A Cynical Shadow's Return

Chapter 5

     Morning settled in with the sun shining a luminous golden blaze, and waking up all diurnal animals, except a select few that chooses to continue to rest. Agnus is part of that select few for he remains deep in his slumber as a bear with Sitha laying on top of him, sleeping as well, and cuddled up with Red. She would have been able to sleep soundly if the two bears did not snore as loud as they do, but she managed to put herself to sleep despite the noise.
     Inside of the house, Lotus and Igneous rested peacefully in Reko’s room. Lotus had waited and waited, ever since yesterday, for Igneous to wake up, but nothing came from the boy with the exception of a few groans here and there. She took it upon herself to never leave the room until he would wake up, and she would do nothing else until that moment comes.

     Back at the Tasoolian Deer Village, Reko stood at the edge of a cliff, taking in the fresh morning air. Morning has always been his favorite time of day since Tasaloo was at its peak of beauty every time dawn emerged. A small smile came to his face.
        “I have a feeling,” Reko said as he wagged his tail, “that this is gonna be a great day. I only wish I could share this scenery with Igneous. Heh, maybe I’ll bring him here sometime.” Reko then heard someone approaching him, and from the person’s scent, he knew exactly who it was.
        “How is he, Elias,” Reko asked, referring to Kinsa. Elias, who was back to his human self thanks to Reko, immediately stopped walking towards Reko when he addressed him.
        “H-He’s still resting, sir.”
        “Good to hear.”
        “Captain, I also want to thank you for rescuing me from whatever took over me. You do know that I would never try to harm you, right?”
        “No need to apologize. Your level of respect for me says enough. You’re welcome.”
        “Please, you’re welcome to stay if you want.” Reko sighed and looked over at Elias who had a big smile on his face.
        “That’s nice of you, Elias, but I’m on a really important mission. My son’s life depends on it. You have a mission as well.”
        “Huh? I do?”
        “That’s right. I need you to take Kinsa back home for me. He’s in no condition to continue going with me. I don’t want to risk him dying out here.”
        “Is there something wrong, Captain?”
        “Don’t worry about it. You’re not a target, so you and Kinsa will be fine.”
        “Oh, alright, sir. I wish you the best of luck on your journey. Please be safe.”
        “I’ll be fine.” Reko turned and faced the wilderness ahead of him with a calm gaze as the wind blew a soft and warm breeze. This is gonna be tough, he thought to himself as he jumped from the cliff. Before he could hit the ground, he transformed into his wolf form with a loud howl and rushed through the forest at his best speed with nothing slowing him down. Elias watched from the cliff until Reko was no longer in sight in admiration. Ever since he first met Reko, he has idolized him as one of the greatest Tasoolians ever known to exist, which was something he’s been striving to be. Elias greatly wishes to be just as good of a hero as Reko is, but there is something that keeps him from obtaining that goal, and he wonders why. Elias’ ears twitched and he turned to see Kinsa limping towards him. Kinsa had blood-stained bandages wrapped around both of his legs; his left arm; and around his head. Elias rushed to him and helped him fully stand.
        “Kinsa, what were you thinking,” he semi-yelled. “You haven’t fully recovered from your battle!”
        “Wh-Where’s C-Captain Reko,” Kinsa asked, cringing in pain.
        “He gave me instructions to take you back home.”
        “Huh?! What-- Agh!”
        “Don’t try to talk so loudly, Kinsa. You’re already in enough pain.”
        “Why? Why did he go on without me? He’ll die out there.”
        “I don’t know, Kinsa, but I do know that he’s alpha. I’m not supposed to question his authority. Right now, we have to focus on getting you home safely.” Kinsa sighed in annoyance and allowed himself to be escorted away from the cliff and the Tasoolian Deer Village entirely. Frequently, he looked back at the village, worried about Reko’s safety. Then, he wondered how the others would react, especially Agnus, due to how badly he didn’t want Reko to go through with this quest. At that moment, Kinsa could not shake off the feeling that something terrible was soon to occur.