The child of wolves (English version)

The childhood part 2.

The next morning, after the previous night's episode where he had ventured too far into the Nightblade Forest, Astral woke up with a biting chill, even beneath his thick blankets. Frosthelm had been covered by a fresh layer of snow overnight, transforming the village into a sparkling white landscape. As he stretched, he heard the crack of ice on the windows and felt the pull of adventure. Despite Thelaria's reprimand, part of him still burned with the desire to uncover the hidden mysteries of the forest.

As he descended the wooden stairs of his adoptive parents' home, Astral was greeted by the warmth of the large stone fireplace that dominated the main room. The flickering light of the dancing flames cast moving shadows on the fur-covered walls. Virion was already seated at the table, inspecting a hunting knife, while Thelaria, smiling but still slightly worried, served fresh bread and warm milk.

"Good morning, my dear. Did you sleep well?" Thelaria asked, her gentle voice instantly soothing Astral's mind.

Astral nodded as he rubbed his eyes. He still felt the thrill of the previous day's adventure coursing through his tired body, but the enticing smell of breakfast was beginning to awaken his appetite.

"What's for breakfast?" he asked, hoping to distract his adoptive mother from any lingering concerns.

"Grilled venison slices and bread," Virion replied, glancing up from his knife with a smirk. "We'll need our strength today," he added, his gaze settling on Astral with a hint of affection.

Astral smiled in return. He knew that Virion understood his thirst for adventure better than anyone. He took a seat at the table and began to eat enthusiastically, savoring every bite of the simple but nourishing meal.

"Today, I'll need you to help gather wood from the forest," Virion said. "Yesterday's storm was fierce, and we'll need enough to keep warm for the coming nights."

Astral nodded. Though he would have preferred to meet up with his friends and talk about yesterday's exploits, he understood the importance of these tasks. Besides, there was something comforting about working alongside Virion, sharing those moments of labor under the snowy sky.

After breakfast, Astral and Virion prepared themselves. As he pulled on his wool-lined leather boots, Astral felt a shiver of anticipation. They grabbed their axes and ventured into the forest bordering the village. The path was difficult to traverse, each step sinking into the thick snow that crunched beneath their weight. The silence of the forest, broken only by the crackling of snow-laden branches, offered a stark contrast to the flurry of thoughts in Astral's mind.

"You know, Dad, I dreamed about the wolves in the forest, the ones you talked about last night," Astral confided, finally breaking the silence.

Virion raised an eyebrow but didn't respond immediately. Over time, he had come to understand that Astral's dreams of grandeur weren't just childish fantasies. He knew Astral felt destined for something greater, something even Virion couldn't fully comprehend.

"Dreams have their own power, Astral," Virion finally replied. "But you must be prepared to face their consequences. This forest is full of secrets, and not all of them are meant to be discovered lightly."

Astral nodded thoughtfully, absorbing his father's words. Part of him understood Virion's wisdom, but another part of him burned with impatience, eager to see what lay beyond the dark trees and to meet the mysterious wolves that seemed to call him.

They spent the morning cutting and stacking wood, their breaths forming small clouds in the frigid air. The physical effort did him good, distracting him from his restless thoughts and tiring him in a way that quieted his desire for adventure. Back in the village, as the sun reached its zenith, Virion gave Astral an affectionate pat on the shoulder.