Yuna finds herself thrusted into a task that carries the weight of the entire world on her shoulders as she sets out to acquire the elemental orbs of Fire, Air, Water, and Earth-the very lifeblood of existence. With each orb holding immense power, s...
Upon arriving, the pack greeted them once again, their enthusiastic howls echoing through the forest. Their howls of appreciation cut through the stillness of the woods, echoing their gratitude for Aqua's selfless act of protecting them during the flood. Elias, the alpha of the pack, stepped forward. With a dignified stance, he addressed the pack, his voice a blend of admiration and respect for Aqua's bravery. The wolves bowed their heads, acknowledging her. "Behold," Elias announced, gesturing towards a fresh bounty of prey that had been carried in by the rushing waters. "These animals have been brought to us by the flood. Let us feast in honor of Aqua, our protector." Her stomach rumbled hungrily at the sight of the feast laid out before her.
She took a step forward, eager to partake in the offering, when Sparrow suddenly darted in front of her with a gleaming slab of meat held delicately in his jaws. His eyes shimmered with kindness as he presented the food to Aqua, a gesture of respect and gratitude that touched her deeply. She gazed into his striking emerald eyes, all traces of hunger forgotten as she was struck by the sincerity in his gaze. For a moment, the forest was enveloped in a hush as they locked eyes, a silent understanding passing between them. In that moment of connection, she felt a sense of warmth and belonging, unlike anything she had ever experienced.
"Uh, thank you... Sparrow," she managed to stammer out. Sparrow, with a warm smile adorning his face, simply replied, "You're welcome," before trotting over to engage in lively conversation with Rosalie. As the trio conversed, Aqua indulged in the succulent meat, savoring each bite. Unbeknownst to her, Sparrow's gaze also wandered towards her from time to time. He found her strength and resoluteness captivating. Rosalie, deviating from joining the journey with her father's concerns, pleaded with him for his blessing. "Please Father," Rosalie pleaded, her voice filled with urgency. "I am now in debt. I want to join them on their journey."
Elias hesitated, worry creasing his brow. He knew what laid along the path she wished to tread. "Rosalie, this journey will be much too dangerous for you," his concern was evident. "I don't know what would happen to you if I lost you-" Rosalie interrupted, her eyes reflecting an unyieldeing gaze, "Father, I will be careful. Besides, I have Sage and Tor. They can come with me, that way your mind will be at ease." Sparrow voiced his doubts, "Rose, are you sure you want to tag along with your two bodyguards? I'm not sure if you'll be able to keep up." Sage and Tor exchanged glances, silently acknowledging the risks involved in their upcoming journey. They knew they had to protect her at all costs.
Rosalie turned back to her father, "Father, please," she pleaded once more. "Trust in me." He gazed at his daughter, torn between his instinct to protect her and his pride in her bravery. After a moment of contemplation, he spoke, his voice tinged with both worry and love, "Promise me you'll come back to me safely." "Yes, father," she replied. "I promise. You'll see me again soon." With tears glittering in her eyes, she embraced her father, feeling his silent support enveloping her.
***
"Shadow?" Yuna called him. "Hm," he replied nonchalantly. She noticed a cloud of darkness lingering in his eyes, a stark contrast to his usual self. Concern crept into her heart as she probed gently, "Did something happen with the Alpha? You seem... out of it." His silence was deafening, punctuated only by the sound of the fellow wolves that conversed. His body tensed. She couldn't help but notice the unnatural glint in his eyes. But just as quickly as it appeared, he brushed it off, claiming it was nothing of importance. Yet, she knew he was hiding something behind that enigmatic aura. Her concern grew and couldn't ignore her instincts. "You must have encountered something, haven't you?" He turned his gaze towards her, filled with surprise and wariness.
"I'll leave it alone if you want," she offered, trying not to push him too hard. "How do you know that?" he questioned, his voice laced with curiosity. "I can see it through your eyes. They tell me something you don't want to share or remember. I could be wrong, though, as you've said before, you can't trust easily." He was taken aback, astonished that she could read him so effortlessly. It felt as if his thoughts were laid bare before her. Not even his "brother," with whom he had grown up, could see him right through. He struggled to keep his memories at bay, desperate to forget the painful truths that lurked within. Yet, they persistently threatened to breach the surface, refusing to be ignored. And here she was, peering into the depths of his soul with those perceptive eyes.
The pack bid Elias and the earth clan farewell as they continued their journey. Rosalie and her two bodyguards joined them, expanding the pack's numbers. The group set off on their path, delving deeper into the woods. A thick fog rolled in enveloping the forest in a hazy shroud. Visibility decreased, causing a series of comical mishaps. Tor, not seeing a tree in front of him, accidentally crashed into it. Shadow, almost tripping over a hidden root, managed to catch himself just in time. Aqua, distracted by the fog, ended up colliding with Sparrow. "You alright?" He inquired as her helped her steady. "I'm okay. It's kind of hard to see with all this fog," she replied, brushing herself off. "Ahh, my poor nose," Tor groaned, rubbing his injured appendage. Sage couldn't help but chuckle at the scene unfolding before him.
"Sparrow, could you perhaps clear a path for us?" Yuna inquired, her voice cutting through the mist. "I can surely try," Sparrow answered, taking to the air. With a few powerful flaps of his wings, he dispersed the fog, unveiling a clear pathway that materialized before their eyes. The trees, now bare, stood like sentinels along the trail. The group navigated through the now visible path. Rose approached Sparrow, a playful glint in her eyes. "Nice move, white bud," she whispered, a smile playing on her face. "No problem," Sparrow replied with a wink, returning her smile.
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