"Let’s head home,” she whispered, giving him a gentle scratch behind the ears.

The dog wagged his tail, his gaze fixed on her with the fierce loyalty only a lifelong friend could offer.

Back at the cottage, she shared a small piece of dried meat with him. For the next month, they spent every day together. They roamed the forest, hunted small animals to eat, and shared quiet moments under the stars. They laughed, they played, and each night, they slept close, his soft warmth protecting her from the cold.

One Month Later...

One quiet evening, they sat by the lake, gazing up at the clear night sky. A lone, bright star shone above, casting its light across the water. It was a comet ☄️. They say if you wish something now, your wish will be fulfilled.

The girl sighed, her eyes on the star. “I wish we could stay like this forever,” she whispered, a hint of sadness in her voice. “Just us, safe and happy.”

The dog, sensing her emotions, nudged her hand with his nose, silently promising he’d protect her, no matter what.

She smiled, brushing away a tear. “I know you will.”

But their happiness would be short-lived.

At dawn, the dog stirred, filled with a sudden idea—a small surprise for his friend. He wanted to hunt something special for her, to make her smile with pride. With a quiet bark, he slipped out into the forest, his heart brimming with purpose.

When he returned, everything had changed.

The little cottage lay in ruins—its door ripped from its hinges, furniture thrown everywhere. The girl was gone.

“No…” His heart pounded as panic washed over him. Desperately, he sniffed the air, catching a faint hint of her scent. Without another thought, he bolted forward, following her trail with a single-minded determination. He wouldn’t rest until he found her.

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The scent led him through the village, past startled townsfolk who barely had time to react. Soon, he spotted a carriage just outside the village, his girl’s scent still lingering around it.

With a fierce growl, he leapt, biting one of the horses on its leg. The horse reared back, and the carriage jolted to a sudden halt. Inside, he glimpsed his girl, her hands tied, eyes wide with shock and then relief as she saw him.

“Benji!” she cried, her voice filled with hope.

It was the first time, She called him with a name.

Before he could reach her, a tall, armoured swordsman stepped in his path, sword gleaming in hand, his eyes cold and focused.

“You should’ve stayed away, mutt,” the swordsman sneered, lifting his blade.

But just then, a faint shimmer appeared around the carriage—a barrier erected by mysterious figures who had slipped in to help. The dog could sense it: the swordsman was now locked out, unable to reach the girl or the carriage. But the barrier wouldn’t hold forever.

Desperate to protect her, the dog growled and lunged at the swordsman. They fought fiercely, his teeth flashing, his claws digging in as he attacked with every ounce of strength he had. The swordsman, a deadly opponent, blocked his moves, his eyes flashing with anger and frustration as he realized he couldn’t pursue his target with this tenacious creature in his way.

The dog knew his time was short. He could feel his strength fading, but he wouldn’t stop—not when his girl’s life was at stake. His mind was a blur of desperation, a single thought echoing in his heart:

“If only I were stronger… I could protect her… always.”

With one final, defiant leap, he attacked, catching the swordsman off guard. But the blade was faster, slicing down with brutal precision, tearing into the dog in a series of ruthless strikes. As his world darkened, his last memory was of her face, her tear-streaked eyes, filled with love and despair as she was taken further from his reach.

The girl knelt by a small, empty patch in the forest, her heart heavy with sorrow. She was rescued by the mysterious man and his allies, she looked back, desperate to see her loyal companion once more. But all she’d seen was a blur of movement and a glint of steel as the swordsman’s wrath fell upon him.

Now, she sat alone, the emptiness in her heart almost unbearable. “If only…” she whispered, her voice breaking. “If only I were strong enough to protect you.”

She pressed her hand to her heart, vowing quietly, “I’ll never forget you. I’ll become stronger… I will kill them".