"Wolf, wolf, kill the wolf."

A tall and lean shadow crept on the top bunk of their bed, steadily holding a crossbow at the ready. They chanted those exact words under their breath, their whispers echoing across the room.

"Wolf, wolf, kill the wolf…"

Latching onto the curtains and pulling them away, the figure aimed, pinpointing their target.

"Till all the wolves are done for."

The arrow split past the room and pierced the center of a poster taped to the door. Imprinted on it was a well-drawn wolf, and the footer wrote:

REWARD FOR DEAD
WOLF

And there was a massive red X crossed over it. The person smirked and jumped off their bunk.

"See that, Ember?" Kai said proudly. His feet hit the floor with a thud. "Right on the nose."

His Fire Dragon chirruped at him and glided down from where she had perched on arrows sticking out of the wall. Ember landed on his forearm and curled around his neck, sneaking in a small click of her beak.

"What're you implying?" he asked. "I was aiming for the nose!" She chirped again, and Kai smiled.

"I'm glad you agree."

"Kai," a voice interrupted.

The door swung open, and Kai immediately hid his crossbow behind his back. As he stood straight, Ember launched off his shoulders and hid somewhere nearby. Walking the doorway was a well-built man, around his late thirties, wearing a traditional outfit. He had on a velvet shirt with a leather plate overtop, a collar that stretched down to a cape, and large fleece gloves. His hair was similar to Kai's, but it was a tad bit messier. His amber eyes looked a little sunken, but his lips perked up in a smile.

"Yes, Dad?" Kai responded, grinning a bit too widely, trying to mask the truth of procrastinating his tasks. His father sighed.

"Busy with your chores, I assume?" he asked, quirking a brow. He lightly tapped the arrowhead sticking out the other side of the door.

"Yup!" he said, picking up a broom and sweeping the floor. His father gave him yet another look. "Practically finished!"

"You're seventeen, Kai, you know I shouldn't be reminding you to clean the house." Quickly glancing around the room, he added sardonically, "Seems you certainly haven't been idle."

"Oh! No, not idle!" he said with a nervous chuckle. He ran in front of the furniture with dirty utensils and unwashed plates, scraps of food littering the table. "I've been sweeping and dusting, mopping the place." His eyes averted to every unattended area, his unorganized bed, the charred fireplace, not to mention the ceiling. "Just can't keep up with it!"

Ray merely laughed and walked inside. He grabbed Kai's crossbow and carefully determined various angles of aiming it.

"I wonder what range that wolf poster is. Fifteen feet?" he asked, closing an eye.

"No way. Twenty at least," Kai said, suddenly feeling excited speaking about this again. His father had been very busy with his job as a soldier. He would be gone for hours, sometimes not even returning for days. He had gotten rather distant over the years, and it slightly pained Kai, but he knew better than to show it. However, it cheered him a great deal when they had the rare opportunity to converse with each other.

Suddenly, he caught himself when his father side-eyed him. "A-although, I'm not sure… I haven't really considered it. Too busy cleaning!" He saw Ember stare at him from his bunk, and he waved her off, rolling his eyes.

"Kai, this is our new home," Ray said. "The bucket and brush are your tools now, not this." He gestured to the crossbow. "We left our old house for a reason. I swore never to live near the forest again."

Kai's heart skipped a beat. His father wouldn't ever get into detail about what happened when he was younger. He knew that it had something to do with his mother, but the memory was really fuzzy. Whenever he asked, he would either be ignored or receive a very stern glare. Maybe this time, if he just stayed quiet, he would hear more.

Ray glanced at his son's scar over his eye and sighed. "Sorry… got a bit carried away there." Kai mentally facepalmed, but he decided not to push it.

"But Dad, it's so boring stuck in here all day," he said in a bored tone. "I should be out on adventures with you like we did all those years ago!"

Ray slightly bent down and placed his hands on Kai's shoulders. They were nearly the same height, but he was much leaner and certainly needed to build muscle.

"Oh, son. The Lord Protectors have strict rules," he reminded him, and Kai lightly scoffed. "No children or teens beyond the walls, you know that." He handed him a leather apron. "The forest is brimming with real wolves, and it's my job to hunt them down, not yours," he finished, but he held a note of honor in his voice.

"I'm not afraid of a wolf," Kai said boldly.

"You've never even fought one," Ray objected. Looking away, Kai remembered a bit differently, but he still struggled to pinpoint his nagging memory.

"I'm still not afraid, though!"

"And that's why I must be afraid for you," Ray replied patiently.

"Dad, I'm old enough. I should be able to—"

"Son, we will not have this discussion again," his father interrupted. "Wolves are dangerous monsters. They'll tear at your flesh and devour you to the bone!"

"Even more dangerous than dragons?" Kai drawled, and Ember growled angrily, clearly offended. "Just kidding, Em. No need to get aggressive." She huffed and turned her back to him, curling her tail in front of her feet.

Ray pulled him forth and spoke in a serious tone. "Listen, Kai. Dragons are tamed creatures. We have befriended them for centuries, going back to when the First Spinjitzu Master was alive.
Wolves, however… they're nasty beasts. They roam the forests together as a vile pack, scaring off soldiers, sometimes chewing at their limbs—"

"I'm not a kid anymore, Dad, you can't scare me off with these stories," Kai said, but he turned away and continued to sweep the floor. Ray pulled his coat over his shoulders, and Ember trilled behind him.

"Well… at least let me come with you to the gates," he suggested.

"I'll be back before sundown," Ray said, ignoring him. "Stay indoors." He closed the door behind him, and Kai threw his broom on the floor. He yanked the apron off of him and grumbled angrily. He grabbed his traveling cloak from a chair and pulled the hood over his head.

His dragon cooed as she perched on his arm, and he grinned. "Time to practice our tracking, Ember," he said. She chirped at him, and he replied, "Yes, now!"

He quickly grabbed his crossbow and rushed out the door, the voices of chattering people filling his ears. As he skipped down the street, he passed many old-timey buildings constructed out of stone walls and wood tiles. He made it to the town square and heard the shouts of vendors offering their goods and antiques.

Children ran around and played whatever games they could think of with their parents' dragons, ranging from all sorts of colors to intricate patterns and details, some sharper while others were rounder. They were sure not to get too close to the soldiers stationed at the perimeter of the clearing, for they knew they would get a rash lecture. Kai squeezed past the villagers, decided it was time to search through the air.

"You find him, I'll follow," he whispered to Ember, and he raised his arm to boost her into the air. She gave a small roar and thrust her flaming wings against the billowing wind. She caught the attention of several smaller dragons, but she paid no attention to their growls. Her piercing gaze searched the crowded town, then she chirped excitedly.

Kai chased her from below, pushing past civilians and merchants. They grunted irritably at him, but he was too focused on catching up with his father and reaching the gate. If he were lucky, he would probably be able to make it out of town! Ember circled the air, and hens squawked as Kai nearly ran into them.

Ray trudged along the road with a slouched back. His eyes were trained on the path ahead of him, and he ignored the sellers recommending their auctions for fish or meat. He didn't notice Ember flying above him, and she dove back and landed on Kai's shoulder.

"Good work, Ember," he praised, and she gave him a toothy grin. They headed behind a building to find a shortcut. He climbed a drain leading to a rooftop, and he stealthily bounded across the tiles.

The townspeople danced and clapped along to a song a few musicians were performing at the center of the capital. Middle-aged men and women wearing sewn clothing skipped around the small space they were given, chanting happily with everyone else. They played lutes, drums, violins, and the sound of a twittering melody could be heard over the cheers and whistling.

"Howls the wolf, wolf, wolf!"

"Hear the wolf, wolf, wolf, wolf!"

"Run the wolf, wolf, wolf!"

"Flee the wolf, wolf, wolf!"

Kai watched carefully and latched his fingers on the ridge's frame. He hung a leg over and slid down the tiles, very few breaking off as he landed on the ground. He gasped as he saw his father slowly turn his head to locate the noise, and he dashed for a hiding spot.

He let out a relieved sigh when his father shrugged and kept walking. A smirk forming on his lips, he ran behind him. A fishmonger announced to approaching townsfolk, "Get your pickled oysters, whelks, and periwinkles!" She had a cat who stared at Ember with wide, yellow eyes, unsheathing its claws. It swiped at her, and Kai whirled around, face-to-face with a plump woman. Her face sagged and her teeth looked as though they were decaying. She grinned at him in a creepy manner, shoving a jug of sloshing, thick liquid inside.

"Wash it down with a cup of donkey's milk!" she added, and the contents splashed on his face. Kai nearly gagged, and he pinched his scrunched nose.

"Ugh, yuck!" He pushed the jug away and ran a safe distance from the disgusting drink. He looked around the square.

"Where's he gone?" he asked. He pushed through the townsfolk and tried squeezing his way through their closely compressed bodies.

"Excuse me, coming through," he said in a muffled voice, and Ember squirmed uncomfortable amidst the condensed space. When they made it out fine, Kai saw the musicians dancing up close, hopping on the tips of their bare feet.

"Run the wolf, wolf, wolf!

"Flee the wolf, wolf, wolf!"

He searched the area, but he froze when he heard that familiar voice over the singing crowd.

"Kai!"

He whipped around again and quickly said, "I was only gonna track you as far as the gates!" His smile was lopsided and strained.

"Really?" Ray said. "Then what?" He lowered his sack and gently ruffled his son's hair. "Follow me out and slay the pack of wolves single-handedly?"

"Of course!" he said enthusiastically. "But we could hunt them together!" Ember trilled eagerly on his shoulders. "Wolves, bears, goblins, even!"

Ray laughed at his behavior. "Oh, what am I to do with you?" he asked happily. Together, they skipped along with the music. They didn't break out into a full dance, but light taps of their feet would be enough.

"We could climb mountains and see giants," he listed, "meet witches who cast spells, find mermaids and selkies!"

Ray burst out into laughter. "Son, you and your fanciful stories. I'm amazed at your how much imagination you still have running around in your head!"

They sang together, smiling as they repeated, "Wolf, wolf, hears the wolf!"

"Howls the wolf, wolf, wolf!"

"Run the wolf, wolf, wolf!"

They lightly danced, tapping their feet and trotting around one another. Ember leaped around their feet, her eyes twinkling as father and son rejoiced in one of their jubilant moments. Kai wished Nya would be with them. Unfortunately, she had to spend most of her time working in the palace kitchens. She started at twelve. Normally they would begin to work at sixteen, but the ruling Lords permitted youth at a younger age so as to strengthen their deteriorating economy. Anywho, Kai was determined to share his fantastical stories with her. He was sure that she would be just as excited if she wasn't so caught up with working.

Kai was snapped out of his thoughts when his father pulled him into a side-hug and rumpled his spiky hair. They both burst out laughing, and the citizens clapped for them, cheering them with grinning faces.

"Goodfellowe!" someone shouted over their singing. Ray froze and turned his head swiftly. Everyone halted immediately, and the intense silence brought upon an uncomfortable aroma.

"Soldiers!" a woman shouted. "Leg it!"

The townsfolk and musicians hurriedly left the area, and, standing straight and mightily, were a line of soldiers. Heavy leather boots and shining chest plates with barred helmets… yep. They were the palace's soldiers.

"Goodfellowe!" the lead soldier called. "Come here a minute!"

"Yes, sir!" Ray said, saluting in respect. Kai repeated his actions, but he knew deep down that he resented the soldiers. Apparently, Ember did as well, because she, too, silently growled deep in her throat.

"Stay here," Ray told him, and Kai remained still, watching him trot away unhappily. He then heard muffled chanting coming from an alleyway.

"Shoot the wolf, wolf, wolf!

"Hunt the wolf, wolf, wolf!

"Get the wolf, wolf, wolf!

"Kill the wolf, wolf, wolf!"

What caught his attention, though, were light screams. He furrowed his brows and pulled out his crossbow. Pulling away stitched drapery, he saw a gang of rogue teens trapping a girl in a wooden cage. But it wasn't just any girl.

"Nya!" Kai shouted, and the gang ceased their chanting. A skinny boy, slightly older than him, stopped to send a glance his way. Black hair covered his deep, dark eyes. A strand of green hung loose over his head, and he smirked, as though he was up to no good.

His 'friends' stopped what they were doing and gaped at him, their conditions just as poor as that boy's. A thin teen with tangled blond hair snickered and judged him with his stare alone, the life completely sucked out of his dim, green eyes. A taller boy crossed his arms and sneered, his titanium blond hair not so straight and neat. There was another one who looked small and underfed. He had light freckles and popping, blue eyes, but his yellow teeth chattered. He swiftly tucked a strand of reddish-brown hair behind his ear and touched Nya like a complete psycho, letting out small laughs as she shrunk away from him.

"Hey, rich boy. Where d'you think you're going dressed like that?" the first person drawled, pointing his fake weapon at him.

Kai fumed and gritted his teeth. "Let. Nya. Go," he warned, his voice low and dangerous.

"Oi, Nya? So that's her name?" the short, ginger-haired boy asked, quirking a chipped brow at his sister.

"LET HER GO, OR I WILL BURN YOU ALL ALIVE!" Kai bellowed. The rogue teens were momentarily startled, but they smirked maliciously again.

"How do you suppose you're gonna do that?" the blond mocked, pointing a dirty finger at him. Kai snarled ferociously and roughly yanked Ember, pulling up her flaming tail.

"Oho, so this'll be a battle between dragons now, won't it?" their leader taunted, and his gang laughed at him. They held up cheap hockey sticks, looking just about ready to beat him down. Ember writhed in his grasp, chirping sadly. Realizing what he was doing, Kai loosened his grip. She crawled up his arm and softly hissed.

"Lookit, his dragon be scared!"

"Knew he was bluffing."

"Bet he won't last long in a fight, despite looking rich."

"SHUT UP, ALL OF YOU!" Kai roared. "When my father hears about this… you'll all be sorry!"

"'You'll all be sorry!'" the boy taunted in a high-pitch voice.

"Shut it! He's the best hunter there is in this hellhole of a town—"

"No, he's not!" the boy cut off with a swing of his wooden sword. "My father's the best hunter!"

Kai silently raged and mentally facepalmed. He didn't have time for this nonsense.

"We hunt wolves for the Lord Protectors. What's your father done, huh? I never heard any achievements by him."

"Lord Protector put my father in chains for nothing!" he spat; the name vile in his mouth. "You rich folk think you're all that, but you're just worthless scum! You should all just go where you belong!" He eyed Kai's weapon. "But first, give us a go on your crossbow!"

The others laughed along as Kai tried pulling away. He snatched the crossbow and landed a punch right on the tyrant's jaw, and he fell back on the rough ground. His friends gasped, but he pushed himself up, wiping the blood from his face.

"You'll pay for that, rich scum," he growled. The gang surrounded him completely and cracked their knuckles, but Kai didn't care. He rushed forward and rammed into them, knocking a few over while also creating an opening to reach Nya. They quickly grabbed onto his shoulders and ankles, but he whipped around and landed a few extra punches on their noses and jaws.

The black-haired creep pounced on him and pinned his wrists. The odor of his breath reached Kai's nose, and he nearly threw up. He tried shaking him off, but it surprised him how strong a person as thin as him would be.

Writhing around, he tried to look for Ember, but she was nowhere to be found. The boy gripped his jaw and struck him with his fist more than once, continuously pounding his face until he started to bleed. Nya screamed behind the bars, and she shook them violently.

Pain throbbed all over him. It was horrible. He couldn't see past the swelling bruises, and each strike caused a fresh wave of discomfort that made his nerves shriek with agony. He was stomped and spat on, but someone stopped the fight before it got way out of hand.

"What's going on here?"

The rebels pulled away, eyes widening fearfully.

"Soldier! Leg it!"

They all scattered and ran as fast as they could, disappearing beneath the ragged curtains hanging on a clothesline. Ray rushed over to Nya and removed the cage, then they both knelt next to Kai and picked him up gently, their father scanning his injuries like a hawk. Ember cooed sadly as she saw how much of a terrible state he was in. She had flown off to find Ray and bring him here, but now she felt incredibly guilty.

Once he had been carefully mended, Nya supported him by the shoulders and helped him apply pressure to his bruises. They walked along the path to the gate, and Kai muttered incoherently under his breath. Ray hadn't said anything, but he was deeply worried for his son. This made it worse for him and only encouraged him to make sure both his children would stay safe inside.

Nya sighed. "Why must you get yourself into trouble, Kai?" she asked.

"I was trying to help!" he said quickly. "And then there was that stupid boy who said his father was better than Dad, then he tried to take my crossbow and—"

"That's enough, Kai!" Ray snapped, exiting the large, metal gate. "You two must understand that we're not so welcome in this land yet. You're better off to stay at home while I'm working. You're safe there."

"But why can't you understand that we'd be just as safe out there with you?" he continued stubbornly. "Nya and I both!"

"No! Don't give your sister ideas!" he said, losing his patience. He closed the doors behind him and gave him a stern look. "Stay inside!"

Nya lightly pulled on his cloak. "We should do as we're told. We've got to work, anyway."

"It's for your own good, son."

Kai looked completely disheartened, and Ray couldn't help but feel sorry for him. All of the adventures he wanted to embark on, the stories he would want to tell, his first time hunting with him…

"Look… this evening, when I'm back, you can help me make new arrows, hmm?" he said. "Just like when you were a little boy. You can also tell me your stories of giants and goblins. Would you like that?"

Kai huffed. "I suppose so," he mumbled, and Nya perked up a little. She scoured the ground and spotted a pretty flower sprouting from the soil. She picked it up and gave it to her brother, who smiled back appreciatively.

"Now then, be good, you two."

"Yes father," they said together. Ember climbed the cage and watched with them as Ray took off towards the forest, not looking back.