Freya stared at her in disbelief. "Wait, the deity of the forest, the Fenrir?"
Ella nodded; Kyle turned his attention to the pups. They were too young to be away from their mother for too long.
"But Silver was the one howling earlier, she was letting me know to bring the pups back to see their mother."
Everyone froze as the words spilled from Ella's mouth.
"Ella is Silver?"
"Fenrir's first pup?"
Kyle shook his head, "Not what I was going to say, but an answer is an answer."
Freya gripped the side of the head, trying to make sense of what was happening. "I-I think I need to sit down f-for a while."
Ella looked up as Hunter and Kyle. Hunter sighed as he looked at Kyle. "Well, I help Ella; you stay and comfort Freya."
Kyle sighed as Hunter puck up the two pups, with Ella leading the way. They entered the forest surrounding the small house. Hunter could not help but notice the woods felt familiar. As if he was here at some point in his life? Hunter shook his head, trying not to think about it.
Ella smiled as she runs up to greet a large, silver-coloured wolf. "Silver!"
Hunter almost dropped the pups as he saw the beast. Silver turned to look at Hunter.
'Who is this boy?'
Hunter stared at the wolf, noticing that its mouth did not move as she spoke. "Oh, his name is…I think was Hunter? He came from beyond the forest. He and his friend fell into the lake by the waterfall."
Silver turned her gaze at Ella, 'Well then, shall we go then?' Ella nodded delightfully. 'Come, boy, you are caring for my younger siblings, Skoll and Hati, after all.'
Silver turned to show the way when Hunter recognized her. A single scar on the back of her head became visible. Hunter remembered the tale of a large Silver wolf that guarded something. Hunter knew that Kyle might know more about everything and wanted to return as soon as possible.
They came across a den to see an even bigger wolf laying within, its coat an unusual satin colour. It lifted is head as they approached.
"Fenrir!"
'Little one, it is good to see you. How were my little ones?'
Ella jumped into Fenrir's fur. "They did great, I did feed them like you asked me—Oh yeah, Fenrir this is—"
'Hunter, I am aware of him.' Fenrir stared at him for a long while before turning her attention back to Ella. 'Ella dear, can let us grownups talk in private? Silver will bring you home to your sister. We shall notice be long?'
Ella puffed her face at Fenrir. "But Fenrir, I miss your company, and I wanted to know if you got that big meany out?"
'Now, Ella, I know you want to hear how everything is going, but you are still a pup yourself. I would like you to be by your sisters' side. I am guessing that she has found out your little secret with me?'
Ella nodded.
'Come, Ella, let us get going, I would rather guide the young man through the dark over you.'
Silver laid down to let Ella up on her back, then leaving Hunter and Fenrir alone. Hunter watched them as his attention returned to Fenrir.
"So, what do you want to say to me?"
Fenrir stared at the woods where Ella had left with Silver. Her eyes filled with sadness and sorrow. 'Young man, tell me what year and era it is?'
"What?"
Fenrir closer her eyes, turning her head towards Hunter, 'You know what I said. I was asking what the year is and of the era?'
Hunter crossed his arms. "I think it's the twentieth year of the four hundred and sixth era? Why is that important?"
Fenrir sighed, 'Because somehow you and your friend fell one thousand years back in time. Right before the forest of Healing winds became the forest of Devil's thorns.'
Hunters' eyes widen, "What! Are insinuating that we leapt through time going back! NO, not possible the only ones who can do that are time elves and the goddess of time herself!"
Hunter began to pace, trying to wrap his head around the fact that he and Kyle had both leapt through time without knowing.
Fenrir began to snarl, as an old woman approached the den. 'Hunter, get behind me, NOW!'
Hunter jumped at Fenrir's tone and did as she had asked of him. He tucked behind her with the pups still in his arms. Hunter could barely see passed Fenrir as the old woman came into view. Hunter notices that Fenrir was not happy to see her.
'What do you want, Morgana?'
The old woman smiled. "Nothing more than your pelt as usual, but now is not the time. I have a favour to ask of you?"
Fenrir narrowed her eyes at Morgana. 'I will listen, but don't think that I will do as you ask of me?'
Morgana chuckled. "Oh, poor dear, you were always sharp-witted. I am here to ask you to kill Ella, she several moons ago enter the shrine of the dark one. And in now cursed to become his vessel." Fenrir began to snarl as Morgana. "Now, now, you know if he returns, it will be the end of everything. Besides, it is something that needs a more delicate touch. That only a beast, as magnificent as yourself can accomplish?"
Fenrir stared at her in disapproval, 'How do I know that you are not lying?' Morgana pulls out an artifact; Fenrir leaned in, giving it a sniff. Her eyes closed shut as she pulled away. 'Very well, I will see what I can do?'
Hunter watched as Morgana left, his eyes filled with rage as he stared at Fenrir.
"Fenrir!?"
She turned to look at him, 'I know what you're about to ask, but the wolf I have been attacking, and Ella's entry to that unholy place coincide with each other.'
Hunter noticed sadness deep within her bright amber eyes, "There has to be something we can do?"
Fenrir looked at he pups, 'There might be, but it would mean sacrificing my two young ones and myself. Leaving Silver to guard this land alone.'
"What?!" Hunter screamed.
Fenrir could not look into Hunters' eyes. 'Boy, for the sake of many, my two young ones and I must become sacrifices to save not just Ella, but her sister and the rest of villagers. Sealing this place off from the outside world.'
Hunter turned away from her as he could not stomach the thought.
'You may feel that this is wrong, but you have already done worse. You have killed for pleasure and for sport in the name of you King. Yet—'
"It's not the same! I was a tool! A-a puppet! I did not have a free will! I…I—"Hunters words fell short; tears began to stream down his face. "Fenrir, I just wish you and everyone could live—here in peace and not worry about trivial things. I want Ella to grow up with you and these pups. Not take it all away."
Fenrir could see Hunter's heart was breaking from what was going on around him. She leaned in and licked his tears off his face. 'Dear boy, I know you are still learning about the truth and how to not be the person you once were. But sometimes there will be things that you or anyone else cannot stop. I have seen the future, and you will meet Silver again. And she will help you and Kyle once again.'
Hunter froze as he stared into her eyes. "How do you know my friend's name?"
Fenrir chuckled softly before leaning her head against his shoulder. 'Can hear voices within my visions. Besides, I knew when I saw the vision, I was wondering if my young ones were with her, and they were not. Now I know that they will serve a purpose for the world.'
Silver emerged from the tree line, 'Mother, are you done talking with the boy?'
Fenrir looked over to her daughter, 'Yes, please be safe on the journey back.'
Silver bowed her head as Hunter put the pups down. Before walking over to Silver. She did not lower herself as she had done with Ella. Hunter just mounted her like a horse before letting her know he was ready.