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 58

“Grrr ha ha ha ha!! That's it, that's it! Ha ha ha!" It was heard that morning in Bram Skunktaur's room. The laughter was so loud that it woke up the whole family. Mary, Ben's wife, went to see hym in hys room worried about hym. When she arrived, she saw the old skunk laughing out loud with hys hands on hys stomach.

"What's wrong with you, Bram?" she asked.

"Nothing, nothing woman! Everything's fine. And it happened as it should. Eugene is still alive! Ha ha ha!"

"What Eugene are you referring to?" Mary asked curiously. At that moment, the couple's children entered the room and pounced on the skunktaur's body, as they usually did. Hy received them with hugs and licks. Professor Ben also arrived.

"What happen?" He said buttoning his pajamas.

“What had to happen! Eugene! Eugen survived! Ha ha ha!" The skunktaur said again.

"Who is Eugene, Grandpa Bram?" Flora, the youngest daughter of Mary and Ben, asked in her childish voice. Bram, snuggling the little girl against hys chest, told her.

“He's… He's a friend I've known for a long, long time. He named me Bram."

"Oh... And he's as old as you?" she asked again.

“Heh heh… We could say yes. Actually, we are all old! Even you! Ha ha ha!"

“But Grandpa Bram! I'm only five years old!" the girl protested.

“This little body of yours is five years old. But you, you have more! Hee hee hee” The old skunk said tenderly. Mary looked at Ben puzzled. The man plunged into his thoughts. After a moment, he declared.

"You mean that boy, Esteban?... Are you saying that he is alive?" Bram nodded, wagging hys fluffy tail.

"Who is Eugene, honey?" Mary asked.

“An old friend of Bram's. Excuse me for a minute" Said the man to go to the main living room of the house and turn on the television set. After tuning to the appropriate news channel, a couple of presenters appeared on the screen.

In the city of Amistad, the police reported the appearance of Esteban Sivem, the human engineer presumed dead a few weeks ago, after suffering a traffic accident on the outskirts of the capital. According to police sources, the individual would have been rescued by a Stariionae parked several weeks ago at the spaceport, keeping him inside, to heal his wounds. His relatives, who had even symbolically buried him, considered the appearance of Esteban a true miracle and are happy to have him back. Esteban Sivem is the same human being who, a couple of years ago, was the victim of an attack in Berdoovia by two skunktaurs.

"Wow, someone should tell that boy not to leave the house" commented the second panelist with a mixture of humor and sarcasm. Ben put his hand on his head and said to himself

"Is incredible"

At that instant, Bram came up behind him and put a hand on his shoulder.

"Don't be surprised, Ben. Each one forges his destiny. And that boy has been doing it since long before you and I were born. Everyone is doing the same, at every time and place. Only... I got to witness his progress. And I feel privileged for that.

"Bram" Ben said looking into hys eyes.

“Son, and speaking of which, there is something you should know about your friend Rogar. All life has a cycle. You do know, right? You must have strength.

The human, after listening, lowered his gaze. Deep inside him, he knew that Bram's words were laced with truth. A truth that transcended time, and space.

***

“At first, it was dark… The water was cold, but at the same time, I experienced an incredible feeling of peace. The pain from the wound Faise had given me faded. And I didn't even notice when a marine animal ripped off my toe. Suddenly I felt my body wrapped in light. A light that transported me to a warm place. There, out of the water, I felt how that creature penetrated inside of me. And not just on my body. Also in my mind. And that's when it all happened, Lilethe."

"Well, we have returned to this place, after a long time" Vroeg said sitting on the mound of sand on Amistad beach.

"So I see. But here nothing has changed Vroeg. The same beach, the wind, the waves, the sand. Everything stays the same” Replied Esteban sitting next to hym.

“That's right, boy. When your consciousness awakens, everything external remains the same, like this beach. The change is internal." The skunktaur replied serenely. The waves constantly lapped at the sand. The wind stirred their hair while the warmth of Chakastra's rays caressed their bodies.

"Esteban. You have climbed one more step in your walk. You know, right? Everything happens in due time. If I had told you about these when we met for the first time, you would not have understood anything, and perhaps you would have walked away from me, just as you did at the beginning, when you thought I was a crazy old man, do you remember?

"Yes, Vroeg. I remember" Said the boy closing his eyes.

“Now, I'm happy for you. You managed to mitigate the hatred, pride and resentment of your heart, and instead you allowed compassion, love and understanding to flourish in it. Despite your injuries. Despite the ego At least, you managed to narrow it down a bit, heh heh heh.”

"A bit? Vroeg, do you know how much I had to go through to get here?

“Every step, it's a tough battle, son. I never said it would be easy. Learning to conquer oneself requires effort and sacrifice. And you, you paid a high price. Nobody is born knowing how to surf, my little one”

The two remained silent for a moment. Esteban snuggled into Vroeg's arms and rested his head on hys chest. The skunktaur, in a fit of love, kissed him forehead and caressed his hair. They both felt happiness in their hearts to be together again, after so long. After a few minutes, which seemed like days to them, Esteban declared:

"And now what should I do?"

"Son. You must keep moving forward. Once you start this path, you never stop progressing. There is always something new to learn” Said the skunktaur standing up. After taking a few short steps, hy added:

“Esteban, it is easy to love respectful, kind and loving people. And you have surrounded yourself with them since you arrived in Chakona. But it is much more provocative, to recognize in those who are not kind, neither respectful nor affectionate, a wounded person. And that wound, although it does not justify his actions, they acknowledges that they have it. When you receive something different from what you give, transformation occurs. Remember my son Ugkar. Hy gave you aggression, and you responded with kindness. And hys life changed. The same thing happened with Doren. And with your human father. You never finish progressing, because you never stop walking. And if you are able to change the lives of others, it is because you managed to turn on your inner light. That light that cost you pain and suffering, through your successive lives, is the guide that illuminates your path from now on. You awakened the teacher that everyone has inside. And for that, you don't need me anymore.

"Vroeg!" The boy said, getting up too.

"I am so proud of you." Added the skunktaur wagging hys tail. They both hugged again for a few moments. Then Vroeg testified.

“It is time for you to return. My friend surely already healed your wounds. Don't let OUR father Renzar and my son Ugkar make a mistake. You are the only one who can take them away from the darkness that they are approaching at every moment."

“And what will you do, Vroeg? Where will you go?"

“This Stariionae will go away from Chakona and return to his family. And I am no longer here. Little boy. I'm just a memory of what I was.

"Will we meet again, my beloved Vroeg?" Esteban inquired with moist eyes.

“Esteban, didn't you hear me? Now I'm closer to you than you think. I love you brother"

“And after that, Lilethe, everything vanished and I woke up inside the Stariionae. Through my connection with him, I learned that he had stored part of Vroeg's mental essence before hy died, that time in Amistad. It was hy who helped Bram escape from his captors. It was hy who helped Ugkar mate with Lieutenant Krim! Can you believe it Lilethe? That's why Chakat Blackspot had doubts about his death. Shi could still feel it. And me too, every time he passed near that Stariionae. But now, that essence, completely vanished, and Vroeg continued his walk. But he never really got away from us”

Esteban said with a smile, while he caressed Lilethe's hair lying on the hospital bed. The skunktaur was still unconscious from the incident on the road. A couple of days had already passed since the capture of Faise and Esteban, as every day, he faithfully visited hym and stayed by hys side, talking to hym about hys family and all the events of the day, although hy seemed not to listen to him.

***

At the Chakona Gateway, the director of operations, Chakat Brey met again with the agents of the capture team and representatives of the Government of Chakona and Grom, to discuss the future of the criminals Faise and Grosh. Since the skunk had the talent of spontaneous teleportation, experts considered it dangerous to keep it in some prison on the planet. This, coupled with his ability to manipulate the minds of chakats and chakat-kin, could help him easily escape and elude the authorities.

The representative of the Chakona Government, a yellow-furred Chakat, opened the meeting by thanking everyone for participating in the capture operation. He mourned the loss of Agent Renzar of Grom and thanked Lieutenant Ugkar Skunktaur and the two civilians who helped him capture Faise, though both Ugkar, Doren, and Regthar were in their respective medical units, recovering from their injuries.

"Well, it is my duty to inform that the Amistad police are demanding that prisoner Faise Skunktaur be prosecuted under Chakonian law, since hy is accused of murdering policeskunk Tagle Skunktaur through mind control," the chakat said.

“Shir. The high command of the Federation has decided to hand over the prisoner Faise Skunktaur, to the League of Non-Aligned Worlds, in exchange for Federal agents imprisoned in that area. It is the most reasonable thing we can do and the Prime Minister is already aware of it” Chakat Brey said, representing the capture group.

"The Prime Minister will not allow the prisoner to be released without paying the consequences of his actions!" exclaimed the representative. Everyone present began to murmur and speak loudly, making a mess. After a few minutes of discussion, Chakat Brey spoke again.

"Representative. Federal Intelligence has already given the reasons why an individual like Faise cannot serve a sentence locked up in a Chakona prison. And with all due respect, that decision is not up to the Prime Minister. This is a Federal matter."


“Shir Brey. That being the case, I think it only fair that the Federation high command, or yourself, tell the widow of police officer Tagle Skunktaur, to hys face, that hys lifemate's killer will be released and returned to the League, unpunished. Tell me, is that Federation justice?!” Exclaimed the chakat with yellow fur. The murmurs in the room rose again in tone. It was clear that a large number of those present did not agree with the Federation's decision.

"Silence please!" Brey intervened and then added. “Shir, you and the Prime Minister must understand that Faise is dangerous both in freedom and in prison. And in Chakona, there is no death penalty. Therefore, the best thing is the exchange for our some of our agents, whose families have long awaited their rescue.” Brey's body was totally tense and the hairs on hir back stood up from the stress of the discussion. The representative, however, was silent for a few minutes. After consulting with one of hir assistants in a low voice, and giving Brey a cold look, shi addressed those present:

“The Chakona Government approves the exchange. However, Director Brey, I have a request to make to you, on behalf of the Amistad Police and Shir Tagle's lifemate." The agents all looked at each other, while Brey nodded with a forced smile.

***

At the Amistad General Hospital, Esteban entered the room where his friend Mark Sanders was still hospitalized. The man was lying on a stretcher, accompanied by his wives, Delfina and Emily. Delfina, happy to see him, approached him greeting him with a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"You look very handsome with that beard, Esteban," the woman said with a smile.

“Thank you Delfina. I'm sorry I worried you" The boy answered politely. At that moment, Emily approached him and with her eyes moist from her emotion, shi gave him a tight hug.

"How have you been, Emily" Esteban whispered into one of her ears. The female foxtaur, wagging her tail, rested her head on his chest.

"We're fine" She answered with a sweet voice, and then licked the boy's cheek. Esteban could feel on Emily's skin the pleasant smell of the flowers that she grows in the garden of her house.

"You smell so good, Emily," the boy commented.

“Heh heh…You have to come see my garden. Flowers have the ability to heal and soothe the spirit” Emily replied, wagging her tail.

"I will, when Lilethe recovers, we will both go" Said the human. Then he approached the bed where Mark lay.

"Esteban! I've been looking for you! Somehow I knew you couldn't be dead!" Mark said seeing him up close. They both shook hands.

“Well, and you found me. Thanks for everything Mark. I heard you made a big mess protecting Lilethe” The engineer said with a smile.

"I'm sorry… They told me that you died, and I was still looking for you, over and over again, everything around was like a dream." sighed Mark.

“Calm down and rest. And sorry for causing so much concern."

"You're used to us now, Esteban" Delfina said, approaching from the other side of the bed.

"Yes... Maybe I shouldn't leave the house so often" Esteban laughed. "I'm truly sorry"

"And tell me, boy. How does it feel to have your toe ripped off?” Mark asked suddenly.

"Grrr... Don't pester Esteban with those nasty questions Mark!" Emily reproached with a snarl.

“Heh. It's okay Emily. I did not feel anything. I didn't even notice. In addition, the Stariionae somehow also grew another finger. Don't ask me how he did that." Esteban answered.

“I'm curious. What is a Stariionae like on the inside?" Mark asked.

"I'll tell you another time. Now I must visit Regthar and Doren" Esteban said, caressing Mark's forehead. Delfina, taking one of his hands, commented.

"Esteban, don't be sad. You'll see that Lilethe will recover."

"I know, Delfina. Thank you. See you later" Said the boy, saying goodbye to each one. After leaving the room, Mark commented.

"There's something strange about him, but I can't say what it is, exactly."

“I think it's natural. He has gone through a very traumatic experience, I suppose” Delfina said, crossing her arms.

"I feel differently too." Emily added, drawing on her fox instincts.

Mark took a deep breath, feeling calm and happy to see his friend alive, and also, to be in the company of two of his most loved ones. He closed his eyes, and drew a wide smile on his face.

***

In another of the hospital rooms, Regthar Sivem, the Khudok fighter, was resting on a large special bed for Renzars. He was accompanied by Sorah, Hajo and his sister Natany. Esteban, looked out the window of the room, and when contemplating the four Renzar, he reflected.

“Since I came to this planet, I have caused a lot of trouble for these good people. They have suffered too much because of me. And they didn't deserve it."

A couple of tears rolled down his cheeks. It was the first time he had seen things that way. However, he accepted it calmly, and at the same time, he was glad that everyone was okay. At that moment, Esteban saw a group of renzar approaching from the other end of the corridor, accompanied by a couple of medical chakats. In their midst walked a tall, white-furred Renzar dressed in a solemn green and white robe. On her chest, she wore the symbols of the planet Grom. All of them entered Regthar's room. Behind the escorts came Avik Grovem, who, seeing Esteban, approached him.

“The Planetary Delegate wanted to meet your father. He will be considered a hero in Grom for helping to capture that dangerous skunk and subdue the traitor."

Esteban, after thinking for a moment, responded.

"And for you? Who is Regthar? Is renzar still unworthy of your daughter?"

Avik was surprised to hear these words. He watched the boy for a moment and thought about all that had happened since he left Grom. During this time in Chakona, Avik was able to really see what life was like for his daughter. The reality was very different from what he had always believed. The proud metal businessman realized that Regthar was not only worthy of her, but that together they had built a wonderful family, something he could never do with Varta, the great love of his life. After a few moments, old Renzar, looking at Esteban, declared with emotion in his voice:

"I expected no less from my human grandson." He then reached down and wrapped Esteban in a warm hug. Esteban could feel the softness of the male's skin, very similar to Sorah's.

“I hadn't had the opportunity to tell you this, Esteban. I apologize for my behavior at the hotel. I shouldn't have treated you that way. Forgive me son” Avik said, as he squeezed Esteban harder. The human could feel a comforting sensation of well-being when being embraced by his new grandfather.

***

In the room, Regthar, Sorah, and Natany were surprised to see the Planetary Delegate next to them. She was an imposing female, and her voice was heavy with solemnity.

“[Mr. Regthar. I want to express my gratitude on behalf of all the Renzar for having captured the enemy. You are very brave]” She said in Marlock language. Regthar, a little embarrassed, replied:

“[Thank you Delegate. It was an honor to help. But it's fair to say that credit goes to Ugkar Skunktaur, Federation lieutenant. And also from little Doren]”

“[An honor you say? Grrr that was silly! He shouldn't have risked himself like that, Delegate. Neither does Doren, whom we love as if she were our daughter]” Sorah suddenly interrupted, still angry at her husband's attitude.

[I understand. Sometimes we make impulsive decisions for those we love. It's true. Mr. Regthar, I hail from Volthur, a region of Grom where Justa is still legal. So I fully understand your feelings. But luckily your son appeared, as I understand]

“[That's right, Delegate. Esteban was safe in a Stariionae]” Natany said. At that moment, Avik and Esteban entered the room.

"Esteban!" Natany greeted with a hug.

"Delegate, I want to introduce you to Esteban Sivem, my human grandson" Avik suddenly said with an air of pride. Regthar looked at Sorah with a smile.

"Dad!" The female exclaimed, surprised and happy to hear her father speak that way. Accepting Esteban as his grandson meant a lot to her. The Grom Delegate shook Esteban's hand with a smile.

“Welcome to life, little one”

“It's a pleasure to meet you, Delegate. Thank you for sharing your precious time and coming to see dad” The human responded.

"He deserves recognition" Renzar said. Esteban couldn't stop looking at her. He was captivated by her beauty and her looks. He looked from Avik to Regthar, then moved closer to her. He took her hand and said quietly.

"Can I talk to you in private?"

"Of course. It is my duty to listen to all the citizens of Grom. And you are one of ours” The Delegate replied. They both left the room, facing the curious gaze of everyone present. Once in the hallway, Esteban declared.

“I know that you will leave for Grom tomorrow with the delegation. But before you go, could you help me help someone?"

“If it's in my power, I'll do it. And who do you want to help? Inquired the Delegate.

"Well, to another citizen of Grom" Esteban answered with a smile. They both talked for a long time in the corridor, while Regthar's family stayed with him inside the room.