Fragments of Chaldea

by GhostXavier

Between singularities, there was plenty of downtime for the last bastion of humanity. Despite an uncertain future, they formed a semblance of a new life within Chaldea, their home of precious memories. Here they were a family... an unusual, hectic, and often imperfect one... but that's what made them perfect. [Slice of Life] [Short Story Cycle (Interconnected One Shots)]

106. Fragment 105: Sweet Little Lies

Fury... Hatred... The thirst for vengeance…

With the promised blindness that ensued, the mastermind of this singularity had promised him sweet release. Gone was the pain. Gone was the agony. Basked in this overwhelming rapture of the mind, only a smoldering wrath growled from the heart to heat the air. With the last vestiges of sanity strangled desperately, rage held his chains, and he let it guide him forward on his path of carnage.

…Oh how far the King of Currumpaw let himself fall.

It was bliss but days before. Indulging in sin, he cared little for the rider on his back, who did nothing to prevent him from slaughtering the scum and villainy that ran rampant in Shinjuku. Only evil existed here, and so there were no innocents left to feel even a pinch of hesitation. Here, he could freely leak his hatred of humanity and all their offenses to his reign without consequence; His nobility would remain unmarred as he sated his thirst… but then Chaldea arrived.

They had been a rude awakening. It echoed of his last life, where he ruled as he pleased, only for crafty and powerful humans to come and ruin it all. Achilles, hero of Greece, halted him alone with that arrogant smile like a trapper of old. A bunch more put him on the cusp of death with barely a struggle… How could he not have taken that sinister archer's offer? He had to, all to soothe the pain and agony that once more filled his heart.

…Only for all of that blissful, rage-induced blindness to disappear when he caught that fleeting glimpse of white fur.

"He's on death's door!" "Finish him! We need to put him out of his misery!" "Hold up! His rider asked us to stop!"

The quarreling Chaldeans were muted in his bloody retreat… No. This was a walk of shame. A terrible limp from a missing limb and far more impaling arrows than he dared count. Vision blurred and swirling. The cold, lonely motorway ahead was silent and long… So terribly long. Even as his heart begged for a stretch of verdant viridian, he knew the highway of hell would finally claim him.

After days of roaming free, sating his hunger, he weakly trudged forward. One bloody paw after the other, he limped down the highway, trying to get away from the overpowering Chaldeans… the horrible trap they set… the shame that clung to his mind.

'Just like before…' It was no different. They'd used his beloved wife, and now, in his blindness, they'd somehow forged a similar trap. Those humans… as much as he hated them, he'd been outsmarted by the same exact trap. 'Fool me twice, shame on me…'

Yet, that guilt and mounting agony was only born from the Chaldean deception. With despair and pain wresting control of his mind from anger, the mighty wolf succumbed to realization. That flash of white fur, so similar to his beloved… What would she think of him? Would she have approved of what he'd let himself become? Of the reassuring lies that whispered it was alright… that his actions were justified?

It was safe to say, no. Love only went so far for a soul now so unrecognizable.

The rapture from his heart was immense, yet, was it by an arrow or the gruesomely one-sided defeat? The wolf king didn't know anymore. It didn't care. The pavement ahead stretched forever, but ended in the same encircling cage that surrounded the city. He'd been trapped the moment he arrived, yet he reveled in ignorant bliss. It was only inevitable he'd die trapped, once again, with his lone true wish left unfulfilled.

"(Mister big wolf!)" …A worried voice. Words from a noble language, and a similar tone. It was cause enough to pause and look up…

…Right into beautiful white. In faded vision, he could almost see her… Feel her. But it wasn't. This little runt of fur was so much smaller, so much more naïve and innocent. It stood on all fours before him, a bastardized version of the noble wolves of old. Yet, for all the human's tampering, the puppy seemed so… free of mind. It wagged its tail with worry and whimpered. "(Mister you're really hurt! Why'd my friends hurt you!? Were you really evil like they said!?)"

The sympathy overflowed, but the shame and agony seized him within. The large wolf, towering over the young one, could only stand and stare. Though he could forge an answer, he didn't. The rage compelled him to, but the disgust with himself silenced him. His actions spoke enough; There would be no answer.

All the wolf could do was breathe with its last, pained breaths. A blur of black and sickly blonde flashed past, and the little pup barked out. "(Wait! Can't we help him!?)"

The white fur blurred in the retreating servant's arms. With a glimpse, he swore he saw one last flash of an innocent but teasing grin from winter blessed fur. It tried to tickle his mind one last time, but only served to echo his regrets and shame… Alas, nothing would burden him further. '…Let this nightmare end…'

Lobo's wish was granted by a swift, thunderous arrow through the skull.

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Fragment 105: Sweet Little Lies

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Two months. Two months since he was forcefully summoned as a phantom servant to serve the humans. It was only weeks prior that he finally started lending them an ear, but only because they wouldn't take no for an answer. Of course they wouldn't. Since when did humans ever stop when they were satisfied?

"There must be something you'd like to have. Even just to be a bit more comfortable here?"

"…He says we can't give him what he wants."

The evening sun was dropping to paint the passing clouds in golden pastels, but there was no beauty to enjoy in this forgery. There was no satisfaction to be had in a tropical forest not born of great Gaia's breath. It was better than the rest of this place, but it just had to be sullied by the daily envoys who just had to keep approaching whether he wanted or not… As if he had any real way to threaten them into leaving him be.

All Lobo could do was glare lightly to the master before him, who sat respectfully in his uniform with his translator beside him. After a pause of thought, the black-haired boy turned to the caster beside him. Propped on his knees, the battle-clad Geronimo waited patiently for a word from the grand, lounging wolf. There would be no further.

All he wanted was to be left alone for the day; They wouldn't be getting anything out of him more than this appeased tolerance. Still, Gudao tried. "…We're not trying to be forceful. We just want to help you however we can."

"(You can start by leaving me alone for the night. I tire of this.)" The wolf growled to the air. Gudao turned to Geronimo, and the caster, with a regretful smile, translated the message.

"…I see. We'll leave it there for the night." Thankfully, Gudao quickly stood, and already the wolf was feeling more content; As content as he could be trapped here, at least. "I wish you'd talk to us directly like you did before but… I understand. You don't like your circumstances, and your perception of us isn't going to change so easily."

'…At least he gets it…' The two translators that often came with him too. Heroic spirits or not, they were humans. He wasn't about to trust them. He wasn't about to lower himself again to speak their filthy language; Once was enough to drive his displeasure and intolerance clear through their hearts without anything getting lost in translation. By Gaia, if you didn't make anything clear to these lowly humans, they were bound to misinterpret it and act for their own benefit.

"(Waste no more of my time, and leave. It's not like this is the last time we'll be meeting…)"

"…He says farewell for now." Far too paraphrased for Lobo's liking, but the glare from the wolf clearly served to drive the tone home. At least, he hoped it got through this kid. Nodding with a managed smile, Gudao glanced back to Geronimo, who remained seated. "I'll keep Lobo company a bit longer."

"Alright. Sorry for the trouble, and have a good evening, both of you." With that, Gudao made his way to the edge of the meadow, leaving the other two in silence. It was only after bushy leaves first parted, and his scent began to diminish, that Lobo turned to the respectful caster.

His glare had lightened considerably. "(I'd like time to myself. Is there something else you wish to address?)"

"(Nothing more. I just wanted to reassure you Gudao doesn't mean any harm.)" Geronimo responded perfectly in his noble language. He even had the annunciation down perfectly, something expected only from animals and those rare humans who sought to live in harmony with nature. "(He was more forward today because he thought you were in a better mood.)"

"(You humans assume too much for your own good,)" the mighty wolf scoffed. "(I was in a better mood, but these meetings must ruin them.)"

"(Chaldea merely offers a chance to any who arrive.)"

"(Even animals. How very self-righteous of those who saved the timeline. How ironic from those who constantly threaten the existence of everything else to do so, even Gaia herself… We come from the same lands, Earthtender. I pray you're not so blind, nor feign ignorance to her pleas and cries.)"

Geronimo smiled sadly. "(No. You're right. I can hear them in the groans of the glaciers, the thirsting whispers of the land, and the coughs of choked winds. But in many places, she still breathes life. Our region is one such place. Did I not tell you yesterday much of the red rocks are protected?)"

"(And for how long before they get greedy? Had I not said that it is but a meaningless gesture after so many have raped the lands and balance of the noble kingdoms?)" Lobo growled back… but not at Geronimo. Within his ravaged, fiery heart, the avenger's wrath swirled and fanned the flames of what likely had come to the world at large; He dared not keep himself up with rage over his home, supposed safety or not. "(I trust in your word, Earthtender, but can you say the same to those who whisper sweet lies to your ear?)"

Without hesitation, Geronimo still smiled lightly. "(My friend Sani is far from a liar. I shall believe his words, and what I have seen and read for myself. It's far from perfect, but this age is progressive in its challenges of the status quo.)"

"(Yes, well time will reveal the true colors humanity repeatedly paints… and then we'll see if nature was forfeit once more for mankind's fleeting profits.)" Though narrowed, sharp eyes remained, the wolf dipped his head towards his lone companion. "(I tire of talking, but you have my gratitude, Earthtender. You represent your tribe beautifully.)"

"(I do as I must for the spirits of the land, oh Venerated Wolf,)" Geronimo offered back with a gentle bow. "(I hope our next meeting will be more fruitful.)"

"(I don't believe it will. May your evening be calm, Earthtender.)" Geronimo stood up to walk away, taking the familiar scent of an ancient, humble tribe with him. Amid fresh scents of the tropics, gentle breezes, and the distant sounds of forged wildlife, Geronimo's presence did far more to calm him than anything else in this forged abomination. One would think any human would be an outright offense to such a royal alpha; It was a safe guess, but he was the rarest exception.

When the lands of his kingdom were left unspoiled, the only humans they ever encountered were the nomadic or settling tribes of old. They lived off the land, but respected everything harvested, hunted, and farmed, as all Gaia's gifts should be. His kingdom had come into conflict with a few for hunting similar prey or impeding on their lands… but Lobo didn't blame them. Such was the balance of nature, and the two apex competed fairly for the fruits offered by gentle skies.

They were one with the land, and a glimpse of the multi-souled spiritual guardian Gaia hoped they could be…

…Instead, Lobo soon got to witness what humanity had truly become. Weapons of cold, unrelenting iron that let them wield the roar of thunder. The mass slaughters that took place across fertile plains, leaving the carcasses to waste away needlessly. Endless rape of ancient trees for little luxuries! The blocking of rivers only to drown the homes of many! All without a care in the world…

'Humanity will always be the true monster,' Lobo scoffed and lay his head on his lap. Geronimo's people and cousins were truly a rare exception. As much as that caster insisted Chaldea meant better, Lobo could already see it. The self-righteous stance. The sweet lies that they wish to help any who come, yet what kind of balance can you manage with all the supposed suppressing and laws that he'd been told by Kintoki? No, Lobo's hopes for Chaldea remained low and uninspired.

As far as the noble wolf was concerned, this community was humanity personified: Greedy and blinded by their own god complex.

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Not a peep echoed from around the little meadow when Lobo stirred. The sun had long since risen in the resort to peer through the tropical canopies. Its rays frolicked around to tickle the flowers and bushes with visible streams, just as it baked the royal coat of the imposing wolf. With irritated breath, it took in its first few sips of the humid and heated air.

The resort wasn't its ideal home, but it beat the endlessly piling snow of this holy mountain. It definitely beat the idea of living amongst the human dorms, so it would be tolerated. It's not like the noble wolf could wander very far away before being subdued; The weight of just a fraction was enough. Once more, trapped again, spending day after day holed in this unnatural forest while waiting for…

…A presence approached. One he couldn't ignore, nor turn away. "(Late start, King Lobo?)"

The smaller barks held far more thunder than any human would likely suspect; How ignorant they were of such prominence. Yet, the white-furred beast was far weaker than it should have been. It mattered not to Lobo. Regardless of the difference in strength, there was a natural order that could not be opposed, and the last thing a royal alpha would do was upset one of the highest ranks of Gaia.

Lifting its head, though remaining comfortable amid blanketing grass, the avenger made a motion of bowing towards Fou. Far smaller and quieter, the numbered beast trotted over before plopping onto the grass beside him. Lobo fell naturally stiff and careful. "(So it appears. Were you waiting for me to stir, Lord Four?)"

"(I was merely passing by and got lucky,)" the beast replied. It made a motion of stretching, then scratched its back. "(Breakfast was good today. You're really missing out on those sugar treats.)"

Lobo scoffed. "(I have no interest in human delicacies.)"

"(Doesn't hurt to ask. Not all are bad for you,)" the beast responded calmly. It stirred around the still, silent meadow, forging an awkward mix of comfort and wariness from the avenger. As much as he was humbled by the presence of the beast, he could never shake the absurd notion one of the numbered had come to appreciate humans so… fondly. "(Are you sure you don't want to take up Gudao's new offer? A nice run in the woods hunting for some food would be a nice stretch, wouldn't it?)"

Fond enough to stay and assist, and even try to convince others of the noble animal houses unknowingly. Lobo growled lightly. "(A stretch under watch? Tied by a leash so as not to run off? How long before they try 'requesting' my assistance like one of the enslaved dogs?)"

Fou turned to study Lobo for a moment, then sighed. "(…It's been months now, King Lobo. How much longer must you remain difficult?)"

"(Must I remind you of all my past interactions with them? With the Chaldeans too?)" The reminder lacked any threat to Fou, but plenty of distaste for his current allies. Especially when he remembered that despicable trap they laid for him. "(No one gets second first impressions.)"

"(No they don't, but they've been giving you plenty. And you have been negotiating with the few who respectfully speak our language.)" That was a point in Fou's favor the wolf could not brush aside. "(All this time, you have the convenience of knowing the human dialect, yet you skirt the issue and insist on convoluting the dialogue. I thought there was something you wished to chase?)"

"(…There is. But it's not something I trust they'll give me without botching it.)" And as much as Lobo wanted what his rageful heart pined to know, he wasn't about to sully his tongue further by stopping to speak their language. Again. "(But knowing the humans, it's already long gone.)"

"(Only way to know truth from deceit is to verify with your own eyes… Not that Geronimo and Kintoki have been lying to you,)" Fou reassured, and, as expected of the noble numbered, quickly picked up the growing irritation emanating from Lobo. Without a hitch, the beast calmly settled. "(I never come to force your mind, King Lobo. I only offer company, and whatever you wish to talk about. Loneliness is poison.)"

'I don't need you to tell me that…' Not that he'd ever voice something so disrespectfully curt to a numbered one. Nonetheless, he simmered and growled. "(Then let us change topics before either of those… ambassadors come to say hi.)"

"(Then we shall,)" Fou obliged instantly. "(I'm curious. Have you ever gone for a swim yet? Tropical waters are refreshing.)"

"(The creek and pond suffice.)"

"(That hardly counts as a bathtub,)" Fou countered with a small chuckle. "(I doubt any will bother you should you take a dip. Relax a bit. They've already yielded this land to you, you may as well enjoy your territory.)"

…But already, the humans try to claim what they want. As they always have. Maybe some would say it was theirs first, but this was Mount Meru, one of Gaia's holy sites. It belonged to them first, so Lobo was just reclaiming… Ah, how easy it was to fall influenced by his anger and let the mind slip back into regrets, grudges, and lifelong animosity. Was he not the one who wanted to shift topics?

"(Thinking about it?)" Fou asked to break the silence, but Lobo only feigned disinterest.

"(…Maybe… I was never too fond of swimming, but my coat is often marred by this sweltering heat anyway...)"

Again, Fou laughed nobly, though it sounded like little dog barks to any who may have listened. "(This is comfortable. How did you survive your home?)"

"(That valley isn't hot year-round. It snows in winter. Besides, this is humid, and the lands of red earth are wreathed with a dry heat.)"

"(A forest fire is a dry heat, but I'm not about to sit in the middle of one,)" Fou shot back with a small snicker, but the larger wolf only rolled his eyes. But a moment later, both chuckled lightly. Of the few new daily or weekly visitors, the great Fou was by far the most comforting. Who knew a humble King of Wolves would form a rather casual bond with one of the great numbered. What noble beast knew the fourth would be so agreeable and considerate too? "(To be fair, I never chanced to see the American Southwest in winter. A pity. I've been told it's spectacular.)"

"(It's beautiful there.)" Already, Lobo could feel the tinges of a heart longing to pack bags for home. Nostalgia flashed before his eyes in its attempt to blot out this more humid, tropical paradise for a better one. "(The lands beyond the forests, teeming with life's order. Where the sky touches snow-wrapped sandstone. The smell of drying rain under a warm sun… I may only fail to describe my kingdom to you.)"

"(No doubt then. Another of Gaia's great canvases,)" Fou agreed. "(One of countless. I hope it doesn't tug anything bad, but do you recall summonings to other places? Did you get a chance to see how creative Gaia was for the other kingdoms?)"

"(Not that I can recall.)" Lobo doubted he would have been summoned successfully with Hessian in other instances… yet, this was twice now. Still, the wolf's mood was turning for the better today. Bright enough to ask the numbered beast. "(Lord Four, with all your travels, have you seen most?)"

"(I dare not say most, but I've experienced many. Each one is just as much of a gift as the last, and a perk of staying here,)" Though Lobo mostly ignored that last point, he listened attentively and respectfully as the numbered beast spun smaller tales. It was but a gift to be in the presence of such royalty, and one Lobo wasn't about to ruin. It was certainly one of the better highlights for a residency that otherwise left him pining dearly for his heart's hope.

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After a myriad of tales, Fou had hopped off somewhere. With nothing more to do, and not wanting to enjoy a rare feeling of contentment, the wolf went for a little stroll along the cape. Stalking past bushes and palm trees, he arrived at the point marred only be a few human benches. Stepping past them, he eyed the constructed illusion, where an open sea, far grander than any body of water it ever witnessed, attempted to impress.

It did, to an extent, but in the end, it was just a forgery of what Gaia accomplished.

Its paws landed upon the first smoothed stones of the rocky shore, easily balancing himself while retaining his noble stature. Though he was alone and nearly twitched with naturally forged wrath, it was only proper to present himself as respectably and regally as possible. After all, he was an alpha wolf. He led a pack of strong, loyal, and dependable beasts, whose strong bonds were well known throughout the countless kingdoms of Gaia. For seeming eternity, their kind stood as prominent examples of the heights of beastly prestige, rivalling even egotistical lions and-

"(Mister Loby! Mister Loby!)" …And then there was this 'wolf.' The one he smelled coming, but prayed would turn away… and always never did.

"(Mister Lob- Uwaaaa!)" Before Lobo could even turn around, a blur of white rocketed past his majestically standing form. With clumsy paws slipping on slick rocks, Cavall II let fly more childish yelps before tumbling unceremoniously across the stony shore. A moment later, the fluffy Japanese breed flopped into the unnatural ocean. Lobo could only stare, only partially dumbfounded, as Cavall quickly surfaced… only to get slapped by an incoming wave.

As he calmly stepped to the waterline, Lobo let out a small sigh. Cavall floundered to get better footing, only for the large avenger to reach down and carefully pinch the furry coat with his sharpened fangs. Though the king was far from adept at handling the litters of his pack, he could at least pick up a pup properly by the scruff of its neck. With a simple swing of its neck, the avenger craned the soaked dog onto a larger, smoothed rock.

It eyed the dog dryly, then blankly… rhetorically asked. "(Are you alright, kid?)"

"(Yup! Yup!)" After his chipper response, Cavall quickly shook his wet fur, plastering the larger wolf with a watery bombardment. Lobo growled, but the damp puppy only bounced on the rock happily. "(You didn't have to help but thank you! Thank you! Oh! What're you doing here? You weren't at the meadow so I had to go looking and- Oh! Oh! Are you going for a swim? I like swimming! It's fun! Do you know what you can find when you swim?)"

When presented with the usual platter of childish questions, one after the other, Lobo chose one to answer. "(…I was considering a swim, but now that I've gotten sprinkled, I guess I have no recourse but to wade in…)"

"(Oh boy, oh boy! Swimming is fun!)" And, of course, this dog completely missed the clear-as-day accusation. But that was only to be expected from Cavall, a human enslaved breed, and a fine example of what happens to noble beasts when humans tamper with them through crossbreeding and manipulation. Not that Lobo would blame Cavall for what his line was forced to become, but he might have been so much more… "(Maybe we'll see one of the dolphins! Have you ever seen a dolphin, Mister Loby?)"

'More respectful, for one…' He'd long given up on getting Cavall to address him correctly… or even leave him alone. At least he was an animal visitor, though far too naïve and innocent. "(I haven't seen one, no. And these ones aren't real.)"

"(They look real to me! One looked at me and said hi!)" …Did some of these animatrons or automations or whatever understand animal tongue? That's a curiosity he may explore if he got bored. "(They like to sleep in the shipwreck. I heard they like to play at the cape too! Maybe they'll say hi here?)"

"(Maybe-)" Before he could consider further, Cavall hopped back into the water, then kicked some water at Lobo. The avenger blinked, then stared at the happily smiling puppy. "(…What do you think you're doing, kid?)"

"(You're still not getting in the water and you said you want to swim! You also look hot! So I helped!)" the dog beamed happily with its tongue out and tail waving under water. Though Lobo was about to retort, the majestic wolf loosed an amused huff when a wave did it for him. Cavall yelped in surprise as another wave slapped the furry white dog from behind. "(No fair! Why's the ocean on your side!?)"

"(See? Be respectful to your elders,)" Lobo barely scolded, only to be met with another splash of kicked water from the giggling puppy. Barely two minutes with Cavall, and he was already pushing all his buttons… as usual. The dog couldn't pick up any social clues, and only really wanted to play around regardless of whether Lobo wanted to be left alone or not. At least that accursed tyrant saber no longer followed him here, which made for decent appeasement.

In truth, now that it was just Cavall that came around, Lobo found the puppy was equal parts annoying and curiously… comforting. Perhaps it's just because of how wounded his longing heart was, ever pining for company. In that case, Lord Four would have been enough, yet there was no shaking the desperate whispers of his mind as he gazed on that familiar white coat he first glimpsed in Shinjuku. What a twist for this puppy to be here too, the one the Chaldeans dared to use as a ploy…

…A strange twist, and one he still didn't know how to feel about at times. Right now? …Annoyed. Lobo's eyes narrowed as Cavall trotted up behind his rear leg and tried to push him towards the ocean. "(What're you doing now?)"

"(Go for a swim with me, Mister Loby! It's refreshing! There's fishies and dolphins and crabs and I think I saw a kraken!)"

Lobo eyed the puppy dryly. "(…Kraken, you say? A temperamental Emperor of the Deep? Somehow stuck in Mount Meru?)"

"(It's definitely a Kraken! I saw it sink a toy ship!)"

Lobo wasn't quite sure what this puppy actually saw, but all he could do was blink. "(And if it is, why would you be so willing to trespass upon the noble's territory? You would only incite its wrath, you know?)"

"…Ahhh! You're right! Did I make a Kraken angry!? I didn't mean too! I just wanted to swim!)" The puppy's newfound panic was actually kind of amusing. "(Can you convince it when you go for a swim? Please tell Kraken I'm sorry!)"

"(I'll think about it if you behave yourself.)" That was the best comment he could come up with; He wasn't a great parent like the others of his pack. He was a leader, and Blanca was… By Gaia, if she were here, she'd know exactly how to sweet-talk and handle this overly playful pup. But she wasn't. So it was left to him to learn how to handle Cavall. "(Hey, kid. Can you quit bumping into my leg? I'm wading in already.)"

"(Yay! Yaaaay! …So do you think the dolphins are best friends with the Kraken? Or they have parties with the fishies?)"

"(I think you ask too many questions.)"

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Another day. Another two meetings. Another night left unfulfilled and irritated. If this was the new norm, Lobo was beginning to reconsider breaking his part of the contract; Was his heart's wish worth this much tedium?

'…Of course it is…' That answer was immovable, no matter how many times he questioned it.

So it was no wonder he often found himself staring into the resort's night sky from his chosen meadow. Fantasia had long since fallen silent, and the fake stars sailed across the sky, the late night was turning to early morning. A few clouds marred what little comfort his eyes gleamed, and then, once more, unveiled the gem of the skies.

Luna, or a decent forgery of it, stared down with moonlight promise. It lacked the warming presence. The grass around him lacked the stretching forms of his noble companions and the soft fur of his queen against him. Alone, he raised his head instinctively and cried to the cratered ball. Mournful and longing, the avenger's howl lacked any of the animosity that boiled within. His anger remained, but the sorrow of longing was just as potent before any glimpse of that nighttime orb.

Again, he howled as the king's heart whispered for someone to answer. A prodding jest from Ahanu. The contemplative musings of Kasa. Anything from anyone, but of course, his nightly howls danced alone in foreign winds. Not even the crashing waves in the distance made it to his ears, once more deaf to the world.

The rage boiled as promised. Trapped and alone, he wanted to lash out at his circumstances. Across the white plains of the icy south, his wrath whispered that the ocean was but a gap to ford, yet Currumpaw was so very far away. Even so, Lobo howled, and the anger failed to lace itself within.

"Why do you cry for what can't be changed?" Human words lashed at his angered heart, but the fiery flareup was smothered in an instant by the scent: This was no human.

Its head snapped curiously to the source, yet the burning Lobo suddenly froze. Like the whispered clicks of snow-wreathed branches amid a gently snow, it stepped into view. Atop the canopy, glowing a ghostly white with a faint smile like a sunset through ice, it stood, human in form, but smelling of something far removed. The unknown woman's long hair blew like her kimono, mesmerizing the eye and confusing the senses with but a simple glimpse.

Yet it was her scent and presence that put Lobo on uncertain guard. Whatever this thing was, it was no human, and far, far more powerful than most in Chaldea; Why had he not sensed this before!? Eerily, the woman's faintest smile remained. "Isn't it meaningless? To cry for what you already know?"

Why was it asking him these questions? Was it taunting him? His anger flared, but his instincts screamed a halt. This was not something he could hope to fight and win, and to even have a chance to grant his heart's wish, he couldn't throw it away recklessly. What kind of noble king would allow that?

Finding the fortitude, and mustering his fiery will, his anger still seeped to mold an outraged growl. "(Is it not proper for what love was lost?)"

"It is. But does it change what comes? Does it have meaning beyond inconsequential sentiment?" The questions were ridiculous, yet they were spoken so calmly and eerily… Lobo's fur was standing on end, and not out of feral anger. "Does such an act have more meaning than chasing your answer?"

"(You think I have the power to pursue what I want? I'm trapped here.)" His anger was held. His skepticism and concerns too. He didn't know where this was going, or why this being was asking this. All he could do was wait, but all he got was one last glimpse of curious blue eyes.

In a blink, with the swiftest of whirling winds, the long-haired woman was gone, leaving Lobo alone to his thoughts. Just what that was, or what it wanted with its circular questions, the king couldn't understand. Unsettled, its words echoed in his mind, and only served to spark an often-resurfacing thought. Though it was right to mourn, and his heart already knew, did he not want a more definitive answer? Was Lord Four not correct in his scolding for beating around the bush?

After all, he was Lobo, King of Currumpaw, and a ruler's pursued ambitions rested far above the rest.

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The morning's expected meeting was going about as well as… well, expected. "H-Hey! Cavall! Come on, I'm trying to have a talk here, little guy!"

"(Talk? Talking is boring! Let's all play!)" Honestly, Lobo wasn't quite sure whether Cavall's timely arrival was a blessing or a further annoyance. "(Play?)"

Seated crossed-legged a few meters away, the golden-haired berserker scratched his head sheepishly. The sun's growing rays reflected off golden necklaces and an equally gaudy button-up; At least his black pants saved the king's eyes from irritation. He observed quietly as Cavall clambered onto the berserker's lap and wagged its tail eagerly. "(Play, Mister Golden? Play?)"

"How about in a bit? Please? We're trying to talk about grown up things right now," Kintoki tried to persuade, then quickly brightened with a sudden idea. He grinned, "Oh! How about you run along and find your two bull friends? Maybe they want to play and you can come back in a bit?"

"(Oh! I didn't check on them yet! Okay! That's a fun idea! Bye Mister Loby and Golden! I'll be back!)" With that, the hyperactive ball of white was bolting to the edge of the meadow on chipper paws.

"Ah, good kid… (Sorry about that, Lobo…)" Kintoki apologized while scratching his head.

"(He comes by anyway. You need not apologize for him,)" he replied matter of fact. It still didn't change his lingering irritation for having to sit through another fruitless meeting. He'd rather talk about other things with someone who spoke the noble language. "(Bull friends, you said? Would that be… Goolygoo and Bay, as he called them?)"

"(Yup! Those two! Really golden buddies and just as hyper as he is!)" Lobo did not want to imagine energetic bulls further. "(There's a bunch of others, but the smaller ones don't use much energy when sticking around. The bigger guys do.)"

"(So their humans… owners… keep them locked away? How typical.)" Lobo's annoyed drone quickly made Kintoki raise his hands like it was a misunderstanding. The king only scoffed. "(That's exactly what it is. If it takes energy for you human spirits to walk around, then why are you allowed to linger out of spirit form while others remained caged? Is that not hypocrisy to the equality Chaldea champions? Or are animals not equal?)"

"(No, no, no! Animals are equal, it's just… There's exceptions! Achilles' horse wanders around a lot! Astolfo's Hypogriff comes out pretty often too! But they're phantasms, so they use a lot of energy when they walk about.)"

"(My point stands. Chaldea still summons more servants. You have enough energy to waste building this forgery of nature and other structures. Mount Meru, sacred as it is, can support much with its link to the reverse side, yet the longer you humans linger, the more you threaten its existence with abominations. Does your race ever learn from its repeated mistakes?)"

Regretful, apologetic, and sheepish, Kintoki could only scratch the back of his head with shame. He clearly had no right answer; How could any? "(We're not trying to destroy anything… We know this is sacred land. We're not trying to build a city or anything.)"

Lobo stared at him with a look drier than a Southwest summer. Kintoki quickly waved his hands in reversal. "(I mean, I guess we are, but we're being mindful about it! Look how much of Mount Meru remains untouched?)"

"(For how long before your expansionistic tendencies threaten this texture too?)" Again, Lobo remained entirely skeptical and unconvinced of their hypocritical ideals. "(Don't you have a child running around trying to chop some of your own fake trees down?)"

"(Paula's a berserker, and Arash and Mata Hari are doing a good job catching her before she does but…)" Kintoki sighed and crossed his arms. His frown was a troubled plain. "(…I get it. You hate all of us. Humans haven't been the most golden at times…)"

"(You're strange, but alright. You're considerate enough to know our ancient tongue and talk to me the proper way. A bit too naïve and optimistic for my taste, but a… better soul compared to most.)" Kintoki frowned, but Lobo doesn't sugarcoat to humans. It was an understatement to say Lobo would compliment a human. The nature-conscious tribes sat far above the rest, but anyone who spoke the animal language often fared better than the overwhelming majority of human filth.

His forced partner Franz, whether gifted by their circumstance or not, was the current sole exception of knowing the ancient tongue while still being reviled by Lobo. What sick twist of fate was it for the supposed Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow to have been an avid hunter before his military enlistment… A hunter!

At least this human would only hurt an animal if forced to do so. By Gaia, he didn't even have the full scent of a warrior. He felt and acted like a giant, electrified kid sometimes. And by that, sure, Lobo could accept Kintoki to an extent, even if he didn't agree with what his overall task was obviously trying to accomplish.

To end the uncomfortable pause, Lobo prompted, "(So why is Chaldea so interested in my cooperation? Don't you have enough bodies to need an animal slave?)"

"(You wouldn't be a slave to orders. None of us are! The masters only help give us direction and help during the fog of war…)" Kintoki calmly tried to correct, but Lobo made no motion that he acknowledged a potentially valid point. "(You're not feeling like we're besieging you here, right? All cooped up with nowhere to really run around. We just want to help you, and in turn have another ally we may count on if things really go… Well, not golden.)"

"(Not have your little land back too? I would still like my privacy,)" Lobo reminded as a separate matter, but then considered the often raised, too-plain-to-be-true deal. "(Either way, I'm still not convinced you'll hold up your end of whatever you may offer. Humans scandalized me too much, and even trapped despicably by some of you Chaldeans.)"

"(You're a folk hero of conservation you know…)" Kintoki mumbled under his breath, and drew the wolf's attention. Lobo stared, but the berserker dropped the curious notion for whatever reason. "(Ah, sorry… I get it. What Commander and the others did was far from golden, but you were running amok and it was our best bet to end it swiftly. It would be like… Fighting Achilles but not aiming for his heel? It was the smart- Ah, nevermind. The point is we really do want to make it up to you for it, and hope you can be comfortable here.)"

Again, he scoffed without hesitation. "(If you want me to be comfortable, I need to feel the true wind in my fur. This forgery is disgusting.)"

Lobo quickly realized he may have let too much slip, but Lord Four and that woman's words may have had more subconscious sway than he thought; They did speak to his heart. Unfortunately, it seemed Kintoki, naïve and childish as he could be, was still rather sharp for a berserker. "(True wind… Real nature? So you want to be in nature? That's exactly what Holmes and Geronimo theorized but… Yea, there's no way this little resort could match the golden glint of true nature! It makes sense. I feel dumb.)"

"(To be fair, that's only to be expected from humans,)" Lobo commented offhandedly, earning a wince from Kintoki. It was too late to take back his words, but the king was now openly curious what they'd do with that knowledge. It wasn't truly his heart's wish, but a big part of it. Still, he was irritated and angry he'd let it slip. "(I tire of talking further. We shall speak no more for the day unless it's of trivial affairs.)"

"(Ah… Alright. Yea, that sounds like a golden plan,)" Kintoki nodded in understanding as the wolf got up. A stroll to the edge of the cape was in due order. "(Thanks for telling me that last bit! I know it probably wasn't much, but I think it's the start of something! We'll definitely do right by you!)"

"(Don't get ahead of yourself, berserker,)" Lobo dismissed with a short growl, making Kintoki quickly nod in understanding. That annoying, optimistic smile remained; Lobo hoped it wasn't filled with just as much lying intent. "(In exchange for that, you'll do me a favor. Go play with Cavall and his friends so I won't have to. I'm not in the mood.)"

Surprised at first, Kintoki quickly grinned. "(Play with them? Yea, sure! That's always golden! Especially when the kids are there to help! You won't have to worry about them today!)"

Lobo sure hoped not. He had to mull over what that leaked information could possibly mean in terms of future annoyances.

---

¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨(¯ˆ·.¸ VII ¸.·ˆ¯)¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨

---

It wasn't often he did, but Lobo took a tiny stroll around the shoreline to stretch the legs. As accustomed as the alpha was to stalking through the underbrush after prey, there was only so much his longing mind could do to pretend the colorful, flowering shrubs were from dryer climes. The sea was hardly a lake, but just lingering in one spot could give any animal restless jitters and cave fever; Winter was no excuse here.

It appeared to be for the humans. On the distant sandy beaches, Lobo could glance some lounging about or strolling around amongst the Christmas-wrapped boardwalk. Some looked his way, but so long as they tried nothing more, he wasn't about to do anything about it. Leave him alone, and he'd leave them alone. That's the way it always should have been.

Step after step, the king walked the stony shoreline before making his way back onto the beaten path. He crossed it shortly thereafter, making a beeline back to his chosen meadow to lounge the day away. Geronimo would be coming by later, so he could even take a small nap to pass the time. It was far better than sitting around thinking, mulling, and inevitably brooding.

With his pristine animal senses, he quickly picked up something was off. Over the overwhelming scent of briny waters, coconuts, and flowering tropics, he could smell the tinges of cordite and trained sweat: A human warrior. Not one that glowed with the taste of ether, nor one who held magical energy like a capsule. Weak, mundane, ordinary… A regular human, curiously without a trace of fear, had wandered into his domain despite months of convention.

Aggravated and outraged, the wolf quickly gauged his options and advanced with standard course. Letting just enough of his rage flow from his ever-storming heart, he stepped across the curtained threshold of the large meadow with fur flaring evenly. His narrowed eyes glanced to the center and ignored a familiar nearby scent in order to gauge the average newcomer. Yet, despite staring to the massive, angry, advancing avenger, the man only watched cautiously with only a mild trace of concern.

Lobo supposed that was only to be expected from a well-trained human soldier. 'What does this human want…?'

The seconds passed before Lobo came to stand before the Vigil operator. Even facing a growling, agitated predator, Skyler only gazed flatly. Near stoic. His sense of self control was evident in how steadily his heart still beat. There was the scarcest hint of uncertain terror, but it paled compared to how prey and bystander alike usually acted before the mighty alpha. As the irritated Lobo studied the operator, he could at least offer this much: This warrior was made of sterner stuff than the usual rabble.

But he was still in the king's territory uninvited, and he must be reminded of his place.

The avenger growled fiercely to try and force a reaction. Skyler only gazed back. "Yea. I wouldn't be happy either if some fool just moseyed on into my house, huh? Can't blame you there."

"(Please forgive the Sergeant! I insisted this was a bad idea!)" It was only now that Lobo finally acknowledged the familiar companion, not that he would have otherwise. It was far better when his unfortunate, bonded rider kept his mouth shut and stuck to himself. Instead, the headless avenger appeared from spirit form to stand partially in the way of him and the Vigil operator. He held his hands up in plea, "(Sorry, Lobo. He said he wanted to come see you, and I tried to discourage, but it's difficult when-)"

"(When he has no telepathic link. You still didn't try hard enough,)" he rejected flatly as rage-filled eyes shot back to the operator. "(You tell this soldier to get off my land unless he likes walking around minefields. Write it on paper if you have to.)"

To his credit, Franz quickly turned to Skyler and motioned with top charades skills to leave, all while trying to find his seemingly misplaced writing utensils. His arm movements were frantic, but he seemed to get the general message across: He was pissed and they needed to leave because he couldn't stop him.

Of course he couldn't. They were summoned together. Bonded yet separate entities who could gleam each other's thoughts at will. It was like feeling someone stare through the back of your head to grasp exactly what the other thought. At least Franz understood after the first mental snaps that a king's privacy must not be invaded. Even better that he understood their bond was merely shared energy and ability, and not reins that could be tugged effortlessly by the other.

So if Lobo wanted to, he could certainly teach this stupidly brave human a lesson.

…And it seems he would have to as he just stood there. The Hessian, headless or not, emanated worry like a fountain, and even tried to shout telepathically. "Sergeant, I insist. His patience runs thin!"

"You're saying he's going to kill me, right? Well. A minute later, and I'm still standing here," Skyler countered, stunning Hessian and surprising Lobo; His growling threat betrayed nothing. Skyler's blank face didn't falter. "If Lobo wanted to maim or kill me, he had more than enough opportunities the second I walked into his forest. Well, Lobo? Are you going to act like some mindless instinctual beast, maim and kill me for entering your domain? Or was I right to reckon you're a reasonable king who would only act aggressively when left with no alternative? You do understand what I'm saying, yes?"

Hessian flinched. Lobo's eyes narrowed… but to his aggravation, Skyler was right. He didn't act. Not yet. "…(What a terribly foolhardy human to assume so much from an avenger.)"

After rummaging around through his uniform, Hessian quickly pulled out a pen and paper. Skyler and Lobo watched him scribble frantically, then quickly presented the rather messy English to the operator. It read, "We're avengers, Sergeant. The embodiment of vengeful acts with less consideration for our own consequences. That anger is aimed at humans. Have you forgotten?"

"Of course not, Mister Franz. I haven't forgotten anything," Skyler insisted calmly. "Not that he's claimed the forest, but only made false charges at trespassers, much like an agitated bear. I won't count Cavall, but how many have approached and he's lent an ear? My cousin has been coming along lately too. He didn't try attacking Artesia despite how much he probably hates her for all she did in Shinjuku. Shall I go on, or have I made my point too? I think Lobo continuing to just growl at me is the icing, wouldn't you reckon?"

The amount of disbelief swelling in Lobo's gut was insurmountable. The anger roiled within at the sheer assumptive audacity of this human, who still stood there calm and collected. If Gudao was his cousin as he said, the king could see that control in stressful situations may run in the family. The curious outrage begged him to voice, so Lobo glared to Hessian. "(Who does this human think he is?)"

After Hessian translated onto the paper, Skyler merely shrugged. "If you really want to know, I used to be a hunter."

…That… That was definitely not the smartest answer that could've been voiced. The sheer violent, aggressive urges that flowed from Lobo could have shaken the trees with the growing outpouring of anger. Hunter…? Hunter!? He dared to reveal himself as that before an alpha so disgraced and humiliated by that vermin strain of despicable, dishonorable humans!? Suddenly, his feral growl leaked with outright intent, and Lobo took pleasure feeling that tiny pulse of fear in Skyler's scent spike for but a moment.

"Skyler! What do you think you're doing!?" With heightened awareness, Lobo glared towards a shimmering arrival. Like a black devil, Artesia appeared. That sickening, armored tyrant with an unholy blade surged towards him…. Lobo should have known he didn't come unguarded! No human that weak was that stupid too! Lobo skidded back swiftly and loosed a feral growl. If they were going to attack, then-

"Artesia! Stand down and please step away!" Though outraged, Lobo froze with sudden confusion.

The alter's own skeptical eyes glared back to her former master. "What insanity has befallen you!? This mad beast was going to murder you and you want me to-!"

"I said, stand down!" Though he had been pulled away by Hessian out of concern for his safety, Skyler had brushed off the assistance and was now stomping back towards the center of the meadow. Now he was angry, but it was… aimed at the saber? Lobo's bafflement grew heavy. "Didn't you say you were hanging around with Joan!? It was just supposed to be me and Hessian!"

"That was until Hussar saw you walking into Tropicana!" Artesia snapped back angrily. "What has gotten into you these days!? Have you gone mad!?"

"Oh lord, help me! I'm perfectly fine!" he countered as he came to stand with crossed arms in front of the saber… as if an agitated, confused Lobo wasn't threatening at both of them. "Now, if you please, stand back and go enjoy yourself somewhere else? I was trying to have a talk with Lobo."

"For what purpose…? He still still hasn't informed me as much since you started marching here!" Hessian protested to the saber with his own irritation. Artesia acknowledged his words, then stared skeptically at the soldier. Lobo's headache was growing. "This can't be just a whim from the Sergeant!"

"Well, Skyler? Is this some strange whim?" Artesia asked for them.

"Maybe it is just a whim, but I wanted to come see for myself without any interruptions from anyone. I only requested Hessian to follow because I thought he could translate… and I may have forgotten the whole telepathy thing," Skyler finalized before daring to walk towards the angry beast. Artesia's armor clinked as she followed; A quick glare from the sergeant caused her to stop just behind. Outraged and confused, she stood a few paces back, but remained tense to bolt across the final few meters. "I'll. Be. Fine. But now that you're here, you mind helping me translate?"

"For your surprising forgetfulness?" Artesia taunted with dry eyes, but he only nodded back. "I'll crack that out of you before it gets worse…"

"(…Your stupidity is truly astounding, hunter. I should gut you where you stand.)" To Lobo's delight, an unsettled Hessian quickly translated and didn't mince the words. Artesia glared harder and finished the link, though Skyler's glare insisted she stay a few meters behind.

Strangely, the cross-armed sergeant turned back to the threatening wolf with a blank expression. Again… Why? "Even without translations, I can guess what you're thinking. I must be suicidal to reveal myself as a hunter right off the bat, but I ain't no damn liar. I won't keep a secret, and I'll let you judge me for what I am so you can take my words for whatever they're worth now. I heard you might have wanted to see real nature again?"

Lobo was already cursing out that naïve, likely accidentally talkative Kintoki. Still, Skyler continued. "I'll take you not using my ribs as chewtoys that I'm accurate… Well, you're a big wolf. A magnificent one, for sure. I imagine you roamed your home with an equally incredible pack, huh? So I'll be daring. You're lonely, aren't you? You're homesick, missing your family, and want to return? Who doesn't. I can sure relate."

As perceptive as this human appeared to be, the avenger was outraged. He wasn't about to listen further to a worthless hunter's monolo- "So how about it, Lobo? Isn't that what you want? Return home and see how things are on the homestead? Run around free as a bee in spring with the wind in your fur? Check up on the wolves who live in your old territory? It's not too far from where my mother lives."

If not for the overwhelming hatred and skeptical rage, Lobo would have felt his heart jump at some of his words. Yet, he was a tempered wolf. His legend was of wit and cunning; He was no fool like this human. He growled, but surprisingly, the soldier gauged the meaning. "Yea. I get it. A hated human and non-Chaldean introduced himself as a hunter and wondered if you wanted to go see home. Definitely doesn't sound like a trap or anything, but let me ask you this, King. What do I have to profit from you for doing any of this?"

Lobo's mind worked quickly. He didn't know anything more about this soldier, so he could be doing it for unknown gain. There was always a motive; Always. No one simply did anything for a whim. Instinct, certainly, but an offer like this was not born from instinct. His doubt doubled, if anything. The glare and growl remained.

Skyler was unfazed. "Yea, I knew you wouldn't believe me. Just thought I'd pass it by anyway after overhearing… I take leave tomorrow afternoon. I know you servants earn vacation days but, well, maybe I can see about using up some of my favors to do you one? I think Pritchard owes me a few favors, right, Artesia? I could try that instead to let Lobo see home. I don't even have to come if you don't want. I could just sit back in Amarillo after the dropship gets us over."

…He's being strangely pushy about this. There was definitely something to gain, or this act meant more to this human than he let on. Still, unconvinced and doubtful, Lobo scowled. "(Who are you trying to fool, hunter?)"

"Hm?" Skyler quickly glanced back to Hessian, who relayed the message swiftly. Artesia looked unbelievably angry, yet translated. Lobo only passed her a dismissive glare before the operator spoke again. "Fool? No one, except maybe myself… But I'm no liar. In fact, I'm no one to you, not even a liar. And that's why I think you'd trust that I'm not trying to deceive you. I don't have command seals or anything… and I really wish you'd stop giving a death glare and put that sword away, Artesia."

"Not. A. Chance." She spelled out furiously, and Skyler only rolled his eyes. Despite that trade, or maybe reinforced by it, the angry Lobo paused to consider. He could be lying, despite saying he wasn't a liar. But he was right on one point: He was no Chaldean master, nor Chaldean. He was no one but a self-introduced, stupid hunter who was barely making any sense with strange offers.

Yet, he'd approached him, seemingly without wishing for assistance beyond translation. He'd held firm with a steady glint in his eyes. Foolhardy and ridiculous, he introduced himself as a master. He also refused to stand down or talk formally, yet he wasn't entirely disrespectful to him. He was almost… casual? If this was a negotiation attempt, it was far, far different than his cousin's refined attempts.

…Mostly because, it made Lobo actually pause to consider, and not totally dismiss everything. It seemed as aggravating as this afternoon may have become, it wasn't entirely unfruitful. Though he growled, Lobo eyed Hessian, then the curious soldier. "(…You said you know where I used to live? Why and how, hunter?)"

After getting the translation down the chain, Skyler didn't even blink. "With how I grew up? You're famous. Probably more than you realize. I reckon I could tell you more on the flight over if you want me to try pulling those strings. I may not be as important to Vanguard anymore, but I know what I can push."

It took quite the human to leave an impression on the Wolf King… A strange, curious human indeed.

---

¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨(¯ˆ·.¸ VIII ¸.·ˆ¯)¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨

---

What a strange turn of events. Only a day after talking with that reckless human, he was on a flight to the Southwest. Geronimo and Kintoki tagged along, and, Hessian too by necessity. As separate as they were bonded, they couldn't stray too far from one another. Despite the insistence of Gudao, no Chaldean master had come…

…Just Skyler, who'd given his word and convinced them they'd be fine. Of course, he couldn't be unguarded, so that accursed saber forced herself along too. Three battleclad servants was more than enough protection, but any intent to maim the self-introduced hunter had been… stayed. Temporarily, if only out of interest for getting what he wanted.

If being brought there by the Vigil meant he wouldn't have to deal with more Chaldeans or the masters' interference, it was the lesser migraine.

The trip had been surprisingly fast. He'd hate to admit even an ounce of it, but the speed of the aircraft was astounding. By comparison, it took nearly double the time for that inconspicuous rental van to tumble along the highway towards his supposed home. In spirit form, the wolf got to glimpse outside at nature… or what should have been.

As far as he could see on the highway, the mountains and forests were barely recognizable. The invasive tendrils the humans called roads, powerlines, and other infrastructure pierced through Gaia like sickening barbs. What was once pristine land was endlessly marred by human imperialism over the planet. It only made Lobo boil angrily for the ride, unwilling to hear anything from the others who talked amongst themselves.

…But that changed when they'd arrived at the supposed location, late at night. To the King's surprise… there was no doubt.

"No, don't stop him." A battleclad Geronimo pleaded to Artesia as the caster stepped out of their white van.

Far under-dressed for the winter chill, the saber stood cross-armed in her black hot pants and leather jacket. "He's too close to the road. He shouldn't manifest or people will suspect something."

"That's what Da Vinci and Pritchard ensured some mages and patrolmen would take care of. I spent all my favors, remember?" Skyler, looking like a modern native in a pair of jeans and an oilskin duster, stood at the side of the road and watched silently. Lobo didn't care about any of them as they piled out of the van.

The avenger breathed again just meters before them, manifested fully beneath the unmarred stars of the American Southwest. A full moon glowed brightly, dimming some of the countless speckles around it, but the beauty remained unsurpassed. There was no mistaking the true night sky, as it should be.

Just further down the road, Lobo could see a distinct silhouette of the imposing, adjacent mountain, one which his pack sometimes migrated to when the bison and elk searched for greener fields. The silhouette of its lively forest remained intact, save for humanity's sole, simple road that inched its way up and around its side; It was almost unnoticeable, even to his scrutinizing gaze.

His once rage-filled eyes were overcome with nostalgia as he peered into the forests before him. His instincts forced his heart to beat hard as he pierced its concealing curtains and smelled the pungent scent of fresh bark and winter flakes. Amid the white dusting, some newly awakened elk stirred from slumber with true, unabated fear as they noticed him. Hundreds of meters away, they fled before the alpha, but Lobo made no move to chase them.

Oh, by Gaia, did his legs want to run free and chase… but he was still thawing from shock. A gentle breeze blew, and the tickle of long wheaty grass rubbing together in waves echoed into his ears. His bluish fur glimmered beneath the moonlight, rivalling the twinkling stars. Kintoki breathed and whispered in wonder, "Wow, his coat… He almost looks like a ghost."

He may have been, but this place… one of the favorite spots of his kingdom, was not. Finally overcome by his natural need, Lobo sprinted forward. Hessian reached out in surprise, "(Lobo! I won't stop you but please remember to come back after whatever you do!)"

The king scoffed. He'd consider that notion later, but not now. Not when he was in his home again! With blurry legs, he charged towards the mountainside. Far faster than he'd ever been, he slalomed past trees and bushes, startling the weaker wildlife before his victorious charge. He noticed none, but felt himself alive again. With a brief close of his eyes, it was almost like back then… Almost.

---

¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨(¯ˆ·.¸ IX ¸.·ˆ¯)¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨

---

High noon. The sun blazed down on the grass, but the rains had been forgiving this year. As far as the eye could see, fields of viridian were kissed by sage-colored waves coaxed by the wind. The sky above was a gorgeous blue, speckled with tiny splotches of fluffy clouds. Mountains in the far distance kept the sky and fields from meeting, but one lay far apart from the rest. Looming before them, as it always had, Gaia's slumbering giant whispered its daily challenge to them.

It was only natural to respond. "(Last one up will never be alpha!)"

Blurs of furry missiles shot across the plains. Far larger ones followed, slow but steady, but the young of the pack's number weren't patient. There was only so much of the grasslands to cross before the edge of the sheltering willows and mesquites. Past that, the slope awaited, along with its fair sprint to the top among roots, rocks, and brush. It was tradition to cross it, yet this time, one wished to break routine in their own way.

Still, with labored breath and a pounding, adamant heart, the gray wolf, nearly of age for bigger responsibilities, had a hard time keeping up with the rest. With every leap, he ensured he stayed ahead of the bulk; That wouldn't do. He needed to be at the front.

As the aspiring alpha, Lobo wasn't about to let any other male wolf beat him. "(Guess you're not just brains anymore, huh?)"

Though eyes were strained, he gazed forward to the ever-promising coat of white at the front. Young like them all, but beautifully blessed by Gaia, the gorgeous wolf led their cluster with ease. She'd always been the fastest of their litter, but the males were growing stronger. Her day at the head would come to pass, but if anyone wanted to beat her, it was him.

Blanca looked at him with those playful, almost mischievous eyes. She made it look so easy. And, though he was embarrassed to admit it, she looked beautifully perfect at the front. Part of him didn't want to beat her, but the rest was adamant. He wasn't only going to be known as the clever one; He wanted to be alpha. He wanted her to acknowledge him more, and be proud of who he was strengthening himself to become.

"(That all you got, Lobo!?)" Her teasing tone lit a fire within him, as it always seemed to these days. With his legs aching, he pushed himself. Even as some of his companions and siblings joked and taunted around him, he blotted them out. All he could see was the mighty monument ahead and the gorgeous coat he always seemed to chase on the way there.

Again, Blanca turned back and smiled. "(Come on! Don't get left behind!)"

With the final issued challenge, she picked up speed. Lobo did too, if only to enjoy the rest at the top longer among his pack friends.

---

¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨(¯ˆ·.¸ X ¸.·ˆ¯)¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨

---

Once more, he was but a pup, charging up the flanks of this great monument of Gaia to be the first among his little friends. Time after time, it remained tradition for the pups, and even as an adult, his fiercest warriors did it too. Their numbers shrank and grew, whether by nature's hand or the forced need of his own rule, but the loyalty to him was unsurpassed. The bonds and memories they forged echoed long after they treaded on this earth.

Yet, when he crested the deceased volcano, and his ears perked out of habit… no footsteps followed.

Surrounded by the blissful silence atop Capulin volcano, Lobo's gaze from a throne of his kingdom turned solemn. What should have been a truly triumphant ascent to regain a piece of himself was sundered by the reminder his heart already knew: His pack wouldn't arrive. None would. The King of Currumpaw, who stood atop a grand throne to oversee his kingdom once more, would do so alone.

The liberating breeze felt colder. Scents of the world grew dim. His heart lamented, urging him to look around in hopes he'd see them again. Pups practicing their stalking while the vanguard discussed war plans against the ranchers… Cheers for one of their own as he finished his late ascent despite his injuries. A flash of white fur reminding the others, confidently and teasingly, who's also in charge before playing with the young pups.

Only silence and the still silhouette of nature answered him. Overflowing with anger and loneliness, despite being home, Lobo thrust his head up desperately to Luna. He cried out his anxiety and hopes, knowing they'd go unanswered. Still, he howled a mighty, pained call for any who may here. Proud as a king. Hopeful like a child. Even frantic like a beggar, but he cared not. Lobo just wanted an answer that wouldn't come.

He'd lost track not long after. The wish to run free fell hushed as his calls echoed, one after the other. He continued, some in short bursts. The longer he went, the more his mind lied sweetly, blending them together in a blur so it sounded like he wasn't alone. Each of his calls could have been one of his pack. Each time he cried, he could almost here the familiar calls he longed to be amongst again.

He howled and howled at the night… and soon realized he was answered.

Blinded by the veil of grief, it was only for a pause to truly catch his breath did his senses free themselves of desperation's chains. There was a howl… and another. They were so close that the wolf king felt stunned he didn't smell them sooner. Over the smell of countless elk and bison, of lively forests teeming with Gaia's lingering blessings, he finally acknowledged the wolf pack. Craning his neck, he stared through the woods just below, only for the howls to stop. He could feel them… the uncertainty of a pack as they waited just out of sight.

And so, he called out. "(Approach. I am not your enemy.)"

Thus, they did. A small pack, but one that filled his heart with hopes. There was a pup among their number, but the octuplet troops quickly obeyed his request. Lobo eyed them curiously as he recomposed his mournful form with tempered nobility, but shushed his inner excitement and childish optimism.

Even if they weren't his pack, the sight of one… of any kingdom, rival or not, was welcome in an age strangled by humankind. The largest of the grayish wolves approached as the others halted with worry a few meters away. Even this alpha seemed shaky, but the way he put up his pride for his pack was no less than expected. Then, the alpha bowed, fumbling with rusty words. "(…We don't recognize you, but we sensed your mighty presence, great one… We heard your call. Are you troubled?)"

"(Rather forward, aren't you? I can tell you don't deal with many of our kind,)" Lobo responded keenly, making the alpha panic. A bit too skittish for a warrior; It seemed the new kingdoms left much to be desired, but for them to breathe was astounding. Still, with each sniff, Lobo's clinging hopes were sadly laid to rest. "(You smell of Gaia's great Sequoias and carved limestone. What is a pack of the west doing this far?)"

"(…We were moved here, my lord.)" Hm, so this alpha now picked up the authority that resonates with certain alphas. The bloodlines haven't run too thin, at least; Their bodies were sadly thinner. "(The humans placed us here, but we do not know why. We see others sometimes, but not the ones who released us.)"

…Released? Humans? Lobo found it impossibly to believe humans would do such things for animals when Skyler started talking about it to Lobo… this thing called, conservationism. The king tuned him out quickly after, and the flight fell silent. But to hear it from modern wolves? "(Released you? Are you not being monitored?)"

"(I don't think so…)" another one dared to call out of line. The alpha didn't seem to mind; It appeared he didn't have true control over his pack, but rather just led. "(Some aim at us with long sticks that click, but they don't approach.)"

The idea of long sticks didn't resonate well with Lobo, but their behavior sounded entirely inhuman. Things weren't quite adding up, but he could ask that later. First thing's first, as should have been done properly from one noble kingdom to another. Lobo stood straight, towering over the smaller wolves on the rocky rim. "(We'll talk more of this shortly. In my time, introductions always came first. Alpha, who are you?)"

"(Um-uh…!)" Oh by Gaia, these new wolves and their alpha were horribly squeamish. The lead wolf quickly composed itself. "(I'm Hanska or the New Capulin Pack, my lord! And may I ask who you are? You said… your time?)"

Lobo paused. "(Hanska? I suppose you're tall for your generation… I digress and apologize. Hanska and the New Capulin Pack. You stand before the spirit of King Lobo of Currumpaw, former ruler of these lands.)"

To Lobo's relief, the entire pack quickly dropped down in submission and acknowledgement; He was famous indeed then. Their excitement and reverence was music to his ears, but only partially filled the void that hoped for a pack of his descendants.

"(A spirit of the great ancestor!)" "(The one who fought the humans valiantly!)" "(The famous king who made the humans treat us better!)"

That last line from the excited puppy snagged his attention. "(…Little one. What did you just say?)"

Afraid it did something wrong, the tiny puppy, barely of age to begin training, whimpered behind its mother's leg. As the pack looked around hesitantly, a voice called out. "(Skyler tried to tell you on the way over, King Lobo. You're more famous than you believed among the Americans.)"

If it were anyone else, Lobo would have glared at the surprise arrival. Instead, he glanced to Geronimo as he shimmered into being. Unfortunately, it startled and scared the New Capulin Pack, and made Lobo question just what the following alphas had been doing to their packs since his generation. The mighty wolf moved to settle the chorus of surprised barks and yelps. "(Calm your pack, Hanska. He is another ancient spirit of the land, and a rare respectable human.)"

Geronimo smiled gratefully to Lobo, then moved to sit on a rock by the sniffing pack of wolves. Apparently his presence finally began to sink in, as the wagging tails of comfort proved. Lobo glanced to Geronimo as the curious pack's puppy moved over to inspect the caster. Noticing the silent prompt, he continued. "(When you died, you left a profound impact on the man who hunted you. He wrote a book with you in it, and it remains his greatest tale. So much so that you became a spark for American Conservationism.)"

There was that suspicious phrase again. "(The humans wish to protect the nature they've been destroying for centuries? Even if it were true, humanity learned that lesson too late. Gaia is dying.)"

"(…I know…)" With a sad smile, Geronimo turned to bow to one the wolves that wandered over to him. "(There's a saying, that you don't know what you've got until it's gone. Humanity learned it too late with nature, but in this age there are many more fighting to protect and preserve what's still alive. I saw a glimpse of it on my own return trip.)"

"(…Hmph. Maybe some of the other humans have a brain after all,)" Lobo grumbled. Still, it was far too late to make a meaningful difference, and what chance did they stand against the vast majority eager to milk the planet dry? "(I'll retain my skepticism, Earthtender. When Gaia's breath grows strong while the humans live, then I'll allow myself to be impressed.)"

"(…Is Gaia really dying…?)" the small pop asked, and the pack looked at each other hesitantly. It glanced up to the massive king, whose face betrayed no lie, and only disappointed anger. Its ears drooped. "(…But Gaia can be helped, right…?)"

"(Many are trying to. Believe in them,)" Geronimo tried to reassure, but the puppy looked conflicted. In the King's time, he was the right age to know the truth. If they sheltered the little thing, that wasn't for the best. They needed equal parts temperament and understanding; Naivety got you killed. But he supposed this may very well be a calmer time if the wolf packs were allowed to be this complacent and soft… Not that Lobo agreed with that.

…Nor did Lobo agree with the sudden, silent appearance of one of the Vigil's angels that swooped low. The stealthy roar of its jets spooked many, and were it not for the scent of forged energy, Lobo would have been just as startled. With an annoyed growl, and a confused look from Geronimo, the spooked pack began to bombard the two with questions about other spirits. Lobo couldn't give any, but he was certainly about to get some himself as he stared to the distant lights descending to the fields below.

---

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---

Not long after the angel touched down by the park's Visitor Center, Lobo and Geronimo had finished their descent. It was but a short run to the once dark grasslands where the subdued glow of landing lights outlined the dark silhouette. Light poured from the back of the large transporter ahead, but the first ones down the ramp only made Lobo's eyes narrow. By the time they'd arrived, the others of their little expedition had also gathered from the nearby road.

After a brief greeting to Skyler and his present company, Da Vinci acknowledged Lobo's arrival. Though tense and wary about the possible turn of events, the wolf otherwise offered no other show of hostility… yet. It only eyed the guarded Vigil aircraft personnel by the ramp, then gazed to Gudao as the uniform-clad master waved pleasantly. Mashu copied the gesture, but Lobo's lack of response made her hesitantly lower her arm back to her side.

Lobo's quick, irritated glance towards Franz signaled his entire intent. The headless Hessian only shrugged. "(We don't know why they're here. No lies.)"

"Sorry for the terrible interruption, everyone! Fine evening though, isn't it?" Da Vinci hummed. Lobo was having a better evening, but the next few minutes would determine how well the rest would go. "I've been stuck in Chaldea for too long, so I thought it'd be nice to stretch my legs and make sure everything was going well for Lobo~... Or, I should say, that's my excuse for coming along. In truth, there were some... unforeseen difficulties from the delegated mages for your trip secrecy, so we had to adjust the arrangements. To that end, we've brought two more companions for safety purposes!"

Lobo's eyes narrowed warily… at least until a presence seemed to explode from the back of the landing craft. The wolf turned his attention to a mighty natural force he'd only caught fleeting scents of in Chaldea. Ancient, noble, and insurmountable… yet they bore the comforting whiffs of Gaia's grace. Enkidu, with concealment cape now in hand, walked off the transport with a small satchel slung across his regal green and gold smock. He glanced to Lobo, and the animal king felt a surge of panic fly through him.

Whatever this servant was… they weren't quite human, but more comfortably akin to Gaia's- "Ooooh! The stars here are so pretty!"

Ereshkigal practically hopped off the lander after Enkidu, wrapped warmly in a black and gold concealment cape; It looked more like a blanket. Lobo was more concerned with the fragrance of death that wafted off her even past the peculiar, stealthy cloth… mostly because it contrasted so hard with this rather starry-eyed blonde. "Mashu, did you take a picture yet?"

"I will once Da Vinci finishes her explanation," her friend responded quickly.

Enkidu and Ereshkigal soon stood beside the master and former shielder, and Lobo's demanding eyes shot back to Da Vinci. Dutifully, she wasted no time and beamed hopefully back at the king. "Before you get any ideas, these companions wouldn't be watching you. They'll be guarding your privacy, just in case the few cooperating mages don't catch everyone trying to sneak around. Secrecy is paramount, both for the human order and so you can have a relaxing little vacation."

'…Vacation…' he thought, then glanced to the Hessian, Kintoki, and Geronimo in order. After a quick, wary glance to the green-haired powerhouse, he chose to address the Native American. "(You were not made aware of this development? Did the hunter have a hand in this?)"

Quickly, Geronimo turned to Skyler to offer the translation. The strange soldier only nodded flatly. "It was more like we had to. There was more caution tape involved than I thought with servants using vacation days, but I wasn't expecting so many to come along. I just requested enough volunteers to make sure you got what you needed."

"We're just out here to make sure everything is peachy before we fly back~!" Da Vinci reassured with a smile. Mashu and Gudao nodded in agreement. "Eresh and Enkidu will be the extras helping out, since Skyler and Artesia theoretically wish to drive back to Amarillo to visit his mother. That'd leave you with just Geronimo and Kintoki, so we thought the more the merrier for guard duty, so we got two more to help keep the boys company while you enjoy your time in nature!"

Lobo's narrowed eyes softened just a touch, but it hardly showed. His silence said everything else. Mainly, he didn't know what to comprehend of all this. He hadn't gotten what he wanted, but they were still willing to let him stick around in nature despite all the hurdles and inconveniences it seemed to cause them. They'd even flown out two more guards for their so-called protocol…

Quietly, he glanced to his new guards, but stared at Enkidu. The insurmountable legend looked pleasant enough, and felt far more comfortable than most in Chaldea with his natural scents and Gaia's blessed aura. The other guard looked like she was very interested in all the sights of nature around her, considering her restless glances to the skies and silhouetted trees. He could likely bear with the idea they were in the area, so long as they left him alone.

Finally, after the long, expecting pause, Lobo addressed Geronimo with a calmer growl. "(How long do I have here?)"

Upon a quick translation, Da Vinci beamed. "Well, servants usually stack vacation days by deploying on our missions and being civil, but Geronimo and Kintoki gifted two of theirs for your use. Call it an early Christmas present?"

"(At least it's two days with your new wolf family, right? Aren't they family…?)" Kintoki hoped, and the avenger could only stare at him in mixed appreciation.

After a pause to the two, Lobo huffed with understanding and mild gratitude. Two days was a short amount of time, but far more than he expected from any of them. That didn't include the eight vacation days four servants were giving up just to keep his privacy guarded; That rare human consideration was not lost on the Wolf King. Pausing in consideration and mixed feelings, he only came up with one absolute for the moment: He wouldn't waste this time.

"(…I see. I don't have long to get that alpha whipped into shape then. He's got a long way to go…)" Lobo seemingly sighed with exasperation, but Kintoki, Geronimo, and Enkidu smiled optimistically for him. The rest were left totally, and even a bit amusingly, in the dark. After whispers began filling the frigid air, Lobo's head snapped to the new curiosity, which only grew more rampant with every passing revelation. Skyler stared back as the wolf growled. "(…The hunter… Why would he go through all the trouble to help ensure this?)"

Skyler quietly listened to Kintoki's translated words, but paused after. After staring at the king, letting him see mostly unreadable, hazy eyes, the operator shrugged lightly. "…I said it, didn't I? Some just see too much. All some want is to go home and think for a bit. But you're not about to buy that as the only reason, right, Lobo?"

The wolf barked lightly back in acknowledgement. Skyler didn't need a translation, but nodded anyway. "I was an Eagle scout too. You've met the founder, Ernest Thompson Seton."

Though Lobo's rage flared at that hated name, putting a few servants on edge, Skyler only held his hand up to everyone and stared to the agitated beast. "You hate him. I get it. But you also changed him after your death. He founded the Boy Scouts and became a champion for nature conservation. That's part of what the Boy Scouts are about too. Helping and respecting nature. Ridiculous coming from a hunter, yea. I can see that in your eyes."

Skyler came a little closer and stopped before the growling wolf… and once more, the skeptical avenger's presence did nothing to faze the operator before him. Skyler breathed out. "My Pa raised me with tales of wild animals, and yours was my favorite. I love wolves. I would never dare think to hunt one. I'd still hunt deer or elk, but I was taught to use everything and let none go to waste. Nature must be offered respect at a minimum if you are to take from it. That's why I hate sport hunters gunning for useless trophies on the wall, thinking they're hot shit for shooting down a large animal from the safety of a stand."

Lobo's agitation was… admittedly dropping. As much as his vengeful, angry self would allow for humans, at least. Staring at the human, he even halted his growl to study Skyler's eyes, but all he managed to gleam from human emotion was… fatigue? Tiredness? He didn't look sleepy, but the king finally picked up the gentle whiffs of existential questioning. '…How perplexing…'

"I can tell that means little to you. It's fine. I didn't want trust or anything after all this," Skyler finalized with a plain stare. "Just hope you get that break home offers. That's all."

Silence again. Lobo's growlings had long since stopped, but still, he glared lightly at the incomprehensible hunter. His words sank in, and though the avenger still didn't agree with him, he made no further show of pure irritation. Lobo huffed, making Artesia tense instinctively, only to fall still again. It appeared no one knew what else to say in the growing pause…

…The pack in the back did. There was a chorus of howls calling out to him, one over the other, asking if they'll be okay. Lobo only slowly turned towards them with, as the humans called it, a deadpan stare. Enkidu chuckled, drawing Ereshkigal and Mashu's confused stared before addressing the avenger. "(They're shouting over each other like coyotes. They're not disciplined by their alpha?)"

"(Not in the right ways, it seems…)" Lobo slowly sighed back in response. He'll fix that as fast as he could so they could be a respectable pack.

"Hmm… I don't know what you're discussing, but maybe your family is calling for their ancestor? We shouldn't keep you any longer," Gudao offered to close, earning Lobo's blank stare. "Sorry we couldn't bring you here sooner, Lobo. If only you trusted us enough to say so, but that's fine. What matters is you get to see home again."

"And if I may so bold, this hopefully means you'll trust us just a little more in Chaldea." Bold statement indeed. Lobo's eyes narrowed lightly at Da Vinci, whose smile faltered slightly.

"We're still not going to order you around or anything. We don't like forcing anyone to do anything against their will unless it puts the community in danger," Gudao quickly added in defense. "So if you need more time to yourself… We understand. We just hope some day you'll be willing to work alongside us. It'd be nice to have a representative from the animal kingdom so we know if we're crossing any lines."

'…Work alongside humans…' For most, that's a definite no. For Chaldea… that was still a no. This vacation gift only held so much sway, especially because it was masterminded by someone outside the organization.

Geronimo smiled apologetically beside him. "I sense his unease. The wild belong there, so earning his cooperation will take much. The past left a heavy scar, and his distrust for humans runs deep… I'm sorry, Gudao. Da Vinci. I don't think he'll truly trust any modern human."

At least Geronimo understood him. No, Lobo was comfortable with only so few, and he still wasn't content with the idea of listening to master orders. He doubted he ever would be fine with a human holding his leash; He was no dog, but a wild king. Respected as one or not, the very idea of lending an ear to a human for orders or even suggestions were blasphemous.

Despite accepting his half of the contract, and some of the genuine gestures offered in his months since arrival, his stubbornness was a mountain. Only an ancient people who lived in harmony with nature like Geronimo could likely pass the test smoothly. Any modern human who wanted his trust had to do so in some of the most ridiculous, incomprehensible ways to prove they weren't just manipulating him or out for their own gain.

…Yet one was already walking that path, unknowingly or not. "…That hunter is strange…"

Lobo's flat, near-dismissive, telepathic English earned the instantaneously snapped gazes of the present Chaldeans, but none of the Vigil confused personnel. Lobo only moved his tongue around in his mouth, desperate to wipe the disgusting feeling off his tongue after speaking human words. Each syllable spoken was so foreign and blasphemous… but whims and instincts were hard to ignore. He wanted to get a point across absolute, and thus he did, despite how nauseating it was to speak their language.

But he meant what he said. Skyler was a strange one. Maybe standing up to his vengeful pressure to talk was arrogance, or the respect he inferred. Introducing himself as a hunter was both bold and ridiculously stupid. Apparently he loved the tale of Lobo, but it wasn't the part about him dying since he supposedly loved wolves. Yes, Skyler was a strange human, and, to his credit, no liar. Just bizarre and senseless.

Yet this giant first impression did more than enough to make Lobo curious about the Vigil operator.

"Strange, hm…? I guess he is." Da Vinci smiled curiously at him. "He hasn't exactly been the most predictable person I've met. But he means well. Guess that part runs in the family, hm, Gudao~?"

"I guess," Gudao chuckled back, but he then quickly gazed to Lobo with an apologetic smile. "I guess that means you'd be more willing to trust Sky over Gabby, Annie, and I? I see… Too bad he was a Vigil master. But not anymore either…"

Gudao paused to stare at Skyler, but Artesia had glanced at him faster. Da Vinci seemed to beam a hole through him with her smile, yet, with hands in his pockets, he only shared his stare with Lobo. Surprised, bewildered, and a host of other conflicting emotions, the operator seemed to consider something as he breathed deeply. One breath after another, seemingly louder to Lobo than the howling wolves by the treeline.

Da Vinci tapped her staff lightly against the aircraft ramp and smiled. "Well, we're keeping Lobo too long, so let's let the king get back to his-"

"I've decided, Da Vinci."

Along with many, the Director's gaze panned to Skyler, but her smile had faded to a stoic line. While many remained confused, like Lobo, she and Skyler's eyes matched in seriousness. Artesia looked on with profound curiosity. Gudao was slow to mumble, "…Decided? Sky, did you ask another favor?"

"Not a favor. A decision, and I mean it." Skyler nodded to Da Vinci, and slowly, the famed inventor's smile returned with a tinge of reassurance. The operator turned to Lobo though. "I reckon part of it was a tad selfish. I wanted to see for myself what Gudao, Gabby, Annie did on all those replays and screens. I wanted to feel what it felt like to give a priceless gift. I reckon you can call it a taste of an outcome that I can see for myself. That I did something for a comrade that mattered in the end."

"Skyler, is this about all your grievances with your time in the US mili…" Gudao quickly trailed off as his eyes connected unseen dots like stars in the sky. Skyler stared at him straight as he quickly pivoted. "Wait. Are you saying you're the one Da Vinci has been teasing all this time?"

"Tease no more, I guess. I said it. I've decided," Skyler stated as he crossed his arms and gazed back to the beaming Da Vinci. He ignored the mumblings from the other servants, and Lobo's curiously adamant stare. The king could see no doubt in the man's suddenly fierce eyes, illuminated by the fierce glow of the lander's lights. A fire that reminded him of the glints his pack held on hunts.

"I'm spending my few days leave with my mom, but after that, I'm coming back. Please inform the Commander I'm signing the contract and committing. If I pass your tests, I'll be your fourth master, even if I have to earn the trust of every single servant the hard way."

His words thundered through the present servants, save for Lobo. Staring curiously, and meeting the man's steeled gaze, he scrutinized him… the hunter. Were these favors a giant ploy to win favor from Chaldeans? To temper a rabid wolf and earn praise? The very thought made his anger roil within.

Yet the wolf was wise. No, there was never a hint of manipulation. His intent held some selfishness, yes, but who didn't act with a hint of that? Most importantly, above the debatable points, the scent of a liar never wafted from him. If anything, he was fatigued, tired, yet strong-willed. 'A strange man, this hunter…'

Yet, of the Chaldean masters and announced candidate, Skyler may be the only one the king might lend an ear to… with time.

---

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---

Two days later, Chaldea was still filled with the murmurings and whispers of the recent revelation. Many within earshots discussed what Skyler's decision meant for Chaldea. A fourth master meant stability in dangerous situations, but the uncertainty in the halls were clear. Like the opinion of Penthesilea that persisted to this festive month, Skyler's reception was mixed at best. Far more were uncertain, rather than accepting or doubtful.

…At least, Lobo gathered that much before the passersby froze in disbelief as the giant wolf walked past.

The flight home was a more comfortable silence compared to the wary stench that now permeated everyone who laid eyes on him. Nevertheless, uncaring, and with only slightly narrowed eyes, Lobo was making a beeline towards Fantasia. Past guarded servant and scared employees, he walked, but not alone. His 'guard' was no Peacekeeper though.

Silently, the Hessian followed at his side. He waved contently to Marie as she stopped to stare, holding a stack of leather-bound diaries against her pale blue gown. Lobo paid her no heed, but merely kept walking down the windowed hallway. The rider stared after, and with a curious, growing smile, fumbled with her books to try and fish out her phone from a purse.

Those two days had done much for Lobo's temperament. Despite most of it committed to training the new resident pack, it was satisfying. Breathing nature for so long made coming back here melancholy, but not absolutely irritating. He was content enough to even walk back rather than simply faze through in spirit form. He wouldn't even growl or threaten any human along the way… so long as they didn't irritate him.

Thankfully, even Hessian was dead silent. As he had been… Always leaving him alone unless addressed. A curiosity for someone forcefully bonded to him, but even as his current guard, there wasn't a peep. In a decent enough mood, Lobo thought to finally scratch that unanswered irritation. "(Hessian. Even now, you do nothing. What is the reason you've left me alone all this time?)"

"(…I'm afraid I'm perplexed.)" he answered quietly as they walked, side by side. "(Did you not wish for me to leave you alone on our arrival? I was only being courteous.)"

"(I would have expected my… rider… to be more invested in earning my cooperation for the humans.)" Lobo shot back mentally. Franz didn't answer. After the pause of consideration, the wolf huffed. "(…You have my gratitude for leaving me be. I suppose I could have had a far worse companion.)"

"(…I thought you hated me?)"

"(You were a former hunter. Of course I naturally hate you,)" Lobo spat back, but the Hessian didn't flinch. "(But Kintoki and Gudao told me what you did in one of our many meetings. That you wordlessly begged the Chaldeans to halt after that trap. That you still do things to help me even though I scorn your existence. No, Hessian, I was not lying. I hate you, but you have my gratitude. I pray you don't start yanking on any reins.)"

Franz paused, but then a light chuckle echoed through the king's mind. "(…Only if I need to hold on. You do sprint really, really fast, good sir.)"

Lobo stared at that empty gap where his head would be. After a moment of consideration, the wolf scoffed, but nowhere near as dismissively as it could have been. Hessian may have even caught the fleeting ghost of a tolerating grunt that followed after. "(…Right then. Should I ever think about deploying to stretch my legs, don't fall off.)"

A bit stunned, Hessian made a gesture of glancing towards him flatly. Their conversation had been surprisingly professional and business-like; That vacation likely did much for the king's tone. He'd still remain doubtful and irritated with his bond, but if they could at least reach some consideration agreements, that would suffice. Fate could have given him far, far worse conditions, for certain.

Their relation probably wouldn't improve beyond professional, and maybe civil, but Lobo wasn't about to lose sleep over that. No, in fact, he could use a nap after that fast trip across the world. Hessian cleared his throat in their mental connection, and though Lobo initially braced his irritation for an immediate offense, the other avenger pointed forward. "(…I suppose he's waiting for you?)"

In the long hallway to the resort, Fou sat along the center. Staring directly at Lobo with a blank but calm gaze, the numbered beast motioned with its head, then stood and began pouncing to the distant intersection. A robot stopped to watch it run past, but Hessian gazed to his mulling companion. "(I suppose he wants something too. I'll leave you two be.)"

'I hope this doesn't go too long…'

---

¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨(¯ˆ·.¸ XIII ¸.·ˆ¯)¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨

---

"(You seem to be in better spirits. Got the pack straightened out?)"

"(As much as time would allow… They're a good bunch. Just naïve and pampered.)"

The smaller beast nodded quietly as a brisker gust blew shimmering waves across the grassy expanse. Leaves rustled, and a few macaws flew overhead in search of anything interesting. Though the scents of willows and mesquites lingered in his mind, the tropical scents and humidity reigned him back to reality. The wolf king was back in his meadow, and though it wasn't irritating just yet, it was safe to guess he'd only get more restless after a few days.

Unnervingly keen, the numbered beast, who'd been studying his silence, picked up quickly. "(I don't know if anyone told you yet, but there's a smaller expansion being planned for the resort. It won't be this large, but I thought the upcoming cave and cavern network would be more to your liking.)"

Lobo quickly perked up to stare at the fluffy lord beside him. "(…Did you have anything to do with it?)"

"(Maybe. But it was Gudao who thought of it first. I'm sure they can make a more proper, natural cave for you if you so desire. Which you would.)"

"(…I won't decline sanctuary from this sticky weather.)"

Fou chuckled. "(Of course not. Your coat is terrible for this place. I'm hardly surprised you remained irritated for so long.)"

'I guess the weather isn't so bad,' Lobo mulled. It wasn't great for his fur for days at a time, but in short sips, it could be acceptable. He was suddenly looking very forward to that supposed cave system, but he wasn't about to show any of it… He just hoped the humans would get it right. "(I don't suppose I can stretch my legs properly when the time comes.)"

"(A run in the caves? Gudao hopes it can be used for biking and hiking, but I don't think a few twists and turns could itch your cravings,)" Fou supplied, making Lobo click his tongue in annoyance. "(…But if you were to ever deploy, you'd get all the time to stretch your legs as you please. Maybe take some irritation out on some unworthy humans mucking about, all the while stacking up vacation time to head back home if you're feeling caged up.)"

By now, Lobo was staring flatly at Fou, who only lounged calmly and enjoyed the weather. Composed and regal, the numbered beast stared up and seemingly smiled. "(Chaldea isn't just take, King Lobo. You've gotten a taste of that little reward system they've made. So they'll give, but you can get more if you do too. If you feel like it, mind you.)"

"(…If I hadn't known better, dare I say, they brainwashed you, Lord Four. I still don't understand how they won you over.)"

"(One glimpse at a time,)" he answered calmly to stretch. "(It sure beats being stuck in a gaudy tower with that insufferable magus… Take your time, King Lobo. Chaldea isn't going anywhere, and neither are their offers. Oh, but maybe not right at this moment. Seems you got new visitors.)"

After a simple sniff, Lobo closed his eyes slowly to stifle a groan. Fou chuckled and began trotting off, only for happy squeaks and chipper barks to grow in the distance. Like a flash flood, leaves and bushes shook in an approaching river, then ended when a fluffy white coat burst from the meadow's outskirts. "(Mister Loby! You're back! You're back!)"

"(…Hello, Cavall. How have you been these past days?)" Lobo droned monotonously… but not quite as irritated as before. A few days back in Chaldea may change that.

Cavall happily closed the distance, not even respectfully noting Lord Four, and skidded to a halt before the wolf king. "(I've been good! It wasn't too lonely without you or my caretaker, but I missed you! Oh! My friends came too! I know you said you don't like guests but I wanted to bring my friends!)"

'Not like you listen anyway…' Lobo nearly sighed, then eyed the curiously approaching, tiny duo. The little brown bull and the… blue sphere thing that he supposed was a bull too… came up beside Cavall. "(This is Goolygoo and Bay! They've been missing playing around at the water slides and- Oh! Let's go play there! Right guys? Let's go play!)"

"(Waterslides!)" "(Yay! Yay!)" "(I wanna go first!)"

Just like with Cavall, Lobo was clearly not going to have any say in the matter. Somehow he was going to be dragged around, and if he refused, he'd be pestered endlessly by high-pitched squeaky phantasmals and a dog. The two bulls seemed pretty strong for their age and size, so if he didn't listen, the possible childish headbutts and pushing may leave more than just rustled fur. As Fou chuckled in the distance, Lobo sighed again. '…Great. Cavall has enforcers to get what he wants now…'

Suddenly, the hyperactive trio were bolting towards a new edge of the meadow. Across the grassy viridian stretch, tickled with mesmerizing waves of glimmering sage, the trio raced away as Lobo sat still. The bulls ran ahead, only because Cavall slowed his pace to stop. His furry white coat danced with the breeze as the young, playful dog turned to Lobo with his tongue hanging out. "(Mister Loby! Come on! Don't get left behind!)"

With that, Cavall ran off to chase after his two friends, leaving Lobo's eyes cemented forward long after he disappeared into the underbrush. The King of Currampaw could've sworn he felt a minute pass. The sudden nostalgia tickled like the breeze, and the sight of ethereal white flashed in his mind again. The growing irritation had halted, and emotions of all colors swirled gently within his troubled heart.

Paired birds were building a nest on a faraway tree, and a monkey scurried across the grassy meadow in search of something. Few more wildlife went about their business, leaving the king alone at the center. Still, his mind wondered and stared, at least until Cavall's head popped out of a bush again. Though he panted happily, a pouting irritation swam in his tone. "(Mister Loby! Are you coming or what!? Don't make me come over there and push you to the slides myself!)"

Again, Lobo seemed to stare for a few seconds, hearing nothing else but the sound of blowing grass and the words spoken in noble tongue... Then the barks echoed again, and he scoffed dryly. He stood to his full proud height, and began his stroll to the little white pup. "(I'm coming, kid. Keep your fur clean.)"

The dog happily barked, then disappeared, likely to run after his friends again. Lobo continued his walk as grassy waves danced around him. With eyes forward, tired amber shimmered with a glint of mirth. He supposed that time away from Chaldea really was the medicine he needed to see with new eyes, and let out a brief chuckle at the new fleeting thought.

'I guess that nap can wait.' His maw finally curved into a tiny smile. '…I wonder, Blanca... Would ours have been like him?"

With the first bud of satisfaction rooted in his stormy heart, Lobo picked up his pace to chase once more.