Back in the present time.
Allan was faced with the big eyes of the beast, which were looking at him. Not knowing what exactly was staring at him, he could tell by the sheer pressure of this gaze. Penetrative, scary, and ferocious were the words he would describe it.
“Northern beast!? They even subdued some beast from the north to get them here? Bunch of lunatics.” Allan was shocked, and in fear, stumbled by the table.
He panicked and backed away from the room which faced this window and ran upstairs. He didn't know how to deal with such a foe, but he could try.
“What to do? What to do?” he asked himself twice, while sweat was abundant on his body. Although no tears, which spoke volumes about how brave he was.
He looked around for some hints to get out of his situation, but his room had no weapons. His mind raced with ideas, but there was nothing. There are some spears and javelins which could be enough for a beast, but he wasn't sure about it. “It looks way too big, for a normal kind of beast...” He thought and tried to go down to grab as much stuff as he could.
He suddenly remembered that they had some spare oil in buckets. It could be used to put the beast on fire and deal heavy damage to wild beasts that could be afraid of the fire. “Let's give it a try. Not like I have a better idea to consider.”
With a chance in his mind, Allan ran back to the upper floor to look for a better opportunity for the angle of attack.
“It looked quite big. More than 2 meters tall, for sure.” he assumed for the second time while looking out of a window from one room that faced the side of the house. Seeing a massive wolf-like creature, it was way too big. It almost reached the second floor, but it was crouching, so it was smaller from Allan's perspective.
Alas, the beast smelled something, and it straightened itself. Allan noticed its back, which was almost visible from the second floor. It was no longer looking through the window on the first floor, while Allan was sure it wouldn't get inside. It still ignore him when he came there for the weapons, but this way, he was stuck inside. Before this situation, its front legs were folded down so it could see from the first-floor window, where it smelled something familiar.
“Huh… What does it want from me? I am not tasty or anything... Did it see me or not before? Perhaps it smelled the blood on the first floor?” Allan wondered., but couldn't know what was true or not. Down, there is a Thomas, and an unnamed Northerner who he killed. The beast would eat them, so that wasn't a bad idea at all.
So, with the spear in hand, Allan forced his bravery inside of him and moved to the window. Aiming at the back of the beast, he swung the spare without hesitation.
Clink!
It bounced away from the wolf’s fur as if it was made from tough metal. It did not even notice it before the spear fell to the ground.
Beng! Bing! Clink!
Allan struck the beast in frustration with more weapons, but nothing worked. “What the hell is this fur made of?” he complained in frustration but didn't tell it out loud, in fear of the beast's ears.
Most beasts are vulnerable to the strikes above them, but not this one. For animal hunting, spears, bows, and occasional close combat strikes with blade weapons were used for their effectiveness. A beast without weakness was a rare sign of something unusual and terrifying at the same time. Allan never heard of something like this, but hear legends of some, who lived in the mountains on the northern side of the continent. Though legends were legends, and that one was right before his home.
Allan, after looking that his blows didn't leave even a scar behind, finally came to a realization. “It is monstrously tough and hard. This isn't something that was ever recorded down anywhere. It is probably in the same category as dragons.” Allan was left speechless. He didn't know what it was here for or if it was even with the northern invasion.
He punched his chest to calm down. Grabbing a bucket of flammable oil, he tossed it through the window around its back.
Oil slid off the fur. He didn't even have a chance to light it on fire.
“Oh, no.”
Wolf stepped back and turned around in this small space for it. Looking above, it saw Allan staring at his unsuccessful plans to protect himself by his attempts. This alerted Allan, but before he had a chance, the beast jumped his front legs up and rested its paws inside. It put its snout above its paws while its eyes looked at Allan, who was panicking and backing away.
Now Allan could see the full monstrosity of this beast in full display. At least, partly, but it still counted. He could see bloodied fangs and paws that were drenched in blood, as well as a part of its head that was barely fit for the small space above its paws.
It sniffed a few times while the crimson eyes looked at him.
“Clayton’s kid?” the wolf voiced all of a sudden, after confirming its guesses.
“Huh? Y-y-you can talk?” Allan mumbled as he tried to back off from the room. His fear got hold of him, as he didn't manage to defend against this at all. He didn't even consider pulling out his flying knives, which could at least penetrate its eyes or something.
“Seeing you all scared put me in a pleasant mood. That and finally reaching my freedom.” The wolf told again, which left Allan speechless for another moment.
Gulping down, Allan asked in shock. “Y-you know my father?”
“It is of no importance right now. I will now rescue you from this place. Afterward, it isn't my problem what will happen to you.”
“I-I don’t understand. W-why? What are you?” Allan muttered, wanting to know at least something to get some sense of this shocking encounter.
“Go outside! Take whatever you want with you before we are leaving.” Giving no time to respond to Allan. It retracted its head and paws from the inside, which left Allan sitting there on the ground, stunned.
“Understand?!” Wolf howled at him from outside, which jolted Allan away. With no time to react, he went downstairs to get his already prepared things.
He glanced towards the main entrance to the door. Seeing a motionless Thomas laying by the door, he couldn't help by being angry and helpless about his fate.
“Farewell, mister Thomas, and thank you.” Allan bowed and departed from the back door.
Outside was already awaiting beast. It looked very intimidating, and its size was massive. It had sections of spiked fur on a whole body except a lesser quantity of fur on both pairs of front legs. Gray, black, and white sheens colors made it look very majestic. It didn't look like any wolf that Allan knew.
Seeing this beast in a crystal clear picture, he stumbled over some wood. He has never seen such a creature so close in his life.
“Can I know your name?” Allan asked while he summoned his courage and got up without making this any awkward. He guessed by now that this was a very special situation and this wolf was not a threat. Although, that didn't calm him down in the slightest.
“Skoll is what I am called,” Wolf answered. Light of wariness unexpectedly disappeared from his eyes, amidst the answer to his name. It may as well recall some of its memories because of it.
“What will you do? I could see the war of men on my way here. Is there some safe place in this nation, or surrounding one? Don't tell me this world is getting destroyed, or in full-on Celestial war?” Skoll asked. He knew nothing about this place, which was Clayton's home for the past 10 or so years.
Just because he was tasked with saving Clayton’s son didn’t mean he would have ways to succeed without a hitch. He came to a realization that the current situation was problematic for such a task. Wars can go on endlessly, and he was aware of it as well.
In order to make it through, he promised the safety of his kid. No matter what, that was all to it. Skoll didn't have to worry too much about his own safety in the current situation, but the safety of a mortal kid... that was another question.
On his way, all kinds of folks attacked him whose last moments ended in the claws or jaw of his attacks. It left some sort of satisfaction in Skoll's mind after being back in the regular world after a long time.
“I have an address in the main capital of this kingdom. It should be safe there. I think.” Allan replied, after remembering the help of mister Thomas. He didn't have any idea how bad was the current political situation, nor did he care. When lives were lost, they will flee for their lives and many people will act like him. Refugees will come and go to safe places. Such was the human nature and sight of war that could destroy the lives of millions of people.
“Leaving through the planes beyond these hills is the best way. There is a big mountain range where are roads and pathways towards the inland part of the kingdom.” Allan explained further from the speechless glances of Skoll, who obviously wanted to know more.
“Good. That should be enough.” Skoll nodded in approval.
“How would you like to travel? Do you want me to bite your clothes or would you prefer grabbing my tail?” Skoll asked in ridicule, unbeknown to such a terrifying beast.
“Can I just ride you instead? Sounds like a normal choice. Tail is too clumsy and you would destroy my clothes. I would slip off.”
“Huh? Ride? No way in a hundred suns I would allow you...”
Allan didn't give him a choice. Before Skoll had a chance to finish his talk, Allan climbed to his back by tossing his stuff up and grabbing the fur.
“This is so much better, anyway,” Allan said with a smile, after getting comfortable on his back, right after his neck.
Skoll was stunned by the display of this human kid. “You brat… I swear to the heavens. Freaking Damascus… He was even so scared earlier.” He thought in bitter silence, but accepted this for now, for the sake of the situation.
Jumping high into a sky beyond the hills, he started to run at the utmost speeds, which left Allan stunned. He glanced at his home before it was gone from his sight.
“If only I learned a way to get inside of the actual office of my father. I could get some good stuff from there. I never found it, though.” He thought at last, while clenching his bags, and grabbing Skoll's tough, yet surprisingly soft fur.
“It seems we have a company,” Skoll growled as he reached the early part of the plane.
There was a rider on a horse making his way to a mountain as well. The rider had seen the shocking massacre of the Skoll, so he didn't have a chance to act at all. All which was left was a path that this rider had seen, while pursuit was the only thing left. After all, this person named Rose didn't have a chance to see the appearance of Skoll.
All he could do was act according to his order, and not die because of them. Waiting for the beast to go away seemed likely, but that didn't happen. If the kid would end up dead, that wouldn't be good at all.
“Cloaked figure with a face mask. Huh?” Allan looked at him from Skoll's back. It reminded him of the figure he had seen back then on the street with his father. Although his assumptions were wrong this time.
“I am much faster than him. Hmph!” Skoll added, with no concerns over a mortal horse. He wasn't the least bit bothered with it as he strove in a big pushed leap into the forest and mountain range which spanned long distances. He reached the end of the plane in no time and entered the path of towards the main capital.
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1 hour later.
Inside a mountain range that spanned hundreds of kilometers. Skoll, with Allan on top, traveled throughout the forest on a high slope. Allan thought it would be better to be as careful as possible, so he had chosen the forest section of this mountain range. Not giving many chances to meet anyone was better, considering the war, and the rider, who was clearly interested in him, or Skoll.
Skoll didn't care for either, since he only needed to take Allan to some safe location and be done with it. If everything ends up well, it is going to be perfect for him, which caused him to be happy.
Unfortunately, not all worries could come in disappointment. Some would go into the tremendous, extended sights.
High in the sky, flying through the air, was a huge eagle. One which had dozens of meter wide wingspan. On top of it were seated two figures. One bald old man in dark robes, who was stroking his short bear and looking down in the focused gaze of experience and loftiness. Cuts and deep bruises, which didn't heal scarred his scalp. He had a short black beard. Behind him was an ordinary-looking man with normal features, but he had a huge scar across his face for almost half of his face.
This was a master of Meng, known as Lord Gao. He took his servant if there were some troubles, and he did well. According to what his disciple said, there will be troubles coming to this mortal world. The beast was very powerful according to his words, but he couldn’t describe potential troubles. They could end up encountering something unknown.
Lord Gao continued looking from a high attitude. The sight of the whole mountain range was right below their eyes. Watching out for the big wolf shouldn’t be a problem, but he was unsuccessful so far.
“They shouldn’t flee too far away, but l am not sure of the wolf’s speed. These are mountains, though. It shouldn’t be too fast.” He guessed thanks to his experience.
Earlier, Meng explained the situation. He assumed that Clayton’s son would already be taken away sooner rather than later. He didn't guess the words Clayton muttered to Skoll, but it was plain to see that it was a situation where the father wanted to protect his son. It would be too late to make the move, but forcing his master was the best he could do. His only saving grace was his earlier servant, who he sent after Allan. He provided some intel on their whereabouts and directions, which helped to save some time.
Understanding it and dealing with it was a major concern of his. He wanted to be sure, so he summoned his master. His deal was if he dealt up with both of them, Meng would keep the kid and his master would keep the wolf. Injured, alive,, or dead.
It didn’t take long, and with more than dozens of minutes of looking, they discovered what they wanted. From a high perspective from above, Lord Gao noticed moving shadows under the trees.
“There they are.” He glared at his servant. “You will take care of the kid if they separate.”
“Yes, master!” The man bowed in confirmation.
Alas, knowing was great, it was time for the hunt to start. Lord Gao motioned his eagle to glide through the air. Getting around the hill to lay an ambush, he prepared his favorite trick up his sleeve.
Meanwhile, Allan was enjoying his time. Hugging Skoll by his thick fur. He originally thought they would be tough to deal with, but he found them to be soft to the touch. They still had some strong and strange resilience, but he didn't find the reason for it.
“How warm…” Allan muttered.
“This kid... I would be a laughingstock in my homeland if they saw him riding on me like this.” Skoll thought to himself. His eyes shined in a different light, as he probably didn't find it that bad.
“Mister Skoll?” Allan asked after some thought of conversation.
“Skoll is just fine. I am no mister to anyone.”
“Alright. How is my father? Truthfully! Is there some way to help him, or is he stuck in a war?”
“You could say that. I do not care.” Skoll said indifferently.
“But I care!! He is my father. If I could, I would help him.”
“You are just a kid. If your father raised you better, it may be different, but all I see is a brat. A mortal brat of... How old are you, anyway?”
Allan thought for a moment. “13.”
“Humph! That is already a good time for becoming powerful. I assume from your earlier expression that your father never talked about me or mention me? Am I right?”
“Yes, he had never mentioned anything about a humongous wolf-like beast. He never taught me much profound knowledge, but he cared about me a lot, behind my back…”
“Your father won’t come back to you, but you can go back to your father.” Said Skoll in sentiment, before suddenly stopping, as he remembered something important.
“Right. Your father gave something to me. It is for you as he let me go.” Skoll had almost forgotten about the little task he gave him.
He spitted a piece of cloth from his mouth.
“Is that? Oh… that piece of cloth that father had at that moment.” Allan remembered the cloth from yesterday. He jumped down and looked at it closely. Saliva, blood or whatnot, it didn't bother him.
“Wait. There is only a single hammer on this one. I am sure there were two when I've seen it before.” Allan thought to himself while noticing it straight away.
There was still something else. He wondered what sort of relationship Skoll had with his father, but he didn't dare to act and ask him. It seemed something more was going on behind the scenes, which Allan had no clue about.