(Sorry for the late update y'all. Hope the update makes up for the wait. Please tell me if I have written anything incorrect in this update. I don't claim a complete practical understanding of what I'm writing, I'm trying to write something was my utmost respect…apologies if I do it wrong.)
gemm1mt: Thanks.
Noble Six: Thanks, but I know that this story needs to move on.
Chapter 19: Nature's Place
(Adirondack Park, a week later)
Connell's training with Mari was excessively strenuous, every test she had him go through tested him to his limits. His patience, focus, belief, perception, and other parts of his being were challenged with each task Mari put him through. His hand to hand combat, stealth, weaponry versatility/adaptability, and other skills were balanced as he began learning the ways of ninjutsu. The previous night, after a long vigorous training session, he'd fallen asleep more quickly than he'd ever had. Then the wind rose again and Connell could hear singing outside his tent. He grunted as he crawled out to see another spirit, whom sat on the ground with their back to the young man.
"Your training going well, yes?" The spirit asked with a feminine voice, still not turning to look at Connell.
"I'm…I'm doing what I can." Connell stammered, unsure of how to reply.
"That is all one can do." The spirit responded.
"W-Who are you?" Connell asked.
"Come, sit with me." The spirit replied.
Connell did as she asked and sat before her. She had long hair with a few braids, with a striking and stunning face. She wears what appears to be a buckskin dress with a few layers (one each on her shoulders and one above her chest) that are lined with what appeared to be bear fur. Various parts of her dress hold markings Connell didn't recognize. She wears boots of deerskin with wrappings, along with similar wrappings on parts of her arms as well as bracelets and bands with similar designs to the ones on parts of her dress.
"Do you feel it?" The spirit asked.
"What do you mean?" Connell asked.
"My people spoke of the spirit in nature, all around us…we are a part of it…but for many people, it seems that the connection is lost…or was never real." The spirit answered.
"I…I know..." Connell sighed.
Connell had heard and read about the mass destruction of Native American culture since the colonists arrived in North America. Racism, bigotry, and dishonor from their hatred, misunderstanding, fear, and intolerant religious views focused its terrible wrath upon the native peoples for centuries.
"I-I'm sorry…for whatever…" Connell stammered, unsure of what to say.
"I was a hunter, a warrior amongst many…my people didn't want to fight…we felt as though if bloodshed was unnecessary it was to be avoided. We tried to seek peace with the new people, to learn and live with one another about each other's histories, beliefs, and traditions…for a time it seemed that was being achieved. But then…the raids began…our people were being slaughtered…as were our brothers and sisters whom we lived with on Mother Earth." The spirit added.
Connell remained silent, listening to every word as the spirit continued her story.
"The wise women and men revealed to us that war was upon us. War is a terrible thing, death and destruction rein supreme…but it was that…or be wiped out…" The spirit added.
"I…I don't mean to interrupt your story…but…who are you?" Connell asked.
"In your tongue, a close meaning would be: 'she who runs with wolves'." The spirit answered.
"Wow…you actually…?" Connell stammered, wonder and awe spread across his face along with filling his voice.
"There are gifts that some were blessed with. Our medicine men and women taught that each were gifted in some way, but it was quite unique when there were those of us who could bond with the great beasts…especially in the most hazardous of times." The spirit stated.
"A…Amazing." Connell gasped, eyes filled with wonder.
The spirit half heartedly chuckled, her memories eating at her.
"It was to our horror and sorrow that our ways were deemed monstrous…named heathens for our culture and beliefs by those who we came to war with. One of the most terrible things that was for those who hated us to toss our own beliefs away." The spirit added.
"It was…a horrible tragedy…what they did to this land and its inhabitants. No words could ever make such memories and pain go away, but I wish for you to be able to find peace…if possible one day…She-Wolf…is…is it ok if I call you that?" Connell replied.
"Yes…yes that is fine…that will work." She-Wolf said.
For a few hours they worked on Connell's dual combat skills, a usage of a tomahawk in one hand and a large dagger and also guided him in archery as well through the means of a hunter, whereas Robin Hood taught him through the eyes of a soldier. She-Wolf then had him working on his environmental awareness. As he trekked through the wilderness, he found some unique tracks. They were from a canine and were about as big as his hand.
"Do you know what that is?" She-Wolf asked.
"A wolf track…along with several more. A pack lives here in this forest. This is protected land; no one is allowed to hunt here. One of the few good things the government has kept in place I guess." Connell said.
Suddenly there was a gunshot deeper in the forest followed by a howl that sounded full of distress.
"No." Connell gasped then rushed towards the origin of the noise.
After a few minutes of running, Connell found a man with an orange vest and camo attire pointing a large rifle at hole in the ground surrounded by several wolves. The beast snarled at the man, standing protectively before the hole. They turned to look at Connell, their fearsome visages changing to curiosity yet quickly turned to growl back at the man with the gun.
"HEY!" Connell roared instantly.
The man's eyes instantly turned at him, his gun moving between him and the wolves.
"What the hell is wrong with you?! You almost gave these vermin a chance to kill me with your shouting!" The man screamed.
"Vermin?" Connell grunted, his voice a mix of disgust and anger.
The man's focus returned to the wolves.
"What the hell are you doing?! This is a protected wilderness preserve! There's no hunting allowed! There could be pups down in that den!" Connell snarled.
"Of course there are, why do you think I have my gun aimed at it?" The man scoffed.
"You're going to slaughter an entire pack?! Including their pups?! How cruel are you?!" Connell growled.
"These animals are pests; they need to be wiped out. Oh, and as to your statements about 'protected lands'…that's laughable. You must not have heard the news: ever wildlife reserves and parks aren't protected anymore. The government decided that humans are the ones in need of protection, resources pertaining to these places are a waste of time…and who really cares about this anyways? Why care for animals when people are in trouble? What are you? A mutie? You freaks…you're no better than these pests. Most people, rational people don't give a damn about all this shit." The man scoffed, a cruel smile which became a frown molded onto his face as he spat.
Connell's eyes widened with terror at those words then they narrowed with anger and disgust. He raised his left hand, the ethereal bow appearing in his grasp. He moved his right hand to where the string would be and pulled back, an arrow and the string appearing.
"I guess I'm not most people." Connell snarled, aiming his bow at the man.
"W-What are you?" The man gasped.
"Does it really matter?" Connell grunted in response.
The man's eyes widened as the young man's gray eyes were seemingly set ablaze by green flames that filled the entirety of his eyes and surrounded them like a fiery aura.
"Y-You're a freak! Like all the others!" The man growled, moving his gun to the young man.
Connell released his right hand, the spectral arrow flying forward and cutting through the gun.
"Better than being a man like you." Connell snarled, aiming another spectral arrow at the man.
Whimpering and yipping was heard, both Connell and the man turned to see a few wolf pups crawling out of the den. The man quickly turned to aim his gun towards the den. As the man did this, Connell raced then leapt forward, turning to his side to try and block the den whilst releasing the arrow. The gun was pierced again by the new arrow, this time knocked the gun out of the man's hands. The man turned back to the young man, who struggled to get on his feet, standing before the pups and the den with the bewildered wolves standing around him.
"You bastard! You freak!" The man snarled, pulling a machete from a scabbard connected to his belt.
Connell's ethereal bow disappeared and the ethereal tomahawk and dagger appeared in his hands. Connell swung his ethereal tomahawk, shearing through the man's machete like a hot knife through butter. The man grunted as he pulled something from his side. Connell growled in pain as he felt a sharp agony fly up from the top of his right cheek to above his right eye. He barely saw the knife flying towards his face. As if on instinct, he pulled back slightly while closing his right eye. He felt the blood pouring down the right side of his face. The young man slashed with his ethereal tomahawk again, shearing through the man's knife. Connell then kicked out with one of his feet.
"N-No." The man gasped.
He turned to see the wolves slowly approach him, teeth bared and eyes blazing. The man tried to run, but the wolves launched forward suddenly. The man tried to kick, punch, and trash at the wolves. Yet it was worthless, the beasts had swiftly locked their huge jaws onto his arms, legs, and throat which led to him to scream in agony and terror as the wolves ripped him apart. The beasts turned to the young man. Connell stood in awe, the wolves' eyes shone with luminous colors. His weapons vanished from his hands, all his focus gone.
"Steady, young man. Show not fear. Show them respect and understanding, make no motions of aggression or suspicion." She-Wolf's voice whispered on the wind.
The wolves sniffed the air, eyes wandering to look seemingly through Connell. He felt as if he wasn't the only one they were staring at. But when they looked at him, he forgot the blood and the pain.
"They sense me, but they are testing you." She-Wolf's voice added.
Connell's looked into the eyes of the wolves, which were said to hold the spirit of the wild. Eyes of golden yellow, blues, and forest greens looked into Connell's gray eyes. The head of the pack, the two largest wolves, one white and one black approached the young man with the others behind them. Shivers went through Connell's body and he felt like he was going to cry. The eyes and presence of the wolves was something he had never felt before, it was something magical, something awe inspiring. The wolves sniffed him, and Connell remembered the blood on his face. He moved to wipe the blood, but the wolves moved closer. Connell remained still, trying to stay clam as possible. He had just seen them tear a man to pieces right before him and knew if they wished, that they would do the same to him if they so decided. He then felt something rub against his legs. The pups that Connell had leapt in front of rubbed against him, their tails wagging and whining excitedly. Their eyes staring into Connell's and the young man had to keep himself from crying again. When he looked up, the wolves stood a few inches from his face. The pack whined in intrigue as the alpha pair began licking his bloodied face.
"They've accepted you." She-Wolf whispered.
Connell slowly stood up, the wolves still looking at him. Connell felt something land on his right hand. He looked up to see snow beginning to fall.
"Winter is here." Connell said.
"You will be here for a few more winters; you have much more to learn." She-Wolf said, her spirit appearing amongst the wolves.
Connell nodded in understanding. What from he has seen and learned during this day, he knew he had to be ready…more than ever.
To be continued…
(Again, I'm so sorry for the late update. This chapter was inspired lessons and messages from the novel, Sacred Wilderness by Susan Power, I highly recommend it.)