Chapter 7: Visions & Voices
As the wolf family of three retired to their slumber after a long and stressful day, miles away from the Valley of Peace, within the wild range to the east, a small campsite stayed lit in the darkness. The fire burned brightly, standing out from the pitch black of the late evening. As one of the camp's residents slumbered within a small tent, the other stayed awake, keeping watch while his apprentice gained much needed rest. The large wild cat remained vigilant, keeping his eyes and ears alert and ready for any potential danger that may lurk during the night. From a sense of boredom, the large feline took out a long, large sword sheaved from his back. After grabbing some grindstone from a small bag that laid nearby, he drove it along the blade of his weapon, keeping his equipment in prime condition. As he heard the sounds of the stone sharpening his sword, the wild cat heard another noise, a slight snap of a twig. He looked out into the dark forest, using his natural night vision to seek out the origin of the noise. A few brief moments of silence passed, and he resumed to the attention of caring for his weapon. And as he did so, his apprentice was asleep in the tent, almost motionless, if not for the slight moving of his stomach and small breathes coming from his mouth. The young mountain lion rolled, tossed and turned on the ground as he was once again taken to a time and place from before, like so many nights in the past, both long ago and recent.
((()-()))
(Fire Emblem Echoes ost – "An Ordinary Day")
The winds of the valleys blew onto his face, bringing a refreshing sense of openness to his nose and mind. The young boy stood on the edge of his home's yard, one of the biggest in the village. He continued to sit by the fence of the vegetable garden where his mother was busy harvesting their small crop. As he took his break from his chores, the sounds of laughter found its way into his ears. In just a few moments, a group of village children ran by, getting ready to play and enjoy the beautiful day. As the young cat saw the group, one of the girls, a very young female goat, approached him.
"Hello, you want to come and play with us on the plain?" She asked while carrying a leather ball.
"Oh, um… I'll need to ask my mother first." The young mountain lion asked.
"Well, ok… come find us if you can." She said before running off.
The young cat got off of the fence he was sitting on and walked to his mother, who was pulling out some herbs from the earth. Out of nowhere her son came from behind with an eager expression on his face.
"Mother, can I go play with the other kids?" Xian asked.
"Where are they playing?" She questioned.
"Out in the plains" He answered.
"Hmm… I don't know…" She pondered out loud.
She could take comfort when her and her son were safe in the village, but outside, parents are wise to be wary when young children play out in the open.
"Honey, I don't know if you're old enough yet." She answered.
"Mother please, I'm twelve years old… please?" the boy pleaded.
The mother cat kept put her paw to her head, keeping her mind calm, but rationally calculating. And after some time of careful thinking, and seeing the anxious expression on her boy's face, she decided to finally let her son live a little.
"Well… I guess it's ok…" She answered.
"Really!?" the young feline replied.
"But only if you keep the village in view." She approved.
The son immediately hugged his mother before she wrapped her arms around him for a brief moment before he darted off from their garden, now baring an expression of excitement and thrill.
"But keep the village in sight!" She shouted before he ran off.
He gave a quick nod of his head in acknowledgement right as he left their home. The mother smiled, but looked down and grasped her necklace, with the etching of the moon. Memories came flooding back, and she wished so much of how the man who gave her the pendant could still be with her now. After seeing her son off to play she tended to her vegetables once again. He ran on all fours through the village road and eventually dashing out of the entrance and into the open plains. The young mountain lion stood up before the large, open rolling field of wild pants and bright green grass. In a moment of to relish, he spread his arms out openly, feeling the wind blow by his body and ruffling his vest and fur. The twelve-year-old took a deep breath and savored the feeling, the openness of his valley home. He saw the other children gathered together and hurried to join them. He approached his fellow kids and was greeted with warm smiled and bright faces.
"Hey you came!" Said the goat girl from earlier.
"Yeah, it feels so good out here." The young feline replied.
"Ok…" A pig boy said while counting the numbers in their group. "Now that we have you with us, we now have an even amount of players."
"What are we playing?" The boy asked.
"Manhunt." The pig boy said.
"Um… how do we play that?" He asked.
The goat girl informed him of their game.
"There are two teams, the hunters, and the hiders. The hunters have to capture all the hiders to win, but if any of the hiders make it the fort, they win."
"So… it's like hide and seek?" The twelve year cat asked.
"Yeah, but instead of each of us hiding alone, we can all work together." The goat girl replied.
He felt a slight sense of nervousness from his insides, being part of a team in a competitive game for the first time, but he quickly focused on the task at hand. Soon the children picked their players, with the cat boy being part of the hiders who would attempt to avoid detection and reach the village (the fort) without being caught. He wouldn't admit it, but he was relieved that he wouldn't be one of the hunters, given his superior wild cat tracking skills would surely grant him and unfair advantage. The hunters huddled together and closed their eyes while counting from a hundred as their opponents dashed into the nearby woods. As the goat girl and her other friends ran as fast as their feet could carry them, the young mountain cat rushed ahead, quickly running on all fours into the forest just by the plain. As he entered the wooded area, he took one last look back, seeing the village still in his sight before finding a nice place to hide for the next few minutes. The feline boy searched the woods and found a nice little spot in a large bush. He took a quick look around, seeing that no one was around to watch him before entering his new hiding spot. But only a few moments into his green haven, he found himself bumping onto a something behind him.
"AHHh!" a voice shouted in shock.
He looked behind him and saw that the same goat girl had already taken his sneaking spot.
"Oh, sorry, I didn't know you were here." He apologized.
"Ah… it's ok, you surprised me though." She replied.
"I… I can find another spot if you want?" He asked as he got ready to leave.
"Y-you can stay… it's no problem." She answered.
The twelve year old boy sat next to the young goat as the game continued. As the minutes passed, the two kids found themselves enjoying each others company.
"Why haven't you come to play with us until now?" The girl asked.
The wild cat rubbed the back of his head as he answered.
"My uh, mother is kinda strict. She told me not to leave far from the village. Is this area safe?"
"Oh sure, we come out here all the time." The girl replied.
The boy was beginning to let his guard down and enjoy the moment with a new friend.
"But why don't you play much with us out of the village, all you do is play inside games." She asked curiously.
The cat boy extended his right paw and showed his claws to her.
"I'm afraid I'll hurt someone with these, can't be too careful." He explained.
The goat girl looked at his claws and got an idea in her mind.
"Have you ever used them for carving stuff?" She asked.
"Uh… you're not scared?" He asked in a lightly confused tone.
"No, I think they could be useful for like, making patterns in wood and carving stuff from logs." She answered.
He looked to his paws, now with the claws on his other limb extended. The thought never occurred to him that these naturally given weapons could be used for something other than doing harm.
("An Ordinary Day" ends)
"Huh, you know, I never thought that-"
(Fire Emblem Fates ost – "The Dim Abyss")
"AAAHHHHHGGGG!" A scream sounded from the woods.
Both kids quickly exited their hiding place and listened intensely.
"HEEELLPP!" A young voice shouted.
"Where did that come from?" The girl asked.
Using his advance senses, the young mountain lion deduced where the screams for help were originating.
"Over this way, HURRY!" He yelled.
The two children rushed through the woods, darting passed trees and bushes of various types. After navigating the wilderness for a few moments, they came across a small goose girl being held down by a large thug. He was dark grey, his clothing consisted of various wraps around his torso and a black metallic kilt around his waist.
"Ah shut up you little brat!" the large canine yelled.
The young cat boy rushed to the child's side and before the canine realized who came, he saw a flash of dark tan fur and a slash on his face. The wolf held his face as drops of red stained his paws. The cat boy checked on the little girl.
"Are you ok?" He asked while keeping an eye on the bully.
"H-he was gonna hurt me." The young goose answered.
"Damn brat, You'll pay for that!" The wolf shouted.
As the wolf grasped his face and tended to his scars, the two young girls were shaking in fear over what just happened in front of their very eyes. They were both petrified and unsure of what to do.
"Run back to the village, NOW!" the mountain lion boy yelled.
The three children then darted off in a mad dash back home. But the cat felt something grab him from behind and send him down onto the dirt graveled ground. The goat girl looked back in shock. She looked like she wanted to help her friend, but her mind was racing with uncertainty.
"GO, GET OUT OF HERE!" the boy yelled.
Suddenly more wolves came rushing out of the thick woods and the girl ran in fear. The boy tried his best to fight off the fiend, even attempting to grab his weapon out of its sheaf. But it wasn't long before he felt a hard hit on his head and laid on the ground. As his head was in pain, he watched as wolves in dark uniforms charged through the woods and towards the village. He then heard the voice of one of the canines nearby.
"Take all you can carry! If any fools get in your way, kill 'em." Shouted a larger wolf, one wearing dark armor on his torso and leading his gang.
Soon the whole pack of wolves left the boy's sight as his vision became blurry and unfocused. His mind was drifting away, his conscious losing itself, and his energy vanished from his body. With his last moment of focus, the boy desperately said "M-mo…th…er." Before his world became mute and filled with darkness.
("The Dim Abyss" ends)
((()-()))
"Wake up!" A voice suddenly shouted, bringing the apprentice out of his slumber.
He returned to his camp laid in the dark of night. He realized his master brought him out of his slumber and with a stern expression on his cold face. The younger feline rubbed his eyes and gave his attention to the situation at hand.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
The older wild cat suddenly put out the fire, forcing the two felines to use their natural night vision. The older cat looked out at the pitch black horizon before turning back to his apprentice.
"We're being followed." He whispered.
"Are you sure?" the apprentice asked.
The master looked out again, his senses warning him of an incoming threat, one that has been pursuing them for some time.
"Pack your things, we're leaving right now." He ordered before proceeding to do the same with his own possessions.
The apprentice then started gathering any supplies and tools in his pack. Within a few short minutes the two were now ready to leave their small camp.
"We'll make for the rendezvous point as soon as we can. Come on." He ordered.
The two then walked through the dark black night. As they made their way, the young moutina lion grasped something around his neck, a necklace with the icon of a moon etched into it. He then focused his mind and traversed the wilderness and followed his master, just as he was told to do.
((()-()))
Zhong's eyes opened as he awoken back to the realm of consciousness. He found himself in his bed… wait, this wasn't his bed. It was larger, more spacious. A quick scan of the room showed his bedroom was now twice as big, with a window to his right showing the moon in all of its splendor. Zhong sniffed his nose, sensing the warm fragrance of exotic candles that lit the room. Nearly the entire sleeping space was illuminated in a cozy layer of little lights. The smell triggered something specific in his mind, thoughts of passion and seduction. He found he was in bed, his fur and hygiene was freshly kept recently. The door of the room slid opened and closed as a young she-wolf entered.
"H-Helen?" Zhong asked in surprise.
"Yeah, Zhong, I'm done, sorry it took a little while. Timber just never runs out of energy."
Helen noticed the candles and her husband in bed and half bare, topless in preparation of their evening plans. She approached the bed and climbed on the join her lover.
"H-I… Just what's?..." Zhong muttered.
"Zhong?" Helen asked. "Is there something wrong?"
"I… no… no, there's nothing wrong." The man answered.
"Well, do need some tea or something?" his wife asked in worry.
"No, I just had a…rough day." Zhong explained.
"You wanna talk about it first before we begin?" She asked in consideration.
"No, I… just want to cuddle a bit, ok?" he requested.
Helen then nodded and joined him with their legs and waists under the blanket and the two of them snuggled in each other's arms. He felt a warmness eradiate from their cuddled together bodies. A man and his wife together in bed, engaged in affectionate romance. Zhong then gave a tender kiss as the two wolves' lips met for a few short moments before cuddling more.
"So, what was bothering you?" Helen asked.
"Oh, uh… It's not much. How was your day?" Zhong asked.
"It was good. We needed a few things from the market, and I brought the pups along."
"Did they have a good time?" He asked curiously.
"Yeah they did, we even ate at a noodle shop for lunch." Helen explained.
"That's nice." Zhong replied.
A few moments of silence came and went. Helen watched as her husband just sat there, as if adrift in his own thoughts. She decided to break the empty mood.
"Is everything at the blacksmiths ok?" She asked.
"Oh, yeah… yeah it's fine, just… just…" Zhong replied as he drifted off in thought again.
"Zhong, is there something worrying you?" Helen asked.
He looked back at his wife, baring a worried face. Mustering up his courage, the man then spoke his mind and inner-most thoughts.
"Do… do you think that, I'm worthy of all this?" Zhong asked.
"Worthy of what?" Helen replied, confused.
"All this. You, the pups, this house… do… do I really deserve it?" Zhong pondered.
"What makes you say such a thing?" Helen questioned.
"Being a solider is in my past now, and I've done things that… things I'm not proud of. Actions that no father should have ever done in their life, deeds if done by normal people, would be imprisoned for." Zhong explained as his wife listened well. "What if sometime sooner or later, Timber and Julie learn of what I've done in service for Gongman. I've told them that killing is never a good thing, and that they should have do such a horrible act. But what if they learn that I've killed people myself?"
"Zhong, you were protecting others. You did what was needed to save others. Besides, those thugs just going to kill and terrorize others if you and the other soliders didn't stop them." Helen said as her paws rubbed his shoulders to comfort.
"You don't understand, Helen. I feel like a hypocrite when I tell our children things like; violence doesn't solve anything." Zhong stayed quiet for a few moments before asking "Am… am I a… good person?"
Helen kissed him tenderly before answering "You're a good man Zhong. You are a good man."
The husband then sported a smile on his face, and relaxed with his love. The light from the candles slightly beamed on them as they enjoyed their intimacy.
"But, you enjoy your job at the blacksmith, right?" Helen asked.
"Yeah, it pays more than enough for us, and it helps keep me in good shape." Zhong answered.
"That's good…" Helen then smiled before saying "It does me a nice favor."
Zhong then smirked flirtingly as his mate then lightly caressed his bare chest, feeling her husband's strongly built torso. He decided to counter her move of affection and flexed his chest again for her like many times before.
"Sometimes I think you only like my sexy body?" Zhong jokingly asked.
"Oh, Zhong, you know I love every part of you. Your strong will, your desire to protect others and your amazing singing voice. I just think your figure is a… nice bonus." Helen explained.
"Sure…" Zhong joked again.
"You know-" Helen pondered, taking a break from admiring his strength. "My friends and I have been needing another back-up singer for the upcoming harmony festival… would you-"
"OH NO!" Zhong interrupted with embaressment. "No,no,no… I don't think I'll be singing in public anytime soon."
"Why not?" Helen argued. "You're not a solider anymore, so why not try it out?"
Zhong then placed his paw on his head in embaressment, the mere thought of performing out in public would tarnish everything he's known for.
"Because a man like me needs to be strong, and… and uh… respected in the eyes of others." The husband argued back.
"Oh… well… alright then." Helen replied simply.
Her tone and demeanor had changed so quickly, Zhong couldn't help but feel puzzled. But it seemed she dropped the notion, all the better for her man. After a few moments of quietness, the male wolf decided that enough time had passed, and he was now ready for the purpose their special evening.
"You know-" Zhong asked while smirking. "We can make some music now, some… special music."
He moved his eyebrows up and down while flexing his pectorals again, his tone in a familiar flirty manor only Helen had the pleasure of knowing. The she-wolf smirked herself and figured she'd play along a bit, but in her own way.
"Hmm… I don't know… I'm not up for it." She teasingly replied.
Puzzled, Zhong ceased his flirting and asked "What? Just ten minutes ago you were itching for an evening of love!?"
She then looked back at her mate and replied "Well… I might consider it, if you reconsider the harmony festival." She raised one eyebrow and smirked in a mischivious way.
"Are you blackmailing me?" He asked, his tone sarcastic.
"Well what do you think?" She replied.
She continued to give him a joking smirk, and her husband was fed up with this little game she made. He pulled her close and gave passionate kisses while her paws felt and enjoyed the size and strength of his various muscles. The two wolves relished in their warm intimacy and for long lasting minutes they enjoyed each other's bodies, expressing their love in the greatest of physical declarations. Zhong removed his muzzle from hers and took a desirable glare at her-
"AHHHH!" Zhong screamed suddenly.
"What's wrong honey?" Helen asked.
The male wolf looked in horror as he saw her eyes blackened, her fur withering, and streams of blood flowing out and down from her mouth. The very sight of such a creature would be enough to make any man frightful with disgust. He then pushed her away, sending her off of the bed. The wind from the open window blew the candles out with a cold chill from the dark. Zhong was petrified with such shock and fear that any thoughts and drives of sexual pleasure were instantly diminished, now replaced with terror and fear. Helen, now in her decaying state, climbed up the bed and crawled towards Zhong.
"Zhong… don't… you… love…me?" She moaned in a chilling voice.
Zhong rushed out of the bed and towards the door before grabbing the handle, but the exit wouldn't budge, no matter all the strength he mustered, all the might his muscles gathered, the only way out was refusing to move. He looked back to see the corpse of his wife now right behind him. She reached out and tried to kiss him, but was pushed back once again.
"Zhong… you… love… me… right?" She asked as she crawled to him again.
He breathed rapidly, his chest moving back and forth as his lungs grasped as much air as possible.
"Y-you-your dead…" He muttered.
"Zhong… love… me." She pleaded as she trudged towards him, her body decaying ever more with each step she took. Her clothes writhered away, her teeth broken and falling out, her fur whitening with extreme age, and her mouth oozing blood and her skin falling apart.
"No… your dead. Your dead, your dead, your dead, your dead, your-"
((()-()))
"AHHH!" Zhong gasped loudly.
The wolf returned from his nightmarish night and found himself back in his own bed, in his own room in Shu's house. He sat up with his thin blanket falling down the to his legs. His broad chest breathed in and out rapidly, his lungs grabbing and pushing air as quickly as possible, his heart beating as fast as a man's organ can go. The dark room would have been silent if not for the one eyed wolf's panting. He placed his right paw on his chest, feeling his heart slow down. After minutes of shock his systems were finally starting to return to normal. He sighed heavily and realized that he was again sleeping alone. Zhong looked to his right, wanting to take a look at the one physical reminder of his late wife. He took a paper lantern and-
"WHAT THE HELL!?" Zhong yelled.
Before him he saw figure, tall and slim, with a long white robe and feathers reaching from behind. As if returning from the past, the deceased prince looked just as he was alive. Zhong was shocked beyond mortal belief. The peacock stood silently at the other end of the room, between the wolf and the only exit to the rest of the house. In a rushed thrill of endrenaline, Zhong quickly grabbed his trusty war hammer that was leaning on the wall, and rushed to attack the peacock. He rose his weapon and brought it down in front of him. But in a single blink the peacock vanished and the one eyed wolf slammed his hammer down onto the wooden floor, resulting in a loud impact that broke the wood planks underneath. Zhong panted heavily, his burly frame moving back and forth with returned rapid breathing. He looked around and found that the peacock was now gone, as if he was never here. Zhong's mind raced with confusion and questions in his mind. That bird just now looked real, as real as if he were still alive to this day. The sight of his previous master put Zhong's mind in such a state of unbeliveability that he couldn't move, and for entire moments in stayed still, holding his hammer that was pressed againt the broken wood floor.
The sounds of footsteps were audible form the outside hall and voice shouted "Zhong, are you ok?"
After a moment of silence the man's bedroom door slid open, and the mother and her son approached with concerned faces.
"Dad are you alright?" Erdan asked.
"Zhong we heard a loud thump…" Shu asked as she saw her boyfriend with hammer on the floor.
Shu and Erdan tried to approach Zhong, but back off when he held his hammer out in confusion. Soon the one eyed wolf's senses returned, and he realized his girlfriend and son had came to check on him. Zhong placed his hammed back against the wall and he sat on his bed.
"Dad, are you alright?" Erdan asked.
(Fire Emblem Fates ost – "As All Stars Fall")
The young wolf approached his foster father, his face emotionally torn and in grief. In a single second Zhong grabbed his son and held Erdan in his arms. Like any good son, Erdan hugged back followed by his mother, and the three wolves wrapped in each other's love. Zhong felt as if his grief would erupt his mind and heart, had it not for the presence of his love and cub. He did his best to hold back his emotions, even though a few streams of tears and a few whimpers escaped through. Once a few moments had passed the two back off and gave Zhong space. The large wolf sat still on his bed with his arms now relaxed, resting his elbows on his knees.
"Are you ok Zhong?" Shu asked with concern.
"Ye-yeah… just had a… a bad dream… that's all." He answered.
Erdan looked with worry at his old man. His voice could lie, but the effects on his expression said otherwise. Shu had known the ex general to have night terrors from his past every now and then, but since returning home she suspected that something was wrong with her boyfriend.
"Erdan, why don't you go back to bed and I'll stay with Zhong a bit, ok?" the she-wolf asked.
The wolf teen looked at his father with worried eyes and asked "Are you gonna be ok dad?"
Zhong looked up from his view of the floor, relayed in his mind what his boy asked and answered in a tired tone.
"I'll be alright, go back to bed now."
"Ok"
The boy then hugged his father again, earning in a comforted smile on the man's face.
"Goodnight." Erdan said before returning to his room.
Shu looked back at her love, thinking of how to help him without causing the man anymore stress.
"You want some tea?" She asked.
Zhong thought about the notion for a brief second before nodding in agreement. He got up from his bed and the two walked through the house and into the kitchen. Shu lighted a paper lantern and lit it above the main table. Zhong sat by the dining area while the owner of the house heated some water before placing leaves and some spices for favor. As she prepared their late night drink, Zhong did his best to stay awake, even if half of him was deprived of rest for who knows how many hours. The tea was finished and poured in cups and brought to the table. Zhong took his and smelled the aroma rising with the warm steam. He and Shu took their sips, enjoying the earthly yet comforting flavor. Once the snack was served, Shu decided to be the first to speak.
"Zhong, are you doing alright?"
"Y-yeah…" He replied quietly.
"Are you sure?" Shu questioned.
A second of silence came and went before the one eyed wolf gave an answer.
"No… not really." He replied in a somber tone.
"What's been bothering you?" She asked after taking another sip of tea.
"… I've been having… bad dreams." He answered.
"Like the ones you have every now and then?"
"No… these are worse."
"What are they ab-" Shu asked before stopping, realizing that recalling the nightmare might make Zhong's situation worse.
"It's ok…" He reassured before explaining. "For the past couple weeks, I've been having these dreams of my life in the past, back when I was a solider during Gongman's golden era."
"… with… Helen, and your kids?" Shu carefully asked.
"Yeah… back when they were alive. The dreams start out nice. Like me with my kids enjoying out time at our secret lake, or when I'd be with Helen at night. They all begin with memories of my good years."
Shu continued to listen, sipping her tea once every minute.
"It always start out great… but then it becomes horrible." He took a sip of his tea to help him brace himself. "They all then turn into nightmares, horrible situations where my old family are in great danger while I'm powerless to save them, and every time… they die when I could do nothing."
"Does… you know who… appear in these nightmares?" Shu asked.
"Yeah… in most of them. That goddamned prince destroys all I loved back then." He answered in a sorrowful/ hateful tone.
Shu was processing of what to do. She was so concerned for her love that she didn't care that he just swear in her household.
"Even now that dead man torments me, and I haven't gotten any sleep recently." He finished while taking the last few sips of his tea.
Shu finished a gulp and placed down her cup before speaking.
"You're not the only one with slumber issues."
Zhong looked at his girlfriend with a puzzled ecpression.
"Wait, what do you mean?"
"I've been having some… disturbing dreams lately, not enough to keep me awake all night, but enough to worry me." She answered.
"What kind of dreams you been having?" He asked, now taking his turn to worry.
"… I see… well… remember back before Erdan came to the Valley, and I had those dreams about him?"
"Yeah, you told me about them before?" He replied.
"Well these dreams feel like the ones I've had about Erdan, in that they feel so real, and they repeat like the ones before." She explained.
"What are these dreams about?" He asked.
"I… see cages… steel cages. And people, being tormented."
"Where in the dreams is this?"
"I don't know, it's too dark to see where." Shu answered before continuing. "Another thing I see is sails, like those on large ships."
"Is there anyone you recognize?" He asked.
"Yeah, I see Erdan, but when I try to reach him, he's always far away. There's also you, Zhong… but you're in some kind of jail." Shu explains.
"A… jail?" Zhong ponders out loud.
"An there's one more thing I see before waking up, two colors." She finished.
"Two colors? What do you mean?" He asked, just as puzzled as her.
"I see two circles, one blue and the other orange." She answers.
The two wolves sat in thought, trying to make sense of what these night vision could mean. The bizarre imagery was no doubt troubling and inquizitive on the mind. Zhong, still fatigued, gave a long yawn. After whitnessing her mate express his tired state, she herself yawn back.
("As All Stars Fall" ends)
"Well, we can figure these dreams out tomorrow." She said as she put the now empty cups away.
"Yeah, we've all had a hard day." Zhong comented as he got up and made his way to his room, but was topped when Shu placed her paw on his shoulder.
"Will you be alright?" She asked.
"I'll have to be…" Zhong answered.
His tone didn't encourage reassurance, one may even say it was a weakly made lie. Seeing her boyfriend deprived of rightful rest brought a sense of need in Shu.
(Fire Emblem Awakening ost – "Shh… Easy now, girl. I won't hurt you")
"Wait by the fire place." She asked him.
"Why?" He questioned.
"Just trust me?" She replied.
Zhong sluggishly made his way to Shu's living area, his mind hazy and his body exhausted. Shu then returned with paper lanterns, some pillows and a large blanket. She instructed Zhong to lay against the wall as she lit the lanterns and hung them around her living space. She then placed the pillows down and got ready for the rest of the night. She laid next to Zhong, placing a pillows for her and him and-
"Wait, what are you doing, Shu." Zhong asked.
"Well… I thought we could stay the night here… together." Shu answered.
"Um, I don't know…" Zhong questioned himself.
"I don't want you to be all alone at night, not with those night terrors you've been having." Shu explained herself.
"I don't think I'm ready yet for… you know." Zhong informed.
"Zhong this isn't about that, and besides I told you before I'd prefer to wait with you. I just want to be here for you." Shu explained.
Zhong thought about Shu's idea, and though he felt a little odd about it, he'd be willing to give anything a try if it meant rest and relief from his troubles. He allowed Shu to join him on the makeshift bed made of pillows on the floor. They got together under the blanket as the soft lights of the lanterns created a cozy and comforting atmosphere. Shu got cozy but felt Zhong large arms wrap around her. She hugged back and the warmness of his bare chest felt wonderful to the she-wolf. The subtle affection of the two gave way to comfort in the man's heart and soul. He felt Shu surround him in her arms in a loving embrace. This soft and entrancing feeling of intimacy, it was unlike anything Shu had experienced. But Zhong remembered it well, and he relished the few remaining conscious moments he had before falling asleep. The two wolves slumbered in each other's arms as the quiet night continued around them.
("Shh… Easy now, girl. I won't hurt you" ends)
((()-()))
The early night continued to linger as the villagers of the Valley retired to their homes and beds for rest. Even those who chose to stay up were just now retreating to rest for the coming day. Husbands slumbering after hours of hard work, wives finding peace away from household stress, and children fast asleep, dreaming of fun adventures, continuing their play in the realms of unconscious journeys. In the middle of the village the local inn stood as always, a home away from home for all who've become weary from seemingly endless travel. In the second level of the inn, the parents of the local pottery shop owner prepared themselves for the night. Renshu walked into the room he and his wife boarded, his face freshly washed and ready for rest. His wife, Jiao, looked out of their window, staring at Shu's shop. The middle aged woman looked out towards where her daughter now works, sleeps, eats and now lives her life. Renshu walked up to Jiao, placing his paw on her shoulder and kissed her on the cheek, though her gaze out the only window never changed.
"Jiao, are you ok?" Renshu asked, noticing his wife's eyes hadn't changed their view.
The grown she-wolf sighed before questioning "I don't know about that Zhong fellow."
"Oh he seems like a good man." Renshu commented.
Jiao looked back at her husband with concerned eyes for her now adult daughter. "But there's just something that… that gives me the wrong feeling about him."
"Is it because of his appearance?" He asked.
"Renshu, he's missing an eye!" She protested in a more worried tone. "He's missing and eye, he dresses like some wild ruffian and his face is shown with scars."
"And he gave a good explanation for all those traits. You should really give him the benefit of a doubt." Renshu protested.
"What was he like when you two talked together after work?" She asked.
The middle aged father sat on the shared bed before he answered. "He was very polite, and surprisingly friendly and nice to converse with."
"That's all?" Jiao asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Well…" Renshu answered as he placed his paw to his chin. "He did have a kind of… tone in his voice. It was subtle, but I could feel that he has something he's-"
"Hiding from us!?" Jiao interrupted.
"… Something… he's ashamed off… or at least that's my impression, but what do I know, huh?" He continued as he laid on the bed, resting his head on the pillow.
Jiao joined him in the couple's bed, getting under the blanket and placing her head on her own pillow as she continued to ponder out loud.
"And what exactly would you know about finding the man Shu needs?" She questioned in a passive aggressive voice.
"You mean the man YOU want for her, correct?" Her husband protested.
"Well wouldn't you want our daughter to be wed to a good man, one who will treat her right and care for his family?" She asked as the light from a nearby lantern dimly lit the room.
"Zhong does seem like a good man. In the time I've known him so far, I think Shu's made a good choice with him." Renshu argued. "Course you prefer Erdan, now don't you?"
Jiao took a sip of water from a cup on a nearby table before answering "Well, Erdan is a different story."
Renshu sighed and said "And I bet you're gonna tell me all about that, right?"
"I think he's a nice boy." She started. "But there are a few problems with him too."
"Here we go…" Renshu groaned.
"If you ask me, he's like his father, and not in a good way."
"And how is that?" he questioned.
"Honey, that boy run around half clad like his father, and when I looked at him when he came home, he had bandage wrappings on his wrist." She explained.
"So, he probably just had a little accident, kids get in them all the time." Renshu argued.
"Kids don't play with lethal weapons!" She argued back.
"So what if he takes archery as a hobby, kid needs to do something in his spare time."
"But did you hear what he said when Ru tried to fire and arrow; he said he's actually shot people with that dangerous thing!" She said in an uphold tone.
"He also said those people were bandits and bad guys. He could mean it was self defense. We all know that no place is safe of goons and thieves." He protested in his new grandson's defense.
"Still, I can't believe out daughter encourages this kind of behavior!" Jiao said in a shock/angry tone. "And not to mention that boy was once a wild wolf, born in some tree hut, probably due to incest crazed savages." She continued with a tone of disgust.
"How can you say that? You've barely gotten to know him, or the deceased tribe he was born in. He'd probably be willing to clarify those misconceptions in your head." Renshu argued.
Jiao looked at her husband with an offended look on her face. At times it felt that she was the only member of their family that had a level head.
"Dear-" Renshu said. "We can't choose the life Shu wants to make for herself. That's after all the reason she left in the first place."
"But why did it have to be like this? Why with those two for her family?" Jiao questioned out loud.
The wolven husband then wrapped his arm around her while giving his reply. "She's made her own life, and she's proud of it. I trust and believe Shu has made good choices. The best we can do is to be a part of her new life, not tear it apart."
Jiao lightly chuckled under her breath. "And your parents thought I was unsuitable for you. It's a real wonder how you've bared me all these years."
"It's because I love you." He answered whole heartedly before kissing her.
The two then rested themselves for the night, putting all they were discussing on hold for the morning. Jiao blew out the lantern and the two slept closely in the cool summer night.
((()-()))
As the two pack parents entered their nightly slumber, leaving all the worries aside for the next twelve hours, the other members of the family pack relaxed in nearby rooms within the same inn. In the closed, dark quarters Ru slumbered in his bed, even though it was a bit small for him. His feet and bushy tail stuck out from the edge of the blanket, and his body being larger than a normal pig or goat pressured the wooden and cloth bed, with its frame seemingly about to break and snap apart. The grown wolf snored in slumber after the day's exhausting events. But out of nowhere the sounds of his door opening and quickly closing woke him from his sleep. Ru looked up with tired eyes and a long yawn escaping from his mouth. It took a minute for his dazed vision to tell him that his two brothers had entered his room unknowingly.
"Wh…what are you two doing?" Ru asked while half asleep.
"We need to talk about… you know." Gen answered.
Ru turned and became cozy again in the blanket. "Can't we talk about it in the morning?"
"No, we can't!" Gin whispered as he grabbed his brother's blanket and pulled it away. Ru sighed in annoyance and sat on his bed.
"What's the big deal?" Ru asked as his mind woke up some.
"Be quiet, we can't be too careful." Gen ordered.
"Okay, okay… what's this about?" Ru asked in a more hushed voice.
"You know what this is about." Gin replied.
Ru scratched his back and replied as the three brothers talked under the cover of darkness. "Yeah… I know… but I never expected Shu's mate to be… you know."
Gen sighed to himself. "Yeah, we never expected something like this."
"So what do we do now? How do we resolve this mess?" Gin asked his brother, who was in deep thought.
Gen entered a mental process of great concentration. He has been known as the smartest in the litter, even since young age. Ru scratched himself again as he came up with an idea.
"What if we give mother and Shu more time to get along again?"
His brothers looked back at him with questioning faces. "What do you mean?" Gin asked curiously.
Ru stood up and explained his idea. "What if we invite Shu to spend a week back at the village, a vacation with her new family back in her old childhood home. Maybe if we help them along, mother and our sister can make peace with each other."
Gen approached closer, questioning "You want to get the whole village involved in their mess?"
"Well do we have any other solutions?" Ru protested.
After a second of silence, Gen replied with his opinion after sighing. "I hate to admit it, but it seems that's our only option."
Gin looked shock as he suddenly whispered "Wait, Ru had a good idea!?"
Ru looked in confusion and pondered out loud. "Wait, I did!?"
"Yes" Gen commented. "We have to resolve this problem. Doesn't matter how, we just can't ignore it."
The room became silent, and the three brothers agreed mentally on their new plan.
"Remember; this is for our pack." Gen reminded.
The other two brothers nodded in agreement. With the late night meeting concluded, Gen and Gin returned to their rooms, leaving Ru to return to his beloved rest. As the grown wolf laid on this mattress and got cozy under his blanket, an uneasy sense of dread overtook his mind for a minute. The family drama he witnessed earlier was already too much for him, but now it was going to return home with him. As he readied himself to slumber again, he couldn't help but get and uneasy feeling, one that set a bad sensation in his stomach before falling asleep once again.