Ally or Foe

Looking at the shadow around the floor, He finds it confusing at first because out of all things, it was not from a human. Inspecting his surroundings one more time, he now has an idea on what it was but still wonders about a lot of things.

'I see, that's why its so called home is designed this way.' He thought

The shadow was getting larger and larger, and was getting closer to the curtain. It was weird for Zack seeing the shadow walking towards the curtain without any footsteps at all, it was completely silent. He was wondering if the figure is actually walking or his ears cannot grasp its footsteps even though he can hear voices outside.

'anytime now' He said under his breath.

As the shadow slowly approached, his brain went through many processes of going back and forth thinking about what happened while he was unconscious or where he was now. For some reason, his assistant didn't seem to answer any calls he made so he was ready if anything go south. 

Entering through the curtain, a wolf gave a murderous look towards Zack. It was big enough to nearly touch the ceiling with its back, encircling him while looking at the poor butterfly.

Although giving an intimidating, bloodthirsty vibe; Zack was not affected to any of it, following the wolf's eye while walking in circle. It was, of course a scary looking fella but if Zack really cherishes his dear life, he needed to hold to his so called double edged sword strategy; give them the assurance that you won't run away even if you have the ability to. Appear to be a fool and they will let their guard down, giving him the chance to escape.

It is indeed what it looks like; a small insect looking eye to eye at a ferocious beast. The wolf, of course was thinking that it's funny, after all, how can a small thing like Zack will outrun a predator?

Taking its final step, the wolf came back to its original position. The somewhat intimidating feeling had escaped from Zack's body, it was weird at first because even though the wolf was there, it feels like it wasn't. Zack noticed that the wolf's body was getting smaller and smaller while its eyes was getting somewhat darker until it was as big as a regular dog.

Zack was thinking if this is a farce or the wolf is trying to trick him of thinking that it has let its guard down.

<No, don't think of running away,> Sei interrupted his thinking.

Zack was startled by the sudden appearance of the assistant because not only it popped-up at the worst timing but also because of what it said. 

'Thanks for that not-so-obvious advice, Sei' He sarcastically replied.

Of course that was what Zack will think, how can you not thought of running away from someone— something that wants nothing but to eat you, tear you limb by limb, and suck your blood dry, then finally dispose your bones. It was a scary scene up inside his mind.

But after getting a second look at the wolf, it seems puzzled; tilting it's head left and right, wondering. Thinking about it, Zack thought that maybe he has a chance after all, looking at the ignorant wolf.

Before another thought comes up, Sei spoke.

'Let's leave the matter of me being absent earlier for now. Right now, let's focus on this wolf'

Now that Sei mentioned it, the wolf hasn't move an inch from its place, still looking at Zack with eyes full of confusion, until it spoke.

"What are you?"

Zack, on the other hand was stunned hearing those question. For one, the voice sounds deep for a cute little dog, 'it doesn't match at all!' he thought. And second, he's pretty confident that he looks like a butterfly, not a bee or some sort of ugly-looking fly.

'Maybe beasts can differentiate face even though they all look the same for me.' he thought.

Zack was left puzzled by the question until the wolf utter some words.

"ugh, a non-intelligent beast"

Not understanding what it said, out of curiosity— Zack spoke,

"Sei, what's the difference between an intelligent and a non-intelligent beast?"

It just made the wolf's ear stand and widened its eyes. Seeing this, Zack knew he was in trouble. After spending some time alone with only the assistant, he sometimes forgot that he was talking out loud, the assistant— on other hand, can hear him either way so they didn't count it as one of their worries.

'Sh*t! how come I always messed up everything?!' he thought.

This action made the wolf suspicious of Zack. Although he doesn't appear to be hostile and dangerous, he can't blame the wolf for being wary in front of him. Living his new life, he needs to embrace the feeling of being untrustworthy for a beast's perspective, reminiscing his human days; he's not that good when it comes to communicating with animals. Terrible.

After some time of making eye contact with the beast, it decided to break the silence that has been echoing throughout the entire room for about ten minutes now.

"So, would you like to answer my question?"

Without hesitation, he answered.

"An original."

It may seem dry or a cold response coming from an insignificant little creature, but since Zack concluded that this wolf counts itself to be one of the 'intelligent beasts', maybe, just maybe, it will understand its position when talking to him.

What Zack had just done is the exact opposite of his double edged sword strategy. He was announcing to the wolf that in this situation, no one was in control; The wolf might have the advantage when it comes to strength, but Zack is wiser.

'Tricky little thing.' The wolf thought.

The wolf laughed.

For Zack, it appeared to work. Not only the wolf's behavior has completely change, it also tried to approach him.

"You know, I thought you were smart. But did you hear what did you just said?" the wolf said, slowly walking towards him.

Is it wrong for Zack to reveal that he's an original? of course! who would be in a right mind to shout it to your enemy's ear?

But neither Zack nor Sei know if the wolf was an ally or foe, wouldn't he'd be at the death door by now if this little dog wants him dead?

So he gamble the odds of the wolf being an ally, giving it the impression of at least an 'honest tricky little thing'. But was that what the wolf really see? Zack had just appeared to be more foolish. But what if he proves it, what will happen if this wolf found out that it's true?

That's what Zack's mind was going through right now.

Magical beasts are the first creature that pop-up from Trinian, somehow given the name 'Original'. They are also the very first to wield an ability, at first humans thought that it was a special trait that only their kind held until they slowly adapt on how magical beasts got their power. Ever since the beginning of life, humans and magical beasts got along with each other naturally, filling each others' gaps and needs, they are a perfect match during numerous incident that has happened in the past.

Each magical beasts have different abilities on their own, just like the Khajit being able to make its body transparent. Humans, in that regard, are on completely different page.

In their position, If Zack is about to die here, there will be no more of his kind in the future. Giving the wolf a strong reason to kill him, but fortunately, the wolf just laughed it off, seeing it as a joke from the tricky little thing.

"Sure it's my first time seeing a kind like you but an original? you must be hallucinating." It said.

Now that Zack had a small conversation with the wolf, he anticipated that it is indeed an inexorable person, a hard-headed one.

"Alright little one, if you're fine now, follow me" The wolf said.

Zack's injury seems to have already healed up now but still doesn't feel like moving his wings. Right now, the only thing he can do is walk and talk.

Getting up, Zack followed behind the wolf closely without any question. Having long conversation might not be a good idea in his side, it will only give fuel to the fire.

Waiting from the cave's entrance, the wolf was impatiently looking at the slow butterfly walking, it was somewhat an irritable sight for its eye, reaching its patience capacity, it volunteered to carry Zack behind its head.

For Zack, there seems to be nothing wrong and so he agreed.

Walking out of the cave, the bright moon shone his whole body, making his wings emit more light. It reacted so strong that he himself, could see a hint of blue lights around him, making a sight to see. The audience was left gazed in awe.

Looking around, he finds it somewhat welcoming despite being with animals. He'd never experienced it before. The landscape was strange; the cave's entrance was at the higher part of some sort of looking plaza, going down the stairs, the wolf was heading to the center. Zack can also see magical beasts around, there were numerous of different kinds; he can see Khajits' running at the spacious-looking grassland afar. There were also some Crons that leaves a blunt taste in his mouth every time he looks at it.

There are also creatures that looks like rabbits hopping in groups, The shelters are also no fancier than the cave, but they didn't seem to care. They are beasts, after all. It was night time but they're active, looking at some mole-looking creatures digging at the corner, finding something. 

A lot of magical beasts are looking at him, whispering.

Straight ahead, Zack noticed a waterfall, that's where the wolf was headed. Not long after, they reached the fall and noticed how beautiful it is compared to those on Earth. Many fireflies were flying around the top of it, reflecting on water, making it appear to be someone was taking a piss up there.

They took a quick left turn before reaching the wall where the water was sliding. Walking up the slope land, the wolf spoke.

"You're about to meet our leader, the bear. Don't try to answer any of his question with nonsense. Be truthful and you won't find yourself in trouble."

Zack was getting heated up because he's been truthful the entire time!

Reaching the top of the small hill, Zack can see a small tent surrounded by many trees, looking like and abandoned circus.

Before entering the tent, the wolf asked him.

"Are you ready?"

'B*tch! at least ask me before carrying me like a headband.' He thought.