Chapter 14 - Mindscape

511 A.R. January 19, Volkov Household, Morning

A creaking noise woke me as I opened my eyes and found myself head-to-head with Peter. His brown fur had dried and grown fluffy while his scent was strong and pure once more.

My hand rested on his side and I could feel my fingers resting near his buttocks. A mischievous grin spread on my lips as I began to gently massage the cauda at the base of his tail.

Peter made a delighted murr and began to wake as he opened his eyes.

"Morning Peter," I whispered as I looked into his yellow eyes.

His tail shifted and squirmed as his ears perked up, "Morning Vilkas."

I glanced up for a moment and noticed that the door to my room was open while stacks of clothes were piled on the chair next to it.

"I've been thinking about the defense force," Peter said.

"Oh?" I said as I rested my head on the pillow.

"I don't like the idea but I don't want to be left here while the rest of you go on adventures."

"It's not a suicide mission, it's education."

"Still, it's near the walls and you've never heard the sound of lasers scorching metal or the sound of things exploding."

"That only happens near Dyssia, the UCS aren't that bad and the Empire keeps to themselves."

"Yeah," Peter whispered.

A sudden loud growl filled the air as my gut screamed for food.

Peter smirked and made a light chuckle, "I'm starving as well."

I touched his chest and let a finger trail near his ribcage, "How's your chest Peter?"

Peter pulled a deep breath and I watched his chest expand, "A lot better... amazing."

"And your arm?" I asked.

Peter shifted his arm so that we could both see. There was no blood in the fur and it took a moment to find the puncture wounds, to my surprise it looked as if a thick gel had formed in the puncture wounds.

Even stranger was the presence of what looked like a fine framework of blood vessels running through the gel like structure.

"Look's like you're healing well," I whispered.

Peter nodded and stared at his arm, "Yeah, and these wounds were deep."

I leaned in and nuzzled him for a moment, "Breakfast?"

"... Vilkas?" Peter whispered.

"What?" I asked.

"What is this? What are you doing? What are we doing?" Peter asked.

I made a warm smile, "I think it looks like cuddling."

Peter gulped, "Yeah."

"Too much?" I whispered.

Peter leaned in and returned the gesture, "No, I like this."

"Good, so how about breakfast?" I asked.

Peter nodded with a smile, "Sure."

We got up, got dressed, visited the bathroom, and then headed downstairs where father was waiting.

"Morning," Father said as he looked up at the stairs.

"Morning dad," I said as I approached him while Peter remained by the stairs.

"I want some clarification about what happened yesterday?" Father asked as he looked at me.

"An argument arose, we resettled the hierarchy, I'm alpha and I've chosen Peter as my beta. We're going to meet John and Allen later today and make sure there's nothing unsettled."

Father looked up at Peter by the stairs, "Peter?"

Peter gulped and met father's eyes, "It's as Vilkas says, we've settled things."

"And your wounds?" Father asked.

Peter touched his side for a moment, "I'm healing well, no problems."

"And your pride?" Father asked.

Peter ears perked with a stunned look, "It's... uh..."

Father cocked his head, "Battered but intact?"

"Yeah, something like that," Peter said with a light nod.

"Good," Father said.

Peter stepped onto the floor and looked up at my father, "My dad, Hector, has he contacted you?"

Father reached out and touched Peter's shoulder, "Your father knows and understands Peter."

Peter looked down at the floor, "I see."

Father let go and motioned to the kitchen, "I bet you're hungry?"

I nodded, "Starving."

511 A.R. January 23, Volkov Household, Night

Life had returned to normal and I found myself staring at the roof unable to sleep. Alpha, pack leader, the word kept circulating in my head as I found myself with a new responsibility I had neither wanted nor knew what to do with exactly.

Should I change? What made a good leader? What did the others expect? Was I supposed to just stomp my foot down and declare my ruling if there was an argument that couldn't be solved?

A light growl escaped my throat as I brought my hands to my head in irritation. My tail squirmed while I opened my muzzle to pant as I tried to find a way out the confusing state I found myself in.

The warmth grew and my instincts stirred as I tossed and turned while my heart thumped. I felt weird and restless while my mind flowed with a rush of impulses that made my skin crawl.

My nose caught something and it made me sit up as I became aware of a strange scent that didn't belong. I sniffed around and my attention was drawn to my crotch as I bent over and stuck my nose near my groin.

There were three distinct types of scent present, anal glands, the scent clinging to the groin itself and a light hint of urine. I liked my own scent, it was potent, musty, spicy, and now it had a budding but strange acrid marker that was familiar in some way.

I shut my eyes and pondered the scent, my father had it, Kato had it, Selina had a female version of it.

My heart thumped and a rush of warmth rushed to my head as I recognized the marker as that of an alpha. Somehow my body or the symbiont knew what had happened and triggered another change.

I looked up as the instincts kept growing to the point where the room began to feel cramped.

My inhibitions let go as I hopped out of bed, marched to the door, walked down the hallway, and stepped in front of the upper floor balcony. A gust of cool air hit me as I opened the door, it smelled of the outdoors and it called to me.

I picked up pace as something feral took over, I welcomed it as I grabbed hold of the railing and hopped over it. I was falling, air rushed past and rustled my fur as a wild smile spread on my face.

I wasn't scared like last time and it felt natural as I readied my body. My paws took the brunt of the impact while my hands handled the rest as I hit the soggy ground.

The landing didn't hurt and I stood on all four without the slightest of shame as my tail wagged in excitement behind me. My breath caused a small cloud of fog as I rose on two legs and looked around the garden.

The world was black and white but it mattered little as I relished in the relief that the open sky and cool air brought me. I sniffed the air and caught the scents of the garden, trees, the neighbors, mother's perfume wafting from the porch, the markings of our territory.

My instincts were quick to remark on the fact that my markings were now out of date. It caused an immediate shift in my groin and made me wander the garden as I refreshed the scent marks with my new status.

I finished and a sensation of relief and pride filled me as I stepped back and smelled the air.

An almost inaudible creak made me snap back in an instant as my instincts shot sky high. To my surprise I saw father's looming figure stepping into the garden.

"You're up late," Father whispered.

I became conscious of the fact that I was nude but decided to play it cool as I relaxed once more.

"Yeah, sorry, did I wake you?"

Father stepped closer, "It would have been embarrassing for me if you hadn't, but I don't mind Vilkas. It can be nice to visit the garden or go for a walk in the forest at times like these."

"Yeah," I whispered.

Father inched closer and crouched a little as he looked me in the eyes, "How are you feeling?"

"Weird," I whispered.

"Tell me about it?" Father asked as he sniffed the air.

"I feel as if I'm changing again, I'm restless, my thoughts are running all over the place, that... presence of the symbiont is stronger than before, and my scent is changing again."

Father's lips pulled back in a feral grin, "You're a good wolf Vilkas, you'll be a good alpha as well."

"What does that mean?" I asked.

"What you're feeling is the rush of hormones, additional activity in your symbiont, accelerated growth, a tad of aggressiveness, but most of all the new instincts that will help you in your new role as alpha of the pack."

I gulped as my suspicions were confirmed, "I was pushed into this dad, I didn't ask for it."

"I know Vilkas, but you'll adapt, it can be a burden at times but it's also very rewarding to help and keep one's pack safe."

"What do I do?" I asked.

"Don't be a jackass, treat the others with respect, accept the fact that others have valuable input and admit your weaknesses. It's that simple," Father answered.

511 A.R. February 15, University of Technology, Midday

Maria moved her hands as she told her story, "... so we're getting comfy in bed, everything is pleasant and he's got these really cute antlers... and then..."

While interesting I found myself wondering why we were being told about her sex life, Alex seemed to share the same thought while Tanya listened with an intense look of feline curiosity.

Maria paused for dramatic effect, "And then he released this loud burling scream right in my face and I just froze in horror. For a moment I thought he had gone insane or that some unimaginable pain had struck him."

"What happened?" Tanya asked.

"He stopped and seemed rather surprised at my reaction, safe to say, whatever instinct he inherited, I didn't."

"What did you do?" Tanya asked.

"I ran out of course, he nearly scared me to death."

"... Poor guy," Tanya said.

Maria made a halfhearted nod, "Yeah, but... what the hell was he thinking? Once the panic settled I began to realize that he hadn't meant to scare me like that."

Tanya glanced over at me and Alex, "Well, bucks aren't the only ones with strange instincts."

Alex raised his brow as if insulted, "Well we certainly don't scream out before sex or howl as we finish as some people seem to think."

Tanya smirked and raised her hand as she pointed at him, "You canines do look rather funny though when someone gets you going, drooling, panting, whining, you even hump the air."

Alex glanced away and crossed his arms, "We have a strong libido, so what?"

I smirked a little which caught Alex's attention, our eyes met and he made a bemused smile.

Maria pointed at the two of us, "Well we all know what the two of you were up to after you stank up the equipment storage room, It's been months and you can still smell it."

Alex's ears folded back while I raised my hands, "Sorry about that, it was rude and inconsiderate of us."

Tanya smirked and chuckled, "I was with a canine once, perhaps you can help solve a mystery of mine?"

I looked over at Tanya, "Is this about our genitalia? Because they should have gone through that in biology."

"Well... maybe, or more of an odd instinct I'd guess."

"Go on then, I guess this could be interesting?" I said.

"All right, so we had our fun and he got stuck so we waited until he got loose."

"Yeah?" I asked.

"Then this guy moves back and bends down like a damn acrobat before starting to lick his own balls. Seriously? You do that?"

I felt a rush of warmth hit my face and I could see Alex's tail wrap around the chair.

"Uh," I whispered.

Maria began to smirk and chuckled, "Oh my, it wasn't just him?"

My ears clamped to my head, "It's an instinct, it feels nice and it doesn't hurt anyone. Where's the harm?"

Alex made a slight cough and spoke up, "I think it's more like a guy thing rather than a canine one, give humans a flexible spine and they'd do it too."

"Really?" Maria asked with an incredulous expression.

I made a sheepish smile, "I'd have to agree with Alex, males are pretty obsessed with their junk."

Tanya leaned back in her chair with a pleased expression, "This is fun, if a bit disturbing, Maria has shared her story, I've shared mine, why don't you share something?"

"I think we've shared plenty already," I answered.

Maria shook her head, "Nope, you just answered a few questions."

Alex spoke up first, "I don't have any awkward sexual encounters to be honest."

Tanya made an evil feline smile, "What about your first time?"

"Human, in a car, nothing noteworthy," Alex answered.

"Hmm, all right then, share something canine then, racial secrets and all that?"

Alex's ears perked as he pondered it, "Uh, we like to play with balls?"

Maria snorted and Tanya burst into laughter in an instant.

Alex's shrank into his seat while his tail hid, "I meant tennis balls!"

Tanya squirmed as she laughed and covered her mouth as she tried to put a lid on it.

"Sure you did," Tanya chuckled.

Maria pointed at me, "Your turn Vilkas."

I pondered it for a few moments, "Your poop turns white if you eat too many bones."

Tanya's eyes grew wide and Maria leaned back in surprise while Alex began to snicker and smirk.

511 A.R. March 1, Forest, Morning

A strange sensation filled me as the others joined me by the car. The air was silent but tense as I glanced around and met their eyes. John smiled for a moment while his ears kept shifting on his head, Allen was panting, and Peter looked nervous.

It was always like this as we stood on the precipice of something exciting, wild, and alien.

I reached for the top of my dress shirt and began to unbutton it as fluttery sensation filled my gut. The presence of the symbiont felt like a cloak on my mind while my instincts began to pull at my imagination and state of mind.

Warmth began to fill my body while my heart beat harder and made my head thump. The others started to undress as I pulled my shirt off and threw it in the trunk.

I reached for my shorts as I pondered the mixture of sensations that felt both exhilarating and uneasy. It made me wish for some better way to break the ice among us, at the same time that feeling of doing the forbidden made it all so much sweeter.

The shorts made a slight click as I unlatched them and slid them down. My sensation of embarrassment only grew as my shaft had engorged enough to remind me of a lipstick.

I ignored it as I threw the shorts into the trunk and rose while glancing over at the others. A slight smile spread on my face as I noticed that the others shared my problem of excitement.

John threw his clothes in the trunk and kept a cool demeanor while I caught Allen staring at my crotch.

Peter moved behind me and threw his own set of clothes in the trunk, moments later he started sniffing the air. John seemed to hook on as his ears perked while his nose flared.

Allen glanced up, noticed that I had caught him staring, and folded his ears back in an instant.

"What is that?" Peter whispered.

My heart picked up pace and I felt the urge to start panting as I glanced back, "What?"

"That smell... it's..." Peter whispered.

John's sniffing intensified, "I knew I smelled something earlier... its..."

Allen drew a deep breath and focused on me once more.

"It's me..." I whispered.

Peter inched closer and brushed by my shoulder as he snorted and huffed, "It is you."

John drew closer to me and crouched as he glanced down at my crotch, "I recognize that scent,"

My heart pounded in my chest and I felt a bit woozy as instincts and hormones flooded my mind.

Allen stepped closer and glanced up as he met my eyes, "You smell like... the alpha's at the gathering."

I drew a deep breath and caught my own concentrated scent, from the start it had been just a hint, but now... it oozed off me.

"It started just a few days after our fight, it's been growing ever since," I said.

"What does it feel like?" Allen asked.

"I feel like myself," I answered.

John made a slight chuckle, "You're always so modest."

I caught the sarcasm and smiled, "I didn't mean like that."

John nodded and met my eyes, "I know, still... you haven't noticed anything?"

"Apart from worrying about you guys all the time? Not really,"

"You're growing though, just look at those shoulder muscles," John said.

I glanced down at myself, "What?"

John stepped closer and lifted my arm as he poked a large muscle below my arm pit.

"It's called the infraspinatus muscle, it makes you look more like one of the big guys, I'm jealous."

I smiled to myself and eased out of his grip, "Thanks, enough about this though, let's hunt?"

John and Allen nodded and raised their noses as they scattered and started tracking, I meanwhile turned around and faced Peter who looked a bit sour.

"Something wrong?" I whispered as I stepped up to Peter.

Peter met my eyes while his ears lay flat in a morose look, "These things never happened to me."

"... Yeah," I whispered.

Peter made a light frown, "I guess even my symbiont knew I wasn't a proper alpha."

I found little to say so I relied on my instincts as I brushed up next to him.

Peter's ears perked a little while he glanced away, "Sorry, I don't mean to be such a whiny ass."

"It's okay Peter, I understand that you're hurting."

Peter's expression eased up as he nudged my shoulder, "It... smells good, enticing."

I leaned in and whispered by his ear, "How about we explore it later?"

A slight grin spread on Peter's lips as his tail started wagging.

511 A.R. March 20, RIWER, Midday

"RIWER is underground?" I asked as we stepped into the elevator.

Father nodded and held his hand near the interface for the elevator. The interface lit to life and showed a small photo of father along with a name and an ID number.

'RIWER ( W aldo assisted R everse E ngineering, R epair, I nvestigation)'

'David Volkov - SYNE#W50136E855'

The elevator shut its doors and began to descend as I thought of something, "I just realized something."

"What?" Father asked.

"Most movies and games from the old world often show these huge sprawling cities, why do we do everything important underground?" I asked.

"There's a multitude of reasons for that, security, safety, and who would want to clutter the countryside with large concrete buildings? Or live in a city where you can hardly see the sky?"

"I see."

Father made a devious smile, "And then there's also the charade we play with the other nations."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"The other nations pound their chests and compete who can build the tallest and most densely packed cities, in their eyes we're beast slaves working for what I've heard them call a 'collectivist, fascist, communist hellhole'."

I raised my brow, "That insult doesn't make a lot of sense."

Father glanced over at me, "Humans are prone to hyperbole and It's actually in our benefit that they don't realize how technologically advanced we are."

My eyes widened in confusion, "We have a base on the moon."

"Which is an embarrassment to the other nations, and most of them would deny that such a thing even exists."

I raised a finger toward the roof, "You just need to look up at the moon to see it."

Father shrugged, "As if that matters? It could be cheese, a strange formation of rocks, or... and this is the most insane one I ever heard, a projection that we shoot onto the moon."

"How about using a better telescope?" I asked.

Father made a light smile and smirked, "You're underestimating the power of willful ignorance Vilkas."

"So what, we just sit back in amusement while they think... that we're farmers or something?"

"Something like that," Father said as the elevator doors opened.

We stepped out onto what looked like a huge but flat train station set in an enormous cave, the floor had tracks embedded in it and there were storage spaces and strange machinery filling the floor.

"What are the tracks for?" I asked.

Father motioned to the right and I turned my head as I caught sight of a platform carrying what looked like a large scorched plate with jagged pieces of piping and hardware attached to it.

"Is that something from beyond the wall?" I asked.

"More like something ancient they dug up from one of the expeditions, our job is to examine it, see if it has anything of worth, and then send it to whoever is better equipped to deal with it."

I looked around and noticed that the walls of the cave system were actually office space with people mulling about inside.

"Not a lot of security," I whispered.

"Oh, there's a lot of security around here. You just can't see it," Father said as he started walking.

I followed, "So what was that thing you did with your hand in the elevator? Waldo tech?"

"Exactly, and soon you'll be able to do it too."

"Uh huh," I answered as father led me into a corridor inside the cave wall.

The sound of rushed footsteps made me glance back, a red fox that was just a tad bigger than me came running up with a smile as he joined my side and looked up at father.

"Good morning David!" The fox said with a cheery voice.

"Morning Rey," Father answered with a slight smile as he glanced over.

The fox focused on me and offered his hand, "You must be Vilkas?"

I took his hand and gave it a shake, "Yeah, nice to meet you."

The fox moved in front and started to walk backwards as he faced us, "Man you wolves grow quick, it didn't feel like long ago when your father came to work exuberant with joy."

I smiled and nodded in silence.

"I have a son of my own, we celebrated his 10'th birthday just days ago, he's started asking the tough questions," Rey spoke with a toothy grin as his eyes darted between me and father.

"Uh huh," I said.

"Anyway, welcome to RIWER. We're always on the lookout for folks with an aptitude for Waldo operations. We're also in close contact with the SI if you've got an interest in that?"

"Oh, uh, yeah," I answered.

The fox seemed a bit frantic as his large bushy tail wagged in a wide arc, "Great! Want some coffee before you get started? We have tea too, also-"

Father interrupted, "Rey, you're rambling."

Rey bit his lip and took a deep breath and before exhaling, "Right. Okay, let's talk some more around supper? Are you staying that long? Or-"

Father interrupted the fox once more, "Sure Rey, supper sounds fine."

"Great!" Rey raised his hands and made a thumbs up sign before turning around as he hurried down the corridor.

"That was weird," I whispered.

"Foxes tend to be a bit insane, but Rey's something special."

I made a light smile and looked up at father, "Annoying, or fun?"

"Rey's a good guy but he can be bit exhausting to be around in the long run."

"So do people have different aptitudes for Waldo operations, or what did he mean?" I asked.

Father nodded, "Yes, some people find the experience nauseating and never get used to it."

"Oh," I whispered.

"Don't worry about it Vilkas," Father said as he led me to large bulkhead.

The bulkhead seemed to sense our presence and opened up to reveal a rather small square room with a big chair set in front of a screen that covered the wall.

"This is where you work?" I asked.

"It's a lot more impressive than a first glance gives it credit for," Father said as he led me to the chair.

The chair was modeled to suit a big hybrid and there were a pair spherical globes in silver by the arm supports.

"Sit down," Father said as he motioned me along.

I got seated and sank into what felt like an oversized throne ready to swallow me up. The scent wafting from the chair was quick to tell me that this was indeed a place that father had spent a lot of time in.

Father reached out and touched one of the silver spheres. The black screen lit to life and showed RIWER's logo for a few moments until it was replaced by a command line that showed a single line.

'Ready.'

Commands sprung to life and danced across the screen, moments later the display changed and showed a room filled with heavy equipment and robotic arms.

Father let go of the sphere, "I've disabled most of the controls and eased down the amount of feedback you'll receive, Try touching one of the spheres."

I looked at the sphere in wonder and then reached out with my hand. My finger touched the silver surface and a sudden spark struck my nerve and made me recoil in surprise.

"Don't be scared of it," Father whispered.

I tried once more and remained steadfast as another spark and a tingle reached up my arm. The sensation eased after a few moments and became little more than a slight unease in my arm.

I eased my palm down and held the orb as the tingle began to intensify once more.

"How does it feel?" Father asked.

"It tingles."

"It's running benchmarks and is testing your compatibility, the unease will fade."

"I heard that this kind of technology was from the old world, did the humans use it?"

Father shook his head, "No, the tech is used by the lusus to communicate with each other. We've repurposed it to our own advantage. Humans can't nor have ever used something like this."

The sensation in my arm ebbed away and I felt myself drawn into something as an alien presence grew inside my mind, "I can't feel my arm."

"Your tactile sensation has been numbed, nothing more, if you try to pull your arm away then it'll do so, but don't do that just yet."

"All right?" I said as I glanced up at father.

"Focus on the screen and try to move the main robotic arm."

I focused on the screen and saw the main arm in the center of the view, "How?"

"Imagine that the robotic arm is your own, and just... do it."

I tried to move it but found that my real arm shifted instead. I relaxed, tried once more, and imagined the robotic arm as an extension of my own.

Without warning the robotic arm shuddered to life as it moved a little.

"Wow, where is that place?" I asked.

"Somewhere here in RIWER, I'm not sure exactly," Father said.

I tried once more and found myself latching onto the sensation as the arm began to sway and move like a third arm, "This is amazing."

"With time you can learn to control a lot of these as if you were an octopus, and that's not all, you can fully submerge itself in its senses, sight, hearing and tactile sensation."

"Can I pick something up?" I asked.

"Sure, I set the clamps to automatic so you shouldn't be able to damage any of the equipment. Try picking up that piece of wreckage over there," Father said as he pointed at the screen.

Like moving my own arm I reached out with the robotic one and clamped around the edge of the metallic wreckage. A sudden sensation rushed up my arm as I 'felt' the pressure I was exerting on the piece.

I tried to pull it up but the clamps slipped off and slammed together with audible bang. I tried once more and gripped harder this time. The huge piece of jagged metal lifted from its box while I smiled at the sight of what I was doing.

"Well done Vilkas," Father whispered.

A throbbing ache began to form in my hand and spread upwards along my arm.

"My arm is starting to hurt," I whispered.

"Put the piece back in its box and then let go of the sphere," Father said.

I moved the piece to the box as the ache began to radiate to my spine and neck. It made me squirm in discomfort as the robotic arm began to shudder.

The discomfort grew intolerable and I pulled my now aching arm off the sphere, the metallic piece hit the box with a slam as an error message was shown, 'Connection Interrupted'

"It aches, what was that?" I asked.

"Just exertion, nothing dangerous Vilkas."

The ache radiated and turned into slight headache, "So... was that good? I mean, aptitude wise?"

Father touched my head and ruffled the fur on my head, "That was very good for a first attempt Vilkas."

I made a smile of relief and glanced up, "Thanks."

511 A.R. April 3, Volkov Household, Evening

I followed father's scent through the house and found myself in the garden, to my surprise I couldn't see him at first glance.

"I'm right here," Father said.

His voice emanated from just beyond the raised porch and I followed it as I glanced over and caught sight of father laying on a plastic cover.

Father's eyes moved and met mine, "Something on your mind Vilkas?"

I glanced up towards the night sky and the belt of stars, "Yeah, are you watching the stars?"

"It's relaxing, join me and lets talk," Father said.

I stepped into the garden, crouched down, and lay down beside father on the cover.

"How's the pack?" Father asked.

"Calm, our studies are intense so we don't have much of a chance to hang out."

"Are you getting used to your new role as alpha?"

I made a slight shrug, "I haven't had to pull rank yet and Peter has calmed down, things are... peaceful."

"That's good," Father whispered.

"I've been thinking about what to do after university..."

"I could get you a job at RIWER if you want," Father said.

I made a light smile, "Thanks, and I might pick you up on that offer in a few years... but..."

"You had something else in mind first?"

"Yeah, I've been thinking about the defense force, both Athena and Lilia have recommended it."

Father pulled a deep breath, "Yes, most wolves do that, myself included."

"What do you think about it?" I asked.

"That's a difficult question to answer Vilkas, the defense force is dangerous, people die."

I made a slight smirk, "I already have."

Father shook his head, "Not funny Vilkas. The defense force teaches a lot of good and I wouldn't hesitate to serve again, but I'm also a father. I want you safe, at home, The thought of receiving a call and someone telling me that... something has happened to you..."

"I know," I whispered.

"Why do you want to serve?" Father asked.

"I want to see what's beyond the wall, what the UCS is like."

"So check the web?" Father said.

"I want to see it with my own eyes dad, I want to see if our world is really what it claims to be."

"I thought you were done with your paranoia Vilkas?"

"I'm not being paranoid, I'm interested in the world and it's an itch I have to scratch before I can settle down. Does that... make sense?"

"Yes. Will you promise me that you won't do anything stupid or try to play a hero?"

"I've had a taste of death dad, it's not something I'm eager to ever experience again."

"It's better to run with your tail between your legs than to end up dead, understand?"

"You're asking me to be a coward?" I asked.

Father shook his head, "No, not at all, uphold the virtues we have taught you, protect yourself, the pack, the populace, the nation. But don't fall victim to the lure of becoming a hero, don't take unnecessary risks, don't be... human."

"I understand," I answered.

"Say it," Father demanded.

I gulped with a tense sensation as the words seemed to settle inside me, "It's better to run with my tail between my legs... rather than end up dead."

Father nodded, "Thank you. I won't try to stop you Vilkas. If you want to join the defense force, then that's what you should do."

"Thanks dad, there's something as well..." I whispered.

"Go on?"

"Squads in the defense force are comprised of two fireteams, right?"

"Yes, unless something changed since I served."

"We're four in my pack, and there's four in the Frostwolf pack at university."

"Ah, you're thinking of teaming up?" Father asked.

"Yeah, I was thinking of taking Kato and his pack on a hunt, but we haven't had time yet and he's pushing for us to settle the hierarchy."

"I see, so what's the problem?" Father asked.

"I'm worried that we'll just start fighting and then it turns into a battle of strength rather than leadership. Which is bad."

"If Kato is a proper alpha then he'll be open for an honest debate where you can highlight your strengths. Brawn is a useful tool when the other part won't engage in meaningful dialogue, but it is not an indicator of superiority or a civilized society."

"I agree," I whispered.

"Decide the alpha based on merit, pick a few betas, and then have a playful fight to settle the deal."

"Huh?" I asked in surprise.

"The fight is just to get rid of the emotions that build up in debates like this, it doesn't actually matter who wins or loses."

"I see."

The discussion came to an end and I relaxed as I looked up at the night sky. My gaze fell upon the moon and I felt a sense of wonder as I watched the sprawling metropolis that was big enough to be seen with the naked eye.

I raised my hand in the air and placed a claw just so that the city was blotted out. It seemed so small yet so fascinating as I tried to imagine what it must have been like.

Did they have gardens? Hunting areas? Large biomes? Did they walk on the moon clad in space suits when they wanted to go for a walk? Did they have clans? What kind of work did they do?

I noticed several rectangular areas on the surface on the moon that seemed out-of-place.

"Those rectangular areas that look like fields, what are those?" I asked.

"Triatomic hydrogen harvesting fields, one of the fuels used in fusion reactors," Father answered.

"Do you know anyone who has ever been to the moon?"

"Yes, several," Father said.

My ears perked in excitement as I glanced over, "Really? Who? Have you been there?"

Father shook his head, "No, I haven't. As for the others, that's something I don't want to talk about."

"Oh," I whispered in surprise.

Father raised his hand and pointed at the moon, "The original moon base was built by humans before the collapse. It was underground and was supposed to serve as the main supply base for the colony on mars."

"A colony on mars?" I asked.

Father nodded, "The colony couldn't survive when the supply lines from earth were cut, but we'll retake it, rebuild, and expand, just like moon base Alpha where over 30k people live these days."

I put my hands behind my head and leaned back as I observed the moon and let my mind wander.

511 A.R. May 15, Volkov Household, Morning

My filters caught something of interest on the web.

'JR Fox - Interview: Laurence Reifenberg'

'Keywords: (Human Rights Awareness organization) (Unicostal Sect) (Happy Trails Incident)'

I activated the link and saw a rather simple studio set with a table and a pair of couches. In one couch was a well dressed red fox, in the other was a middle aged human with a shaved head and a black suit.

The interview seemed to jump right into action as the camera focused on the fox.

"I'm JR Fox and today we're hosting an interview with Laurence Reifenberg, a representative for the HRA organization," JR made a courteous smile and focused on Laurence, "Your group caused quite a stir in front of the Nexus tower, didn't you?"

The man made a bright smile and nodded, "I consider that a compliment."

"How so?" The fox asked.

"If we hadn't, would you have invited us to the show?"

"Perhaps not, would you mind telling us what your protest was about?"

"I'd be glad to, I'm the appointed representative of the Human Rights Awareness organization. We count over 60 percent of the adult humans in this nation as our members. Our protest last week was meant to highlight the increasingly hostile tactics used by the government and the SI in order to suppress and discriminate against humans."

"In what way do you think that adult humans are discriminated against?" JR asked.

Laurence raised his brow, "Everywhere, humans represent only a fraction of a percent in society and we're met with fear and revulsion. Discrimination is typical in the workforce, education, health care... we're not even allowed free speech."

The fox raised his hand to interrupt Laurence, "It is well known that that there is a selection bias against humans in the workforce, and that's both unfortunate and tragic, but you'll have to explain the rest."

Laurence made a slight frown, "Our children are forced to take part in propaganda and brainwashing that we do not agree with, homeschooling is outlawed, and so are private schools."

"Propaganda?" JR asked.

"Sex education that promotes a promiscuous lifestyle, the theory of evolution, a glorification of the lusus. Not to mention the warped 'news' that paint us humans as monsters."

"You're referring to the confiscated footage from the Happy Trails incident?"

"Yes, nothing but pure propaganda," Laurence said.

"Are you saying that it's fabricated?"

"No, but it's presented without context."

JR made a bemused if surprised smile, "Do share this context with us?"

Laurence drew a deep breath, "All right, tell me what you saw upon seeing the footage?"

"I saw a disturbed cult, humans urged into a trance like state, brainwashing and a well orchestrated 'exorcism' as well as a poor man being tortured on a stage."

"The torture has been condemned by hybrids and humans alike, but the rest of it is not any weirder than the things committed by hybrids on a daily manner."

JR raised his brow, "Really?"

"Yes, really. You hybrids revel in your instincts and bestial behavior, you have wolves hunting like wild animals, strange gatherings, and pagan rituals. Judge not lest ye be judged."

JR's ears perked, "That's hardly the same, our own 'quirks' and traditions pale in comparison to the insanity that footage revealed."

"The only reason you think of it as insanity is because you haven't experienced it."

"Your father is Osmond Reifenberg, leader of the Unicostal sect. I take it you're religious as well?"

"I am a man of God fighting to do his bidding."

"Uh huh, and you consider speaking in tongues to be... for a lack of a better word, normal?"

"Glossolalia, what you call speaking in tongues is one of the supernatural gifts from God, a heavenly language."

"I have experience with analyzing your so called heavenly language. It is phonetically impoverished, varies between individuals and there is far too much repetition. Real languages have marked differences and evolve a useful balance of redundancy to improve understanding and efficiency."

"What's your point?" Laurence asked.

"Your heavenly language is nothing but a game of noises repeated endlessly with poor accuracy, anyone could imitate it."

Laurence huffed, "That's because you're approaching this from a 'scientific' viewpoint, glossolalia is a spiritual language and you are unable to understand it since you no longer have souls."

JR leaned back in his couch and sighed, "Uh huh, moving on, you mentioned health care?"

Laurence took a moment to breathe and then continued, "Health care aimed at adult and elderly humans are non existent these days, I have problems with my heart but the doctors refused to treat me."

The fox cocked his head, "You'll have to excuse me, but I don't believe that."

"Are you accusing me of lying?" Laurence asked with a stark frown.

"Did the doctors truly not offer you any treatment options?" JR asked.

"Only ones derived from the lusus that destroyed the world. We neither support nor accept such medicine. And we certainly don't want our genes tampered with."

"Do you consider nanotechnology the same as the lusus?"

"Yes, of course," Laurence answered with a nod.

"Oh, I see."

"You hybrids are playing with fire and you don't realize it. Traditional medicine was based on natural remedies instead of strange machines and green ooze."

The fox made a light smile, "Uh huh. You claimed that you were denied free speech?"

The man reached into his pocket and fetched a piece of paper, "Yes, right here... rule 32, paragraph 8. Material containing imagery or depictions of extreme gore and/or material intended to shock or damage the human psyche may not be presented to humans below the age of twenty or with a compatibility quotient of less than 80."

JR frowned, "That's a rule added after humans besieged a school of small children and spread archive footage of people being infested by lusus."

Laurence met JR's eyes, "They showed those children reality and what your society were trying to turn them into."

JR glared while his tail began to squirm, "What they did was monstrous, irresponsible, and now illegal with good reason!"

"Your fear of showing children the reality only confirms that we're right."

"We are not lusus and children need to be nurtured in a warm and safe environment, not exposed to material that would horrify hardened war veterans."

"The reality-" Laurence said before being interrupted.

JR became mad enough to show his teeth for a brief moment, "Enough! This is a well discussed topic and we'd only reiterate what has been said a thousand times. Is this what you were protesting about?"

Laurence sighed, "We're always protesting these injustices, but no, this time we were focused on the shift that has occurred since the Happy Trails incident last year."

"And that is?" JR asked.

"Humans are being increasingly surveilled, there are drones patrolling our camps, inspectors checking up on us, new rules forcing our children to engage with others. It's an injustice and the sign of a nanny government that knows no limit just because of a tragic set of circumstances."

"You call an attempted murder, an abusive organization and over 100 humans trialed and condemned for child abuse... a tragic set of circumstances?"

"What I'm saying is that these 'safety' measures the government has implemented paints humans as dangerous individuals and it demands us to submit to rules and privacy violations. Even you can't claim that's anything but discriminatory."

"Yes, there are special rules when it comes to humans, many in fact. But they're there for a good reason, humans are overrepresented in all negative statistics, murder, mental illness, disease, rape, domestic abuse, child abuse and so on. In over five centuries every known terrorist attack has been committed by humans."

Laurence drew a deep breath, "And you're a racist that judges the whole of humanity on the acts of a few."

JR pointed at himself, "I'm a realist, these kinds of regulations are unfortunate, but necessary."

"Do you have children?" Laurence asked.

"How is that relevant?"

"You'll see," Laurence said with a sharp look in his eye.

JR nodded, "Yes, a boy and a girl."

"Human?" Laurence asked.

"Yes, they're young."

"And I take it you want to convert them into foxes?"

JR frowned, "Whether they want symbionts or not is their choice to make, we may not be brutally honest with them but I believe that our system is a compromise for the best."

"So you lie to them? Each and every day?"

"If that's how you wish to view it."

Laurence shook his head, "No, this isn't a matter of opinion. You deceive them,"

JR shook his head, "You're wrong Laurence, we may dress up the truth but we do not deceive, we're very clear from the start that different types of hybrids have various talents. They see me and my mate, observe society and they form beneficial stereotypes that help guide their choices."

Laurence huffed, "Delude yourself all you want, the reality of the matter is that you lure them into sin and condemn them to an eternity of suffering."

"You do realize that condemning everyone to 'hell' is not helping your image?"

Laurence shook his head, "Oh, you misunderstand."

"What do you mean?" JR asked.

"We're not condemning anyone, you are, we're only trying to spread God's love."

JR made a rather disturbed expression and leaned back while his tail grew slack.

511 A.R. July 5, Volkov Household, Evening

I reached into my pocket as I fetched the vibrating phone and put it by my ear.

"Vilkas," I answered.

"Hi Vilkas, this is James Grohol, Jason's doctor."

I froze, "..."

"Vilkas?" James said.

"... Oh, hi James. How is Jason doing?" I asked.

"Good, that's why I'm calling."

"I see, can I come visit?" I asked as a flood of old memories came rushing back.

"Yes, Jason's in a state where it would do him good."

"..." I found myself unable to say anything.

"Vilkas?" James asked once more.

"... It's been over half a year," I whispered.

"I know Vilkas, it's only in the last few months that he's made a considerable amount of progress. I hope you understand that?"

"Yes."

"The two of you were good friends from what I've understood?"

I gulped, "I think I was Jason's only friend actually."

"Yes. We're open for visitors tomorrow, you could come visit if you want?"

"... I think I can do that, anything I should keep in mind?"

"Just keep a friendly demeanor and everything should be just fine."

"I'll do that, thank you."

511 A.R. July 6, Psychiatric Clinic, Midday

It was a pleasant day, a gentle wind, clear sky and the temperature was just right. The area was beautiful, gentle rolling hills, fields of wildflowers and farmland in vibrant hues tended by automated drones.

The clinic itself was a three story building made in warm colors that made it look like an inviting place despite its nature. It was surrounded by a large garden filled with fruit trees and blooming flowers.

I glanced down at myself for one last look, long cargo shorts, a short sleeved dress shirt, and decorative paw protectors. A slight whirl in the short fur on my muzzle caught my attention, I licked my fingers, smoothed it out with a content sensation that I had done my best to look nice and proper.

I pulled a deep breath and then began to walk, I passed a stone arch guarding the clinic, entered the first floor, got directions from the reception, headed to the third floor, and found myself looking at an information screen that showed the inhabitants.

'Dwayne Ogdon'

'Patricia Yuille'

'Hedwig Reifenberg'

'Jason Jefferson'

I glanced around in surprise as I expected someone to meet me, or at the very least some kind of guard.

To my astonishment the third floor seemed open and unsecured in a way that struck me as weird, it made me wonder just what kind of security system that was at work here.

I started walking along the corridor and noticed that the rooms were open and allowed one to glimpse inside. The rooms looked like big one room apartments and all of them had a labels indicating who lived within.

The fourth room down the hallway had the name tag I was looking for, 'Jason Jefferson'

My nervousness made my tail grow slack while my ears folded back as I glimpsed inside. The right side was dominated by a bed and sofa while the other end housed a table and a small kitchen. Sitting in the sofa was Jason who was staring down at a pad.

Light brown hair, glasses, and a face still peppered in freckles, if it wasn't for the addition of a patchy beard I would have thought he hadn't changed one bit. I relaxed a little and raised my hand as I gave the door a gentle knock. Jason shivered in surprise and then turned his head, he saw me and I could see his eyes widen in surprise.

"Hi Jason," I whispered.

Jason looked tense and gulped as he made a slight if forced smile, "Hi... Vilkas."

"Can I come inside?" I asked.

Jason nodded and put the pad aside, "Sure, come on in."

I took a step inside and noticed that the sofa seemed to shrink, the effect only grew worse as I approached and Jason was forced to raise his head as he looked up at me.

"Shit... you're huge," Jason whispered.

I made a light smile and nodded, "130 kilos and counting."

Jason bit his lip and glanced around his room, "So... um... this is where I live, in the insane asylum."

"You're not insane Jason," I said.

Jason looked up at me and met my eyes, "Yeah, they keep telling me that. Sit down... if you can."

I inched closer, moved my tail out-of-the-way, and then eased myself into the sofa. It didn't fit my legs well and the springs groaned a little as I leaned back.

"This place seems pretty nice Jason."

Jason nodded, "Yeah."

"I noticed that most of the doors are open, why?"

"They want us to learn 'trust'."

"Is it working?" I asked.

"So far nothing's been stolen, and we're free to shut the doors after noon."

I looked over at him and met his eyes, "So, I don't know how much I can ask or talk about, is there-"

Jason interrupted me, "I'm not going to shatter because you ask something Vilkas. I spend most of my days either talking to psychiatrists or having my head poked and prodded by Athena. I'm on drugs that are rewiring my head."

I gulped, "Are they forcing you to do this?"

Jason frowned and avoided my eyes, "You don't know what happened after... what happened... at least not what happened to me?"

"No, not really, most of it is a blur actually," I answered.

Jason pulled a deep breath, "Well... it isn't a blur to me, even with the drugs they keep giving me."

"We don't have to-" Jason interrupted me once more.

"I saw my father wedge a large axe in your neck, I saw the blood spurting on the walls and pool around you, I saw you gasping and trembling as you drowned in it. My life ended at that moment."

"Yeah," I whispered.

Jason turned his head and met my eyes with a strange look, "Do you know what happened after that?"

"Somewhat," I answered.

"Everyone started screaming, my father stumbled back, your dad was covered in your blood and then he tore my father apart. Crushed him, snapped his neck, like an enraged animal, and he would have done the same to me if your mom hadn't been there."

"I know this part Jason," I whispered.

"I cracked at that moment Vilkas, everything broke, I was a gibbering insane mess that could neither reason nor think my way out of a wet paper bag. They didn't force me because there was no person left that could protest."

"And now?" I asked.

"I don't feel like my old self to be honest, and I mean that in a good way. I can sleep without nightmares for the most part. I can think in a straight line without being beset by panic attacks. They've forced me to become just sane enough so that I can look back and see how insane everything was."

"Well... it's an improvement at least, right?" I asked.

Jason looked at the wall, "Maybe."

"I don't mean anything bad about it, but you still seem like you Jason."

Jason blinked and looked down at the floor, "You think so?"

"Well, you're aggressive as usual," I said with a slight smile.

Jason up and met my eyes, "Uh huh."

"So how's the rest of your family?" I asked.

"Mom visits sometime, as for everyone else I knew... most of the children are in foster homes... some of the adults are in psychiatric care... others have been locked up. Some of them are... gone... I've asked if they're dead but they won't give me an honest answer,"

Broken ones...

Jason continued, "They don't allow me to see the news in here... I guess society must hate our guts."

"It did have an effect," I whispered.

Jason glanced back at me, "Are adult humans outlawed now?"

"Of course not Jason, but they did increase the surveillance in areas where there's a lot of adult humans."

"That's good," Jason whispered.

"The outlawed part? Or the changed rules?"

Jason raised his brow, "I thought the news would have been all over what happened at those camps?"

"I've seen some of it, talking in tongues, exorcisms, torture," I whispered.

Jason gulped, "It was meant to purify our spirits and harden us. Athena has helped me recognize just how... twisted it all was. They would take poisonous plants from the forest and serve it to the one who was about to undergo the exorcism. I even helped in some of it... that's the worst of it... but I didn't do it to be evil... I thought I was helping them... with all my heart."

"You never hesitated?" I asked.

"I did... but... but I suppressed it because... they wouldn't lie... they couldn't lie."

"I'm sorry Jason, I wish that I had realized so that I could at least have tried to help you."

Jason sighed, "You 'did' help me, all it cost me was my father, my life, and everyone I ever knew."

It felt like being stabbed and I wondered if Jason realized just how much his words hurt.

"It would be impossible for me to understand what you went through Jason, but is it really right for you to be angry at me?" I asked.

Jason rubbed his temple and stared down at the floor, "My dad tried to kill you... and he succeeded, you were dead, you weren't breathing, you had no heartbeat. The ambulance arrived and injected you with a whole load of things before they sped off in panic while the police stunned and put a collar on your dad."

Jason turned to look at me with a cold look in his eyes, "And here you are, alive, bigger than ever, while my dad ended up in a body bag because there's no way to save a human that has been crushed and almost decapitated."

"We could stop talking about this," I whispered.

"No. I've spent a whole year recovering, I'm angry, frustrated, and I can't look away from this."

"I understand that," I answered.

"So how are you doing?" Jason asked.

"I'm still in university, living at home, I'm dealing with life as it comes."

Jason raised his brow, "That's all? You've spent a year as a wolf and that's all that happened?"

"A lot of has happened. I just-"

Jason interrupted me, "It's the kind of things you don't discuss with 'humans'?"

I frowned and glared back, "You're the same dick you've always been Jason, you know that?"

"And you promised me that you wouldn't hide the truth from me," Jason retorted as he stared back.

"Do you really want to hear?" I asked.

"Yes, I do," Jason answered.

"All right, I belong to a clan of wolves called the Silverfangs, I was at their gathering with my pack. I've started exercising, eating a lot, I like it. It's strange at times but here's the kicker that makes all of it all right."

"What?" Jason asked.

"There's only stuff being added, I still love games, computers, the web. I'm the same guy I always was, everything just got a damn lot more interesting."

"Uh huh."

"I also died and woke up in a rejuvenation tank, that was a new experience," I said with a light smile.

Jason wasn't humored, "I bet."

"So what is Athena doing to you exactly?" I asked.

"I was broken at first, I don't know how they did it but they put the fragments together again and made me... functional. I'm also on a lot of pills that are supposed to make my mind like putty so that I can look beyond my experiences and not obsess over it."

"Is it working?"

Jason shrugged, "Sometimes I wish they would just wipe me and be done with it."

"What do you mean?"

Jason frowned and sighed in irritation, "This is what I hate about all this, everyone are so damn nice, understanding and want to preserve what I am. Maybe it would just be better to erase my old self, jam a symbiont in me, and be done with it."

"That sounds pretty awful Jason," I whispered.

"Yeah, instead I'm 'sane' enough to realize how much everything sucks while I still can't imagine myself becoming a monster like you."

There it is again, monster, I'm really starting to dislike you Jason...

"I see," I answered.

"You didn't see what your father turned into when he realized that his dear pup had been harmed, he became a feral beast that needed to be put down with tranquilizers and shock guns powerful enough to sear the grass, and you're just the same Vilkas."

I stood up and looked down at Jason, "We're not monsters or feral beasts Jason. That's just a delusion you've made for yourself and I hope you realize that one day."

Jason glanced up with in surprise, "Sorry, I didn't mean it like that."

"I think you did Jason," I answered.

"Vilkas," Jason whispered.

I held out my hand and offered it for a shake, "It was nice seeing you again, to know that you're alive."

Jason looked at my hand for a few moments but didn't react, I pulled my hand back.

"Take care of yourself Jason," I said as I walked out.

I felt angry, frustrated, but most of all I felt disappointed and hurt as I descended the stairs until I reached the ground floor and marched past the reception.

Upon stepping outside I noticed someone by the stone arch. It looked like a coyote clad in a lab coat, he was slim like a fox and looked a tad smaller than a typical canine. His fur looked like a dense brush with a complex texture of white, black and orange.

I kept marching and noticed that the coyote kept an eye on me as I approached.

"Hello Vilkas," The coyote said as I came within reaching distance.

I stopped and focused on him, "Who are you?"

The fuzzy ears on the coyote perked, "You don't recognize my voice?"

Realization struck, "Oh, Jason's doctor... hi James."

James held up a dark pad and motioned to it, "I was watching your meeting with Jason."

I frowned in irritation, "Oh, lovely."

James stuffed the pad in his coat, "I apologize, but this was necessary."

"What part? Spying? Not meeting me here when I arrived? What's going on?"

James crossed his arms, "We've hit a roadblock with Jason lately, he's depressed and he blames everything around him, I believed that your visit would help solve that."

"... You're an asshole doctor, and I didn't exactly leave on friendly terms."

James nodded, "I know, but this was a good thing. Forcing Jason to face you, that you're alive, that he can hurt you. That's powerful and preferable to the alternative as harsher drugs and invasive procedures would have impacted who Jason is as a person. I am sorry for causing you pain Vilkas."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"It would have altered the outcome, this was the best approach, even if it hurt you in the process."

"... Wonderful."

James met my eyes, "I've cared for Jason almost a year now, I believe that he's a good and friendly person deep down. Could I ask you not to give up on your friend, at least for a while longer?"

I gulped and drew a deep breath, "I... don't know, he's always been an annoying bigot, but now... he blames me for everything that happened... as if I don't feel guilty enough as it is."

"I know how hollow this must sound, but what happened wasn't your fault Vilkas, you have nothing to feel guilty about."

"Well... emotions aren't always logical," I answered.

"I'm well aware Vilkas. Could you consider visiting again, in a few months perhaps? Jason... didn't mean what he said, he's hurting and he lashed out at you, please understand that?"

"I'll... consider it.'"

Unknown

Something's wrong...

My mind stirred yet I found myself trapped in some kind of mental abyss that was cut off from my body.

Something rose from the depths of my mind and sent tendrils that latched onto my consciousness.

It pulled at and dragged me toward something akin to a bubbling ocean threatening to swallow me whole. I tried to resist but I was helpless as it enfolded and sucked me into its depths.

Flashes of light darted across my vision followed by sudden a falling sensation.

OOMPH!

I slammed into the ground and opened my eyes in panic as I found myself on top of what felt like wet grass. The place was surrounded by a dark forest while a bright moon loomed in the sky, it was familiar and I realized that I had returned to the mindscape.

I got onto all four and then sat back on my knees as I glanced around in wonder of why and how I had ended up here.

"Hello?" I yelled out.

"Athena?" I tried once more while the forest rustled with a slight but cool wind.

My eyes caught on something weird behind me, it looked a jagged crack in space and it shimmered as if part of the mindscape had broken.

I stood up and moved to the side as I realized that the crack was a rather flat tear that showed something weird. It depicted some kind of scene, a parking lot, the family car, and mother who was standing beside it.

"The hell?" I whispered as I watched the frozen image where mother was making a bemused smile.

I reached out and heard my own voice whisper inside my mind, "... I look ridiculous, don't I?"

The voices continued as mother spoke up, "Relax Vilkas, you look fine."

My hand pulled back in fright and the voices stopped in an instant as I recalled a memory of where mother and I had gone shopping for clothes at the local mall.

"What is this?" I whispered.

There was a rustle and I turned around in an instant as I caught something moving along the edges of the forest.

"Who's there!?" I yelled out as I bared my teeth.

The rustle stopped while my ears shifted and tried to locate the exact spot where the sound had come from. A very slight reflection among the bushes shifted as if something was blinking, I focused on it and became convinced that there were a pair of eyes watching me.

"I can see you!"

The creature didn't react.

"What are you? Did you bring me here? Are you the voice I heard?" I asked.

The cloaked creature blinked once more but didn't move.

I gulped and observed it in silence for a few moments, "Are you a friend... or an enemy?"

The creature shifted a little as if it had understood what I had said, moments later it moved and moved out of the shrub it was hiding by.

It was a wolf, jet black fur, red along the tail and shoulders, lupine ears with a strip of red, yellow eyes.

My tail became slack as I realized that this creature looked like a feral copy of myself, it was hunchbacked and had trouble standing while its hands looked like paws.

The creature blinked and raised its nose as it sniffed and huffed the air.

"Can you... understand me?" I asked.

The ears of the creature perked but it didn't answer as it cocked its head back and forth.

"No?" I asked.

The creature took a step closer and kept sniffing the air.

"Are you my symbiont?" I asked.

The creature didn't seem to understand as it approached me step by step until it came within reaching distance. I sniffed the air myself and was met with a scent that seemed to be a reflection of my own.

My curiosity made me reach out as I offered my palm to the beast, it extended its large muzzle and sniffed near my hand while its ears folded back.

"My name is Vilkas," I whispered.

The creature leaned back in an instant and looked surprised, moments later it pointed at its chest with a hand-paw while muttering something.

"What?" I asked.

"Vrr- Virra- Virrhas-" The creature struggled to work its mouth as it made dark and throaty noises.

"Is your name Vilkas?" I asked with a cautious smile.

The creature made an eager nod as its tail began to wag.

"... Nice to meet you... Vilkas," I said with a soft voice.

The creature started panting in excitement as it kept nodding.

"Is it okay if I call you Volkov?" I asked.

The ears of the creature twitched for a moment as it seemed to ponder it, "Res!"

"Was that a yes?" I asked.

"Res!" The creature said with another loud bark before it pointed toward the forest with its paws.

"You want me to follow?" I asked.

"Res!" Volkov repeated as it kept motioned to the forest.

"Lead the way Volkov, I'll be right behind you," I answered.

Volkov made a feral smile and then started moving as he headed toward the forest. I followed his tail as he led me through the bushes and into the darkness.

The place was damp and almost pitch black as even the moon couldn't break through the thick canopy above. It didn't take long until Volkov pushed through another set of bushes, I followed and soon found myself standing by what looked like a large cliff face that served as Volkov's home.

Shelter had been built by a small opening in the cliff and consisted of several large logs that had been dug into the ground, the roof itself consisted of a large amount of branches covered with leaves.

It seemed like an impressive feat but paled in comparison as I noticed a great deal of disruptions like the one I had encountered in the glade. Jagged tears filled the cliff face like paintings and a large amount hovered in the air like shards.

There also seemed to be a lot of debris on the ground, my eyes widened in surprise as I looked down and realized that it wasn't debris. They were items from the real world, toy cars, digital pads, games, consoles, books, pencils, speakers, lights with cords, and all manner of items that made the place look like a dump.

Volkov faced me and motioned towards its home with a bright smile as its tail wagged in pride.

"Is this where you live?" I asked.

Volkov made an excited bark, "Res!"

I stepped closer and turned my attention to the shards in the air, all of them showed various scenes and memories from my life and I could hear their whispers as I drew near them.

The majority had images of people, my parents, the pack, Kato, Alex. A few of them had scenes I couldn't place though, one in particular seemed very out-of-place.

I stepped up to it and saw a viewpoint of someone looking out at a large crowd. The whisper grew stronger and I reached out as I began to hear music... and someone singing.

My gut was already tense with unease but this alien fragment of memory made it that much worse as I began to wonder who it belonged to.

Volkov joined my side and to my surprise I saw him bobbing his head to the music as a smile spread on his face.

I pulled my hand back and the music stopped in instant, Volkov seemed surprised and glanced over at me.

"Is this your memory?" I asked.

Volkov cocked his head in confusion and didn't answer.

"Do you know what you are?" I asked.

Volkov's ears perked, "Rirrhas, Rorrov."

I gulped as my fright started to turn into panic, "Do you know how I can get home?"

Volkov blinked but didn't answer.

"Do you... know who the voice is? The one that spoke to me when I first woke up in the mindscape?"

Volkov raised his brow in confusion.

"Arise young wolf, your time is not yet at an end," I said.

Volkov made a surprising shiver and stumbled back while his ears folded back.

"So you do recognize it?" I asked.

Volkov made a slight nod.

"Who said that? Do you know?" I asked.

Volkov gulped and then glanced up as it raised its paw and pointed at the moon. I looked up at the bright moon and found my attention drawn to the moon base located near the north polar region.

A sudden disturbance rocked the world followed by a beeping sound that seemed to come out of nowhere.

My attention was drawn to Volkov as I noticed that he had raised his paw as if to wave goodbye.

"No! Wait!" My voice faltered as the world shattered and I found myself in bed once more with my heart pounding as the alarm clock was ringing by the bedside table.