I kick him away on the chest to force him backward.
His toughness and weight reflected on my nerves. He could be mighty. He has a square jawline, a naked upper to display his built body, and black pants matched with black shiny shoes—something not crafted for sparring.
I initiated the question, "Who are you?"
"Ask that weak man. He knows every single one of us anyway."
"You... did that to him?"
"I overdid it because of an outburst so..." He shrugs to finish the sentence to purposely mock me.
"And what do you want from me then?"
"Show me what you got!"
He sprints towards me in an instant. He's fast but I can see his movements coming. I sway my leg against him and there's a sudden twist of his attack; he caught my leg instead then hurled me to a burning trunk. He's so mean! The trunk crashed into pieces when I was tossed there, spun around the ground, and my coat was left hanging on the prick of that tree on fire! As I expected, my appearance changed.
"Oh, this is you without the mascot?" His voice came from behind. It seems that he befriended a fire because it doesn't burn him when he plucks a stem to the other burning tree and then throws it at me. I swipe it with my claws, it scattered into shreds. He wants me to show everything I got, I want to see what I got, too. Filled with excitement all of a sudden, I attack first.
We both received the blow on the face at the same time but mine is more powerful to make him twist and clatter on the ground. I lean above him, smacking his face with my boosted fists again and again. But my impression at first is the same, he's tough. Surprisingly, his skin is covered with clear glass which reduces my damage to him. I stopped for a second, and then he made a scoffing chuckle.
"Why are you holding back?"
"I'm trying."
I raise my fist, fill my lungs with enough oxygen, then smash his face with all my might. His nape bounced harshly on the ground and the result was satisfying: I made a crack. He's unable to speak from the impact. "If I defeat you, tell me who you are." I pull him on his neck and sway my claws to his face, however, he scatters into ashes. I shake off my hand, then stand up. "You're quite a magician," I commented. He's now sitting on a branch of a burning tree—with his nose bleeding.
"How shall I tell you my name if you kill me?"
"I said I'm just trying to break your shell."
I'm impressed with his extended power like that, like Mraz's manipulation. Now I'm wondering if I can do the same. My amazement increased the moment he hops on the ground and the fire diminished like a wave starting from him. He wipes the blood on his nose and says,
"You're indeed almighty. I'm honored. But that only means you're the greatest threat. The silver wolves originated from the pureblood, another apocalypse of peace in the werewolf race may happen. And to suspend that, the root must be annihilated before they could think about the same thing from the horrific history."
"You're just overthinking," I made it sound fed-up with their mental concepts. "I haven't done anything wrong in the sight of the law. You may be a hero in the past, but don't make yourself a killer in the future just because of a 'threat'."
"I guess purebloods think wisely and bluntly. I had enough of you for now. I hope you liked my presentation."
"What—?" I was startled by the huge explosion coming from the location of Dandeline! Snow with soil is falling after that. The distraction gave the tough werewolf an opportunity to escape from me, he's gone when I look around again. The only thing I found is a piece of paper on the ground of ashes where a message is written:
In this name, I shall avenge my fallen pack— Elibur
It gave me a hint about them. I toss the paper away and run towards the explosion without minimizing my speed. Those kinds of traps are cheap for Dandeline but I'm still worried. If they're harmed, I'll be a real threat to Elibur. The scent of cake is getting closer.
Wincing, my body aches again. I staggered as I approached the smell and later heard her voice. "Watch out!!" I felt her arms locking my head before another deadly explosion, she created a small dome to cover us from the impact. I cling to her waist, sinking my face into her bosom.
"Oh my goddess, Hessuel! I've been looking for you!"
"Is it over?"
"No, but we better get out of here!" She's trying to push me. "And hey, we can't leave like this!"
"I feel weak." And I feel extra clingy.
My strength recharged after she healed me. She offers a hand to help me up but my weight almost drags her down again, so I stand on my own.
She addresses, "You suddenly disappeared. And the explosion is insane!"
"I thought you were harmed. Where are they?"
"Matheo is healed. His son is taking him home. Let's go after them."
"But my coat..." I'm sure it turned into ashes now. After a short moment of grieving, I found Acro flying in a circle above me to drop a burnt cloth. "Oh no."
"Your coat?" She took only the brooch then spoke hurriedly, "Leave that. We can fix this. Come on."
I can't tell her. I'm more concerned about myself without my coat on. I think it's safe to keep my distance from her. When Acro perches on my shoulder, that's when I walk after Dandeline. But she's complaining about my sluggishness.
We had to keep out of sight of the residents who heard the explosions. That's why the small village is bustling in the middle of the night. We made it all at the bar where the father and son reside. Thankfully, Matheo is conscious and well. We gathered inside his room to talk about the ambush. He recounts that he was about to close the bar when Elibur attacked him first before dragging him into the woods, and there he was beaten up for a purpose.
"He used me to lure the pureblood."
Dandeline, with her folded arms, asks me, "And what did Elibur do to you?"
"He wanted man-to-man sparring. He could've just asked me directly."
"I'm really sorry." Matheo bows his head. "If only I knew you're the pureblood... A werewolf with crystalline eyes... How did you change your appearance?" It's a relief I'm not entirely prominent since some werewolf can recognize me even with my coat on.
"Because of the brooch on his coat." Dandeline shows them the brooch. "It contains enchantment that hides his true appearance and true nature."
"Hessuel... is your name, right?" Matheo asked. "I am glad to finally meet you, a pureblood silver wolf. If you're looking for the pond of the Moon's Order pack, then let me guide you."
"You knew!?" Dandeline exclaimed.
"I knew. And I've been waiting for him to arrive, too. The only instruction counseled to me is to not let anyone know except this werewolf owns as white as snow skin and hair, and crystalline eyes. That is their description of the pureblood. I hope you understand why I lied at first."
"I see. You're doing what you're told to do very well." Then she looks at me while tossing the brooch in the air and smirking. "Problem solved."
Tonight is the only time we have to prepare as told by Matheo. We pack our things and sneak in narrow lanes of in-between houses until we get inside the former house of this family. The house isn't empty because of the pictures with frames displayed on the wall, a few toy decorations on the stairs, and clothes in boxes under the round table. Those are from Lanasia. Matheo is leading the way to an empty room with another door inside.
"First, we're passing through a safe passage. It's the only valid path to enter the forest of the Moon's Order pack. We're going to a different dimension."
"Wait, father, are you sure it's okay to leave the bar behind?" Zaeramil questioned. He halts in the middle of the room with only a sling bag for his things. His frowning face is already an expression of his disagreement about this. Matheo can't just leave him behind the bar.
"Son, the bar is just our temporary livelihood before this very day." He touches Zaeramil's shoulder, taming him passionately. "Apart from being a father to you, this is my purpose in life. Therefore, let me do my part. I promise it'll be a worthwhile expedition in the end!"
Zaeramil, like us, never had an idea about his father's secret until he manifested it. And he's more reluctant than us from the fact of leaving the place where he grew... for a stranger like us.
"How about this," Dandeline proposes, "if you come with us then I'll teach you everything I know about enchantment. Maybe I can help you satisfy your ambition."
"I have nothing to learn from you. I already know what you can do," Zaeramil replied imprudently.
"You—! Then go suck your bar—!" I immediately cover her mouth.
"Son, consider this as learning and trying something new. Besides, you're not going to do it alone." Matheo said. And he succeeded in helping his son. I touch my forehead and breathe slowly. These two remind me always of a piece of memory I have of the man who left me behind. Painful memories are dominant because of the powerful emotion it marks on the bearer. Yet I'm still eager to see the bigger picture.
Matheo opens the door that brings us to the passage he was talking about. There's a stair going down the dark and glowing forest with different colors. Every single tree is intimidatingly giant, grasses are perfectly green and there are tiny glowing lights floating whenever we step on it, and a perfect place for refreshment! I got excited again and ran around in my wolf form. Acro is flying beside me.
This forest is dear. I fell in love with it at first sight!
I'm sitting on the grass with my human form again when Acro gave me a piece of leaf from the trees. ["Eat."]
"What? I'm not a bug."
She flaps her wings. ["Eat."]
I stare at the leaf before I eat it and surprisingly, it's sweet. "Am I a bug now?"
"Everything around here is safe to eat." Matheo and the others are approaching. He pricks a piece of grass, then eats it as well. "Everything is made sweet for our tongue. All the resources we need are here."
"Father, seriously? This is worse than I expected."
But he just laughed at his son's complaint. "It's the same words I uttered when Lanasia introduced this place to me!"
Dandeline sat beside me and then brags, "I will not take this kind of breakfast for now. I have luscious preservation from the palace of Plandreas anyway." She takes out the freezing turkey meal with a snap of her enchantment. It made me drool more than the grass.
"I forgot to expect that with travelers."
"Praise the wine..." Zaeramil sounds so relieved.
Dandeline steams the meal with her enchantment again; with the pot being surrounded by the hot round lights. Afterward, we feasted altogether. The drinks are provided by Zaeramil and they came from the bar. Just like Dandeline's enchantment, he preserved those in his power. The fullness I feel makes me sleepy especially since we spent the night for preparation instead of sleeping. I lie down on the ground while and behold the dark sky.
Zaeramil excuses himself to look around. "Don't go too far," Matheo advised. Dandeline excuses herself next.
"Where are you going?" I asked.
"I need to discharge."
"Oh." It's just me and Matheo who's left by the mages. Out of the blue, he asks me a surprising question,
"Are you craving her scent?"
"... What?"
"I mean, are you only being chivalrous or do you like her?"