Chapter 24: The Path to Strength

Malakai woke up to a new day, rolling onto his back and gazing up at his mother, Akira.

Her eyes were fixed on him. "Malakai, today I will take you to a place where you can become the strongest. Come with me," she said, her voice firm but gentle. With that, she exited the den, leaving Malakai to wonder where they were headed.

He jumped to his feet, his curiosity piqued. As he stepped out of the den, he saw Amari waiting for him, her tail wagging excitedly. "Brother!" she yelped, running to him and showering him with licks.

Malakai returned her affection, and Akira spoke up, her expression soft yet stern. "Now, I'll give you a chance to ask questions, but once we leave, none of you will speak, understood?"

Malakai and Amari nodded in unison, and Malakai couldn't resist asking, "Mama, why did you call this place cursed?" Akira sighed, as if expecting this question. "Sit down," she said, joining them on the ground. "You see, outside this land lies a world even I have not explored. It's said to be more ruthless than our own. You know about the stages, don't you, Malakai?"

Malakai nodded, and Akira continued, "Each stage has two levels: Low and High. Every leader of their species is only at High-Omega, the lowest stage. It's not that we can't progress further, but there are no prey strong enough, and our Absorption Rate is weak." Her eyes seemed to bore into Malakai's soul, filled with a deep understanding.

Akira's ears folded back, her tail drooping slightly as she continued, "You see, my dear fluffs, in that world outside, there existed beasts like us, imprisoned in magical temples called dungeons." Her eyes cast downward, her voice heavy with emotion. "The beings in that world would venture into these dungeons, slay the beasts, and claim their cores to augment their strength. The dungeon beasts, unable to escape, were doomed to repeat the cycle of death and rebirth for eternity."

She paused, her snout twitching as she collected her thoughts. "It's said that one dungeon, an Arctic dungeon, held beasts that managed to escape. However, they didn't get far, trapped by a barrier that confined them within. Our ancestors, the dungeon escapees, gave birth to more beasts, eventually populating this Arctic land. Many still believe this land is the real world."

Akira's gaze drifted, her eyes filled with a deep understanding. She sat up straight, her ears perking slightly as she spoke. "This is why the bears fight so fiercely. Valkor seeks not our territory, but a tome hidden beneath our den. It holds the secret to increasing our Absorption Rate and, more importantly, the way out of this land. He wants to exploit this knowledge to further his own ambitions."

Amari's tail wagged slightly, her ears tilting in confusion. "Mama, why don't you give it to him? We'll never see them again." Akira's tongue licked Amari's forehead, a gentle gesture of comfort. "My dear, it's not that simple. The tome holds secrets and power that could change the course of our lives. I cannot simply hand it over to Valkor, no matter how much he desires it."

Malakai's ears perked up, his eyes narrowing as he watched his mother.

He had already pieced together her intentions, realizing that she was taking him to a place where he could become strong, to claim the treasures that would grant them freedom and power.

He knew that his mother wanted him to get these treasures, to secure their future and protect their family.

Akira's gaze locked onto her daughter, her eyes shining with decisiveness. "Your brother will take those treasures and lead us to the exit, Amari. He will ensure our freedom." Amari's eyes widened in surprise, then sparkled with excitement as she turned to Malakai.

Her tail began to wag furiously, and she let out a series of high-pitched yips, as if urging her brother on.

Malakai's expression remained serious, his eyes narrowed in concern. "Mama, what about the beings that trapped us here? Will they take kindly to us leaving?" He paused, his ears folding back slightly in anxiety. "What if they try to stop us?"

Akira's jaw set in a firm line, her eyes flashing with a hint of defiance. She didn't answer, instead turning to lead the way. "Follow me, we have no time to waste." Her voice was low and urgent, brooking no argument.

Malakai hesitated for a moment, then followed behind his mother.

Amari bounded alongside him, her body bumping against his as she ran, her excitement palpable.

The three wolves moved swiftly through the Arctic landscape, their paws pounding against the snow-covered ground in unison.

As they circled around their den, Malakai and Amari's confusion grew. Where were the entrances to the tome?

They had expected something grand, something obvious, but instead, they found nothing. Akira didn't slow down, her pace steady and determined.

"You must use your intelligence, just like prey," she said, her voice low and urgent. "You can't always find what you want in plain sight." Malakai watched as his mother crouched, then sprang into the air, her jaws closing around a branch on the nearby tree.

The branch pulled down, and the ground shook beneath their paws. Snow hopped around, and a hidden entrance swung open, revealing a set of stairs leading down into darkness.

Amari's eyes lit up, and she took a step forward, but Akira was quick to catch her by the mouth, holding her back. "Not you, little one," she said, her eyes shining with a mix of love and determination. "This is Malakai's chance."

Akira walked towards Malakai, her tail wagging softly, and nuzzled him affectionately.

Malakai returned the gesture, his heart racing with excitement and a hint of fear. "You must return, for me, for Amari, for us, your family," Akira whispered, her breath hot against his ear.

Malakai looked at Amari, who watched him with wide eyes, her ears perked up in excitement.

He barked once, a promise to return, and then ran down the stairs, the entrance closing behind him with a soft thud.

The two females were left standing alone, their eyes fixed on the spot where Malakai had disappeared.

Amari's eyes locked onto her mother's, her voice barely above a whisper. "Mama, do you think he'll come back?" Akira's ears twitched slightly, her expression reassuring. "Let's trust him, okay? Your brother is a great warrior." She nuzzled Amari, licking her face and enveloping her in a warm embrace.

*****

As they stood there, comforting each other, Malakai was making his way through the dark hallway, his paws almost silent on the cold stone floor.

He moved cautiously, his senses on high alert, but his heart raced with uncertainty. There was no map to guide him, no clear path to follow.

He could almost see in the darkness, his wolf eyes piercing the shadows, but he had no idea which direction to take or what lay ahead.

Malakai's nose twitched as he sniffed the air, trying to pick up any hint of what lay ahead.

But there was nothing. No sound, no scent, no sign of life. He was alone in the darkness, with only his wits and his courage to guide him.

As he walked, the darkness seemed to press in around him, the shadows deepening and growing longer.

Malakai's ears perked up, his hackles rising, as he sensed something lurking just out of sight.

He growled softly, a low rumble in the back of his throat, and took another step forward, his eyes scanning the darkness for any sign of movement.