Another month passed in a flash.

By the middle of October, the various drills and team building exercises had all but ensured that my flock was ready for the expedition up north.

Of course, I didn’t forget to pay special attention to the weakest link in our group. Namely, the fetcher-still-in-training, Hiro. After all, while my ward had long familiarized himself with the surrounding woods, his pace remained sloppy and awkward. The noble scion had never experienced marching through a dense forest before, and it certainly showed.

Worse still, since Hiro was technically a fledgling, the only work he could do would be carrying provisions. This, coupled with the above, gave me some serious cause for concern.

At least, that was what I would have said, until recently…

“... Big sis, are you sure that ward of yours is not taʊr in disguise or something?”

“Um hum…”

Somehow, for whatever reason, the human boy went from barely being able to lift a crate of supply, to carrying multiple at a time… He could now breeze through an entire obstacle course like that without breaking any sweat, which is a feat even the most seasoned of fetchers could only balk at.

It was just… One day, he literally just decided to carry his own weights and beyond like this… It was mind-boggling!

At least, that was the thought, before Hiro’s fluttering black hair reminded me of one crucial detail.

“Heh… Human nobles sure are something. Right, big sis?”

“...”

I nodded at the wistful sentiment, before returning to my own work.

After all, there was still a lot to be done, and not all of us could have an unfair advantage to rely on.

•ㅅ•

Another week went by, a new blood moon to fight.

Of course, after the horror that was September, everything else would seem trivia in comparison.

My flock was allowed to sit out of this harvest, given how we would need to be in tip-top shape for the trip ahead. And so, after the bloody night ended, a new morning arrived, signaling our time to say goodbye.

As the caravan marched out of the gate, words of cheers and jeers resounded. Some wished us a good journey, others said that wardens of Dark Woods needed no luck, and a small portion even threatened their significant others, warning them not to bite the dirt.

Amidst the chaotic farewells, there was only one thing running through my head, namely the thought that I might actually miss this place. After all, even if we stuck to the schedule, it would take at least half a year before any of us could see the majestic mess that was this city again.

“Big sis Isa!”

“Good luck!”

“Don’t forget to buy us some treats!!!”

Without needing to turn my head, I could already recognize the boisterous screams of those from the nest.

A quick glance at the largest figure among the kits revealed a not-so-pleased capᴥbara… though her frown eventually gave way to an amused smile and a gentle wave, which I mirrored with a grin of my own.

Hidden behind the old nest maker was a young bὕnny who, after some encouragement from her squirrely friend, finally managed to bade me one hesitant goodbye.

A bit farther away, above some treetop, three pairs of eyes also looked at my departure in secret. Funnily enough, one of them in particular seemed to have skipped bath time, given the stink eyes he was giving me.

Naturally, I stuck out my tongue in response, causing the pissed off pup to throw a hissy fit that made the entire trio fall off the tree.

Yep. I will actually miss this place, after all…

Upon reaching the clearing, our caravan soon slowed to a halt as everyone prepared to take off. Some did a final check. Others stuffed their cheeks full of food. A few, whose friends or family had followed this far, started exchanging one final word of farewell.

I, on the other paw, just took in the growls.

The lively noises of life emanating from a vibrant city, mashed with the fierce cries of beasts living in some nearby woods… Such was the fascinating melody of life and wyld, so unique to Growling Trunk. Yet, it was only during these moments of departure that I could truly appreciate the wonder of it all.

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“All right, everyone! Pay attention to your surroundings! Keep up the pace with others! If you’re wounded, injured or too tired to continue, report to your superior immediately!-”

The watcher in charge of our caravan shouted out some orders, though those simply turned into white noises once they reached my ears. After all, once you had heard the same thing dozens and dozens of times, even the most solemn of speeches could lose their gravity.

And so, instead of listening to what I could already recite in my sleep, I decided to calm the fidgeting boy right next to me instead.

“Nervous?”

“Me? Nahhh. Even if I can’t catch up and get left behind, I will simply have to worry about the wildlife that can literally rip me to pieces, which is totally not worrying at all! Hah… Hahahahah!!! hah…”

A whoosh could be heard as the watcher threw his staff across the glade. Almost immediately, the sound of an explosion tore the air apart, scaring off any beasts still foolish enough to stalk our group. As the will of our leader cleaved through countless thickets, a straight path was opened up for seekers, allowing them to move ahead and clear the way for everyone else.

“... Isa, I know that all wylders are very capable of fighting. But please, please tell me that the wild animals are not actually stronger than that watcher of ours…”

“Oh no, of course not. Heck, it’s rarely the animals, but the plants that you have to worry about!” I shook my head at some less than pleasant memory. “Why, just a few years ago, a forest simply grew so fast that it managed to strand an entire patrol into the sky, turning them into sitting ducks for the birds to prey on… Anyway, as long as you can avoid leaving yourself completely open, even the most opportunistic beasts would know to keep their distance!”

“Why do I have the feeling that I just heard a very obvious death flag-”

*BOOM*

Once the first of many trees got cut down, a loud rumbling muffled whatever Hiro was about to tell me. Before long, it was difficult to know whether the ground or my ward was shaking more, especially when the latter could barely get a grip on himself.

Seeing this, I could only slap the fella on the back and give him my most reassuring smile.

“Relax, will ya? What people say about getting left behind? All jokes, I’m telling you! Even if you are too tired to keep up, someone will simply escort you to an outpost and leave you there for the rest of the journey. Plus, as long as people try their best and don’t stop for anything short of a decapitation, no one will be able to blame them!”

“Oh wow… Very reassuring… I feel so reassured already… Yippee…”

Another quake, another shake of the head, though the scion seemed much more composed this time around.

“If you’re still worried, then know this-” Having lent a paw to help Hiro steady himself, I proceeded to look him in the eyes. “-I’ll always be there to watch your back. You’re my ward, my responsibility, and I’d be damned to let anything bad happen to you! That’s a promise!”

“I… I see…”

In the distance, the sound of trees being felled was growing ever farther away. Behind us, a shout from some fetchers at the tail end of our caravan revealed that nothing was amiss.

“Isa?”

“Hm?”

“Thank you.”

“Hm~”

With one simple command from the watcher, the head of our caravan began to move as a single unit. Soon enough, another order, prompting the middle group to take off as well.

I crouched low, making sure that my crates and pack basket remained tightly secured for the long trip ahead. My ears easily picked up movements from the surrounding young ones, Hiro included, who tried to mimic my actions to a tee.

A grin of amusement must have made its way onto my lips. Of course, I wouldn’t know, for my mind was now solely focused on the horizon, where a path littered with stumps awaited us all.

Then, one final shout signaled our full departure, and it was finally time for a new journey to commence.

- - -

“Chaos”, “confusion”, “calculated movements” and “unforeseeable consequences”… Right now, such words certainly made for an apt description of the madness that had taken over Bright Land…

“The end… The end is near!!!”

“Where is the chosen one? Where are those heroes when we need them!?”

“The nobles have turned their back on us! The prince is weak! This country is doomed!!!”

Be it day or night, an invisible shadow continued to tighten its tendrils around the mass, threatening to suffocate whatever light still remained within their heart…

“We can no longer put our faith in the nobility or the royal family! The Church is no better, either! They have long stopped sending their paladins to protect us!”

“But.. but their blessings have always kept us safe from monsters…”

“What good can those blessings do against the cursed weapons of those “cultists”!? Hell, the “cult” has always kept its promises and left us good folks alone… The only reason New Dreams got destroyed was because of its sins, just like what Bogeyman warned us!”

“Hey, keep your voice down. The guards…”

As darkness crept its way into one’s hearth and home, a great horror loomed over the kingdom…

“I say the truth! You, guardsman! Have you heard what the nobles at New Dreams did behind closed doors? Their vile pacts with those power-hungry warlords from the east!?”

“That’s enough! The cult used us, you old fool! Have you forgotten how-”

“At least they kept their words, unlike the nobles who had left us to starve! The cult’s war is against the corrupted ones who have defiled the chosens’ blood! Us good folks have nothing to do with this mess!”

Soon enough, a mysterious echo could be heard, promising relief to the weary souls…

“As long as we stay out of this fight, nothing bad will happen to us! Down with the nobles! Power to the people!”

“Power to the people! Power to the people!”

A tragic end seemed inevitable…

However…

“WAIT!!!”

“Everyone, listen to us! We carry news from Eagle’s Landing!”

“The saintess has returned- Our prince and saintess announced that- The island folks- An alliance-!”

“A new holy edict-! The fifth chosen finally-!”

The bright light had not been truly extinguished. Not yet, and definitely not today…

“Tsk…”

With that, the shadow slunk back into its dark corner. Scheming. Plotting. Waiting for a chance to strike once more…

“Soon, Mr. “Hero”...” It vowed, casting a hateful gaze north. “Soon…”