Emperor of Soul Pets

Chapter 3: Midnight's Decision

Elder's Forest

Da-da Da-da

A heavily injured Star Dusklight Wolf charged through the forest with a strange bundle hanging from its mouth. The Star Dusklight Wolf's eyes were red with pain as its joints creaked with each step taken. Normally, it would have stopped to rest and heal, but it did not dare slack off. Its pursuers weren't far behind. It had managed to throw them off, but they would surely catch up if he wasted too much time.

So, with determined eyes that disregarded its own life, the Star Dusklight Wolf continued its charge through the forest.

Thankfully, the Star Dusklight Wolf eventually found its way to the clearing it used to call home. It sensed something wrong as it weakly jogged through the clearing to the cave at the center. However, maybe because of its injuries, the Star Dusklight Wolf could not think clearly. The only clear thought in its mind was getting the bundle in its mouth to safety.

"Rrraff!!!"

The Star Dusklight Wolf froze when another Star Dusklight Wolf charged out of the cave and sent a warning bark its way. Normally, the intruding Star Dusklight Wolf would have dropped the bundle and assumed a defensive stance. This time, however, it gently dropped the bundle on the ground, then let out a weak howl and collapsed to the ground.

The defending Star Dusklight Wolf was naturally Midnight. Her wariness quickly gave way to concern when she recognized the Star Dusklight Wolf's scent. That was Twilight! A deluge of old memories suddenly rushed past. Midnight and Twilight grew up as part of the same wild pack. Only, when they were three years old, their entire pack was killed in a hostile takeover. They were then saved by a soul trainer who took Twilight as his soul pet.

Many years had passed since then and Midnight had already assumed Twilight had passed, but then both he and the trainer returned three years ago. 

Twilight had much more freedom than most contracted soul monsters, and so was allowed to visit Midnight whenever he wanted. One thing led to another, and the two old friends blossomed into lovers which consummated in the birth of an extremely rare monarch-ranked Star Dusklight Wolf cub.

Unfortunately, the humans somehow learned about the future Emperor, and thus undertook a great operation to steal the cub.

Thud!

Twilight's sudden collapse snapped Midnight out of her reverie. She hurried over, and her eyes wavered with worry when she saw Twilight's heavy injury. She knew he didn't have long. Midnight was about to move Twilight when her gaze accidentally traveled to the bundle on the ground.

Twilight had risked life and limb to deliver this bundle to Midnight. Even when they met, rather than say anything, he dropped the bundle, signaling he wanted her to take it. That action proved how highly Twilight regarded whatever was wrapped in the bundle.

Midnight hesitated, but eventually, curiosity won over her urgency. She nudged the bundle with her paw, and the cloth unraveled a little to reveal a bloodied child. Midnight's breath caught in her throat when she saw the heavy gashes and bite marks on the baby's face and arms. Clearly, something had tried its best to kill the child. In fact, Midnight estimated it would die from blood loss in the next few minutes.

Midnight's eyes gleamed with a strange light as it looked at the child and then at Twilight. Both Twilight and the child were in critical condition. Six months ago, she would have been forced to pick between both of them. However, she knew that if she saved Twilight, he would probably hate himself for eternity. The fact that Twilight ran this far and still offered the kid up to be saved first was clear proof that he valued the child's life above his own.