Darkness Crept with a Myriad of Thoughts

His brother has been ostracized by the pack like the rest of the half breeds. This is how the Southern Onorian wolves show their disdain to other canine species. Though the older brother himself is also a half breed, he had displayed more similar traits among the pack of Southern Onorian wolves. The lack of magical properties and his incredible strength as a wolf made him acceptable for the southern species than his younger sibling. His younger brother was only accepted because they were taken by an elder of the main wolf pack but it's clear as day that they do not want to do anything with his younger brother.

The older wolf brother glanced at his younger kin as the younger wolf looked troubled sleeping. Even if they are wolves, his younger brother has a poor constitution to accommodate magic. His younger brother is now very drowsy and weak which greatly worried him. His brother was never good with physical activities ever since they were born. Like other half breed wolves, magic seemed to muddle the Southern Onorian Wolf traits and being suppressed by such traits would cause the half breeds to succumb since they have no way to utilize the powers bestowed by another wolf trait that is rich in magic.

"Please survive brother…" The older wolf gave a worried whimper and snuggled with his nose to his brother's neck. "… you are the only family that I have."

Apart from wishing for his brother's recovery, the older wolf gathered his thoughts. Now that they are expelled from the pack, it may have been communicated soon to the main group. The elder wolf that has been taking care of them probably is very worried right now. They also have to worry about their own future. In every wolf pack, an expelled member cannot easily go back as they wish which is true for almost all wolf packs. There are exceptions to this rule, but very few species tolerate these exceptions.

They can only be accepted back if they would marry a wolf from the same pack but that rarely happens. They can get the Elder's help but the elder is close to having an omega position in the main organization. Regardless of these choices, he has no way to leverage to bargain with the pack.

After an hour of thinking and checking with his younger brother, he realized that they are in a desperate position. There is no way that they will be let back into the pack after running some scenarios. The other way is carving their own path for survival. For him and his younger brother sake, they should live. They can seek their own hunting territory far north. It is not a bad thing, but he already is thinking about possible scenarios and things needed. Especially defenses, they needed to defend their turf from other wolves. He would talk with his brother once he wakes up. He should get some rest. Then he heard an approaching noise coming from the cavern opening where that peculiar goblin and slime pair came from.

In the cave, Ryuji realizes that there is not much progress with Pyun-pyun. At least, he can do basic commands and yes or no questions. He walked outside for a moment. Ever since he leveled up, sleep seemed to be a leisure activity. The power ups that he received seemed godly. Better make a use of it while it lasts. He prioritizes his goals by finding his brother and learning more about this world. Also, he needs to finish that loli goddess, Vreta, that had provided him as fast as possible. He had a little to no idea of how to do an adventure.

He still thinks like a project manager, his career way back on earth. Too many variables to do such a project. He took a stick and drew some graphs on the soil. The cave does not have soil inside to draw such things. He did have some chalk like items, but it was hard to deal with when trying to erase things. Pyun-pyun can erase it but sometimes the slime erases too much whenever he erases something. It was more like a timeline. "I wish i still had my smartphone." He whispered to himself. It was easier to navigate and make some adjustments.

While Ryuji was doing some doodles on the ground with scheduled items and things to do like he was still an employee back on earth, he heard some whimper at the side of his eye. He glanced around and saw on a dimly lit night the huddled fur at the corner. The younger wolf seemed to be resting. He seemed to have a weak constitution and getting hurt earlier must have taken a toll on such a weak and frail body.

The older wolf whimpered as if pleading. He could only cower in fear that this goblin might decide on them as their next meal. Understanding how the strange goblin acted earlier, he can sense that this creature must have compassion. It was a dire situation, but he could only grit his teeth and allow this stronger creature to be lenient towards them. He has not lowered his guard and he can spring into action if this creature tries to slaughter them.

Ryuji can sense fear into the whimpering wolf while the younger wolf seems to be breathing heavily with the tongue out. It looked like he would not last the night. He barely knew and practiced a healing spell. He felt that this wolf brother tandem does not have any animosity towards him and besides, if they are not antagonistic towards him, their fur is inviting to sleep at. He had wolf pelts earlier, but he had not checked them yet.

While Ryuji was wondering and daydreaming how fluffy the wolf fur is, the older brother wolf sensed no hostility towards them. However, this does not let him know that this strange goblin shall attack them. He still has his guard up. He already stopped his whimpering noise earlier and was on guard against this ungodly creature.

Ryuji then broke his silence. He unconsciously blurted "you really care about your brother, huh? It reminded me about my brother when he got sick. It was tough to see him suffering." He remembered vividly the days and nights when Takahashi was undergoing chemotherapy. He was helpless and he believed that the older wolf is undergoing the same feeling right now.

Somehow the words were understood by the older wolf. The creature was somehow feeling sorry for what happened, or so he felt that this odd creature was saying. He can understand his words, but the concept is kind of foreign to him, all he knows is this strong goblin had to show some leniency because of his brother. He never knew that goblins have a sense of kinship. They only know how to procreate and band together but having like familial matters is different unlike wolves.

The thought of goblins having filial responsibility threw the older wolf brother a bit. But he quickly realized that the goblin was inching closer to them. He panicked and gave a low growl at the approaching entity. He does not know what to react with such leniency or how leniency will work. He went on full alert and stood up on a guarding behavior and gave a low growl as a warning.

Ryuji saw how the older wolf did a 180 on its behavior. He was a bit disappointed because he was not able to feel the softness of the fur, but he understood the older wolf. He stopped his approach immediately like a citizen encountering a loose dog in the neighborhood, except these are wolves. He knew that this older brother is protective over the younger one. The ground glowed with a pale blue light as Ryuji circulated his magic along with his emotions with a will to mend the broken and rejuvenate. He thought of something similar to an area of effect. The ground had a pale light illuminate and revitalized the living inside the small area which was about 2 meters in diameter with Ryuji at the center.

The older wolf brother is astounded. It is something he never expected and definitely something he won't understand. This is probably what his brother called magic. He has zero idea of what to make up of it and just cowered near to his brother in his panic. He miscalculated. The pale light reached his brother. He could have bitten off this goblin, but he needs to have his brother out of harm's way. He tried to block the light with his body but to no avail.

The light shrouded and much more to the younger wolf brother. He was worried and barked at the peculiar goblin. "What are you doing?!"

"Don't you feel healed?" Ryuji was taken aback by the snarky question. He was puzzled and started to doubt himself. "Don't you feel rejuvenated?" He reluctantly asked again. He is sure he is imaging the output like his previous practice with magic.