Vol.1/Chapter 6: Friend or Foe

Looking back upon my memories, I thought: "Just how lucky am I?"

13 years ago:

"What is a human doing here? He's a weakling, no hair, no tail, cannot even howl? HAHAHAHAHA what a loser!", a wolf tries to intimidate me

"At least, I don't smell like you!", I replied

"At least, we got our parents, HAHAHAHA.", another wolf continues to bully me.

I just left crying with my broken toy as the group of wolf cubs try to further torment me. Walking and walking, I stumbled upon a sweet apple tree, fragrance of its flower soothing through the area. Shattered, I rest under its embrace when a mysterious wolf voice called me out from atop.

"Yo, crybaby, who made you cry huh?", the voice teasingly told me.

"It's none of your business. Go away.", I replied.

"Sheesh, what an unpleasant way to introduce yourself. By the way, I'm Theo. Gray fur, immense beauty, that's me, shi-shi-shi-shi-shi.", Theo proudly proclaimed.

"You're weird and who laughs like that, huh? Anyways, my name is Luca. I'm one of the saved ones by the chief even though I'm a human, my adoptive mother Samira insisted to keep me.", I introduced myself.

"Believe it or not, I'm the chief's adoptive kid, yes sir. I'm also one of the saved ones meaning we went from the same loathsome experience!", Theo cheerfully told me, "From now on, I'll be your friend, shi-shi-shi-shi-shi."

"Huuuuh? You can't just decide what I want to do and who I want to be with. But, thanks anyways. You're funny.", I joyfully replied.

From childhood till now, I got Theo. We played throughout, laughed all day, cried to things we never expected, and get angry to the ones who hates us. We were inseparable.

And now that I know I have someone, I won't go down without a fight. I wanna at least see Theo before I die. Shi-shi-shi-shi-shi.

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Present time:

The Giant Centipede in my back flapped its body, making it look larger. This is supposed to assert dominance but I noticed that between its sturdy armor, there's soft flesh in their segments. One thing I know I can use to my advantage.

On the other hand, the Shadowmane also assert its dominance by shaking it's spine-like whiskers, roaring through the sky with its majestic voice. It's red velvety eyes looking at its perpetrator, the Giant Centipede, but not me. It's dark skin blended with the surroundings, making it harder to see.

I took my stance. With my broken ankle, I tried to focus on the two predators, waiting for them to strike. This, in turn, tempted the Giant Centipede to target me. It's almost seemingly thousand little feet, crawling through the leaf covered ground with an unprecedented speed.

I tried to dodge right but the Shadowmane leaped above me, guarding me from the incoming strike. He roared fearfully as he swoop the Giant Centipede with its left arm. This made the Giant Centipede, wobbly and stunned, exposing the flesh under its armor.

I saw this as an opportunity. Even though I have a broken ankle, I pointed my spear on the stunned predator, rushing through its soft gooey flesh and with a swift strike, I stabbed the Giant Centipede through its stomach area, making the latter screech in pain. The Shadowmane then finished the opponent with it's fangs, biting through its head, ending the life of the giant critter.

This now became a 1v1, me vs a Shadowmane, one of the strongest creatures out there. The latter focused its whole attention to me, not even tried to eat its fallen enemy. I slowly retreat, while the large feline slowly approached me. Eye contact not wavering, spear pointed as per defense, when suddenly the Shadowmane rushed to me not in a deadly manner but in a cuddly manner.

I froze with fear because of the weird behavior the predator showed me. It's purplish nose tried to sniff me, while I closed my eyes, trying to not think about my impending doom. But I noticed something, the ringing sound in my head is not even in action. This made me wonder, does this cat actually like me?

As per the myth my mother told me, Shadowmane Riders are one of the strongest hunters in the land. With their unique ability, they can even hunt the largest of creatures such as Paracers and Sturdy Mastodons. Their sharp teeth sunk into their prey's esophagus, like a cutting knife, bleeding out their victim until it dies. Even though with their predatorial nature, they are loyal and will never back down to protect their rider.

And if, by chance, a Shadowmane tried to sniff you and cuddle you, you are a chosen one.

"D-Do you w-want me to p-pet you, majestic cat?", I skittishly tried to say.

The large feline wiggled its tail like a pet, jumping thru and fro, growling in joy as I tried to communicate with it. The Shadowmane then proceeds to kneel down as I pat its head, slowly caressing it whiskers. The latter then turned on its back and like a sweet baby, asked for a belly rub.

I tried to do it, though, but my broken ankle reminded me I still got unfinished business. I gathered some vines from a nearby tree, as well as hardwood for support. With bandages from my knapsack, I tend to my wound. Making a rope from the vines, I knit it carefully with the hardwood from my ankle, as I bawl through pain.

The Shadowmane which was guarding me, caressed me with its smooth, silky fur, licking my backside with its long tongue.

"Hahaha, it tickles! Stop!", I was laughing while trying to make it stop when I noticed something, it's a female Shadowmane.

"Are you really sure you want me to be your rider?", I confusedly questioned the Shadowmane like it can even understand me.

The cat then moaned and kneeled in front of me, signalling that it was sure to be mine. With a sigh, I pat its head and slowly nuzzled with it.

"From now on, I'm gonna call you Iresh. It's a fitting name for a morose yet beautiful creature like you. And don't even try to kill me, alright?", I joyously ordered and named her.

"Now, for our survival..."

Night approaches as the winds go cold. This in turn, signalled that the first day of our expedition is almost done. Chilling air engulfs my body as my newly acquired friend tried to warm me. Then I saw the dead carcass of our former enemy and thought it would be useful.

I ordered Iresh to grab the carcass as I gather sticks and branches from the ground. Piled up in the side, I gathered some thatch and tried to set it ablaze with some flint. It fortunately goes perfectly as I transfer the flame to the sticks. Now that fire is not a problem, water, clothes, and food is.

As Iresh is done grabbing the carcass, I salvaged most of its meat and cooked it in the fire. In a nearby puddle by the tree, I grabbed some dirty water and boiled it with my tools. The chitin from the Centipede is a durable armor and with the ropes I made previously, I made some Chitin Armor. And I got the deadly poison from it and covered half of my arrows.

"Right, I got a bow and some arrows...", I sighed in frustration.

Laying down on my steed, I tried to sleep in the noise covered woods. Stale air, loud screeches but most of all, the laughs of the still unknown previous predators, can be heard from afar. But I cannot sleep.

I stand up and got to a large boulder where moonlight shines on it. Iresh is sleeping besides the fire and I got my trusty old spear with me. I contemplated how lucky I am to have friends who got my back. Theo, my Mom, Chief Rakthu, Tyla, Almira and now, Iresh. I just smiled when I noticed that the sprain from my ankle is slowly healing up as moonlight hits it.

Then I remember all about the blessing chanted by Almira! I relaxed in the boulder, pointed my feet to the brightest moonlight and it miraculously healed. I jumped literally from happiness as I woke up Iresh, tilting its head in its confusion.

"Yosh, yosh, that's nothing, my friend. Let's sleep, shall we?", I smiled.

She just growled in reply as we both slept throughout the night, both assured that we got each other's back.