Cursed Flames

Trapped by Pain

Reyna, Elera, and Phoenix, accompanied by the wolf, had been walking for several hours. They were simply conversating and taking turns watching the wolf to make sure it didn't fall behind. Eventually, the sun was setting on the horizon and the four had to make a rest stop. They were lucky that they had decided to travel through the forest. It made finding a good spot to set up a small camp relatively easy. It also concealed them well from anyone who might've been looking for them. Reyna said, "Elera, I want you to keep watch as me and Phoenix set everything up." Elera nodded. Phoenix was already working on getting a sleeping space ready and Reyna joined her. As the two of them started moving pebbles and other things out of the way, Reyna heard a few rocks clash together softly. She looked over her shoulder and saw the wolf digging a fire pit while surrounding it with some rocks. Once the pit was created, the wolf went to fetch some twigs and dry grass followed by larger sticks. Phoenix nudged Reyna dragging her attention back to the quote unquote 'bed' they were making. Once the two had finished making the sleeping grounds, they turned to find a roaring fire already created along with the wolf whose tail was wagging as they walked closer to watch the fire burn. Reyna looked at the wolf with slight confusion. The wolf looked back with the same expression. Phoenix interrupted the strange staring contest between Reyna and the wolf and asked, "Should I go get Elera?" Reyna nodded and then stared right back at the wolf. The wolf was attempting to follow Phoenix, but Reyna called out, "Flaro..." The wolf's ears perked up quickly and it turned to face Reyna. She giggled under her breath and called the wolf over. The wolf strutted over to Reyna and sat down, tail slightly wagging. Reyna pat it's head softly. "Why don't you turn back?" The wolf tilted its head slightly. "Do you not know how?" The wolf gave a soft whimper as a response. Reyna thought to herself for a moment. As she was thinking, Elera and Phoenix had returned back to the fire. Elera gave a soft smile to the wolf, and Phoenix went straight to work on making dinner for them. Elera joined Reyna by the wolf and pet it as Reyna sifted through her thoughts. "Is something wrong, Reyna?" Reyna looked the wolf in the eyes. "He doesn't know how to turn back..." Elera looked at Reyna then at the wolf. "I have an idea!" Reyna sat up confused on what Elera was about to do. Elera took a step back and transformed into her wolf form. She walked up to Flaro and examined him slowly. Flaro felt akward considering he has never seen any of their wolf forms clearly. As she walked up, Flaro realized that they were relatively the same size. Elera looked around trying to find a reason for why he wasn't turning back. That's when she found a large cut on his underside. It wasn't bleeding but it was still fresh. Elera transformed back and looked at Reyna. "He's hurt pretty bad." "He looks like he's fine to me..." Elera told Flaro to lay down. "Look at his stomache..." Reyna gasped quietly. "Phoenix!" Phoenix ran over. "What's up?" Reyna pointed to the cut. "You want me to heal it?" "Can you?" "Not right now unfortunately. I'm still weak from healing you." Reyna looked at Flaro with a worried expression. "He doesn't seem bothered by it, but we shouldn't just put it to the side." Elera spoke up, "I'll watch him to make sure he's ok." Reyna and Phoenix agreed, and Phoenix went back to making dinner.
Eventually, Phoenix came back with a few roasted rabbits and pieces of bread for everyone. Flaro sat up and his tail started wagging. He'd been so hungry ever since the incident at the village. Phoenix placed the rabbit and bread down beside him and then handed the other two their helpings of food. Flaro started eating immediately but was careful not to swallow any of the bones in the rabbit. Elera took her food and sat beside him as to have an easier time to watch over him. Reyna and Phoenix started eating their food and talking back and forth about plans for later. As Flaro was tearing at the rabbit, Elera slowly started to pet him. She didn't eat much of her food either. Just like Phoenix and Reyna, she was worried about Flaro. When he was done with his food, he noticed that Elera hadn't touched hers. He whimpered at her and pushed the food closer to her. Elera looked down at the food and said, "I'm not that hungry. Besides, it's easier to watch over you when I'm not busy with anything else." Flaro whined. "Alright! Alright. I'll eat if it makes you happy..." Elera grabbed some of the rabbit and some of the bread and ate together. Flaro looked back at the food and then at Elera. "Don't worry. I'll eat more." Flaro's tail wagged slightly. Elera continued to pet Flaro while she ate. She wanted to make sure he wasn't in any pain by comforting him. As Elera finished eating her food, she noticed that Flaro had fallen asleep. She chuckled quietly and walked over to Reyna and Phoenix who had been discussing about a permanent shelter. "We need to find a safe place to stay. Not just another place for us to hide ourselves." Reyna replied, "I understand that. That why I've been trying to find a place where our tails and ears don't matter." Elera joined in the conversation. "What if we find a Utopia?" Reyna and Phoenix both looked at her puzzled. "Y'know, a place where peace is prosperous and stuff like that." Phoenix asked, "Where did you hear about a Utopia?" Elera shrugged. "I didn't. I just assumed that since it's been years since the war that some sort of wolf Utopia would've been created by now." Reyna stated, "That would be nice... but where would we start looking? A place like that wouldn't be easily accessible." Reyna suddenly had an idea and looked at Flaro, who was sleeping soundly by the fire. "We'll rest for now. I have a feeling we're going to find a Utopia somewhere."