They walked for what felt like days through the tight tunnels that smelled of fug and felt hot and sticky. They only stopped to rest when Sino noticed the teen start to lag. The entrance of the main cave finally appeared. Water droplets dripped from stalactites and stalagmites, creating an effect that looked like the jaws of rock. Sino kicked a rock over. The jaws snapped shut.

“Shitake.” Sino said. “Any idea how to get through?”

The teen shook his head.

“Ok lets rest again and think about how to pass.” Sino stared at the jaws. He waved a hand between careful to do it quick. The jaws didn’t snap. He cocked his head to the side. “Come over here.” He looked to Danada. The teen nodded and eyed the jaws. “Give me your hand.”

The boy’s hand was ice cold and shook.

“Its okay.” Sino tried to reassure him. While holding Danada’s hand, he waved their clasped hands under the jaws. It didn’t move. “Maybe it’s a test of faith. I think we are to just walk through.” He guessed.

“You think the oracles live in the belly of a rock creature?” Danada pulled his hand back.

“No. I think its charmed. Its not living.”

“I don’t know.”

“I thought you wanted to see the oracles. This is just another test. Have faith that your intentions are pure.”

“Are yours?” It slipped out. Danada covered his mouth. “My apologies. I didn’t mean it like that.”

“If anyone should know my intentions, it will be the oracles, right? They are connected with the gods. They speak, their voices the gods.”

Danada took a deep breath. They murmured something under their breath. “Ok. I’m ready.”

Sino nodded, taking the first step in. The jaws creaked but didn’t move. Both their hearts stopped, their adrenaline spiking as they took another step. A breeze blew up from the tunnel cooling their skin. The dust felt smooth and soft on Sino’s callused feet. The boy walked closely behind Sino, almost touching his back. The tunnel widened, revealing an oversized cavern with gigantic stalactites that formed a half circle. Two beings sat on a stone that looked like it was sliced in half, giving a flat space for them to sit.

As Sino got closer, he was taken aback by the ethereal looks of two twins. Their faces were stark white. It looked like someone took an eraser to their skin and removed all color. Their soft blue eyes flicked over to where Sino and the teen were standing. One pointed towards them.

“Oh goody. A new game. Jayne.”

“I hope it won’t be the same Layne.”

“Maybe he can answer a riddle of ours?”

“Then we can listen to requests of theirs.”

Sino nodded. Danada stood behind Sino and peeked over his arm at the twins.

“Hold me without your hands.”

“People all over the lands.”

“But no one can hold me long.”

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“But some try for a song.”

Their light blue eyes stared at the group standing at the cavern's edge. Sino thought it over. He wasn’t good at riddles. Danada tapped Sino’s arm. He opened his mindlink.

I think it’s breath.

Sino’s eyes went wide. So simple. You should say it.

I’m scared.

So am I. These creatures scare the shitake out of me.

Really?

Sino nodded.

“Maybe they can’t answer.”

“Are they unworthy?”

‘It’s breath.” Danada finally found his voice. Though it studdered a bit, he bowed as he spoke.

They both cocked their heads to the side.

“Approach.” They said in unison.

Sino kept his feet planted, shielding the babe with his hands.

Danada’s steps were small.

“A pupling, does it play?”

“What does it say?” The twins alternated speaking.

“I love to play, but I’m suppose to help you.”

“Ok, enough, you too.” A woman’s voice echoed through the caverns. Sino’s eyes widened as he didn’t notice her presence at all. “I’m LeLa.” She was beautiful and graceful as she walked in from the corner using a long pale white staff as she walked. She made her way to the center of the rock to stand near the twins. She towered over the pale companions. Her skin the dark color brown of a itashi tree a juxposition from their colorless paleness. “Who are you?” She was looking at Danada, but Sino got the sense she was talking to him.”

“My name is Danada of the Echka pack. I am an omega.”

“An omega here and now Jayne.”

“There hasn’t been an omega in hundreds of years Layne.”

“Big problems for the wolvesies.”

“Big for all Faesies too.”

Lela sighed. “The twins can be a bit much, but you might be too if you had to translate the words of the deities. What is your protector’s name?” She asked Danada.

“Oh. This is Sino, a lone wolf seeking answers for the ward he protects.”

“Are you sure that’s really what he seeks?”

Everyone looked to Sino. “Do you know what kind of creature this child is?” He asked.

“Well, its refreshing at least you aren’t bowing like the zillion other creatures that stumble into our little haven.” Lela admitted. “And you are straight to the point. A lost art with the twins here.”

Sino cocked his head.

Lela walked down the path past the young wolf. Sino moved to show the child off better. She reached forward slowly to feel her face. Sparks flew when she touched the child. She pulled her hand back quickly.

“I’m afraid I don’t and good luck getting any clear answers from the twins, but I’ll ask. If the answers are meant to be yours then I’ll send the boy to you with a message to the Lore Estate.”

“How did…” Sino was about to ask.

“Where else would you go? You need information. The library there is unparalleled in all of Faeland. We have several requests from your people. Why do you not ask about their troubles?”

“My people banished me. Its up to them to work out their problems now. I have my own path.”

“A bitter sentiment.” LeLa clinched her lips. “You may be surprised when your path merges again with your people. Don’t give up on them just yet.”

Sino’s inner beast chuffed. He scoffed. The child cooed at the rumble, and LeLa smiled. She walked back near the twins.

“We will watch over the boy. You have a journey ahead of you.” Lela smiled. “Take this tunnel for a day’s worth walk. It will take you under the Gista River and out North West of the Lore Estate. You’ll have to walk southeast through the Hoofed Creature’s Meadowlands and then another days walk until you are to your destination.” Lela smiled and then turned to Danada. “Say your goodbyes. He’s already late.”

Sino raised an eyebrow at the word late, but said nothing.

Danada bowed again and backed up. He walked over to Sino. “Thank you for getting me here safely.”

“You sure you want to stay. I don’t even see any huts or food or anything.”

Danada smiled. “I’m sure. This is my path.”

Sino gave a curt nod.

Danada offered a hand. Sino grabbed his forearm. “If you do make it back to Echka before me, please tell my family not to worry and that I am well.”

Sino gave another nod and released his hand. The boy looked like he was tearing up. So gave him a slap on the back which propelled the teen forward a step. Then he walked toward the tunnel Lela recommended.

“Oh, forgot to mention the boobytraps.” Lela said once the werewolf was out of sight.

“If anyone can get through them unscathed its Sino. He won’t let anything happen to her.”

“Good. She’s more important than anyone can realize right now. She needs to grow, learn, and hopefully not die.” LeLa bit at her lip.

“Shouldn’t he know that?” Danada asked tentatively.

“As you said, if anyone can get through unscathed its Sino. I’ve had many dreams about him. He’s going to change the world. Let me show you how you can see these dreams too. You have much to learn before you see him again.”

Danada nodded.