Queen Of Adis

Haru smiled softly and sighed in relief when the wolf gradually sniffed her hand then licked it. She c.a.r.e.s.sed her furry muzzle while healing her body. "My lover said that sacred beasts such as wolves can heal themselves just like vampires and other powerful demons, but wolfsbane and silver will hinder your healing magic. Don't worry, I will fix you up. I wonder what is your name, beautiful one?"

After a moment of silence, the silver wolf talked to Haru in a kind but weak voice. "Human, I am in your debt. My name is Freya and I am the queen of all wolves and *Canis tribe. I just gave birth to a pup, therefore, I don't have much strength to eradicate these impertinent beings. They also used silver weapons soaked in wolfsbane, thus worsen my condition and caused me to lose so much blood."

The giant wolf's enormous legs wobbled and she collapsed on the frozen lake, creating big cracks on the surface and beneath her immense body. She slowly lifted her hind leg and revealed a tiny puppy whose eyes hasn't opened yet.

The puppy had the same pristine silver fur like his mother. His nose, lips, and paws were so little and pink. When the pup opened his tiny mouth to yawn, they saw his toothless mouth and reddish tongue.

Haru's features softened and her heart melted upon the sight of the delicate being. She knelt down to look at the little bundle of joy more closely and thought that he looked so precious and sweet.

"Aww! Mother, look at him. He's so cute!" Vladimir squealed at her side.

Freya's voice croaked as she continued. "I lost my King when numerous feral beings suddenly attacked our tribe six months ago. Now, this child is the only remaining silver wolf in this world."

The puppy seemed to feel that he was being talked about so he rolled on the ground and crawled to Haru legs.

Freya licked the puppy's body then she gently nuzzled the little creatures' face as she talked to him. "My child, you are the next King of our tribe. In your throat is the mark of your true power and the proof of our prestige, the bud of Chloris. Fenrir shall be your name as you will be more brilliant and strong than your predecessors, and our pack shall look up to you with reverence."

Haru's muscles tensed and her smile was slowly fading. Her breath seemed to be stuck in her throat while her eyes blinked in disbelief upon hearing the wolf's revelation. Then, the Cheshire cat's rhyme suddenly echoed in her mind.

'In the heart of the darkness, cradle a being

A monster to us that deserves of dying.

Perhaps you can keep it, perhaps you can kill it.

However, in its throat lies what you seek.'

How could she take something that was so precious? The bud of Chloris was this new born pup's lifeline. Does that mean she had to slit his throat to get it? Were they expecting her to take a life in order to keep hers? Hell no!

Haru woke up from her reverie when she heard the Freya spoke again. "I think he likes you. Look, he was crawling back to you." Then, the wolf suddenly changed the topic. "Human, are you the Demon King's fated mate? I can smell His Majesty's scent on you."

Her face blushed at the remark. She didn't know whether to be happy or embarrassed that she was enveloped with Adis' scent. In the end, she could only nod.

"My king is the Demon King's loyal subject. Please bring this child to His Majesty and tell him that my husband is dead," the wolf pleaded.

Haru creased her forehead, "What about you? Are you not coming with us?" She asked and checked the progress of her injured body after using the Healing stone.

Her eyes widened and watered instantly while her lips trembled when she saw that nothing had changed. In fact, it seemed that the Healing stone worsened the wolf's condition. At her side, she heard Vladimir slumped on the ground upon seeing the same sight.

"No, this can't be," she shook her head and breathed out. "W-why is it not working?"

"Don't be surprised, human. The wolfsbane poison has already seeped into my body and cut my means of survival. Any kind of healing magic will no longer work on me." The silver wolf weakly exclaimed and just continued to nuzzle her child. "As long as this child lives, my King and I can rest in peace." She moved closer to Haru and laid her weary on Haru's l.a.p. "Human, don't cry. I have been living for centuries. I have seen and experienced everything that life could offer. Please allow my weary soul to rest."

Haru was not even aware that she was already crying. All she knew was her vision was blurry and her heart was in distress. She didn't even know how to respond to Freya anymore

"Human, tell me your name."

"...H-Haru," she whimpered.

Freya lifted her head and bore her eyes to hers. "Haru, you have the eyes of a true Queen; courageous, resilient, warm and all-knowing. I can sense that you are about to change this cruel world into something none of us have seen before. But you will also experience hardship that none of us have overcome before. However, believe in your heart and it shall lead you to the right path. Trust in your love and it shall give you the strength to stand the test of time."

Haru smiled sadly and held the wolf's face in her hands. She met her intense gaze with equal passion. As tears uncontrollably fell from her eyes, she made a solemn vow. "I'm sorry that I was too late to help you. But, Freya, no matter how hard my journey may be, I will not stop until I made this world a place where your kind can live free, a society where Cheshire cat's voice can be heard and a kingdom where no more child, like Fenrir, will lose his family in greed and corruption. This I promise you."

Freya's eyes smiled as a droplet of tear fell on her furry cheek. She licked and nuzzled Fenrir for one last time before she pushed the already sleeping pup to her front. "My Queen, I entrust my son to you. He, just like this vampire child and the Demon King, will be one of your pillars of support on your mission for this world. Please take care of him and tell him that I love him so."

She nodded and carefully took the pup in her hand.

The silver wolf gazed up in the sky and felt the wind. Then, with urgent eyes, she looked at her. "It is time for you to leave the Atlantis woods. During my outburst, I have freed a sinister feral being that was imprisoned in this place. The trees and creatures are crying. The entire forest is starting to die and it will bring with it all the beings inside. Run as fast as you can and never look back. Hurry!"

Haru held Fenrir tightly and followed Freya's instructions. "Vladimir, let's go!"

Mr. Bear hollered on top of his lungs to the remaining intruders. "Hey, you fools, the entire woods is dying! It will trap anyone who will be left behind. Run for your lives!"

As soon as the hunters and mercenaries heard it, everyone panicked and ran away without any care for their comrades. The centaur, on the contrary, lifted Pier and shoved it on his back before following Haru and Vladimir.

The frozen lake instantly became silent while a lone wolf was left behind. She raised her head and watched the captivating full moon as she waited for death to come and claim her.

And soon it really came, slowly but surely. From the back of the woods, all living and non-living things had turned into stone, and it gradually crept forward to the frozen lake, onto the beautiful silver wolf and further towards the entrance.

As the moon shined brightly, it revealed an open field colored in gray and death. In the middle of it sat a majestic stone statue of a giant wolf gazing at the untouchable night sky.