Really?" said the Renzar.

"Yes. For example, here I met Mark Sanders and his wives. Here I also met Federation Lieutenant Krim. And of course Lorel, when I came to Chakona... Although... Here too, I saw for the first time to the idiots who tried to kill me in the cemetery" The boy said with an air of sadness.
"Esteban... I'm so sorry about that... But despite everything, I can see that this place has been important to you."

"That's right Regthar" the human replied with a sigh. After a few moments, he continued.

"As I told you at home, in my world, there is the myth of the princess and the dragon"
"Yes?..."
"Well, the story is that... There is a beautiful princess who is trapped in a castle, which is guarded by a huge and powerful dragon. A kind of monster that watches over the princess day and night, preventing her from being able to get away"
"Hmmm... I see..." the Renzar said with his head resting on his hands.
"Well... The situation doesn't change, until a brave prince appears who dares to challenge the dragon. The princess is fascinated by this man who is capable of risking his life to save her. After a battle, the prince finally defeat the dragon and rescue the princess. They both fall in love and live happily ever after."
"And that happens in your world?" Regthar asked
"And in yours too" Esteban replied.

"Uh? I don't understand"
"Hee hee hee... This story is a myth. An archetype that is repeated in many cultures. You are the prince, Sorah the princess and Avik is the dragon. By conquering Sorah, you rescued her from the castle where the dragon held her. The battle has already been fought, Avik lost and you won. Sorah's father is now nothing more than a defeated dragon. Nothing he says should affect you Regt. Sorah already chose you. And you have shown her that you deserve it from her. And if Avik doesn't want to accept it, that's his problem, not yours.
"Ah… I see Esteban. But honestly I don't care what Avik thinks of me. What matters is the damage he does to Sorah by not accepting our love" Regthar said. At that instant, Chakat Lorel arrived at the table with two glasses of Grom's liqueur, a large one for the Renzar.
"Prrr… Hi Esteban… Greetings Mr. Sivem. Welcome to my bar, hee hee hee"
"Hi Lorel. Wow! You look cute in that new uniform" The human said.
"Thank you dear. Oh, I am very pleased Mr. Sivem, now that I see you here."
“Uh?”
“Yes… On the news, it was reported that a Renzar delegation came from Grom. And they will open a branch of the Gromnian Institute of Commerce here in Amistad! I always wanted to study there, to learn new things and expand my business!”
“That's fabulous, Shir Lorel. I'm happy for you” Regthar replied with a smile.
"That's great Lorel!" Esteban added.
"Thanks. Then we'll talk about it. Now I'm a little busy. Since it is a day off, there are not many employees and I have to cover some duties. I hope you enjoy your drink. If you want something to eat, let me know Esteban" said the chakat before disappearing among the tables.
"Okay. Thanks Lorel" he replied.
Regthar took a long sip of the liquor, then exclaimed.
"Wow! You were right boy. Grom's liquor tastes great here."
"I told you!... Heh heh heh... Cheers papa bear!"
"Cheers my little one" Regt replied. The two continued chatting animatedly as the afternoon progressed.

***

The darkness completely enveloped her consciousness. Under the water, Relia felt no sound. Everything was peaceful and it seemed that sadness was no longer lurking. It was good to be there. Suddenly, she felt someone take her hand. That made her wake up and come out of that state of numbness due to lack of oxygen. She had come dangerously close to the limit. Desperately she waved her hands and feet to propel her body to the surface and catch her breath. Her efforts were supported by a pair of lifeguard chakats who had closed in on her. With floating items on hys body, the rescuers lifted Relia up on both sides, and helped her to the surface, allowing her to take large gulps of air.
"Miss, are you ok?" asked one of the chakats. Relia, after catching her breath, nodded.
"Can you swim with us to shore?" asked the other. The polar bear, a bit confused by the situation, nodded again. After attaching air floats to her body, rescuers led Relia back to the beach. Upon arrival, a group of onlookers had gathered to observe the rescue. The female, a little exhausted from the effort, flopped down on the sand. Immediately the chakats began to examine her.
“Normal pulse, normal breathing. There is no sign of water in his lungs,” a team member said with a small scanner in hys hand.
“Miss, are you really ok? I am Chakat Rockshie. I’m here to help you. Do you have a friend or family to notify?” Said one of the lifeguard chakat who had pulled her out of the water.

“Miss, you can't wear those kinds of clothes to swim in the ocean. It is very dangerous” Said the other of lifeguard.
"Eh?... I... I don't know what happened to me" Said the female, sitting on the sand and holding her head.
“Relia! Relia! You are well?" Suddenly said a voice familiar to the polar bear. In the midst of the crowd, a young skunktaur female approached her and took her hands.
I'm Holly! We talked yesterday. Remember me?"
"Holly?... Oh! Holly!” Relia suddenly exclaimed, hugging hym tightly. The emotion of what she had experienced and her state of mind made the female burst into tears at that moment.
Holly! Holly!… Help me! Please! Do not leave Me!" She exclaimed full of anguish. The young skunktaur, sensing her pain, stayed with her, hugging her, while rescuers led onlookers away from her. Several Chakats echoed the strong emotions and stayed with them, trying to comfort Relia. Holly couldn't help but absorb a bit of sadness, shedding tears as well.

***
After leaving Vera's house, Jhonny walked a long way to the nearest bus stop. Dragging his suitcase, he sat down to wait for the passage of some transport to the center of the city. He thought that if he didn't make it home to Eucla City, maybe he could stay overnight in a downtown hotel. In his head, he still couldn't understand what was happening. He never imagined that the affair with Vera would be a problem for his father. He regretted what had happened, not for himself, but for her. Chakastra was rapidly approaching the horizon and it would soon be dark.
"What did I do wrong?" He wondered, as warm tears fell down his cheeks. At that moment, a soft voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Do you think that if we go to your house, your mother will reject me too?"
“Vera! What are you doing here!"
"I'm with my boyfriend" The female replied with a smile.
"But what about your father?"
The feline morph, with her suitcase in hand, sat next to him and stroking his hair, declared.
“It doesn't matter what dad thinks. He has to understand that I am no longer a girl. I can make my own decisions… If we can't be together in my house, then we will be in yours… Of course, if you invite me”.
"Oh Vera, my love!" The human answered excitedly, giving him a passionate kiss on the lips. They both stayed at the whereabouts, hugging each other, waiting for a transport that would take them to Eucla City, the city where Jhonny lived with her mother.