THE VILLAGE OF THE BLACK WOLVES.

The route off the path was increasingly darker as they advanced, adding to that that it would soon get dark again, the unease that there was in the group about what had happened to Tylos was growing, because the dark presence they felt did not resemble to nothing they had experienced before. When it got dark everyone entered the cabin again to avoid any mishap and with difficulty they put the boy to bed who was still sleeping in a separate room.

Everyone sat down, still recovering, especially Alexa, who insisted on being in the conversation despite her physical and mental state. Elise had no choice but to let her stay, as she well knew how stubborn her friend was.

-Alexa: I don't know how I could show my gratitude for saving me, especially to him who is still there sleeping, however, what I just witnessed, and I know that you also experienced it, is something unnatural, I have been traveling the world a long time, and I had never seen anything like it, surely, he can be trusted?

-Lariat: I don't agree with him, but that is very rude coming from the person for whom we and especially he risked his life, if we are talking about dangerousness, we should throw you out of here too, our spells cannot heal you, and neither can we touch, is that true, will we die if we do?

-Gwydion: I think we deserve an explanation for both matters, but seeing their faces I doubt they want to tell me what it is about, although with time we will know, I am more concerned that the subject the boy faced could follow us.

-Elise: It is a complicated topic; we are sorry that we cannot tell you despite what you have done for us.

-Lariat: I don't know how to explain it, but we shouldn't worry about Tylos, it's not a bad thing, at least that's what I feel, for now I think we should observe, as long as this group remains together.

-Aisha: I just arrived, but I think the same as her, I found no falsehood in her words, and he fought against the guy who captured me, I owe him my life.

Lariat nodded, looking at her grandfather who immediately noticed that she had seen something else, and with absolute confidence decided to trust her.

-Gwydion: I guess that settles it for now.

-Aisha: We must leave first thing in the morning, even if it is dark, we don't know if he is still following us, he is really dangerous, I am sure that Tylos is very strong, but even with all his strength, I am not sure if he could win.

Everyone slept early that night, because they did not want to risk searching for food by revealing their position. The essential thing for them was to get to the Black wolf village because according to Aisha it is the safest place they can find in that area.

By early morning Tylos woke up, and a somewhat peculiar presence called to his senses, a huge shadow covered in darkness lurked in his thoughts, like a beast that instilled fear just by looking at its eyes, however, the feeling that invaded his heart was nostalgia.

He suddenly jumped out of bed and saw Aisha in her room in the corner watching him.

-Aisha: you could feel it, right? Otherwise, you would not have left your dream.

-Tylos: what is he supposed to be?

-Aisha: He is my father... his presence fills the forest like a great shadow, no monster approaches our village, and even those who try to enter his territory are overwhelmed long before reaching the barrier. Even though his consciousness has been lost, he continues to protect this place like the first day, you'll see why when we get closer.

Towards dawn they began the journey, each time they moved further and further away from the path, they entered into an unknown area, the air became dense and silence abounded throughout the place that seemed to be without the presence of any animal.

-Aisha: We will see it soon.

When they saw the place, everyone fell silent, as if it were an enormous mountain, a great skeleton of colossal proportions rose above the village, its immensity was such that they could barely see a pair of ribs that were visible among the fog that enveloped the place...

-Alexa: impressive, I had only heard stories about this, we have been traveling from one place to another for hundreds of years, and I had no idea that this world held mysteries like this.

-Lariat: this is not documented in any book in the library... so there are many things that we still do not know, it is necessary that I continue investigating, I will be the one who completes our ambition, grandfather.

Gwydion and Elise remained silent, they seemed more restless than interested in what was in front of them, Tylos began to draw his sword while he looked at Aisha, she nodded at him indicating for him to sheathe it again.

Many shadows appeared around them, their red eyes are really intimidating, they are certainly not just any demihumans.

But to the surprise of the improvised company, they pounced on Aisha, hugging her, the women moved her tail just like the men, none of them understood what was happening, but they cried inconsolably while they raised her above her heads.

-Princess, I am glad that you are safe, all these years, I thought we would never see you again, I do not have enough face to show my shame, nor enough heart to harbor the helplessness I feel for not having been able to save her at that moment.

-Aisha: you did what you had to do, you protected our people even by sacrificing part of your body, you should not harbor any shame, because you demonstrated your honor by protecting us all.

-I have not done enough to deserve his kindness, we lost his mother and now our lord, with the last strength of his father, we only have to take shelter in this place and forget about this perverse world

-Aisha: Agareth, you know that we cannot stay here forever, the power of the King can barely hide our presence from the other races, it will not be long before my father can no longer protect us. You know well that we have a mission!

-Agareth: Even if you are right, your safety is our priority above all, what would we have done if you had not returned... we cannot afford to lose you... and I am sorry to have to tell you this, but these strangers that you have brought with you cannot be welcome to Our home.

-Aisha: Our home is now just ruins, furthermore, you imply that I should have left my saviors helpless at the mercy of danger, I think that honor above all was the pride of my parents even in their last moments... come in... they just need my permission.

-Agareth: you can't do it, you know that you will put us in danger, the rest of us, all of us... you don't know what you are doing.

-Aisha: it is not up for discussion, master! Furthermore, everything was lost if he did not return, nothing will change at this point... come, we must treat them, they are very beaten.

Everyone retreated and let the group pass, but Agareth, far from being happy with this decision, looked with deep malice at Aisha's saviors, and with special suspicion at Tylos and Alexa, since he could clearly perceive that the energy, they emanated had a sinister essence.

As they advanced through the small village, the scarcity was evident, the small huts covered with torn and destroyed animal skins, a dull and gloomy atmosphere, an imminent silence, were the testament of a town struck by misfortune and about to disappear.

-Aisha: it's not much, but it's my home, as you can see, things are not very good here, but more importantly, rest and recover here, the power that still resides here is still enough to not let anyone enter who not be welcome.

-Gwydion: so, this is the abode of the great animal spirit, to think that I could see it in person before my days come to an end, it is a dream come true, I thought it had ceased to exist, although it seems that after all it will be impossible … tell me Princess Aisha, that huge skeleton belongs to you, doesn't it?

-Aisha: just call me Aisha my lord magician, and he is right, he once was, my father with my mother like the two guardians forming one, but as you see, he is here alone.

-Gwydion: I'm sorry for asking about something so delicate.

-Aisha: a long time has passed, but my memories are vivid as if it were yesterday... the memory of him gives me strength and warmth, in no way would I feel pain when remembering them, that would make them sad.

-Alexa: noble words, they sure were very good to you.

-Aisha: They were barely with me in their last moments, but I will never forget them. And it is my responsibility to take care of this town, I cannot let our lineage disappear.

-Elise: is that why you were out of this place? You seemed like a totally different person... what happened.

-Aisha: it's a long story. But if you please listen to it, it would do me good to vent.

Everyone sat near Aisha in a semicircle. Alexa, who was emaciated and full of wounds, lay down while Elise continued to heal her because she seemed very interested in Aisha's story, so much so that she refused to rest and, as expected, her obstinacy always gave way. imposed.

Tylos was in a corner a little apart and silent, his face was not visible and he seemed to be disconnected from his surroundings, however, Aisha began to relate what happened.