Warning: The beginning is a little bit dark and scary. I apologize for that. Just a heads up.

-Joyful Wild

CHAPTER 8- LOST

Kalmar was standing before the ancient stone that glowed in a small box. Then he realized that he was in the melding box at Throg. Kalmar's heart started pounding and he started panting while looking around for an exit. But there was none. He was in darkness with the ancient stone being his only source of light. Then he heard a voice that was very familiar. "Sing the song my child." said the Stone Keeper. "Sing the song of the ancient stones and the blood of the wolf imbues your bones." Then the Stone Keeper came into view behind the stone and behind her came a giant wolf that towered over her and Kalmar. Kalmar looked up at the pitch black wolf. It seemed to stare into his soul with its shallow, yellow eyes.

"No" Kalmar said trying to hide the fear in his voice. But it was no use. "I won't sing it...not again." Kalmar started to back up slowly as the Stone Keeper and the giant wolf walked forward. "Why not? You could be strong again."

"NO! I don't want it. It only led me to suffering. I can't go through that again."

"But your human and you are still suffering the consequences of your choices."

Kalmar was about to ask what she meant until he tripped on something. And in a blink of an eye the darkness was overcome with fire all around him. He knew it was Anniera when it was burning. Kalmar looked down at what he tripped on and screamed. It was Janner but he laid there dead. Kalmar crawled to his side and held Janner screaming and crying out his name.

Kalmar looked behind him and saw the First Well. He gasped as he grabbed Janner and brought him to the well. Kalmar looked into the well to see Janner instead of his own reflection. Janner looked tired and his scars were open and bleeding. "Kalmar why did you sing the song?" Janner asked.

"I...I didn't mean to Janner."

"Then how come you're a wolf? How come I'm dead?"

Kalmar looked at his hands and saw wolf claws. He shook his head. "No, no, no, no! I... I'm sorry Janner I'm sorry."

"And now I'm dead because of you. You sang the song and the wolf inside of you killed me. And now it will come after you and I won't be there to help you. You're alone now because of your choice."

"STOP IT! JUST STOP IT!" Kalmar scooped up the water with his hands and ran to Janner's body and poured it into his mouth. Then almost immediately Janner started breathing again. Kalmar finally relaxed until Janner's eyes quickly opened to reveal the same eyes that the black wolf had. Kalmar screamed again before a shadow consumed Janner and turned into the black wolf then pounced onto Kalmar then...

Kalmar woke up.

...

After Kalmar's vivid nightmare he set out walking again. The toothy cow was gone by the time he woke up but he found his sword shattered into pieces. He thought that the cow must've stomped on it in anger for not getting Kalmar as its dinner. Now he walked alone, scared and with no sword. But the whole time he was walking he couldn't stop thinking of his nightmare. But then another memory came to him. When he was in the Fane and Fire the Maker told him that He had a plan and to trust Him. He told Kalmar that He would always be with him.

That seems hard to believe now. Kalmar thought. Kalmar grew angry at the Maker and blamed Him for the death of his brother. If He's in control of everything then why did He let me sing the song? Why couldn't He bring back Janner now? Kalmar continued to blame the Maker and be angry at Him. He didn't notice how everything around him seemed to grow with life. Then Kalmar stopped in his tracks when he moved a couple of branches so that he could continue to walk. The branches that was blocking his vision now showed the most beautiful place Kalmar had ever seen. And he recognized it immediately.

The First Well.

Kalmar ran towards it with joy. "Guys come over here I found it! I-" But then he stopped when he turned to look at his family and friends to see nobody there. Sorrow, grief, and anger overcame his heart like a flash flood. He turned back to the small pool of water that looked like glass. He couldn't hold it in anymore. He screamed at the sky and fell to his knees and started sobbing.

"MAKER, YOU PROMISED! He shouted with tears running down his face. He felt foolish to scream out loud even though he wasn't heard. At least that's what he thought. "You promised that You would be with me! If You are then where have You been?! I can't feel You or see You with me! Do I have to be in the Fane and Fire to be heard by You?! Do I have to be in the Fane and Fire to be in Your presence?! CAN YOU EVEN HEAR ME?! MAKER WHERE ARE YOU?!"

Then a strong wind came along with thunder. Kalmar looked up to see the trees move so hard that he could see the sky. But the sky didn't look like a normal storm. The clouds looked weird and they had different colors and the way the lightning flashed was something Kalmar had never seen before. Fear crept up Kalmar's back and he started to shake with fear. Then a voice spoke. It sounded like a whisper and yet sounded even louder than the storm above him. Strong and gentle.

"KALMAR! I'm right here. I can always hear and see you, and your thoughts and even your anger that boils in your heart." Kalmar recognized the voice and became even more afraid. He laid flat on the ground and covered his head afraid of the temptation of someone like him look upon the beauty and power that was to come. And Kalmar realized why the storm looked so strange and amazing.

It was the Maker!