The cold wind blew through the forest, carrying the unique killing aura of winter, and fluttered Kale's clothes. He stood quietly on the ridge, overlooking the silent forest below. His gaze was deep, as if it could penetrate the night and see a farther place.
Footsteps came from behind. Alan walked over with a bundle of dry firewood in his arms, threw them beside the campfire, and patted the dust off his hands. "The fire will be strong enough tonight. It's enough to get through this long night."
The woman gently stirred the campfire. The flames leaped, stretching the shadows of the three of them very long.
Kale didn't turn around and still stared into the distance. Alan sat down leaning against a tree and yawned. "What are you thinking about again? Ever since we sent Yar away, you've looked preoccupied."
The woman put down the wooden stick in her hand, looked at Kale, and asked softly, "Are you worried about the wolf pack?"
Kale was silent for a moment and then said in a low voice, "It's not just the wolf pack."
He turned around, slowly sat down, and the firelight shone on his resolute face, with complex emotions hidden deep in his eyes.
"Since the black wolves attacked Moon Shadow Village, I've had an ominous premonition in my heart," Kale said slowly, his voice low. "This kind of attack can't be a coincidence. The dark forces are rapidly infiltrating. Every village and every forest could be the next target."
Alan shrugged. "Haven't we experienced enough of this kind of thing? Since we embarked on this journey, we haven't been short of dealing with the darkness."
Kale shook his head, his expression solemn. "But this time is different. I feel that the darkness has learned to hide. It no longer attacks wantonly as it used to. Instead, it lurks in some corner, waiting for the right moment to erupt."
The woman frowned slightly, as if she had thought of something. "Do you mean that this crisis is more serious than we thought?"
Kale nodded, his eyes firm. "Yes. And the darkness is not just targeting the wolf clan. It's quietly approaching the entire land."
Alan smiled. "So, what are you going to do? Do you want to save the world all by yourself?"
Kale raised his head, his gaze as sharp as a torch. "I can't change the whole world alone, but I can be that glimmer of light, illuminating a corner in the darkness."
Alan was taken aback for a moment, then put away his smile and sighed. "You're still as stubborn as ever."
The woman smiled gently. "It's precisely because of his stubbornness that we've been able to survive until now."
The flames leaped, illuminating the faces of the three of them and also igniting the dream in
Kale's heart that had never been extinguished.
The next morning, the sunlight spilled through the forest. The dewdrops sparkled with a crystal-clear light, and the birds chirped on the branches, as if the world was still at peace.
The three of them embarked on a new journey, heading towards the "Azure Wolf Ridge" in the north. That was the ancient holy land of the wolf clan and the place that Kale cared about in his heart.
When passing through the forest, Kale suddenly stopped, squatted down, and gently stroked the traces on the ground with his fingertips.
"Wolf tracks?" Alan glanced down.
Kale nodded. "And they were left not long ago. They're moving towards the north."
The woman frowned. "Could they be the wolf packs eroded by the darkness?"
Kale stood up and looked into the distance. "I'm not sure, but we have to catch up."
Alan spread his hands helplessly. "It seems that our journey has become a bit more exciting this time."
In the afternoon, when the three of them reached the valley, they heard the low howls of wolves echoing in the forest from a distance. Kale quickened his pace. After climbing over a ridge, a shocking scene came into view.
In the center of the valley, a group of wolves gathered around, and in the middle lay a huge black wolf. Its body was covered in scars, obviously having just gone through a fierce battle.
"This is..." The woman said softly, a trace of surprise flashing in her eyes. "The wolf king?"
Kale nodded, his gaze complicated. "Yes, it's the king of the wolf clan and the guardian of the Azure Wolf Ridge."
The black wolf slowly raised its head, swept its gaze over the three of them. There was both majesty and a trace of sadness in its eyes.
Kale walked forward slowly, knelt down on one knee, and said in a low voice, "My king, we're late."
The black wolf let out a low whimper, its voice hoarse, as if it was telling something. Kale stared at it, as if he could understand its thoughts.
"The darkness is eroding the entire wolf clan, and even you can't resist it?" Kale asked softly.
The black wolf slowly stood up. Although its body was huge, its movements were already a bit sluggish. It walked up to Kale, lowered its head and gently touched his forehead, then raised its head and let out a long howl towards the sky. The sound echoed throughout the valley, stirring the heart.
At this moment, Kale understood the intention of the wolf king.
"Does it want you to be the new leader?" The woman asked beside him.
Kale lowered his head, a trace of heaviness in his eyes. "Yes, but I'm not strong enough yet."
The black wolf let out another low whimper, then turned and walked towards the depths of the valley. The other wolves followed closely behind and gradually disappeared into the forest.
Alan patted Kale on the shoulder. "It seems that they trust you."
Kale clenched his fists, his gaze firm. "I will definitely not let down their trust."
At night, the three of them set up camp in the valley. The campfire burned warmly, illuminating Kale's thoughtful face.
The woman sat beside him and asked softly, "Do you really plan to take on the responsibility of the wolf king?"
Kale looked up at the starry sky, a determined light flickering in his eyes. "The wolf clan needs a new guide, and I won't run away. Because this is my only dream."
The woman smiled. "Then we'll accompany you until the darkness completely dissipates."
Alan lazily leaned against the tree, closed his eyes, and said, "Since you've both decided, I can only keep following, in case you die halfway."
Kale smiled and lowered his head, a warm current rising in his heart.
In the darkness, the shadows of the three of them were stretched very long by the campfire, as if they were gradually merging into the starry sky, and that glimmer of light was gradually dispelling the darkness.