"Papa, where's the lion?" Elena tugged at my sleeve, her eyes wide with excitement.
I glanced back, and Erza was behind me, but oddly quiet. I caught her gaze for a moment, but as soon as she saw me looking, she quickly turned away, pretending like she wasn't staring.
"Papa, lion! Where is lion?" Elena asked again, even more excited now.
"Just a little further, sweetheart," I said, trying to smile.
"Yay! Elena will see lion! Big kitty lion!" she cheered, practically bouncing with anticipation.
Big kitty, huh? I didn't get why she was so worked up over lions, but hey, if she's happy, I'm happy.
We made our way to the lion enclosure—a dry moat-style cage with thick bars that separated the animals from the crowd. But as we reached the gate, something hit me.
Where the hell is Erza?
She had been right behind me just a second ago. But now... no sign of her. She didn't know the zoo layout like I did.
Meanwhile, Elena was still tugging at my shirt, so excited she could hardly contain herself.
"Hold on, sweetheart," I said, trying to keep my calm. "Papa needs to find Mama first."
Erza's POV (Earlier):
I didn't know why that mortal kissed my forehead earlier. It was embarrassing, but... kind of relaxing at the same time? My heart was pounding fast, and I couldn't explain it. Why?
I felt a strange presence... Someone was watching me. I glanced around, trying to pinpoint the source.
There. Near the cafe bushes.
I moved quietly, approaching the spot where I sensed the gaze. Then, out of nowhere, he appeared—a random mortal, probably thinking he could get close.
"Hey, hi hotie, you look so dashing today," he said, smirking with an air of confidence.
Disgusting mortal. They were all the same—arrogant, trying to play with me. I couldn't help but feel a rush of disdain.
"Disgusting. You're all so disgusting," I muttered under my breath. I gave him a cold look. "Make me kill you on the spot."
I scanned the area quickly, trying not to let panic show. And then, I saw her. Thank God.
But—oh, no. Not good.
Tall. Perfect jawline. Supermodel vibes. Smelled like expensive cologne and heartbreak.
He was standing way too close to Erza, chatting her up. And from the look on her face—arms crossed, eyes icy—she was not interested, as she could kill Him any movement But,
I could feel my blood starting to boil. How dare this runway clown flirt with my wife?!
As I was going to Punch him with my rage on his face
Then I heard familiar sound.
Elena's frightened voice cut through the noise, making my heart stop for a second.
Tourists were screaming around us. Someone shouted, "That child! She fell—she's inside the lion cage!"
Everything seemed to freeze in that moment.
And just like that, all my rage, all my anger, turned to ice.
Everything inside me snapped.
I barely heard my own voice as I shoved through the panicking crowd. The scream of the tourists, the chaotic noise—it all blurred together. But nothing mattered now. Elena was inside the lion's cage.
Time seemed to stand still.
I was too far. She was too close to those beasts.
I couldn't lose her. Not .
What am I supposed to do?!
Panic overtook everything—my thoughts, my body, my breath. It was like time had stopped around me, but inside, I was crumbling fast.
And then... I heard her voice.
A memory. Faint, but sharp.
"If I'm ever in danger, Papa will protect me!"
"Yeah! My Papa is strong!"
That was Elena's voice. That innocent, trusting voice.
My legs moved before I could think.
Straight into the lion's cage.
The drop was higher than I expected. My body hit the ground hard, but I didn't care. I didn't even feel it.
Blood on her forehead. Her little head... it was swelling.
She looked so small in that massive enclosure.
"Elena!" I shouted, sprinting toward her.
Everything else—the tourists screaming, the zookeepers panicking, the lions—none of it mattered.
I had to protect her.
There were six lions.
One male, five lionesses.
And they were surrounding her.
Elena—curled up in the center of the enclosure, shaking, her panda costume making her look like prey. The perfect target.
She looked up, tears streaming down her cheeks, reaching out with trembling hands.
"Papa! Papa, help me!!"
My legs moved on instinct, every step fueled by pure desperation. One of the lionesses growled and stepped forward, tail twitching. Another flanked from the side, eyes locked onto Elena like she was meat.
"Move—!" I shouted, sliding under the first lioness as she pounced, feeling the rush of air and heat from her body just barely missing me.
Claws grazed my back, but I didn't care.
I ducked, rolled, and sprang back up, dodging another swipe.
Three more closed in, snarling, circling me like I was next.
Her scream hit me like lightning. That sound—I'd never heard her that scared.
The male lion stood still, watching. Judging. Waiting.
I grabbed a fallen branch off the ground and swung it wide—roaring louder than any lion in that cage.
That hesitation was all I needed.
I dove forward, arms outstretched—
Wrapped my arms around her tiny, shaking body.
"I'm here. Papa's here. You're safe now."
But we weren't safe. Not yet.
The lions began to close in again—closer this time.
And six apex predators.
I grabbed the thick wooden stock from the ground—some broken part of the barrier, I didn't care. It was all I had.
"Get away from her!" I roared, swinging it with every ounce of strength I had.
The lionesses backed off, growling, circling—but then he came.
He lunged, eyes locked on mine—pure, primal fury.
I tried to raise the stick, but I wasn't fast enough.
His claws slashed into my arm—searing pain shot through my nerves, and blood sprayed onto the dirt. My grip faltered. The world spun for a second.
Tourists were screaming. Phones out. People were shouting.
I turned my head. She was on her knees, clutching her panda hood, eyes locked on me, trembling.
She screamed one last time.
That's when Erza moved.
Somewhere in the crowd, something snapped.
Her body surged forward before her mind could stop her. Like a mother bird diving into flames to reach her nest.
Aaron reached out to grab her. "Erza, wait—!"
Her heels hit the ground like thunder. Her eyes were glowing. Crimson rage.
And then she saw me—my arm soaked in blood, still shielding our daughter.
Everything inside her exploded.
Straight into the cage.
[Bonus Scene – Collection: "A Word From the Author (Kinda)"]
Elena:Papa! Look! I got 22 collections! Does that mean I'm famous now?
Yuuta (smiling): Of course! At this rate, you'll have your own fan club before me.
Erza (crossing arms): Hmph. Maybe people are collecting for me. I am the cool one here.
Elena:Mama, no! They love me because I'm cute and small and I say "yaha!"
Yuuta:Guys... can we focus on thanking the readers before you both start a popularity war?
Erza:...Fine. Thank you for reading, foolish mortals.
Elena:Yaha~! Please leave a comment and collect more! Or Mama will burn the script!
Yuuta (whispers): ...She's not joking.