Elwin followed his tracks back towards the tomb, his fate with Fraeya behind him. Along the way, Vanima and the rest of the pack arrived and spread out behind them.

Fraeya by my side and Vanima watching my back. I'm humbled by their presence.

He stopped before a patch of vines and sat wagging his tail while panting.

Vanima ordered the pack to surround the small knoll, but Elwin's attention didn't falter from Fraeya who looked puzzled.

Oh, right. She doesn't know what's in front of her.

Claws outstretched, Elwin pawed at the plant where he wanted her attention, then looked at Fraeya expectantly.

When she armed herself, Elwin backed away and watched as she hacked away at the vines.

A hole appeared as she swung her sword and Elwin cried out in excitement. "The tomb is open!"

The forest erupted in a chorus as his pack howled in reply, "Long live our leader!"

If the outburst startled the elf, she didn't show it. Her attention focused on the dark void that welcomed those who dared to venture forth.

Walk forth and be blessed with light, my child.

Elwin whipped his head around when he heard Silvertree's voice but saw nothing. Faith in his god, he walked into the darkness.

A soft green light radiated from the plants clinging to the stone.

Fraeya joined him and they dived deeper into the unknown structure. They came across an image of a deer and buck surrounded by light in a forest carved into the wall.

She reached out and brushed her fingers across the etching. Fraeya squealed in surprise and jumped back when the two animals lit up and started moving around the room forcing them to rotate.

Elwin watched in awe as a forest manifested before his eyes. Elves now surrounded the deer and buck. Recognition hit him harder than that mother bear defending her cub.

That's you! You used to walk beside the elves, but who is she?

He hoped Silvertree would answer him, but you can't make a god do anything.

Elwin watched as the elves split into two groups. One stayed in the light and the other vanished.

"Is this the history of my people?"

Her voice shook him out of his concentration, and he glanced up and saw the confusion scrunched up in her expression. Elwin walked up beside her and brushed against her leg before the first scene vanished and was replaced by the same patch of stone.

The elves that broke away returned with a beast shrouded in darkness commanding them. Elwin could feel the hatred rolling off the creature.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

Both groups collided. Arrows rained down across the battlefield. Death didn't care who joined him. Elves who were once embraced as friends and neighbors are now reduced to an antithesis. The buck helped fight the deserters while the deer faced their leader on her own.

Silvertree vanquished the last elf corrupted, but would it be enough? The shadows ran deep, but there were still two powerful lights against the one darkness.

The beast leaped at the deer's throat and bit down before she could dodge. The entire wall flashed brighter than the sun then shrunk down to a soft glow where her body fell to the ground. Weakened by the wave of energy flowing across the forest floor, the shadow beast ran. Only a few loyal elves remained.

The deer's body rose from the ground and flashed one last time. A bone necklace with a green gem nestled in the middle now hung in the air. One of the elves took the artifact and followed Silvertree.

In the final scene, a stone building rose from the ground and the necklace was placed inside. Silvertree stood guard at the entrance and chased away the inky blackness that slithered across the ground.

When the images vanished, Elwin looked up in time to see tears streaming down Fraeya's cheeks. Her knees buckled and she fell to the ground and sobbed into his fur.

She pulled away and looked into his eyes. "Those were my ancestors. They separated and brought darkness to the forest which caused the deer to sacrifice herself. That must mean that buck is still out there protecting us."

Elwin howled, "Yes, Fraeya! Silvertree is still out there and he cares for all of us."

He licked her tears away with his tongue and nudged her towards the next room further in. She smiled and ruffled his fur before getting back on her feet and started walking. A tomb greeted them in the next chamber. Both Silvertree and the deer were carved into the sides.

Her name was Ninquelótë.

He had hoped for more from the elusive god but was glad to know her name.

Fraeya heaved the stone lid off revealing the bone necklace and its green gem. She lifted it, looked to Elwin, and smiled.

"We did it."

She moved to place it over her head but Elwin whined and bobbed his head up and down.

I'm supposed to wear it, not you.

Eyebrows crunched in thought, Fraeya asked, "It's not for me?"

Elwin jerked his head up and down then jumped on her chest with his front paws.

Her smile vanished, only to be replaced with confusion. "Can you truly understand me?"

He howled, "Yes!" and rubbed his nose into her shirt until she pushed him off.

Necklace hanging loose between her fingertips, Fraeya asked, "Were you always a wolf?"

Frowning, Elwin shook his head.

"Did that buck change you?"

He considered not answering her but decided it would be best to reply honestly, so he nodded.

"Are you an elf from my village?"

Excited that she was on the verge of discovering the truth, he howled and wagged his tail.

Once more she fell to her knees. "It can't be true, can it? You couldn't be him. You're supposed to be dead. After all, they did...after all that I did to you. Why would you come back? Elwin?"

He did the only thing he could and cuddled up against her and let Fraeya wrap her arms around him and cry.

She peeled herself off and wordlessly placed the necklace around his neck. "It makes sense that you were chosen to protect our people from the darkness. You and your father were the only ones who knew what the night hid from us."

The gemstone let out a soft glow. They left the tomb and were greeted by none other than Silvertree himself.

Congratulations Elwin and to you as well Fraeya for protecting the forest and believing in our mutual friend here.

She must have heard his words in her mind but hadn't managed to formulate a response.

You're welcome, my god. You picked a fine time to introduce yourself to her.

Fraeya whipped her head down to Elwin and asked, "Did you just talk?"

Be at peace, my child. I have built a connection between our minds.

She shook her head and said, "There's so much that I want to talk to you about, Elwin."

He shook his head and looked back to his god. There isn't any time left, is there?

My child is correct. The dark god's newest champion has been sent to lead forces against the elf village. He wants to finish what he started all those years ago.

Will you make sure she reaches the village safely?

Silvertree bowed his head and started walking towards Fraeya's home.

Elwin howled, "Pack, to me! Today we hunt!"