The wolves continued down the path deeper into the now blindingly dark forest. The wolves with their keen sense of vision lead the way, making it less difficult for them to be lost in the otherwise disorientating darkness. The oil lamp, having been half emptied to treat the wounded wolf now was starting to flicker and die out as the night sky consumed it.

“Kotori, I couldn’t help but notice your eyes widened when Snow spoke of an Insignia.”

“Yes… Mr. Rabbit. Ever since I was little, I wished I could have an Insignia power of my own.”

“How did you learn about the Insignias, if you lived in a village with such few people?”

“Ah… Aunt Komina taught me about them. She used to live in the capital in her younger years, when King El was a young prince. She would meet the most powerful of Insignia users in the ranks of the armies, the merchants and even the King himself, who wielded the powers of the Bravery Insignia.” Kotori’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

“If she loved it in the capital so much, why did she leave?”

“Tensions grew worse between two faction families, the Crimson and the Scarlet kingdoms. They started to segregate the land, and the citizens grew more and more disdain towards each other. Aunt Komina and the others in my village, and these who wanted to escape the ensuing violence of the two kingdoms came, forming villages in the forests, outside the jurisdiction of the two kingdoms. At least that way, we could live off the land, in peace.

“And yet those wolves disturb that very peace…” I commented.

“But I can feel it in my gut. These wolves aren’t like that. The lead wolf, Snow… I feel a sense of a broken heart in his aura. That’s why I just can’t get myself to be overly protective over whether or not we should follow him. Look carefully, the way his left leg limps with every step. He’s always in pain, whether physically or mentally.”

“Oh. You really do have a keen sense of the people around you, Mr. Rabbit. Does that have to do with your healing abilities?”

“You could say that, I suppose.” I chuckled a little at Kotori’s observation.

“Kotori…. Were you with her when Aunt Komina fled?”

“Yes. I was under her care those days. She was a caregiver for abandoned and bastard children, those with no one to love them. Unwanted children.”

“Kotori…. Were you…”

Kotori paused for a second, and shed a single tear.

“Ah… haha…. Look at how pathetic I am. I have a family that loves me. Aunt Komina, Kojirou, Geoff, Kobasa… ALl my dearest family. Aunt Komina always told me, family has nothing to do with blood. Family is about those who care about you, those who love you, and those who you are happy most with. My blood parents were not my true family. The village is my true family.”

I slip out of my wicker basket to quickly embrace Kotori’s hand with my soft fluffy fur.

Kotori smiled, the sadness on her mind melting away.

Little one, we are almost here. Do not be alarmed if the other wolves act surprised. They have learned that humans distrust them but I have taught them time and time to never hate.

“Understood,” I replied as I relayed the message to the others.

We entered a cave otherwise concealed by the dense forestry we have been traveling through.

It isn’t much, but I will ask that you get the best of accomodations possible.

When we entered, the wolves in the cave stared at us with great concern, until Snow gestured to the wolves to stand down.

In synchronicity, the wolves bowed their heads for us.

For now, please feast then sleep for the night. You are weary and hungry. I shall bring you accomodations of berries that you may eat.

A smaller wolf pup gestured us towards a dry leaf cornucopia of berries that sat on a rock.

“Are you sure these are safe to eat Kotori?” Geoff asked.

Kotori grabbed one particularly juicy looking berry

My fellow brethren. Today these honoured humans saved the life of one of our own. Through their knowledge, Tamaru was saved from death’s grasp. They are good people and shall be treated as such as our honoured guests for the night.

The wolves begin to howl in unison, signifying our fraternity to them. It was quite ironic to see myself, a rabbit amongst a pack of wolves.

We head to our straw nested beds to which the wolves gestured. Though rugged and highly uncomfortable, we met our night with closed eyes, and tranquility.

…

The birds sang as the fire crackled. It was early in the morning, and my mother and father are still asleep. My little brother, sleeping nearby with a sweet smile. A smile I want to protect at all costs. The previous hunt had been a shame, a hart a size even father was proud of, slipping beyond our jaws yet again. My little brother tried his very best at the takedown, only to get stomped into the grass. I still remember those words of anger when he missed his opportunity.

“Dammit it. I’m such a fool. I let down everyone again!” my brother howled in anguish, lowering his head like that of a disciplined child.

“You did your best. I’ll track the hart down for you. The steps he made make it very apparent where he has gone. Thank you, little brother.”

“Hehe… thanks big brother. You truly are everything a little bro could ask for.”

I brushed my brother’s dirtied gray coat with my nose, and playfully nudged his head afterwards. Ack.. something bit me on the nape of my neck.

“You’re always a little troublemaker aren’t you,” I joked.

“You know it!”

We laughed away his insecurities, as he returned back to the den, me towards the direction of the last spotted prey.

…

To my little brother’s credit, he was able to leave a gashing wound on the hart, leaving a noticeable blood trail in the ground. If my brother persisted to continue the hunt, he would have no issue taking down the beast. Almost as if he knew I would step in, he admitted defeat so early, relying on me to do everything yet again.

I focus my vision on the grass below my feet, sniffing for the scent of blood. The familiar ironclad scent filled my sensitive nostrils, moistening my lips for the taste of flesh.

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

The blood noticeably staggered in it’s trail, suggesting the beast struggled to get away. There was no way it was that difficult for my brother to follow the beast.

The hart must have taken a trail back to its den, to tend its wounds. The trail of blood grew larger and larger as I follow the wake of it’s trail, until I saw a dark cave, where the beast laid, gasping for breath.

It laid there pitifully, eyes wide at it’s impending doom, face lying on the dirty soiled ground. I stare pitifully at the weakened beast, and deliver the finishing blow.

… It never gets easier.

“Father… I’ve returned from the hunt of the hart the size of a boar…

And yet, the den laid eerily silent.

“Brother? Are you here?”

Yet again, not a sound to be made.

My spine began to chill as I realized what had happened.

In front of me, laid the corpse of my father, with piercing wounds in his chest. Next to him, one bastard hunter with a gaping wound in his chest, another without an arm.

The gravity of the setting sucked up the breath in my lungs, and I collapsed to the ground in shock. Everyone was dead, and my brother was nowhere to be seen.

…

I woke up to the sound of whistling leaves, and a beaming light that started to illuminate the cave. Kotori was hugging me in her sleep, probably subconsciously. Her tender fingers grasped on my belly made me very ticklish, once I regained my consciousness from a deep sleep.

I suppose I will stay asleep for a while longer so as to not disturb Kotori. While she dreams of sweet things, I could not hold my sleep any longer. What I saw last night was unsettling.

Nice to see you are awake, little one.

Snow?

Yes. It is me. Do you feel better rested?

Yeah. Thank you for your accommodations. Last night… I had a terrible dream…

Tell me more, little one.

I dreamed of a wolf returning from a hunt to find his father dead, along with whom I presume the attackers, brother missing from the scene.

How did you dream of such an incident!

Do you know something about this dream?

It bears a striking resemblance to my troubled past. I do think it was but a coincidence.

You had a little brother before, didn’t you.

Yes. His name was Blood. He’s the very one troubling your village.

Why…

It’s all my fault, for not taking better care of him. Do not tell the others, or I may never redeem myself.

Alright.

Kotori mumbled as she slowly opened her eyes, while Geoff still laid asleep, oblivious to the time of day.

“Eh…” Kotori squealed as she realized she was grabbing onto me like a stuffed toy.

“Sorry, Mr. Rabbit…” Kotori apologized sheepishly.

“It’s alright. If I am to live like a bunny, I should probably get used to it.”

“That doesn’t mean I can just hug you like a blanket! You still have your dignity!”

I chuckled, which oddly enough sounded like little sneezes from a rabbit.

Little ones, are you prepared to meet the insignia holder we discussed.

“Ah.. I remember. Where are they.”

Her name is Lucretia. A motherly wolf to many pups, found herself gaining affinity to the plants around her.

“Affinity… to the plants?” Kotori questioned with a confused face.

Yes. Plants just keep growing around her. Where she sleeps, it leaves a trail of ivy and vines. And… they’re not normal plants. They seem to make the other wolves feel unwell.

“Kotori… could that really be the fault of an Insignia, or is that simply just a coincidence,” I questioned.

“Aunt Komina knows alot about the wild plants and Insignias from her earlier days. Perhaps she could help us out!” Kotori blurted.

I looked around me, and the cave was devoid of any plant life.

“There are not any ivy or vines that you speak of around us.”

Yes, because we have exiled her to slumber only in the forests. It was a hard decision, but a necessary one.

“Where can we find her?”

She slumbers deep in the northern forest. I will escort you to her.

Kotori headed towards Geoff, and nudged him over.

“Huh..” Geoff grunted in confusion.

“Geoff, we need to go,” Kotori pleaded.

…

Lucretia how are you feeling.

In the depths of the forest, laid a petit she-wolf, who laid in the grass, gazing at the clouds above her head. Beneath her gaze, lay a bed of ominously purple flowers, emitting a honeyed sweet scent.

“Ever since I’ve felt these… these unworldly powers, I have been in paradise. I feel no hatred, no sadness, no remorse,” Lucretia responded.

That’s not normal.

“No. Snow. You don’t get it. I’ve been flowing with the water that flows in the river, singing with the birds. I feel… at one with the nature around me.”

And those flowers?

“They are my children. My soul. They are beautiful. Every each and every last one of them.”

“... Those flowers look familiar,” Geoff squinted, taking a closer look at the flower.

“That’s a…” Geoff stumbled.

“...a Veternum Puella, the VP flower. Known for its sedative and hallucinogenic properties.”

… Has her newfound ‘Insignia’ powers been spawning to life these psychedelic flowers…

“Snow. We need to take Lucretia back to the village to cure her ailments. We can treat her condition.”

Kotori quickly grabbed hold of Lucretia, still entranced by those flowers, attempting to haul her away.

“NO! GET OFF ME!” Lucretia growled and aimed to bite Kotori.

Geoff quickly knocked the wolf out of reach of Kotori, the sheer force causing Lucretia to roll over.

“HOW DARE YOU!” Lucretia howled.

Geoff quickly reached for his hatchet, but Kotori shook her head, clearly directing Geoff not to.

Lucretia lunged forwards towards Geoff, but Snow, who had been anticipating this engagement, sprinted from the side, biting the nape of Lucretia’s neck, breaking her stamina.

“Ahh… ah…” Lucretia whispered, as what left of her consciousness slipped.

“Um… umm..” the startled Kotori murmured. “Terraqilin… we need some to sedate her for longer, as we escort her back to the village.

“Yeah.. that makes sense,” Geoff agreed, taking some Terraqilin out of Kotori’s basket, which had scattered across the bed of flowers.

“How are we going to cure Lucretia?” I questioned Kotori.

“Grandpa Kojirou knows a way. Leave that to him, Mr. Rabbit,” Kotori replied.

“Then let us head back.” I commanded.