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The Secretive Hero

Two years later...

Riku became a prime target across the land. He never stayed in one place for long. His new way of life was difficult, but manageable. He had discovered more about his powers, and has become much stronger. Though the god, Syncros, never showed himself again. Riku was left to wonder about his purpose.

He tried to avoid the open areas of the many deserts of Aberuth, and one day stumbled upon one of the rare forests. It felt serene. The trees dripped water from a recent rain, giving him a refreshed, cool feeling whenever a drop hit his smooth, black fur. He found a rock formation that could serve as a proper shelter. He sat alone in the night of the forest, poking a stick into a fire he just lit.

Life in hiding was starting to get to him. He hates having to hide his identity, and being alone all the time. He gazed into the fire, lost in its glow. His ears perked as he heard a commotion in the distance. He put on a hooded cloak that he uses to hide his marks, and left his camp to see what was happening.

~~~~~~

There was a state of panic in a nearby town. The locals were running from something. It didn't take long to reveal itself. A very strange creature it was, standing straight up on four legs, and bearing two arms with long, razor sharp claws. It had sharp teeth with two extra long canines, and had at least two large red eyes and four smaller ones in between, along with an eye like organ on each leg joint. Most of its body was covered in a dark bristles, namely the back, arms, and legs. The creature's ribs and other detailed parts could be seen through it's thick, black skin.

He noticed one of the locals hadn't managed to escape. A white wolfess was pinned by the strange creature, and shuddered in fear as a claw was raised for a killing blow. Riku tried to think of a way to grab its attention without the use of his powers, to avoid revealing himself to the public. He quickly picked up a decent sized rock and threw it, making a perfect shot at its head. The quad legged fiend immediately turned and faced him, giving a threatening snarl. The wolfess managed to crawl away to safety without being noticed.

Riku quickly drew his sword as the creature came after him, jumping to the side when the scythe like arms came down at him. The demonoid made several more slash attempts at him. He managed to dodge most of them, but was hit in the arm by the last strike. He felt a sting, but not much more.

He backed up into a tree in an attempt to make himself look cornered, which seemed to work, as his dark attacker made a lunge and thrust with a sharp claw. Riku jumped to the side just in time. The fiendish creature ended up jabbing deep into the tree, and struggled to pull out. Riku quickly rushed and stabbed the beast in the back through chest. The body appeared to give off static that flashed the internal skeletal structure. The body went limp, but a portal didn't show up to claim the soul. It began to turn to stone, the blew away into dust as a breeze came through.

He put his sword away, and took a deep breath, then remembered the wolfess that had nearly been killed, hiding behind a tree and peaking out around it.

"You can come out now," Riku assured. She stood and came out slowly. Her shoulder length hair was as white as her petite, furry body. Her eyes were blue, and seemed to glow. Her attire was a two piece, and suitable for the warm climate Aberuth was known for. Her top was blue, which seemed to bring out her eyes, and had white flowers all around. It only covered her chest and showed a bit of cleavage, her snowy white belly, and was tied in the back, having no sleeves whatsoever. Her skirt had the same color and pattern, reached no further than her ankles, and was tied at the right side on her hip, showing her entire leg. She approached him, but kept a distance, as she appeared nervous, and shy. She was only slightly shorter than he was. "Are you okay?"

"Y..yes. Thank you," she said sheepishly. "Who are you? Are you a traveler?"

"Of sorts, yes. My name is Riku."

"Riku?" she pondered, "I feel like I've heard that name before." Riku became nervous, and resisted slapping himself. Her thoughts paused when she noticed his sleeve. Blood was staining his cloak, where the shadow had struck him earlier. "You're hurt."

"I'm fine. It's just a scratch." As if on cue, his wound suddenly began to burn and cause him intense pain. He grabbed and held the affected area, and began to feel a bit lightheaded. The wolfess was just as soon by his side and grabbed him by the arm.

"Doesn't seem like a scratch to me. Come with me. I can help you." Riku yanked his arm away, giving her a glare.

"I can take care of myself, thank you." The pain suddenly hit him again with much more intensity. It seemed to be getting worse.

"Please, Riku. I'm a healer. Let me help you." He wanted to say no, but he caught a glimpse of her eyes. He felt mesmerized by their bluish glow, their pleading and worried expression. He finally nodded, and followed her lead.

"I don't believe I caught your name."

"Yulanda," she answered, "My name is Yulanda."

~~~~~~

He was guided to a small cottage near the center of town. Several plants were growing outside, mainly ferns and herbs. The inside wasn't much different, though the plants were a larger variety. There was a table with bowls and other tools used to make remedies. Riku sat down on a bench Yula used when treating patients. She tried to treat his wound, but his cloak made it difficult, and the sleeve was on rather tight.

"Alright, take it off," she ordered.

"What?"

"Your cloak. Take it off." Riku was hesitant, unsure whether or not to reveal himself. What would she think if she knew? The pain in his arm caught his attention, worse than before. He slowly removed his cloak, eventually revealing his markings, and his true self. She gasped at the sight of his marks, and his eyes. "You're.. the dark one."

"I suppose you want to run now. Or ask me to leave." He looked away, afraid to look her in the eye. He felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Not at all. My job is to heal not judge. And besides, I owe you." He looked at her, but said nothing. And so, she took hold of his arm. The wounded area was starting to turn a sickly yellowish color, and looked much like pus. "Looks like that thing injected some sort of venom. I should be able to treat it, though." She approached her workbench and began mixing something up, though what it was, he couldn't say. He watched as he worked, but was mostly distracted by her bushy, white tail, moving from left to right slowly but happily, then looked at her hourglass figure. She suddenly turned around. He looked away and felt embarrassed for staring, and hoped she didn't notice.

She held a bowl filled with a smooth, greenish liquid, made from surrounding herbs. A finger was dipped, and then rubbed gently against his arm. He expected pain, or at least a sting, but instead felt a soothing, cool sensation. The pain was gone almost instantly. She began to wrap a bandage around the infected area.

"So, did you enjoy the show?" she teased.

"What?"

"I know you were staring, Riku." She did notice. He felt embarrassed, and was quick to shy away as he felt heat rush to his face.

"I'm sorry. I..I didn't mean to." His ears perked at a giggle, which seemed to only make him blush harder.

"It's okay. I'm flattered, really. Even more that you're shy about it. Most men I meet aren't." He still felt shy, but was somehow able to look at her. "And I'd like to give you something for saving me."

"That's not really necess..." He was cut off and jumped from a surprise kiss on the cheek, making his cheeks turn rosy again, even harder when she giggled. "So how does it feel?" She gestured to his arm.

"Much better. Thank you." He stood up and reached for his cloak, but was just as soon stopped when Yula grabbed him by the arm.

"I don't think you should go out until you've made a full recovery." He wanted to argue, but since she was a healer, he figured she knew best.

~~~~~~

He stayed over night at Yula's request. To pass time, he agreed to talk about his past with the wolfess. Every detail only seemed to intrigue her more.

Early the next morning...

Riku was just waking up. He sat up and stretched, then heard someone come in. He knew right away it was Yula, as she lived alone, much like himself.

"Good morning, Riku. Did you sleep well?"

"Better. It's been a while since I've slept in a bed."

"I'm glad it met your expectations," she said with a cheerful smile. "I've been thinking a lot since you arrived, and there's something I'd like to ask you." His ears perked and awaited her question. "I was wondering if I could join you?"

"I don't think that's such a good idea Yula," he answered, but was cut off before be could continue.

"I realize what I'm asking of you, and I expect a lot of danger, and blood. That's why I want to be there when you get hurt." She suddenly seemed shy when she continued, "And I've come to enjoy your company. I don't know why, but I just feel safe.. and comfortable around you."

"What about your home? And your people?"

"They hardly notice me. This place seems to be invisible to the world, so nobody ever gets hurt. And from what you've told me, the only reason that 'shadow' attacked us is because it was looking for you." She stared in a way that seemed calm him. It was difficult to admit, but in truth, he felt the same about her. He was comfortable around the wolfess, and it had been so long since he had the pleasure of company. He desired companionship.

"Okay," he struggled to answer. She showed signs of joy, and grabbed him in a tight hug. He felt something trigger inside, a warm and fuzzy feeling.