Quill had aged since I last laid eyes on him and though the years have shown its power there is still a youthful energy about him despite his earlier coldness towards me.

Flashback

The young girl sat high above the ground sheltered by the branches as she observed a group of young boys playing in the woods "Come on we have to get back before the bonfire starts, or our mothers will have our hides for being late" the boys ran off to the edge of the woods all but one " why are you hiding in a tree" he said as he looked up and directly at her. She sat there shocked that he knew she was there, she slowly peeked out from the tree top and peered at him from above "how did you know I was here" the girl said "You are of the forest but not, you feel differently to the tree you hide in" with that said the girl jumped down from the branch and landed in front of the boy. They looked at each other as if assessing there next move, the young girl raised her hand and gently moved her fingers across his face and placed her palm on his chest, "you feel like someone I once knew" and like all living things the eyes are a window to the soul and in them she saw a dark grey wolf with honey brown eyes *another wolf I wonder if he and sappientisimus know each other* "who are you" the girl looked at him confused "I am me" the young boy looked at her with humor "My name is Quill Ateara the third" with this the girl looked on with such happiness *I must have slept longer than I knew if sappientisimus line has moved on* "What is a name?" he looked at her in confusion "has no one called you by anything?" "Mother calls me many names the forest calls me child of the goddess" "we are about to hold a bonfire with our tribe would you like to join me and you can tell me more of who you are" he held out his hand for me to take. We began to walk to the edge of the forest where I could hear more voices and laughter, the sun was setting in the distance and soon the stars will begin there luminescent show across the silken sky.

"What are you looking at" Quil said to the girl "I have not spoken to another in a very long time, it is strange to see so many in the one place" the boy looked to her gently "Do not fear I will protect you no harm will come to you here". As they drew closer to the masses so too did the heat rise as the flames of the bonfire sparked hues of red and orange as it glittered in the fading light of the sun. She observed children playing and laughing she observed women sitting and speaking softly with smiles that spoke of happy times and eyes that glimmered with Adour as they watched the children play. The men had gathered in a circle near the fire with children hooked onto there every word

"When we breathe, we inhale the earth's essence, and with every exhale, we return to her. It's a delicate dance, a sacred exchange between us and the land. We nurture what is given to safeguard what's yet to be and to pay homage to what once was. We, as stewards of this land, carry a responsibility, for with our last breath, we give back what Mother Earth bestowed upon us. Every step we take imprints upon this soil, etching a memory, a legacy for those who will follow." These words, solemnly spoken by a weathered man with greying hair but eyes that held an unsettling vibrancy. His words held longing and a sense of foreboding as if a trigger to a memory I had yet to unlock.

Present

I grasped Quill hand as I did all those years ago "It is good to see you again my friend" his smile was as warm then as it is now he to remembering happier times "I wish I had come bearing good news alas my return is not one for merriment and joy. I was hoping to speak to Ephraim I do not understand when you said he no longer breathes the same air,it is time to gather the others as he has woken from slumber and has grown stronger since I had last faced him" The others were on guard once I said this "If this is a vampire they are not as strong as they think they are we can take them" "you know not of what you speak he is more ancient then the first tree that grew in this forest older than the stream that flows through your land" Quill looked to me "walk with me" I looked at him strangely and held strong to his hand we walked passed the young boys and wondered further from shore closer to the cluster of homes just at the edge of the beach "where are we going" I asked and still he said nothing, we continued to walk along the makeshift dirt walk way to the centre of the settlement I could feel subtle shifts in the air and more homes that were not here at one time maybe more people now live here but even then i could feel something missing. We made it to a clearing in the middle of all the homes where a tree stood tall or was it a tree "Do you remember what this is?" he said looking to me, I glanced from the bottom to the top of the tree like figure

Flashback

Children were laughing and singing as they danced in a circle there feet pounding the ground to match the thunderous steps of the older men and women with quick feet, Colours and feathers adorning there clothes as they sang a song as old as time. I looked around "what are they doing?" " It is spring they are singing to the spirits for a good harvest and fruitful season, we honor the old the present and the future in hopes our ancestors will bless us" it was interesting it must be the same when I sing to mother willow her leaves glow and from them spring flowers of such luster as she gifts me the first flower of spring "What are they dancing around?" "It is a totem pole it represents our ancestors and protectors who have passed and now guard us from things our eyes cannot see and protect our spirits so we may always know where home is"

Present

I looked to Quill as he remained silent I turned to the Totem pole and began to walk slowly towards it, It was vibrating with energy and pulsing with such vibrancy as I drew nearer I could see a wolf etched into the totem pole that looked familiar. I stood close palm outstretched as I touched the totem pole, I was engulfed in a flurry of images which showed the faces of people I remembered so well and in the midst of all these faces one stood loud and clear "Ephraim!" "Welcome guardian it has been so long" "I don't understand" he began to walk towards me "I have long since passed from the living realm into the spirit realm where I have waited for you" At this I yanked my hand from the totem and swiftly turned to see Quill patiently waiting and so too were the young boys and elders who must have followed. "Why did you not tell me!" I screamed and collapsed to the ground "When you first left your energy was depleted and you could barely stand, he said you would awaken when the need arose and it would be the final battle"

I collapsed to the ground in exhaustion as blood began to spill from my mouth and nose the energy it took to lock him away had finally brought me to my knees. Ephraim weathered and battered from the battle kneeled next to me on the ground "Take me to Mother Willow" Ephraim nodded his head as he stepped back and began to shift into a wolf *It is okay dearest one I will take you to her* the wolf whispered to her mind. The wolf shifted his mussel to the ground and used his paws to shift her to his back, he turned to the other wolves present *The battle is done she has used much of her power to complete the ritual it is her time to rest now* he spoke to them through there link.

The wolf began his trek through the forest as gently as he could noticing that her breath was waning they drew closer to the Centre of the forest where flowers were in such splendor and color's and the air was energizing with each breath did they finally came upon the majestic willow tree *She has done her duty well, I know this will not last and will come a time where she will be of need again I bring her home* The wolf gently lowered her to the ground and bowed his head as he began to shift from wolf to man, Ephraim bent to one knee " I am the chief of my tribe, a father, a warrior. I swear upon my Honor and life that I shall forever answer your call. As long as my blood flows and my wolf roam this land, my tribe will come to your aid. When you summon, my tribe shall answer. This pledge I made under the ancient willow tree, witnessed by the forest's spirits. I, Ephraim Black of the Quileute Tribe, swear allegiance to Isabella, guardian and protector of this sacred forest"

Notes:

It may seem a bit jumpy in these first few chapters but they will make sense once i connect them in later chapters. I have done research on native american indian culture and customs which is quite similar to my own but if i have incorrectly written something feel free to reach out and correct me or share any links for me to learn more.

Appreciate the follows for this