As the little boy rushed in the Nature Wolf was sitting on the side lines with his senses fully active as he scanned the nearby forest. Fights against king-like figures such as the Golden Tortoise would naturally attract the attention of other figures at the top of the food chain and those who wish to scavenge from the remains of such a fight. It is also why there are rarely such fights for progression within the forest for fear of lowly scavengers finishing you off prevents such fights.
A wolf-like grin appeared on the Nature Wolf's face as he watched his beloved pack member expertly dodge another thick spike. Using the power of the forest itself due to his life and death crisis he finally started commanding the very forest to fight the Golden Tortoise. The wolf did not explain to the little boy how he fully awoke his own abilities but it required him to put his life on the line. The wolf was not human but had intelligence that was the same if not greater than a human and used his annoyance of the little boy to cover up the real truth of this expedition.
Coughing lightly, bleed slowly started to seep out of the wolf's mouth. Swallowing down the bitter blood once more, the wolf stabilized his inner energy once more before casting his senses outwards once more. Hearing the snapping of branches and the rustling of grass he realized that the vultures have come as they must have heard the fighting from miles away.
As the fight began to tone down due to the forest forming green spikes of hardened grass into the openings of the Golden Tortoise, the surroundings began to get louder as dozens of weaker beasts emerged from the thickets. Mutated dog-like creatures, slithering obsidian snakes, and horned rabbits all came out of the grass works. As the fight finally concluded the little boy passed out due to energy consumption and the beasts in turn pounced.
A roar filled with pressure that could make even a prideful dragon bow emitted throughout the clearing. The Nature Wolf came out of hiding standing tall and regal, as if a sovereign looking down at mortal servants. The beasts all shivered in fear and froze or quickly darted away at the sight. The one's that stood stock still got another reminder of the wolf's might as powerful spikes of hardened grass tore through them ten times faster and stronger than the little boy's spikes. Finally the rest got the message and scampered away leaving a forest floor akin to an ancient battlefield filled with corpses and the stink of blood and flesh.
Grabbing onto the naked neck of the little boy the wolf darted off and made several zig zagging motions before coming back to their original cave. The wolf stood guard for an entire week before the little boy woke up with a start and a battle cry. Seeing that he is alive he jumped up from his resting spot and jumped up and down before the weariness of having no energy for an entire week caught up to him. Falling back down, he grunted as he looked over to his mentor, leader, and family member.
The wolf looked back at him with a wolfish grin but his eyes said something else. Placing a paw onto the chest of the little boy he started pouring energy far too pure to be normal energy intake he's ever had. Before he can protest he felt an ancient voice crash into his consciousness that rattled even his very soul speaking in a melancholic but proud voice.
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“My son, I thank you for giving me what I could never achieve before. I, Graphus, am grateful that I found you when I was searching for someone to inherit all that I am. I wished to couple and mate with another of my species and let my off spring take my mantle but I could not find another like myself. Maybe this is fate, or the Spirit World showing its benevolence and kindness for keeping the outer regions of this forest clean and pure. Whatever the reason, thank you child, and I wish for you to do one last favor before I pass away.”
Tears started to spring from the little boy's face as he realized his only family member was leaving him.
The wolf didn't say it but the gut feeling and the sad tone in the mental voice being projected to him told him everything. Hearing his request though gave the child a resolute look to his face as he scrunched up his hands.
“I would have told you before but I fear you would not have been ready to hear the truth. Us nature wolves are actually spirits with a physical body. We live for a thousand years at maximum and must then recycle our physical body and enter the Spirit Realm in order to add our experiences and power to the Spiritual. I pushed my body in order to train you and then overdid it in protecting you from other predators when you passed out. Do not blame yourself. I will return to the Mortal Realm in a thousand mortal years. One year in the Spiritual Realm is ten years in the Mortal Realm therefore I will spend 100 years to recuperate within the Spiritual Realm. You will know all of the full intricacies of these Realms in good time but know that if you gain enough strength you will still be alive when I come back into this world.”
Nodding once more the little boy stood stock still and silent, awaiting the wolf's final request.
“I shall bear upon you my legacy. In return, I wish for you to take up my mantle and be Graphus, Guardian of Nature!”
As the wolf spoke the last part, the little boy's soul seemed to rattle. Instead of fear the child felt excitement as he nodded to the request. Nodding, the wolf flooded the little boy with all the excess energy he can risk before his very soul seemed to come out of his mortal body. A lustrous golden wolf with complete tale and ears came out of the green wolf before it turned to ashes before the little boy's very eyes.
Before the little boy fainted he felt a voice even more ancient then the wolf rock his entire consciousness as it left an imprint on his soul.
“Child, as a Guardian of Nature, know this. Banish all those who wish to destroy this land and in return you are granted the Nature affinity. Uncommonly known as the Divine Element!”
Finally, the little boy felt no more. The energy coming off him before being absorbed into him collapsed the cave inwardly, sealing the little boy within.