Chapter 5: 1 year later

I'm standing at the top of a hundred-year-old tree. The wind blows across my face, making my hair wave. I contemplate the landscape, a magnificent ocean of green stretching out before me. Lowering my eyes to the ground, I see the great wolf waiting for me.

It's time to leave, to explore the world. To return to civilization. For a year, I stayed with the great wolf, learning magic, the common language of this world, and training my body. I fought monsters and bonded with one of the oldest creatures in the world.

I leap from the tree, falling at full speed to the ground. I use magic to break my fall, and land right in front of the great wolf.

He looks at me and says, "You're still a teat in a pond, you'll see, in this world, there's always someone stronger than you. Stop showing off." I smile and reply, "I am what I am, big wolf."

A tall woman with sparkling white hair and breathtaking beauty arrives. "Give it up, big wolf, one day he'll answer for this arrogance."

I look at the newcomer. "Not if you're here to protect me, Eliana."

I walk over to her and give her a hug.

She looks at me with a small smirk. "Ready to get back to civilization?"

"I've never been as ready as I am now."

We walk towards the cave, discussing the final preparations before I leave. I whistle a tune Eliana taught me, "L'Air des Oubliés", an eerie but captivating melody.

After an hour's walk, we arrive at the cave.

A pack of wolves is waiting for us. I spend a moment with them, the wolves who have become my family. I feel sad at the thought of leaving them behind.

When winter came, I slept among these wolves to keep warm. They've always looked after me, especially in the early days when I was learning to hunt goblins, orcs and other creatures.

After a while, I head for the lake. I undress and dive into the water. The cool water clears my thoughts. It feels good. I swim to a bank where Eliana is waiting for me. She lifts the bottom of her outfit and plunges her feet into the water. I rest my head on her legs. She combs my hair with a brush. I close my eyes and drift off to sleep.

After a while, she wakes me up. I finish washing and get out of the water. She hands me a towel and helps me dry off. Then I get dressed. It's a magnificent outfit, adorned with gold and silver embroidery. Eliana has told me that it dates from another age, found in a room adjacent to the throne room beneath the cave.

Eliana undresses and washes herself. It's my turn to hand her a towel and an outfit, a linen dress decorated with gold and silver embroidery, depicting an ancient battle.

The big wolf is waiting for us. "All right, are you ready?"

"Yes," I say.

"Good, follow me."

We head for the throne room.

When we got there, the big wolf said to me, "Now, go over to the throne, sit on it and repeat the formula I taught you."

I looked at the wolf in amazement. I thought I didn't deserve the throne.

With apprehension, I approach the throne. I sit down on this magnificent black and red seat. I look at the big wolf and Eliana, then repeat the formula he taught me.

Nothing happens. Nervously, I move around in my seat. Suddenly, a light bursts from the throne. My body heats up, and my heart seems to burn from within. The pain is unbearable. I cry out in pain. A sharp pain is felt on my left index finger. Something appears... Suddenly everything stops. Out of breath, I look at my companions, who have dropped to their knees.

"A new age is about to begin. The forgotten ones are about to wake up," says Eliana.

I don't understand what she's saying. My left index finger still hurts. I look at it and see a magnificent black and red ring in the shape of a dragon.

"Go out into the world and prove yourself worthy," says the big wolf.

I nod.

We leave the room and head for the clearing where I first met the wolf. The whole wolf pack accompanies us, or rather escorts us.

Dusk is falling. I look at the big wolf and give him a big hug. I don't know what to say to him, so I prefer not to say anything.

Eliana undresses and hands me her outfit. She transforms into a gigantic golden dragon. Its scales reflect the light of the twilight, it's beautiful to see. I put the dress in my bag and climb on top of Eliana.

"Well hung, Ayden?"

"I have no idea, as always," I reply, bursting out laughing.

"Here we go!" roars the golden dragon.

With her powerful paws, she propels herself through the air. With a single flap of her wings, she swallows up distances, landscapes distorting before my eyes. Off to the world of men!

"We'll meet again sooner than you think, my prince," whispers the wolf.