The evening air was thick with the scent of pine and damp earth as they made their way back to the cottage. "Let's head home," she whispered, giving him a gentle scratch behind the ears, her voice soft and steady. "I wish we could stay like this forever."
The dog wagged his tail, his eyes never leaving her face. That fierce, unwavering loyalty shone in his gaze, a bond as old as time itself.
Back at the cottage, she tore off a piece of dried meat, breaking it into two halves. They shared it in quiet companionship, savouring each moment of stillness. For the next month, their lives intertwined seamlessly. Together, they roamed the forest, hunted small animals, shared quiet moments under a sky painted with stars, and found comfort in each other's presence. The forest was their sanctuary; laughter and warmth filled the days, and each night, they slept close, her gentle breathing lulling him to sleep as his warmth shielded her from the night's chill.
One Month Later
One still, starlit evening, they sat by the lake, mesmerized by the night sky's quiet beauty. Above, a lone comet streaked across the heavens, its silver light casting a soft glow on the water's surface. Legend had it that wishes made on a night like this would surely be granted.
The girl's gaze was fixed on the star, her voice barely a whisper as she said, "I wish we could stay like this forever… just us, safe and happy."
Her words carried a tremor of sadness. Sensing her emotion, the dog pressed his nose to her hand, as if silently vowing he'd never leave her side.
She smiled through a tear, brushing it away quickly. "I know you will."
But fate had other plans, and their fleeting happiness would not last.
At dawn, the dog stirred with a sudden purpose, a thought flickering through his mind—he'd hunt something special for her today, a small gift to make her smile. With a determined yip, he slipped into the forest, his heart set on surprising her.
But when he returned, everything had changed.
The cottage lay in ruins. Its door hung crookedly from its frame, splintered, and the furniture lay scattered as if a storm had ripped through. The girl was gone.
"No…" Panic surged through him as he frantically sniffed the air, his heart racing. Her scent was faint but traceable. Driven by a single, fierce resolve, he bolted into the trees, his thoughts a blur, his body moving on sheer instinct. He would find her—he had to.
Her scent trail led him through the village, where townsfolk turned in surprise as he dashed past, a streak of urgency. At last, beyond the village boundaries, he spotted a carriage, her scent clinging to the air around it like a faint echo.
With a deep, furious growl, he lunged, sinking his teeth into one of the horses' legs. The beast reared, whinnying in pain, and the carriage lurched to a sudden halt. In that instant, he caught sight of her within the carriage, her hands bound, her eyes widening with shock—and then relief—when they met his.
"Benji!" she cried, her voice filled with hope and desperation. It was the first time she'd called him by a name, and it hit him like a bolt of warmth amidst the storm.
Before he could leap to her side, a tall, armoured swordsman stepped into his path, his sword gleaming, a cold, merciless look in his eyes. "You should've stayed away, mutt," he sneered, lifting his blade.
Suddenly, a faint shimmer surrounded the carriage—a barrier, summoned by mysterious figures that had slipped in to aid the girl's escape. The swordsman's expression twisted in frustration; he was locked out, unable to reach his target as long as the barrier held.
The dog snarled, his gaze fixed on the swordsman. His instincts screamed that he was outmatched, but he lunged regardless, pouring his heart into each bite, each swipe of his claws. The swordsman deflected him with ease, his face contorted with irritation as he struggled against the relentless attack that kept him from his prize.
He fought with everything he had, teeth bared and claws digging. But fatigue was setting in, his strength ebbing with each failed strike. Yet one thought pulsed through him, keeping him moving forward, reckless and desperate "If only I were stronger… I could have protected her forever."
In one final, desperate leap, he launched himself at the swordsman, claws poised, eyes blazing. But the sword was faster, slashing down with brutal precision. Pain tore through him, a series of sharp, unforgiving strikes, until his vision began to dim, darkness encroaching.
And in those final moments, his gaze drifted to her. She was reaching out for him, her eyes brimming with love and despair. His heart surged with a final pang of loyalty, a silent farewell.
Hours later, the girl knelt in a quiet, empty patch of forest, her shoulders trembling with grief. When the mysterious man and his allies had rescued her, she had looked back, one last desperate time, hoping to catch a glimpse of her loyal companion.
All she had seen was a bloody body torn apart into pieces of flesh.
Now she sat alone, staring at the small patch of earth, her heart heavy with the weight of loss. "If only…" she murmured, her voice breaking. "If only I were strong enough… to protect you."
The forest fell silent around her, a heavy, sorrowful silence that seemed to mourn alongside her. She closed her eyes, her mind replaying every moment they'd shared, every laugh, every gentle nuzzle. A tear slipped down her cheek, glistening in the dappled sunlight, a single, silent promise that she would remember him forever.