Chapter 7

BOOM! Trees are shattered as the ground trembles... A few more flashes of lightning streak down.. Multiple craters are evidently visible. Two figures can seen facing each other. The wind continues to howl…the rain pours down with great intensity… " "Aren't you going to comment on that? Like hey that lightning was pretty close.. maybe we should move to a new location" Of course I don't say that out loud given the severity of the situation.

I ponder.. this figure appeared out of nowhere.. I thought to ask him directions but the hard look in his eyes caused me to rethink that idea. At present I've been standing here for awhile now.. my back is getting a bit sore. At this rate I might even catch a cold given the rain… my ears prick up as movement in the brush off to the side can be heard…

"Number 3 is that you!? Thank God I ran into you! I got lost.. then there was this bear… dude I nearly died! A silence encompasses the two figures. He pauses and glances in your direction, his head swivels back and forth between the two of you... "Hey wait, what is this…? was there a party going on that I was not invited to? Although Number 2 says this in a joking manner, I notice his stance has changed. A metal disc slips into his hands.. I assume a shuriken.

"Careful Number 2, I feel a terrifying presence coming from.." "Awhooo!" A monstrous-sized figure can be seen emerging from the forest.. snow white fur… with a pair of emerald eyes that seem to shine with intelligence. The creature ruffles its fur as I start to feel some sort of intangible force bear down. No one moves, neither you nor the two other figures. A low growl sounds from the creature. "Number 3 quick quick think of something.. your good at escaping these sort of situations right?.." Number 3 looks on solemnly..

Taking a closer look at the creature… "mmmh yep definitely a King among wolves.. the possibility of escaping this sort of situation is like the time when I tried to escape from that apple merchant.. caught with an apple in hand…" I chuckle to myself. Number 2 looks over incredulously… "Admirable, he can still laugh in such a situation." "Please focus Number 2.. even the slightest variable could lead to our demise. This area seems to be the creature's territory so as long as we just show we have no intention of intruding we should be okay" Number 3 kindly supplies to Number 2.

"Grumble…grumble" my stomach makes itself known. "Hmm can't be helped.." I carefully take out a chicken drumstick from underneath my robe.. I picked it up this morning before setting off. My hands fumble.. the drumstick falls to the ground... "…" The wolf gazes over coldly.. "Nooo my chicken drumstick!.." I cry inwardly.

The wolf takes a sniff before it slowly strides over… I watch in slow motion as the creature takes a bite.. "awhoo.." feeling a nudge.. the creature stands slightly in front of me. It appears the wolf is signaling for me to leave. Slightly bewildered but nonetheless I slowly start to walk away..

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"Incredible, he is a beast tamer too!" However the two figures surprisingly make no attempt to stop you from leaving.The wolf takes a step forward towards the two dark figures.. "Oh hey hey… we were just leaving Mr. Wolf. Isn't that right Number 3? Ha ha.." The wolf takes another step.. at this point I have made my way quite far from the area.. Dark tall trees surround me. "Awhooo!" can be heard in the distance followed by the sounds of fighting…

As I wander through the forest trying to get a sense of direction a breeze ruffles my robes... snow covers the grass as the temperature drops. Stars glitter in the night sky as I vaguely make out a cave in the distance. "The question is.. is that cave safe..?.. Probably not.." I muse. A flash of lightning streaks across the sky.. the rain continues to pour down.. "Screw it.. " I venture in..

***

Some time passes.. a trembling figure can be seen next to a small fire within the cave.. a creature approaches, it's snout twitches as its left paw stops in mid motion. It gazes slightly to the side.. sniff.. sniff..

I awake.. from what I can tell it is still night, although I'm not entirely sure since I am in a cave… I hear a shuffle in the distance…glancing over.. I make out what looks to be a small wolf pup excitedly searching throughmy knapsack bag which I had carelessly place to the side. The pup seems to be chewing on some dried meat.. my last dried meat… as I am about to complain… the pup gazes up at me, those cute cuddly eyes softens my heart.

My legs feel a bit stiff from laying on the ice cold floor. I move slightly to sit more comfortably.. the pup gets a fright, it cautiously looks over at me.. I shrug.. the pup looks at the now empty knapsack bag before approaching… "sniff.. sniff" it pauses for a moment before surprisingly nuzzling down beside me. It seems to have taken me for its mother.. or at least not an enemy. Perhaps a trace of the mother's aura was left on me from earlier..? The pup looks up at me into my eyes… I feel a sense of loneliness.. the pup closes it's eyes as it goes to sleep.

I take a closer look at the wolf.. before wondering whether this creature is actually a wolf.. long whiskers.. quite sharp ears while also having two green stripes streaking through its mane… the mother wolf definitely did not have the green stripes.. to be honest what kind of animal this is I'm not quite sure. If Jack was here, he would know, after all he is a beast tamer.. At least I think so.. I hope so because I have heard beast-tamers are quite reputable and honorable figures. Having such a person by my side would reflect well on me also.

***

The night passes peacefully.. the rain subsides.. the chirping of birds can be heard once more. As sunlight starts to peak through the foliage."Awh-oo.. Aw..hooo…" sniff… sniff… I'm startled awake. The monstrous-sized wolf from last night trudges into the cave… wounds can be seen all over… jagged pieces of metal also lie lodge within its body… bloods drips down… the wolf collapses to the ground. The little pup tumbles back and forth as it nuzzles its mother… my heart pangs with guilt… I did leave it there after all...

The wolf seems surprised to see me but soon gestures towards the pup.. The mother wolf seems to be on its last breath… the pup looks back and forth between you two.. Its squeaky-like barks seem caught in its throat. I once more feel an intangible force but not of hostile intent… I seem to 'feel' what the mother wolf is conveying… I slowly shake my head.

The pup looks up at me… "Don't let those cute eyes fool you" I mutter to myself. Steeling my heart I proceed to walk away… "awhooo!" a small figure attempts to follow after me… I quicken my pace.. my mind grows hazy.. a memory starts to emerge.. monstrous fiends can be seen lying across the battlefield… two figures face one another… gazing over at the figure before you… my fist clenches before slowly releasing… I slowly walk away… "Hey bro.. don't go.. we can go back to how things were before.." your older brother limps after me.. "You… and I… both know… that is not possible.." I silently mutter to myself… "bro…?" the memory fades.. I pause my steps before gazing back at the pup..

To be Continued.