The sounds of light footsteps bounced across the empty cavern walls. The soft slaps of bare feet hitting the ground grew louder every second, filling Kai's mind with unease. Taking several deep breaths and gathering himself, he shoved his nervousness aside and propped himself on his ankles. He snuck a quick glance over the boulder's edge, lungs burning from holding his breath, but he easily found that there was no use. Whoever that boy was, he could detect him from a mile away.
"I know you're behind that giant rock," the stranger called, his intoned voice heavy and somewhat exasperated. He ran his fingers through his tangled hair and rolled his eyes. "I mean, come on. Have you even taken a whiff of yourself? You reek!"
Despite knowing absolutely nothing about whoever that person was, Kai's face reddened in embarrassment, and he could've sword he'd seen smoke billowing out of his ears from his peripheral vision. It definitely wasn't the first thing you would hear from a stranger. However, he secretly pulled his arm up and sniffed, and boy, was that guy right. Scrunching his face in disgust, he made a note to take a shower as soon as he got home.
A choir of fierce growls break the silence and startled him awake. He spun around to see the same pack of wolves slowly converge on him and Ember, snapping and growling in, what seemed to be, mocked delight.
"Hey, c'mon out of your hiding area, why don'tcha?" he suggested, his tone dripping with heavy sarcasm. "Where are your manners? Show some respect and meet me out here in the open!" He ended with a succinct chuckle, but he cleared his throat when the atmosphere grew thick.
Ember bounded on her talons and ushered him forward. Kai demanded her to stay quiet, desperation clear in his silencing gestures. He shook his head wildly, but his dragon never ceased to reveal his location.
"I know you followed me here the whole time," he resumed, and Kai could practically see him shoot a sardonic glance. "C'mon out. I won't bite you."
Deciding not to speak up just yet, Kai rolled his eyes as he remembered when the boy, as a wolf, had actually bitten him. And while he was on that thought, his wounds were gone. He couldn't even make out any scars of the bite—
A group of wolves suddenly turned round the side of the boulder and snarled at him, eyes still shining as bright as glowing lanterns. He could feel their warm breath on his already sweaty face, and he dashed for the other side, only to meet the other half awaiting him.
Kai yelped as one canine bit into his hood and dragged him up front. He clawed at it and tried to pry it away, but it dropped him right below the boy's feet, leaving his skin dirtier than it had been before.
He raised a finger before anyone could speak—or bark. Letting out an defeated sigh, he muttered, "Okay, okay. So, I'm here. In your cave or something. But whatever you do, I'd really appreciate it if you don't kill me—"
"My den, my rules," he overlapped, crossing his arms. "I'll do what I like! Now could you actually listen to me and come here? Let me take a good look at you…"
He grabbed Kai's arm and sniffed him around, only to pull away in surprise when he reared back, lurid anger apparent in his eyes.
"What's your problem? Stop that!" he yelled. His frustration only grew when the boy shrugged.
"So what? It's what I do," he replied nonchalantly.
"Every time you meet someone?" Kai asked warily. "Seriously?"
The boy nodded. "I mean, I don't get visitors very often, since I scare them off!" He grinned and exposed his strong, sharp teeth. Kai paused as he pieced two and two together.
"Wait, wait, wait… so… you're a—"
"A… Wolfwalker!" he finished. "Who cares if I am? It's the best." He leaned his head back in euphoric thrill as though he was living in an unnatural, fantastical world. A world only he could cherish. "And besides. You should thank me," he added.
Kai scrunched his face. "'Thank you?' Uh, why?"
"I saved you, didn't I?" the raven questioned.
"Ha! Saved me? You nearly tore my arm off!" he scowled, deepening his frown.
"Yeah? Well, have you ever considered that you kept hurting my friend back there? They were painful attacks!" He stared Kai down and drew back his lips in the beginnings of a snarl. "If there's one thing you're gonna know about me, it's that I always stand against anyone who hurt those I care about."
Raising his brows, Kai scanned the cavern. "Who? The blue wolf over there?" he asked. "I had every reason to! It was attacking me… I think?"
The stranger let out a loud sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Wow, okay. First off, 'it' is a she. Second, she was trying to get you out of that trap!" Kai was about to speak up, but he was quickly interrupted once again. "She also happens to be one reason I allowed you to come here, too! And anyway, you came into my forest!"
"Your forest?" Kai snapped. "It belongs to us!" He noticed the boy stiffen with rage, but he didn't bother pausing. "Your wolves are attacking the woodcutters and the sheep!"
"Well, they should be staying closer to the town!" he retorted. "And so should you… townie." He sent him a haughty smirk, standing tall with pride. Kai slouched and glowered at him, muttering inaudibly.
He was suddenly pulled aside when the boy latched onto his shoulder, pulling him forward to take a long sniff of his odor.
"Let me just take one last sniff—"
"ARGH! STOP THAT, WILL YOU?!" Kai roared, the reverberations echoing off the cave walls. Some wolves winced and flattened their ears while others perked up in excitement at the loud noise.
"Just relax! It's how wolves greet each other," he responded, tugging his cloak for close inspection.
"I'm clearly not a wolf, though!" Kai shot back. "I'm a human, like you—"
"Wolfwalker," he corrected. Kai rolled his eyes.
"Whatever! Just get off of me—OW!" The boy yanked his hair and chewed on it, snapping a few twigs in the process.
"That's enough! BACK OFF!" he snarled, rage threatening to spiral out of control. His flaring temper gradually ceased when the stranger backed away, raising his arms in defense.
"Alright, alright! I'm done, see? You just smell like you've fallen in yak dung and rolled around a heap of leaves, as if you were hoping to rid yourself of the scent," he answered matter-of-factly. "Definitely the smell of a townie."
"Would you stop calling me by that dumb name?" he demanded angrily. "I've got my own, you know—"
"Don't really care," he said, brushing him off without sparing a thought. Kai, who was clearly offended, nearly began a second argument, but he wasn't given a chance to open his mouth before he was ushered the opposite way.
"Anyway, I've done you a solid. I've healed you and your dragon; I've even let you come here! In my territory!" he listed. "I just wanted to see you've still got that bite mark…" His gaze grew askew, regret and shame pooling behind his hollow eyes.
Kai heard what he had said, despite straining his ears to catch his hushed words. And he didn't like the sound of them at all. He cleared his throat to grab the boy's attention. "What are you talking about? What's going to happen to me?"
"Hm? Wh—nothing! Nothing at all!" he said, speaking more rapidly than normal. He quickly scanned his arm several times over, then he released him. Rubbing his forearm, Kai took several steps back in awkward silence.
Okay… that was really weird…
"So… so you did heal Ember, then?" Kai asked, holding an arm out for his dragon to perch on. A fragrance of his consciousness was extremely thankful. He hurt his friend… but this stranger mended her wounds. It would be hypocritical of him to be ungrateful, even by the slightest.
"Yeah! I fixed you and your dragon, and I technically saved you!" the raven concluded, a hint of annoyance laced in his words. "You're welcome townie. Bye!" With that, he pushed him further, but Kai dug his heels into the ground to slow down.
"Hang on a sec!" he said, gesturing for the boy to stop. He turned to the woman in the far end of the cavern, laying still and rigid. It was unsettling how she knelt, bowed down with no signs of motion. "Is she… is she your mother?"
The raven groaned in exasperation and made his way back to the wolf pack. "Y'know, if you don't leave as soon as I command you to, the wolves will eat ya!" He signaled to them all, and they crouched down, bodies pressed on the smooth earth.
"Wait, hang on, what?!" Kai yelped. "I don't—"
"Oh, too late!" the boy said, grinning wickedly. "They're gonna eat you!"
"NO!" Kai hollered, tumbling over himself as he scrambled for the exit. Ember flew after him, her screeches ringing in the dim tunnel.
The wolves didn't move at all; instead, they stared at their raven-haired alpha in confusion. Realizing what was happening, he quickly gestured for them to run after the brunette, and they instantly grouped together and chased him, tongues dangling and tails wagging.
Kai sprinted as fast as his exhausted legs could carry him. He hurtled himself towards the clear opening, letting out a pained shout as a torrent of fresh water cascaded on his back. The cold, damp feeling stuck to his body, sending chills throughout every limb.
Ember squawked at him as he resurfaced, and she snapped at a flailing fish. Content with her new lunch, she trotted next to Kai, who gasped for breath, pulling himself out of the pool.
"Augh… no!" he mumbled, catching the raven-haired boy and his pack. They were running down the slope, and they were running fast.
He didn't pay attention to wherever he was going. All Kai knew was that he needed to get as far away as possible. He didn't notice the cliff's edge, and if it had not been for Ember, he would have plummeted to his imminent death.
"WOAH!" he yelled, swinging his arms wildly. His feet were dangling off the edge, chunks of rubble plunging to the stalagmites below. "Woah, woah, woah, don't let go! Don't let go!"
Ember writhed with all her might and pulled him with great force, beating her wings with as much power as she could muster. She screeched as she pulled him back to safety, clicking her beak angrily.
"Thanks, Ember," Kai said quickly. "But now's not the time for a lecture—I've gotta run!"
He heard cackling several feet behind him, and he knew it wouldn't be long before the alpha would tackle him to the ground.
"Run away, townie boy!" he taunted, crouching on all fours. "The wolves are after you!"
"Crap! Seriously?!" Kai cried. "When is this all gonna end?" He dashed through the spines protruding from the grassy terrain, trying his best to ignore the alpha's teasing remarks.
"Can't get away from us, townie!"
"Less talking, more running—Ember, I seriously don't know what's up with you anymore!" he snapped; said Fire Dragon tumbled and rolled through the air with profound enthusiasm, clearly enjoying the chase.
"Get away from me!" Kai demanded forcefully. A wolf bit into his robe and tore it clean, whereas his trailer ran alongside him and laughed gleefully.
"Oh, but you're so slow!" he whined, sending him wide, puppy-dog eyes. "It's sad, honestly."
"Argh, just shut up! I'll just try to outrun you!" he hissed, humiliation rising in his chest. He was already having a difficult time running in his worn-down boots—what right did this guy have to constantly tease him? However, the feeling of demoralization disappeared almost as soon as it had come. He was entering the lush forest again. He could find his way back on his own!
The sounds of laughter interrupted his plan of escaping. "Nope, can't do that! And what would a townie like you know about wolves, anyway?" His eyes darted to Kai's pockets, and he didn't give him a chance to answer—not that he would be able to, of course. "Why do you have so much stuff on you?" he asked, pulling out arrows and small packs. Scowling, Kai snatched them back.
"Hey, get your grimy hands away!" he yelled. "That's my gear for hunting!"
"A hunter, huh?" questioned the raven. "Ha! A puny guy like you?"
"You're a guy, too!" Kai retorted, feeling extremely annoyed at that point.
"Ah, ah, ah!" his chaser tutted, waving a finger in a childish manner. "I'm no guy; I'm a Wolfwalker!" He growled to prove his point and pushed Kai down a steep, grassy slope. Before he tumbled to the ground, he was pulled up again, landing on soft, grey fur. "Up you go!"
Kai would have much rathered the grubby, filthy ground than the wild ride he was on. He wobbled and rolled on the backs of the grey wolves, shouting whatever nonsense came to mind as he failed to control them and grip their fur.
"When I sleep, I'm a wolf," announced the alpha proudly. "When I'm awake, I'm Cole! Cole Brookstone!" He raised his arms and took in the fresh, forestry scents. His grin spread from ear-to-ear, and he turned to his 'guest'. "Say, what's your name?"
"Oh, so now you want to know?" Kai muttered sourly.
"I don't recommend making myself repeat a second time!" Cole threatened.
"Alright, fine! It's Kai!" he said grudgingly. "At least you won't call me 'townie' or whatever…"
"'Kai', you say?" repeated Cole, pondering on the name as though foreign to his language. "Never heard of that one before. We usually name ourselves based on our natural surroundings…"
Kai didn't bother listening anymore; he latched onto a forthcoming tree branch. He swung over it and landed on the grass, persuading Ember to follow him towards the familiar stone arch. The one that would lead him home.
Cole's words died away as Kai ran faster. He smirked when he neared the exit, urgently quickening his pace. He was so close! Just a bit further and he would be out—
A rope suddenly latched on Kai's ankle and pulled him up, leaving him dizzy and hanging him upside down. "Oh, come on!" he growled, crossing his arms furiously. He huffed when he recognized chuckling come from the foliage.
"Caught again, I see?" Cole taunted, tilting his head to take a good look at him. His wolves snuck out of the undergrowth and whined playfully, staring up at him with giddy entertainment. "Some hunter you are. Looks like that's two for me, none for you!"
He spun Kai around with such power, making him feel nauseous by the second. Having enough of it all, Kai thrashed around and waved his arms in his face.
"Well, I've learned today that you're annoying as Ember when she doesn't get her fish on time," he retorted, ignoring her irritated trills. "Not funny, you know. And would you just let me down?! My head's starting to throb…"
Cole climbed up the rope and shrugged. "If you say so," he said, opening his mouth to slice the root.
Kai's eyes grew wide. "Actually, wait, stop—!"
They both dropped to the ground, Cole landing gracefully, whereas Kai… not so much. He grunted beneath his breath and massaged his temples. "I'm honestly surprised I haven't gotten any concussions at this point…"
"Fun's over now. Off home with you," he said, moving him along, but Kai stepped aside.
"Well, Cole Brook-whatever-it-is, your idea—"
A hand immediately clamped over his mouth and silenced him. "Shh! Do you hear that?" the raven whispered, straining his ears for any noises.
"What?" asked Kai, his voice muffled. He didn't know what was going on, but his first instincts commanded him to remain quiet. It took a few seconds before he was given an answer.
"A man…" Cole snarled and furrowed his brows, eyes turning to slits. "Stay here, I'll get rid of him." Running towards the wall of moss and vines, he slipped beneath the shrubs with swift motion. Following suite, Kai wondered who it was… then it clicked.
"Wait, Cole, stop!" he said hastily, dashing after him. He barged into him and pulled him back, earning a vicious glare from the other male. "You can't attack him! He's my father!"
"Wait, you're telling me he's your dad?" he hissed. "He's setting up wolf traps! I don't care if you're related, I'm stopping him—"
"No, don't! It's going to turn out ugly if you go out there," Kai argued. He peered through the vines, desperately hoping to find Nya crouching next to him, but he was crestfallen when he didn't see her. Maybe, hopefully, she was safe and well at home. He only begged that she hadn't been caught by any soldiers. It would be the end of them if she had. He would hate to discover her trapped in chains. The thought made him fume.
"Hey. Hey!" Cole called, snapping his fingers in front of his face. "Eyes over here!"
"Huh, what?" Kai muttered.
"You've been out for a minute. You do that a lot," Cole said flatly. "But anyway, enough of this. Why can't I go out there? This is ridiculous! It's just a small scare, then he'll be off before you know it!"
"No, I won't let you do that to him," he said firmly. "Just let him leave on his own!"
"Ugh, seriously?" he complained. Suddenly, they were pushed forward when the rest of the pack leaned over them, grinning like little pups exploring the world. Kai groaned and covered his face with his hands.
He heard a soft noise of confusion come from the other end, and he pried his hands away, eyes growing wide with worry.
"Shoot, he heard us!" he whispered frantically. "Everyone, shut up!" He slapped his hand over Cole's mouth and held him in place, much to his dismay. The gentle thuds of Ray's boots grew louder with each step, and Kai held his breath.
Cole sent him a stern glare, but Kai's was much fiercer. His expression said everything.
If you make even one sound, you're done for.