He felt his heart break further as his daughter struggled to right herself. They were both so tired. If only this could end now . . .

It couldn't end now; it would not end now.

Ashborn climbed to her hooves and threw herself forward, biting down on his tail. It was a cheap shot and she felt no pride from it but it would distract him long enough that she might turn the tide in her favor.

He yelped, loud and high. That fucking hurt but it put her close and he snapped his own teeth and caught the tip of an ear.

He'd barely managed to get her and she darted back before he could reinvigorate himself. She could win this, now, she was sure of it. And she needn't do anything flashy. She need only exhaust him a bit more before she managed to win.

Ashborn was weak though and she could only think to throw herself at him once more. She acted like she was retreating and then turned sharply and came up on his other side. With all her weigh she slammed into him and knocked him to the ground.

Heritage rolled, instinctively pulling his legs close to his body and letting gravity do its magic. It still hurt like hell but he was able to climb to his feet quickly and smash a hoof down onto her back once more.

On her last legs, Ashborn withhold the hoof beating and lunged forward, teeth marking out his throat and forcing him to his doom.

There was a moment where the world froze around him and as Ashborn's teeth sunk, one last time, into his throat he felt coldness creep into every muscle and bone. A gurgle of protest left his parted lips and as she let go, he collapsed to the ground.

Eyes stared forward into the rapturous faces of his grandchildren, and he couldn't help the laughter that bubbled up from his throat, "I wasn't supposed to lose this round, daughter!" He rolled up onto his stomach and then climbed to his feet, eyes narrowed playfully as his child feigned innocence.

"Did we agree on a winner? I must have forgotten that conversation!" the doe returned, grinning.

The children laughed at their grandfather and mother, as the two came to revel in their delightful descendants.

"Now, children, what did we learn?" Heritage took over the lesson for a moment before it became an impromptu wrestling match as it often did. He wouldn't have protested if it came to that, he enjoyed having little ones around again and that his daughter had returned and the anger had not—he could never have hoped for a better outcome.

"That Momma always wins?" said the eldest.

"I wish I always won, darling," Ashborn snorted. "Today we learned that a battle is about stamina and eventually everyone will be defeated. That is why we will start to work on defense for our next session. Now, until then, pounce on Grandfather!"

Heritage had no time to react before he was quickly swarmed by his grandchildren. And he had no regrets. Only love and laughter remained.