Howling 9
It had been a few days since Wolf and Adolpha had washed ashore on an island. After exploring the outside and understanding what the inside was like, Wolf realized no one lived there. Wild animals and insects were on the island, so it was inhabited. Wolf told Adolpha that dangerous animals might lurk, so she must be careful.
Wolf built a shelter and improved upon it every time. Adolpha was amazed by him. She was learning about plants from Wolf, which helped her not be bored. Wolf would go inland, hunt small animals, and bring back some fruits and wild vegetables he found. Adolpha was getting used to it little by little.
It was late, and they were eating. Adolpha asked Wolf if he had seen the dangerous animal he mentioned. "No, whatever is here is keeping their distance. It must be smart," Wolf said. Adolpha wonder what it could be. Wolf changed the subject and asked her how she was feeling.
Adolpha rubbed her belly and said everything was all right, "I can feel our baby growing," she said happily. Wolf smiles and stares at her; it makes her feel embarrassed. Wolf then looks at the waves and lets the sound of the ocean distract him. Adolpha also stares at the sea.
A little more time had passed, and it was spring. Wolf had made the shelter bigger; it was a small house. Adolpha's belly was bigger, and she was outside the house staring at Wolf working. Wolf was rebuilding a boat; he attempted sailing several times but failed. After finishing the day, he asked Adolpha if she wanted to accompany him.
Adolpha smiled and said she would get ready. She grabbed a bag and a knife she was taught to make. Wolf grabbed another bag, an ax, a bow, and his arrows. They were going to get dinner. Wolf and Adolpha had gone native; they wore little clothes. At first, it embarrassed Adolpha, but now she was used to it.
Adolpha still maintained her hair and tail. Wolf's hair grew, and he let it get messy. They also use paint on their bodies to get rid of bugs. Adolpha liked to shower in the river; Wolf would stand watch whenever she did. There was still no sign of anyone passing by the island. The fear of Lord Michael finding them was gone.
They left their house and went inland. Adolpha picked up some wild mushrooms along the way. "What are we eating today?" Adolpha asked. "Fish," Wolf replied. Adolpha made an awkward expression. "AUG, I can't get used to it," she told him. Wolf told her she couldn't eat meat every time.
Wolf and Adolpha reach the lake. Wolf set up and began to fish; Adolpha picked flowers and explored a little. Wolf told her to be careful; after a while, Wolf had caught several fish. Adolpha was under a tree sleeping. Wolf called out to her.
Adolpha woke up, stretched, and walked over to him. "How many did you catch?" she asked. Wolf counted. "Ten," he said. Wolf told her they would go inside the jungle area next. Wolf told Adolpha it was dangerous, so she knew to stay close.
As they made their way, Adolpha stayed on guard; she looked all around. Wolf told her not to focus too much and to relax. They entered the jungle, and it felt humid. Adolpha followed Wolf to some trees where he cut vines. In the meantime, Adolpha was told to pick some fruit. Adolpha picked some fruit that resembled mangos.
Once they were done, they were heading back. Wolf stopped to pick some medical herbs; his instincts felt danger. He ran over to Adolpha and told her to get down. Adolpha got scared and crouched. Wolf sensed danger but could not tell where it was coming from.
After a while, the danger was gone. Adolpha asked him if it was all right now. Wolf told her they should be careful. They left the jungle with no worries afterward. They headed back home. Adolpha began to unpack, and Wolf began to prepare the fish. They ate and talked. Adolpha mostly spoke about her family and told Wolf stories she used to hear.
Again, more time passed, and Wolf would be working on the boat. Adolpha would go alone to the forest area and pick wild vegetables. When she returned, she would put them away for later. The house was decorated with seashells, skulls, and flowers. They had found more of their wrecked boat and other supplies.
Adolpha taught herself sowing, which made her feel happy. "Boy or girl, you will be the cutest baby. I will make so many clothes when we get home," she laughs. Wolf tested the boat again, and the waves destroyed it. Adolpha saw him get mad; she had noticed he had become more expressive. "Don't let that get you down," she shouts.
Wolf came back to land and wondered what he had done wrong. "I tied them with a lot of rope, but it continues to break easily…" Wolf went over to Adolpha and talked about his failure. Adolpha cheered him on. "Don't worry; it lasted longer than most," she told him. Wolf sighed and said he would get what survived. Adolpha said she was going to bathe.
Wolf told her to wait. Adolpha said she would meet him there. Adolpha grabbed her things and left. After a while, Wolf followed her. When he got there, Adolpha was drying under the sun; her silver hair and white complexion captivated him. She was still beautiful even after living in poor conditions.
Adolpha sensed something; she looked and saw Wolf staring at her. She became embarrassed and covered up. Wolf, realizing what he had done, apologized to her. Adolpha got dressed and told Wolf it was all right now. Wolf again apologized and took her home.
When they got home, Wolf presented Adolpha with some meat. He had hunted some rabbit before he got to her. Adolpha was happy; she prepared some wild mushrooms and potatoes she had gathered earlier. They ate happily under the setting sun. After they were done, Adolpha put some things away.
Wolf looked at his failure and wondered what to do; he noticed some seashells on the ground. Wolf grabbed one and looked at it; he asked Adolpha about it. Adolpha looks and sees them; she tells him she picked them up by mistake. Wolf takes a knife and opens it.
Wolf smiles as he sees a white pearl inside. Wolf realized Adolpha didn't know what oysters were. Wolf then thought, "Adolpha, do you remember where you got them?" he asks. Adolpha thinks and says she forgot; she asks why. Wolf told her they were delicious to eat. Adolpha thought of fish; she made a disgusted look.
Wolf picked up the rest and opened them; he found two more pearls. Wolf hid them and said he would look for more, "A pearl necklace would look beautiful on her…" They head to sleep; Wolf is excited for the new day. Adolpha was just happy. The following day, Wolf said he was going for a walk. Adolpha wanted to go with him. Wolf told her he was going to look for any more wreckage.
After hearing that, Adolpha didn't want to go anymore; she said she would practice sowing. Wolf told her he would bring her whatever he found. Wolf packed some food and water, took some weapons, and left. Adolpha was alone, sowing scraps of fabric. She would talk to her belly. After a while, she got bored and decided to go into the forest.
Adolpha got supplies and her knife, left the house, and headed into the forest. She wanted to find some berries, so she went to look for them. Adolph admired the forest area because it reminded her of where she used to live. She headed to where she knew the berries grew. When she got there, she began to pick some.
Adolpha noticed a rabbit eating and wanted to hunt it; she thought it would be easy: "Wolf will be so surprised when he sees me bring this home." Adolpha remembered something her father once said to his brother: "Listen, Ardolph, when hunting, you must be patient. Don't let your prey notice you until the last moment. Let it drop its guard…" Adolpha tried to sneak close.
Adolpha made too much noise, and the rabbit ran away. Adolpha got mad, but she became determined to hunt something, "I will show Wolf I can do more," she told herself. Adolpha went around the forest looking for something she could hunt. She eventually reached the river, "This is harder than it looks; how did my father and others do this?"
Conversely, Wolf was looking for places where he could find oysters. He had no luck, "Where could she have found them; do I need to go further out…" Wolf placed this bag down and only took a knife; he walked into the water and swam out. Wolf saw a coral riff and swam toward it, "Maybe I can find something here…"
Wolf came up for air. He had found nothing, so he wondered where else he could look. He stared at the rocky mountain, and he thought about going there. "Maybe I can find some there, but first, I need to check on Adolpha…" Wolf swam back to shore, picked up his bag, and returned to the house.
Wolf reaches the house and checks in. Adolpha is not there. "Did she go to pick something from the forest?" Wolf takes his ax, bows, and heads into the forest to look for Adolpha. He tracks her movements before being surprised by a flash of light. "Adolpha!" Wolf runs towards the light.
Adolpha was searching for prey when she noticed a snake with a lovely pattern. "Oh, I wonder if I can make something from its skin. I remember that some aunts wore animal skin as clothes." Adolpha went and tried to kill it. The snake felt her presence and turned to her. It scared her, but she did not back down.
"You wanted to do this," she tells herself. Adolpha slowly approaches the snake. Suddenly, birds scatter and fly away. Adolpha gets scared; she also sees that the snake is gone. She is disappointed; before she knows it, her body has frozen. She feels a presence. Adolpha gets scared; something is looking at her.
Adolpha tried to leave but was too afraid; she kept telling herself to leave. When she heard hissing, she knew a snake was nearby, and her ears perked up. Adolpha looks at a tree; she sees something moving. Adolpha turned around, and she became pale.
Adolpha was staring face-to-face with a massive snake. It hissed and felt her with its tongue. Adolpha was very scared but could not express it. "Wolf," she began to tear up. The snake got closer to her and continued hissing. The snake looked at her stomach. Adolpha moved her hand. The snake opens its mouth.
Adolpha wanted to scream. The snake moved back and got ready to strike. Adolpha managed to move in a panic before it struck; the snake reacted and attacked again. Adolpha tries to run; she is about to howl when the snake catches her. It begins to tighten around her. Adolpha tries with all her strength to hold it off.
The snake squeezes harder, and Adolpha cries out for help. Adolpha closes her eyes and howls; the black crystal on her collar cracks. A flash of light shines brightly. Adolpha passes out, and when she wakes up, she sees Wolf fighting the snake. Adolpha sees Wolf injured.
Wolf had run towards the flash of light; he heard Adolpha howling and ran faster. Once he gets to the river, he sees a giant snake. Wolf sees the snake shaking its head. On the ground, Adolpha lies motionless. Wolf gets mad and readies his bows; he takes several arrows and fires at the snake.
The snake feels struck and hisses. It gains its sight back and sees Wolf firing more arrows. The snake moves and attacks. Wolf is surprised by its speed: "How can it move so fast for its size!" Wolf drops his bow and readies his ax. He dodges the snake and goes for an attack. The snake quickly turns and hits Wolf.
Wolf is sent flying upwards, landing in the water. The snake turns to Adolpha's motionless body, hisses, and gets close. Wolf nearly gets swept away by the river, pulls himself out, and attacks the snake. The snake senses him and attacks. Wolf tries to dodge but gets hit, causing an injury. Adolpha was waking up.
Wolf pulls out his knife and gets ready again. Adolpha sees him and gets scared; she is about to call him when she notices him signaling her to calm down. The snake brings more of its body down from the tree. Wolf sees how big it is; he tries to stay focused.
The snake flicks its tongue, Wolf attacks, and the snake lunges. The snake moves faster, making Wolf slide under its attack. The snake has already turned and attacked again. Wolf jumps to get out of the way; the snake moves faster again and anticipates him. Wolf gets knocked out of the air; he hits the ground hard.
"Wolf," Adolpha screams, looking panicked. The snake looks at her. Wolf throws a rock and gains the snake's attention. He feels his body ache. The snake stares at him. Wolf takes a deep breath and calms. "There must be something I don't see; focus…" Wolf stares into the snake's eyes; he notices the glow.
Wolf takes an attack stance. Adolpha feels hopeless just watching. The snake prepares to attack. Wolf moves first and attacks. The snake opens its mouth and attacks. Wolf has yet to strike; he uses all his strength and jumps. Wolf dodges the attack and aims his ax at the back of its head; he throws the ax with much force.
The ax spins as it hurls towards the snake's head. The snake glows and quickly turns towards Wolf. "Wind magic…" The snake dodges the ax and attacks. Wolf, still in the air, defends himself. The snake opens its mouth, and sharp teeth are exposed. As the snake gets closer, Wolf tries to stab it with his knife.
The snake dodges and bites Wolf on his shoulder. Wolf screamed in pain as the snake began to wrap itself around him. Wolf was brought to the ground; he struggled to keep from being squeezed. The snake held tight to Wolf's shoulder, wrapping tighter and tighter. Wolf could not use the knife and felt himself losing.
The snake bites harder and wraps around him more. Wolf feels his bones breaking; he holds in his screams. Wolf feels like passing out; he lets go of his knife. Wolf begins to lose consciousness; suddenly, the snake lets go of his shoulder and lets out a hiss. The snake unwraps and lets him go; he struggles to grasp the situation.
Wolf hears howling, followed by Adolpha calling him. The snake is staring at someone. Wolf tries to recover and sees Adolpha standing before the snake, holding the ax he threw. "NO, leave…run," he mumbles as he lacks the strength to speak. Adolpha, with a panicked look, keeps calling Wolf; she tells him to get up.
"Please, Wolf, get up. I need you; your child needs you…" Wolf tries to get up, but the pain in his chest stops him. The snake prepares to attack. Adolpha again asks Wolf for help. Wolf feels anger; the snake attacks. Adolpha howls, and a bright light flashes from her.
The light blinds the snake, and it stops. It shakes its head and flicks its tongue. He feels Adolpha's presence and attacks again. Drained of energy, Adolpha collapsed; she saw the snake heading towards her. Adolpha passed out again. The snake was about to swallow when it was stopped.
A large body stood in its way. Wolf had transformed and was holding the snake's mouth from eating Adolpha. The snake used its strength to break free. Wolf stood over Adolpha and stared at the snake. The snake hissed; it wanted to attack again. "I don't know how, but this is a miracle…" Wolf draws Mana, and his claws extend and glow.
The snake also draws Mana, and its body glows. Wolf attacks first; the snake strikes. Wolf dodges and claws at the snake's body. The snake gets hit and hisses. Wolf continues his attack, causing the snake to be frightened. The snake attempts to bite Wolf's head, but Wolf blocks and tosses the snake over. It goes crashing into some trees.
Dust scatters into the air; the bloodied snake prepares for a powerful attack once it clears. It was harnessing Mana. Wolf prepares to counter it; he draws more Mana, and his body is surrounded by electricity. The snake attacks; it moves faster. Wolf takes an attack stance and attacks. He disappears before the snake.
The snake is stopped in its tracks. Wolf appears behind it, his claws covered in blood. The snake falls to the ground in several pieces. Wolf releases electricity and howls. Wolf returns to his human form and goes over to Adolpha; he holds her in his arms.
Wolf stares at her face, looks at her slave collar, and notices the crack on the black crystal. He picks her up and takes her back home. Adolpha woke up after some time; she felt the warmth of a fire. Adolpha saw she was back home and then heard the crushing of rocks. "Wolf," she called out.
"Don't move, you are injured," he says. Adolpha feels some pain; she touches her stomach and is relieved, "I'm sorry," she says. Adolpha sees she has some bandages. Wolf coughs, "Are you all right," Adolpha asks. Wolf replies by telling her he would need time to heal.
Adolpha learns that Wolf has broken ribs; he makes some medicine to relieve the pain. She gets up and goes towards him; she feels weak and almost tripped. Wolf tries to help but can't; his chest hurts. Adolpha notices how much he is sweating. "Wolf, please rest," she tells him worriedly.
"No, I'm fine," he said. Adolpha sat next to him. Wolf coughed again and felt weak; he dropped the rock in his hand. Adolpha took his hand and placed it on her stomach. Wolf feels it and relaxes; he passes out. "Wolf, Wolf…" Adolpha calls.
Wolf woke up to the smell of rain and noticed the house was a mess. Adolpha came in wet with some clay-looking pots. Wolf tried to get up, but his chest was still hurting. Adolpha saw him and told him to stay still; she jokingly said she had everything under control. "What happened," he asks.
Adolpha tells Wolf that he has been asleep for several days, only waking up from the pain. She tells him she has been doing all she can to make sure he feels relief. She gave him the medicine he had told her about and some water. Wolf smells something burning.
"Ah," Adolpha says. She goes to a pot, opens it, and stirs it. She then removes the pot from the heat and places it on the ground. The rain gets louder, and water drips into the house. "It started raining suddenly, so I tried to get as many things in as possible," she tells him. Wolf laughs, but it hurts him; he lies back on the bed.
After some rest, Wolf felt better and ate what Adolpha cooked. She told him she had put a bunch of things in. Wolf told her it was fine and added some salt the head maid had given them; he had a little left. "Wow, that makes it much better," Adolpha said. Wolf tasted something familiar.
He looks at the bowl and sees some white meat, "What is this?" he asks. "Snake," "What, snake, where did you get it?" Adolpha points to a chunk of meat, "I remember that my village sometimes prepared snake to eat. I cannot hunt, so I thought of the giant snake you killed." Adolpha remembers when she was trying to cut a piece; she was afraid it was still alive.
Wolf laughed and then asked her if she was all right. Adolpha didn't know what he meant by that. Wolf looked at the rainfall; he hesitated to ask but came out with it. "Why did Lord Michael take you?" he asked. Adolpha stopped what she was doing and looked worried. "When I was brought to guard you, Lord Michael didn't tell me anything about you. He took me to the island and told me what I would do there."
Adolpha looks at him, "I…" Wolf sees she is having trouble; she becomes depressed. "When I was young, my parents taught me how to find my way around the forest we lived in then..." Adolpha looks at Wolf, surprised. "Do you know about the nomad clans?" he asks her. "Yeah, my mother told me about them," she tells him.
"Humans think that nomad clans are beast folk kicked out from their clans," Wolf said he initially believed that; he then told her about himself. Wolf said he was from a clan of nomads, and his father was their clan leader. "Nomads live off the land and move from place to place. They are also an intermediate for other clans."
Adolpha became confused. Wolf explained that they trade with the outside world and inform those clans living in solitude away from all, like her clan. "I live a normal, peaceful life learning like most wolf beast men kids, learning to contribute to the clan…" Wolf became quiet.
Wolf tells Adolpha that his parents died when his clan was caught in a battle between two fighting noble factions in the beast kingdom. He survived with a few clan members; his uncle took him in. Wolf was around six years old. Wolf smiled, talking about his uncle. "Not only did he take me in, he was my teacher too."
"Unlike the bigger clans, I had to learn many things to survive as a nomad." Adolpha thought about it. Wolf explained that in the bigger clans, they were given roles like warriors or gatherers. Adolpha realized and agreed. Wolf continues; he talks about some of the things he learned, which he taught her.
"When you are ready to become an adult, you must be tested," Wolf explains. When they are ready, they are taken on their first hunt; they are to lead the others. Wolf tells her the story of his first hunt, "I had turned fifteen; we prepared in the morning…"
"Today is the day you become an adult; are you ready?" Wolf was young and fit and wore clothes resembling Native American culture. They slept in tents made of animal hide. Wolf marked himself and took his weapons: "Yes, chief." An older wolf beast man who almost resembled him laughed: "Come, Beowulf, let's hunt..."
Wolf tells Adolpha they were staying by a river that week. He leaves the tent, and the others going on the hunt with him greet him and make fun of him. Wolf sits with them and eats breakfast. The women were going to gather some plans and other necessities. After breakfast, they prayed to the land for a good hunt.
"Mater Lilith, guide us and provide for us your children. In return, we will live and die, returning to you to provide for our descendants just like our ancestors did." Wolf tells Adolpha he was hunting ancestral deer. "I never knew why they call them ancestral deer," she says. Wolf laughs; he tells her what they taught him.
Wolf told her that ancestral animals refer to all the animals that did not change like they did. She was confused. He tried to explain; they were once regular animals like the rest. He said their ancestors began to evolve and take the shape of humans so they could protect themselves from evil. He continued by saying that not all animals evolved and stayed the animals to provide for them.
"That is why we pray when we kill during the hunt; we thank them for providing for us…" Adolpha thinks about it. Wolf mentions that all other races don't believe in their stories and view animals like any other creature. Wolf continues talking about himself.
Wolf told her their clan was in human territory; thanks to a treaty, they were allowed to pass and live in certain parts. "We left camp and walked for several hours until my uncle picked up a scent. "Beowulf, you are up." Wolf took the lead; he picked up the scent and began tracking.
Wolf tracked the deer to where it was eating, ordering the others to surround it. They moved slowly so as not to scare it. Wolf moved and got a better angle; he took his bow and aimed. Wolf took a deep breath and pulled the string back; his group got ready. Wolf fired and struck the deer on the back of its shoulder; he gave the signal.
This group comes out and stops the deer from running. The frightened deer falls and struggles to get up; the other holds it down. Wolf arrives, and his uncle tells him to draw his knife: "You know what to do." Wolf pulls out his knife and stares at the deer's eye. The deer struggles and breathes deeply.
Wolf crouches and feels the deer's chest; its heart is still pumping. Wolf takes his knife and pierces the heart; the deer slowly dies, "I thank you for providing, Mater Lilith…"