The forest was quiet, and Kai stood in the open space, staring into darkness where the stone-skinned figure had vanished. The air was electric around him, the soft sound of trees echoing deep in his chest. Beside him, the Shadow Wolf was silvery-eyed in the poor light.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Kai asked in a very low, barely heard tone. "Why's everybody gotta speak in riddles?"
A low growl, not of menace but of understanding, rumbled from the wolf. "Answers come when you are ready," he said in a voice low yet firm. "For now, listen. Learn. The forest will teach you.
Kai huffed a quick breath. He wanted to object, to demand more, but something in the wolf's tone shut him up. The wolf wasn't being mean, holding the answers back, just that was the way the bond worked: things came with time, piece by piece falling in.
The wolf stood and padded deeper into the woods, his steps slow and deliberate; Kai followed. The ground underfoot was spongy, carpeted with tiny roots and fungi, glowing softly in the weak light. Overhead, the trees closed in, looming above them, pressed so tightly together that only a thin trickle of moonlight showed the path.
Where are we going?" Kai asked finally.
"To a place where the past still survives," the wolf says returning, its tail still in motion. "You got to know your roots if you are to understand your destination."
Kai scowled, not saying another word. And so they continued walking in silence until the trees fell away into a second clearing-smaller than the last. In the middle, there was a nest-like circle of twisted roots with a smooth black stone inside. It shone softly, its surface mirroring the moon above-like the face of the water caught in some still pool of calm.
The wolf pulled away, his muzzle beckoning. "Touch it."
Kai wavered. The stone emitted an energy given off by it, speaking to him and racing his heart. He took a great breath and stepped forward then, falling onto his knees in front of it. As his fingers brushed against the cool surface, a tide of sensations overcame him.
Pictures appeared in front of him:
His mother stood tall, her hands up as if to fend off some dark figure, winds and roots in equally powerful gusts
.
A young shadow wolf was stationed beside her, his fur sleek and lacking the silver of age.
It was a lively and wild forest, with some trees fully packed with animals, moving quietly in the bush.
The visions changed and became darker:
Fire dancing along the edges of the woods, some huge figure wreathed in fire, standing laughing as the trees screamed with agony.
The Shadow Wolf wailed as his mother dropped onto her knees, grasping at her chest, her features contorting into a mask of anguish.
The forest darkened, brightness lost, remaining only scraps of life, desperately holding on to it.
Kai gasped and jerkily withdrew his hand, as his heart raced. The wolf was right beside him in an instant, and his steady presence calmed him.
"What was that?" he asked, his voice trembling.
"Memories," the wolf said softly. "The memories of the forest-and your mother's. They are a part of the linkage you feel.
Kai looked at the stone, his thoughts moving quickly. "She tried to keep it safe… but something went wrong. She wasn't able to stop it."
The wolf nodded. "Your mother was strong, but she was just one. Even protectors have their limits. The dangers threatening this forest are far older than you could think, and over time, they grow hungrier.
Kai clutched his fists in a surge of anger and sadness. "What am I supposed to do then? She couldn't stop them. How do I?"
You are not alone, said the wolf softly to him, your strength comes from the bond, from the forest, and from those who would stand with you, but to harness that, you need to know what it is.
Kai again looked down at the stone, its surface now still and dark. He felt the weight of his mother's legacy until below it began to flare a spark of determination.
"I'll do whatever it takes," he said, his voice firm.
Then your journey begins in earnest," said the wolf, cocking his head in satisfaction. The following morning, Kai came back to the village. In his head, Kai had visions and the wolf's words. With renewed determination in his heart, Kai walked down the narrow, unkempt streets, ignoring the inquisitive looks thrown his way by villagers. He went into his hut, but the space felt confined, the walls closing in on him as though the forest wanted him back.
He sat cross-legged on the floor, pulling out the amulet that Lena had given him. The thing felt warm in his hand, beating softly to his heartbeat. He thought of his mother, how brave she would have needed to be facing all the dangers the forest had shown him.
And finally, Lena had told him, "You are more than what you think, Kai; one day you shall see it, too."
A knock came at his door, and he thrust the amulet inside his shirt. He rose from his couch and opened the door to Lena, her face images of worry and curiosity.
"You have been away for days," she said, folding her arms. "What have you been doing out there?
Kai paused, thinking about what to say. "I'm… working on some things."
Lena frowned. "That's even more vague than usual, you know. You have really been acting weird lately, Kai. And don't think I didn't see that wolf.
His heart leapt into his throat. "What wolf?
She rolled her eyes. "The one that's been hiding near the edge of the village. People are scared, you know. They think it's a bad omen."
Kai swallowed hard, his mind racing. He hadn't realized the Shadow Wolf closed in so close. "It's not dangerous," he said hastily. "It's. trying to help me. Lеnа stared at him, her face softening into unreadable.
"Helping you with what? Kai looked into her eyes, and for a moment, he wanted to tell her all-the bond, the visions, the old battle his mother had fought. It was too heavy, though, even for her. "Just… helping," he finally said. "I promise, it's not what people think." Lena watched him for a time, then nodded. "Okay," she said. "But be careful, Kai. You're going into a place you don't understand. Smiling, he replied, "I will be all right. I must be." As she turned to leave, Kai felt her words hang over him. New ground he was walking on, the realization began to dawn on him that it was his to walk. He did not walk alone.