The wolf snarled at Alyster with beady black eyes and was definitely looking at them like they were prey, unlike that mysterious bird that picked them up before. They shot a ball of flame at it before taking off and bounding through the snow. It was hard to find an easy path through the trees but hearing the barking behind them, they broke though every branch. The snow dragged down their feet and they wondered who would get tired first. Through the trees they could see an opening and thought they could find a different path and distract the wolf for a bit. But as they stepped out into the field, they realized what they had run into. Five other wolves with speckled pelts were baring their teeth and ready to pounce. All Alyster could do was light their hands on fire and hold their hands open in defense. They heard the wolf running behind them leap and dipped to avoid getting clawed. Their defense was working a little as the wolves were mesmerized by the bright blue orbs. One leapt at their head but they swatted it down with a wing of fire before it got close to them. Realizing they couldn't fight all of the wolves leaping at once and that there was a slope before them, they threw down their hands in an attempt to launch themselves down the hill. Just after they threw their hands down and before they moved an inch, the animal in front of them leapt at their face, knocking them off their feet and into the soft snow. The five wolves started pulling at their limbs, but it's claws couldn't rake through their armor. It started gnawing at Alyster's face, leaving bloody teeth marks all over them. They couldn't repel it's teeth for much longer, and the wolf could take a bite out of their neck. Just before it managed to, a giant bird swooped over them, blocking out the sun. It distracted the wolves and as it veered over them, it picked up the wolf on Alyster's chest, flinging it towards the trees with great might. The other wolves were startled by the massive creature and ran towards their injured friend. Before they could hide in the forest, the beast hollered "Stop!" Alyster was amazed by the creature! It could speak and the animals obeyed it! The wolves were standing still as the beast lumbered towards the pack with its massive claws, and Alyster could get a good look at the creature. It was a massive bird like they had thought, but it wasn't just black. It herded the wolves with it's massive navy wings close to it's soft brown chest. It opened up it's golden beak again to tell the wolves "You will aid Alyster in their journey."
Struggling to get up, Alyster said aghast, "Wha- ho- how do you know my name?!" It must've been the bird who rescued them from the lake, they thought.
"I have been watching you. On every planet, in every world and in every time." It's voice bellowed. It's baritone voice reminded them of Dark Red's, but this beast's voice was deep and smooth.
"So you're like that God my parents made me believe when I was a little girl?" They asserted. Was their old religion coming to condemn them for what they did to the world?
The creature laughed boisterously at the assertion! "No, not at all! My name is Astrosatis, and I am here to help you, not damn you!" He said.
Did he just read my mind, Alyster thought.
"Yes I did." Astrosatis said quickly. Alyster just smirked. "I have seen the turmoil and grief in your mind. You have been strong in the face of it all, and that's why I have chosen you."
"For what?" They asked
"You shall see. You would not believe what your future holds if I told you." He claimed.
"Really? Can you at least tell me something?!" Alyster begged.
"I will, but for now we should keep moving." He said, gesturing forwards with his massive wing.
"Oh, right." Taking a step forward, Alyster realized how cold they were getting, but their face had also healed up a lot. Walking down the hill, Astrosatis walked alongside them and the wolves behind. "So have you been watching me my whole life?"
"Yes. I could see a danger in your future you could not avoid and I waited to see what you would do. There are others like you that I have watched that didn't fight like you." He replied.
"So you knew me and Dark Red were going to cross paths?" Alyster pressed.
"I didn't know it was going to be him until you reached the porthole. I could sense him reaching out to you and I couldn't stop him." Astrosatis sighed.
"So you're not all-powerful, you just have the power to see every world?" Alyster asked.
"No, although I do have more powers than just that! And that's not a nice thing to say about your new mentor!" He replied honestly.
"Oh, is that what you're going to be now?" Alyster jabbed. "What do you have to teach me when we don't have the same powers?"
"You do not need to be taught anymore about your physical abilities, but instead how you can be a hero." He affirmed.
"What?! I think you've got the wrong person, I'm no hero! I ravaged this world just because I thought I was doing the right thing, and now I don't know if I'm ever going to make it home! The six that fought Red before me were heroes, and I could never save as many people as they have!" Alyster argued. They were just saying everything that was on their mind now, as they couldn't hide anything from him anyway.
"You have saved one person though." He attested.
"Who?" They asked.
"Yourself." He replied.
Alyster realized he was right. When they had to choose, they were able to make the right decision. They helped Maestro find his family back, and they were doing everything they could to redeem themselves. And besides, as far as they knew, they were the only one on this earth they could save.
"That's right Alyster. Now you're thinking like a hero!" Astrosatis said, replying to their thoughts.
"I guess one person is good enough as well. I mean, the heroes I know have saved the world hundreds of times but they still are still so humble as those they've saved!" Alyster said excitedly.
"That's the spirit!" Now, you're still miles away from home, so I'll give you a little boost here! Just hold on to me!" Astrosatis said joyfully. As Alyster grabbed one of his large feathers, the wolves held onto his other wing. He closed his eyes and on his head, a curved symbol glowed like the sun. They felt like they were lifted from the ground and underneath their feet, the earth seemed to blur. Looking at the horizon, the sky scrolled away over their head and it was like all of time and space bent around them. After a few minutes, he slowed down and they came to a halt on the grass and warmth surrounded them. Looking ahead, they realized a massive lake before them, and a sign that read 'Lac Saint-Jean'. They knew exactly were they were and were amazed they had crossed nearly all of Quebec in so little time!
"How did you do that?!" Alyster gasped.
"Oh, I just used a little bit of speedforce!" He exclaimed.
"What's that?" Alyster asked.
"Oh, you'll know more about it when you meet a user named Jarod." He implied.
"Who?' Alyster asked, hoping to get more out of him.
"Oh, I didn't mean to say that! But, I will tell you who you will meet sooner." He said, giving in. "You will meet a sorcerer and a vigilante from another world."
Alyster realized they had a premonition of this before, when they were lying on Maestro's desk being outfitted with their armour that was now very hot and uncomfortable. "Now things are adding up!" They said aloud.
"Can you see now that I tell the truth?" Astrosatis nudged, knowing the vision they had gotten from the medicine used to render them immoveable.
"Yea I can, the proof's there. Where will I find this vigilante and sorcerer then?" Alyster asked.
"After you've been home for a while, they will come to you from another world." He answered.
"Another world? Like in space?" They pressed on.
"Yea, something like that. They will need help from you so give them sustenance when you find them. They will help you in turn." He said. His glowing blue eyes gazed into the distance, like he was seeing directly into the future.
"Well that sounds cryptic." Alyster muttered.
"That's all I can tell you. For now, keep them by your side." He said, gesturing to the wolves. "They will help you through the last of your journey." As he finished, the one with white fur came forward to stroke Alyster's hand.
"Awwwe, you're really friendly now." Alyster sighed. "I'm gonna call you Cassie."
"I must leave now, there are other universes I must travel to." Astrosatis announced, looking up into the sky revealing burgundy feathers on his neck. The symbol on his head glowed again as he flapped his wings and took off, disappearing into the sky.
"Thank you!" Alyster yelled as he flew away. Looking down, they took their backpack off and grabbed the compass. Letting the arrow settle, they realized they were on the north end of the lake, about a day's walk away from the mouth of the Saguenay river. If they could travel along that river, they would reach the St Lawrence river and use that as an easy way to get back home. They would probably make it to Pointe-Tallion park by tonight, where Alyster had travelled to once before with Cassie. It was just a nice little getaway in a small hostel by the lake, a more humble vacation than the one they took in Grand Cayman years ago. They never thought they'd visit that place again either, not after everything that had gone down over the last month. But there was time to think later. Now that they were so much closer to home, their hope grew as well and they called Cassie and the other wolves to their side. "Are you guys feeling as warm as I am?" They sighed. The wolves yipped in response, as if they could understand Alyster now. They were definitely happy to have some creatures to talk to.
Trekking along the lakeside, they enjoyed not having the cold blistering their face. Realizing how hungry they were, they sat down to eat some of the food they had left. They took off their armbands and left them in the grass, rolling up their sleeves. After eating and offering some food to the wolves, they found a road that would take them to the park. They finally had a direction, and they had hope for their future. All they had to do was walk.