"This boy right here will someday change this world. Take care of him for me, I might never repay my sins anymore."
The winds are howling, as well as the wolves. The air is stale, as well as the food. Every night, the condition just keeps getting worse making living harder and harder.
And still, why am I alive?
My name is Luca, 18 years old, and as far as I can remember, I'm living in this valley between two mountains. And as far as I am concerned, I am a human or maybe not. I've been living with demi-wolves (sometimes called werewolves or wolfmen) as long as I can remember.
"Luca! Chief Rakthu is calling you! He says he needs a word from you as soon as possible."
That's my childhood friend, Theo. He is a demi-wolf of sheer beauty with his gently and silky gray fur, blistering red eyes and a body packing with muscles. You could say I'm overwhelmed by him in terms of wolf beauty, not that I'm a wolf.
"I'm coming! Let me finish my breakfast!", I yelled at him from inside my house
"Also, he wants you to pack up supplies for at least a week, we're going on a meat run!", he excitedly says to me as he jogs away.
As a member of the demi-wolves community, the males are required to hunt once in a week for meat as demi-wolves prefer them over vegetables. We have farms for chicken and pigs but the supply ain't enough for a ton of hungry doggies (slaps myself internally for these racial comment).
I packed my gear. Freshly made spear from the blacksmith, my trusted Ascendant Bow that I won from a tournament and some arrows, a jug of water, bread and bandages. A gear truly worth of a hunting trip.
As I walked through the door, a gentle yet familiar voice approached me. She is Samira, my adoptive demi-wolf mother. She has white fur, slender build, blue eyes and a gentle look.
"Luca, here's some olive oil to protect you from the bugs and here's a ring, protection from our god Lunala. May she bless you with prosperity in your hunt and safety in your travels.", she told me while hugging me.
"Don't worry, mom. I'll be back before you know it and in one piece", I hugged her back while she send me off to the Chief's tent.
Theo was waiting for me under the apple tree we once played off. You can even see the amount of memories we made thru carvings and ink.
"Come on, you're so slooooow. You know Chief Rakthu is strict and stern. You don't wanna be late with the meeting.", Theo anxiously writhes as he approaches me.
"Alright, let's run to the tent, whoever comes out last will buy Shameksha Barbecue.", I proudly said without hesitation.
"You know you're gonna lose, Luca."
"You're not sure, Theo."
a minute later
"Why are wolves so damn fast!", I said while panting and catching my breath.
"Two Shameksha Barbecue with extra sauce, good sir.", Theo teasingly told me.
As we entered the tent of the Chief, the striking glance of the head of a Greater Basilisk caught our attention. I snickered when I saw Theo froze in shock as he saw it.
"Come!", a raspy yet majestic voice called us out from the pathway.
Theo and I skittishly walked through the corridor (this is a big ass tent) and we approached the Chief. You could say he's the typical leader. Bulking with muscles, towering in height, scars all over the body and a godly aura, you know he's not the one you wanna mess with.
We knelt in front of him alongside other hunters, both new and experienced.