Arin - chapter one : the wolf, the man and the moon
Arin By Azure Tyler
Chapter one : The wolf, the man and the full moon
When the moon was at it's peak she sat and watched it glow, unsure of its message or purpose. How long have I been here? She wondered to herself, her bright teal colored eyes clouded over with emotion. Memories. Horror. Destruction. She felt it was the doing of man. Maybe she was wrong. War is no one's fault. The moon seemed to pulse as if it had a heart beat of it's own... But the wolf didn't pay much attention to that. She was lost in thought.
What am I? she asked out loud as if speaking to the moon Where will I go? Who or what created me? She closed her eyes and her ears folded back sadly, causing the moonlight to shine on her long black horns. She sighed and stood now, ferally on all fours and walked without direction. Her white fur showing even in the darkest parts of the forest. The only other color on her body besides her beautiful coat were the teal colored inside tufts of her ears. The soft fur there was consistent and purely one color until it meshed with the outer white part of her ears.
She knew the area well so she spaced out on her way to her den until a crackle somewhere nearby caused her to stop dead in her tracks. No other creature should be stirring this late on the night of the full moon. Her ears perked up as she sniffed the air. She could smell deer faintly but if there were any deer nearby surely they would be sound asleep. She lifted a fore-paw and tensed up, looking as if she were made of stone, perched on top of a small hill. Then the breeze came in from the north, carrying his scent.
A hunter? No... She could smell fear and blood. He was human, she knew that much. She lowered her head and followed his scent out of curiosity, knowing he isn't a hunter but also unsure of who he was or why he was so deep into the woods. Finally after a few minutes she found him, leaning against a tall weeping willow tree. There were bite wounds on his shoulder and legs, blood dripping from them onto the roots of the tree. He was alive... Barely. A smile crossed the wolf's maw to show her pearly white canine teeth.
You lucky bastard. She said softly to the dying man. Then she raised her head to look at the moon and howled, long and loud. The sound echoed and a teal colored pattern appeared upon her fur. Swirling with energy as the howl continued to echo through the woods. The man's wounds glowed until the howl finished. His eyes flickered open and set upon the white wolf with the glowing tribal markings. His fingers brushed over his wounds - healed and caked with dry blood- with a surprised look.
You... he began to question you healed me? Why? How? What are you? He sighed and laughed at himself I must be dreaming. And if I am I bet even you, miss wolf, can't understand me... he said softly. The wolf came closer, the markings on her fur faded as she sat in front of him. She could tell he wasn't afraid of her.
Well, I promise you that this isn't a dream, nor a nightmare.. And not crazy either. But that's up to you to decide. she said with a playful smile. His face flashed through a few emotions before settling on a mixture of surprise, confusion and curiosity.
You can talk?! he practically squealed the words. The wolf laughed, a low sweet sound.
Don't act so surprised, you know what I am. Don't you? her eyes locked with his as she awaited his answer.
I do... You are a demon from the north, I can tell by your snow white fur. He was almost too calm considering. Maybe he had encountered demons before. They weren't uncommon.
I am Arin of Sonoka. But I don't know much about the place. My family- along with the great city- perished in flames.... she trailed off, her eyes clouding over with emotion again. She remembered that night as if it had happened only yesterday, though in actuality it happened over a hundred years ago. It still hurt her. The man could see the pain in her face, but he was unsure what to do. He also knew the pain of losing everything you knew and loved. He smiled sadly and reached to pet her head and Arin upon seeing his movements lowered her ears and accepted the gesture, feeling his fingers sinking into her thick soft fur.
My name is Vance... I am from the city to the south called Emont. I don't know much about it either... he stopped and suddenly started laughing And here I am being friendly with a demon from the north.. who'd have thought I'd meet another demon after all this time... He happily ran his fingers through her fur slowly and gently as he pondered his own past. Arin had never gotten along with humans before but she felt a strong bond with Vance and she welcomed his company. She was glad that he wasn't trying to hunt her like so many others.
Where are you heading? He asked curiously. Arin was unsure of her own path so she was hesitant to answer his question. She almost didn't but he gave her head another reassuring pet, giving him what little comfort he could.
I... she fumbled I honestly don't know... I can't exactly walk into a city in this form without being chased or hunted. She sighed softly and lay her head on his leg. Vance looked down shocked and confused.
I have met demons before and from what I hear almost all of them know how to change form... You don't know how? he tilted her head up to look at her soft, sad face. If there was a way to change she had to find out no matter how long it took.
Do you know how? she asked softly, almost a little too hopeful. But he simply shook his head, sending her back into her depression. Well there goes that idea... she mumbled.
Well.. Vance said after seeing her expression change I suppose I can bring you to someone that knows and can teach you how... I mean... I do owe you for saving my life after all. he scratched his head. Suddenly Arin pounced up and began to lick his face happily, her tail wagging behind her. They laughed together now, the sound echoing through the woods. Then they lay silent, exhausted and weary from a long day, listening to nature with their eyes on the moon again.
The breeze no longer bothered them, it had brought the wolf to the man and now it could rest for it's job was done. The world was silent, not a single creature dared to disturb the silence as Arin and Vance fell fast asleep against the large willow tree. She sheltered them with her long waving vines. Happy to aid them in their journey. Everything was going to change as of tomorrow. The world was going to change. But the wolf and the man didn't know of this, even though the moon tried to tell them. Without words the world conspired to their meeting. It was what most call fate, or maybe sheer luck? No this was meant to be. If the moon goddess couldn't convey her message then she'd use nature to get her point across. The sooner the better because the world depended upon this wolf...
When the moon was at it's peak... She sat and watched it glow. Unsure of it's message or it's purpose... But subconsciously she knew. She knew what was going to happen. What war would the humans rage this time? What destruction will be brought? She knew, but only in her dreams.