"Syin ,we are near the palace.Should we proceed?" Joln turned to look at his former best friend only to find a shadow of that.

Syin was like a dead man walking.He lacked energy in every way possible.He didn't look at all the gallant alpha prince of the ferocious nightwalker pack..He was like an old man hanging onto life by a thread and he wasn't even enthusiastic about that success of his efforts.

Thankfully it's night time otherwise Syin s perfectly chisel would be illuminated and what would be on display would a grotesque figure enough to give a child trauma for many days, or worse still to have Syin be the living description of the scary creatures that are found in folktales and story books.

As Joln turned all the other wolves turned as well and all peered at Syin

The wolf in question was walking about ten feet away and it was obvious to think that he had his eyes closed because as he walked he tripped to a tree root and he landed in his fours.

The second he did that a young wolf stormed from the pack to aid him but he didn't succeed.Joln had outstretched his arm and blocked him from running to Syin.

Everyone in the pack was shocked at this.Why would Joln not want Syin to be helped??

The young wolf that was stopped looked over to Joln and it was obvious that the young wolf's patience was running thin quicker than a thunder bolt.

"Sticks and stones can't break a mountain but only the storm inside can", Joln remarked Joln .He spoke calmly like he couldn't be bothered even if that fall broke some of Syin s bones.

The other wolves were still bewildered but as soon as Joln said this most of them had a clue of what that means.But they choose to play dumbfounded because I'm a case where Ryle is involved it's always better to yield..

The young wolf became less tenser but was still on edge

"But we still have to help", he barked.

"Do you think he wants your help??!!!", roared Joln.As he turned to face the young wolf his eyes and changed colour to gold and his pupils had become like slits instead of circular.He looked more serpentine than he did wolf.

As the wolf saw this he backed away , and obeyed .He knows never to mess with an angry wolf ever.

The truth if the matter is not that Joln was a snake.Its just that he was overwhelmed.

Who does this wolf think he is by daring to help Syin when he himself dares not come closer to him. Syin only wants that twig called Ryle even though Ryle is just a kid.He has completely replaced all the memories of him and Syin with those of Ryle all because of whatever heated argument he had with Valian.

For peacesake why is Joln the one getting burned when all he is trying to do is be there for Syin. And for how long are they going to be perfect strangers.Syin cant possibly expect Joln to just forget him like he has has forgetten Joln or rather replaced him..

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As these words rushed through his mind, he got really angry and the veins in his forehead started to twitch.His jaw was clenched and his teeth were microseconds from being ground together. He hyperventilated so visibly , that no one dared to come close to him.

Joln had folded his fists so hard they seemed to tear off his knuckles.This over his fist was getting pale asisthe rest of his face.And the more he did that,the more the fire seemed to burn.All he wantito do right now was to transfom and disappear from this whole facade..

"Joln, it's not their fau...", whisper Syin while still on his fours

"Save it Syin!!! I am sick of all of this.There is only so much one can take",with that Joln walked furiously ahead. He was fuming and was on the verge of tears and those were not tears of just being hurt but they were accompanied with the feeling of helplessness and betrayal.

Syin is well aware of how frustrating it is for Joln to be in this dilemma all the time. He hasn't forgotten the times they spent together, that will never materialise.The place that Joln and Valian have in Syin s heart would never been replaced by anyone in this world, not even Ryle or Yevana.Its just that their positions in his heart are just empty spaces that are slowly and gradually fading away..Yes it hurts him too to know that his friend is suffering because of him.He also wishes he could relate to what Joln is feeling but that would just be mocking him.The reason being that Syin doesn't hurt at all but heaven knows he wishes he could break down and mourn their dying friendship.He knows because of this very reason Joln believes that Syin doesn't care.But what does he want him to do?Fake it? And then he will blame him again for being ingenuine?

Anyway he knows very well that all Joln wants is for things to go back to the way they used to be , when it was the three of them against the world. When no one or nothing could ever come between them..

But all for that is gone.Their union is broken and all that's left is ashes of what used to be a bond engraved in the stars.They can never be as close as they used to be and even if they tried to make it work it won't be as innate as it used to feel They would basically just be forcing matters.Then what would be the point of hanging on to a crumbling pillar, what would be the point of smiling when everyone knows it's fake and what would be the point of being together when everyone would rather just be alone..

It's not easy to accept that something that used to mean both silver and gold fused with diamonds to you is no longer there, more especially when you kept seeing its fragments in your eyes.And the worst part is not knowing why...

Anyway Syin proceeded to stand up from the ground.He then whisked his hand to instruct the young wolves to proceed ahead and that they did.

Syin regained his posture and now more than ever he feels worse.On top of feeling whatever it is that he is feeling, Joln just chosen the worst time of all to be upset.If he could only believe that this sadness does weigh on Syin much more than he thinks.

Because he knows Joln , the only reason he would storm off after getting angry is so he goes to cry.Of course Syin wants to follow Joln and console but he is afraid.One Joln might push him away and telling him to shove his chivalry were the sun doesn't shine.And that on its own will punch a hole through Syin s heart but even then his ice won't let him cry or beg Joln.And he doesn't display emotion, it's goin to hurt Joln even more and his pain is Syin s guilt.

Second of all, if just if Joln doesnt push him away ,they might get into a deeply charged conversation.One thing will lead to the the other and eventually Joln is going to ask that ice forming question for the millionth time

'What happened to us'

And for the millionth time Syin is not going to answer this question .Its not that he is clueless,no, he knows the answer to that question.Its just that he can't bring himself to answer such a question because a lot is skating on it and a lot means a huge lot.

The last time , that Joln got heated like this, Syin followed him as he stormed to his bedroom