Once the next day had arrived, the feeling of the morning sunlight pouring in through my windows as it began to warm my cheeks while my ears picked up the faint sounds of birds beginning to sing and chirp. It wasn’t long before I had let out a sigh and turned over onto my back. Another night of dream-filled sleep and another day of waking up in this world...everything was peaceful! Something I felt deserving of ever since-
I suddenly felt my collar buzz, my eyes widening to the size of the sun at the realization before I quickly scrambled around to get my things. I totally forgot! I had to leave today!
‘Your brain isn’t a fan of remembering important matters is it my champion?’ Ibis commented as I rushed around to grab my stuff.
“Are you always eager to get onto me Ibis?” I huffed.
From grabbing my bags, putting in some extra clothing to even setting aside a few more books to bring with me! The last thing I needed was my ears to fall off from Ares’ complaining about my decision to bring Ryzel.
‘I am, you should have remembered today was an important one.’ Ibis hooted as I swung my bags over my shoulders and rushed downstairs.
Now for the next thing that I knew I should’ve done yesterday...sending Deimosa out of the house, after all, I didn’t exactly need to return to my house being a complete pigsty.
“Well blame your world for not creating phone reminders just yet.” I huffed as I started to look everywhere for the dragon.
“Deimosa!” I called out. No response. “Deimosa, come out! I gotta leave!” I called out once more, a ruckus going on in the room to the left before I heard the sound of clacking claws and a small reptilian coo.
She looked up at me, her tail curling around her legless body while she tilted her head a little.
“I’ll be gone for a little while Dei.” I sighed as I crouched down to pet her head.
Her eyes narrowed, raising one of her wings to attempt to climb onto me before I quickly but gently shook her wing off.
It was enough to make me regret this entire mission Ibis gave me as soon as I heard her disagreeing hiss! Though I wouldn’t say she understood every word out of my mouth, like any other animal, she at least understood emotion. When something was wrong.
“I’ll be back within a few months Dei! Until then? You’ll be free to roam the world! Maybe find a nice other half for you.” I chuckled lightly before I got up and began walking to the door, the rapid sound of claws tapping against the wooden floor as I opened the door to walk outside making me face the realization of my situation more and more.
The feeling of the cool breeze suddenly blowing through my hair, the sight of people hanging outside their homes as I began to walk down the streets while Deimosa gave me one last nudge on my leg with her head before she suddenly took off flying with a loud screech...everything within this city was my pride and joy. My family in another world! And yet...my adventures were taking me away from them.
I could and would never forget how I first came to this village...a constant reminder to make sure I stayed humble in a way. I was nothing but a stumbling teenager in the body of a dog who just happened to encounter a bunch of goblins when I first left that damp cave! I could barely handle my powers while they could barely handle a spear or bow...but now? They were warriors, people who were capable of taking care of themselves!
In a way...I was holding them back in a way. I couldn’t help but stop in the middle of the streets to quickly wipe my tears.
“Is our Lady crying?!”
“Don’t cry, my Lady!” Suddenly called out a few people, the sound of murmurs and chattering beginning to arise only making me chuckle weakly.
“I’m not crying!” I huffed, my broken voice easily giving me away.
“I-I’m fine,” I said, my voice getting more and more choked up.
“I just-” I let out a heavy sigh.
“I just don’t want anything to happen to you guys while I’m gone...y’all are like my family y’know?” I admitted with a slightly warming face before I heard a confident chuckle.
Ever since the beginning...he’s always acted like that. Goodness, why did Torin always have to act like he was the toughest in the village?!
“And here I thought you were incapable of crying Eos.” Torin snorted, quickly causing me to wipe away the last of my tears before I looked up at him.
I let out a scoff. “And here I thought you couldn’t get any more annoying.” I joked before I crossed my arms.
I suddenly had a flashback of sorts when I looked at him...those familiar golden eyes that held flames of confidence and pride, from the moment I met him, he was always confident and constantly showing the toughest side of him! Even now, I’m embarrassed to say that I’ve only seen one moment where he had truly broken down. However, just before I was about to give him a pat on the shoulder and move on, my eyes widened as he suddenly pulled me into a hug.
“...We’ll miss you Eos.” He said.
I tried to play off the oncoming onslaught on tears with a laugh. “Torin’s a hugger? I would’ve never guessed-”
“I’m serious!” He interrupted.
“The greatest gift to this village is having you for a Chieftain Eos...always remember that, never forget that.” He said as he started to rub my back.
“No matter how much time you spend away from us, no matter how far you go. We’ll remember that one fact, that you, no one else, gave us a chance and delivered on your promise of prosperity.” He continued, his words finally making my dam of tears break before I hugged him back.
How could I leave now after that line...? Curse that owl for making me leave behind the ones who I first considered friends and family within this world...she’ll be receiving the silent treatment for at least a good week.
“But...” Torin sighed as she slowly released me.
“Though Ares and Ryzel are going with you, I suggest you bring one of the wolves with you. As extra protection.” Torin suggested before he and few others moved aside, allowing me to widen my eyes a little at the sight of the wolves gathering up.
The Sabre-Wolves...the ones that inspired the name for this village! They were giant, talking wolves who had a loyalty that could rival a dog. Though they had human intelligence and were the replacement for horses in this village, that didn’t mean they had their moments where they acted like absolute puppies! And the sight of three wolves beginning to shove their way through the crowd only made me chuckle lightly.
Koko and Caisha’s pups...Raiko, Kaa, and Shiro! All grown up but still having the maturity level of a teenager it seemed and, though that was so if there was any wolf I was going to bring. It would at least be out of these three.
“Please take one of us with you Eos!” Raiko whined, his ears flattening to the sides of his head while he and his siblings started to gather around me.
From the feeling of sniffing wet noses, wagging tails that were like mini hammers as they managed to hit me every now and again, to the crowded noises of them trying to convince me to bring one of them with me!
I could barely even think over their voices much less decide on who to bring! All I knew was that one of them was coming with me no matter what, it was simply a matter of who to bring.
‘God...how do you pick?!’ I screamed to myself inside my head, trying to keep their wet noses away from my face as I eyed each of them individually. Raiko...the oldest of the group, though he was brave and a great fighter.
He was loud, reckless and extremely stubborn! No one, even me, could tell him what to do. If he wanted to do it his way then that was that but...in a war-torn country? That was a death sentence just waiting to be completed. ‘Not him, I can’t bear the thought of bringing Koko’s pup home on my back...’ I thought with a sigh before I eyed Kaa. The middle child, responsible and determined to get things done correctly. That was definitely needed! But...despite her responsible nature, she was easily distracted by small things such as a butterfly flying or a bird in the sky! I didn’t need her getting distracted and losing focus of an oncoming enemy.
Finally, however, my eyes landed on Shiro, the youngest and quietest pup of the group. Though he sniffed at me and wagged his tail like the rest of his siblings. He didn’t show any real motivation to convince me to bring him with me! Shiro was just there, trying to imitate and follow what his older siblings were doing...but, in terms of personality and looks? He was the best offer I could get. Unlike Raiko and Kaa who were either fully colored like their father or were a mixture, Shiro was the only one who completely looked like his mother, a coat of sandy beige that would blend in well with the sand! His personality, however?
It was simple, more or less, responsible, obedient and extremely loyal. Though...I could always recall him saying as he grew up over the years that he was never a fan of adventuring, that he was far too shy and weak to even attempt such a thing, he didn’t see it but I did. He had a spirit of adventure that was burning inside of him!
It just needed to be given a chance to burn and I? Despite where I was going, I was willing to give him that chance.
“Hope you like the water Shiro, you’re coming with me.” I finally decided with a grin before I gently pushed the other pups aside and began to walk off.
“M-Me?!” Shiro whined, his tail tucking underneath his legs immediately.
“Yes, you! Do you see any other Shiros around?” I snickered before he started to back up a little.
“I don’t think-”
“Oh come on Shiro! This is a chance of a lifetime! To go and explore!”Raiko howled.
“Indeed, go ahead and try it Shiro,” Kaa said with an encouraging nuzzle, Shiro simply letting out another nervous whine before he nonetheless sighed and shyly walked after me.
I chuckled as I watched him, I was going to make it a personal mission to sweep away that nervous side of him! The thought of adventure was always dangerous but thrilling and rewarding when done correctly, you’re never truly living without a little fear and danger to make your blood race.
And I? I was pretty eager to show Shiro that side of life, a life where everything wasn't always calm and peaceful with the occasional threat of bandits and Orcs but a life that had you darting your head, sleeping underneath the stars and meeting people from far and wide.
The type of life that always made me appreciate this world.
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