章 3: It's really a fantasy world...
I woke up slowly, the familiar ache in my body reminding me of the brutal fight with the fox. Every muscle protested as I tried to move, and the pain was a constant, throbbing presence. But there was something different this time. I lay there, staring at the ceiling of the den, trying to remember what had happened before I lost consciousness.
A voice. I had heard a voice in my mind, something about titles. It was strange and otherworldly, and I could almost see words floating before my eyes.
[Titles Unlocked] ["Member of the Wolf Pack" title unlocked] ["Son of the Wolf Queen" title unlocked]
What was that? The words seemed to linger in my thoughts, but before I could dwell on them any further, the den filled with movement and noise.
Wolves entered, one by one, each bringing something to comfort me. One laid down beside me, sharing its warmth. Another brought a piece of meat, nudging it towards me with a gentle nuzzle. They all looked at me with kindness and concern, treating me like one of their own.
Throughout the day, the wolves took turns keeping me company. Some brought food, others simply lay beside me, their presence a soothing balm to my pain. Their fur was warm against mine, and their eyes held a tenderness that made my heart swell. It was a far cry from the cold rejection I had felt from my dragon family.
Lorish Alba, the she-wolf who had saved me weeks ago, entered the den as the sun was beginning to set. She carried a large piece of meat in her jaws, which she placed before her pups. They pounced on it with playful growls, their tails wagging with excitement.
Gosh, they are so cute. I love them so much...
Their mom turned her attention to me, her eyes soft with motherly love which caught me off-guard. She looked at me kindly before but... but this? Made my heart clench with hope.
"How are you feeling, little baby?" she asked, settling down beside me. I couldn't stop myself from nuzzling into her soft fur. She smelled... like home.
"I'm still sore," I admitted, "but better. Thank you, Lorish."
She smiled, her blue eyes twinkling.
"I want you to know that you've done something amazing... None of us expected you to repay our kindness but what you did yesterday was... You... You saved one of my dear pups, little baby. For that, I am forever grateful." I could feel her tone full of emotions as her eyes teared up.
I felt a warmth spread through my chest at her words.
"I couldn't just stand by and do nothing... I... My own siblings hated me... but they are so welcoming and lovely. I really love them"
"You have the heart of a true wolf," she said softly, nuzzling me.
I laughed lightly and nuzzled into her.
"It's just... this world needs lovely furballs like them. On the other hand, I'm not needed..." the moment I said it I knew I shouldn't have. The way she looked at me with so much hurt was painful.
"No little baby! Never say it like that! You are important - every life is... But you are extraordinary, you hear me? We need you alive and well, ok?" her voice was both stern and kind.
"O...ok..." I looked down shyly.
For a moment there was silence between us, but she broke it first.
"I want to ask you something important."
I looked up at her, curious.
"What is it?"
I think it was the first time I saw her fidgeting a little... she looked so unsure, as if afraid I'd react in a negative way. So I smiled at her with my little dragon muzzle and I think she melted a bit, coz her eyes were telling me all of that. She gathered her courage and spoke.
"Would you allow me to treat you as one of my own children?" she asked gently. "To be your mother, in spirit if not in blood?"
Her words took me by surprise. I felt tears welling up in my eyes.
"You... you want me? When you have such beautiful children?" I asked tears rolling down my scaly cheeks.
She hugged me with her paw and licked at my eyes as if to stop my tears.
"I would love to have one more beautiful child... I came to love you so much little baby... I want to call you mine... my little baby," her voice was so soft and fragile that I started crying loud and full this time. It attracted the attention of little pups and some wolves who came to check up on us.
"Yes, I would like that very much!" I yelled through tears and thrown myself into her furr afraid she might disappear.
"And I can call you mom?!" I had to be sure. I had to ask.
"Of course my little baby," the voice I heard was quiet. When I looked up I saw that this proud, beautiful female wolf was also crying. My broken heart felt whole again.
She licked my face, a gesture that was both comforting and loving.
"Mom!" I yelled.
"Yes my baby," she smiled at me. Other wolves were wagging their tails.
Suddenly I felt some movement at my side. I looked there and saw the pups trying to walk all over me in some kind of a puppy hug.
"Brother!" they were whimpering happily.
I smiled at them and started to lick their muzzles with so much love. Who cares about their fur, they tasted like the love and affection I dreamed about before.
"Then it is settled. You are now my son, and a brother to my pups."
I heard once again Lorish... no... wait... My mom!
For the first time in my new life, I felt a deep sense of belonging. Weirdly... I think that even in my previous life... I never had something like this - a family... a place to belong to...
The wolves had accepted me, loved me, and now Lorish Alba was offering me a place in her family. It was more than I could have ever hoped for.
Thank you, Gods...
Lorish spent some time playing with her pups, and I watched with a smile. I couldn't move too much yet, so I was just lying there and watching, while another member of the pack was behind my back, nuzzling me with kindness.
The kids were a lively bunch, full of energy and mischief. Their innocence and joy were infectious, and for a while, I forgot about the pain in my body. My siblings. My two lovely brothers and one cute sister.
As night began to fall, Lorish stood up.
"I need to attend to some matters with the pack," she said.
"Rest, my son. You have earned it." I felt her wolfy kiss on the top of my head and I think I kind of wagged my tail a bit? I think wolf behaviour is contagious...
I nodded and watched her leave the den, her silver-blue coat glistening in the fading light. The other wolves settled down for the night, the den becoming quiet and peaceful.
It was then, in the stillness, that my brain finally woke up I think...
SON?!
I almost yelled out loud but I didn't want to wake my cute little furrballs who went to sleep next to me.
I am... a male?
I was almost sure I was a woman in my previous life... I think... Not that I remembered that and that it changed it but... somehow... I don't think I could be interested in a female... I mean...
"A male..." I whispered under my nose and looked at myself. Well.. that explained a lot. I wasn't built like a dog so it seems that having reproductive organs outside wasn't a thing for my kind. Will have to ask Mom how she could know I was a boy.
Then my earlier thoughts returned... The voices and text in my head just before I passed.
I tried focusing on my body. Something felt different. I examined myself, noticing changes I hadn't before. My body was more muscular, more defined. My scales had a faint shimmer, and my claws seemed sharper.
Why?! What happened? I didn't train enough to get like that, right? And I was still a little shrimp compared to those adult wolves... Just the pups were smaller than me I guess.
But why did I gain muscle and my claws got sharper?
[Physical changes due to the level up]
I almost jumped hearing the voice and seeing the text in my mind.
WHAT? I levelled up? How?
[Contidions for the "Special Level Up" ability met: Face a stronger enemy with deadly intent, fight while putting your life at stake to protect others, don't give up and push your abilities to the maximum. Face a critical situation that may end your life.]
...E...ehe?
Yeah not my smartest reaction but well. Blame this weird voice and all.
Em... Are you answering my questions?
Silence.
So not...
I kept wondering.
Who are you? I tried asking in a different way.
[I am PIA.]
PIA is your name or...?
[PIA - Personal Interactive Assistant]
And... why do I hear you and what are you?
[PIA - Personal Interactive Assistant. Description: Sometimes when hearing pleads of their children, Gods decide to help them by sending a small part of themselves to help those children in need, as they can't join them more officially. This way, part of their being and knowledge can evolve into PIA and help children in need in their life]
Wow... Now that is... Wait... When I asked God for help... Was that it?
Silence.
Ok so it's not like I can have a conversation with PIA...
[Current level of PIA system: 1. More options to unlock upon levelling. Conversation option unlockable at level 5]
O... Good to know. So PIA can also level up. Ok... PIA how can you level up?
[PIA system levels up once every time their user levels up 5 times]
Ok. Sooo what level am I right now?
[User Level: 2]
Is it possible to get more information about me?
[Skill: Eyeglass - Unlockable at level 3]
Ok so not yet... By the way... It's a fantasy world but sounds like a game... isn't it weird to give things numbers to represent their strength and all? Seems unfair...
[Systerm overview: Every being in the world is capable of learning and evolving in a way. Gods made it so the possibilities can be broken and mended as long as there's a will, so that just because someone possesses lots of experience, wouldn't mean they can win all the time. The number system is made so it's easier for the user to understand their possibilities and to show as close as it's possible, what are their current strengths. Users of PIA possess "Special Level Up" which means they already showed the possibility of winning against the stronger ones thanks to their will and belief.]
Wow that's a lot and... sounds fair... It's good that just coz the fox was older and more experienced than me, I was still able to win against it. So it's fair - your abilities and your will matter, not just numbers... Ok Good. But what about abilities to unlock? Isn't it weird that I need a level to unlock something I could try learning?
[Unlocking abilities - the process is made so when the user reaches their physical or mental strength enough to be able to learn something, they will be able to start learning]
Don't understand... it's still weird...
[A newborn bird won't be able to learn to fly until it matures. Some things are needed to be learnt or achieved before we can learn more]
OH! Wow... Ok now that is more acceptable. I get it. So it's too early for me to learn such things... What about my age? I'm still a baby, so if I try which level I could try and achieve? How do I level up?
[Levelling up - Levelling has some age restrictions. The User at its current age is unable to reach a level higher than 5. Possibilities to level up are by practising skills, learning about the world, practising your own body and pushing limits, gaining experience in your life.]
Ah... Seems fair I guess.
I shook my head. All that information and talking made me a bit tired. Seems I really am a baby. I lay my head on my paws, close my eyes and drift off to sleep, the warmth of the wolf pups surrounding me with love.
*
As days again, turned into weeks, I grew stronger under the care of the wolves. Lorish Alba taught me about the ways of the forest from the wolf's perspective, as well as the dangers that lurked within, and the importance of family and pack. The other wolves accepted me fully, their initial caution replaced by genuine affection.
I spent my days playing with the pups, learning to hunt, and exploring the forest. My nights were filled with stories and lessons from Mom, her wisdom guiding me in this new life. I learned to navigate the forest, to recognize the signs of danger, and to understand the balance of nature.
Through it all, the bond between me and the wolves grew deeper. They were my family, my pack, and I would do anything to protect them. The forest was no longer a place of fear, but a home filled with love and acceptance.
One evening, as we sat at the entrance of the den watching the sunset, Lorish came to me. I think I even wagged my tail a bit again.
Yeah... becoming wolfy as hell.
"Mom!" I welcomed here with a playful smile and nuzzled my head into her soft fur. I could feel her body shake as she laughed sweetly.
"My lovely little baby, I must tell you something important. Do you know what day will there be tomorrow?" She asked, sitting next to me.
Em... PIA? What day will there be tomorrow? Gosh I hope it's not cheating...
[Calendar Option - Tomorrow - Last Full Moon of Spring]
Oh. Ok... Thanks...
"Will tomorrow be the last Full Moon of Spring?" I asked innocently and caught her off-guard. She looked at me surprised that I knew but after a moment she smiled again.
"Yes my lovely plump baby" she laughed and touched me with her nose.
Wait... plump? Am I becoming chubby?
[Weight Measurement - Current body weight shows signs of getting more body fat than muscles]
Ok... I really am eating too much and working out too little. No more!
"It's an important day for all of us... for this whole forest," Mom's voice woke me up from my thoughts.
"Why?" I asked surprised.
"Because it's the time when we present our children to the Moon and to Nature and ask for protection for them. They also become the official members of the pack and this Forest. Also, my pack will announce my heirs to the whole forest."
"Heirs?" It sounded a bit weird.
Mom smiled at me kindly.
"Yes, my little prince."
"Prince?" I was even more confused.
"Yes. You and your siblings are Princes and Princesses of this forest... The Edoleran Forest."
"Like... Royal family?" I was trying to understand.
"Yes, my baby. After all, I am the sole Queen of this Forest" she said calmly.
My eyes got big from shock as I looked at Mom... Well, she really did look too amazing to be a normal wolf. And that blue diamond on her forehead.
Suddenly I remembered the title "Son of the Wolf Queen". So that's what it meant... So... she considered me her child even before I rescued my sibling? My heart swelled with love.
"Oh... So you will show all of us tomorrow?" I asked to make sure.
"Yes... And I will also name you, that is if you're ok with it. Normally it should be one of the birth parents but..." she stopped and looked at me unsure.
"Then it's ok. You are my Mom after all" I smiled at her and she whined slightly with happiness, nuzzling the side of my head with her nose.
We stayed like that for a longer time... And I couldn't wait to find out what name will I get tomorrow.
After some time it started getting dark. Mom stood up to go back, nudging me to follow her.
With a final look at the fading light, I turned and followed Lorish Alba back into the den, ready to face whatever the future held. I was no longer alone. I was part of the pack, and together, we could overcome anything. And tomorrow... I would get my name!
-----AUTHOR'S NOTES-------
*sound of crying and blowing a nose*
Author: Ymm... You ok?
MC: Shut up
Author: Excuse me?! No death here! No bullying! To violence! No, nada, zero!
MC: I know! Gosh leave me alone!
Author: Oooh so now I have to leave you alone, but when you wanna bug me then it's ok yes?!
MC: Oh come on let me cry in peace!
Author: ...U stupid? Why are U crying brat?
MC: COZ THIS IS TOO BEAUTIFUL! I GOT MY MOM!
*more crying*
Author: ...Okkk then maybe I really will... leave you alone today o_o
MC: I LOVE YOU MOOOM!
Author: .... *runs away*
-----------------------
クリエイターの想い 
DragoAMI
DragoAMI Pic showing the so-so look of Lorish Alba in a comment ^^
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