Chapter 18: Rite of passage

A month had passed since the death of the white bear, a monumental event that had marked a significant turning point in the lives of the small pack.

The bears had not stopped coming, their relentless pursuit a testament to their unyielding ferocity.

But Malakai, the young wolf, had risen to the challenge, his skills honed to perfection as he faced each new battle with unwavering courage.

The bears came in numbers, some in pairs, their strength and ferocity a formidable force to be reckoned with.

But Malakai was not intimidated, his knowledge of their weaknesses etched in his memory like a battle plan.

He knew they were slow, their poor eyesight a hindrance in the face of his lightning-fast reflexes.

He knew their limited agility made them clumsy, their vulnerable neck and sensitive nose vulnerable to his precise attacks.

With every kill, Malakai grew stronger, his confidence and prowess in battle evident in every movement.

He was no longer the scrappy pup he once was, but a powerful young wolf, his skills honed to perfection.

And as he fought, he grew up, his transition from adolescence to adulthood marked by his unwavering dedication to his pack.

Tonight was a special night, a night of celebration and milestones.

The young wolf pup, Malakai's sister, was to receive her name, a rite of passage that marked her entry into juvenilehood.

And for Malakai, it meant he was to officially reach adulthood, a status he had earned through his bravery and unwavering commitment to his pack.

It was hard to believe that the two siblings had been born in the same litter, their developmental paths diverging in ways that seemed almost unimaginable.

Malakai's evolution had been accelerated.

And as he stood on the threshold of adulthood, his sister was just beginning her journey, her future bright with promise.

Akira watched her children with pride, she knew that Malakai was ready, his skills and strength had been proven countless times.

And she knew that her young pup was ready to begin her journey, her future bright with promise.

The naming ceremony was a celebration of new beginnings, a recognition of the pup's growth.

Their mother led them outside the den, into a world bathed in the soft, silvery glow of the full moon.

As they arrived at the designated spot, their mother turned to her daughter, her eyes shining with a deep love and pride.

"Now, sweetheart, shout to the moon," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the distant howling of wolves in the far-off woods. "Howl to the Goddess, and receive your name."

The young pup, now a juvenile, listened intently to her mother's words.

She took a deep breath, her small chest expanding with excitement, and opened her mouth.

A small, tentative howl emerged.

awoioo

She tried again, her voice growing stronger, and a more confident howl echoed through the night air.

AWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

Malakai felt an inexplicable urge to join in, as if his body was being moved by an unseen force to acknowledge the naming ceremony.

He heard his mother's howl, her voice dominant and powerful, shaking the trees and sending shivers down his spine.

He let go of his restraint, and a mighty howl burst forth from his throat, his voice different from the others, domineering and clear.

AWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

The trees shook, their branches creaking in protest, and the earth rumbled beneath their feet, as if acknowledging the being that stood upon it.

The howls blended together in a haunting harmony, a chorus of wolves celebrating the naming of the young pup.

The moon, now a silver crescent in the sky, glowed brighter, joining in the celebration.

The howling continued, a symphony of sound that echoed through the forest, a declaration to the world that a new name had been given, a new life had begun.

Suddenly, a blue lotus appeared on the young pup's forehead, its delicate petals unfolding like a tiny flower.

Malakai saw his mother stare in shock, her eyes wide with a mix of amazement and confusion.

He didn't know what the lotus meant, but he stared in curiosity, his tail wagging slightly as he leaned in closer.

He lifted his paw to touch the intricate design, his fur standing on end as he felt a strange energy emanating from it.

But before he could do anything, his body went limp, his legs giving way beneath him as he collapsed to the ground.

The world around him grew hazy, his vision blurring as a strange.

He felt himself being pulled into a vortex of colors and patterns, the blue lotus on the pup's forehead glowing brighter as he was drawn closer.

The last thing he saw was his mother's worried face.

Then, everything went black, and Malakai was lost in a sea of darkness, the blue lotus the last thing on his mind as he succumbed to the unknown.

...

In a dark space that was blue and filled with purple and white stars that shone like the moon instead of a sun, Malakai slowly raised his head, his eyes adjusting to the ethereal light.

He wasn't unfamiliar with this place; it was his second time coming here, and he knew that he was supposed to find a beautiful goddess within its realm.

The air was filled with an otherworldly energy, and Malakai's heart raced with anticipation.

"I'm glad you find my appearance lovely," a melodic voice sounded, echoing through the vast expanse of the dark space.

When Malakai turned around, he saw the same beautiful lady with wolf ears and white hair, dressed in a flowing white gown that seemed to shimmer and glow in the starlight.

Her eyes were like pools of moonlight, shining bright and full of wisdom. Her skin was as pale as the moon, and her lips were painted with a gentle smile.

The goddess's eyes seemed to bore into his soul, as if she could see the very depths of his being.

Malakai felt a shiver run down his spine as she gazed at him, her eyes filled with a deep understanding and knowledge.

He felt small and insignificant in her presence, yet at the same time, he felt a sense of connection to her, as if they were bound together by some unseen force.

"Calm down, Malakai," the goddess said with a soothing smile. "I understand that reaching adulthood can be exciting, but we have more pressing matters to attend to."

Malakai's ears perked up as he asked, "Goddess, do you know what happened to my sister?"

Mene's smile was reassuring. "Your sister is going through a similar transition, but with a different outcome. She has her own unique gift that will make her special in her own way."

Malakai's curiosity was piqued. "Does that mean she has what I have?"

The goddess's smile faltered for a moment before she replied, "No, Malakai. Your situation is unique. Your sister will have her own path to follow, and her evolution will depend on you."

Malakai's mind raced with questions, but before he could ask, Mene continued, "I know you have many questions, but our time is limited. Let me show you something that will help you understand your journey better."

With a wave of her hand, a display screen appeared before Malakai.

He gazed at it in wonder, his eyes fixed on the list in front of him.

No stage: N/A [Normal]

1st Stage: Omega

2nd Stage: Advance

3rd Stage: Master

4th Stage: Grandmaster

5th Stage: Lord