Farewell to the White wolf.

When Mammon returned to the white wolf, he saw that its eyes were now closed. He sat down beside it, feeling the quietness of the moment.

"I had a worthwhile experience with you, but I'm afraid you must go due to the the danger of this forest." The voice echoed its head. The dangers of this forest aren't something you can face alone."

"No I'm not going to leave you," Mammon insisted, his voice filled with concern. "I'd rather stay with you until the end."

"If that's your choice," the wolf's voice replied softly.

Mammon settled down next to the wolf, resting his head on its warm, soft fur. Minutes later, the wolf's eyes opened, and Mammon rose to his feet, sadness weighing heavily in his gaze.

"It's truly painful to watch a creature like you die," he said quietly.

"I know," the wolf responded, "but this is how things must be…"

Mammon lowered his head, too overwhelmed to speak. Suddenly, a soft yellow light emerged from the wolf's forehead, forming a glowing sphere.

"Take this," the wolf said, as Mammon gently took the ball into his hands. "It's similar to what you found in the black wolf, yet different in its own way." she said as Mammon gently took the glowing yellow orb in both hands.

"Do not be sad," the wolf said, "If you become stronger, perhaps we'll meet again someday."

"Is this goodbye?" he asked, his eyes welling with tears.

"Yes, it's goodbye," the wolf replied.

Mammon embraced the wolf, holding it close for a final moment. He stepped back, and the red mark on the wolf's forehead dimmed as she lifted her head to the sky gathered her last strength to give one final, powerful howl.

"AWOOOOOO!!!"

That was the last sound the wolf made as she died. Mammon's tears flowed freely, and he wept for a while before wiping them away. Just then, he heard the sound of heavy footsteps approaching, each thump growing louder.

A moment later, a white wolf, larger than the one Mammon had befriended, stepped into the clearing. It seemed to understand the scene before it and, to Mammon's surprise, bowed its head respectfully. Without making a sound, it turned and disappeared back into the woods. Mammon could only assume it was the mate of the female wolf, and he sighed, wondering how the creature would cope now that its partner was gone.

He opened the map and started following the directions back to the village entrance. When he got to the village entrance, he passed through and ran to Astranor's library immediately. Upon reaching there, the door automatically opened. He didn't even have the luxury of time to wonder how it opened immediately as he went inside.

Inside, the shelves seemed to part, creating a path directly to where Astranor sat, so he just walked through and met Astranor on his reading chair. Astranor immediately abandoned what he was doing and faced Mammon.

 "What's the matter, young one? You look troubled."

"Astranor, I need your help," Mammon blurted out, barely able to contain his urgency.

"What happened?"

"I met two magical beasts, and there's something I need your help with."

"You met two magical beasts?" Astranor repeated, eyes widening.

"Well, technically, three," Mammon corrected.

"Three!"

Mammon quickly recounted the events in the forest, the battle with the magical beasts, the death of the white wolf, and his desire to give it a proper burial.

"So, you're saying that you want to give this white wolf a proper burial?" Astranor asked.

"Yes, I want to do it quickly before anything disturbs the body." Mammon replied, determination in his eyes.

Astranor nodded. "Alright. I'll meet you outside. In the meantime, go to the barracks and find Veylin. Tell him to gather Elian and a squad of scouts to join us."

Mammon dashed out of the library and headed straight to the barracks. Luckily, he spotted Veylin right away, but before he could approach, a trainee blocked his path.

"I need to see Sir Veylin. It's urgent," Mammon replied, his tone urgent.

"Sorry, but he doesn't have time for weaklings like you," the trainee said, shoving Mammon back.

"Listen, it's important!" Mammon said, trying to push past, but the trainee held firm.

"I said you can't see him!" the trainee snapped.

"Hey! Let him through," Veylin's voice called from behind the trainee. The trainee hesitated but obeyed, stepping aside. Mammon rushed forward and spoke quickly.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but it's urgent. Astranor needs you and Sir Elian, along with a group of scouts, to meet him at the library."

"Are you sure about this?" Veylin asked, scrutinizing Mammon's expression.

"Yes, I'm certain," Mammon replied.

"Alright. We'll be there shortly," Veylin said, turning to his soldiers.

"Alright, listen up, you lot."

---

Mammon rushed back to the library, finding Astranor deep in thought, his hand on his chin. The mage noticed Mammon's return and turned to face him.

"Did you do as I asked?" Astranor inquired.

"Yes," Mammon replied, slightly out of breath.

"Good," Astranor said, but his brow furrowed. "You said you encountered three magical beasts right?"

Yes, but why are you so worried?"

"It's just... unusual for someone at your stage to encounter even one magical beast, let alone three."

Mammon's eyes widened. "How many have you encountered?" he asked.

"I've encountered about fifteen in my time," Astranor said with a small smile.

Mammon couldn't hide his surprise. It was a staggering number, but he expected nothing less from someone as experienced as Astranor. Before he could respond, a group of seven soldiers, including Elian and Veylin, arrived at the library.

"What's going on, old man?" Veylin asked.

"Yeah, I was asleep when Veylin dragged me out here," Elian grumbled.

"I'm sorry to call you all here on such short notice," Astranor said, genuinely apologetic. "But there's something I need your help with."

"What's so important that you can't handle it yourself?" Elian asked, crossing his arms.

"It's not a matter of power, It's a task that needs more hands." Astranor explained, "but one of attention to detail. I need to oversee something delicate, and I'll need your support."

"Alright then," Elian said, his tone more serious. "If it's that important, then we're all ears."

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