"Where are they? Do you think they look like those who came before, the ones who took my grandson?"
Fenrik shook his head. "I don't think they were the same group, Elder Leader," he answered firmly. "But you should look for yourself."
The elder's eyes shifted toward Arlon's group as they approached the temple, his gaze calculating, yet tinged with wariness. Without a word, he walked forward to meet them.
"Well, look at this," Elandar chuckled, his voice carrying a light, teasing tone. "We don't get visitors often, especially ones escorted by our finest."
Elandar studied them carefully, noting their faces, and felt a sense of relief wash over him. These were not the same dangerous individuals from before.
He still vividly remembered the chaos that day, the helplessness he felt as his pack was torn apart, and his inability to protect his grandson.
Then, his gaze fell upon a young figure among the group—a boy with familiar features. His heart skipped a beat as he realized who it was. Eric. His lost grandson.
Elandar froze, his eyes widening with disbelief as he locked onto Eric. For a moment, time seemed to slow. The weight of his emotions held him in place, speechless, as the realization of what stood before him washed over him like a wave.
"Eric..." The elder's voice cracked, tears welling up in his eyes. "You're alive."
Eric dashed forward, his eyes brimming with tears. "Grandfather!"
Elandar enveloped Eric in a firm embrace, his laughter mixing with a choked sob. "I thought I'd lost you forever," he whispered, his voice cracking with emotion.
"They told me you were taken, and I feared the worst."
Eric hugged him tightly. "I'm okay now. Master Arlon saved me."
Elandar pulled back slightly, cupping Eric's face with trembling hands. "Look at you," he said, his eyes scanning every feature as if committing it to memory. "You've grown so much."
Eric turned slightly, gesturing toward the group behind him. "Grandfather, these are the ones who brought me home," he introduced. "This is Arlon, Lawrence, Alice, and Anthony."
The elder leader's gaze shifted to Arlon and his group, a silent assessment in his eyes. "And these are the ones who brought Eric home?" he asked.
"Yes," Eric replied, his voice thick with gratitude. "They saved me from the evil mage who kidnapped me."
Arlon's eyes narrowed as he processed the information. So, Eric had been kidnapped by the Pry members, which meant they were likely gathering wolves from different bloodlines.
Turning to the other gray wolves, the elder leader's expression hardened when he saw their disheveled state, a clear sign of a recent battle. "What happened?" he asked.
One of the wolves stepped forward, lowering his head in respect. "We were ambushed by monsters. They've become more aggressive lately."
The elder leader's sharp gaze flickered back to Arlon, lingering for a moment. There was something about him—a presence that seemed to resonate with the very land itself.
"I see," the elder leader murmured thoughtfully, his eyes gleaming with a quiet curiosity. "It seems the monsters were aware of the upcoming guests."
Despite the warmth in his voice, there was a sharpness in the elder leader's gaze as he studied each of them, his eyes lingering a moment longer on Arlon.
There was something inquisitive in his look, as though he were weighing not just their appearances, but their very presence, sensing something beyond the surface.
Arlon stiffened under Elandar's gaze, the elder's piercing eyes seemed to dissect him, seeking something buried deep within. It wasn't mere curiosity—it was as though Elandar was peering into his very soul.
He must have noticed something about me with just a glance, Arlon thought, his mind racing as he tried to pinpoint what could have given him away.
Elandar took a step forward, his posture commanding yet approachable. With a subtle nod, he introduced himself.
"I am Elandar, leader of the Gray Wolf Pack. Welcome to our home." His voice carried a calm authority, yet there was a certain warmth that made it clear he wasn't just a leader—he was a protector, a guide to those under his care.
He glanced around at the group, his eyes softening with understanding. "Come," he said, his voice now more inviting.
"Come, let us find you some rest. You must be weary from your journey." Elandar's gesture toward the temple was inviting, encompassing the ancient sanctuary that had long been a refuge for his people.
The temple doors creaked open, revealing a warm, inviting space illuminated by the soft glow of lanterns and the steady crackle of a central fire.
The group followed him, the weight of the journey still heavy on their shoulders, but the promise of rest ahead lightened their steps.
As they made their way toward the temple, the air seemed to hum with the presence of something ancient, as if the very land around them was alive with history and secrets waiting to be uncovered.
Once everyone was seated, the gray wolf members began preparing the table. As they settled in, Arlon glanced at Ace, who had jumped onto the table and sat next to him.
"Have you noticed anything odd about what happened earlier?" Arlon asked, his voice low.
Ace, not looking at him, licked his paws nonchalantly. "Don't worry about getting attacked again. I'm the type who's more aware of these things than anyone else."
Arlon raised an eyebrow. "I know you're aware, but doesn't it feel strange that those monsters attacked us not because we're outsiders, but because we're guests?"
Ace paused, his grin turning sly. "Traditions like these always come with a twist."
"But don't worry," Ace added with a wink, "I'll keep you out of trouble—most of the time."
He shrugged before adding, "But yeah, I feel it too. Even the dragon soul reacted the same way. It's like this land is aware that we're carrying the Sky Dragon's soul."
"The wind earlier," Arlon began, "it wasn't from the power of the dragon soul, but from the forest?"
Ace paused, his expression thoughtful. "That's possible. But the real question is... why? Why would it protect you, yet at the same time, try to harm you?"
Arlon frowned, turning the thought over in his mind. It was a strange contradiction. Why would the forest act in such a way?
Before he could delve deeper into the thought, Elandar returned, sitting down after a brief exchange with the gray wolf.
He began to speak, his voice carrying the weight of years and wisdom. "You must be wondering about this place, about the land you've walked through." He smiled knowingly.
"When we first made this place our home, the land rebelled against us, seeing us as intruders who disturbed its ancient slumber."
"But as time passed, it began to recognize our intentions, testing our resolve before granting us a fragile peace."
Alice's brows furrowed. "But you stayed?"
Elandar nodded. "It wasn't easy. The land tested us, but after a few days, it began to accept us—not fully, but enough to allow us to stay."
Arlon leaned forward slightly. "And the monsters? Were they testing us too?"
Elandar chuckled. "It seems they gave you an... intense welcome. But not because you were mere outsiders. The land saw you as both a threat and a guest."
Arlon's gaze narrowed, his voice steady but laced with curiosity. "Why would it see me that way?"
Elandar's eyes twinkled with a mix of wisdom and amusement. "Perhaps it senses something within you—something it hasn't yet decided whether to trust or fear."
Ace smirked, his tail flicking lazily as he leaned closer to Arlon, his voice slipping smoothly into Arlon's mind. "Sounds about right," he whispered, his tone light but knowing.
Arlon's jaw tightened slightly, his eyes flicking toward Ace with a hint of exasperation. Always with the cryptic comments, he thought, resisting the urge to roll his eyes at the cat's usual antics.
"..."
Elandar, unaware of the silent exchange, chuckled warmly, his laughter breaking the tension like the first light of dawn. "Enough of that," he said, his voice carrying a quiet authority. "Gather around, for I will share with you the tale of the Seven Heavens."
The fire crackled softly in the background as the group settled in, their eyes fixed on Elandar, anticipation hanging thick in the air.
Arlon leaned back slightly, his expression shifting to one of cautious curiosity. His sharp gaze remained fixed on Elandar, but there was a flicker of interest in his eyes.
The Seven Heavens? Arlon pondered, carefully weighing the elder's words. It sounds familiar... is he referring to the seven continents, each guarded by the gods' servants until their return?
Beside him, Ace stretched lazily, his red eyes gleaming with amusement. "Finally, some storytelling," he whispered into Arlon's mind. "I hope it's not as dull as it sounds."
Arlon shot Ace a sidelong glance, his lips twitching ever so slightly in response. You might actually learn something useful for once, he thought dryly.
Ace smirked, his tail curling around his paws as he settled in comfortably. "We'll see," he murmured, his tone playful but intrigued.
"The Seven Heavens?" Lawrence interjected, his voice cutting through the quiet exchange between Arlon and Ace. His brows furrowed in keen interest as he leaned forward, his curiosity clearly piqued.
A faint flicker of eagerness lit up his eyes, as if the name had sparked a long-forgotten memory.
Elandar nodded, his expression grave yet inviting.
The group leaned in closer, captivated by the elder's voice as it began to weave a tale of gods and guardians, of balance and betrayal.
"Long ago," Elandar began, his tone resonant with the weight of ancient knowledge, "the gods created the Seven Lands, each one a reflection of their divine will. To ensure the harmony of these lands, they imbued each with a core—an extension of their power, a living embodiment of their essence."
"These cores were not mere artifacts; they were guardians, tasked with maintaining the delicate balance of nature."
Arlon felt a stirring in his chest, the mention of cores sending a ripple of recognition through him. Could this story be connected to the strange powers he had felt? The way the land responded to him? It seemed too coincidental, but he kept his thoughts to himself, captivated by the elder's words.
Elandar continued as he gestured to the carvings on the walls. "But the gods, in their infinite wisdom, also created duality within these cores. Each land held both light and dark, creation and destruction. Only by maintaining balance could harmony be preserved."
Elandar paused, his gaze flickering toward Arlon's companions. "You've seen the corruption of the forest, haven't you? That's what happens when the balance is disrupted."
Alice nodded, her expression thoughtful. "The creatures we fought—they were part of that corruption, weren't they?"
Elandar's eyes darkened slightly. "Yes. The land itself is in turmoil, and the cores' dual nature is at war. Without a guiding hand, the balance tips, and chaos follows."
Arlon, who had been listening intently, finally spoke. "And what happens to those who control these cores? Are they beholden to the gods?"
Elandar's lips curved into a wry smile. "Ah, the question of power. Those who hold the cores wield great influence, but it comes with a price. They must understand the delicate balance and be willing to sacrifice for it."
Creak—
The heavy oak doors creaked open, and Eric's older brother strode into the hall, his cold, calculating gaze immediately fixing on Arlon.