Ren

A shadow in the corner of the forest. It flickers behind a closer tree. Then another. And another. Drawing nearer and nearer each time.

---

"Wakeee up!"

Cold, hard water slaps me across the face. "What the…" I cough. Wiping the water off with my sleeve, I see Miira with a dripping bucket and Pandaya leaning by the doorway with her arms crossed to my right.

"Didn't forget about training, did you? We were waiting for you for about a quarter of a moon. When you didn't show, we asked Izheie where you were, only to find you here, over-sleeping," Pandaya recounts. "Get up. It appears I'll have to be even tougher on you."

I groan and reluctantly climb out of the bed, sorely wishing that I had my phone or at least a clock to check the time. Not that it would really help me anyways. Maybe this is the equivalent of jet lag when traveling to another time-zone, but instead of halfway across the world, it's to an entirely different world.

"Come on, hurry up! We don't have all morning, Lyra!" Miira pulls me across the hallway of the pyramid while Pandaya follows. "Here, take this. Eat it while we walk." She hands me a bread-like looking thing. "You can't train on an empty stomach. What were you thinking yesterday?" She chides. What? So they noticed I had left?

"Oh, erm, thanks," I say, unsure of how to act in such a situation. I haven't even noticed how hungry I've been until I took a bite. It is plain, but I devour it quickly anyways.

We reach the fenced, dirt area we were in yesterday. Pandaya will probably be a tough teacher. I wonder if Pandaya as a teacher will be like one of those kung-fu masters in pop culture who speaks in riddles and is impossibly strict on her students. On the bright side, it's a cool, grey morning - the kind of morning that P.E. students wish for on physical training day.

But Pandaya and Miira walk past it, forcing me to follow. Wait, what? I'm tempted to ask them what was going on, but instead I keep my mouth shut, not wanting to look like an idiot.

Instead, we walk straight across near where the slaves' housing and edge of the village is.

"Alright," Pandaya says. "I'm going to let Ren out now." Uh, who's going to be let out? Surely, even the slaves don't deserve to be referred to like they're some sort of mentally ill prisoner.

She walks to the Dir'kin pen and walks a humongous, bear-like Dir'kin towards us. The beast wields four two-inch long curved claws on each paw, digging them into the dirt with each step. It hangs its jaws loosely, showing off similarly menacing fangs.

How in the two worlds that I now know of did I ever miss that? Behind the pen, I hear more howling and scuffling inside a wooden barn.

Miira runs over to the monster, "Ren~ I've missed you! Aren't you the cutest little dir-dir, yes you are~" She continues to stroke and pet "Ren" while I can only oggle at her, appalled.

"Now, your turn, Lyra," Pandaya refers to me.

Uh, yeah, that's gonna be a flat, hard, no. "Um, I'm not going to call him 'the cutest little dir-dir' even if I have to get stabbed again," I refuse.

"Hey, what's wrong with calling him 'dir-dir'?" Miira pouts.

"Just pet him," Pandaya insists. Right. Him.

I grumble to myself a bit, slowly inching towards Ren. At about 10 feet away, he takes notice of me.

Grrrrrrr. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Grrrrr.

Ren makes a low, warning growl every time I attempt to pass the 10 feet mark.

I stop dead in my tracks. "Um, guys, I don't think he really wants me to pet him. You know, or for me to be here, like, at all."

"Thought so, but sorry. It's the Queen's orders. You're to be able to pet Ren before I start you on any combat training," Pandaya scratches Ren behind the ears, causing him to shake his head. I can feel the draft caused by the flailing of his fur even standing all the way over here.

"What do you mean? Also, don't you have patrol or something?" I ask. What has the Queen got to do with this? Also, how do they even have the time to be teaching some outsider who just dropped onto their village out of the blue?

"Well, Pandaya has to report to the Queen every day. So, she probably told her what's going on then," Miira answers for Pandaya. Oh, yeah, I'm being watched.

Pandaya nods in agreement, "She also cut back my time for patrols so I can properly train you."

Pandaya studies the structured chaos of the villagers, busy already at this hour, "Let's go somewhere with less chance of interference." She leads us out of the village and we enter deeper into the forest; I make sure to stay a good ten paces away from Ren at all times.

I glance at the forestry around me. I briefly calculate whether I'd be able to make a run for it while I have the chance.

Miira must've seen the look in my eyes, because in the next instant, she says, "Oh, by the way, Lyra, if you turn your back on Ren, or if, for some reason you try to run away from this cute boy, then he's gonna go after you."

"What! Why?!" I cry out. Lowering my voice once I realized I startled Ren, I finish my words, "But he looks like he's about to tear my throat out anyways."

We stop walking. We're now officially in the middle of nowhere.

"Try to pet him here," Pandaya tells me.

Ren lays on the ground and lets out a yawn. I try to take another step but he growls as soon as I do.

"Anyways," Miira shrugs, "you should try to pet him by the end of the day. The sooner you do, the better. Pandaya and I are gonna work on some other stuff, so see ya later!" She and Pandaya start walking back towards the village.

"Wait! How am I supposed to pet him?" I shout. I try to look at them but Ren snaps at me and I quickly turn back to face him, recalling Miira's words about not turning my back on him.

"You'll figure it out!" Miira's voice travels across the distance and fades into the trees.

I lean back against a mossy log. Great. So now it's just me and Ren in some obscure part of the forest. I seriously wonder if Miira and Pandaya are trying to kill me.

I sigh, keeping my eyes on Ren. He stretches and pants a little, looking deceptively unconcerned. What to do now, Lyra?

"Hey. Hey, Ren," I weakly squeak out to the canine. "C-come here, boy." I cringe to myself. Ren didn't give a crap. Ugh, he's not a dog, Lyra. What were you thinking?

Okay, I give up. Plan B - try to sneak away from Ren despite the risk of getting torn into pieces and then lie about having pet the monster wolf.

I rise and attempt to slowly walk backwards around the log. If only I can get out of his line of sight...

I take a step, then another. Then five more. Gods, why is this log so big? Ren remains perfectly relaxed. Okay, good. Now, there's only a few more steps before I'm around the corner. I side-step near the log's ragged edge.

From here, I can see various undergrowth beneath the base of the log and spider-webs strewn across its top and side. I can't remember the last time I've seen something like this - the last time I went camping with my dad was in grade school, and that had ended quickly because he got upset, though I can't remember why. Ever since then, I've never really gone out by myself either, since my dad was never home and I didn't have any friends to go out with.

Well, see ya later Re - Crash!

Ren had snapped the log into two like a twig, snarling and lips curled viciously. The force of impact was so strong, dust is still trying to settle from the air.

"Aaaagh! I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Too traumatized to care that I'm talking to an animal, I instinctively put my arms in front of my face, bracing for a gory end.

But Ren isn't looking at me. He isn't even facing my direction. From here, his massive shoulders are pointed towards something grunting and snorting behind me.

The sense of real danger imminent, I close my eyes and silently pray to a god that I started to believe in two seconds ago.

Drop down and play dead? Run for your life? I've already decided those are the only two truly viable options I have and I haven't even seen what Ren is growling at. I peek around the now shattered log… anddd make a run for it it is!

Adrenaline pumping, heart jumping into my throat, I dash in the opposite direction of the gigantic, four-tusked, angry boar having a stare-off with Ren. Unfortunately, I must've triggered its predatory instincts because as soon as I do, the boar smashes straight through half of what was left of the poor log, shattering it into indistinguishable bits and pieces. I hear a messy crashing and thudding against the ground's woody debris. I know it's coming straight for me.

There's no way I'm ever going to outrun this thing. Crap crap crap crap crap. I dodge around the trees, hoping that it would slow the swine down but it simply charges right through every single one, slashing at them or brute-forcing its way through. Still, I continue to desperately run for my life.

Crash! A thinner tree topples down besides me, missing me by a foot. It falls onto another tree, causing a domino effect rustling leaves and swaying branches dangerously low.

Now I have to dodge trees too?! Just how strong is this thing? This entire world has been vastly overestimating my physical prowess since the day I got here. Another tree crashes down unsympathetically.

The sound of thudding and snorting grows louder and louder. Dirt is flung onto my back and my head. Debris shoots up like grenades are exploding around me. Shit. The damn boar is so close it's already trying to skewer me.

Up ahead, I can barely see the kill-zone of a cliff, sharply dropping into who-knows-where. I'm seriously running out of options, no pun intended.

Whack!

A branch slaps me in the chest and sends me flying to the side. I'm completely thrown off momentum and I slam into another tree. The boar catches up to me savagely fast - too fast for me to get up and attempt escape again.

It cruelly slows down in front of me, an inch away from my face, knowing it has its prey in checkmate. I stare at it in defeat, its ugly snout drooling and stinking of rotten flesh.

A grey blur flashes into the corner of my eye and then, miraculously, the boar's victory growl transforms into a petrifying squeal as Ren finally catches up to it and sinks his teeth into the scruff of its neck and dragging it away from me. The pig thrashes for its life violently but Ren flings it around like a rag and holds it down until the last hints of its life drain away.

Astonished at how quickly the series of events turned in my favor, I gape as Ren proudly licks his chops then trots back to me and nuzzles his huge head against my chest, growling softly.

"R-Ren. D-did you just save me?" I fully extend my arms to scratch behind his ears, and he licks me on the face. I laugh in relief, "Haha, good boy! Good Ren!" petting and hugging his thick fur at the same time.

I take a moment to catch my breath, sweating, dirty, and tired. Ren sits with me, panting and happily wagging his tail. I scratch his chin, "What made you change your mind? I thought you hated me."

"So, you've managed to pet him."

I wince, startled. God damnit, what's with the Izamons and appearing randomly out of nowhere all the time?

The Queen walks out in front of me. I get up immediately, having expected the voice to be from Pandaya or Miira or even Izheie or Neili.

I stutter, "O-oh, erm, I didn't expect you here, um, uhh, erm…" Your highness? Your honor? My esteemed royal ma'am? I can feel panic rising again. It would be rude if I don't address her properly, and yet saying 'my Queen' would be weird since I'm not even sure if I can be called an Izamon.

The Queen raises a hand signaling me to stop. "You don't have to address me as your Queen."

"Sorry," I mutter. I guess I'll just avoid having to address her directly for now.

The Queen examines the dead boar on the ground. "Did you know, Dir'kins growl when they see something they like, and when they see something they don't like."

"Uh, no, I didn't know that," I reply. So it was a 50/50 chance of getting torn to shreds or getting licked to death.

The Queen continues, "Ren here is more friendly than the other Dir'kins, but I haven't seen him like anyone this much since the last Panther, twenty years ago." Last Panther? I guess I've never thought about how Pandaya came to be Panther, or what it was like before she got her position.

"Twenty years? How long do they live for?" I ask.

The Queen finishes her examination and leans against a tree next to me, forking her spear vertically. "Ha, about forty years." Damn, do wolves usually live that long? "But, I guess you can say that Ren here is a bit special in that regard." Well, I guess there are exceptions in every world.

I change the topic, "Um, pardon me for asking, but how did you find me?"

The Queen laughs, "Look around, Lyra," she points to the mess of fallen trees and the torn-up path following the chase Ren and I had with the boar. "Anyways, I frequent this part of the forest often. I heard what I thought was a Dir'kin growling and followed the sound and trail of fear." She smirks at me.

"Hey, well, I thought I was going to die," I retort, choosing to look at Ren instead, who is still calmly sitting here with us.

The Queen follows my gaze, "Oh, and since when did that matter to you?" My eyes widen in shock. She's right. Although, I guess a motivating factor was that getting ripped open by tusks and teeth is a lot more brutal than the swifter death brought by a blade.

She saves me the burden of answering, "Congratulations on bonding with Ren. I didn't think you would be able to get close to him so soon." Oh yeah, she was the evil mastermind behind that whole idea.

"Why'd you make me pet him?" I inquire.

The Queen seems prepared for the question, "Simple. You lack confidence, trust, and a will to survive, to list a few important traits. No amount of training would've been effective until you at least see for yourself the necessity of getting stronger." Ouch. But she's right, I suppose. Escape from the boar would've been a lot easier had I been stronger.

She takes her spear and gets up from the tree, "Perhaps now you won't assume so quickly." She's totally calling me out. The Queen makes a small smile and holds an arm out, "Accompany me back to the village, won't you?"

"Um, sure," I reply. Not like I can refuse since I'm totally lost now. Also, 'no' is probably not something you say to the Queen everyday either.

"Perfect. And it seems we have Bir'ka meat to bring back too," She whistles to Ren, who gets up and grabs the carcass, then returns obediently for further instructions.

I attempt to get up as well, only to crumple back down immediately - my legs feel like jelly. The exhaustion from all the physical exertion I had to endure up until now is really starting to catch up to me.

"Need help?" The Queen wears an amused expression.

I can feel my cheeks and ears burning red. "No. I'm fine."

"I can carry you if you would like, Lyra," she teases.

"No! I mean, uh, I swear I can walk," I respond way too quickly. Twenty times more determined after that little comment, I somehow manage to force myself up.

~~~

As we enter the village, the Queen is warmly greeted by all villagers who see her. Despite being alone in the pyramid with Izheie, it seems that she is actually rather well-received. Interesting.

Without batting an eye, "We'll part ways here now," the Queen suddenly tells me. "Take care of Ren, and try to be with the rest of the villagers a little. I'm confident you can adjust." Look who's talking, recluse.

Left to myself and Ren again, I ponder what to do. Ren is still holding the Bir'ka carcass and I have no idea where Pandaya or Miira is. I decide to suck up my social anxiety and ask a villager what to do.

The villagers seem to all be busy doing their own things. I try to make eye-contact with several of them, but they either ignore me, or pretend to not have noticed.

Ah, screw it. I'm gonna be here all day if I just stand here trying to be polite. I gather up my courage and stop a burly looking woman carrying basket of cloth and linen. (Laundry?)

"Um, excuse me, miss, but do you know what I should do with this," I point to Ren, who is slightly drooling onto the carcass.

She looks skeptical, "That Ren over there?"

"Uh, yes, miss," I reply.

"And you're the girl from that match against Pandaya."

That's hardly even a question but I confirm anyways, "Yeah."

She sighs, "Well, girl, I don't know what you were thinking with that sword that day but here you are, I hear, tryna be one of us. You don't seem like a survivor at all to me, but I guess you have your ways if you caught that Bir'ka."

I don't want to say that Ren did all the work after that, so I keep quiet.

"Get Ren over to the slaves by the campfire. They'll know what to do," she points to the direction of the campfire.

"Oh, okay. Thanks," I say. She nods her head and walks off.

Ren starts following as soon as I walk, which I am grateful for since I don't know the Dir'kin command for 'heel.' I'm reluctant to see anyone or have anything to do with the campfire again since yesterday but still, I can't just leave Ren like this.

The slaves seem just as busy and into their work as the rest of the villagers. I attempt to get the attention of an elder looking slave, who is sitting by the fireplace grinding a green substance into a bowl, "Um, excuse me, sir, I was told someone here would know what to do about Ren and the um, B-Bir'ka here." I hope they won't consider it disrespectful for an outsider to use their word.

"Aghh," he lets out a low grumble, "call me Jalbraith, or even Master Jalbraith as the rest of the folks do. I'm no 'sir' here, newcomer."

"S-sorry," I apologize.

He stops grinding, "And this one is Ren, isn't it?" Upon hearing his name, Ren wags his tail a little. Master Jalbraith gets up and strokes Ren on the side, prompting him to drop the carcass in response.

"You can take him back to the other Dir'kins. The boys and I will take care of the rest," he waves his hand and continues grinding.

"O-oh. Um -"

He cuts me off, "Not now, I'm rather busy today. Find me on cloth duty if you need something. And don't thank me."

"O-ok. Come on Ren, let's get you back," I pat Ren's shoulder and start walking to the Dir'kin pen, feeling weird about not thanking someone.

Walking down the dirt road, the villagers continue to largely ignore my presence, as expected. I keep a hand on Ren, finding his floof comforting. Funny, it's like I've known him for forever now.

Almost at the pen, it occurs to me that I really don't want to open the door to where all the other Dir'kins are. One may be friendly with me, but I have no idea how the rest of them will react.

Thankfully, I see the figures of Miira and Pandaya.

Miira sees me first and waves at me. "Heyy! You made it! Aww, it's almost like you guys are best friends now!"

I ask the question that's been on the forefront of my mind, "Did you guys know that Dir'kins growl if they like something and if they don't like something, or should I say, some... one?" I'm not really mad, but I have to know to get it out of the way.

Pandaya takes Ren back into the pen. "Of course, but would that have helped?" I suppose she has a point.

"Erm, I guess not," I reply.

Before I can say anything else, we are interrupted by a sudden commotion amongst the villagers. People are gathering by the healers' hut, and Izheie is trying to make her way through the crowd to get inside. I hear glimpses of what people are saying.

"The poor girl!"

"We haven't heard of something like that in years."

"Is she gonna be okay?"

Pandaya tenses up immediately, "This is serious. I need to go."