Amber was right. Chocolate waffles were delicious. I’d had waffles and pancakes stuffed with chocolate chips before, but nothing like this. Butterscotch and chocolate of differing sizes and tastes filled each portion. There was also a rather generous selection of drinks; I went safe with chocolate milk. There were numerous sides offered as well, but I focused only on the waffles.

Despite the good meal, I felt horribly out of place at the table. Cedar and Amber kept kicking each other under the table and playfully flirting, and Alpha Rose didn’t seem to care, sometimes joining in. I was more concerned about the fact that I was sitting with werewolves when I was literally terrified of wolves. Which was also ironic since some sort of ancient wolf god was probably coming for me.

After breakfast, I needed some air. A bit of time to get my thoughts together to the best of my ability. It was cold outside, of course, but at least it wasn’t very windy or snowing. I stood out on the back patio, looking into the thick, frozen forest that this town was practically built into.

Come on in, little one.

“Wh-who said that?” I whispered, staring into the forest.

Let us meet properly.

“I-it’s you,” I gasped. “The God of Ivory Tower.”

Please, come join me. Just for a bit.

I hesitated, biting my lower lip. I looked back at the warm house, then into the forest. My chest hurt, almost like something was tugging at my ribcage, trying to pull me into the forest. His voice seemed so… calm. So sure of himself and of me. I slowly stepped off the patio, down the path, and into the dark woods.

It was even darker within the thick trees, but I somehow managed to keep my feet on the barely-visible path. At least I think I did. As I walked, it got even colder, and the snow got deeper. I could practically hear the mysterious forest calling to me, hear the god whispering in my ear.

Just a bit farther now.

“Wh-what do you want with me?” I whispered, shuddering.

He didn’t reply.

Finally, deep into the forest and far off the beaten path, I found what looked to be some sort of archery range. A very old archery range. The targets were made of what appeared to be old slices of trees, varying in sizes and distances, and painted with dark red/brown rings. There was a line of frosty rocks and a few thick logs a few meters away from the targets, supposedly a starting line. Resting on one of the logs, there was a recurve longbow and a quiver of arrows. I knelt beside the stump and gently ran my fingers over the bow, afraid the slightest touch could shatter it.

It was made of wood, and obviously at least a few decades old, but still in amazing condition. There were intricate carvings all over it. The one that stood out the most was the three animal heads. If I squinted a bit, I could almost make them out as a lion, a tiger, and a wolf. Lions, tigers, and wolves, oh my!

The quiver was made of leather, which had grown stiff and distressed over the years. There were a few straps attached to it, obviously to go around the waist like a belt. There were four large pawprints on the quiver, placed there in what must have been ink. I could tell that two of them were canine, and the other two were feline. I felt my chest tighten and throat close when I compared my hand to the prints. One of the canine prints had to belong to the God of Ivory Tower. I inwardly shivered.

I slowly and gently pulled out one arrow, scared that it would snap in my hands. It was long and thin, colored a bleached white. This wasn’t wood. And I could only think of one material that was this shade of white. But how were bone arrows possible? Did they harvest the femurs of deer or something? I gently poked the tip, seeing that it was made of black stone. Obsidian?

“How old is this thing?” I whispered. “Why use bone?”

Come in. A bit farther now.

I took a deep breath, then stood up. I followed the trail deeper into the forest. It got a bit colder, and the snow got deeper. My breath fogged in front of my face. The cold bit my cheeks and nose.

“H-how much farther?” I asked. “It’s cold out here.”

You’ll get used to it.

“Please, what do you want with me?”

No reply.

“I am going to turn around right now if you don’t tell me.”

Just keep walking, please. You’re almost there.

I hesitated, but then kept moving.

Soon, the trees began thinning out, and the snow lessened and thinned until it barely passed the toes of my boots. I finally entered an empty clearing. Empty, aside from the giant statue of two wolves. They were laying in a circle with their heads on each other’s haunches and tails around each other’s necks, eyes closed and fur delicately and intricately carved. Frost and snow gently layered the statues.

A creature appeared. A grey wolf. A huge grey wolf. A huge grey wolf with bright blue eyes and a shredded left ear. He stood tall on one statue, then gracefully hopped down to the cold ground. He sat.

Welcome.

I nervously took a few steps back. “Y-you’re…. You’re the god?”

Indeed. I need you to walk the maze.

“Maze? What maze?”

Down here.

The wolf hopped back up on the statue, then down. I ran forward and scrambled up the back of the statue, easily finding grips in the frosty carved fur. I looked down into the center of the two wolves. The grey wolf calmly waited, staring up at me. I took a deep breath, swallowed, then slid down into the hole. I tried to stay a certain distance away from the wolf. When standing, the top of his head came up almost to my shoulders. I didn’t know much about wolves, but I knew they weren’t usually this big. I pressed myself up against the cold stone statue, trying to get as far away as I could.

I apologize, I know you are nervous around wolves. Come now.

He ducked his fluffy head and crawled into a small tunnel. After a moment, I got on all fours and followed. Why was I doing this again? The small tunnel went downwards, but soon opened up into a tunnel I could actually stand in. The thing was, I couldn’t see anything.

“Wh-where are you?” I whispered.

On the other side of this maze. If you are truly the one I need, then you will be able to find your way through. Do not be frightened, little one. I am with you. If you become too frightened, I will come to you.

“So, I’m supposed to just walk?” I gasped. “I-I hate mazes! I hate the dark! And I hate wolves!” I yelled it out, my voice echoing off the walls.

...I know. And I am sorry. But this must be done. I must be sure.

“I hate you,” I mumbled. “I don’t even know why you want me.”

Pass this test, and I will tell you. I promise. And I keep my promises.

I sucked in a deep breath of the cold, icy air, then began walking.