A Quiet Morning, A Coming Storm

(Sirius PoV)

Morning light slipped gently through the forest canopy, casting a mosaic of soft radiance upon his closed eyes even though the small birds had long been singing.

With reluctance, the wolf opened his eyes. His sharp pupils moved slowly, observing his surroundings before he finally rose. His chest expanded quickly as the fresh air filled his dry lungs.

His jaws stretched wide, releasing a warm breath as if expelling the remnants of sleep from his long rest.

With sluggish movements, he tilted his neck left and right. A faint crack echoed through the area. He continued by pulling his own body taut, stretching muscles that still felt stiff.

When was the last time I slept peacefully at night?

All this time, Sirius always slept after the sun began to rise. Every night he spent hunting to fill his stomach.

His large body required an immense amount of nourishment. Unfortunately, large prey appeared only at night. Daylight was filled only with small creatures that never satisfied his hunger.

But lately more hunters appeared in the day. Humans, monsters, and most recently demons. Many ended up inside his stomach. That was why his sleep schedule began to change.

Between the trees, his massive body moved fluidly as he walked toward a small pond near his den.

He lowered his head, his tongue slightly extended to drink. The water slid down his dry throat, quenching his thirst.

Frogs sang, insects drifted through the air, and small fish approached his tongue with innocent curiosity.

Sirius smiled faintly before stepping deeper into the pond. The cold refreshing water soaked his fur and seeped into his skin.

A low groan escaped him filled with relief. Ah... refreshing... this is life.

He shook his body and the dirt clinging to his fur scattered away. Then he submerged almost his entire body leaving only part of his head above water like a watcher on the surface.

Tiny fish swam toward him to perform their task. Their small snouts picked away the parasites clinging to his fur.

In the wild, no creature was free from parasites. Fleas, mites, and fungi were bothersome companions that brought constant itchiness especially for thick furred beasts like him.

Fortunately, nature also provided the cure through its own ecosystem. Small creatures made a living while healing larger beasts by eating the parasites that clung to them.

He lifted his face with closed eyes.

If only I had succeeded that time... could I have met her?

His memory returned to the moment he failed to enter the portal that might have carried him out of this cursed forest.

The cool pond water could not soothe the regret that clung to him. Yet again, his desire to meet his beloved was delayed because of a misunderstanding.

His eyes slowly opened, gazing at the drifting clouds above.

If only I had not rushed to kill them, would I have met her by now? If I had been more patient, could I have lived a better life? If only I had lowered my pride for a moment, perhaps...

He shook his head, trying to dispel the restlessness that refused to fade even though he knew the unease would not disappear in the near future.

I want to cool my head.

Sirius submerged his entire body into the water. He hoped his turmoil would sink along with him carried away by the cold clarity of the pond.

[PoV Silva]

Bang.

Silva struck his desk. His green pupils glanced at the stack of papers beside him. He swept them aside in a surge of frustration.

“Damn...” he muttered, leaning against his chair. He reached for the locket hidden in his pocket. His eyes stared emptily at the picture within of two children embracing each other. “Gilbert... Master Dorgu... I will avenge your deaths.”

His fist tightened and he bit his lower lip until the metallic taste filled his tongue.

Since childhood the two had been inseparable friends. Growing up in the same orphanage made them like brothers. Losing his closest friends felt like being pierced by a thousand arrows.

As for Dorgu, he was the mentor who guided Silva from nothing until he reached his current position as the new guild master of Lysvarnn.

Knock knock.

The sound at the door shattered his thoughts. He hurriedly slipped the locket back into his pocket. His back straightened and he arranged the scattered papers neatly as before.

He cleared his throat once before allowing the person outside to enter.

“Come in,” he said attempting to keep his voice steady although a slight tremble remained.

The door opened revealing a young man in a tight black robe with a cloth mask covering part of his face.

“Zain? What do you want?”

Zain approached. Their eyes met.

“Are you certain about your decision?”

“You mean asking for help from the kingdom of Lysvarn to hunt that wolf? Of course. Why not?”

Zain shook his head slowly. “I think it is a bad idea.” His gaze drifted to the curtain swaying in the breeze. “That wolf... I think we should not disturb him.”

Silva narrowed his eyes. “Tell me... who manipulated you?”

Zain raised a brow. “What do you mean?”

Silva slammed the desk again. “He is a monster, Idiot. If we do not kill him, he will devour us instead.”

Zain clenched his jaw. He grabbed Silva by the collar. “Many people survived. Every team you sent because of your foolish grudge. Some of them were spared by the wolf you claim to be the source of all this trouble, you fool.”

“That is because he sees us as livestock.”

“You are wrong.”

The shout made the room fall silent.

Silva released his grip. He inhaled deeply and turned his face away. Zain did the same.

Silence wrapped both of them. They both knew the wolf had devoured many of those sent to hunt him including the guild master and Zain’s party who had been the strongest in the city.

Since Master Dorgu never returned and was presumed dead, Silva took over the guild. He kept posting S ranking quests to hunt the wolf with rewards far higher than any standard mission.

Many people came to Lysvarnn only to have their names carved into grave markers. Those who survived suffered deep trauma after watching their comrades being eaten alive by the wolf.

Whether he realized it or not, his quest had taken many lives. Many had tried countless methods yet those who returned home brought only wounds and grief.

“How many people have died because of your foolish revenge?” Zain whispered.

His words felt like a spear piercing Silva’s heart. Silva turned with trembling eyes as if wanting to argue, but the words choked in his throat.

Zain gave a bitter smile. “I knew it. All of this is only for your revenge. How long will you cling to your empty ambition? You have failed as guild master no... you have failed as a human.”

Silva pressed his teeth together. “Do not insult me...”

Zain lifted a brow waiting for him to continue.

Silva fell silent. He drew a long breath before letting it out. His lips curved slightly forming a strained bitter smile.

“You are right,” he whispered, making Zain widen his eyes.

“What...?”

“I admit it. I failed as guild master. I failed as a person. I cannot think clearly. I mixed ambition with duty.”

Silva rose from his seat and walked toward the open window. His long orange hair flowed in the gentle wind.

Zain remained silent not pushing him further.

“Even so... I do not believe I am wrong for fulfilling my duty.”

“Duty? You call that duty?”

Silva turned to him. A sharp curve formed on his lips as if displaying his confidence.

“Say what you want. But like Gilbert and Master Dorgu said the duty of a guild master is to protect the people. I still try to do that even with my tangled ambition.”

“You understand nothing, Silva.”

“You are the one who understands nothing.”

Zain covered his mouth again with his mask and prepared to leave. As he opened the door Silva called out to him.

“Where are you going? You do not want to join the hunt?”

“No. Thank you. I only kill those who threaten humans.”

Silva smirked thinly. “How amusing. There is no such thing as a benevolent monster.”

“You will understand after you face him yourself.”

As he stepped out he glanced back once more at Silva standing by the window. “Ah, one more thing...”

Silva raised a brow.

“...Sirius.”

“Sirius?” Silva repeated the name.

“That is his name.”

“You think I care?”

Zain shrugged. “I simply thought you should know.”

His figure disappeared as the door closed leaving Silva standing alone lost in thought as Zain’s words echoed in his mind.

The hand gripping the window frame finally loosened leaving scratches on the wood. He bit his lower lip until blood trickled down.

The long awaited sun finally rose giving a touch of warmth after a night drowned in restlessness.

“It is time.”

He opened his closet and took out a black cloak made from dragon hide. He draped it over his body. Beneath it lay a golden sword which he seized.

“Forgive me for making you work again Solbrand. But I need you to help avenge them.”

The sword in his hand flickered faintly with a reddish glow as if responding to his resolve.

A thin grin formed on his face. He then took a round shield made from the remains of Gilbert’s shield which had been reforged specially for Silva who was not suited for a large shield.

“Your resolve will always be with me, Gilbert.”

Silva leapt out the window without hesitation.

Thud.

The ground trembled slightly when he landed. Before him stood hundreds or perhaps thousands of armored warriors fully armed.

“Everyone. Let us hunt the wolf and save the people of the city.”

“Yeah.”

“Long live Lysvarn.”

“Long live.”

The soldiers answered with equal fervor. Their shouts thundered through the guild hall like war drums announcing the march.

“With this, I will not lose.”

Silva led the vast force toward the forest where Sirius awaited. Without realizing it he carried the greatest sin for leading them straight into the lair of the worst nightmare imaginable.