Untold Part 1: The Strength Within

Prologue

The soft wind breathes through the vast grassland. Gentle sounds of the evergreens arose as a small, red, fox kid walks around and plucks individual clippings. His shirt breezes as he rolls on the grass. Two figures are sitting together on a high hill watching their son explore his own. The father is wearing a light orange shirt, cargo shorts, and light sandals. The mother wears a white sun hat; her floral dress crumples softly with the wind.

"Oi, Mabaru! Having fun down there? Wait for me!" He runs to him, joyfully chuckling on his way.

"Ah! Be careful Soro! You might trip!" The mother calls out worriedly.

Mabaru stops playing with the thin clippings and smiles as he comes closer. Soro grabs him up in the air and hugs him.

"Oh my little boy is strong now! Your dad is proud of you!" Soro caresses his head. Mabaru's eyes drop in comfort with every stroke.

"Soro, you almost fell down! Be careful."

"Mari lighten up! Aren't you happy to see him?" Soro excitedly puts his son on his shoulders.

Mari slowly smiles. She didn't want to make Soro feel bad for what he's putting up with. He notices the silence from her.

"Sorry Mari, I'm just happy to see Mabaru. He means so much to me." he answers.

"Don't apologize. He's our son. Of all places, you chose the grass hills. I really like it. It's calm and quiet."

"Mhm. It sure is." Soro nods.

They both sat down on the grass again and gaze at the outskirts. Mabaru continues to walk around the grass endlessly. Mari looks at Soro and asks him about his resemblance with a familiar memory. It's almost too similar for her. "You know who you remind me of Soro?"

"Who?"

"Ookami." Mari smiles away from him in embarrassment.

"Huh? That 'God' you heard back then? What made you say that?"

"Well. After what we both went through, he's like our good luck charm. I remember waking up to a big silhouette of Him. He looks like a white wolf but not a wolf breed. He has four legs and radiates a blue aura. And then, a soft voice whispered to me. He told me, 'Ookami will always stay with you. He will guide you to your light...' To this day, I still hear it."

"Maybe Ookami brought us here all along? What we went through meant something to us. But to be honest, I don't care. As long as our son is happy, I'm happy too."

"I believe you, Soro."

Mabaru continues to throw small pieces of grass up in the air. Soro and Mari rest together and hold each other's hands. The empty silence became the culmination of where they are now. Soro knows this might be another repeat of what happened to him before. He promises to give Mabaru as much love as he can. Mari fathoms how far she came in her life. The unknown voice she heard became the epitome of her relationship with her son and Soro. They all have each other. Perhaps, it must have been the 'light' she needed?

"Well, I'm done for today. Down for lunch?" He stands up and stretches his arms outward.

"Where do you want to go?"

"Anywhere. I just want to be with you guys. Let me get him and we'll be on our way." Soro runs towards him.

Mari whispers to herself as she sees Soro pick him up on his back.

"Mabaru. No matter where you are, you're not alone. Mom and Dad will always love you okay?"

A small, glimmering, teal light flashes on Mari's corner of her eye. The fading, white, aura slowly refocuses on the grass hills. She asks herself a flood of many questions.

"Huh- Ookami? Is that you? What are you trying to do? Is this the 'miracle' we needed?" She pauses and stays quiet. At a distance, she sees Soro lift Mabaru on his shoulders again. Despite the unknown myth she was miraculously blessed with, being with her son is all that matters.

"I got the kid! Ready to go out?" Soro smiles.

"Yes, I'm ready."

"Let's go get pasta! I'm in the mood for Italian food. Come on!"

The world is left in comfort. Little Mabaru joyfully smiles on their way back to their car. He stretches his arms and takes in the soft wind encompassing him. Silence surrounds their world as their peace. A miracle for them.