Chapter 2: The Friend

Mary, Lukas, and Yumiko trudged through another day of dense woods, the air thick with the scent of damp moss and rain-soaked earth. The constant drizzle clung to their clothes, seeping through every layer until even their bed mats, tucked safely inside their bags, were cold and damp. Every step felt heavier than the last, their exhaustion palpable in the silence that settled over the group.

Yumiko let out a long, winded sigh as she swung her leg over a moss-covered log.

“What’s the matter?” Mary asked, glancing back with a raised brow.

Yumiko wiped wet strands of short hair from her face, her voice tinged with frustration. “I’m dirty, soaked, and my feet are killing me…”

Lukas, who had barely turned his head, spoke matter-of-factly as he continued walking. “Put ffwl moss under the insoles of your boots. It cushions your feet, preventing aches and blisters.” His tone hinted at personal experience, though he didn’t elaborate.

Yumiko groaned, her pace slowing. “Or we could just take a short break,” she muttered, glancing at Mary for support.

“No breaks,” Lukas said sharply, his voice as steady as his stride. “The more ground we cover now, the less time we spend drenched tomorrow. Unless you want another day like this.”

Yumiko flinched at the thought, her resolve wavering. “N-no… I guess not,” she said quietly, falling in line.

“Good.” Lukas nodded curtly, scanning the area ahead. “We’re almost there. In fact…” He paused, his eyes narrowing as he studied the forest around them. “She’s usually close by.”

Mary frowned, looking around at the seemingly endless trees. “She? Lukas, I haven’t seen so much as a shack since Dryffn. Where exactly are we supposed to find her?”

“She doesn’t live in a house. She likes caves,” Lukas said, still moving forward. “There’s one nearby she uses to rest.”

Mary exchanged a skeptical look with Yumiko, shaking her head. “Great. So, we’re looking for a cave-dwelling mystery girl. Should we be worried?”

“No,” Lukas replied curtly, his tone brooking no argument. “But don’t be loud, and don’t make any sudden movements when you meet her. She’s… cautious around strangers.”

“Strangers like us?” Mary asked, her voice edged with concern.

Yumiko, stepping over another fallen tree, added, “You’re not giving us much to go on, Lukas. Who is she? Why are we even looking for her?”

“I’ve told you already,” Lukas said, glancing over his shoulder, his expression unreadable. “It’s easier to show you than to explain. Just trust me.”

He turned back to the trail, his eyes scanning the forest with renewed focus, as though expecting her to emerge from the shadows at any moment.

Mary sighed, muttering under her breath to Yumiko, “This better not be some hermit girl with a bad attitude.”

Yumiko chuckled softly, though her unease remained. Whatever—or whoever—they were about to encounter, Lukas’s cryptic answers weren’t helping ease the tension. The rain drummed steadily on the canopy above, the forest seemingly holding its breath, as they pressed onward.

After a short walk, he led them to a rugged cliff face partially obscured by thick vegetation. The rock wall rose high above them, its surface darkened by moisture and moss. Lukas veered to the side, scanning the area until his gaze landed on a large den nestled at the base of the cliff.

The opening was shadowed, gaping like the maw of a beast, and carried a faint earthy smell.

Lukas stopped abruptly and turned to face Yumiko and Mary. His expression was more serious than moments before. “Stay here. Don’t move, don’t talk, and don’t freak out. You’ll be the first people she’s seen in... well, a long time. Probably the first I know of, actually.”

Mary crossed her arms, arching a brow. “What the hell are we even doing here? Why is this mysterious ‘friend’ living in a den, of all places?”

“Just trust me and follow what I said!” Lukas snapped, irritation flashing across his face.

Mary rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath. Yumiko nodded silently, glancing toward the cave with a mix of apprehension and curiosity.

Lukas strode toward the entrance of the den and called out, his voice steady and confident. “Snow! You there?”

For a moment, the only response was the faint whisper of wind through the trees and the sound of light rain striking the ground.

Mary smirked, shaking her head. “Looks like your girlfriend stood you up—”

Her words were cut short by a low, menacing growl that reverberated from deep within the cave. The sound sent shivers racing down their spines, primal and unmistakably threatening.

Two glowing ice-blue eyes appeared in the shadows, their intensity piercing through the darkness. A moment later, the owner of those eyes emerged—a massive white wolf, nearly seven feet tall at the shoulder, its coat thick and pristine as freshly fallen snow. The creature’s sheer size and presence dominated the clearing, and every muscle in its body was poised, exuding power.

The wolf’s gaze locked onto Mary and Yumiko, its lips curling into a subtle snarl. Yumiko’s hand instinctively drifted toward her kunai, her heart pounding, but the wolf’s unblinking eyes stopped her cold. It was as if the creature dared her to make a move.

“Hey,” Lukas called softly, his voice cutting through the tension. “Come here, girl.”

The wolf’s ears flicked, but her piercing gaze remained fixed on the girls. She stood motionless, her body a wall of tension and warning. After what felt like an eternity, the wolf finally turned her head toward Lukas, her massive paws crunching against the forest floor as she approached him.

When she reached him, the wolf sat down, towering over him even in her relaxed posture. She lowered her head, pressing it against Lukas’s shoulder with surprising gentleness. He reached up, his hand sinking into her thick fur as he scratched behind her ears.

“Hey there, Snow,” Lukas said, his tone warm and familiar.

Mary stared, her mouth slightly agape. “Are you nuts?!” she burst out.

Lukas raised an eyebrow, unfazed. “Why?” he asked, continuing to pet the massive creature as if she were no more dangerous than a house cat. “I come out here to visit her every few months. She gets lonely.”

Mary threw up her hands in exasperation. “First of all, do you not realize that something like this shouldn’t exist? Second, what do you mean you’ve been visiting her every few months? How long has this been going on?”

Lukas shrugged, glancing down at Snow’s fur as he brushed away bits of leaves. “Wolves exist everywhere,” he said nonchalantly, as if her questions weren’t worth answering.

Mary sighed, throwing her hands in the air. “Yes, wolves exist—but not eight-foot-tall ones!”

Yumiko hesitated, her gaze flicking between Lukas and the massive creature at his side. The wolf seemed unusually comfortable with him, even affectionate. “You two seem… close,” she said, her tone laced with disbelief as she watched the wolf lean into Lukas’s hand.

“Yeah,” Lukas replied, his voice calm and matter-of-fact. “We almost killed each other a few years back.”

Mary blinked, stunned for a moment before scoffing. “Gee, what a fantastic relationship,” she said sarcastically, rubbing her temples as if trying to ward off a headache. “We delayed our trip an extra day for this?” She gestured at Snow, who glanced at her with disinterest.

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Yumiko tilted her head, her expression softening as she studied the wolf. “I don’t know… she’s kinda cute,” she murmured, stepping forward slightly. The wolf’s fur looked so soft and inviting—Yumiko couldn’t resist the urge to try petting her.

But the moment Yumiko took a step closer, Snow let out a low, warning growl, freezing her in her tracks.

“So cute,” Mary quipped, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Lukas didn’t even glance up. Instead, he crouched and rummaged through his bach-bag, pulling out a freshly severed deer leg. “Caught this earlier,” he said casually, placing it on the ground in front of Snow.

Snow’s attention immediately shifted. Her icy gaze flicked to Lukas’s left arm, where she noticed something amiss. She whined softly and nudged his arm with her nose, causing Lukas to flinch and suck in a sharp breath.

“Hey, easy now,” he muttered, wincing. Snow’s ears flattened as she let out a low growl, her head swiveling to look at Mary and Yumiko, her body tense once more.

Lukas placed a calming hand on her head. “It wasn’t them, relax,” he said firmly.

The wolf softened at his touch, closing her eyes as her tail began wagging gently. She bent down, grabbed the deer leg in her jaws, and, with an almost effortless motion, crunched through the bone. It disappeared in a single bite.

“Did she just eat that like it was a dog treat?” Mary asked, half in disbelief, her eyes wide.

“Nature is both amazing and terrifying,” Yumiko muttered, watching as Snow licked her chops with satisfaction.

Lukas chuckled, continuing to scratch behind Snow’s ears. “Yeah, me and Snow go way back,” he began. “After a mission some years ago, I came to this forest to recover. I had a broken leg at the time.” He gestured toward the wolf. “Funny enough, so did she. We bumped into each other by chance. She growled at me; I drew my sword. But neither of us made a move. Just… sat there, watching each other.”

Yumiko tilted her head, her curiosity growing. “What happened next?”

“That night, she showed up with a rabbit,” Lukas continued, his tone light as though recounting a casual anecdote. “I took it as a peace offering. In return, I made a splint for her leg. After that, we kind of… understood each other. The rest is history.”

Mary crossed her arms, eyeing him skeptically. “I’ve known you for a few years now, and this is the first I’m hearing about her.”

Lukas shrugged, his expression indifferent. “Yeah, well, I don’t tell annoying people everything.”

Mary closed her eyes and smirked, tilting her head teasingly. “Please, Lukas, you’re the most annoying person here, and we all know it.”

Lukas ignored her jab, his focus on Snow as he continued stroking her thick fur.

Yumiko, meanwhile, couldn’t take her eyes off the wolf. “Can I pet her?” she asked, her voice tinged with excitement.

Lukas glanced at Snow, who had settled but still radiated a guarded aura. “Maybe… You can try. Both of you.”

Yumiko brightened at his response and took a cautious step forward. Snow turned her head sharply, her ice-blue eyes locking onto the young woman. Yumiko froze but forced herself to take another tentative step. The wolf’s lip curled slightly, baring gleaming fangs.

“Yeah… I think that’s as close as I can get,” Yumiko said with a nervous laugh, taking a half-step back.

“Not very far,” Mary said, a smirk tugging at her lips.

Yumiko glanced at her friend, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Why don’t you try, Mary? Unless you’re scared?”

Mary’s smirk faltered, and she unfolded her arms, brushing off the challenge with an exaggerated shrug. “Fine. Watch and learn.” She strode forward with an air of confidence, though her heart was hammering in her chest.

Snow’s piercing gaze shifted to Mary, who kept walking, her strides steady and confident. The wolf didn’t growl this time, simply watching as the red-haired woman approached.

When Mary finally stopped in front of Snow, she realized just how enormous the wolf was up close. Standing before her, the creature’s sheer size and presence made Mary pause. “Alright,” she muttered under her breath. “What now?”

“Why does she like Mary more?” Yumiko asked, a hint of frustration in her voice as she watched from a safe distance.

“Probably because Mary showed some kind of power or dominance,” Lukas said, still idly petting Snow.

Mary raised an eyebrow, glancing over at him. “What, do you speak wolf or something?”

Lukas shrugged, unfazed. “I picked up a book on wolf behavior a while back. It said they respond to confidence. Maybe try petting her—casually.”

Mary exhaled, shaking her head. “What in the gods am I doing?” She hesitated, then slowly reached out a hand toward Snow, bracing herself for a sudden snap of teeth.

But to her surprise, Snow stayed still, her gaze calm but watchful. Mary’s hand finally touched the wolf’s fur, and her fingers sank into the impossibly soft, thick coat. She hesitated, then began stroking gently.

“Well?” Yumiko called, leaning forward with curiosity.

Mary’s face shifted from cautious to utterly delighted, her lips curling into a genuine smile. “I’m not going to lie,” she said softly, “this might be the softest thing I’ve ever touched in my life.”

Yumiko sighed, her shoulders slumping. “I really want to pet her…” She took another small step forward, her hand twitching with anticipation.

But Snow growled low in her throat, her icy stare stopping Yumiko in her tracks once again.

“Guess it’s not happening today,” Mary teased, her tone light and self-satisfied as she continued stroking Snow’s fur.

Yumiko groaned in defeat, crossing her arms as she sulked. “This isn’t fair…”

Mary glanced up at the towering wolf, her brow furrowed. “So… what now, Lukas? What’s your plan with Snow?”

Lukas returned her look with a blank expression. “What do you mean?”

Mary sighed, her frustration evident. “What do I mean? We’ve slogged through damp forests and moss-covered hell for days to meet your furry friend here. The question is, what’s next? Why’d you bring us all this way?”

Lukas shrugged casually, as if the answer were obvious. “There’s nothing next. That’s it.” He gestured toward the wolf.

Mary blinked, dumbfounded. “That’s it? You dragged us out here just to say hi, pet her, and leave?”

Lukas nodded, his tone matter-of-fact. “You’re the ones that keep insisting on following me, not the other way around. Besides, she’s not some oversized dog. She’s a wild animal. I stop by, make sure she’s doing okay, give her a snack, then move on. That’s all.”

Yumiko smirked, crossing her arms. “Yeah, sounds like Lukas.”

Lukas frowned, looking at her with a puzzled expression. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means,” Mary cut in with a grin, “you’re no fun and have no idea how to spend quality time with anyone or anything, you daft man.”

Snow let out a low growl, her icy eyes narrowing at Mary.

Mary raised her hands in mock surrender. “Relax, girl! It’s a joke. Smart thing knows I’m making fun of him.”

Lukas glanced at Snow, then back at Mary. “I read wolves are intelligent. They can pick up on human vocal cues. Guess she knows who the real threat is.”

“I’ll be damned,” Mary said, shaking her head. “I’ve heard wolves are big, but I’ve never seen one this massive before. Or this... aware.”

“I guess I never gave it much thought,” Lukas replied honestly, stroking Snow’s fur one last time. “I’ve had more pressing matters in the past—and even now. Like getting to Dryffn and delivering these flowers.” He tapped his breastplate, where the Headwich bloom was carefully secured. Turning back to Snow, he gave her an affectionate pat on the back. “Alright, Snow. See you next time.”

The wolf let out a soft rumble, then leaned down to lick Lukas’ face, her tongue leaving a streak across his cheek. He grimaced, wiping it off with his sleeve.

Yumiko watched the interaction, her disbelief evident. “You weren’t kidding. Just like that, and you’re done?”

Lukas nodded as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “Yeah. She’s fine with it. If she wanted more attention, she’d follow me. She has before.” He turned away from the den, adjusting his gear. “Now that’s sorted, let’s get to Braint and wrap this up.”

Without waiting for a reply, Lukas started walking, his boots crunching against the forest floor.

Mary lingered for a moment, glancing back at Snow, who had already begun retreating into her den. “I won’t lie,” she said with a small chuckle, falling in step behind Lukas, “I was expecting some pretty girl or something. But this? This was pretty damn cool.”

Yumiko lingered, her eyes fixed on the massive wolf. There was something about the creature’s presence—an aura both commanding and strangely familiar. The sensation wasn’t just instinct; it resonated deep within her, tugging at the edges of her consciousness.

Her head throbbed suddenly, a sharp flash of pain slicing through her thoughts. Yumiko winced, clutching her temple as a fleeting vision overtook her mind. For a heartbeat, she glimpsed a girl with flowing white hair, standing in a place shrouded in mist. The figure’s expression was serene yet distant. Then, as quickly as it came, the vision vanished, leaving Yumiko gasping softly.

She murmured to herself, “Could this be someone we’re destined to meet? Or perhaps… a message from the holy spirit, Sofia?” The thought sent a shiver through her, equal parts awe and unease.

“Hey! Are you coming or what?” Mary’s voice cut through the silence, echoing from the trees ahead.

Yumiko blinked, startled out of her reverie. “Y-yes! I’m coming!” she called back, her voice slightly unsteady.

Turning back to the wolf, she found Snow still watching her, the creature’s ice-blue eyes unwavering as they locked onto Yumiko’s. The connection was almost unnerving, as though the wolf could see into her very soul.

Bowing her head slightly, Yumiko whispered, “Farewell, Snow. Perhaps our paths will cross again.”

As she turned to rejoin her friends, the faint rustling of bushes carried through the stillness of the forest. Hidden in the distant shadows, two men crouched low, watching intently.

The first, a rotund man with a thick mustache, licked his lips as he observed the scene. His beady eyes gleamed with malice as they tracked the massive white wolf. Beside him knelt a wiry man, tall and lanky, his hat pulled low to shield his face. The skinny man adjusted his vantage point, squinting at the den and the figures near it.

He whispered in hushed excitement, “Oh, shit. The boys weren’t kidding. There is a giant wolf out here... And those three just walked right up to it like it was nothing.”

The mustached man’s grin widened, his teeth yellowed and uneven. “Yes,” he hissed, voice dripping with anticipation. “They led us straight to it. Tell Kenwick we’ve found his new prize.”

The wiry man nodded and slid back into the shadows, leaving the fat man alone to continue his sinister watch. Yumiko jogged to catch up with Lukas and Mary, oblivious to the danger that now stalked the majestic creature they had just left behind.