Mire and Hex walked through the swamp with relative ease. As both were rather experienced with these areas, it wasn't much of a problem. As they searched, however, it was clear that both of them had just one thing on their mind. Mire was the first to point it out. "I bet Rube sent Atlas with Tony on purpose. She's her sister, so it only makes sense that they're in cahoots."

Hex crossed her arms. "Well, I'm her sister, too. She could've set me up."

"Don't you already practically live with Tony?"

The witch blushed. "That's not the point!" She sighed. "Besides, we should probably keep a close eye out. Yeabi and Atlas' groups are the only ones with real leads. The rest of us are kind of wandering."

Mire nodded. "It's the only way at the moment. Misery and Blazette probably could have flown around the area to spot anything a bit faster."

"With us being so close to the Human Settlement and the tensions being so high, I'd guess they'd be shot down." The duo walked in silence for a little while. Hex couldn't help but think about her comrade. 'Look at us… acting like teammates even though we're rivals in love. I wonder…' Hex twiddled her thumbs. "Hey, I've been meaning to ask… why do you and Slag chase after Tony?"

Mire raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"Well, it seemed that you two were very interested in him from the moment you met him. Why?"

Mire was taken back by the question and rubbed her head before smirking. "I don't know."

"That's not an answer!"

Mire snickered. "I guess… I guess it wasn't like that at first. When he first came to the Shade Village, Slag and I were very interested to see what sane human would even try that. What's more, he wasn't cubed! Then one thing led to another…" She smiled at the memory.

Hex looked at her for a moment. 'I guess I understand. For a human to be so courteous to a mob, it must've piqued their interest.'

Mire noticed Hex's thoughts. "What's up? You seem distracted."

"Hm? It's nothing. I'm just… thinking about the future…" She said.

Mire put her hands behind her head as she looked at her comrade, worried.

Blazette sat, annoyed, as she watched Slag play around with Carrots. Ashley smiled at the sight and sighed. "This reminds me of when she was just a little girl. My, how time has passed."

Blazette scoffed. "She certainly has the mindset of a little girl. Playing games here while everyone is out there saving the world."

Ashley frowned. "I'm sure she doesn't like this, either, but I'd rather her not go out near the rivers again."

Blazette sighed. She understood the reasoning, but she didn't have to like it.

Slag continued chasing Carrots around, being careful not to touch her. She laughed as she played, but couldn't help but think about the current situation. 'Tony's with Atlas and Mire is with Hex. So, I guess I shouldn't be worried about them getting hurt. I just wish I could go out there and help…' She stopped chasing and laughed. "Okay, Carrots! I'm going to take a break." She went and sat next to her sister as Carrots began picking flowers nearby. Slag sighed in exhaustion. Ashley wrapped an arm around her sister. "Tired already, hothead?"

"Me? Tired? Never." She forced a chuckle, but couldn't conceal her feelings.

Ashley smiled, sadly. "Slag, I know how you feel, but we need to focus on safety. We'll have our chance, you'll see."

Blazette nodded. "I hate to admit it, but she has a point. The time will come for us to battle." She conjured a few blaze rods as if to emphasize her point.

Tony looked through his book, bones at the ready. He had been looking through everything he had learned about wolves in the past year, but found his research sorely lacking. "You know, now that I think about it, I haven't run into too many wolves."

Atlas raised an eyebrow. "Really? I have many texts on the subject if you need any advice."

"It's not that, it's just…" He twiddled his thumbs. "I've kinda always wanted a dog." He laughed.
Atlas pulled out her stack of bones. "Well, if this goes according to plan, you might need to tame a few wolves anyway." She pointed out.

Tony put his book away and thought. "Well, I don't know. This wolf ruler has complete control over the wolves, right? Would that control extend to tame ones?"

"I don't know. There isn't a difference in species, just behavior." Atlas thought. "I suppose we should just hope for the best." She suddenly looked over and stopped. Tony stopped as well and followed her gaze until he saw a wolf. The wolf hadn't noticed them yet, as it was just wandering. Suddenly, another one approached it from the side. Curiously, they seemed to whimper and growl, as if communicating. Before long, the two wolves scampered off in the same direction. Tony and Atlas nodded to each other before chasing them. Managing to keep their distance, the duo maintained a safe distance from the wolves. Atlas noticed. "The distance hasn't changed. It's like they're leading us."

"I guess that's good. We might just find the wolf ruler faster. Be ready." He said.

The wolves eventually made their way to a cave and stood on either side, laying down. Atlas and Tony approached, slowly. The wolves paid no mind, laying down instead. The duo looked at each other. "I guess we're here." Atlas said, walking forward, arms raised. Tony followed suit. Atlas looked into the dark cave and pulled out a torch. "Hello? We mean no harm." Silence was all that responded. Atlas stepped forward… and heard a growl. "Stay back!" A new voice barked.

Atlas and Tony jumped as several wolves surrounded them, growling with red eyes. Tony was about to pull out some bones, but suddenly felt wind rush past him as Atlas disappeared. He looked up in time to see his friend being held by a shadowy figure with glowing red eyes. He squinted into the darkness and made out her silhouette. 'I recognize her. It's the wolf, alright.' He put a hand up, slowly. "Hey, now. Let her go."

"Let her go? If I do that, what's my dear pack going to eat?"

"You don't have to do this. We come in peace."

"Peace? Peace!?" She threw Atlas aside, who was promptly trapped by circling wolves. The ruler approached Tony, eyes glowing brighter. "You dare talk of peace, slaver!?"

"Slave- what are you talking about?"

The wolf girl dropped Tony and scoffed. "I can smell it on you. You're a human. I woke up not too far from your walls. I looked inside and you know what I saw? My wolves, my kin, serving you humans." She let loose a howl. "Wolves are meant to be wild and free! We're meant to run and hunt to our heart's content!" She growled. "Yet all I saw were obedient traitors."

Tony stood, slowly. "Listen, you must understand. The humans aren't forcing the wolves or mistreating them. Wolves make great companions." He pointed out.

"Companions. More like bodyguards. Humans who are too chicken to fight send their dogs out to fight for them. How many have died because of that?"

Tony bit his lip. It wasn't exactly false. Tame wolves aren't really forced to fight. They're protective instincts take over when their owner is attacked. However, this does result in a lot of injured wolves. Tony frowned. "Then take me."

"What?"

"Let her go and take me. She's a village ruler. Villagers don't really tame wolves. I, however, am all human."

The wolf thought for a moment. She walked over to Atlas and sniffed. "Hm, I suppose you aren't human." She stood and waved. The wolves began nudging her away from the cave. Atlas looked at Tony. "Are you sure about this?"

Tony nodded. "Of course. Just make sure everyone knows I'm okay." He waved as Atlas was ushered out of the cave. The librarian looked at the cave for a moment before running towards the Human Settlement rendezvous.

Tony looked at his captor and kneeled. "Well, since you are the ruler, I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make peace."

The wolf girl smirked. "There are no rulers here. We are free." She licked her lips. "Well, except for you." She grabbed his arm and led him to a large hole in the ground. She tossed him in and laughed. "Here you will stay until called upon. All of this peace talk while my kin are still enslaved? Now, human, it's your turn to be our slave." She smirked. Tony sat in the hole, trying to think of any way to get out of this. 'She obviously has a bone to pick with humans. However, if I can show her that her wolves are perfectly fine in the settlement, maybe she'll lighten up?' He sighed. "Then again, that might be hard to do if we can't get near the settlement." He laid down on the stone floor, trying to come up with a plan.