Another day has passed since Tara first communicated with Kai and Aria. A day of questions, answers, explanations, and learning. A day of writing in the dirt, of conversations, of understanding this world.

  Tara has learned a lot. About the kingdoms, the war, magic, armies, the world. Now, in the quiet of the cave, he processes it all. He sits in the main chamber, thinking, organizing, summarizing.

  "Now I understand how this world works a bit better. Knowledge is power, after all."

  When he read those books from Tejran's hideout—using Appraisal to translate them—he'd learned about magic theory, mana, how mages work. But it had been fragmented, incomplete. Pieces from a madman's research notes.

  Now, talking to Kai and Aria, hearing their explanations—it all fits together. The knowledge from Tejran's books matches what the two humans have told him.

  "Tejran," Tara thinks, recalling the name he'd learned from the auction. "Prince Tejran. His research had been extensive, his knowledge deep, even if his methods were... questionable."

  Now, it's time for the practical.

  *Awoo*

  He howls as the pack assembles for the hunt.

  ---

  Evening settles over the jungle, and outside the den, Kai gathers some dry wood into a small pile. The wolves had brought them fish earlier—fresh catches from the nearby stream—and now it's time to cook them.

  Kai extends his hand, focusing his fire magic. A small flame sparks from his palm, catching on the wood. Within moments, a campfire crackles to life, warm and bright against the darkening sky.

  "No seasoning," Aria observes, watching as Kai spears the fish on sticks and props them over the flames. "Just fish and fire."

  "Better than raw fish," Kai says. "It was you who thought we were having too much fruit."

  They're feeling better now. Their wounds have healed significantly, their strength returning. The day had been long—another session of endless questions from the big red wolf, more explanations, more writing in the dirt. But they're recovering. Getting stronger.

  Around them, the pack moves through the clearing. Some wolves rest near the den entrance. Others play with the cubs. A few groom each other, their movements casual, relaxed. It's... domestic. Peaceful. Like watching a family at home.

  As the fish cook, the smell wafts through the air. Several wolves turn their heads, sniffing with interest.

  Notail moves closer to the fireside, settling near the warmth. The cubs notice him immediately and run over, yipping excitedly, climbing on him, tumbling around him. Notail tolerates them with patience, his short tail wagging slightly as they play.

  A couple of adult wolves approach, their movements purposeful. They move toward the cubs, gently herding them away from Notail. The cubs resist at first, wanting to stay and play, but the adults are insistent. They guide the cubs back toward the den entrance, leaving Notail alone by the fire.

  Notail watches them go, then settles more deeply, his posture relaxed.

  Aria watches the cubs leave, then focuses on Notail. Tara had introduced them to Notail and Unolf earlier today, explaining they were the ones who had brought them to the den.

  Aria activates Appraisal.

  **APPRAISAL:**

  **Scout wolf (Level 30)**

  - **Skills:** [Appraisal level insufficient]

  Aria's eyes widen. "Level 30," she whispers to Kai. "And I can't even see his skills. My Appraisal isn't strong enough."

  Kai looks at Notail, who's sniffing the air with great interest, his nose twitching toward the cooking fish. "Level 30? That wolf?"

  "And he's not even the pack leader," Aria says quietly. "The pack leader must be even stronger. That's why he was confident leaving us here. We're not a threat. We couldn't be even if we wanted to."

  The fish finish cooking, the skin crispy and golden. Kai pulls them from the fire, and they begin to eat. The lack of seasoning is noticeable, but the fish is fresh and tender.

  The cubs, drawn by the smell, come running back from the den entrance. Kai picks up one of the remaining fish, offering it to the nearest cub.

  It's the attack cub. He snarls at the humans, which makes Aria chuckle, then takes it carefully, retreating to eat.

  Notail remains by the fire. Kai tosses a fish toward him, and he catches it mid-air with casual confidence.

  More wolves approach. Kai and Aria share the remaining fish with them—cubs and adults alike. Tails wag. The pack is pleased.

  Unolf—the guard wolf they've come to recognize—approaches hesitantly. He sniffs the offered fish, pulls back, sniffs again. He studies it suspiciously. Then, finally, he gives in, taking the fish and eating it. His tail gives a small wag.

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  Movement catches their attention. From the forest edge, wolves emerge—around twelve of them, returning from a hunt. They carry prey in their jaws, moving with coordinated efficiency.

  Kai's eyes widen. "Is that...?"

  Aria stares, her mouth falling open. "An Ironhide Bear."

  The wolves drag the massive carcass between them—a creature of enormous size, easily twice as large as a normal bear. Its hide is covered in thick, plate-like scales that shimmer darkly in the firelight, like natural armor. Massive claws, each as long as a dagger, extend from its paws. Even in death, the creature is imposing, its muscular body testament to its power.

  "Those things are Level 35 at minimum," Aria whispers, her voice awed. "They're incredibly dangerous, nearly impossible to bring down. Their hide is like iron plating. Their claws can tear through steel. Did they..." She trails off, staring at the wolves. "Did the wolves hunt it down?"

  Kai shakes his head slowly. "That can't be real."

  But it is real. The pack moves with practiced coordination, dragging their prize toward the den. Some wolves carry chunks of meat already separated from the carcass. Others pull at the massive body itself.

  After them, three large wolves appear. The big red wolf—Tara, the pack leader. Beside him, two notably large wolves, their size and presence commanding. One is a massive male with powerful shoulders and a thick cream-colored coat. The other is a large female with a white coat, her movements graceful despite her size.

  Two of the cubs—the obedient ones—break away from the group, each carrying a cooked fish in their mouths. They trot toward the white female, tails wagging, presenting their prizes. She greets them, sniffs the fish, glances briefly at the humans, then proceeds toward the den.

  "She must be their mother," Aria says quietly, watching the scene.

  Notail approaches Tara. The two wolves communicate—not with sounds, but with subtle movements, body language, something deeper. Notail's posture is attentive, his short tail still.

  Through Pack Coordination, Tara's thoughts reach Notail. "How are they?"

  "Recovering well. Nothing of note," Notail responds.

  Tara acknowledges this, then shifts his focus. "We got a good haul today. It should help. Are you ready?"

  Notail pauses, understanding immediately. The evolution. He'd received evolution options to choose from after levelling up. He'd contemplated them carefully. "Yes. I'm ready."

  Tara's approval flows through the bond. "Go ahead and begin."

  Tara approaches the fire, his red fur catching the firelight, his presence commanding.

  Kai picks up one of the cooked fish, offering it to Tara. "For you," he says simply.

  Tara sniffs it, then takes it, eating it in a few bites. He settles near the fire, his posture relaxed but alert.

  Silence settles between them for a moment. The fire crackles. Around them, the pack moves through the evening—eating, resting.

  Aria looks at Tara, then at the wolves around them. Her eyes glisten in the firelight. "We owe you our lives," she says, her voice quiet but steady. "When those soldiers cornered us by the river, when we were bleeding and broken... we thought we were dead."

  Kai nods, his expression solemn. "But you saved us. You and your pack." He gestures around the clearing, at the wolves, at the den entrance.

  Aria bows her head, her hands pressed together in front of her chest—a formal gesture of respect from the Mage's Guild. "Thank you. From the bottom of my heart. Thank you."

  Kai follows her lead, bowing deeply. "Whatever happens next, wherever we go, we'll remember this. We'll remember you." His voice cracks slightly. "You're our savior. And we're grateful. More grateful than words can express."

  Tara watches them, red eyes reflecting the firelight. Something in his posture shifts—a subtle acknowledgment.

  The moment stretches, heavy with meaning.

  Then Aria takes a breath, wiping her eyes quickly. "We've been thinking," she says, her voice steadier now. "About what to do. Where to go. We can't stay here forever. We're being hunted."

  Tara's ears perk up, listening.

  "We will go to Terra. The Mage's Guild has authority there. If we can reach them, if we can explain what happened, they'll help us. They'll give us sanctuary."

  Kai nods. "It's our best option. Maybe our only option. We need to go there."

  Tara listens, his expression unreadable. Then he turns his head, looking out into the distance, toward the horizon where the jungle meets the sky.

  ********* Chapter end *********

  *Thanks for reading. I will be changing my release schedule this year. Will keep you updated.*