Sakura finally regained the ability to walk independently after many long hours of pain and exhaustion. She followed Jack through the forest, a path that would lead them to Paradise City, the bustling heart of the island. Here, luxury and nature merged, creating a place where even the mushrooms grew unnaturally large.
The forest was alive with the whispers of rustling leaves and the gentle songs of mystical birds. Sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, creating a dappled pattern on the forest floor. Sakura walked confidently beside Jack, his hands shoved in his pockets and a carefree smile on his lips. He glanced at Sakura, his eyes reflecting the sunlight as he said, "You know, for a place so close to the humans, this forest feels like a whole different world."
Sakura nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "This could be my escape. A place to clear my mind and... breathe."
Jack chuckled and said, "Well, it's a good thing I came along then. I'm like a professional breather, a medical professional."
She laughed at a genuine attempt to make light of a bad situation. "Professional breather, ya? That's a new one."
Jack shrugged a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Hey, I've got to keep up with all your heroic activities somehow."
Despite the need to avoid the anxiety building up inside them from the attack on the city, they continued their path, winding through the island in awkward silence. The air filled with the earthy scent of moss and damp soil, and now and then, a playful breeze would rustle Sakura's hair.
"When we return, I suggest we talk to Lina and her mother," Jack said, breaking the silence.
"They can take us to the City of Lights to help."
Jack nodded and said, "True. But for now, let's enjoy this moment, shall we?"
Sakura looked at him, a soft smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Me heart so anxious of the future, I forget to live in the present time."
He grinned. "And that's where I come in—the professional breather, present-appreciator, and medical professional."
They shared a laugh; their friendship was as natural as the forest itself. The path ahead led to a small clearing bathed in sunlight and home to upper-class werewolves. Sakura stepped into the clearing, feeling the warmth on her skin, and turned to face Jack.
"The forest is beautiful, it is," she said, her voice soft.
Jack nodded, his eyes fixed on her. "Sure is."
Next to them as they walked by was a cookout area with a crackling fire pit highlighting an array of meats and forest-fresh vegetables. Werewolves of various ages gathered around the feast, their attention absorbed by the delicious spread. The Alpha and her loyal Delta guard stood to watch the cookout.
With the energetic young pups playfully pawing at the flames, older adult members found peace, basking in the fire's warmth. One stood out distinctly—Lina illuminated in an enchanting blue coat gleaming with moon-white markings that danced across her face and body, impossible to overlook even among a crowd bustling with naturally colored wolves.
The surrounding festivities briefly captured Lina's attention, but her gaze shifted as she noticed the familiar figures she awaited for a long time. With her tail wagging and a sigh of relief, she gracefully set aside her meal and approached them.
"Sakura, I'm truly relieved to see you well. My mother said to wait for you, but I have to return soon. I will be performing surgery on one of your companions," Lina said.
"We're not her necessarily her companions; we're her guards," Jack's interjection clarified the depth of their connection to Sakura.
Sakura did not hold back her worry; she asked, "Are they alright?"
Lina reassured her with a confident nod. "Yes, I can assure you the boys are in capable hands. My family specializes in medical care; we are the best on the island. Athen has undergone surgery to remove the shrapnel from his body, and Michelle is working on addressing Michael's internal bleeding. He also sustained a few broken ribs and narrowly avoided a spine injury. The twins are being prepped for surgery, and my mother and I will address them shortly."
Jack's concern shifted to another pack member. "And Sam?"
Lina breathed a sigh as she shared the situation. "She will recover, though the situation is complex. We focus on saving her leg, but I must ask you a favor."
Sakura smiled. She said, "Anything you need, Lina. I appreciate you for stepping in to help my comrades."
"The City of Lights was invaded, resulting in a terrible massacre of its occupants. My family and I are residents of that city, and I plead with you to help find those responsible and aiding the survivors."
"Consider it done."
With a nod, Lina returned to the gathering. Sakura and Jack strolled through the enchanting realm of Paradise City. Homes built with wood, clay, and straw are perched gracefully atop the canopy of trees, connected by curving bridges and polished vines. The gentle noise of an elegant river provided a soothing setting for the bustling life of werewolves going about their daily routines.
The city thrived with vibrant energy. Werewolves engaged in various activities—some tending to their pups, others conversing in the shopping district, and young puppies playfully chasing each other along the bridges to the tavern district. The air was filled with the aroma of freshly baked goods and the melodies of laughter, creating an atmosphere of warmth and connection.
As they walked through the elegant forest, Sakura could not bear the heavy silence. The stillness pressed on her, and she wanted to break it before it became suffocating.
"Hey, Jack," she said, glancing at him. "Are you going to be okay with going back to the city? From what Lina told us, it sounds like the place is almost completely destroyed."
Jack let out a sigh, his gaze fixed ahead. "I'll be okay. Like I said before, it's not about us. We need to focus on those who've lived through the trauma firsthand. Our lives always come second."
"That's… sad," Sakura murmured, her voice barely audible.
"I know," Jack replied. "But that's why, when we get the chance, we make the most of our lives—until the day comes when we have to make that sacrifice."
"Are you scared?" she asked.
"No," Jack said without hesitation. "If I let fear control me, I wouldn't truly be living."
Sakura sighed, her eyes drifting toward the horizon beyond the capital city of Paradise. "I hope I can feel like that someday," she said softly.
Jack suddenly stopped, a spark of an idea lighting up his face. He pointed his thumb toward himself and said, "Hey, Sakura. We're not going to get anywhere on foot. It'll take days at this pace. I'll transform, and you can ride on my back."
Sakura blinked at him, then nodded in agreement. "You're right," she said. "We don't have time to waste. Let's do it."
With an elegant transformation, Jack's form shifted from human to his majestic white wolf self, with pink glowing markings that radiated a soft light. Jack bent down to allow her to climb onto his back.
Carefully, she mounted him, her fingers curling into his coat for support. The touch of his warm, muscular body against her brought a sense of safety. Sakura's heartbeat synchronized with Jack's steady breaths, and they were in perfect harmony for a moment.
"Are you ready?" Jack asked.
"I'm ready."
They navigated the city's wooden pathways, passing homes decorated with intricate carvings and hanging gardens bursting with colorful flora.
The whispers of the wind carried the scent of smoke to their senses. The City of Lights loomed in the distance. Sakura knew their journey was not just physical; it was a journey to heal, rebuild, and bring hope back to a broken city.
Soon, the lushness gave way to a sad scene—a path of destruction left by the enemy. The once-vibrant trees now stood as charred skeletons, their leafless branches reaching out like accusing fingers toward the sky. The ground was coated with ash.
Sakura's grip on Jack tightened as they moved through the desolate area. She could feel the weight of the loss that had taken place here, the pain of the people who had suffered at the hands of the attackers.
With a final burst of speed, they reached the city's edge. Sakura dismounted, her feet touching the scorched earth.
"We're here," Sakura whispered.
Together, they stepped through the burned Torii gates of the City of Lights, listening to the heavy silence surrounding them.
The massive tree that had once provided shelter now stood charred and dead, its twisted branches reaching out like gnarled fingers. Intricately woven from wood and standing upon the sturdy limbs of the great trees, they are now reduced to smoldering ruins. The remains of a wide wooden staircase leading to the city's north are soaked in bloody paw prints and torn skin, showing the werewolves attempting to escape a horrible fate. Based on the appearance of the piles of corpses, only a few survived.
To assure Sakura's safety, Jack climbed the stairs ahead of her. Sakura's heart ached as she surveyed the surroundings before her. She clutched Jack's shirt tightly, her knuckles turning white, her eyes brimming with tears. Jack's presence beside her was only a minor source of comfort.
The only light piercing the gloom came from the elegant Japanese paper lanterns glaring softly overhead. They floated like ghostly orbs, casting a delicate radiance upon the city's twisted remains. These lanterns were not simply decorations; they were a lifeline for the inhabitants who used to tread on these branches.
Every step felt like a painful reminder of what was lost. The scent of charred timber and charred werewolf remains hung in the air, mingling with the earthy aroma of the forest below. Sakura knew each corpse had a story of how it lived and died. She gently caressed the corpse of a young male werewolf.
"Oi, a wee hunter. He died runnin' home."
Jack lifted the body's head, revealing a cut across his neck. "Looks like someone slit his throat before the fire."
"We should find your boyfriend."
Jack walked away to avoid further conversation. "No, I appreciate it. He's probably gone by now."
Sakura felt horrible for him and chose not to bring it up again. She realized it was a bad idea to talk about it. She said, "We should leave the canopies."
"Yeah, up here, it is more residential than anything. The middle of the tree retains the shopping district, and the bottom is the undergrove where the hospital and immune-compromised residents live. Below that lives a Yokai who is the tree's guardian."
"A Yokai?"
"Yeah, his name is Kodama. Maybe you'll meet him someday if he hasn't died by now."
As they descended to the ground, the gentle flicker of fireflies began. These tiny creatures danced through the air, guiding their way through the darkened streets.
Homes, restaurants, and stores that had once stood proud in traditional Japanese style were now skeletal frames of what they had been. Sakura's fingers brushed against a wooden beam, feeling the rough texture beneath her touch. It was as if she could sense these walls' stories—tales of laughter, love, and lives intertwined with the city.
Her gaze drifted upwards, drawn to the stars that twinkled through the gaps in the branches overhead.
A female werewolf in human form caught Sakura's eye. "Help...me."
Streaked with soot, her amber hair and her torn and burned yukata were evidence of the devastation she had witnessed. Tear stains stained her face, and her eyes widened.
Sakura cautiously approached the female werewolf kneeling before the debris. Her heart sank, and she felt dread at witnessing her pain.
Kneeling beside the woman, Sakura kept a respectful distance. The woman's dull gaze fixed upon what remained of her home.
"My children are in there," the woman said in a barely whispered voice, carrying a depth of pain that Sakura could not even fathom. Sakura's heart clenched as she followed the woman's pointed finger, her gaze tracing the outline of what was left.
A sense of urgency surged within Sakura; the children must be saved no matter the cost. With a deep breath, she summoned the strength to rise from her kneeling position and shuffled through the wreckage. She moved carefully, her fingers trembling as she cleared the debris.
Lodged in the ruins were the lifeless bodies of two young werewolf girls. The flames that had consumed their home left their faces disfigured and unrecognizable.
Sakura gasped, her breath catching in her throat at the sight of the corpses. A strangled sob escaped her as she fell to her knees beside the tiny bodies, their contorted forms frozen in silent screams. Her trembling hands covered her mouth, but it did little to conceal the sound of her grief.
Overwhelmed, she scrambled and rushed down the smoldering hill of charred wood, her legs barely carrying her. Collapsing onto the grass, she doubled over and vomited.
Jack approached her quietly. He had seen this reaction before—it was her first time facing such devastation up close, and he knew it would hit her hard. Without a word, he knelt beside her, his strong hands gently grasping her forearm. Jack helped her to her feet and guided her away from the house.
"I know it's painful, babes. I know you feel their loss, but right now, we need to focus. We're here to help, to make a difference. We can't let our emotions paralyze us." Jack's words were a lifeline, a reminder of the purpose that had brought them to this catastrophe.
As Sakura struggled to steady her breathing, Jack's presence offered her an anchor. She wiped away her tears and nodded, her fingers clenching into fists as she resolved to channel her emotions into action.
Sakura's heartache remained as they approached the woman, but now it was accompanied by bravery. She would not let the tragedy of this day go unanswered. The lives lost demanded justice, and she would do everything she could to ensure peace.