Loona awoke before dawn.
The sky was still dark, painted in deep navy blue, but a thin golden thread had begun to glow on the horizon, hinting at the sun’s arrival. Only then did she realize she had curled up against Lyara during the night, clinging to her like a kit nestled against its mother. Carefully, she loosened her grip and lifted her head.

Sant sat a few tail-lengths away, massive and silent, staring at the sky as if searching for answers in the last breaths of night.

Loona approached him quietly.

“Are you awake?”

Sant didn’t take his eyes from the stars. His voice came low and thoughtful:

“I am. Tonight, we begin our journey north.”

Loona’s eyes widened.

“Really?”

“Yes. It’ll be tiring for all of us, but we can’t stay here. We’ll stop near a human village in the area. You call it the Wheat Village.”

Loona blinked.

“Wheat Village… I think that’s Welvus. A wheat-exporting town.”

She hesitated.
“Sant… how did you bring me back?”

The white wolf drew in a long breath, as if the words weighed on him.

“To be honest, I’m not completely sure. I recited an ancient incantation… and used the bodies of the other humans as sacrifice. My father, Scar, used to tell stories about this ritual, but I had never tried it. Didn’t even know if it would work.”

Loona lifted her gaze to the moon, still hanging in the brittle dawn.

“And… do you know any other magic?”

“Real magic?” Sant shook his head. “Only I can use it, but even I don’t master it. Scar talked endlessly about the powers of the Moon’s Children, but I never had anyone to teach me. Still…”

He paused.
“Tricks can be used by the whole pack.”

“Tricks?” Loona echoed, intrigued.

“They’re like hunting techniques that use just a thread of magical essence. So little that it doesn’t count as real magic.”

Loona looked genuinely fascinated.

“I see…”

Sant rose and shook the thin snow gathering on his back.

“I’m going out to hunt with Naja and Hada. You’re not coming. You’re still too weak… almost like a kit of two moons. Stay here.”

“Two moons? What does that mean?” Loona asked.

“I’ll explain later.”
He trotted off into the trees.

Loona let out a long sigh, absentmindedly playing with her new furry ears like a child discovering a new toy.

“What a crazy world… Dad, I promise: I’m going to reach the North.”

Then, barely audible, she muttered while patting her head:
“And that wolf’s fur is so soft…”

Sant’s voice barked from far ahead:

“If you say that in front of Inuho or Ravik, I’ll let you freeze to death! Not even Lyara will save you!”

Loona laughed quietly, her voice breaking the silence of dawn. She snuggled back beside Lyara and drifted into sleep.

When she awoke again, it was around eight. Most of the pack was already up and moving. Only Lyara still slept, exhausted from her pregnancy.

Ravik strode past, a brown shadow with a permanent scowl.

“Humans… always so lazy,” he grumbled before heading to his guard post.

Loona buried her face in Lyara’s fur until the gray wolf finally stirred, yawning softly, her tail giving a slow wag.

“Good morning, little kit.”

The sudden voice made Loona jump. Inuho was right in front of her, muzzle nearly touching hers, tail wagging like an overexcited pup.

Lyara stretched with a small groan.

“Inuho, take Loona to meet the pack… and make sure she eats something.”

She headed toward the stream.

“I’ll drink. Loona, you eat meat, right?”

“Yes, I do,” Loona replied, standing.

She followed Inuho, still drowsy, until she finally asked:

“Why did you call me ‘little kit’?”

Inuho hopped lightly, laughing.

“Because you look like a two-moon-old kit. Innocent, lost… always clinging to your mother.”

Loona blushed. Inuho tilted his head.

“Have you ever touched Sant’s fur?”

“I have…”

The two brightened at the same time, shouting:

“It’s so fluffy!”

Inuho laughed so hard he nearly tripped over his own tail.

Loona giggled, then pressed on:

“But… moons? What does that mean?”

“Oh! You don’t know.” Inuho puffed out his chest, eager to explain.

“My kit has one moon now. That means fifteen nights. Every fifteen nights, the moon becomes full — that’s when the Fox Goddess is closest to our world. Kits begin training at five moons.”

“So… it’s your age measure.”

Loona thought for a moment.
“How many moons do you have, Inuho?”

“Forty-six, more or less!” he said proudly. “It’s not much, I know — but I was named a warrior four moons ago!”

Loona’s jaw dropped.

“That’s almost two years, Inuho…”

“Two… what?” He frowned, then gave up trying to understand. His tail resumed wagging.

“Have you seen my kit? You have to! She’s turning one moon tonight. She’s my treasure.”

Loona laughed.

“I really want to meet her.”

“Perfect!” Inuho bounced. “But first, we visit the elders.”

They walked beneath the shadow of an old pine. By its twisted trunk, three elderly wolves rested.

Inuho pointed with his muzzle:

“That’s Eldros, Gohan, and Siral.”

Loona studied them. Eldros was so old his fur had lost all color. Gohan, though aged, still held the rigid stance of a warrior. Siral, with clouded eyes, radiated a serene, sacred aura.

“Eldros helped raise Scar and Sant,” Inuho explained. “Gohan was one of the greatest warriors. And Siral… she’s our greatest healer. She’s blind now, but she still recognizes every herb by scent alone.”

Gohan lifted his head as they approached; his voice boomed, rough and powerful:

“Inuho, you flea-bagged furball! Introduce your friend already!”

“Yessir!” Inuho squeaked, trying to stand at attention. “Go on, Loona…”

He nudged her forward.

Loona flushed and murmured shyly:

“Hello…”

Her hand instinctively rose to her fluffy ears.

Eldros was first to approach. He sniffed her from muzzle to toes.

“Hm… weak. Very young. Too innocent.”

A crooked grin split his worn muzzle.

“She’s a kit! Hahahahaha!”

Gohan stepped forward eagerly.

“A kit! She’ll love hearing stories of my battles!”

Siral’s ears perked, her blind eyes warm.

“Or she could learn herbs and healing with me.”

Loona’s face lit up.

“I want to do both!”

Eldros cackled.

“I knew it! A lively little kit!”

Inuho leaned close to whisper:

“They only get along with kits…”

Before the elders got too excited, Inuho grabbed Loona’s arm.

“We need to go!”

Gohan roared behind them:

“Bring her back later, Inuho, or I’ll make you eat your own tail!”

Loona burst into laughter. Inuho shrugged.

“If you think Ravik is grumpy… don’t even try to meet Gohan angry. Ravik talks and quits. Gohan talks… and does.”

His energy returned instantly.

“Now I’ll show you the trick training!”

Loona raised her brows.

“I still don’t really understand… what are tricks exactly?”

Inuho leapt again, tail swirling.

“I’ll show you everything! Come on!”

Loona ran after him, laughing, unable to contain her smile.

“You’re kind of going to be my apprentice… my first apprentice! Hahaaa!”

Her hair — that soft blue — fluttered with the wind, her eyes shimmering like twin moons.

I’m truly alive again, she thought, warmth spreading inside her chest.

Inuho bounded ahead, tongue lolling.

“Varrock was my mentor! And now you’re gonna be my apprentice! I’ll teach you everything, everything, eeeeverything!”

They crossed a clearing and reached a rocky spot where the snow refused to settle.

There, Varrock and Ravik were training with fierce intensity.

Inuho skidded to a stop, panting.

“Better wait for them to finish…”

Varrock dodged every attack with irritating calm — almost elegance.

Ravik snarled, lunging again and again.

“Stop dodging, old wolf!” he roared, snapping at empty air.

“I’m not stupid, Ravik,” Varrock replied, his voice calm, almost bored. “Hmm, hmm, hmm… you’re faster and stronger than me.”

Ravik dashed like lightning, claws slicing the air wildly.

Varrock retreated with the practiced eye of a veteran.

“But I’m older, slower, weaker… and more experienced,” he finished with a smile.

Ravik snarled even louder, his attacks turning sloppy and unhinged.

“You’re strong, but you lack discipline,” Varrock teased, sidestepping and giving a calculated swipe with his paw.

Ravik lunged again.

“You lack focus,” Varrock added, dodging once more.

Ravik roared, furious, losing all control.

“And worst of all…” Varrock slid aside, touched Ravik’s shoulder, and, in one swift move, flipped him onto the ground, “you lack control.”

Ravik lay still, defeated.

“I give up! You win, old wolf!” he huffed.

Varrock released him calmly.

“You’re getting much better, Ravik.”

“Thanks, Varrock… zya!” Ravik laughed, standing.

He turned to Inuho.

“Morning, Inuho. We train tonight.” Then he walked off, still grumbling.

Inuho sighed with such relief that Loona laughed out loud.

“Thank the fox… we’re only walking today. No training!” he said happily.

Varrock passed them chuckling before heading out.

Inuho spun back to Loona, excited again.

“Okay! Time to explain the basic tricks!”

He stomped his paws, practically vibrating.

“Stay right here, okay? I’ll go get someone who can help!”
He dashed toward the pack.

Loona was left alone.

Completely alone.

For a few seconds, silence pressed around her like wet snow.

Sweat trickled down her neck. Her heart thudded too fast, too loud, her breath locking in her throat.

“I… I’m not feeling well…” she whispered, hand clutching her chest.

The flashes returned like blades:

Lights cutting through the air.
Screams.
Blood scattering.
Voices calling her name seconds before dying.

The ground seemed to tremble beneath her feet.
The world spun.

Back in the camp, Inuho tore between the wolves, legs tangling over themselves.

“AEMI! AEMI, AEMI, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! I NEED YOUR HELP!”

Aemi raised her head, still curled protectively around Ame.

“With what, Inuho?” she asked, confused.

“My first apprentice! I need to teach her tricks, but you’re better at some of them! I need you!” he blurted, words stumbling over each other.

Aemi frowned.

“Seriously, Inuho? Now? Ame still has eleven nights… she turns one moon tonight. I don’t want to leave her alone.”

Lyara, resting nearby, offered a calm smile.

“Go on. I’ll watch Ame.”

Aemi sighed in defeat.

“Okaaay…”

“YESS!” Inuho cheered, bouncing like a pup.

They sprinted through the snow — Inuho jumping over logs and stones, Aemi trying to keep pace.

When they reached the clearing, Inuho’s joy vanished instantly.

Loona lay collapsed on the ground.

“Loona?!” he cried.

Her eyes opened slowly at the sound of familiar voices.

Seeing Inuho and Aemi rush toward her, the panic loosened its grip.

Her breathing slowed.
Her heart steadied.
The bloody flashbacks faded like smoke.

Loona still panted, hand on her chest.

“Hi, Inuho… I feel better now.”
She tried to smile. “I… I don’t know what happened.”

Inuho approached cautiously.

“You looked like—”

He didn’t finish.

Aemi moved first, pressing her muzzle gently against Loona’s neck, rubbing softly like a mother calming a frightened kit.

“You looked like a little kit,” Aemi murmured, comforting. “Your scent… it’s just like Ame’s. Kits can’t be left alone. They panic.”

There was something new in Loona’s scent — faint, fragile — that stirred Aemi’s maternal instincts at once.

And Loona, feeling that warmth and protection, finally relaxed. The trembling stopped. Her breath evened out.

No one spoke for several minutes.

They simply stayed beside her until her body calmed.

When Aemi finally pulled back, both she and Inuho sat before Loona like two instructors ready to teach.

Inuho scratched his neck, searching for words.

“Well… it’s simpler than it sounds. Tricks are breathing techniques mixed with a sliver of your magical essence.”

Loona adjusted herself, eyes sharp, absorbing every word.

“We can use several,” Inuho continued. “There’s Hunting Instinct — it sharpens your focus, sight, and speed.”

“There’s Shadow, which makes you harder to notice.”

He waved his ears and tail animatedly.

“There’s Predator’s Presence — the opposite of Shadow. Makes you show everything, all your strength, scaring off anyone nearby.”

“And there’s Song, which makes your voice sound like it’s coming from somewhere else.”

Loona nodded slowly, overwhelmed and fascinated.

“That’s… a lot.”

Aemi smiled softly.

“And we haven’t even started.”

She continued explaining while Inuho, beside her, began chewing on his own left paw.

“I’m best at Predator’s Presence, Song, and Shadow,” Aemi said proudly.

Inuho mumbled around his paw:

“An’ I’m one of the besht at Huntin’ Inshtinct, Shong, and Sh—hadow.”

Aemi frowned.

“Inuho. Paw. Out.”

“Oh— right!” He dropped it immediately and shook his leg as if it bit him back.

Aemi drew in a deep breath, positioning herself in front of Loona.

“Watch. I’ll use Shadow.”

Her posture changed at once — firm, balanced, as if an invisible line stretched from her tail to the top of her head.

Her breathing slowed, deep and silent.

Then it appeared:

A faint shimmer — a ripple of energy running through her dark-brown fur.

And right before Loona’s eyes… Aemi began to fade.

Not all at once.

First, her outline blurred —
ears smudging into the air, tail softening —

Then her entire body wavered between solid and not, like a memory flickering in cold wind.

Seconds later, Aemi was still there —
but almost not.

Inuho leaned close to Loona, whispering reverently:

“That trick doesn’t make you truly invisible… but it makes you much harder to notice. Only those who know what to look for can see.”

Loona turned her head slowly, eyes scanning for shifts in light…
wind…
shadows…

And then she saw her.

Aemi sat in the same spot, unmoving, watching — her whole form semi-transparent, flickering between presence and nothingness, like a shadow trying to slip free.

“W-wow…” Loona breathed.

Aemi flicked fully back into view, as if a switch had been flipped.

“It’s useful,” she said. “But it requires calm. And you…”
She touched Loona’s shoulder with her muzzle.
“…are far from calm.”

Inuho chuckled proudly.

“Now it’s your turn to try the basics!”

On the other side of the clearing, where the trampled snow formed a warm circle around Lyara, Varrock sat unmoving as a stone. Ame — Aemi and Inuho’s tiny daughter — slept curled against Lyara’s thick tail.

Lyara glanced toward the woods where Loona practiced.

“Loona really does act like a tiny kit…” she murmured.

Varrock rumbled a low laugh — rough and ancient.

“Of course she does. I’ve heard stories about the magic Sant used on her.”
He lifted his head, nose twitching.
“That magic works best on kits up to eight moons. If you compare it to human ages… Loona is a kit. Literally.”

Lyara blinked.

“So she’ll behave like one, won’t she?”

“She already is.”
Varrock gave one of his rare, gentle smiles.
“She can’t stay alone, trembles when the wind touches her, needs contact and warmth, curls up beside her mother to sleep… And she’s learning everything from scratch.”
His ear twitched.