Beastmen: She Tames the Land-Chapter 175: Second trial begins

Their decisions were made simultaneously. Control, Dominance, and Dependence each realized that some aspect of them wanted these things. But they were also their own person. They wanted to share their lives with the person next to them, not because of a bond, but because they genuinely felt for them. And without that person, it made no sense.

Making their decision, they found themselves once again next to each other. The distance disappeared instantly. They could see the relief in each other’s eyes. They had all chosen each other rather than their own needs.

Relief came too soon. The bond that had disappeared snapped into place. Not only did it appear, but it amplified. To a degree they had never experienced before.

Every feeling they were feeling in this moment overwhelmed them. It was nothing like the subtle feeling they had before. This was different. Visha and Xeno felt Uri’s overwhelming need for control. His need to control not only plans and his people but them. The way he wanted everything they had to offer.

Xeno’s feelings were also apparent. His need to dominate. His need for territory. His need for them. It was like a hulking tower wanting to crush them both. His instinctual reactions at seeing them respond to his needs. All bared for them to see.

Visha’s emotions were the strangest for them. They could feel her dependency. Her need to make them happy. Her feelings of security when they were around and insecurity when they were not. But beneath that, they felt something else. Something even Visha herself had not noticed.

Her feeling wasn’t dependence, dominance, or control. It was an obsession. Her feelings manifested themselves as dependency because it was the only way she knew how to explain it to herself.

The moment the three of them understood what their feeling were, they needed to make a choice. Would they be afraid to acknowledge these feelings, or would they lean into them? Would doing so destroy their relationship or make it stronger?

"I...," Visha opened her mouth, unsure of what to say.

Uri didn’t give her the chance; he swooped in for a kiss. The kind of kiss that made her body tingle and her toes curl. His mouth claims hers, slowly, then deeper and hungrier. He claims her, devouring without rushing.

Visha melts into him, her fingers curling in his hair. She responds just as enthusiastically, stealing his breath away. A low moan escaped her lips and Xeno snapped.

He steps in, threading his hand in Visha’s hair. He wasn’t trying to pull her away from Uri, only tilting her head enough so he could have access to her lips. His mouth crashes against hers. He was staking his claimclearly, obviously. His body pressed against both Visha’s and Uri’s.

Visha gasps, and it fuels him. His hands tighten in her hair, then Uri steps in.

He grabs Xeno’s collar and gives him a kiss that is nothing like the one he gave Visha. Their mouths collide, heat against heat. Uri’s fingers press into Xeno’s throat. Xeno’s hand grabs his wrist, not moving it away, but matching his intensity.

When they finally part, Visha doesn’t wait. Her hands slide up, reaching for their necks, dragging them both towards her. Her eyes were bright, a flaming purple that captivated both men.

She smirked, "All that love and I don’t get any?" She raised an eyebrow.

Uri kisses her, Xeno watches eyes blazing, then he reaches out for a kiss. Xeno kisses, Uri kisses her. Then, without breaking contact, their mouths meet over hers. It’s messy, heated, and overwhelming, three breaths merged into one.

When they finally pull apart, no one steps back. Their foreheads touch, they breathe heavily, breath mingling together. The air felt different now. They could still feel the bond, but it felt more stable.

The overwhelming feeling of wanting each other had dissipated into a silent hum.

At this moment, they realized, this was never a trial; it was a method of understanding. The sanctum wanted them to make a choice. Whatever choice they made it would respect it.

And their choice was being together. Working on their issues, identifying their weaknesses, and knowing when to ask for help.

Once they came to that understanding, the chamber brightened.

A mirror descended, and in the mirror they saw themselves. They were fighting together, moving together. They were perfectly synchronized, as though they could guess each other’s thoughts. One move or one look was all it took to anticipate where the other was going or would be.

Choose: Step back or move forward?

This was the choice they needed to make. This was what the voice they heard say.

Taking a brief look at each other, they made their decision. They stepped forward.

Had they made the decision to step back, it would have been taken as their unwillingness to continue their bond. This was, of course, a consequence they knew nothing about. Nor was it a consequence they would ever find out about.

Stepping forward, the image blurred, and the mirror became threads of light. It shot outward, connecting tot heir chests, linking them together.

One clear image appeared in their minds.

It was of themselves. They appeared different, older, more stable. Their movements were powerful. This was a version of themselves that had drive, focus, and clarity.

Their future selves? Possibly.

One thing they were sure of was that there were no more trials. They had overcome their individual and combined trials.

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[Visha, remember your promise. There is something I need here. It’s in the sanctum.]

Visha had not forgotten. Now that the trials were over, she still had one thing to do. While she wasn’t sure it was the best thing. She had already agreed that she would help the system.

Though in the back of her mind, she knew this was bigger than herself. She had made the promise, and she intended to keep it.